If you are looking for a basic tablet on which you can browse the web, watch videos and movies, and read news and emails, you probably don’t want to overpay. A budget tablet under $100 is all you need for basic usage.
Top Picks – Quick Overview
Lenovo Tab M8
- OS: Android
- Storage: 32GB, 64GB
- Display Size: 8-inches
- Resolution: 800×1280
- Camera: Rear: 8MP, Front: 2MP
- Battery Life: Up to 12 hours
- Weight: 0.71 lbs (322g)
- LTE: Yes
- Ports: USB Type-C, 3.5mm jack
The Lenovo Tab M8 Gen 4 is a solid budget tablet with an 8-inch HD display a reasonable SoC (Mediatek MT8768 Helio A22) to handle basic tasks, and it also runs Android. It packs IPS LCD display with 350 nits of brightness.
You can get a tablet with a maximum of 64GB storage, which puts a limit on how many apps you can download, but you can get a microSD card to get more storage.
You can also get the LTE version of the tablet, so you won’t be reliant on the WiFi network.
I liked the design, it felt sturdy and from premium materials and I managed my expectations when I used it. I knew the tablet costs $79.99. I didn’t expect to have the sharpest display or play Fortnite on the highest settings with it. It’s a budget tablet made for very basic tasks.
- USB-C Port
- Headphone Jack
- Long Battery Life
- Good Looking Design
- Limited Software Updates
Amazon Fire HD 8 (2022 Model)
- OS: Fire OS
- Storage: 32GB, 64GB
- Display Size: 8-inches
- Resolution: 1280×800
- Camera: Rear: 5MP, Front: 2MP
- Battery Life: Up to 13 hours
- Weight: 0.74 lbs (337g)
- LTE: No
- Ports: USB Type-C, 3.5mm jack
Amazon Fire HD 8 is a bestseller. It offers quite a bit, considering the price. It comes with an 8-inch HD screen, 1280×800 resolution. Considering the price, the colors look sharp and vibrant. It has a decent SoC (MT8169A). It handles the basic tasks well. The tablet has an audio jack and a micro SD card slot for more storage space.
The tablet runs on Fire OS, which puts some limits. You can get Google apps on it directly. Like YouTube, Gmail, Google Drive, etc. You need to install a few apps before you can get them on an Amazon tablet. Amazon tablets have the Amazon App Store instead of the Google Play Store.
This tablet is a hit with various audiences. Perfect for individuals seeking a media consumption device and families in need of an affordable option for kids. Packed with a bunch of apps, games, and kid-friendly movies, it also has parental controls. Beyond entertainment, it excels in managing smart gadgets, facilitating video calls, web browsing, and providing a gateway into Kindle books.
- Built-in Alexa
- Multiple Colors
- Headphone Jack
- Good Battery Life
- Limited Apps
- Amazon Ads
Amazon Fire 7 (2022 Model)
- OS: Fire OS
- Storage: 16GB, 32GB
- Display Size: 7-inches
- Resolutions: 1024×600
- Camera: Rear: 2MP, Front: 2 MP
- Battery Life: 10 hours
- Weight: 0.62lbs (282g)
- LTE: No
- Ports: USB Type-C, 3.5mm jack
The Amazon Fire 7(2022). It’s the smallest tablet on the list. Comes with a 7-inch screen and 1024×600 resolution. Has a decent SoC to handle the basic tablet tasks (MediaTek MT8168). It comes in three colors: Black, Rose and Denim. The maximum storage size is 32GB, which puts a lot of limitations on how many apps and movies you can store on it. On the upside, the tablet has a microSD card slot.
Like all Amazon tablets, it operates on the Fire OS operating system. However, if you want access to apps from the Google Play Store, a few adjustments to the tablet settings are required.
It’s a decent device on which kids can play games and you can stream Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Video, Disney+, etc. You can also do online shopping, browse the web, do video calls and read Kindle books.
- Alexa
- Multiple Colors
- Good Battery Life
- Limited Apps
- Amazon Ads
- Low Storage
Lenovo Tab M7
- OS: Android
- Storage: 32 GB
- Display Size: 7-inches
- Resolution: 1024 x 600
- Camera: Rear: 2MP, Front: 2MP
- Battery Life: Up to 9 hours
- Weight: 0.9lbs
- LTE: Yes
- Ports: microUSB, 3.5mm jack
- Good Screen
- Compact Desing
- Low Storage
- No More Software Updates
COOPERS Tablet
- OS: Android
- Storage: 32GB
- Display Size: 10.1 inches
- Resolution: 1280×800
- Camera: Rear: 8MP, Front: 2MP
- Battery Life: Up to 8 hours
- Weight: 1.98 lbs
- LTE: No
- Ports: USB Type-C, 3.5mm jack
The COOPERS 10-inch Android tablet. Getting a 10-inch tablet under $100 is rare it offers an LCD display with 1280×800 resolution, and the quality is decent considering the price tag. It has decent performance and can handle light apps and games well. It has a 1.5GHz CPU.
It runs Android 12 which gives you access to all the apps that are on Google Play Store. It has no cell phone functionalities it only works on WiFi networks.
It’s a budget tablet and handles basic tasks well. It’s good for kids to play games and educational apps as well as for adults to watch YouTube, Netflix, Disney+, etc. Good for reading, web surfing, online shopping, and social media.
- Big Screen Display
- Decent Battery Life
- Heavy
- No Software Updates
PRITOM M10
- OS: Android
- Storage: 32GB
- Display Size: 10 inches
- Resolution: 1280×800
- Camera: Rear: 8MP, Front: 2MP
- Battery Life: Up to 6 hours
- Weight: 2.12lbs (961g)
- LTE: No
- Ports: microUSB, 3.5mm jack
Pritom M10 Android Tablet. Another 10-inch tablet under 100 dollars. It’s a budget tablet meant for basic stuff.
It runs Android 10, and it supports so-called OTG(on the go). You can connect it to a computer, transfer files in and out, and save them on a microSD card. You can also connect a thumb drive to the device and dump the files there or upload them to your tablet.
It’s a good tablet to watch movies YouTube consume other content and use for file transfer. The display quality is decent, the audio quality is below average, but you can connect headphones to it, since it has a 3.5mm headphone jack.
- Big Display
- Good Price
- On The Slow Side
- Weak Battery Life
- MicroUSB
Comparison
| Tablet | Display Size | Display Resolution | Operating System |
| Lenovo Tab M8 | 8-inch | 800×1280 | Android OS |
| Amazon Fire HD 8 | 8-inch | 800×1280 | Fire OS |
| Amazon Fire 7 | 7-inch | 600×1024 | Fire OS |
| Lenovo Tab M7 | 7-inch | 600×1024 | Android OS |
| COOPERS Tablet | 10-inch | 800x 1280 | Android OS |
| Pritom M10 | 10-inch | 800x 1280 | Android OS |
The best tablet you can buy under $100 is the Lenovo Tab M8. It’s a good looking tablet with good build, 8-inch screen, 1280×800 resolution and running Android operating system.
Tablets that cost below $100 comes typically with small to medium screens Android or Fire OS operating systems. These tablets offer the basic functionality: web browsing, video watching, social media, light gaming, emails, etc.
Best Android Tablet Under $100
There are several good Android options that offer decent performance for basic tasks like browsing, streaming, and running apps. The best options to choose from are: Lenovo Tab M8, Lenovo Tab M7, Coopers Tablet, etc.
Best 7-inch Tablet Under $100
The Amazon Fire 7 (2022) is the best 7-inch tablet under $100 and is ideal for reading and light entertainment. Priced under $60, it features a 7″ touchscreen, 2 GB RAM, and a quad-core processor. With 16 or 32 GB of storage (expandable up to 1 TB via microSD), it supports apps like Kindle, Netflix, and Spotify from Amazon’s Appstore. The device offers up to 10 hours of battery life, hands-free Alexa, and Amazon Kids parental controls. It’s a compact, budget-friendly option for on-the-go entertainment and basic tablet needs.
Best 10-inch Tablet Under $100
Finding a brand-new 10-inch tablet under $100 can be quite difficult due to the generally higher cost of larger screens. However, there are a few options available, particularly if you consider lesser-known brands or refurbished models. The best 10-inch tablets you can find under $100 are Coopers Tablet and Pritom M10.
Best Tablet Under $100 For Kids
Finding a kids’ tablet under $100 can be challenging, but there are several good options that balance affordability with functionality and durability. The best tablet in this price range is Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Pro tablet. This tablet is specifically designed with kids in mind, offering parental controls and durable, kid-friendly designs
Best Samsung Tablet Under $100
Samsung doesn’t offer any tablets under $100. Samsung typically positions its tablets at a slightly higher price point. However, there are options available if you consider refurbished/used device. Like Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite, Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 or even the newest release Samsung Galaxy Tab A9/A9+ if you look for refurbished option you might get it right under $100.
Best Drawing Tablet Under $100
Tables in this price range are not compatible with an active stylus, but you can get a passive stylus for these tablets, which means that the stylus pen will imitative your finger. It won’t be capable of tilt sensitivity, pressure sensitivity, etc. It will be a basic pen.
You can buy any passive stylus pen for Lenovo Tablets, Amazon Fire Tablets and draw on them.
Pros & Cons Of Tablets Under $100
- Affordability
- Portability
- Good for Basic Use
- Suitable for Kids
- Performance Limitations
- Display Quality
- Storage Limitations
- Battery Life
- Build Quality
- Software Support
- Camera Quality
- No Stylus Support
How To Choose A Budget Tablet Under $100
- Identify the Primary Use: Whether it’s for web browsing, reading, kids use, streaming or light gaming.
- Operating System: Most budget tablets will run on Android or Fire OS. Ensure it has the recent version.
- Display Quality: Resolution: Look for at least 1280×800 pixels for clear text and images. Size: 7 to 10 inches is common in this price range and offers a good balance of portability and screen size.
- Performance: Processor: Quad-core processors are standard in this range. Avoid dual-core processors as they tend to be slow. RAM: Aim for at least 2GB of RAM. Less than this can result in sluggish performance. Storage: 16GB is minimal; 32GB is better. Ensure it has a microSD card slot for expansion.
- Battery Life: Look for a tablet with at least 6-8 hours of battery life.
- Build Quality: Plastic builds are common in this range. Check user reviews for insights on durability.
- Camera Quality: Cameras will be basic. A 2MP front and 5MP rear camera are typical and sufficient for video calls and casual photos.
- Connectivity: Ensure it has Wi-Fi capability. Bluetooth is also useful for connecting accessories. LTE connectivity is rare for tablets in this price range.
Tablets in Different Price Ranges
Tablets vary anywhere from $80 to $2000 with all accessories. If you want a class higher tablet with a bit more functionality, better build and better display check:
Use Cases For Cheap Tablets
Although cheap tablets have limitations, they still are handy gadgets. Capable of entertainment and productivity. Here are some of the most popular use cases for budget tablets under $100:
Watch Movies
Play Games
Navigation
Music
Social media
podcasts
Web Surfing
Read & Study
For kids
to-do lists
- Cheap tablets also are great for communication – video calls, chatting, emailing, etc. You can control smart gadgets around the house. Like lightning, TV, music, temperature, etc.
Things You Can’t Do With Cheap Tablets Under $100
High-End Games
Tablets in this price range lack the necessary processing power, graphics capabilities, and memory to run high-end games smoothly. Additionally, they may have lower-quality displays and insufficient cooling systems, leading to subpar gaming experiences.
Take Notes
Cheap tablets do not support handwritten note-taking due to limitations in hardware, such as lack of stylus support or pressure sensitivity, and software, which may not include robust note-taking apps with handwriting recognition features.
Multi-Tasking
Cheap tablets struggle with multitasking due to limited RAM and processing power, resulting in slower performance when running multiple apps simultaneously. Additionally, background processes may be more likely to cause lag or app crashes on these devices.
Other Things to know:
- Active Stylus Compatibility: Budget tablets don’t support Active Stylus, limiting your ability to take notes or engage in drawing activities.
- Gaming Limitations: High-end games and even mid-level demanding games robust processors may not run smoothly on budget tablets.
- Resource-Intensive Apps: Tablets in this range may struggle with resource-intensive applications like video and photo editing tools.
- Multitasking Challenges: Due to limited RAM, multitasking capabilities are restricted on budget tablets.
- App Storage: The lower storage capacity may limit the number of apps you can store on the tablet.
- Video Call Quality: Expect lower video call quality on budget tablets, along with limitations in screen and audio quality.
- Audio Quality: Expect a lower audio quality on budget tablets. Typically budget tablets feature 2 speakers, while premium tablets come with 4 speakers.
- Display Quality: Expect a lower resolution, lower ppi density and lower nits(brightness)
Apps To Try On Budget Tablets Under $100
When it comes to budget tablets, they have certain limitations to apps; they won’t be able to handle heavy-demanding apps like PUBG, Photoshop, Lightroom, Fortnite, etc. But there are plenty of apps they can handle and here are some of the best options to pick from:
Netflix
YouTube
Prime Video
Among Us
Duolingo
Zoom
Spotify
Candy Crush
Kindle
TikTok
Kahoot
Top Retailers for Tablet Shopping
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.