Why do you want to spend money on a GPS device and pay extra for map updates every year? You can buy an excellent Android tablet with GPS for the same price instead of a dedicated vehicle GPS. You can use this tablet just like a vehicle GPS and take advantage of additional tablet features. The bonus you get when you choose an Android tablet with GPS is a large screen display for your map, can watch movies, browse the internet with WiFi or 3G/4G, keep in sync with your business or trip calendar and to-do list, check emails, etc.
We collected a list of the best GPS Tablets are tablets with a built-in GPS sensor that you can get in a price range from $50-$550.
Table of contents
- Apple iPad Air 2022 10.9″-inch” (WiFi + Cellular)
- Microsoft Surface Pro 9 (2022), 13″ 2-in-1 Tablet
- SAMSUNG Galaxy Tab S7 FE 2021 Android Tablet
- Samsung Galaxy Tab E Lite
- Asus MeMO Pad 7
- Dragon Touch K10 GPS Android Tablet
- Google Nexus 7 – 2013
- Azpen A1040 Android Tablet
- Simbans TangoTab + Case
- PRITOM Android Tablet 10 inch
- Android 11 Tablet 10.1″ 64 GB
- Proscan 10-Inch
Apple iPad Air 2022 10.9″-inch” (WiFi + Cellular)
As you know, the Apple iPad with Cellular models has built-in GPS. If you are looking for the latest iPad with GPS, you can go for the 2022 10.9″ model iPad. The Apple 2022 iPad (WiFi + Cellular) is a powerful device that offers a large, high-resolution display and built-in GPS. The display is a 10.9″ Retina display and supports ProMotion technology, which allows for smoother scrolling and more responsive touch controls.
The iPad is powered by the A14 Bionic chip, which delivers fast performance and efficient power management. You can choose the 64GB model or higher memory size. , enough space to store all your important files, documents, and media.
This iPad supports WiFi and cellular connectivity, and you can use the SIM with it. Even though you are not going to use the SIM, you can still use the built-in GPS with the iPad. The iPad has a long-lasting battery that can last up to 10 hours of usage, and you can use it with an external smart keyboard.
As per our experience, if you are looking for GPS Tablets, iPad is your number one bet for the long battery and good hardware. You can also get the GPS models with iPad Pro 11″ or iPad Pro 12.9″ cellular models.
Key Specifications:
- 64GB and above Storage
- 12MP Wide Back Camera
- Landscape 12MP Ultra Wide Front Camera
- 10.9″ Liquid Retina Display (2360 x 1640 Pixels)
- WiFi 6 and 5G (sub-6 GHz) Cellular
- USB-C connector for charging and accessories
- All-day battery life
Microsoft Surface Pro 9 (2022), 13″ 2-in-1 Tablet
The Microsoft Surface Pro 9 is a versatile tablet that runs on Windows 11 with 13″ touchscreen display. The Surface Pro 9 is its 10th Gen Intel Core processor, which delivers fast performance and efficient power management. Surface Pro 9 also comes with up to 16GB of RAM and up to 1TB of storage, making it a powerful device that can easily handle multitasking and demanding apps.
The Surface Pro 9 also supports WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, and USB-C ports. This Built-in GPS model has a long-lasting battery that can last up to 19 hours of usage and fast charging capabilities. The Surface Pro 9 also comes with a built-in kickstand, which allows you to adjust the angle of the screen for a comfortable viewing experience. Additionally, it supports the Surface Pen, a digital stylus that allows you to take notes.
The Surface Pro 9 runs on Windows 11 and supports Windows Hello, a facial recognition feature that allows you to unlock the device and authenticate your identity quickly and securely. For those who love the Microsoft operating system and who want s a GPS tablet, the Surface Pro is a good choice.
Overall, the Microsoft Surface Pro 9 (2022) is a high-performance and versatile tablet device that is perfect for personal and professional use; it offers a large and high-resolution display, fast performance, and a wide range of advanced features and capabilities.
Key Specifications:
- Core i5-1235U or a Core i7-1255U processor
- 13″ Liquid Retina Display (2360 x 1640 Pixels)
- USB-C ports for easy accessory charging
- 19 hours battery life
- Surface Pro Signature Keyboard
- Adjustable built-in Kickstand
SAMSUNG Galaxy Tab S7 FE 2021 Android Tablet
Like the iPad LTE models, you can get the built-in GPS Samsung models with LTE connectivity. One of the built-in GPS tabs from Samsung that you can use is Galaxy Tab A7. This Samsung Tab has a 12.4-inch touchscreen display with a screen resolution of 2560×1600 pixels, which offers stunning visual clarity and vibrant colors.
Galaxy Tab S7 FE has an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G processor, which delivers fast performance and efficient power management. Tab S7 comes with 4GB of RAM and up to 128GB of storage, making it a powerful device that can easily handle multitasking and demanding apps.
The Galaxy Tab S7 FE LTE model supports WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, and USB-C ports. The long-lasting battery can last up to 14 hours of usage, and fast charging capabilities. The Galaxy Tab S7 FE also comes with a built-in S Pen, which allows you to take notes and draw, and the Samsung DeX allows you to turn your tablet into a PC-like experience by connecting it to a monitor, keyboard, and mouse.
Key Specifications:
- Octa Core processor
- 12.4″ Brilliant Color Display (2560 x 1600 Pixels)
- USB-C ports for easy accessory charging
- 10090mAh battery life
Google Nexus 9
The Nexus 9 was released a year after the Nexus 7, and HTC manufactured this one. The HTC Nexus 9 is generally regarded as the best Nexus tablet experience. Technically, it is a Nexus 9-ish because the 8.9-inch display is just a little shy of a full 9-inch. Nexus 9 has a sharp IPS LCD panel with a screen resolution of 2048 x 1536 pixels.
The 4:3 aspect ratio is the same as iPad, but the pixel density is a bit lower at ~281 PPI. The display is protected with a Corning Gorilla Glass 3. Out of the box, it runs Android 5.0 Lollipop out of the box but can be officially upgraded to Android 7.1.1 Nougat.
Running the OS is an Nvidia Tegra K1 which was, at the time, a very capable processor. There is no support for expandable storage, and you only get 16GB of built-in storage. Still enough to run Google Maps offline, in case you were wondering. You also get 2GB of RAM to keep things running on this GPS tablet.
The rear camera on the back is 8 megapixels, and the front camera is a 1.6-megapixel shooter. There is a 32GB storage option available, but it also comes with LTE support, so you may end up paying more than you want to. The lights are kept on with a 6700 mAh battery, which is a huge upgrade over the one in the Nexus 7.
Key Specifications:
- Nvidia Tegra K1
- 2GB RAM
- 16GB Storage
- 8MP Rear Camera
- 1.6MP Front Camera
- 8.9-inch IPS LCD Screen (2048 x 1536 pixels)
- Android 5.0 (Upgradeable to Android 7.1.1)
- 6700mAh battery
Samsung Galaxy Tab E Lite
If you’re more of a Samsung person, the Samsung Galaxy Tab E Lite is a Samsung tablet with a built-in GPS. The Samsung tablet was released with a built-in GPS in 2014 and had specs to prove that. It comes with Android 4.4 Kitkat out of the box. You’ll be stuck with that because updates and Samsung haven’t been the best of friends.
Unless you’re willing to root it and install a custom ROM, you lose all the Samsung-ness. The display is also a non-impressive 7.0-inch TFT with a 1024 x 600 pixels resolution. There is only 8GB of internal storage and 1GB of RAM but it has a GPS.
It is capable of being the Google Maps GPS tablet you stick on your car’s dashboard. At least it does support expandable storage up to 32GB via a microSD card. The Marvell PXA986 dual-core processor packed inside is also far from decent. The rear camera is a 2MP shooter capable only of 480p video.
There’s no selfie camera which is one less sub-par thing you’ll end up paying for. The 3600mAh battery included here is smaller than many phones today. If you really want a cheap Samsung tablet to act as a GPS map, though, this should be fine.
Key Specifications
- Marvell PXA986
- 1GB RAM
- 8GB Storage (expandable)
- 2MP Rear Camera
- No Front Camera
- 7.0-inch TFT Screen (1024 x 600 pixels)
- Android 4.2
- 3600mAh battery
Asus MeMO Pad 7
This is another older Android tablet with a built-in GPS and features an Intel Atom Z3745 quad-core processor. This particular model comes with 16GB of onboard storage. However, there is a cheaper 8GB storage variant as well. Regardless of the storage variant, you only get 1GB of RAM, which was the norm back in 2014.
That’s when this tablet was originally released into the market. The onboard storage can be expanded with a microSD card up to 64GB. The GPS tablet runs on Android 4.4.2 Kitkat out of the box. Now, Asus has never been great with software updates, so don’t expect any. There is a 5MP rear camera and a 2MP front-facing camera, and stereo speakers.
The 3950mAh battery should keep the lights on for about 9 hours, but it’ll probably be less. Finally, the 7 in the name is justified by the 7.0-inch display with 1280 x 800 pixels. This results in a pixel density of nearly 216 pixels per inch. The good news is that running Google Maps offline, especially on this 16GB variant, should not be too difficult.
Key features:
- Intel Atom Z3745
- 1GB RAM
- 16GB Storage (expandable)
- 5MP Rear Camera
- 2MP Front Camera
- 7.0-inch IPS LCD Screen (1280 x 800 pixels)
- Android 4.4.2
- 3950mAh battery
Related: How to use Waze as a Standalone GPS Device
Dragon Touch K10 GPS Android Tablet
Older hardware is fine because it’s cheap, and you only need the tablet for the GPS to run Google Maps. But you get newer technology with new hardware, like better screens and processors, even if the device is a lot cheaper.
Dragon Touch K10 is a very good example of that. This Android GPS tablet was released in 2019 and featured a brilliant 10.1-inch IPS LCD. The resolution is a bit on the lower side, with 1280 x 800 pixels. Remember that this Android tablet usually goes around for under $100 and still includes a built-in GPS.
There is 16GB of internal storage, which is expandable via a microSD card. Inside is a Hz MTK 64-bit quad-core CPU, but the company does not specify exactly which SoC it is. There is 2GB of RAM to support it, nevertheless.
The Android version 8.1 Oreo comes out of the box and is still a good three years old. But it’s not as old as what you get on the older tablets. Both the front-facing and rear cameras are present and are 2MP shooters. The battery is a respectable 5600mAh, but it’s not the biggest on a 10-inch tablet.
Key features:
- Marvell PXA986
- 2GB RAM
- 16GB Storage (expandable)
- 2MP Rear Camera
- 2MP Front Camera
- 10.1-inch IPS LCD Screen (1280 x 800 pixels)
- Android 8.15600mAh battery
Google Nexus 7 – 2013
This 7-inch GPS tablet from Google’s Nexus program was manufactured by Asus. It’s a WiFi edition tablet, meaning you cannot put in a SIM card. Speaking of putting things in, you can’t put in any expandable storage either. You’re limited to 32GB of onboard storage, but this is a GPS tablet.
Considering your main purpose is to get Google Maps to work on it offline, 32GB should be more than enough. There is only 2GB of RAM to keep your apps and the OS in memory which is fine but doesn’t expect much. The Android GPS tablet is straight out of 2013.
That’s why it runs the ancient Android 4.3 Jelly Bean out of the box. An update to Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow is officially available. They call it the Nexus 7 because it sports a 7.02-inch IPS LCD with a 1920 x 1200 pixels resolution. That’s a little more than full HD, with an aspect ratio of 16:10.
If you’re counting, this results in a pixel density of 323 pixels per inch or PPI. There’s a 5-megapixel shooter on the back and a 1.2-megapixel selfie cam on the front if you’re into tablet photography. A Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro SoC and a 3950 mAh battery are powering all of this.
Key Specifications
- Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro
- 2GB RAM
- 32GB Storage
- 5MP Rear Camera
- 1.2MP Front Camera
- 7.02-inch IPS LCD Screen (1920×1200 pixels)
- Android 4.3 (Upgradeable to Android 6.0.1)
- 3950mAh battery
Related: Best GPS Tablets on Amazon for less than $120
Azpen A1040 Android Tablet
For just running Google Maps offline, Azpen’s 10.1-inch Android tablet with a built-in GPS is not that bad either. You may have never heard of the company, and it might be difficult to bet your money on them. The company does promise local customer support in the US via email or their toll-free number.
Apart from the bigger screen, the specs are a bit similar to the Samsung GPS tablet above. With a less than HD 1024 x 600 pixels resolution and an Intel 1.3 GHz Quad-Core A6 processor with just 1GB of RAM, this is not a powerful machine. But it is okay enough to run Google Maps, and it is ultra-cheap. The tablet usually sells for under $70, which is cheaper than even a good pair of earphones.
It packs in 8GB of internal storage and sports a 2MP rear camera. They don’t specify the exact battery capacity but promise a 6-hour life. There is no mention of any expandable storage on the product page either. It would be unreasonable to think someone would sell a tablet with 8GB of storage without expansion. However, that’s not something that can’t happen in our world. It runs Android 5.1 Lollipop out of the box.
Key features:
- Intel A6 processor
- 1GB RAM
- 8GB Storage
- 2MP Rear Camera
- Front Camera NA
- 10.1-inch IPS LCD Screen (1024 x 600 pixels)
- Android 5.1
- 6-hour battery life
Simbans TangoTab + Case
Simbans advertises the TangoTab as a “premium” tablet by the company. It sells for $129.95 with a case and $139.95 with a keyboard. So yes, there’s nothing premium about this tablet. It’s not priced like one, so it’s not built like one, and neither does it pack premium specs. But it does have a quad-core MediaTek MT8163 processor.
This is comparable to the Qualcomm Snapdragon 410. While that’s not quite “premium,” the processor is at least quite capable of running everyday tasks other than Google Maps even. The 2GG RAM included here, and the 32GB of storage should run Google Maps without any hiccups. It also runs a relatively newer, but still three years old, Android 8.1 Oreo software.
A 5MP rear camera and a 2MP front-facing selfie shooter are also present. The display is a 10-inch IPS LCD panel with a 1280 x 800 pixels resolution. The 6000mAh battery here is one of the best things about this Android tablet, and it does have a built-in GPS.
Key Features:
- MediaTek MT8163
- 2GB RAM
- 32GB Storage
- 5MP Rear Camera
- 2MP Front Camera
- 10.0-inch IPS LCD Screen (1280 x 800 pixels)
- Android 8.1
- 6000mAh battery
PRITOM Android Tablet 10 inch
Pritom GPS tablet runs on the Android 9.0 operating system and is equipped with a quad-core processor. This Android tablet has 2GB of RAM and 32GB of storage which can be expanded up to 128GB with a micro SD card. The tablet has a 10.1″ IPS display with a 1280 x 800 pixels resolution.
This 10″ tablet has a 2MP front and rear camera, which can make video calls. This tablet also supports WiFi and Bluetooth 4.0 and has a built-in GPS. The tablet has a USB-C port and a micro-HDMI port. It also comes with a detachable keyboard, so you can easily switch between tablet and laptop modes.
Key Specifications:
- 10.1″ inch” 1280×800 IPS screen
- MTK Quad Core CPU
- Android 9 OS
- 2GB RAM
- 128GB Storage
Android 11 Tablet 10.1″ 64 GB
The link provided leads to a product listing on Amazon for a tablet called “Dragon Touch Notepad K10 Tablet”. This Android tablet runs on the Android 11 with 40% performance upgrade. It has 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage which can be expanded up to 128GB with a micro SD card. The tablet has a 10.1-inch IPS display with 1920 x 1200 pixels resolution.
This Android Tablet also has a 5MP front and rear camera 6000mAh battery that supports 8 hours of battery life. This tablet also supports WiFi and Bluetooth, it also has a USB-C port and a micro-HDMI port. It has a long battery life of up to 8 hours of mixed-use. It’s also equipped with a G-sensor and a built-in microphone.
The GPS tablet has a 5 MP front & 13 MP Rear camera. This tablet with built-in GPS loaded with Android 11.
Key Specifications:
- 11″ LCD 1920×1200 Display
- 4GB DDR3 SDRAM
- 64GB Storage
- Android 11 OS.
- 13 MP Rear Camera
- G-sensor
Proscan 10-Inch
This 10-inch tablet is another cheapest Android tablets with built-in GPS. This table comes with Quad-Core, 1 GB RAM, Built-in Bluetooth, GPS, and Android 4.4 Kit-Kat OS. This tablet has a Touch Screen with 1024×600 Pixel Resolution and built-in WiFi with a built-in Front Facing Camera. The built-in battery can power the tablet for up to 4 hours.
Key Specifications:
- 10″ 1024×600 Capacitive Display
- Android 4.4
- Quad-Core Processor
- 1GB RAM
- 8GB Storage
- Built-in GPS
Related: How to Check your Android’s Internal GPS with GPS Test App
When you choose the best tablet with GPS for your vehicle, I recommend Google Nexus Tablets, which are built with high-end hardware and a good price. Once you have GPS tablets for the offline map, you can connect the car’s Bluetooth receiver to the car’s audio system. If your vehicle doesn’t have a built-in Bluetooth receiver, you can use external Bluetooth FM devices to connect Smart Phone to Car Audio System wirelessly.
How Did We Choose the Best GPS Tablets
We have tested the GPS Tablets and made sure you get the GPS sensors built-in with the tablets. When we pick the GPS tablets, we consider the following specification to choose the best list written above.
Operating System: Choose a tablet that runs on an operating system that you are comfortable with, such as Android or iOS.
Display: Look for a tablet with a high-resolution display and a large screen size for easy navigation and viewing.
Battery Life: A GPS tablet with a long battery life will be useful for extended periods of use.
Durability: A rugged or waterproof design will ensure the tablet can withstand harsh outdoor conditions.
GPS Receiver: Look for a tablet with a built-in GPS receiver or one that can support external GPS receivers.
Storage and Memory: Consider a tablet with enough storage and memory to hold all of your maps and navigation software.
Additional Features: Some GPS tablets come with features such as Glonass and Galileo support, improving GPS signal accuracy in certain conditions.
Price: Compare prices of different tablets that meet your needs and choose the one that offers the best value for your money.
With the help of these Bluetooth devices, you can hear the map directions and stream songs on your car audio system from this GPS tablet along with Map Application. For those who would like to know more details, they can refer to the article 8 Benefits of GPS Tablets Over Dedicated GPS Devices.
There are more GPS tablets on the market with more powerful hardware and advanced features. These tablets with built-in GPS can be used to make a standalone GPS with an offline Map. When you don’t want to go for high-end tablets, these GPS tables listed above will be under your budget to meet your demand.
Built-in GPS Tablets: FAQs
A built-in GPS tablet refers to a device with a GPS receiver integrated into the hardware, allowing it to determine the device’s location without needing an external GPS receiver.
The accuracy of the GPS on a tablet will vary depending on factors such as the quality of the GPS receiver, the number of satellites in view, and the presence of obstructions. In general, GPS on a tablet can be accurate within a few meters.
Yes, a tablet with built-in GPS can work without an internet connection as long as it has a clear view of the sky and a sufficient number of satellites in view. However, some
Yes, you can use a tablet with built-in GPS for navigation by installing a navigation app that can access the device’s GPS receiver.
Some popular navigation apps that work well with a built-in GPS tablet include Google Maps, Waze, and Apple Maps. Other apps, such as fitness and geocaching apps, can also use the built-in GPS.
Very informative article. Thanks for the update as it’s tough to keep up with the current trends in software. @mashtips is awesome, wish I would have found you sooner!
Road tests would be very helpful. Having your map app like goggle maps constantly re routing because it lost its location is the problem I ran into. My Iphone never does this. Why does it work so well. Even my wifes Samsung Galexy phone works without loosing itself.
This may depend on the GPS Sensor quality and signal strength. The iPhone and Android seem to have a good quality GPS sensor and you can’t expect the same from cheap tablets. You can try the Nexus tab from Google listed above or check with some external GPS receiver to attach with the tablet.
Only the Proscan summary specifies Bluetooth capability. Do all the devices have it?
All these tablets have true GPS from satellites and not just cell towers, correct? I’m looking for one to run a maps app on my boat where I’ll be out of cell tower range.
Hi Jon
Im looking to buy a tablet to run naviocics. Did you find your best choice?
regards
brian thomas
These tabs have built-in GPS for the apps that demand location information. However, if you want highly precise information, I would add an external GPS dedicated to these purposes. https://mashtips.com/best-external-gps-receivers/
I heard the Samsung one is good for a boat…..I also need one for a boat… Did you buy one yet Jon Ericson??
I bought the Dragon Touch K10 GPS Android Tablet, maps work but it won’t support a compass. You can see where you’re at but not which direction you are heading.
Did you see any option to calibrate the compass?
Hi Jon
Im looking to buy a tablet to run naviocics. Did you find your best choice?
regards
brian thomas
I love that you have included the Garmin Etrex 10 in this list! I own one and it is my favorite GPS tablet.
I love that you have included the Garmin Etrex 10 in this list! I own one and it is my favorite GPS tablet.
I love that you have included the Garmin Etrex 10 in this list! I own one and it is my favorite GPS tablet.