Some of the best tablets are downright expensive, and Apple’s iPad Pro can easily push the $2,000 mark. But you don’t have to spend a fortune to get a reliable and consistent tablet experience. Also:
Don’t know which iPad is right for you? We break down the different modelsWant a bigger screen? These are the best large tabletsDon’t want an iPad? Check out these top-quality Android tabletsThese rugged tablets can withstand just about anythingWant a tablet for your kid? Our picks are not just for entertainment
Apple’s tried-and-true tablet, the base model iPad, is arguably the best cheap tablet. Full stop.
Not only does the standard $329 price tag cover the same features you’d expect from Apple’s other tablets, like iPadOS updates for years and access to the App Store – you also don’t have to pay a premium as you do for the more expensive Pro and Air models.
Review: Apple iPad (2021) review: If it’s not broke, don’t fix it
The 9th-generation iPad was announced in the fall of 2021, and it includes an A13 Bionic processor plus more storage options. While the 10th-generation iPad was announced in 2022, ZDNET editor June Wan said the 2021 version is still a good buy – plus it’s $120 cheaper.
“Even if you’re shopping for personal use, if your intended uses are mainly video streaming, note-taking, and playing tablet games, then the ninth-generation iPad should suffice,” Wan said.
The base model offers 64GB, or you can opt for 256GB of storage if you need the space. The entry-level iPad can be paired with Apple’s Smart Keyboard and an Apple Pencil, converting it from a tablet to a 2-in-1 laptop.
What’s the difference? Glad you asked. The HD 8 comes with 2GB of memory, while the HD 8 Plus comes with the same features as well as 3GB of memory, wireless charging support, and a faster-wired charger in the box.
The full HD display looks clear and provides plenty of space for gaming or watching movies. You’ll get up to 12 hours of battery life on a single charge.
The Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3 recently came out and is an affordable tablet with a display that’s meant to be detached from its body. Lenovo made two notable upgrades with this 2022 model: a larger 11-inch display and an additional USB-C port. The former is a mere inch more than its predecessor, but still noticeable and great for entertainment, web surfing, and basic work.
The 2-in-1 concept of this Chromebook remains as compact and portable as ever. You can expect an included kickstand and keyboard to come with this tablet, making it turn into a portable work companion rather than just simply a tablet.
Review: Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3 review: One of the best budget Chromebooks just got even better
Wan said this tablet impressed him just as much as some of the more expensive Chromebooks on the market: “The Lenovo’s 64GB of internal storage is actually plenty for a Chromebook, even if you plan to download a dozen or so apps,” he said.
The Duet 3’s panel has a 2,000 by 1,200 resolution – Lenovo calls it 2K – which is a pleasure to look at. It also has built-in Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 and 4GB of RAM. All this means you can expect a simplified user experience that will get the job done with essential browser tasks like video playing and multi-window browsing, since after all, this is a cheap tablet.
Another best cheap tablet is the Lenovo Tab P11 Plus, which looks a lot like the Chromebook Duet, only bigger and more powerful. It doesn’t come with a keyboard attachment like the Duet, but you can pick one up to expand its capabilities into more of a laptop replacement for $72.
Wan said the Lenovo Tab P11 Plus is an “enigma,” adding that it “carries a spec sheet that nearly rivals that of more premium offerings” while remaining just $250.
Review: Lenovo Tab P11 Plus review: The budget Android tablet to beat
If you’re looking for a tablet to share with your kids, there’s a dedicated Google Kids Space app on the P11 Plus that makes it easy to hand the tablet to your child and not worry about what they’re accessing. It relies on Google’s Family Link parental controls, giving them access to age-appropriate apps and games.
The construction is solid, and the performance is reliable. If you’re looking for an affordable Android tablet, the P11 Plus is worth considering.
Samsung’s tablet lineup spans all aspects of price and capability. However, the Galaxy Tab A7 Lite is a good mixture of affordability and usefulness. It’s powered by Android 11, with Samsung’s twist on the mobile operating system.
The lightweight design and small display make it portable enough to take anywhere, especially if you’re using it to keep your kids entertained with educational apps. Plus, the Tab A7 Lite has a metal frame for added ruggedness.
It won’t be the fastest tablet out of this group, but it should have better performance than the Fire HD 8 lineup, with the bonus of access to Google’s app and services.
Nokia’s T20 tablet is a recent addition to the Android tablet market. At $250, it’s affordable, and the hardware feels great to hold. The 10.4-inch display is good enough for watching Netflix or online shopping, and the battery life should get you through most of the day.
It comes with Android 11 out of the box, and Nokia promises three years of monthly security updates and two years of OS updates – meaning it should get Android 12 and Android 13, eventually. There’s a dedicated Google Kids Space that features content specifically for young children, keeping them from accessing your apps while using the tablet.
Review: Nokia T20, hands on: A good-value 10.4-inch Android tablet
ZDNET writer Sandra Vogel tested out the Nokia T20 and said the tablet is “capable and well-built,” adding that the tablet is “adequately equipped for undemanding duties both at home and in the office.”
If you want to spend less on a big tablet, Samsung’s “FE” series of devices are designed with Samsung fans in mind. The company took the best features of its high-end devices, trimmed them down, and released a more affordable product.
This affordable Android tablet has a large 12.4-inch display, a snappy processor, as well as multiple storage and memory options. The device, which comes in various colors, also has a 5G version available if you want to use it while on the go.
Some standout features include face recognition technology, two stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos, and multi-device connectivity. It also has a great battery life that will last you for at least 12 hours.
The 12.4-inch display is more than suitable for streaming or playing games, and it also comes with an S Pen, which adds even more to its affordability.
If you’re already heavily invested in Apple’s ecosystem of products and services, the 9th-generation iPad makes the most sense for the best cheap tablet. It also quickly adds up, becoming the most expensive yet cheap laptop on our list.
However, if you prefer Android, the best cheap tablet option might be P11 Plus or the Galaxy Tab A7. At more than double the price of the A7, the P11 Plus offers a solid experience with a screen that’s hard to match at this level.
Using the input from all of those factors, I was able to whittle down the list to what you see here. Indeed, there are other cheap tablets than what’s currently on this list. But when it comes to the low-end, entry-level market for most tech, you get what you pay for. And most of the time, the downfall of cheap tech is its slow performance.
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Art students are the ones who will benefit most from using a tablet for classes since they can draw, sketch, and digitally paint similar to how they would with a physical pen and paper. Plus, there are some amazing art apps out there (ProCreate, Adobe Creative Cloud) to take full advantage of a tablet’s processing power and screen resolution.
The best cheap tablet options on this list all have great storage capacities.
