Finding a great tablet without spending a fortune can feel like a quest, but it’s totally doable. You don’t need to shell out top dollar to get a device that’s perfect for watching movies, browsing the web, light gaming, or even getting some work done. This list is here to cut through the noise and show you some genuinely awesome budget tablets that punch well above their weight class, no matter what you’re looking to spend.
We’re diving into different price brackets to help you pinpoint the absolute best bang for your buck. Think of this as your friendly guide to scoring a fantastic tablet deal, with real-world insights on what makes each one special. Get ready to find your next favourite gadget!
Here are some of the best budget tablets you can get your hands on, broken down by what you’re looking to spend.
Under $150
1. Alldocube iPlay 60 Mini Pro
- Price: Around $160
- Main feature: Compact 8.4-inch design with surprisingly good screen quality.
- Why it stands out: Excellent value for media consumption with Widevine L1 support, good battery life, and even dual SIM slots plus expandable storage at this price.
If you’re after a super portable Android tablet that feels a bit like an iPad Mini without the Apple price, the Alldocube iPlay 60 Mini Pro is a real contender. It’s perfect for tucking into a bag for reading on the go or just casual browsing on the couch. While the sound needs a boost from (Bluetooth) headphones, and it lacks a headphone jack and fingerprint sensor, its surprisingly sharp and vivid screen, along with decent performance for casual games and streaming, makes it a great little media companion for the price.
2. Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023)
- Price: Often under $100 (especially during sales)
- Main feature: Reliable 10.1-inch display deeply integrated with Amazon’s ecosystem.
- Why it stands out: Fantastic battery life (up to 13 hours), durable build, and a decent screen for watching Prime Video or Disney+, making it great for travel.
The Amazon Fire HD 10 is a classic choice for a reason, and the 2023 version keeps things dependable. It’s built well for the price, feeling sturdy enough for daily use. Performance is okay for streaming, browsing, and basic apps, though don’t expect a powerhouse. The biggest thing is its Fire OS – it’s super easy if you’re already in the Amazon world with Kindle and Prime Video, but you won’t get Google Play Store apps easily, and you’ll see ads on the lock screen unless you pay to remove them. For dedicated Amazon users, it’s a solid pick.
$150 – $200
3. Amazon Fire Max 11
- Price: Around $180 (often less with deals, base model)
- Main feature: Premium metal body and a sharp 11-inch 2K display.
- Why it stands out: Easily the nicest-feeling Fire tablet, with good speakers and solid battery life, offering a more upscale experience within the Amazon ecosystem.
The Fire Max 11 steps up the build quality significantly from other Fire tablets, feeling genuinely premium thanks to its metal construction. The 11-inch screen is sharp and great for media, especially if you’re an Amazon Prime user. However, like other Fire tablets, you’re in Amazon’s walled garden (Fire OS, Amazon Appstore, lock screen ads). It’s a great option if you love Amazon services and want their best-built tablet for streaming and reading, but less so if you need Google apps or more productivity flexibility.
4. Lenovo Tab M11
- Price: Around $170
- Main feature: Smooth 11-inch 90Hz display and a cleaner Android experience with Google Play access.
- Why it stands out: The 90Hz refresh rate makes scrolling and animations feel much nicer than typical budget tablets, and Lenovo’s PC mode offers decent multitasking capabilities. Its battery life is also excellent, especially on standby.
The Lenovo Tab M11 really surprised me with its value. That 90Hz screen is a treat at this price, making everyday use feel more fluid. It runs a much cleaner version of Android compared to Fire tablets, giving you full access to the Google Play Store, which is a huge plus. It’s not a gaming beast, but for general media consumption, web browsing, and light productivity, especially for families or students, it’s a fantastic and reliable choice.
$200 – $250
5. Lenovo Tab Plus (2024)
- Price: Starting around $230 (can vary)
- Main feature: Incredible audio experience with eight JBL speakers and an 11.5-inch 2K 90Hz display.
- Why it stands out: The sound quality is ridiculously good for a tablet, almost like a portable smart speaker. It also has a premium build, a handy built-in kickstand, and fantastic battery life (10-11 hours of video playback).
This tablet is an absolute media powerhouse, primarily because of those eight JBL speakers – they are seriously impressive, making movies and music sound amazing. The 11.5-inch screen is sharp and smooth with its 90Hz refresh rate, and the build quality feels more expensive than it is. It’s ideal for anyone who primarily wants a tablet for streaming video or music and values great sound and battery life above all else. You might need to uninstall a few preloaded apps, but for entertainment, it’s a winner.
6. Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+
- Price: Around $200 (for the 4GB/64GB base model)
- Main feature: Solid Samsung build quality with an 11-inch 90Hz display and Samsung’s One UI software.
- Why it stands out: Offers a familiar Samsung experience, sturdy aluminum body, a smooth 90Hz screen, quad speakers with Dolby Atmos, and even a headphone jack. Samsung DeX mode provides a desktop-like experience.
The Galaxy Tab A9+ is Samsung’s answer for a solid, big-screen budget tablet. You get that typical Samsung polish, and the 11-inch screen is great for videos and browsing, especially with the 90Hz refresh. Performance on the base 4GB RAM model is generally fine for everyday tasks, but can feel a bit sluggish if you push multitasking too hard. The software is clean, and having DeX is a unique productivity plus at this price. It’s a reliable choice if you like Samsung’s ecosystem and want a well-built tablet for entertainment and light work.
$250 – $300
7. Xiaomi Redmi Pad Pro
- Price: Around $280 (can vary by region/seller)
- Main feature: Large 12.1-inch 120Hz 2.5K display and a premium metal build.
- Why it stands out: Offers a huge, high-refresh-rate screen and a very premium feel for its price, making it excellent for media consumption, browsing, and even some light creative work.
The Redmi Pad Pro is a stunner for its price, especially with that massive 12.1-inch screen that makes watching videos or browsing feel incredibly immersive. The metal build gives it a premium touch you don’t always find in this range. It handles everyday tasks like streaming and social media well, and even some light creative work isn’t out of the question. While it’s not a flagship powerhouse, it’s a fantastic option for students, media lovers, or anyone wanting a capable, large-screen tablet experience without spending a ton.
8. Apple iPad (10th Generation)
- Price: Often found closer to 300-350 now, down from its launch price.
- Main feature: The classic iPad experience with a modern 10.9-inch display, A14 Bionic chip, and USB-C.
- Why it stands out: It’s an iPad – smooth performance, a vast app ecosystem, and excellent build quality. The A14 chip handles everything from browsing to light gaming and basic productivity with ease.
The 10th Gen iPad finally brought the modern, slimmer-bezel design and USB-C to the standard iPad line. It’s a fantastic all-around tablet for most people, including students and families. Performance is zippy, the screen is lovely, and iPadOS is a joy to use. The main quirk is the Apple Pencil situation – it only supports the older 1st Gen Pencil (requiring an adapter) or the basic USB-C Pencil, not the nicer magnetic 2nd Gen one. But if you’re not heavily reliant on the latest stylus features, this is probably the best value iPad you can get right now.
$300+ (but still “budget” compared to flagships)
9. Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE
- Price: Around 350-450 (depending on sales and configuration)
- Main feature: IP68 water and dust resistance, included S Pen, and a vibrant 10.9-inch 90Hz LCD.
- Why it stands out: Its durability is a huge plus, making it great if you’re a bit clumsy or plan to use it near water. The included S Pen doesn’t need charging and works brilliantly for note-taking or drawing. It feels very premium.
The Galaxy Tab S9 FE is a fantastic, feature-packed Android tablet. That IP68 rating is rare and very welcome. The S Pen experience is top-notch, and the 90Hz screen is smooth and pleasant to use. Speakers are surprisingly loud and clear. It handles multitasking well, though for super heavy-duty tasks like pro video editing, you might find it a tad slow. For anyone wanting a durable, pen-enabled Android tablet with a premium feel without going full flagship price, this is an excellent buy.
10. Lenovo Tab P12 (2024 / sometimes referred to as just Tab P12)
- Price: Around 300-350
- Main feature: Massive and beautiful 12.7-inch 3K (2944×1840) LTPS LCD display.
- Why it stands out: The screen is the star here – it’s huge, incredibly sharp, and makes watching movies or getting work done a pleasure. It’s surprisingly slim and light for its size, and the quad JBL speakers sound fantastic.
If a giant, gorgeous screen is your priority, the Lenovo Tab P12 delivers in spades. It’s amazing for media consumption, and the large canvas is great for productivity, especially with the optional keyboard and stylus. Performance is solid for everyday tasks and even some gaming like Asphalt 9. While it handles multitasking well, there can be occasional minor stutters, the screen is 60Hz (not as smooth as higher refresh rates), and charging can be slow. But for that immersive screen experience and great audio, it offers incredible value.
Phew! That’s quite a lineup, but hopefully, this helps you narrow down your choices. Remember, the “best” budget tablet really depends on what you need it for. Whether it’s a compact reader, a media powerhouse, or a light productivity tool, there’s an affordable option out there for you.
What are your favorite budget tablets? Did any of these catch your eye, or do you have another gem to share? Drop your thoughts in the comments below – I’d love to hear what you think!
