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. 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? Start by looking at the tablets we’ve listed below.
1. iPad (9th-gen): The best cheap tablet overall
- Processor: Apple A13
- Display: 10.2-inch Retina IPS LCD
- Battery: 7040 mAh
- OS: iOS 15
- Price: $479.00 (often available for half the price)
| Pros | Cons |
| Great performance | Design feels old |
| Extremely versatile | Weak speakers |
| Great value | Display could use an upgrade |
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 the option to upgrade to 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.
2. Galaxy Tab A9 Plus: The best cheap Samsung tablet
- Processor: Snapdragon 695
- Display: 11-inch TFT LCD
- Battery: 7040 mAh
- OS: Android 13
- Price: $219
| Pros | Cons |
| Larger, smoother display | No S Pen |
| Lower base price | Slow 15W charging |
| Improved update commitment | Weak front and rear cameras |
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 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.
3. Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023): The best cheap Amazon tablet
- Processor: MediaTek
- Display: 10.1-inch LCD
- Battery: up to 13 hours (mAh not specified)
- OS: Amazon Fire OS
- Price: $139
| Pros | Cons |
| Affordable | Limited app selection |
| Good build quality | Amazon-focused content |
| Decent display |
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.
4. Lenovo P11 Plus: The best cheap drawing tablet
- Processor: MediaTek Helio G90T
- Display: 11-inch LCD
- Battery: up to 15 hours (mAh not specified)
- OS: Android 11
- Price: $259.99
| Pros | Cons |
| Sharp display | Poor cameras |
| Loud, clear speakers | No promise for OS updates after Android 12 |
| Perky performance |
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 only runs the outdated Android 11 out of the box, with no sign of an update any time soon.
5. 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
- Price: $229.99
| Pros | Cons |
| Affordable | Long charging time |
| Great display | |
| Expandable memory up to 1TB |
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.
6. Microsoft Surface Go 2: The best cheap Windows tablet
- Processor: Intel Core m3-8100Y
- Display: 10.5-inch IPS LCD
- Battery: up to 13 hours (mAh not specified)
- OS: Windows 10 Home
- Price: $399.99
| Pros | Cons |
| Thin and light | Slightly expensive |
| Fanless, silent operation | |
| Built-in kickstand |
If you want a tablet that neither runs Android nor iOS, the Microsoft Surface Go 2 has your name written all over it. It is the second iteration of Microsoft’s tablet PC for the masses and is vastly improved.
While the Surface Go 2’s 10.5-inch screen is only a half-inch larger than its predecessor’s screen, it includes a slightly higher native resolution at 1,920 by 1,280 pixels.
The Surface Go 2 is equipped with the Intel Core m3-8100Y and 8GB of RAM, which is rated for 64% higher CPU performance over the entry-level Pentium Gold chip. It packs a large battery rated to last over 10 hours, an improvement over the original model.
7. Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5: The best cheap Chromebook tablet
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen2
- Display: 13.3-inch OLED
- Battery: 5470mAh
- OS: ChromeOS
- Price: $429
| Pros | Cons |
| Gorgeous OLED display | Stylus not included |
| Great battery life | |
| Good performance |
The Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 stands out as a versatile 2-in-1 laptop that effortlessly converts into a tablet. If you’re considering a Chromebook, this device is worth a look. It boasts a 1080p OLED screen, slim bezels, and exceptional battery life, making it hard to resist. Few Chromebooks offer this level of endurance, and with a few adjustments, you can easily achieve 18-19 hours of battery life.
Are there cheap tablets that don’t run Android?
Yes, you can get plenty of tablets that don’t run Android. The iPad (9th-gen) is a solid option that brings a good mix of features and runs iOS out of the box. You can also get the Microsoft Surface Go 2 which runs Windows and has an Intel processor. Both of these options are under $500 so you don’t have to spend big bucks to get a non-Android tablet.
How to choose the best budget tablet?
Choosing a cheap tablet is not easy. You have an array of options to choose from, whether you want a small tablet or a large one. We list some of the key factors to keep in mind when selecting an affordable tablet:
- Price: When choosing a cheap tablet, you need to decide how much you want to spend. You can find tablets around $500 that offer solid features, and also ones under $200 that offer just the essentials you need.
- Operating system: Unlike smartphones, tablets are available with various operating systems. You can choose a device that runs Android or one that runs iOS. If these options are not enough, you can also opt for a tablet that runs Windows or ChromeOS.
- Storage: Storage is a key factor when picking a tablet, and how much you need depends on how you use it. If you mostly stream movies and TV shows and don’t use many apps, 128GB should be enough. But if you have a lot of apps, or play many mobile games, you’ll want at least 256GB or more.
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