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Thanks to their large screens and capable processors, tablets are generally excellent devices for entertainment and productivity alike. The good news is that it’s surprisingly easy to find impressive slates for well under $300. PCMag has been covering tablets since the first iPad came out 14 years ago, so you can trust that we know which ones punch in above their weight. Our current Editors’ Choice winners—Apple’s 10th-Gen iPad, Amazon’s Fire HD 10, and Samsung’s Galaxy Tab A9+—span the three most popular tablet operating systems and offer exceptional value. Of course, all of the models on this list have their own merits as well, so it’s worth reading our full reviews of each. Make sure to also scroll down past the list for some additional buying advice for affordable tablets.
Since 1982, PCMag has tested and rated thousands of products to help you make better buying decisions. See how we test.
Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
Best Fire Tablet Overall
Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023)
Pros & Cons
Affordable
Good build quality
Decent display
Alexa Echo Show mode
Limited app selection
Amazon-focused content
Specs & Configurations
Operating System
Amazon Fire OS
Dimensions
9.69 by 6.49 by 0.34 inches
Weight
15.3 oz
Screen Size
10.1 inches
Screen Resolution
1,920 by 1,200 pixels
CPU
MediaTek
Storage Capacity
32 GB
Battery Life
10 hours, 18 minutes
Why We Picked It
Slotting in between the Fire HD 8 and the Fire 11 Max, the HD 10 offers a 10.1-inch, 1,920-by-1,200-pixel screen, a decent octa-core processor, 3GB of RAM, and either 32 or 64GB of internal storage. We also like the microSD slot (which supports cards of up to 1TB) and the Echo Show mode that turns the tablet into a smart display. And with an operating time of 10 hours and 18 minutes in our battery rundown tests, it outlasts the other Fire tablets.
Who It’s For
If you like the size of the 9th-Gen iPad, but don’t want to pay Apple’s prices, the Fire HD 10 is an excellent alternative. It beats the iPad on battery life, operates smoothly, and feels nice in the hand, all for a budget-friendly price.
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Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023) Review
Best Value iPad
Apple iPad (10th Generation)
Pros & Cons
Appealing iPad Pro-like design
USB-C port
High-quality cameras
Good speakers
Fast performance
No traditional Touch ID button
No Face ID
Specs & Configurations
Operating System
Apple iPadOS 16
Dimensions
9.79 by 7.07 by 0.28 inches
Weight
1.1 lb
Screen Size
10.9 inches
Screen Resolution
2,360 by 1,640 pixels
CPU
Apple A14 Bionic
Storage Capacity
64 GB
Battery Life
5 hours, 59 minutes
Why We Picked It
Now starting at $349, the 10th-generation iPad is a better deal than before. Its 10.9-inch display is great for media consumption and large enough to handle basic productivity tasks. It has a USB-C port too, meaning it uses the same type of charging cable as the latest iPhones. Additionally, the A14 Bionic processor should continue to offer terrific performance for several years. You can even get a version with 5G.
Who It’s For
If you want access to Apple’s App Store, iMessage, and FaceTime, the base iPad is an affordable and reliable entry point. It’s also suitable for streaming movies and playing games. No other cheap tablet supports as many high-quality apps or accessories, either.
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Apple iPad (10th Generation) Review
Best Affordable Android Tablet
Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+
Pros & Cons
Affordable
Large screen
Good performance
Expandable storage
Software aids productivity
No fingerprint sensor
Low base storage
Specs & Configurations
Operating System
Android 13
Dimensions
10.1 by 6.6 by 0.3 inches
Weight
1.06 lbs
Screen Size
11 inches
Screen Resolution
1,920 by 1,200 pixels
CPU
Qualcomm Snapdragon 695
Storage Capacity
64 GB
Battery Life
7 hours
Why We Picked It
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ sports a modern, understated design and offers respectable performance thanks to its Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 processor. The 11-inch LCD has a good resolution of 1,920 by 1,200 pixels and an adaptive refresh rate of 90Hz for smooth animations. The tablet’s 64GB of starting storage is on the low side, so make sure to get a microSD card or upgrade to the variant with 128GB if you need more. Samsung plans to support the Tab A9+ until the fall of 2027, so it should stay up to date for some time.
Who It’s For
If you are looking for a low-cost Android tablet that will last several more years, the Galaxy Tab A9+ is our top pick. It’s up for most tasks, especially if you opt for the version with 5G or more RAM.
Learn More
Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ Review
Best for Big-Screen Streaming
Amazon Fire Max 11
Pros & Cons
Big, vibrant display
Stepped-up design
Respectable performance
Amazon ecosystem access
Limited app selection
No clear path to future OS versions
Specs & Configurations
Operating System
Amazon Fire OS
Dimensions
10.20 by 6.44 by 0.30 inches
Weight
1.1 pounds
Screen Size
11 inches
Screen Resolution
2,000 by 1,200 pixels
CPU
Mediatek MTK8188J
Storage Capacity
64 GB
Battery Life
7 hours, 55 minutes
Why We Picked It
The Fire Max 11’s 11-inch, 2,000-by-1,200-pixel screen is ideal for watching shows and movies on the go. Amazon doesn’t cut too many corners on the specs either, outfitting the tablet with 4GB of RAM, an octa-core MediaTek processor, and up to 128GB of built-in storage (expandable via microSD). It looks and feels more premium than the company’s other tablets thanks to its titanium frame and minimal bezels.
Who It’s For
If you don’t want to spend a ton of money on a large-screen tablet, the Fire 11 Max is a reasonable pick and Amazon’s highest-end slate yet. It doesn’t offer access to as many apps as iPads or Android models, but it doesn’t cost nearly as much either.
Learn More
Amazon Fire Max 11 Review
Lowest Cost Tablet
Amazon Fire 7 (2022)
Pros & Cons
More affordable than most tablets
Better specs and battery life than predecessor
Hands-free Alexa support
Expandable storage
Sluggish performance
Limited app selection
Low-resolution display
Poor cameras
Base models include ads on the lock screen
Specs & Configurations
Operating System
Amazon Fire OS
Dimensions
7.11 by 4.63 by 0.38 inches
Weight
9.9 oz
Screen Size
7 inches
Screen Resolution
1,024 by 600 pixels
CPU
MediaTek MT8168
Storage Capacity
16 GB
Battery Life
9 hours, 30 minutes
Why We Picked It
Amazon’s Fire 7 is the cheapest tablet worth getting from a reputable brand. It can’t run the latest mobile games, but it’s perfectly suitable for reading books, watching videos, and performing other basic productivity tasks. The device is also quite light and compact, so it’s easy to slip into a backpack or handbag without much thought.
Who It’s For
If you are an extreme budget shopper or just want to see what it’s like to have a tablet, the Fire 7 is what you should get. It won’t keep up with an iPad or run as many apps, but streaming shows and movies are well within its wheelhouse.
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Amazon Fire 7 (2022) Review
Best Small Fire Tablet
Amazon Fire HD 8 (2022 Release)
Pros & Cons
Vibrant screen
Good battery life
Lightweight
Sluggish performance
$10 more than the previous model
Limited app selection
Specs & Configurations
Operating System
Amazon Fire OS
Dimensions
7.94 by 5.40 by 0.37 inches
Weight
11.9 oz
Screen Size
8 inches
Screen Resolution
1,280 by 800 pixels
CPU
Hexa-core 2.0 GHz
Storage Capacity
32 GB
Battery Life
10 hours (est.)
Why We Picked It
Amazon graces the Fire HD 8 with some welcome upgrades over the Fire 7, including a larger, higher-resolution screen and double the RAM. This slate still won’t rival midrange and high-end tablets in performance, but it’s nonetheless capable enough to meet your entertainment needs.
Who It’s For
If you can, we recommend stretching your budget to get the Fire HD 8 over the Fire 7. It offers a more enjoyable experience for everything from reading novels to watching your favorite shows, and the extra RAM should mean less stuttering when you switch apps.
Learn More
Amazon Fire HD 8 (2022 Release) Review
Best Low-Cost 5G Tablet
TCL Tab 10 Nxtpaper 5G
Pros & Cons
Innovative screen
Strong wireless connectivity
Affordable
Poor outdoor visibility
Mediocre battery life
Short software support window
Specs & Configurations
Operating System
Android 14
Dimensions
9.69 by 6.14 by 0.31 inches
Weight
16.93 oz
Screen Size
10.4 inches
Screen Resolution
2,000 by 1,200 pixels
CPU
MediaTek 8755
Storage Capacity
128 GB
Battery Life
6 hours, 25 minutes
Why We Picked It
TCL’s Tab 10 Nxtpaper 5G, exclusive to Verizon, delivers fast C-band network speeds and stands out for its matte, paper-like display that refreshes smoothly without any ghosting. Otherwise, the device’s good performance, expandable storage, and affordable price make it a compelling choice.
Who It’s For
If you are looking for a tablet that can connect to the internet even without Wi-Fi, the TCL Tab 10 Nxtpaper is your answer. And it won’t make your eyes water thanks to its affordable price and useful Ink Paper mode.
Learn More
TCL Tab 10 Nxtpaper 5G Review
Buying Guide: The Best Cheap Tablets for 2024
What to Look for in a Cheap TabletThere are a lot of cheap tablets on the market available everywhere, from Amazon to Temu to Wish. We don’t recommend most of them: They tend to be slow, perform unreliably, have dim screens, and run old versions of Android that are full of security flaws.When you’re shopping, keep an eye on screen resolution. An 8-inch, 1,280-by-800-pixel display lets you watch 720p HD video and read content comfortably. The combination of this size and resolution works out to 189 pixels per inch (ppi), the minimum you should look for if you want reasonably sharp pictures and text.At $100 or less, there are a few inexpensive 10-inch tablets, but their screens generally have such a low pixel density that they look fuzzy and are difficult to read.
Apple iPad (10th Generation, 2022) (Credit: Eric Zeman)
Pay close attention to storage specs, too. We recommend at least 32GB of built-in storage for installing apps and storing multimedia. If you plan to play large games like Genshin Impact, you might need 64GB because that game takes up a ton of space. Of course, a microSD card slot can’t hurt, especially if you want to download movies to watch on long trips.If possible, look for 4GB of RAM or more (we make an exception for Amazon’s Fire Tablets). This will help make multitasking smooth.Battery life is another factor to keep in mind, though you can always extend the life of your tablet on the go with one of our favorite backup battery packs.Does Amazon Make the Best Cheap Tablets?The best sub-$100 tablets we’ve tested are from Amazon, which often subsidizes its devices with ads on the lock screen and promotions for Amazon content throughout the interface. They’re relatively reliable, however, and they get security updates (even if only sporadically). Further, they come with excellent customer support, differentiating them from others in this class.The 2022 edition of the Fire 7 Tablet is the least expensive, decent-quality tablet on the market at $59.99. Other models in this price range tend to have outdated versions of Android or are a complete roll of the dice in terms of quality assurance and support.
Amazon Fire 7 Tablet (2022) (Credit: Dave LeClair)
Amazon’s slates are also among the best kids’ tablets we’ve tested. They have a simplified interface, strong parental controls, and Kids+, which is basically a giant bucket of content for children. A Parent Dashboard lets you track what your offspring are doing and restrict their screen time. You can put multiple user profiles on the tablets, as well. Other Android tablets also let you set up restricted kids’ profiles and configure parental control settings, but Amazon’s options are more comprehensive.The one caveat with Amazon’s tablets is that they use the Amazon Appstore, which doesn’t have all the apps in the Google Play Store. If you want complete Google Play coverage with unrestricted access to the best Android apps, you should look elsewhere. Yes, you can sideload apps on Fire tablets, but this comes with risks.If these choices feel underwhelming, look at our picks for the best Android tablets overall.Are There Cheap Tablets That Don’t Run Android?If you want a quality Apple or Windows tablet under $200, you’ll have to dip into the used market. In that case, we suggest you first check out manufacturers’ certified refurbished sales or head to third-party sellers such as Gazelle and Swappa that buy used products and test them before reselling.
Recommended by Our Editors
The least expensive new iPad is the 10th-generation model. At $349, it’s a great value. Over the past several years, Apple has made the iPad a decent replacement for a basic laptop, with accessories such as the Apple Pencil USB-C and Magic Keyboard Folio adding value.We wouldn’t call the iPad a cheap tablet, but there are some good reasons to invest in one. Most notably, you can stay current with software updates for at least several years. That’s much longer than almost all the budget tablets on our list. If you get an older, used iPad, it’s likely to get cut out of the software update cycle in a year or two.You could also look at certified used devices at this price level in the Windows world. If your budget is a little more flexible, here’s our list of the best Windows tablets.Finally, if budget buying feels too much like cutting corners, check out the best tablets we’ve tested. Just be prepared to spend a lot more.Ben Moore, Dave LeClair, Sascha Segan, and Steven Winkelman contributed to this story.
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