Inexpensive tablets are ideal for reading books, watching videos, and browsing the web. Here are the top cheap tablets we've tested.
ByIyaz Akhtar
Iyaz Akhtar
Mobile Analyst
My Experience
I’m one of PCMag’s mobile analysts. That means I check out phones, hotspots, and mobile networks. Technology has been my passion and hobby since I was a child. I’ve covered tech professionally for over 15 years at outlets including The Apple Blog, This Week in Tech, and CNET.
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&Sarah Lord
Sarah Lord
Analyst, Mobile
My Experience
I’m a Mobile Analyst at PCMag, which means I cover wireless phones, plans, tablets, ereaders, and a whole lot more. I’ve always loved technology and have been forming opinions on consumer electronics since childhood. Prior to joining PCMag, I covered TVs and home entertainment at CNET, served as the tech and electronics reviews fellow at Insider, and began my career by writing laptop reviews as an intern at Tom's Hardware. I am also a professional actor with credits in theater, film, and television.
Read Full Bio
UpdatedJuly 10, 2024
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Table of Contents
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.
Our Top Tested Picks
Best Fire Tablet Overall
Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023)
Jump ToDetails
Best Value iPad
Apple iPad (10th Generation)
Jump ToDetails
Best Affordable Android Tablet
Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+
Jump ToDetails
Best for Big-Screen Streaming
Amazon Fire Max 11
Jump ToDetails
Lowest Cost Tablet
Amazon Fire 7 (2022)
Jump ToDetails
Best Small Fire Tablet
Amazon Fire HD 8 (2022 Release)
Jump ToDetails
Best Low-Cost 5G Tablet
TCL Tab 10 Nxtpaper 5G
Jump ToDetails
The Best Tablet Deals This Week*
- Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 64GB Wi-Fi 11" Tablet — $179.99(List Price $219.99)
- Apple iPad 10.2" 64GB Wi-Fi Retina Tablet (2021 Release) — $224.00(List Price $329)
- Lenovo Tab M10 Plus 10" 32GB Wi-Fi Tablet (3rd Gen) — $139.99(List Price $189.99)
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet (Oxford Gray) — $209.99(List Price $329.99)
- Google Pixel 128GB 11" Tablet With Charging Speaker Dock — $399.00(List Price $499.99)
*Deals are selected by our commerce team
Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
- RELATED:
- Best Tablets
- Best Kids' Tablets
- Best iPad
- Best Android Tablets
- Best Gaming Tablets
Best Fire Tablet Overall
Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023)
4.0 Excellent
- Affordable
- Good build quality
- Decent display
- Alexa Echo Show mode
- Limited app selection
- Amazon-focused content
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.
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.
Operating SystemAmazon Fire OS
Dimensions9.69 by 6.49 by 0.34 inches
Weight15.3 oz
Screen Size10.1 inches
Screen Resolution1,920 by 1,200 pixels
CPUMediaTek
Storage Capacity32 GB
Battery Life10 hours, 18 minutes
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Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023) Review
Best Value iPad
Apple iPad (10th Generation)
4.0 Excellent
- Appealing iPad Pro-like design
- USB-C port
- High-quality cameras
- Good speakers
- Fast performance
- No traditional Touch ID button
- No Face ID
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.
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.
Operating SystemApple iPadOS 16
Dimensions9.79 by 7.07 by 0.28 inches
Weight1.1 lb
Screen Size10.9 inches
Screen Resolution2,360 by 1,640 pixels
CPUApple A14 Bionic
Storage Capacity64 GB
Battery Life5 hours, 59 minutes
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Apple iPad (10th Generation) Review
Best Affordable Android Tablet
Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+
4.0 Excellent
- Affordable
- Large screen
- Good performance
- Expandable storage
- Software aids productivity
- No fingerprint sensor
- Low base storage
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.
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.
Operating SystemAndroid 13
Dimensions10.1 by 6.6 by 0.3 inches
Weight1.06 lbs
Screen Size11 inches
Screen Resolution1,920 by 1,200 pixels
CPUQualcomm Snapdragon 695
Storage Capacity64 GB
Battery Life7 hours
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Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ Review
Best for Big-Screen Streaming
Amazon Fire Max 11
4.0 Excellent
- Big, vibrant display
- Stepped-up design
- Respectable performance
- Amazon ecosystem access
- Limited app selection
- No clear path to future OS versions
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.
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.
Operating SystemAmazon Fire OS
Dimensions10.20 by 6.44 by 0.30 inches
Weight1.1 pounds
Screen Size11 inches
Screen Resolution2,000 by 1,200 pixels
CPUMediatek MTK8188J
Storage Capacity64 GB
Battery Life7 hours, 55 minutes
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Amazon Fire Max 11 Review
Lowest Cost Tablet
Amazon Fire 7 (2022)
3.5 Good
- 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
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.
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.
Operating SystemAmazon Fire OS
Dimensions7.11 by 4.63 by 0.38 inches
Weight9.9 oz
Screen Size7 inches
Screen Resolution1,024 by 600 pixels
CPUMediaTek MT8168
Storage Capacity16 GB
Battery Life9 hours, 30 minutes
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Amazon Fire 7 (2022) Review
Best Small Fire Tablet
Amazon Fire HD 8 (2022 Release)
3.5 Good
- Vibrant screen
- Good battery life
- Lightweight
- Sluggish performance
- $10 more than the previous model
- Limited app selection
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.
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.
Operating SystemAmazon Fire OS
Dimensions7.94 by 5.40 by 0.37 inches
Weight11.9 oz
Screen Size8 inches
Screen Resolution1,280 by 800 pixels
CPUHexa-core 2.0 GHz
Storage Capacity32 GB
Battery Life10 hours (est.)
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Amazon Fire HD 8 (2022 Release) Review
Best Low-Cost 5G Tablet
TCL Tab 10 Nxtpaper 5G
3.5 Good
- Innovative screen
- Strong wireless connectivity
- Affordable
- Poor outdoor visibility
- Mediocre battery life
- Short software support window
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.
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.
Operating SystemAndroid 14
Dimensions9.69 by 6.14 by 0.31 inches
Weight16.93 oz
Screen Size10.4 inches
Screen Resolution2,000 by 1,200 pixels
CPUMediaTek 8755
Storage Capacity128 GB
Battery Life6 hours, 25 minutes
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TCL Tab 10 Nxtpaper 5G Review
Buying Guide: The Best Cheap Tablets for 2024
What to Look for in a Cheap Tablet
There 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 ourfavorite 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 thebest kids' tabletswe've tested. Theyhave 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 thebest 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 thebest 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.
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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, withaccessories 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 thebest Windows tablets.
Finally, if budget buying feels too much like cutting corners, check out thebest 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.
Compare SpecsThe Best Cheap Tablets for 2024
Our Picks | Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023)See It$139.99 at Best Buy | Apple iPad (10th Generation)See It$319.99 at Amazon | Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+See It$248.99 at Amazon | Amazon Fire Max 11See It$169.99 at Amazon | Amazon Fire 7 (2022)See It$59.99 at Amazon | Amazon Fire HD 8 (2022 Release)See It$99.99 at Amazon | TCL Tab 10 Nxtpaper 5GSee It$239.99 at Verizon |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Editors'Rating | Editors' Choice 4.0Editor Review | Editors' Choice 4.0Editor Review | Editors' Choice 4.0Editor Review | 4.0Editor Review | 3.5Editor Review | 3.5Editor Review | 3.5Editor Review |
Operating System | Amazon Fire OS | Apple iPadOS 16 | Android 13 | Amazon Fire OS | Amazon Fire OS | Amazon Fire OS | Android 14 |
Dimensions | 9.69 by 6.49 by 0.34 inches | 9.79 by 7.07 by 0.28 inches | 10.1 by 6.6 by 0.3 inches | 10.20 by 6.44 by 0.30 inches | 7.11 by 4.63 by 0.38 inches | 7.94 by 5.40 by 0.37 inches | 9.69 by 6.14 by 0.31 inches |
Weight | 15.3 oz | 1.1 lb | 1.06 lbs | 1.1 pounds | 9.9 oz | 11.9 oz | 16.93 oz |
Screen Size | 10.1 inches | 10.9 inches | 11 inches | 11 inches | 7 inches | 8 inches | 10.4 inches |
Screen Resolution | 1,920 by 1,200 pixels | 2,360 by 1,640 pixels | 1,920 by 1,200 pixels | 2,000 by 1,200 pixels | 1,024 by 600 pixels | 1,280 by 800 pixels | 2,000 by 1,200 pixels |
CPU | MediaTek | Apple A14 Bionic | Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 | Mediatek MTK8188J | MediaTek MT8168 | Hexa-core 2.0 GHz | MediaTek 8755 |
Storage Capacity | 32 GB | 64 GB | 64 GB | 64 GB | 16 GB | 32 GB | 128 GB |
Battery Life | 10 hours, 18 minutes | 5 hours, 59 minutes | 7 hours | 7 hours, 55 minutes | 9 hours, 30 minutes | 10 hours (est.) | 6 hours, 25 minutes |
Where to Buy | $139.99 at Best Buy $89.99 at Amazon | $319.99 at Amazon $339.00 at Walmart | $248.99 at Amazon $269.99 at Best Buy | $169.99 at Amazon | $59.99 at Amazon | $99.99 at Amazon | $239.99 at Verizon |
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I’m one of PCMag’s mobile analysts. That means I check out phones, hotspots, and mobile networks. Technology has been my passion and hobby since I was a child. I’ve covered tech professionally for over 15 years at outlets including The Apple Blog, This Week in Tech, and CNET.
Read Iyaz's full bio
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I’m a Mobile Analyst at PCMag, which means I cover wireless phones, plans, tablets, ereaders, and a whole lot more. I’ve always loved technology and have been forming opinions on consumer electronics since childhood. Prior to joining PCMag, I covered TVs and home entertainment at CNET, served as the tech and electronics reviews fellow at Insider, and began my career by writing laptop reviews as an intern at Tom's Hardware. I am also a professional actor with credits in theater, film, and television.
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