Thanks to their large screens and capable processors, tablets are generally excellent devices for entertainment and productivity. 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 15 years ago, so you can trust that we know which ones punch above their weight. Our current Editors’ Choice winners—Apple’s 11th-Gen iPad, Amazon’s Fire HD 10, and Samsung’s Galaxy Tab A9+—span the three most popular tablet operating systems and provide exceptional value. All of the models on this list have their own merits, so it’s worth reading our full reviews of each. Be sure to scroll down past the list for some additional buying advice for affordable tablets.
Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
EDITORS’ NOTE
September 23, 2025: With this update, our lineup of recommended cheap tablets remains unchanged. The existing picks have been vetted for currency and availability.
- 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 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 a slightly smaller screen size than what you can get with an Apple device, 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 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
Learn More
Amazon Fire HD 10 Review
- Most affordable iPad
- Good everyday performance
- High-quality hardware
- Improved storage options
- No Apple Intelligence
- Hardly anything new
With the same starting price as its predecessor, the 11th-generation iPad is a great deal. Its 11-inch display is perfect for consuming media and large enough to handle basic productivity tasks. It has a USB-C port, meaning it uses the same type of charging cable as the latest iPhones. Additionally, the A16 processor should offer terrific performance for several years. You can even get a version with 5G.
The base iPad is an affordable and reliable entry point if you want access to Apple’s App Store, iMessage, and FaceTime. It’s also suitable for streaming movies and playing games. No other cheap tablet supports as many high-quality apps or accessories, either.
Operating System
IPadOS 18
Dimensions
9.79 by 7.07 by 0.28 inches
Weight
1.05 lbs
Screen Size
11 inches
Screen Resolution
2,360 by 1,640 pixels
CPU
Apple A16
Storage Capacity
128 GB
Battery Life
Up to 10 hours
Learn More
Apple iPad (11th-Gen, 2025) Review
- 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 sharp 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 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
Learn More
Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ Review
- Large, sharp screen
- Useful multitasking modes
- Stylus and fast charger included
- Supports microSD cards
- Display could be brighter
- No IP rating
The Lenovo Idea Tab Pro comes with a stylus for writing and drawing, strong multimedia support, and productivity-tuned software. Its spacious screen and smooth performance make it a good all-around choice for work and play.
If you don’t want to spend extra on a stylus, the Lenovo Idea Tab Pro is a compelling solution because one ships in the box. Anyone who needs an affordable Android tablet for writing and drawing should look no further.
Operating System
Android 14
Dimensions
7.44 by 11.49 by 0.27 inches
Weight
1.37 pounds
Screen Size
12.7 inches
Screen Resolution
2,944 by 1,840 pixels
CPU
MediaTek Dimensity 8300
Storage Capacity
128 GB
Battery Life
8 hours, 21 minutes
Learn More
Lenovo Idea Tab Pro Review
- 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). Thanks to its titanium frame and minimal bezels, it looks and feels more premium than the company’s other tablets.
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 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
Learn More
Amazon Fire Max 11 Review
- Affordable
- Good battery life
- Lightweight
- So-so display
- Limited app support
- Poor cameras
Refreshed for 2024 yet still priced under $100, the Amazon Fire HD 8 is speedier than the Fire 7, includes a larger, higher-resolution screen, provides enough power to run basic streaming apps and games, and has enough battery life to last a day. It won’t rival midrange and high-end tablets in performance, but it’s capable enough for basic entertainment needs.
We recommend stretching your budget to get the Fire HD 8 over the Fire 7 if possible. It offers a more enjoyable experience in every way, from reading novels to watching your favorite shows. However, the audio from its speakers could be better, so you’ll want headphones or earbuds to use it with.
Operating System
Amazon Fire OS
Dimensions
7.94 by 5.40 by 0.37 inches
Weight
11.88 oz
Screen Size
8 inches
Screen Resolution
1,280 by 800 pixels
CPU
Hexa-core 2.0 GHz
Storage Capacity
32 GB
Battery Life
9 hours, 41 minutes
Learn More
Amazon Fire HD 8 (2024) Review
- 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 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
Learn More
Amazon Fire 7 (2022) Review
- 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 and expandable storage 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.
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
Learn More
TCL Tab 10 Nxtpaper 5G Review
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The Best Cheap Tablets for 2025
Compare Specs
Buying Guide: The Best Cheap Tablets for 2025
What to Look for in a Cheap Tablet
Many cheap tablets on the market are available everywhere, from Amazon to Walmart 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, consider screen resolution. An 8-inch, 1,280-by-800-pixel display lets you comfortably watch 720p HD video and read content. This size and resolution combine to produce 189 pixels per inch (ppi), the minimum you should look for if you want reasonably sharp pictures and text.
A few inexpensive 10-inch tablets are $100 or less, but their screens generally have such a low pixel density that they look fuzzy and are difficult to read.
Apple iPad (2025) (Credit: Eric Zeman)
Pay close attention to storage specs, too. We recommend at least 64GB of built-in storage for installing apps and storing multimedia. If you plan to play large games like Genshin Impact, you might need 128GB 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(er).
Battery life is another factor to consider, 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 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 gamble in quality assurance and support.
Amazon Fire 7 Tablet (Credit: Dave LeClair)
Amazon’s slates are also among the best kids’ tablets we’ve tested. They have a simplified interface, comprehensive 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 also put multiple user profiles on the tablets. 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, and we don’t recommend it.
If these choices feel underwhelming, look at our picks for the best Android tablets overall.
Recommended by Our Editors
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.
The 11th-generation iPad is the least expensive new iPad. At $349, it’s an excellent value, and it’s often discounted. 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, much longer than almost all the budget tablets on our list. If you get an older, used iPad, it’s likely to be cut out of the software update cycle in a year or two. We’d suggest sticking with the 2022-era, 10th-gen iPad if you go used.
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.
