Best cheap tablet 2024: Apple, Samsung, Amazon, & more
AmazonThere’s an ocean of cheap tablets out there. If you’re having trouble deciding, check out this comprehensive list of the best budget tablets in 2024.
The best cheap tablet doesn’t have to feature a cutting-edge display or the top chipset out there. It needs mediocre specs that get the job done, such as a dependable battery, snappy software, and a decent chip. You’ll find these features on many slates out there, but how do you pick the best one?
Almost every major brand has a tablet, whether you prefer Apple’s iPads, Samsung’s Galaxy Tabs, or one of the inexpensive Amazon Fire HD models. With so many options to choose from, it can sometimes get overwhelming to choose the tablet that’s right for you. But don’t worry, we have done our research and have listed the best cheap tablets you can buy in 2024.
iPad (9th-gen): The best cheap tablet overall
Apple- Processor: Apple A13
- Display: 10.2-inch Retina IPS LCD
- Battery: 7040 mAh
- OS: iOS 15
Apple’s iPad 9th-generation is currently the best cheap tablet you can get. It has all the right features you need and nothing you won’t. The iPad 9th-gen comes powered by the Apple A13 Bionic chip, which offers very good CPU and GPU performance.
You get a large 10.2-inch Retina display that is bright and crisp. The display uses Apple’s True Tone technology, which adjusts colors and brightness automatically to suit the light. It runs iOS 15 on the software front which runs silky smooth. You also have to option to upgrade to the latest iOS 17.
The 10th-generation iPad comes with a large battery that Apple claims can last up to nine hours on a single charge. It also supports Apple Pencil (only first gen), so you can use it for taking notes or drawing. The iPad has a 12-megapixel camera on both the front and back.
Galaxy Tab A9 Plus: The best cheap Samsung tablet
Samsung- Processor: Snapdragon 695
- Display: 11-inch TFT LCD
- Battery: 7040 mAh
- OS: Android 13
Samsung Galaxy Tab A9 Plus is the latest budget tablet from Samsung. It offers everything its older model (Galaxy Tab A8) did and more. Galaxy Tab A9+ has a large 11-inch display with a 90Hz refresh rate. There’s a 5MP front camera for video calls and an 8MP rear camera.
The tablet is offered with either Wi-Fi or cellular connectivity options. As you’d guess, the Wi-Fi-only option costs less than the 5G model. The tablet gets a 7,040mAh battery with support for 15W wired charging. It should easily last you a full day, but you may need to keep a charger handy. Galaxy Tab A9+ runs Android 13 with OneUI 5.1 skin on top. It will also get the Android 14 update. Sadly, there’s no support for a stylus on this tablet.
Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023): The best cheap Amazon tablet
Amazon- Processor: MediaTek
- Display: 10.1-inch LCD
- Battery: up to 13 hours (mAh not specified)
- OS: Amazon Fire OS
Amazon’s 2023 edition of the Fire HD 10 tablet combines a premium design with good performance—all this while costing less than its older model. This tablet is perfect for undemanding users, who just need a device to relax and watch movies on. It has a large 10.1-inch display with 1,920 by 1,200 pixels in a 16:10 aspect ratio. The panel looks good when watching movies and TV shows, but the viewing angles aren’t exciting.
It offers a lag-free performance thanks to the MediaTek processor underneath. The tablet runs Amazon’s Fire OS which is based on Android but brings heavy customizations. Amazon Fire HD 10 has a decent battery life of over 10 hours.
Lenovo P11 Plus: The best cheap drawing tablet
Lenovo- Processor: MediaTek Helio G90T
- Display: 11-inch LCD
- Battery: up to 15 hours (mAh not specified)
- OS: Android 11
Lenovo makes some of the best budget tablets and the P11 Plus isn’t an exception. Launched in 2023, the tablet offers a top-notch 11-inch display, excellent speakers, and enough power to get you through a long binge-watching spree. The speakers on the device are loud enough to be heard from the room next to you.
A 13MP primary sensor sits on the back of the tablet, while an 8MP front-facing camera is found above the display. Both sensors are decent. It offers smooth performance and allows you to switch between multiple apps and tabs with ease. Lenovo P11 Plus is a great tablet for the asking price. However, it runs Android 11 out of the box— a bummer.
Samsung Galaxy Tab A8: The best cheap tablet for kids
- Processor: Unisoc Tiger T618
- Display: 10.5-inch TFT LCD
- Battery: 7040 mAh
- OS: Android 11
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 might not be the newest Samsung tablet, but it’s still one of the best budget options out there. It features a big, 10.5-inch LCD, which is great for watching videos. The tablet also comes with a long-lasting battery and supports fast charging. Samsung claims it can offer 12 hours of screen time on a single charge and can quickly recharge to 100%.
It also comes with Samsung Kids– a library of safe and fun games, books, and videos that are kid-approved. You can easily pair the tablet with your laptop, phone, and other Samsung devices. Galaxy Tab A8 runs Android 11 out of the box but is upgradable to Android 13 as well.
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