Thanks to their superb portability, tablets are now one of the top ways to browse the web, reply to messages, read books or binge the newest season of “Stranger Things” on Netflix.
Easier to tote and operate than most laptops, tablets let you access the web with the capabilities of a computer and the convenience of a smartphone.
That said, tablets can be as pricey as laptops — many iPads retail for well over $600. Fortunately, there are cheaper models that allow you to do almost everything a costly iPad can do.
Our selections include:
- Apple iPad ($329)
- Samsung Tab A8 ($229)
- Amazon Fire HD 10 ($149)
- Amazon Fire HD 8 ($89)
- Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Pro ($139)
Five Budget-Friendly Tablets
| Tablet | Price | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple iPad | $329 | Everyone/Apple users | SEE DETAILS |
| Samsung Tab A8 | $229 | Android users | SEE DETAILS |
| Amazon Fire HD 10 | $149 | Amazon users | SEE DETAILS |
| Amazon Fire HD 8 | $89 | Cost savings | SEE DETAILS |
| Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Pro | $139 | Kids | SEE DETAILS |
Apple iPad
- Access to Apple’s ecosystem of apps and games
- Large, bright 10.2” LED-backlit Retina display
- Powered by Apple’s A13 Bionic chip
Apple’s iPad is ideal for those looking for the top tablet experience at an affordable entry price without too many compromises.
Sure, iPads often sit near the higher end of tablet pricing, but there’s a reason for that.
This is Apple’s entry-level iPad, not the pricier iPad Air or iPad Pro. The base model starts at $329 with 64 GB of storage.
The iPad is the priciest “budget” tablet on our roundup, yet it’s worth considering. It’s the reigning champ among affordable tablets.
When it comes to tablets, few rivals match what Apple offers through its ecosystem, including countless tablet-tuned apps for both productivity and entertainment. Many apps are optimized for the iPad’s 10.2-inch screen for a superior experience.
Inside you’ll find Apple’s A13 chip and a roughly 10-hour battery life to keep you going throughout the day. You won’t get the premium bells and whistles of the higher-end iPads, but you’ll receive about 90% of the experience for a fraction of the cost.
Samsung Galaxy Tab A8
- Runs Android with access to Google Play
- Integrates with other Samsung Galaxy devices
- Plenty of protective case options
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 is a strong budget pick for Android fans, offering full access to the Google Play Store.
If you’re attached to your Android phone and want a complementary tablet at a low price, consider the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8.
An evolution of the popular Tab A7, the A8 brings Android apps to a 10.5-inch display so you can reply to messages and sync with Google services with ease.
Best of all, the Tab A8 starts at just $229 for the 32 GB configuration.
Beneath the LCD screen is an octa-core processor and a 7,040 mAh battery that should help you tackle work and avoid running out of power when you need it most.
With a standing case or folio, the Tab A8 adapts to how you want to use it.
The main drawback is that many Android apps aren’t optimized for tablet displays, so some apps may appear as scaled-up phone versions.
Amazon Fire HD 10
- Octa-core processor and 3 GB of RAM
- 12-hour battery for all-day use
- Access to streaming services and Kindle ebooks
The Amazon Fire HD 10 is great for users entrenched in Amazon’s ecosystem—especially Prime members—who want an inexpensive tablet mainly for media consumption.
Amazon’s Fire tablets are extremely budget-friendly, starting our list with the Fire HD 10.
Priced around $149, the Fire HD 10 offers a full HD display, an octa-core chip, a 12-hour battery and a 10.1-inch screen. If you want an affordable tablet for watching movies or casual gaming, this might be the one to toss in your bag.
Although Fire tablets may resemble Android devices, they run Amazon’s Fire OS, not standard Android. That means you don’t get the Google Play Store; instead, you rely on Amazon’s curated app catalog.
Not every app you love will be available, but you can stream TV shows, films and music and even handle light productivity tasks with Microsoft Office or Zoom.
Amazon Fire HD 8
- Quad-core processor and 2 GB of RAM
- 12-hour battery for extended use
- Access to streaming services and Kindle ebooks
For people who like the Fire HD 10 but want a smaller, cheaper alternative, the Fire HD 8 is a smart choice.
Next up is the Fire HD 8, which retails at an astonishing $89. It’s remarkable that decent tablets are available at such low prices.
Compared to the HD 10, the HD 8 has a smaller 8-inch HD screen, a less powerful quad-core CPU and less RAM. Still, it remains a solid media-centric device to slip into your bag.
As an Amazon tablet, the Fire HD 8 offers instant access to Kindle ebooks so you can dive into a novel or a mystery between episodes of your favorite streaming show.
The Fire HD 8 ships with 32 GB of storage and comes in black, plum, blue or white, allowing you to show a bit of personality. Surf the web or join video calls—all with a tablet that costs under $100.
Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Pro
- Comes with a rugged protective case
- Two years of accidental damage protection
- Includes a free one-year Amazon Kids+ subscription
For kids aged 6–12, this is a great first tablet that parents don’t have to stress about breaking.
The Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Pro might sound like it’s aimed at professionals, but it’s clearly designed for children.
Under the hood it’s essentially a Fire HD 8 tablet, with a higher price tag. That additional cost gets you useful kid-focused extras that parents will appreciate.
Included is a thick, durable case intended to make the tablet nearly indestructible — a definite plus. There are also built-in parental controls for safer browsing.
Amazon backs the device with a two-year warranty, so if it’s damaged you can get a free replacement. You also receive a complimentary one-year subscription to Amazon Kids+, granting access to age-appropriate books, games, videos and apps.
How We Chose These Budget Tablets
We surveyed the leading inexpensive tablets on the market and performed hands-on evaluations with several popular iPad, Android and Fire models.
From that research we established a maximum price threshold and a set of minimum standards to identify the best budget tablets.
When assessing features, we looked at:
- Storage available: If you mostly browse or check mail, you won’t require much storage. But for many apps, games or a library of photos and videos, you’ll need more. We only included tablets with at least 32 GB of storage.
- Display quality: You’ll be staring at the screen whenever you use a tablet, so we favored devices with high-resolution, vivid displays. Even our least expensive pick provides a solid HD screen.
- Battery life: Nobody wants to pick up a tablet with a dead battery. We chose tablets that let you enjoy intermittent use throughout a day or stream several movies before needing a charge.
- Overall performance: Performance depends on several parts, so we examined processors and RAM for each tablet. While none will rival high-end gaming machines at this price, we ensured everyday navigation remained smooth.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Pinpointing the single best cheap tablet is tricky because “affordable” varies by person. Our overall pick, however, is Apple’s standardiPad, priced at $329 for the entry model.
The least expensive tablet we recommend is theAmazon Fire HD 8, which costs about $89.
Amazon Fire tablets are among the most affordable options and come in sizes from 7 to 10 inches, offering access to popular streaming apps for movies and music.
Fire tablets run Amazon’s Fire OS, so some Google services like the Google Play Store may be limited or unavailable.
Our top pick for general users is the standardApple iPad at $329. For that cost you receive a brand-new tablet with access to Apple’s app ecosystem and accessories. Apple still delivers the most polished tablet experience, thanks to iPadOS.
Product pricing and availability are accurate as of the time noted and may change. Any price and availability information shown on Amazon at purchase will apply. Savinly utilizes paid Amazon links.
Certain content on this site may come from Amazon. This material is provided “as is” and may change or be removed at any time.
Jordan Reed is a staff writer focusing on technology for Savinly.
