- 🥇 Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE
- 🥈 iPad 10th Gen
- 🥉 Samsung Galaxy Tab A9 Plus
- 🎖️ Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (2022)
- 🎖️ Amazon Fire Max 11
- 🎖️ Lenovo Tab M8 (4th Gen)
Tablets are not the cheapest gadgets out there. Some devices can get quite pricey depending on the brand, OS, size, and other features. Considering how expensive most things are nowadays, you’re probably looking for ways to cut costs, even if that means getting a lower-performing tablet.
But how do you choose the best tablets without spending a fortune? Believe it or not, you can even find devices from the most popular brands that will not force you to break the bank. In this article, we will take a look at the 6 best budget tablets and help you choose the one that suits your needs the most.
Best Tablet Under $500: Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE
- Price: $449.99
- Release Date: 2023, October
- Screen Size: Medium (10.9”)
- OS: Android 13, up to Android 14, One UI 6
Best Tablet Under $400: iPad 10th Gen
- Price: $459 on the Apple website, $321 with the discount on Amazon
- Release Date: 2022,October
- Screen Size: Medium (10.9”)
- OS: iPadOS 16.1, up to iPadOS 17.4
Best Tablet Under $300: Samsung Galaxy Tab A9 Plus
- Price: $210
- Release Date: 2023, October
- Screen Size: Medium (11.0”)
- OS: Android 13, One UI 5.1
Best Tablet Under $250: Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite
- Price: $238.89
- Release Date: 2022, May
- Screen Size: Medium (10.4”)
- OS: Android 12, up to Android 14, One UI 6
Best Tablet Under $200: Amazon Fire Max 11
- Price: $158.39 (On Sale)
- Release Date: May 2023
- Screen Size: Medium (11.0”)
- OS: Android 11, Fire OS 8
Best Tablet Under $100: Lenovo Tab M8 (4th Gen)
- Price: $89.99
- Release Date: 2023, May
- Screen Size: Small (8.0”)
- OS: Android 13
What Are Budget Tablets?
Budget tablets are units that you can get for low prices and have decent features. Unlike high-end models that can easily replace laptops in terms of speed, processing power, screen size, and more, budget units are less costly and more suitable for easier tasks. They’re the perfect option for those who need a tablet to watch movies, browse social media, store documents, read books, etc., but don’t want to spend too much.
Comparison Chart
Tablet Model | Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE | iPad 10th Gen | Samsung Galaxy Tab A9 Plus | Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite | Amazon Fire Max 11 | Lenovo Tab M8 (4th Gen) |
OS | Android 13, up to Android 14, One UI 6 | iPadOS 16.1, up to iPadOS 17.4 | Android 13, One UI 5.1 | Android 12, up to Android 14, One UI 6 | Android 11, Fire OS 8 | Android 13 |
Release Year | 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2023 |
Screen Size | 10.9-inch | 10.9-inch | 11.0-inch | 10.4-inch | 11.0-inch | 8.0-inch |
Display Quality | 1440 x 2304 | 1640 x 2360 | 1200 x 1920 | 1200 x 2000 | 2000 x 1200 | |
Processor | Exynos 1380 | Apple A14 Bionic | Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G | Qualcomm SM7150 Snapdragon 732G and Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G | Mediatek MT8188J | Mediatek MT8768 Helio A22 |
Battery Life | Up to 18 hours and 20 minutes | Up to 10 hours and 57 minutes | Up to 13 hours and 16 minutes | Up to 12 hours and 40 minutes | Up to 14 hours | Up to 16 hours |
Storage | 256GB | 256GB | 128GB | 128GB | 128GB | 64GB |
Cellular Connectivity | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
Criteria
In order to select the best tablets, we used specific factors to compare each model. Here’s what we paid attention to:
Release Year
Knowing the release year of the tablet tells us not only how new or old the device is but also whether it’s up to the current technology standards. We always make sure the models we present are the most recent ones.
Operating System
Tablets can have different operating systems, including Android, iPadOS, ChromeOS, Windows, Fire OS, etc. Which determines tablets layout, features, capabilities, and applications. We included tablets from each because different operating systems may suit different budgets and purposes.
Display
The display determines how good or bad the image is. The better the quality is, the more convenient your use of the device will be. As such, we pay attention to aspects such as resolution, ratio, and PPI density to ensure you can read books, play games, watch movies, and more in better detail.
Display Technology
This affects not only how each pixel is controlled but also the display’s brightness, color representation, and energy efficiency. These impact how good the image looks on the screen, so we pay attention to it when looking into tablet models. OLED, LCD, etc.
Processor
Having a good processor is key to a pleasant experience, as it influences the speed and performance of the device. Furthermore, the processor will also affect how quickly applications open and whether or not you can multitask.
Brand
Tablets are manufactured by different brands and come with their own interfaces, prices, features, capacities, and more. We looked at multiple manufacturers and their best products to ensure you understand what they can offer.
Battery Life
Having a long battery life is preferred whether you use the device at home or take it with you on adventures. When your battery lasts long enough, you will not have to rely on your charger all the time, allowing you to watch movies, play games, read, browse social media, and more.
Storage Capacity
Having a lot of storage space means you can easily store your important photos, videos, games, applications, books, etc. We looked at how much storage tablets have and whether they have memory card slots so you can gain access to more storage.
RAM
This is responsible for storing data that must be used quickly. Having higher RAM is preferred because it improves tablet performance. Basically, it impacts how well the device can open and run multiple apps at the same time.
Camera
Cameras are necessary if you’re a photographer or just someone who likes capturing life’s best moments. Therefore, you need a tablet with an excellent camera to pull this off.
Cellular(LTE)
Cellular connectivity ensures you can connect to the Internet and use your favorite features even when you don’t have access to a WiFi network. A device with SIM support can use data to connect to the Internet when you’re away from your house or a trusted network.
Stylus Support
This ensures you can take notes and draw when necessary. It’s a feature that students, artists, and professionals need, so we looked at devices that offer this option.
Which Budget Tablet Is the Best for Students?
If you’re a student, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE is your best budget student tablet. This device has a large 10.9-inch screen, and the battery lasts 18 hours and 20 minutes. Not to mention that it has a good price that doesn’t sacrifice its performance. The device runs smoothly thanks to the Exynos 1380, and the stylus pen compatibility makes it easy to take notes while studying.
Which Budget Tablet Is the Best for Artists?
The Apple iPad 10th gen is the best budget tablet for artists. This is due to the 10.9-inch display with 1640 x 2360-pixel resolution and stylus connectivity. You can also use the Procreate app on the unit, allowing you to create beautiful art.
Which Budget Tablet Is the Best for Gaming?
Samsung S9 FE is the best tablet for gaming. It has a large 10.9-inch display and access to the Google Play Store to download your favorite games. Furthermore, it uses a strong Exynos 1380 processor for top performance and Bluetooth features that allow you to connect a controller to the tablet.
Which Budget Tablet Is the Best for Movies?
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE is the best tablet for watching movies due to its large 10.9-inch screen with a 1440 x 2304 pixels resolution. The device can last up to 18 hours and 20 minutes and the screen has a refresh rate of 90Hz for smooth playback. Also, it uses high-quality stereo speakers, and its sound is tuned by AKG.
What Do Budget Tablets Don’t Have That Premium Tablets Do?
Buying a budget tablet means you might have to make some sacrifices. For instance, cheaper tablets have a lower build quality, and the storage options are more limited, giving you less storage space. The display might also be smaller or have a lower resolution, which affects the image.
The audio may suffer as the devices use low-quality speakers to cut costs, and the same applies to the cameras. Sometimes, budget tablets have no more than 4GB or 8GB RAM, which might not be enough for highly performant tasks. The processor is also weaker, leading to worse performance as compared to premium tablets. Last, but not least, not all budget tablets are compatible with a stylus pen, so they’re unsuitable for drawing or taking notes.
Where To Buy Tablets in USA?
Amazon
Amazon: Premier online marketplace offering tablets & tech gadgets. Explore vast selection, competitive prices & fast shipping.
Best Buy
Best Buy: Top destination for tablets & tech. Wide range of products, expert advice, and convenient shopping experience.
Apple
Apple’s site: Hub for iPads & tech. Sleek interface, intuitive browsing. Shop for the latest gadgets and accessories for iPads.
Target
Target: One-stop shop for tablets & tech. Diverse selection, competitive prices, and convenient shopping for all your electronics.
Wallmart
Walmart: Tech hub for tablets & gadgets. Find diverse options, great deals, and seamless shopping for all your electronic desires.
I'm a writer and editor in iPads & Android Tablets, Windows Tablet section. I'm passionate about technology, especially about tablets. I'm on a mission to assist people in discovering their ideal tablets. In addition, I'm dedicated to producing helpful how-to guides and sharing top-notch tips and tricks. In my early carrier I founded and became and editor at worldoftablet and have been a guest author at many other tech blogs. In wolfoftablet I'm focusing on iPads, Tablets, Apple Pencil, Apps, Reviews, Buyers Guides and Tablet Accessories. In free time I like to play games on my PS5 or iOS.