Right now, we all are aware that things feel extra expensive and everyone is looking for ways to save or cut costs, but let’s face it, tech items are expensive. But we have researched cheap tablets you can buy in 2024 and save up.
However, some of these tablets are expensive, but you don’t have to spend a fortune to get a reliable and consistent tablet experience.
How Did I Choose These Best Cheap Tablets?
We evaluate a few aspects before including these low-cost tablets on this list. They include:
- Price: To find the best affordable tablets, we started by looking at pricing in the lowest third of the tablet market. That is anything from $350 to $400 or less, with the majority of our alternatives falling between $100 and $200.
- Hands-on experience: Once I’d determined a price point, I began reading reviews and drawing on my own experience, as well as that of other ZDNET employees who had used these tablets. The majority of the tablets on this list have been evaluated by our authors, so we have a level of confidence and firsthand experience to draw from when curating these top rankings. If we haven’t tested the product ourselves but have included it on the list, it’s because it’s well-known and we’ve done enough research to believe it deserves to be on the list.
- Durability: A lovely tablet is great, but it should also last a long time so you get your money’s value. Many of these tablets include tough qualities, which means that if you inadvertently drop them, they will not shatter or split.
- Performance: Unfortunately, a cheaper piece of technology has a slower performance. We looked for tablets with high-performing CPUs and above-average performance, so even if you choose an affordable device, you won’t be compromising performance for a low price.
Best Cheap Tablets You Can Buy 2024
Lenovo Tab P11 Plus
The Lenovo Tab P11 Plus provides high-quality multimedia and entertainment. This Android tablet has a huge 11-inch display with 2K resolution. The IPS LCD touch display shows stunning video, and the quad speakers with user-facing stereo tuned by Dolby Atmos® deliver excellent audio. Inside, there’s a strong octa-core processor and 4GB + 128GB of RAM. Furthermore, this small and lightweight tablet boasts an impressive battery life in an aluminum alloy construction with a dual-tone finish in an appealing slate grey color.
Oukitel RT3 – Best rugged Cheap tablet
The most obvious benefit of the rugged tablet Android is its durability and ability to function in hard situations. OUKITEL RT3 tablet is IP68 waterproof, IP69K dustproof, and MIL-STD-810H certified: Features include a 1.5m water depth for 30 minutes, 30m drop protection, and 360° dustproofing. The OUKITEL RT3 waterproof tablet also improves our daily lives; we can use it in the bathroom or pool to watch YouTube videos, access Facebook and Twitter, and respond to emails.
Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro
A fully equipped tablet (not a toy) with a wide, 10.1″ 1080p Full HD display for children aged 6 to 12 comes with complete parental controls, one year of Amazon Kids+, a kid-proof case, and a two-year worry-free guarantee.
Amazon’s Fire HD 10 Kids Pro tablet includes all of that and more, making it an excellent choice for parents who want to provide their children with technology for learning and reading but do not want to spend a lot of money on a device that their child will break in two months.
If your child breaks the Fire HD 10 Kids Pro within the first two years, you can return it and Amazon will replace it without question. Diaz also mentioned how tough it is, surviving a couple of falls while she was testing it.
Apple iPad 10.2 (2021)
The new champion of the finest affordable tablets, the Apple iPad 10.2 (2021), provides everything its predecessor did and more. That boasts a stunning 10.2-inch screen with True Tone technology, which automatically adjusts the colors and brightness to match the lighting. This feature is especially handy for outdoor use in harsh sunshine.
There’s also the new and useful Center Stage feature for video calls, which keeps you in the frame at all times. We discovered that this made a significant difference. iOS 15 (or 17, if you update to the most recent version of Apple’s operating system) keeps things moving smoothly with more user-friendly multitasking features and the flexibility to install widgets wherever on the screen.
Additionally, the battery life remains at 10 hours. Although there is no Face ID, the iPad 10.2 (2021) performs admirably for a low-cost tablet.
Samsung Galaxy Tab A8
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 is the South Korean company’s response to Apple’s greatest low-cost tablet, which you can see above. If you’re searching for a low-cost Android-powered iPad alternative, this is the tablet to consider. The 10.5-inch Tab A8, which runs Google’s Android operating system and has a big HD display, is ideal for watching movies and browsing the web.
In our experience, it also has a lengthy battery life, allowing you to watch movies all day; however, be warned that charging can take some time. It’s not the most powerful tablet available, and we’d give Apple’s cheapest iPad the edge. But for media and basic app use around the house, this is an excellent choice.
Amazon Fire HD 8 (2020)
Key Features: Amazon’s Fire HD 8 offers a decent 8-inch display, long battery life, and access to Amazon’s ecosystem. It’s a good option for media consumption and basic tasks. Keep in mind that it runs on a modified version of Android.
Lenovo Tab M8 (3rd Gen)
Key Features: Lenovo’s Tab M8 is known for its compact design and solid performance at an affordable price. It has an 8-inch display and is suitable for tasks like web browsing, watching videos, and light productivity.
Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 (2019)
Key Features: Samsung’s Galaxy Tab A 8.0 provides a good balance between performance and affordability. It features an 8-inch display and is well-suited for multimedia consumption. Samsung’s build quality is often praised in this price range.
Huawei MediaPad T5
Key Features: The Huawei MediaPad T5 offers a 10.1-inch display, making it suitable for watching videos and playing games. It has a sleek design and decent performance for its price, making it a competitive option in the budget tablet market.
Dragon Touch Max10
Key Features: The Dragon Touch Max10 is known for its large 10.1-inch display and reasonable performance for its price. It’s a versatile option for media consumption, light gaming, and basic productivity tasks.
Conclusion
In 2024, the best cheap tablets combine affordability with decent performance and features, catering to various needs. Options like the Amazon Fire HD series, Lenovo Tab M series, and Samsung Galaxy Tab A line continue to offer solid value for budget-conscious consumers, providing reliable performance for everyday tasks and media consumption. However, it’s essential to research the latest models and reviews to find the most suitable option for your specific requirements. You can also check out the list above well reviewed and researched.
