In the last period you have decided that you want to buy a tablet, a hybrid device between a laptop and a smartphone, useful for work or for leisure. Excellent choice, but at the moment the budget for the purchase is not very high, so you would need advice on how and where to orient your choice.
No fear! Know that there are really many alternatives on sale, for all budgets. In this guide, I will therefore illustrate the main features to take into account at the time of purchase, then I will show you some of the best cheap tablets on the market. Know that with a few hundred euros you can take home tablets with really interesting features.
All you have to do is spend a few minutes of your precious time reading this tutorial. You will see that it is not necessary to be a computer technician to learn how to choose wisely among the countless alternatives on the market. I just have to wish you a good reading and a good choice!
Best Cheap Tablets | Comparison Table 2022
Top Quality | 5-Star Pick | Great Prices
Image | Title | Buy | |
---|---|---|---|
Fire HD 10 tablet, 10.1", 1080p Full HD, 32 GB, latest model (2021 release), Black | Amazon | Check Price | |
Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite 8.7" (2021, WiFi + Cellular) 32GB 4G LTE Tablet & Phone (Makes Calls) GSM Unlocked, International Model w/US Charging Cube - SM-T225 (Grey, LTE+WiFi) | SAMSUNG | Check Price | |
2021 Apple 10.2-inch iPad (Wi-Fi, 64GB) - Space Gray | Apple | Check Price | |
Lenovo Chromebook Duet, 2-in-1, 10.1" WUXGA (1920 x 1200) Display, MediaTek Helio P60T, 4GB LPDDR4X RAM, 64GB eMCP SSD, Integrated ARM G72 MP3 Graphics, Chrome OS, ZA6F0031US, Ice Blue + Iron Grey | Lenovo | Check Price | |
SAMSUNG Galaxy Tab S6 Lite 10.4" 64GB WiFi Android Tablet w/ S Pen Included, Slim Metal Design, Crystal Clear Display, Dual Speakers, Long Lasting Battery, SM-P610NZBAXAR, Angora Blue | SAMSUNG | Check Price | |
Lenovo - Tab P11 Plus - Tablet - 11" 2K Display - MediaTek Octa-Core Processor - 4GB Memory - 128GB Storage - Dolby Atmos - Android 11 - Bluetooth & Wi-Fi - Long Battery Life | Lenovo | Check Price | |
Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0" (2019, WiFi Only) 32GB, 5100mAh Battery, Dual Speaker, SM-T290, International Model (Black) | SAMSUNG | Check Price | |
Lenovo - Tab M10 Plus - Tablet - 10.3" FHD Display - Octa Core Processor - 2GB RAM - 32GB Storage - Dolby Atmos - Android 10 - WiFi & Bluetooth | Lenovo | Check Price | |
Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 Android Tablet, 10.5” LCD Screen, 64GB Storage, Long-Lasting Battery, Kids Content, Smart Switch, Expandable Memory, Dark Gray | SAMSUNG | Check Price |
Prices and images pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Best Cheap Tablets | 2022 Products Overview
1. Amazon Fire HD 10
- Fast and responsive - powerful octa-core processor and 3 GB RAM. 50% more RAM than previous generation.
- Long-lasting 12-hour battery and 32 or 64 GB internal storage. Add up to 1 TB with microSD (sold separately).
- Brighter display - Vivid 10.1 1080p Full HD display is 10% brighter than previous generation, with more than 2 million pixels.
- Enjoy your favorite apps like Netflix, Facebook, Hulu, Instagram, TikTok, and more through Amazon’s Appstore (Google Play not supported. Subscription for some apps required).
- Stay connected - Download apps like Zoom, or ask Alexa to make video calls to friends and family.
- Get more done – Check email, update shopping lists, and set reminders. Use your favorite apps like Microsoft Office, OneNote, and Dropbox.
- Hands-free with Alexa, including on/off toggle.
- Thinner and lighter than previous generation. Screen made with strengthened aluminosilicate glass.
- Split screen – All-new feature for Fire OS that shows two compatible apps, like Facebook Messenger and Prime Video, open side by side for easy multitasking.
2. Samsung Galaxy Tab A7
- 8.7, 800 x 1340, 5:3 ratio, WXGA+, TFT, Android 11, One UI 3.1, Face Recognition, 5100mAh Battery
- 32GB ROM, 3GB RAM, Mediatek MT8768T Helio P22T (12 nm), Octa-core, PowerVR GE8320
- Rear Camera: 8MP, Front Camera: 2MP, 5,100mAh, Bluetooth v5.0, Wi-Fi: 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac 2.4G + 5GHz
- 2G GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900, 3G HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100, 4G LTE B1(2100), B2(1900), B3(1800), B4(AWS), B5(850), B7(2600), B8(900), B12(700), B17(700), B20(800), B28(700), B38(2600), B40(2300), B66(AWS-3)
- International Model, Does not have US Warranty. This tablet is unlocked to work with all GSM Carriers in the U.S. and world Including AT&T, T-Mobile, MetroPCS, Etc. Will NOT work with CDMA Carriers Such as Verizon, Sprint, Boost.
3. Apple iPad 10.2-inch
- Gorgeous 10.2-inch Retina display with True Tone
- A13 Bionic chip with Neural Engine
- 8MP Wide back camera, 12MP Ultra Wide front camera with Center Stage
- Up to 256GB storage
- Stereo speakers
- Touch ID for secure authentication and Apple Pay
- 802.11ac Wi-Fi
- Up to 10 hours of battery life
- Lightning connector for charging and accessories
- Works with Apple Pencil (1st generation) and Smart Keyboard
4. Lenovo Chromebook Duet 2-in-1
- This ultraportable 2-in-1 Chromebook includes a fast and stable plug-and-play detachable keyboard enabled with 5-point pogo pin and magnet design
- Take it with you everywhere. Thin and lightweight the Chromebook Duet offers up to 10 hours of battery life (2)
- The unique dual-tone design with aluminum alloy on the tablet is a standout design with sophisticated fabric texture on the stand cover youll be stylish productive and practical
- Fast secure and easy to use: This touchscreen Chromebook boots up quickly with just your Google login to give you access to all of your cloud-based documents email and more
- With the 10 1 FHD (1920 x 1200) IPS display and stunning colorful details you wont sacrifice for great visuals; The 10-point multi-touch touchscreen is also USI pen compatible (pen sold separately)
5. SAMSUNG Galaxy Tab S6
- S PEN INCLUDED: The included S Pen makes it easier than ever to write notes and personalize photos and videos, all without needing to charge. The S Pen attaches magnetically right to your tablet and is always ready to go.
- SLIM METAL DESIGN: Take this sleek, lightweight tablet anywhere. Its slim design slips right into your bag and comes in your choice of stylish colors.
- ENTERTAINMENT READY: A vivid, crystal clear display draws you into content while dual speakers with sound by AKG supply spacious Dolby Atmos surround sound. With discovery powered by Spotify, setting a personal soundtrack to your waking moments has never been easier.
- LONG-LASTING BATTERY: A long-lasting battery lets you stream for up to 12 hours¹ on a single charge. The fast-charging USB-C port allows you to quickly get back to where you left off when you need to recharge.
- ONE UI CONNECTIVITY: Sync up multiple devices and double down on your todos with Galaxy Tab S6 Lite. Use it as a hotspot and create share-ready content all at once.
- DEX EXPERIENCE: Get more done each day by turning your Galaxy devices into an expanded desktop workstation. Send multiple windows to the devices of your choice and control them all from your Galaxy Tab S6 Lite like a boss.²
- ¹Battery power consumption depends on usage patterns. Results may vary. ²DeX will be available on R OS or above.
6. Lenovo Tab P11 Plus
- Experience superior streaming with the stunning 2K resolution (2000 x 1200) and 11-inch TDDI IPS display on this Android tablet
- Find a deeper connection with all the songs, stories, and shows you love with Dolby Atmos over four speakers on the Lenovo Tab P11 Plus
- Experience less lag while gaming or browsing via the MediaTek Helio G90T Tab Octa-Core processor with up to 2.05GHz
- Multitask seamlessly with 4GB with 128GB memory; Android 11 operating system
- Do more while youre away from home – the Tab P11 Plus runs on up to 15 hours of streaming time on a single battery charge, plus it connects wirelessly via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi
7. Samsung Galaxy Tab A
- 8.0 (203.1mm), Resolution: 1280 x 800 (WXGA), TFT, 16M Color Depth, 5100 mAh battery
- RAM - 2GB, ROM - 32GB, MicroSD (Up to 512GB), Android 9.0 (Pie), Qualcomm SDM429 Snapdragon 429, Quad-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A53
- Rear Camera - 8.0 MP, Front Camera - 2.0 MP, Dual Speaker, Bluetooth v4.2, USB 2.0, GPS, Glonass, Beidou, Galileo
- Wi-Fi - 802.11 a/b/g/n 2.4+5GHz, Wi-Fi Direct, Samsung Kids Home, No SIM Card Supported
- International Model, Does not have US warranty.
8. Lenovo Tab M10 Plus
- Premium look & feel with metal back cover and slim, narrow bezels. Enjoy your favorite videos on the 10. 3 FHD display with TDDI technology
- Fast and powerful Octa-Core processor with up to 2.3 GHz main frequency for quick performance
- Never miss a moment with 8 MP rear + 5 MP front cameras, dual microphones, and 2 side speakers tuned with Dolby Atmos
- Kids mode includes dedicated content for kids, with parent control and specialized eye protection. Bumpy environment and posture alerts also available
- Stay connected with Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, 2.4 GHz & 5 GHz Dual Band, and Bluetooth 5. 0
9. Samsung Galaxy Tab A8
- A Screen Everyone Will Love: Whether your family is streaming or video chatting with friends, the Galaxy Tab A8 tablet brings out the best in every moment on a 10.5 LCD screen
- Power and Storage for All: Get the power, storage and speed your family needs with an upgraded chipset and plenty of room to keep files — up to 128GB of storage; A long-lasting battery lets you go unplugged for hours to keep the family fun going
- Charge Fast, Power for Hours: Go for hours on a single charge* and back to 100% with the fast charging USB C port; *Battery life may vary depending on network environment, usage patterns and other factors
- Galaxy Ecosystem Experience: Open up a new world of convenient possibilities with the Galaxy ecosystem experience — your devices, including your phone, laptop computer, and tablet, all automatically talk to one another seamlessly
- Your Notes, All in One Place: Do more with your notes with Galaxy connectivity that automatically syncs everything from to-do lists to school work, whether you’re on your tablet, phone or watch
- Kids Digital Learning: Children can enjoy access to Samsung Kids, a library of safe and fun games, books and videos that are kid friendly and parent approved
- Easiest. Transfer. Ever: No matter what operating system youre using, Smart Switch makes it a breeze to move your data and favorite files in three easy steps
How to choose a cheap tablet
In the next chapters, I will go to illustrate the main features to take into consideration when choosing the best cheap tablet. Based on my recommendations, you can decide which features to prioritize for purchase. Remember that before the price, it is important to focus on the real needs for which you want to buy a device such as a tablet.
Operating system
Tablets can be animated by different operating systems.The main ones are Android from Google and iPadOS from Apple, very similar to their smartphone counterparts.
The “third wheel”, in this case, is represented by the Windows 10 operating system , the same that is found in PCs and developed for those hybrid devices that allow the tablet to turn into a notebook. Below, I’m going to point out the main pros and cons of each operating system.
- Android – this is the most common operating system, which allows the user complete freedom of action. The pre-installed store is the Play Store, which allows you to download thousands of applications and games of all kinds. Often this operating system can have slight differences from model to model and therefore the update of the same is not unique for all devices. Note that the tablets of some brands, for example some HUAWEI models, do not have Google services and, therefore, even using the Android operating system they do not give access to the Play Store.
- iPadOS – this operating system is dedicated to iPads developed by Apple. Like iOS for iPhone, it is characterized by the possibility of downloading applications exclusively from the App Store, which guarantees their safety. Generally, iPad apps are also better optimized than Android. OS updates are available on day one for all iPads. The possibilities of integration with other Apple products make these tablets recommended for those who are already accustomed to using an iPhone or Mac.
- Windows 10 – hybrid tablets, that is, tablets that can be converted into notebooks through the use of a special keyboard, are characterized by the ability to install programs and applications typical of PCs with an operating system developed by Microsoft. Updates are continuous and the same for all devices.
Display size
The size of a tablet’s display is one of the first parameters to consider when buying. The standard size of tablet displays are generally 7 , 8 , or 10 inches. In some cases, there are tablets that even go up to 12 inches .
Tablets with smaller displays are suitable for those who need a device that can be easily transported (in this case, in fact, the dimensions and weight are also lower) and which is not mainly used for viewing multimedia content such as movies or Television programs.
Tablets with 10-inch dimensions are recommended for those who intend to use the tablet both for viewing multimedia content, and for typing texts and the most common daily activities. The 12 “ devices are suitable for those who want a real replacement for the notebook, and in fact they are often equipped with an external keyboard.
In addition to the size of the display, I recommend that you also pay attention to the type of screen installed. Displays with IPS LCD screens are the most common and the most convenient in terms of graphic rendering, but in some models Super AMOLED panels are used , with superior build quality but with a much higher cost.
An important aspect to take into consideration as regards the quality of the image is the resolution , which is expressed in pixels ; in a nutshell, the higher the resolution, the better you can see images and texts on the screen, so I suggest you look more at the resolution than at the size of the panel. For working and watching multimedia content with a certain quality, you should never go below Full HD resolution (1920 x 1080 pixels)
Internal memory and expansions
A primary aspect in choosing a tablet is the amount of internal memory present in the tablet’s internal hard disk. I advise you to choose tablets with an internal memory greater than 32 GB if you intend to store many movies, documents or photos within it.
In any case, many tablets offer the opportunity to increase the amount of internal memory through microSD cards . My advice, in any case, remains to focus on tablets that offer support for memory expansions .
Some tablets offer the opportunity to connect external devices, through Micro or Mini USB ports , so you can play multimedia content from other connected devices, if there is support for OTG ( USB On-The-Go ) technology. In some cases, there is even a Micro or Mini HDMI connection type , which allows connection to TVs and monitors .
Data network and Wi-Fi
If you want to connect your tablet to the Internet through a mobile network offer, know that there are devices available to which you can install data SIMs . This feature, however, in most cases, does not include the ability to make phone calls with your tablet, so you will not be able to use it to replace your smartphone, in case you intend to do so.
Tablets that offer the 3G or LTE / 4G network support function have above average costs, so I advise you to consider them only if you have a real need to keep an Internet connection always active, even when away from home in the absence of Wi- Fi.
At the moment, tablets that offer support for 5G technology are available for sale , but they are often reserved for high-end devices.
Another aspect to take into consideration is obviously the quality of the connection to the Internet via Wi-Fi . I advise you to buy tablets with support for dual-band networks , therefore also at 5GHz, possibly of a high class (eg wireless ac ), to take advantage of all the power of modern Wi-Fi networks.
CPU
A not secondary feature in choosing a tablet concerns the type of processor (CPU) installed. This component is what affects the speed with which the device is able to perform basic operations such as opening applications and games or running system processes. Its power is measured in GHz.
RAM
RAM, on the other hand, affects the number of applications and games open at the same time and the tablet’s ability to manage multiple processes at the same time (multitasking). The size of a RAM is expressed in GB and the more there is, the more the tablet will be able to manage the use of multiple apps at the same time (or the use of single more “demanding” apps).
The amount of RAM is not always indicative of the real performance of the tablet, as on Apple-branded tablets, for example, there is better optimization of the operating system, which reduces the need for RAM installed on the device.
Battery
The tablet battery size is expressed in milliampere hours (mAh) . The higher the amperage, the longer the tablet will charge. The actual duration of a recharge, however, may also vary depending on the use made of the tablet and its degree of software and hardware optimization.
Tablet chargers
Tablet chargers often come with a USB -C or Micro USB connection, but there is no shortage of proprietary connection types. This happens, for example, for Apple tablets, which in the non-Pro versions are characterized by a type of charging cable with a Lightning connection.
Camera and audio
Camera and audio sensors are components to consider if you want to use the tablet to record university lectures, videos or take photographs. The cameras installed on tablets do not shine for build quality and image rendering , but in some price ranges it is possible to find excellent alternatives to those of smartphones.
My advice in this regard is to evaluate according to your needs based not only on the Megapixel resolution communicated by the manufacturer, the presence of flash and the ability to zoom , but also examples of photos and videos found on the Net : in short, look for reviews and “touch” the photographic performance of the model of your interest.
As for the audio sector, in the input there is almost always a microphone , which however, as for the camera , is hardly comparable to those installed on smartphones. On the other hand, given the nature of a multimedia player typical of the tablet, there are often several good quality stereo speakers , which allow you to enjoy movies, TV series and other contents in comfort.
The Bluetooth connection, present on almost all tablets on the market, allows you to choose to also connect the tablet to keyboards, mouse, and Bluetooth speakers capable of improving listening quality.
Accessories included
Lastly, any accessories included should be considered, such as keyboards, mice , ergonomic covers that act as a support for the tablet or pens capable of interacting with the touch surface, excellent for those who intend to use the device also as a graphics tablet or for taking notes (taking into account that the passive pens typical of budget tablets do not offer performance comparable to that of active pens, for example the Apple Pencil from Apple).
FAQs
What are the best tablets?
The big technology companies have created very valid and specific devices for various uses. The iPad, in its variants, is considered the best tablet on the market. However, devices from Samsung, Huawei and Lenovo are also great. In addition, there are budget devices like the Amazon Tablet Fire that are perfect for the entry-level range.
How big can a tablet screen be?
The screen of a tablet can have different sizes: 7 inches, 8 inches, 10.2 inches and 13 inches in the case of the iPad Pro.
What is the most expensive rugged tablet?The RT308 8 ″ windows rugged tablet for professional use is the most expensive option on our list. It has most of the features and comes with a premium build quality, therefore, making it a bit expensive.
Should I consider buying from Amazon?No matter what you order, Amazon is known for its high-quality service and ensures that the product meets your needs. In fact, it is much more reliable than the sellers in the local market and many other e-commerce stores.
Conclusions and final considerations
In short, choosing the best cheap tablet can be very difficult, but thanks to a general overview and knowing the various details to consider during the purchase, you can do the same in a more targeted way.
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