The Apple iPad reigns supreme at the top of the tablet market. However, these iPadOS devices are expensive. If you want a tablet without breaking the bank, there are plenty of affordable Android alternatives.

So how do you know which is the best one for you? We've found the best cheap Android tablets available right now to get you started.

If you want a slim, stylish tablet without breaking the bank, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 10.4 is for you. It’s a fully-loaded tablet with features like 15W fast charging and quad stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos Surround Sound.

Notably, Samsung did not skimp on specifications. This tablet uses a reasonable Snapdragon 662 chip. It also has Bluetooth 5.0, dual-band Wi-Fi, and a USB Type-C port. As a result, you can enjoy your everyday activities without worrying about lag.

The front camera is equipped with a 5MP sensor, while the 8MP rear camera with autofocus ensures your photos stay sharp. Furthermore, both cameras support 1080p recording at 30fps.

One drawback of this tablet is that it only uses a TFT screen. But at this price point, and with all the other features, this is one trade-off most users could accept.

Key Features
  • 7,040mAh battery with fast-charging USB-C port
  • Expandable storage
  • Slim at just 7mm thick
Specifications
  • Brand: Samsung
  • Storage: 32GB/64GB
  • CPU: Octa-core 2.0GHz
  • Memory: 3GB
  • Operating System: Android 10
  • Battery: 7,040mAh
  • Ports: 3.5mm stereo jack, USB 2.0 Type-C
  • Camera (Rear, Front): 8MP, 5MP
  • Display type: 10.4 inches, 2000x1200
Pros
  • Lightweight and easy to carry
  • Upgradeable to Android 11
  • Features quad-speaker Dolby Atmos Surround Sound for immersive watching
Cons
  • TFT screen has limited viewing angles compared to IPS displays
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Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 10.4
Editors choice

2. Lenovo Tab M10 Plus

9.40 / 10
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The Lenovo Smart Tab M10 Plus is an excellent smart home tablet. It’s specially designed to work with Alexa to help control your Internet of Things (IoT) devices. With its smart home focus, this tablet is perfect for home entertainment.

The included dock lets you have a place for this tablet in your home. It also doubles as Bluetooth speakers and can charge your device. The dock lets it have a central placement in your home, where everybody can use it for entertainment, music, and calls.

If you plan to have this in your living room, it’s also perfect for capturing everyday moments. It has an 8MP AF rear camera to record your memories. And you can even expand its storage capacity through a microSD card.

This tablet is ideal for both personal and family entertainment. It has a Full HD IPS screen with 330 nits of brightness for your viewing pleasure. And if you have kids, you can ensure their safety through multi-user access and parental controls.

Key Features
  • Tablet dock that serves as a charger and speakers included
  • Powerful 2.3GHz octa-core CPU will run most entertainment apps
  • Full HD IPS display perfect for watching movies and playing games
Specifications
  • Brand: Lenovo
  • Storage: 64GB
  • CPU: Cortex-A53
  • Memory: 4GB
  • Operating System: Android 9 Pie
  • Battery: 10 hours
  • Ports: 1x USB C
  • Camera (Rear, Front): Rear (8MP), Front (5MP)
  • Display type: 10.3-inch, 1920x1200
  • Size: 9.6 x 6.04 x 0.33 inches
  • Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
Pros
  • Control your smart home via Alexa
  • Comes with parental controls
  • 3W speakers built into the dock offers clear sound
Cons
  • Google Assistant is unavailable for this tablet
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Lenovo Tab M10 Plus
Best value

3. Amazon Fire HD 8

9.20 / 10
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The Amazon Fire HD 8 is the best bang-for-the-buck tablet you can get for those on a strict budget. But despite being an affordable device, you will still get all the features you expect from a tablet.

It has stereo speakers, Bluetooth 5.0, and dual-band Wi-Fi. That means you won’t have any problems using this on the go. The IPS LCD screen also lets you have excellent viewing angles. And if you want to download many movies, you can add a microSD card for more storage.

More than that, the 16:10 screen aspect ratio is perfect for reading books and watching movies. Its small form factor also makes it easy to hold when you’re reading your ebooks. You can also choose between Black, Plum, Twilight Blue, and White to get the color that suits you best.

One thing to note—you cannot access the Google Play Store on this tablet. However, you could find the most popular Android apps on the Amazon Appstore. With over 400,000 apps available, it should be more than enough to cover most of your needs.

Key Features
  • Long-lasting battery
  • Over 400,000 apps available through the Amazon Appstore
  • Expandable memory through a microSDXC slot
Specifications
  • Brand: Amazon
  • Storage: 32GB/64GB
  • CPU: Quad-core 2.0GHz
  • Memory: 2GB
  • Operating System: Fire OS 7
  • Battery: Not provided
  • Ports: 3.5mm stereo jack, USB Type-C
  • Camera (Rear, Front): 2MP, 2MP
  • Display type: 8.0 inches, 1280x800
Pros
  • Perfect size for reading ebooks
  • Comes in four color options
  • 16:10 screen ratio great for watching movies and TV shows
Cons
  • No access to the Google Play Store
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Amazon Fire HD 8

If you want a tablet that can also control your smart home, you should go for the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus. This device is also Amazon’s best tablet offering. It comes with a Full HD 10.1-inch display protected by aluminosilicate glass.

The 64GB of storage and 4GB of RAM give ample power for most of your everyday uses. And if you want to increase its capacity, it accepts a microSDXC up to 1TB through a dedicated slot. Similarly, it’s compatible with all Qi-certified wireless charging pads.

The Fire HD 10 Plus features ambient light sensors to automatically adjust the screen brightness. There are also two built-in microphones for clearer audio during video calls. However, both the front and rear cameras only support up to 720p video recording.

What makes this stand out is its 12-hour battery life. It’s more than enough to last most days. So even if you’re away, you can stay entertained and connected.

Key Features
  • Comes with Alexa-based smart home control
  • Built-in wireless charging
  • Great for both entertainment and general productivity
Specifications
  • Brand: Amazon
  • Storage: 32GB/64GB
  • CPU: Octa-core 2.0GHz
  • Memory: 4GB
  • Operating System: Fire OS
  • Battery: 12 hours
  • Ports: 3.5mm stereo jack, USB 2.0 Type-C port
  • Camera (Rear, Front): 5MP, 2MP
  • Display type: 10.1 inches, 1920x200
Pros
  • Powerful 2.0GHz octa-core processor
  • Expandable storage up to 1TB
  • Long-lasting 12-hour battery life
Cons
  • Limited multitasking capabilities
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Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus

For those who require a portable tablet, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 is an excellent choice. Its small, 8-inch form factor makes it easy to slip in your bag and carry around town.

Despite being small, it packs a 5,100mAh battery enough for up to 13 hours of use. And if you find the built-in storage too small, you can always expand it up to 512GB via the microSDXC slot. It also has dual-band Wi-Fi to ensure reliable wireless internet.

This tablet’s rear camera features an 8MP autofocus sensor. It also records at 1080p 30fps, giving you crisp, smooth video. The front camera has a 2MP sensor, making it perfect for video chatting. This device is for you if you’re looking for something light and portable that will last you throughout the day.

Key Features
  • Expandable up to 512GB
  • 5,100mAh battery lasts up to 13 hours
  • Get sharp photos with the 8MP autofocus rear camera
Specifications
  • Brand: Samsung
  • Storage: 32GB/64GB
  • CPU: Quad-core 2.0GHz
  • Memory: 2GB
  • Operating System: Android 9 Pie
  • Battery: 5,100mAh
  • Ports: 3.5mm jack, micro-USB
  • Camera (Rear, Front): 8MP AF, 2MP
  • Display type: 8.0 inches, 1280x800
Pros
  • Lightweight and easy to carry
  • Built-in dual stereo speakers
  • Captures 1080p video at 30fps
Cons
  • Only uses a micro-USB connector
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Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0

When budgeting is your priority, but you still need a tablet with access to the Google Play Store, pick the Lenovo Tab M8. This budget device will let you have the whole Android experience at a fraction of the cost.

It sports a 5MP autofocus rear camera that can record 1080p video. It also has a 2MP front camera for video calls at 720p. Fortunately, the tablet has dual-band Wi-Fi capabilities, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS, and even an FM Radio.

Even at this price, you still get an IPS LCD screen and a full aluminum body. And if you find the 32GB capacity not enough, you can always extend storage through a dedicated microSDXC slot.

The chipset and memory are just enough for simple applications. But this tablet comes at an unbeatable price. It’s an excellent budget tablet for kids or those who don’t need advanced features.

Key Features
  • High-definition 8-inch display
  • Support for both 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi Bands
  • Aluminum back and frame
Specifications
  • Brand: Lenovo
  • Storage: 16GB/32GB
  • CPU: Quad-core 2.0GHz
  • Memory: 2GB
  • Operating System: Android 9 Pie
  • Battery: 5,000mAh
  • Ports: 3.5mm jack, micro-USB
  • Camera (Rear, Front): 5MP, 2MP
  • Display type: 8.0 inches IPS, 1280x800
Pros
  • Upgradable to Android 10
  • Built-in FM radio
  • One of the most affordable Android tablets with Google Play
Cons
  • Low RAM is only just enough for basic tasks
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Lenovo Tab M8

If you want a tablet that has everything, then look no further than the MEBERRY M7. Although it has modest specifications, it more than makes up for the accessories included in the package.

When you purchase this device, you’ll also get a Bluetooth keyboard, wireless mouse, stylus, flip case, and screen protector. That’s a lot of accessories for a single purchase. You can also increase its storage capacity by 128GB through a microSD slot.

At 9 mm thin, this is a sleek and portable tablet. It has a 5MP front and an 8MP rear camera. There’s also a flash for the rear camera during low-light situations. The charging port also uses a USB Type-C connection, keeping up with modern standards.

You can use it for basic tasks like watching movies or answering emails. The included accessories will let you use the tablet immediately as soon as you receive it, so you won't need to purchase accessories from third-party suppliers.

Key Features
  • Comes with a Bluetooth keyboard, a wireless mouse, a stylus, and a flip case
  • Expandable memory up to 128GB
  • Battery can last up to 30 days on standby
Specifications
  • Brand: MEBERRY
  • Storage: 64GB
  • CPU: Octa-core
  • Memory: 4GB
  • Operating System: Android 10
  • Battery: 8,000mAh
  • Ports: 3.5mm jack, USB Type-C
  • Camera (Rear, Front): 8MP, 5MP
  • Display type: 10.1 inches IPS, 1280x800
Pros
  • Fully charges in three hours
  • Crystal clear IPS screen
  • Clean Android 10 installation comes with almost zero bloatware
Cons
  • Can only use 2.4GHz Wi-Fi band
Buy This Product
MEBERRY M7

FAQ

Q: Is 2GB of RAM Enough for a Tablet?

A device with 2GB of RAM is the bare minimum to run a full-fledged Android operating system. If your device is less than that, it’ll have to run the lightweight version called Android Go. The ideal RAM for a tablet is 4GB or more. But if that’s out of your price range, RAM between 2GB and 4GB is sufficient for basic tasks. However, multitasking isn’t recommended.

Q: What Is a Reasonable Storage Capacity for a Tablet?

As a starting point, 64GB is a decent amount of storage. The Android operating system usually takes up to 20GB. So if you have 32 GB storage, you’d only have 12 GB left for your apps and files.

However, if you're on a budget, you can buy a tablet with expandable storage. It'll be cheaper than higher capacity tablets but gives you the option to add storage at a later date with a microSD card.

Q: What Size Is Best for Tablets?

It depends on your use, but the smallest 8-inch tablets are perfect for handheld reading and watching. They’re portable enough to fit in your bag yet have a big enough screen for you to enjoy your content.

If you want something you can use to do some light productivity work, you should go for tablets 10 inches and above.

Q: Can You Use a Tablet Without an Internet Connection?

Yes, you can! However, you’ll need to ensure that the data you need is downloaded to the device before disconnecting from a network. For instance, while you can open the Netflix app without an active connection, you wouldn't be able to stream movies or TV shows without downloading them to your device first.

Q: Should You Get a Tablet?

It depends on your purpose and habits. If you like consuming content on a larger screen but don’t want to open your laptop or desktop computer, then you should go for it! Tablets are also great for short bursts of productivity when you’re on the go. So if you like to do light work outside, consider getting a tablet as well.