Most of the tablets included in this guide are older-generation models, so you may have to visit third-party retailers to pick them up, but where possible, we've provided links to those retailers under each entry.
The best cheap tablets aren't as powerful as the best tablets overall, but they do strike a welcome balance between utility and affordability.
The best cheap tablet for most people is the still-capable Apple iPad 10.9 (2022), which offers typical Apple performance at a wallet-friendly price (the iPad 10.2 from 2021 is cheaper still, but it's harder to come by in 2025). That said, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 and Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023) are equally attractive options for those on a budget.
For creative types, those Apple and Samsung models offer support for accessories like the Apple Pencil and Samsung S Pen, though if you're planning on running demanding software, you'll want to consider one of the best iPads or best Android tablets (think the iPad Pro 2024 or Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus).
In this guide, we've highlighted the best cheap tablets to buy in 2025. Every device in the below list has been subjected to a full TechRadar review, so you can rest assured that our recommendations are based on real-world judgments.
Quick List
It's not the cheapest tablet around, but the iPad 10.9 (2022) is a great-value all-rounder that's powerful, portable, stylish, and less expensive than the Pro models.
Read more below
The Amazon Fire HD 10 doesn't exactly set the tablet world on fire, but for casual streaming, gaming, and web browsing, it's a more-than-capable device.
Read more below
If you prefer a more versatile Android tablet, Samsung's Galaxy Tab A8 is among the best bargain tablets on the market. It's great for streaming movies, and offers strong battery life to keep you working or entertained.
Read more below
I'm TechRadar's Phones Editor, and have been reviewing and writing about the best mobile devices (tablets included) for several years. Based in the UK, I handle news and feature coverage for the phones section of the site, and regularly edit TechRadar's phones-related reviews and buying guides. You'll find my byline on over 1,500 TechRadar articles.
The best cheap tablet in 2025
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Below, you'll find full write-ups for each of the best cheap tablets in our list. We've tested each model extensively, so you can be sure that our recommendations can be trusted.
The best cheap tablet overall
The iPad 10.2 (2021) occupied the 'best overall' spot on this list for several years, but now that a new base-model iPad is out in the wild, the iPad 10.9 (2022) is a more affordable proposition, and thus can be considered a cheap tablet by Apple standards. The iPad 10.2 (2021) is still slightly cheaper, but owing to its wider availability and superior specs, the iPad 10.9 (2022) is our new 'best overall' choice.
With its bright and sizeable 10.9-inch display, lightweight aluminum design, powerful A14 Bionic chipset, and decent stereo speakers, the iPad 10.9 (2022) is perfectly suited to streaming, browsing, and mild productivity tasks. It's a great all-rounder that feels more premium than the other tablets on this list, though with it being an Apple slate, you'll naturally have to pay a premium to get your hands on it.
During our testing of the iPad 10.9 (2022), we recorded 10 hours of battery life while using the tablet constantly, and almost 22 hours when using it casually. There's no Face ID, but for a cheap tablet, it's hard to fault how well the device just works.
Best of all? The iPad 10.9 (2022) is compatible with iPadOS 18, and will remain compatible with future software updates until at least 2027. For Apple Intelligence compatibility, you'll have to go for the pricier iPad mini (2024) or iPad Air 11 (2025), but given that you can pick up the iPad 10.9 (2022) for a much lower price at third-party retailers, it's the better choice for budget-friendly buyers.
Read our full iPad 10.9 (2022) review
The best cheap Amazon tablet
Amazon's best Fire tablet isn't the cheapest tablet around, but it's fairly solid if you're not fussed about having an extensive ecosystem to dig into. Nevertheless, you get some strong specs for not a lot of money with this device, including a Full HD 10.1-inch display that we found is well-suited for watching movies and playing games.
In testing, we recorded a very respectable 13 hours of battery life with the Fire HD 10, so you needn't worry about its endurance when you're on a lengthy trip. Its tough design should make it weather any bumps and knocks on said trip, too, just don't expect it to win many admiring looks, as its design is rather dated.
There are, of course, some caveats here, including the fact that you're limited to playing within Amazon's walled garden of Fire OS, which includes lots of unremovable apps. And for people with the Fire HD 10 from 2021, we're not convinced that this is a compelling upgrade. But for those of you who want a tough and no-frills tablet, the Fire HD 10 is definitely still worth considering in 2025.
Incidentally, Amazon announced new Fire HD 8 tablets – which are essentially budgeted versions of its mainline HD series – in October last year, and we're currently putting them through our full review process. As such, one of them could dethrone the Fire HD 10 (2023) as the best cheap Amazon tablet, but the jury is out.
Read our full Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023) review
The best cheap Samsung tablet
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 has since been replaced by the newer Galaxy Tab A9, which we're in the process of testing (hence its absence from this list). But while the latter device offers slightly better specs – specifically, it boasts more RAM and is 176g lighter – the Galaxy Tab A9 has at least made the still-excellent Galaxy Tab A8 cheaper than ever in 2025.
The Galaxy Tab A8 is Samsung's answer to Apple's best cheap tablet, which you've seen above. If you're looking for an Android-powered iPad rival on a budget, this (or indeed the new Tab A9) is the slate you should consider. With Google's Android operating system providing plenty of flexibility, coupled with a large HD display, the 10.5-inch Tab A8 is great for movies and web browsing.
We found that this tablet also benefits from a long battery life, so you can indulge in a movie marathon; just be aware that it can take some time to charge. It’s not the most powerful tablet around, and overall, we’d give Apple’s iPad 10.9 (2022) the edge. But for media and basic app use around the house, this is a strong choice.
If you're willing to spend a bit more, but not quite Ultra money, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE Plus is another good option to consider, and we're also expecting a new version of the Galaxy Tab A, likely the Galaxy Tab A10, to launch in the first half of 2025. Perhaps, then, you're better off waiting a few more months before pulling the trigger on the Galaxy Tab A8.
Read our full Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 review
Also consider
None of the tablets included above are new models, meaning they have to be bought via third-party retailers. That does, of course, mean they're cheaper than most new tablets, but if you're willing to spend a bit more money, we've highlighted some alternative options below.
Best iPad 10.9 (2022) alternatives – the iPad mini (2024) / iPad 11 (2025): Apple's 2022 iPad continues to be available at third-party retailers, but if you're after an affordable iPad from Apple directly, you're cheapest options are the latest mini and standard iPad models. The former starts at $499 / £499 / AU$799, and the latter starts at $349 / £329 / AU$599. We haven't yet reviewed the iPad 11 (2025), but you can read about its features in our news story covering its announcement.
Best Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023) alternative – Amazon Fire HD 8 (2024): Despite its age, the Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023) is still the newest 10-inch Fire HD model from Amazon, but the company did recently release the Fire HD 8, which is even cheaper. It's an 8-inch model with a smaller battery, so we think the Fire HD 10 (2023) still offers better value for money, but the newer tab is worth considering if you're after the cheapest possible Fire slate.
Best Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 alternative – Samsung Galaxy Tab A9: The obvious alternative to the Galaxy Tab A8 is the newer Tab A9, which is significantly lighter and offers more RAM than its predecessor. It's also more readily available than the Tab A8, but since we haven't fully reviewed it (yet), it doesn't qualify for a spot in our main list.
FAQs
What is the best cheap tablet?
The best cheap tablet on the market right now is Apple's iPad 10.9 (2022). Despite its age, it still gives you a gorgeous 10.9-inch screen, great update support, and more than enough power for most everyday tasks. If you're looking for an Android device, then we recommend the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8.
How to choose the best cheap tablet
There are always compromises on cheaper products, so in choosing one of the best cheap tablets, it's important to identify where corners have been cut, and whether those things matter to you. Equally, if a particular feature is very important to you – be it the battery, screen, or anything else – make sure that the tablet you're considering performs well in that area.
There are also variables that apply no matter how much money you're spending. For example, you might want something relatively small, light, and portable, such as an 8-inch screen and a weight of under 400g. Or maybe you want a big, immersive 10-inch display. Operating systems are worth considering, too, with the options typically including Apple's iPadOS, Android, and Amazon's Fire OS.
You're not going to get a master of all trades at a low price, but it's very possible to find the balance you need.
How we test
In this best cheap tablets guide, we've only included tablets that we've fully reviewed. That means that we've used every entry extensively and delivered a final verdict on them. That process includes testing every key feature and using them as our main tablet, just like a typical buyer would.
This allows us to easily rank and compare different tablets, factoring in their specs, performance, price, value, age, screen quality, battery life, and any other factor worth considering.
With that information, we know exactly which ones to include and which to exclude, and whenever a new cheap tablet is released, we'll compare it to the other entries in this list before deciding if or where it should be placed.
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