Android email apps are double-edged swords. They can be extremely convenient—especially if your job involves day-to-day email communications—but they can also contribute to tech-induced depression.

Email addiction is a real problem, and it's only one facet of a greater and increasingly prevalent issue: smartphone addiction. So before we make any email app recommendations, we'd like to remind you that sometimes it's better to go without.

But if you do need a good Android email app, then keep reading! Here are the best email apps for Android that you should consider.

The Best Free Email Apps for Android

1. Samsung Email

Samsung's Android apps are pretty hit or miss, but when they hit, they knock it way out of the park. Just as Samsung Internet Browser is one of the best free browsers for Android, Samsung Email is one of the best free email apps for Android. The folks at Samsung really know what they're doing.

The best thing about Samsung Email is its purity of aesthetic, which is shared across all Samsung apps. If you have a Samsung device, it feels good to have an app that ties in with the cohesive whole and works well enough to beat out other similar apps.

Other notable features include Exchange ActiveSync for business email accounts, encryption for security and privacy, custom notifications, schedule synchronization, and spam management.

Download: Samsung Email (Free)

2. Blue Mail

The Blue Mail app has it all, but what we like best are its smooth performance and compact interface. Even on a tiny device, Blue Mail feels like it has a lot of breathing room. It's never cramped, it's easy to navigate, and it's pleasant to use.

Blue Mail supports Gmail, Yahoo Mail, Outlook, Office 365, iCloud, and AOL. Besides, it also supports IMAP and POP3 accounts. Advanced features include per-account notification settings, Quiet Hours, Groups to send mass emails to the same recipients time and again, and more.

Download: Blue Mail (Free)

3. Gmail

The Gmail app comes pre-installed on most Android devices, so that's the way to go if you don't want any hassle. Don't have it? No problem, you can install it manually if you want. Check out these hidden Gmail app features to kick your email productivity to the next level.

At one point, the Gmail app was only compatible with Gmail or G Suite email accounts, but it has since added support for Yahoo Mail, Outlook, and any other email service that supports IMAP/POP.

If you run into issues, here's how to fix Android email sync problems.

Download: Gmail (Free)

4. Microsoft Outlook

After the Microsoft Outlook app was redesigned, it became one of the best email apps in the Google Play Store. It's pleasing to the eye, it has productivity-boosting features like the Focused inbox, and best of all, it's completely free without ads or upgrades.

Microsoft Outlook supports Gmail, Yahoo Mail, and of course Outlook, Office 365, and Microsoft Exchange. In addition, you get smart filters, swipe gestures, and integration with Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft PowerPoint.

Download: Microsoft Outlook (Free)

5. K-9 Mail

K-9 Mail is as simple as it can get. Sure, the app doesn't include a sleek modern UI, unlike many email apps. but it's worth using due to its open-source nature. This makes it the most trustworthy if you care about privacy. You can see in the code that they aren't doing anything sketchy with your emails or data.

K-9 Mail supports all essential email features and works with any email service that supports IMAP, POP, and Microsoft Exchange 2003/2007.

Download: K-9 Mail (Free)

6. myMail

myMail is clean, fast, beautiful, and a joy to use. Many of the design elements are familiar, so it's really up to your personal preference to decide on this over another email app.

myMail's range of support for different email accounts is wide, including Gmail, Yahoo Mail, Outlook, iCloud, AOL, GMX, and Microsoft Exchange. Account setup could not be simpler: just enter your credentials and let the app handle it.

Notable features include real-time push notifications, easy file attachment process, email scheduling, folders to sort emails, unique email signatures, email threading for clean browsing of conversation chains, and up-to-date syncing using the ActiveSync protocol. Additionally, myMail allows you to encrypt the app with a fingerprint or PIN.

Download: myMail (Free)

7. Spark Email

Spark Email is one of the best email apps on Android. What makes the app stand out is its clean aesthetic with a modern look. Spark Email also packs many impressive features like Smart Inbox, which sorts out your emails for easier navigation.

With the average person receiving dozens of emails a day, Smart Inbox ensures you don't miss out on important updates.

You can create your email templates and signature, making sending and replying to messages easy. It also allows for customization of the user interface.

Other key features include the ability to pin emails, send reminders and follow-ups, schedule emails, and a way to undo sent emails. Spark Email also provides support for teams, although that comes at a price.

Spark Email supports multiple accounts and, even better, you can log in with whatever email service you use. It supports Gmail, iCloud, Microsoft Exchange, Outlook, Yahoo Mail, AOL, and any other clients using IMAP.

Download: Spark Email (Free, in-app purchases available)

The Best Paid Email Apps for Android

1. Nine

Not many would pay $15 for a desktop app, let alone a mobile app. But Nine is extremely well-made, so much so that your productivity will increase, and you'll never be able to go back to a "normal" email app again.

On top of its straightforward interface design, you get Exchange ActiveSync, a rich-text editor for emails, per-folder email notifications, SSL encryption, hybrid email search that's lightning-fast, and more. Nine works with Gmail, Yahoo Mail, iCloud, Outlook, Office 365, Microsoft Exchange, and many others.

You have to try it to believe it. Fortunately, Nine comes with a free trial that lets you evaluate whether or not the price tag is worth it for you.

Download: Nine (Free trial, premium version available)

2. Aqua Mail

Aqua Mail is clean, minimal, and it works well. Its navigation is the simplest you'll find in Android email apps because everything is laid out intuitively. It supports pretty much all email services: Gmail, Yahoo Mail, FastMail, iCloud, GMX, Office 365, Microsoft Exchange, and more.

The downside is that the free version of Aqua Mail has an account limit of one, it has ads, and it adds a "sent with Aqua Mail" signature to all your emails. You can get rid of these limitations and nuisances by subscribing to Aqua Mail Pro.

Download: Aqua Mail (Free, subscription available)

3. MailDroid

MailDroid is a from-scratch Android email app that comes with all email necessities, plus a few uncommon goodies: full rich-text editor, password protection, split-screen for tablets, saving attachments to cloud storage, custom mail rules, and more.

It works with Gmail, iCloud, Vivaldi Mail, Yahoo Mail, Outlook, AOL, and virtually all other email services with IMAP, POP 3, and Exchange.

The free version of MailDroid is supported by ads, which you can remove by upgrading to MailDroid Pro for $5. However, we recommend using the ad-supported version for evaluation, then upgrading ASAP if you like it. (Spam subscriptions don't carry over from the free version to the paid version.)

Download: MailDroid (Free with in-app purchases) | MailDroid Pro ($4.99)

4. TypeApp

At first glance, TypeApp looks like a Blue Mail clone. If you use it after Blue Mail, you might have to double-check to ensure you've opened the right app. However, give TypeApp a much closer look then you'll realize these apps have subtle differences.

TypeApp adheres to a slightly older flat design appearance instead of the Material Design principles used by Blue Mail. Still, TypeApp has additional interface elements that make navigation and management more effortless.

Overall, though, the two have nearly identical feature sets. Blue Mail has slightly better performance and less battery drain, but TypeApp is an excellent alternative if Blue Mail doesn't work for you.

Download: TypeApp (Free, in-app purchases available)

Choose Your Favorite Android Email App

The best email app for Android is ultimately the one that includes what you care for the most. From the user interface to the different bells and whistles that make your life easier. The important thing is that you enjoy it and it doesn't get in your way. You'll do just fine with any of the Android email apps above.

If you're only looking for an Android email app to replace Google Inbox, Spark Email is worth a look. It's one of the best free email apps for Android.