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.
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.
What Budget Tablets Are the Best?
The best budget tablets are the ones that are not only inexpensive but also do a great job in terms of performance. Here are the top low-cost tablets you can buy:
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE is one of the best budget tablets. This is thanks to its large 10.9-inch IPS LCD with a 90Hz refresh rate. With a 1440 x 2304-pixel resolution, this model is ideal whether you want to watch a movie or play games. The unit is available in Gray, Silver, Lavender, and Mint colors, and it has two cameras. These include the 8MP wide main camera and the 12MP ultrawide selfie camera.
Depending on the version you get, it can have 2 different storage space options. You can get it in 128GB with 6GB RAM or 256GB with 8GB RAM. If you need extra space, you are able to use a memory card inserted into the microSDXC dedicated slot.
The device uses a USB Type-C 2.0 and a magnetic connector. Furthermore, it can be connected to a stylus, allowing you to draw and take notes, which is helpful for artists and students.
It uses an octa-core Exynos 1380 processor. Also, the battery is an 8000 mAh one that lasts up to 18 hours and 20 minutes. So, if you’re a gamer, you can enjoy smooth performance and a long enough battery life.
The gadget has cellular connectivity, allowing you to insert an eSIM or nano-SIM into it. On average, Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE costs around $500.
Most Apple tablets tend to be expensive, but this model begs to differ. This 10th Gen iPad has a large 10.9-inch screen with a 60Hz refresh rate, 1640 x 2360 pixels resolution, and an Apple A14 Bionic chipset. The screen is scratch-resistant, and it has an oleophobic coating. Besides, it can be used with the 1st Gen stylus pen. This makes it more than ideal for artists who like to draw in Procreate, students who need to take notes, and gamers who like their tablet games to run smoothly.
The device has two different size options: 64GB and 256GB. Both of them offer 4GB of RAM. This also influences the price of the unit on the Apple website. The 64GB one costs $449, whereas the 256GB one costs $599. However, it’s on discount on Amazon, where you can find it for $321. However, there is no memory card slot.
The 10th Gen Apple iPad has a 7606 mAh battery that lasts for 10 hours and 57 minutes. Furthermore, it uses a USB Type-C 2.0, DisplayPort, and magnetic connector. Cellular connectivity is possible thanks to the nano-SIM and eSIM compatibility.
Photographers will also find this device useful as it has a main camera and a selfie camera, both 12MP. The device is available in 4 colors: pink, yellow, blue, and silver.
Samsung Galaxy Tab A9 Plus is a great budget tablet that allows you to browse social media and watch movies. It features a 7040 mAh battery that lasts around 13 hours and 16 minutes, an 11.0-inch screen with a resolution of 1200 x 1920 pixels, a 90Hz refresh rate, and cellular connectivity. While it’s not the most powerful, it still has a long battery life and a large screen, making it ideal for simple tasks.
This device has a 5MP selfie camera and an 8MP main camera. It uses a Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G processor, a 3.5mm jack, and a USB Type-C 2.0 port.
The model can be purchased in 64GB with 4GB of RAM or 128GB with 8GB of RAM. It costs $219 on average, but the 64GB model has a lower price. There’s a dedicated slot for microSDXC as well. As for colors, you can buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9 Plus in Navy, Silver, and Graphite.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite is perfect for students who need to take notes. That’s because of many reasons. The first is the display, which measures 10.4 inches with a resolution of 1200 x 2000 pixels and a 60Hz refresh rate. The second one is its stylus support. This unit has a stylus so you can take your notes easily and smoothly on the large, highly performant screen.
Moreover, this device has 4GB of RAM and comes in 64GB and 128GB, with the option to add a memory card. It also features an 8MP main camera and a 5MP selfie camera.
The Qualcomm SM7150 Snapdragon 732G and Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G chipsets boost the tablet’s performance. This device uses a USB Type-C port and even has cellular connectivity thanks to the nano-SIM support. Furthermore, it can be purchased in Angora Blue, Oxford Gray, and Chiffon Pink colors.
The 7040 mAh battery can last 12 hours and 40 minutes. On average, Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite costs $400, but you can find it for less when there are discounts.
If you’re looking for a gadget for reading and taking notes, then you can check Amazon Fire Max 11. The unit has a text-to-speech English-language content reader, an 11-inch screen with a 60Hz refresh rate, and a 2000 x 1200-pixel resolution. It features a MediaTek MT8188J processor, and it also has stylus support. This makes it great for note taking.
The model has a main camera and a selfie camera, which are 8MP. There is a USB-Type-C 2.0 port, OTG, and magnetic accessory connector. It’s available either in 64GB or 128GB, but both options have 4GB of RAM. If you want extra space, you can add a memory card. However, it has no cellular connectivity.
The 7,500mAh battery can last up to 14 hours. Last, but not least, Amazon Fire Max 11 comes in one color: gray.
The Lenovo Tab M8 is perhaps the best option in terms of price. Available in Arctic Grey and Abyss Blue, the device uses a USB Type-C 2.0 and OTG port. It has a 5100 mAh battery that can last up to 16 hours.
It’s a more portable design thanks to the smaller screen. The 8.0-inch display has a 60Hz refresh rate and an 800 x 1280-pixel resolution. It houses a MediaTek MT8768 Helio A22 chipset and also has cellular connectivity. There’s also a 5MP main camera and a 2MP selfie camera.
The model can be purchased with 32GB with 3GB RAM or 64GB with 4GB RAM. Also, it has a microSDXC dedicated slot.
If you have a budget for your new tablet that you set and it’s under $100, Lenovo Tab M8 is the best option.
Pros
You have access to FM radio
It’s a very portable tablet
You get cellular connectivity
Cons
The cameras are low-quality ones
It has very low RAM
The screen size is pretty small
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
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.
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.
WolfofTablet.com is a tablet computer media company focusing on tablet computers. Tablet reviews, news, leaks, deals, tablet accessories, comparisons, tips, apps. Mostly focused on tablet ranking. Ranking them by operating system, price, screen size, use case, etc.
