Best Tablets For Watching Movies & Netflix

Watching movies and Netflix on a tablet can be a fantastic experience if you have the right device. In this article, we’ll dive into the best tablets for movie streaming, highlighting top picks that offer superb display quality, powerful performance, and excellent battery life. You’ll find detailed specifications for each tablet, as well as pros and cons to help you make an informed decision.

We’ll also provide guidance on how to choose the perfect tablet for your needs, including key factors like screen size, resolution, audio quality, and storage capacity.

Top 12 Tablets For Movies

We’ve rounded up the top 12 tablets for movies that offer stunning displays, powerful performance, and great battery life to ensure you enjoy every cinematic moment.

Comparison Chart

All the best tablets for movies put side-by-side:

Tablet	OS	Display Size	Resolution	Speakers	Battery Life
Apple iPad Pro 13” M4	iPad OS	13inches	2752×2064	Stereo Speakers	~10 hours
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra	Android OS	14.6inches	2960×1848	Stereo Speakers	~13 hours
Microsoft Surface Pro 9	Windows OS	13inches	2880×1920	Stereo Speakers	~19 hours
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Plus	Android OS	12.4inches	2800×1752	Stereo Speakers	~9 hours
Apple iPad Air 13” M2	iPad OS	13inches	2732×2048	Stereo Speakers	~10 hours
Apple iPad Air 11” M2	iPad OS	11inches	2360×1640	Stereo Speakers	~10 hours
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE Plus	Android OS	12.4inches	2560×1600	Stereo Speakers	~12 hours
Apple iPad 10	iPad OS	10.9inches	2360×1640	Stereo Speakers	~10 hours
Google Pixel Tablet	Android OS	11inches	2560×1600	Stereo Speakers	~12 hours
Apple iPad Mini 6	iPad OS	8.3inches	2266×1488	Stereo Speakers	~10 hours
Amazon Fire Max 11	Fire OS	11.5inches	2000×1200	Stereo Speakers	~12 hours
Lenovo Ideapad Duet 5	Chrome OS	13.3inches	1920×1080	Stereo Speakers	~15 hours

The Best Streaming Tablet Overall

The iPad Pro 13-inch M4 (2024) stands out as the best tablet for streaming movies and Netflix, thanks to its top-of-the-line specifications and features. The Ultra Retina Tandem OLED display with a 2064 x 2752 pixel resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10, and Dolby Vision provides vibrant colors, deep blacks, and smooth motion, making it perfect for high-definition video streaming and cinematic experiences. Its powerful Apple M4 chip, with a 9-core or 10-core CPU and a 10-core GPU, ensures streaming apps run smoothly without lag and multitasking is seamless. The quad-speaker system delivers rich and immersive sound, enhancing the overall movie-watching experience. With up to 10 hours of battery life, you can enjoy extended movie marathons without frequent recharging. It also supports GSM, HSPA, LTE, and 5G networks and features Wi-Fi 6e and USB Type-C 4 (Thunderbolt 3), ensuring fast and reliable internet connectivity for smooth streaming.

Reasons to Buy:

• Exceptional Display Quality: The Ultra Retina OLED display with high brightness and advanced HDR capabilities offers a cinema-like viewing experience.
• Robust Performance: The Apple M4 chip provides unparalleled processing power, ideal for running streaming apps and handling other demanding tasks.
• Superior Audio: The quad-speaker setup ensures a rich audio experience, making dialogues clear and enhancing sound effects.
• Long Battery Life: You can stream for hours without worrying about recharging.
• Stylus Support: Compatible with Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil 2 for added functionality.

Reasons to Avoid:

• High Price: it is significantly more expensive than many other tablets on the market.
• No Expandable Storage: Lacks a microSD slot, meaning you are limited to the internal storage options available at purchase.
• Large and Heavy: With a weight of approximately 579g for the Wi-Fi model and 582g for the 5G model, it might be cumbersome for prolonged handheld use.
• No 3.5mm Jack: Requires Bluetooth or USB-C headphones, which might not be ideal for all users.

The Best Running Android OS

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra stands out as one of the best Android tablets for streaming movies and TV shows. Its 14.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, with a 120Hz refresh rate and HDR10+ support, offers vibrant colors and smooth motion, ideal for high-definition content. Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, it delivers seamless performance for streaming and multitasking. With up to 1TB of storage, 16GB of RAM, and quad stereo speakers tuned by AKG, the Tab S9 Ultra provides an immersive media experience that’s hard to beat.

Reasons to Buy:

• Exceptional Display: The Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen with HDR10+ and 120Hz refresh rate offers stunning visuals, making it perfect for watching movies and TV shows.
• Powerful Performance: The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset and up to 16GB of RAM ensure smooth and efficient multitasking and app performance.
• Excellent Audio Quality: The quad-speaker setup tuned by AKG delivers rich and immersive sound, enhancing the overall media experience.
• Versatile Storage Options: With up to 1TB of internal storage and support for microSDXC, you’ll have plenty of space for all your content.
• Robust Build and Design: The tablet features a durable aluminum frame and is IP68 dust and water-resistant, making it both stylish and resilient.

Reasons to Avoid:

• High Price: It is a premium device that may not fit everyone’s budget.
• Large and Heavy: Weighing 732 grams, it can be cumbersome for prolonged handheld use.
• No 3.5mm Jack: Requires Bluetooth or USB-C headphones, which might not be ideal for all users.
• No NFC or Radio: These omissions might be a downside for those who rely on these features.

Best Mid-Range

The iPad Air 11-inch M2, released in May 2024, is an excellent mid-range tablet for streaming, offering powerful performance and a vibrant 11-inch Liquid Retina display with 1640 x 2360 resolution and 500 nits brightness, perfect for movies and TV shows. Powered by the Apple M2 chipset with an octa-core CPU and 9-core GPU, it handles multitasking and streaming apps smoothly. With storage options ranging from 128GB to 1TB, paired with 8GB of RAM, it provides ample space for apps and media. The tablet also features a 12 MP rear camera, a 12 MP ultrawide front camera, Wi-Fi 6e, Bluetooth 5.3, and USB-C 3.1, making it a versatile and durable choice for both entertainment and productivity.

Reasons to Buy

• High-Quality Display: The 11.0-inch Liquid Retina IPS LCD with 500 nits brightness provides stunning visuals, perfect for streaming high-definition content.
• Powerful Performance: The Apple M2 chipset and 9-core GPU ensure smooth and efficient performance, capable of handling demanding streaming apps and multitasking.
• Ample Storage Options: With internal storage options up to 1TB, there’s plenty of space for all your media and apps.
• Advanced Camera System: The 12 MP main camera and 12 MP ultrawide front camera provide excellent photo and video quality, making it ideal for video calls.
• Comprehensive Connectivity: Supports Wi-Fi 6e, Bluetooth 5.3, and USB Type-C 3.1 Gen2, along with 5G connectivity, ensuring fast and reliable internet access.
• Stylus Support: Compatible with Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil 2, enhancing productivity and creative potential.

Reasons to Avoid

• No 3.5mm Jack: The absence of a headphone jack might be inconvenient for users who prefer wired headphones.
• No Expandable Storage: Lack of a microSD card slot means you can’t expand storage beyond the internal capacity.
• Premium Price: While mid-range, the price point of around 700 EUR might still be high for some budget-conscious consumers.
• Limited to Apple Ecosystem: Best utilized within the Apple ecosystem, which might not appeal to users who prefer more open or varied platforms.

Best Budget

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE Plus stands out as the best budget tablet for streaming. It combines a large, high-quality display with solid performance and versatile connectivity options, making it ideal for budget-conscious users who don’t want to compromise on their viewing experience.

The tablet features a 12.4-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1600 x 2560 pixels and a 90Hz refresh rate, offering clear and smooth visuals. This makes it perfect for watching movies and TV shows in high definition. The Exynos 1380 chipset, combined with an octa-core CPU and Mali-G68 MP5 GPU, ensures a smooth performance, allowing you to stream content seamlessly.

With internal storage options ranging from 128GB to 256GB and up to 12GB of RAM, the Galaxy Tab S9 FE Plus provides ample space for apps and media. It also supports microSDXC, allowing you to expand your storage further. The tablet is equipped with dual rear cameras (8 MP wide and 8 MP ultrawide) and a 12 MP ultrawide front camera, which are useful for video calls and capturing moments.

Connectivity is a strong suit for this tablet, supporting GSM, HSPA, LTE, and 5G networks, ensuring fast and reliable internet access. It also includes Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, and USB Type-C 2.0 for versatile connectivity options. The tablet is IP68 dust and water-resistant, adding to its durability.

The 10090 mAh battery provides long-lasting power, and the 45W wired charging support ensures that you can quickly recharge the device. Despite its large size, the tablet is relatively lightweight at 627 grams, making it portable and easy to handle.

Reasons to Buy

• Large, High-Quality Display: The 12.4-inch IPS LCD with a 90Hz refresh rate provides clear and smooth visuals, perfect for streaming movies and TV shows.
• Solid Performance: The Exynos 1380 chipset and up to 12GB of RAM ensure smooth and efficient performance, even for demanding streaming apps.
• Ample Storage Options: With up to 256GB of internal storage and support for microSDXC, you have plenty of space for your media and apps.
• Versatile Connectivity: Supports a wide range of network bands, including 5G, for fast and reliable internet access.
• Durability: The tablet is IP68 dust and water-resistant, making it durable for everyday use.
• Long Battery Life: The 10090 mAh battery ensures extended usage of up to 18h, while 45W wired charging allows for quick recharges.

Reasons to Avoid

• No 3.5mm Jack: The absence of a headphone jack may be inconvenient for users who prefer wired headphones.
• Relatively Heavy: At 627 grams, it might be cumbersome for prolonged handheld use.
• Limited to USB Type-C 2.0: While functional, USB Type-C 2.0 is not as fast as newer USB standards.
• No NFC or Radio: These omissions might be a downside for those who rely on these features.

Best Value

The Apple iPad 10th gen is a top pick among the best iPads for streaming movies and TV shows, offering a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display with a sharp 1640 x 2360 resolution. Powered by the A14 Bionic chip, it ensures smooth performance for streaming and multitasking. With up to 256GB of storage, 5G connectivity, and support for the first-generation Apple Pencil, this iPad balances affordability with power, making it perfect for both entertainment and productivity.

Reasons to Buy

• High-Quality Display: The 10.9-inch Liquid Retina IPS LCD with 500 nits brightness provides excellent visuals, making it perfect for watching movies and TV shows.
• Powerful Performance: The Apple A14 Bionic chip ensures smooth and efficient performance, capable of handling streaming apps and multitasking with ease.
• 5G Connectivity: Supports a wide range of network technologies including 5G, ensuring fast and reliable internet access for streaming on the go.
• Good Camera Setup: The 12 MP main and front cameras offer high-quality video recording and clear video calls, enhancing your multimedia experience.
• Stereo Speakers: Provides immersive audio, enhancing the overall streaming experience.

Reasons to Avoid

• No 3.5mm Jack: The absence of a headphone jack might be inconvenient for users who prefer wired headphones.
• Limited Storage Options: While the internal storage options are decent, there is no card slot for expandable storage.
• No NFC: The lack of NFC might be a drawback for users who rely on contactless payment or other NFC-based functionalities.
• Mid-Range Battery: While the battery is sufficient for regular use, heavy streaming might drain it faster, necessitating more frequent charging.

Best Small

The iPad Mini 6, announced in September 2021, is a compact yet powerful 8-inch tablet perfect for on-the-go streaming of movies and TV shows. Its Liquid Retina IPS LCD display delivers sharp and vibrant visuals, making it ideal for entertainment. For those seeking a small, portable tablet with robust performance and a high-quality display, the iPad Mini 6 stands out as one of the best 8-inch tablets available, combining portability with powerful internals.

Reasons to Buy

• Compact and Lightweight: Weighing just 293g (Wi-Fi) / 297g (Wi-Fi + Cellular) and measuring 195.4 x 134.8 x 6.3 mm, the iPad Mini 6 is highly portable and easy to handle.
• High-Quality Display: The 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display with a resolution of 1488 x 2266 pixels and a pixel density of ~327 ppi ensures a crisp and clear viewing experience, perfect for streaming content.
• Powerful Performance: Equipped with the Apple A15 Bionic chip and a hexa-core CPU, the iPad Mini 6 handles streaming and multitasking effortlessly. The 5-core GPU further enhances the visual performance.
• 5G Connectivity: Supports a wide range of network technologies, including 5G, ensuring fast and reliable internet access for seamless streaming.
• Stereo Speakers: Provides decent audio quality for an immersive viewing experience.

Reasons to Avoid

• No 3.5mm Jack: The absence of a headphone jack might be a drawback for users who prefer wired headphones.
• Limited Storage Options: With no expandable storage option, users are limited to the internal storage capacities of 64GB or 256GB.
• No NFC and Radio: Lacks NFC and radio features, which might be inconvenient for users who rely on these functionalities.

How To Choose

In order to select the best tablets specifically for movies and TV-shows, we used the following criteria, to find the best options for you. There are a few things you should focus on when buying a tablet purely for video entertainment: screen size, speakers, battery life and display quality.

Are things you should take in consideration: display technology, wether the tablet is OLED or LCD. Refresh rate, storage capacity and tablet operating system. Those are the most important factors

What Size To Choose?

When it comes to streaming movies, the tablet size you choose can significantly impact your viewing experience. Generally, a larger screen will provide a more immersive experience, but it also depends on your portability needs.

• 7 to 8 inches: These smaller tablets are highly portable and easy to hold for long periods. They are ideal if you often watch movies on the go or prefer a lightweight device. However, the smaller screen might not be as satisfying for watching visually rich content.
• 9 to 10 inches: This is a popular size for tablets as it strikes a balance between portability and screen real estate. It offers a more comfortable viewing experience for movies while still being relatively easy to carry around.
• 11 inches and above: Larger tablets provide a near-laptop-sized screen, making them excellent for a home viewing experience. They are bulkier and heavier, but the larger display is perfect for enjoying movies in high detail.

Ultimately, the best size for you will depend on how you plan to use the tablet. For home use, larger tablets are preferable, while smaller ones are better for travel and portability.

How Much Resolution You Need?

Resolution is crucial for a high-quality viewing experience. The higher the resolution, the sharper and more detailed the image. Here’s a guide to help you decide:

• 720p (HD): Suitable for smaller tablets (7-8 inches). While not the best resolution, it’s still acceptable for casual viewing, especially on a smaller screen where pixel density is higher.
• 1080p (Full HD): This is the sweet spot for most tablets, offering clear and detailed images without putting too much strain on the device’s battery life. It’s ideal for tablets in the 9-10 inch range.
• 1440p (Quad HD) and above: For larger tablets (11 inches and above), higher resolutions like 1440p or even 4K (2160p) provide exceptional clarity and detail. This is especially important if you watch a lot of high-definition content.

A Full HD (1080p) resolution is generally sufficient for most users, providing a good balance between quality and battery efficiency. However, if you are a resolution enthusiast and use a larger tablet, opting for a higher resolution might be worth it.

How Much Battery Life You Need?

Battery life is a critical factor, especially if you plan to watch movies on the go. The ideal battery life will depend on your usage patterns:

• 8-10 hours: This is the minimum you should aim for. It’s enough for a couple of movies and some web browsing. Most budget tablets fall into this category.
• 10-12 hours: This range is ideal for a full day of usage, including several hours of movie streaming. Mid-range tablets usually offer this kind of battery performance.
• 12 hours and above: Premium tablets often boast battery lives of 12 hours or more, ensuring you can watch movies throughout the day without needing a recharge.

For frequent travelers and heavy users, a longer battery life is crucial. For occasional use, a lower range might suffice.

What Sort Of Speakers You Need?

Good audio quality enhances the movie-watching experience. Here are some key points to consider:

• Stereo speakers: Ensure the tablet has at least stereo speakers, which provide a more immersive sound experience compared to mono speakers.
• Speaker placement: Front-facing speakers are preferable as they direct sound towards you, enhancing the audio experience. Side or bottom-firing speakers can be easily obstructed by your hands.
• Brand and enhancements: Some tablets come with branded audio enhancements like Dolby Atmos, which can significantly improve sound quality and create a more theater-like experience.
• External speakers: If the built-in speakers are not sufficient, ensure the tablet supports Bluetooth or has an audio jack for connecting external speakers or headphones.

How Much Storage Capacity You Need For Movies?

Movies can take up a considerable amount of storage, especially in high-definition formats. Here’s a guideline for storage capacity:

• 32 GB: This is the bare minimum and might suffice if you stream most of your content and store only a few movies offline. However, it can fill up quickly.
• 64 GB: A more comfortable amount of storage for those who download movies for offline viewing. It can hold several HD movies along with other apps and files.
• 128 GB and above: Ideal for heavy users who download a lot of content. It provides ample space for movies, apps, and other media without constantly worrying about running out of storage.

Additionally, look for tablets with expandable storage options (microSD card slots) to easily increase your storage capacity without investing in a higher storage variant.

Can You Watch Movies & Netflix Offline on A Tablet? 

Yes, it is possible to watch movies and shows offline with a tablet. Streaming apps like Netflix, HBO Max, Disney+, Hulu, etc. allow users to download movies and shows on mobile devices. 

For example, on Netflix, you simply have to log in and select a show/movie. Then press the Download button located under the Play button. The movie/show will now start downloading.

We can’t guarantee that every streaming service allows this, but the most popular ones do. You’ll need to check with the official channels or browse the app to see if there are any options for downloads on mobile devices. 

You’ll need an active subscription to the streaming platform to access the offline content. You can’t download a movie and hope it’ll still be available without a subscription. It’s only available in the app, and not saved locally on your tablet.

Where Are Netflix Downloads On iPad/Tablet?

When you download movies or TV series on mobile devices, they are saved within the app, not on the device.

To view all of your downloads:

• Open ‘Netflix’ app
• Tap on the ‘Downloads’ at the bottom menu.

There you should see all the movies and shows you have downloaded.

FAQ’s