Tablets have been in existence since the late 1980s and early 1990s but took a while to mature and hit the mainstream market. In 2010, Apple launched the first iPad and shook up the tablet space, forcing other manufacturers to level up their game. Since then, there have been quite a few notable launches in the tablet space from companies like Samsung, Lenovo, and Amazon. Unlike smartphones, tablets are more stay-at-home devices owing to their larger form factor, which makes them much better for media consumption.
Because of the variety of tablets available on the market, there are some in every budget category. Those who are looking for a budget-friendly offering will find this guide useful. Even though Apple is one of the most prominent players in the tablet market, it does not have any offerings in the under $200 budget category, so shoppers are stuck with Android models or those that are based on Android.
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How to Find the Best Tablet for Under $200
There are a few common factors that buyers should keep in mind when looking for a budget-friendly tablet. These include:
Brand: A lot of brands make tablets but not all of them provide the best customer support or software support. This does not mean that one can only rely on brands like Samsung, Lenovo, or Amazon for tablets, though they would be the most consistently reliable.
Operating System: As mentioned earlier, there are no iPads in the sub-$200 range, so the only other option is Android or Android-based tablets.
Processor: Just like a smartphone, the processor determines the performance that can be expected from a tablet. In the $200 budget space, it is impossible to find tablets powered by the latest Snapdragon SoC, but understanding the use case will help buyers identify the right processor.
RAM and Storage: The amount of RAM will determine the level of multitasking that one can do on their tablet. More RAM generally means better performance and a higher cost. Similarly, storage can also be an important factor for tablet owners who like to keep a lot of movies or other entertainment media stored on their devices.
Battery Life: Tablets usually come with bigger batteries than smartphones and can therefore offer much better battery life. However, the battery life will also depend on the software optimizations and how the tablet is being used.
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Lenovo Tab M10 Plus (Gen 3)
Binge longer and study smarter with the Lenovo Tab M10 Plus 3rd Gen Android Tablet. Sleek, thin, and lightweight, this handy 10-inch tablet goes wherever you do, packing power and performance into a bold and contemporary aluminum chassis that's just 0.29" thin and as little as 1.03 lbs. The bright and colorful 10.6" display offers full HD clarity, plus, with the special Reading Mode and TÜV Low Blue Light certification, users can enjoy long, comfortable hours of screen time on this Android tablet without eye strain.
- Brand
- Lenovo
- Storage
- 64GB
- CPU
- MediaTek Helio G80
- Memory
- 4GB
- Operating System
- Android 12
- Display type
- IPS
- Size
- 10.6-inch
- Bright and crisp display
- Impressive battery life
- Impressive audio performance
- No SIM card slot
Lenovo consistently releases tablets in the budget space with decent performance and overall great value. The Lenovo Tab M10 Plus (3rd Gen) is the best tablet under $200 thanks to its 10.6-inch 2K (2000x1200) IPS screen that can reach 400 nits of peak brightness. In the performance department, the tablet is not going to set any records, but the MediaTek Helio G80 processor, accompanied by 4GB of RAM, can carry out day-to-day tasks with ease.
The bezels are quite thick all around, but that is to be expected at this price point. There is a single camera on the back as well as a single selfie shooter on the front. There is a 7700 mAh battery that, as per the company, can last a whole day. Once it runs out, it can be charged at 20W. The Lenovo Tab M10 Plus comes with a dedicated reading mode that uses muted chromatic settings to simulate the color matrix of pages in a printed book, acting like an e-ink reader.
What makes this tablet a great package is the sharp 2K screen that is flanked by stereo speakers, making it great for media consumption or playing games. Speaking of games, while the Tab M10 Plus doesn't run the latest and greatest AAA titles available on Google Play Store at the highest settings, it can still offer a decently immersive gaming experience in most games, especially casual ones.
Amazon Fire Max 11 Tablet
The Amazon Fire Max 11 tablet features an 11-inch screen with a resolution of 2000 x 1200 pixels. It displays a total of 2.4 million pixels, which gives it a much more precise picture than the regular Fire tablets. The display is also certified for low blue light, which reduces eye strain.
The device is powered by an octa-core processor and 4 GB of RAM. It also supports Wi-Fi 6 for fast streaming and multitasking. The tablet is available with either 64 GB or 128 GB of internal storage, expandable up to 1 TB via a microSD card.
- Brand
- Amazon
- Storage
- 64GB
- CPU
- Mediatek MT8188J
- Memory
- 4GB
- Operating System
- Fire OS
- Camera (Rear, Front)
- 8 MP, 8 MP
- Size
- 11 inches
- Weight
- 490 grams
- Impressive display
- Snappy user experience
- Runs older version of Android
Everyone is familiar with Amazon’s line of Fire tablets that run Fire OS, which is based on Android. Those looking for a big screen, sleek design, and great battery life should consider the Amazon Fire Max 11. As the name suggests, the tablet features an 11-inch (10.9-inch) display that is over 1080p (2000x1200) in a form factor that is just 7.5mm thick. It has relatively sleek and uniform bezels all around, which make it easy to hold both in landscape and portrait orientations.
In terms of performance, it packs 4GB of RAM and an octa-core Mediatek MT8188J processor which will be capable of light to moderate gaming. Amazon has not released battery specifications for the Fire Max 11 but states that it can last up to 14 hours. It also supports 15W wired charging. As is common at this price point, there is a single camera on the back and a single selfie shooter up front. The power button also doubles as a fingerprint reader.
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Being an Amazon tablet, it comes with Alexa built-in, which allows users to control their smart home devices and also use other voice assistant features. On top of that, it can be used as a smart display when Show Mode is turned on, essentially making it an Echo Show device. For comparison, the Echo Show 10 (the closest screen size to the Fire Max 11) costs $250 but cannot perform the typical tablet functions.
Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro 32GB
The Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro 32GB offers a full Fire HD 10 combined with a 2-year worry-free guarantee, a 1-year subscription to Amazon Kids+, and a slim kid-friendly case.
- Brand
- Amazon
- Storage
- 32GB
- Memory
- 3GB
- Operating System
- Fire OS
- Size
- 10.1-inch
- Durable build quality
- Amazon offers free replacement if it breaks
- Included Amazon Kids+ subscription is chargeable after one year
Amazon has a range of affordable tablets for kids and the Fire HD 10 Kids Pro is the best one for six to 12-year-old children. What makes it a tablet for kids? The design of the Fire HD 10 Kids Pro keeps in mind that it may be subject to rough use, falls, or general mishandling, which is why it comes with a kid-proof case and Amazon replaced the tablet for free in case it breaks within 2 years.
Another feature that makes it a children’s tablet is the extensive parental controls. They allow parents to use their phones to manage the amount of time their child spends on the tablet, pause or resume the device, and approve requests from the app store, among other features. This lets parents have complete control over what their kids are consuming when it comes to entertainment on the internet. Additionally, the tablet comes with a one-year free subscription to Amazon Kids+, where users can access a variety of ad-free books, videos, games, and apps.
In terms of specifications, the Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro packs a 10.1-inch full HD screen, 3GB of RAM, and a 13-hour battery life. For parents with children below six years of age, the Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids is a better and cheaper option.
Samsung Galaxy Tab A8
The Galaxy Tab A8 from Samsung is a budget friendly offering that is powered by an octa-core processor and is backed by a massive battery which lends to great battery life. The display is sharp and sufficiently bright. There is no fast charging, but it supports 15W wired charging.
- Brand
- Samsung
- Memory
- 4GB
- Display type
- 1920 x 1200 Pixels
- Size
- 10.5 Inches
- Model/s:
- Galaxy Tab A8
- Storage
- 32GB
- CPU
- Octa-core
- Operating System
- Android 11, compatible with Android 13
- Battery
- 7040 mAh
- Impressive battery life
- Supports Android 13
- A bit on the heavier side
As is the case with its phone, the A series of Samsung products is designed for the more budget-oriented shoppers who are not looking for the best performance or the best specifications. The Galaxy Tab A8 is just that, with a large 10.5-inch (1920x1200) display, a mid-tier octa-core processor, but a massive 7040 mAh battery. It has uniform bezels all around and a clean design on the back with a single rear-facing camera.
What makes the Galaxy Tab A8 great for media consumption is the 10.5-inch display and quad speakers powered by Dolby Atmos surround sound. It also comes with expandable storage, so those who like to keep movies, videos, songs, and other files on their tablet can use up to a 1TB microSD card. All this, and the fact that the Galaxy Tab A8 is just 6.9mm thick, lens to great media consumption experience.
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Samsung offers the tablet in three colors: Gray, Silver, and Pink Gold. Since it is among Samsung’s Galaxy lineup of devices, it has become part of the ecosystem and allows other Galaxy devices, including phones or laptop computers, to automatically talk to one another. Furthermore, with Samsung Kids, parents can introduce their children to a safe digital world with fun games, videos, and books to explore.
TCL Tab 10 5G
The Tab 10 5G from TCL is a budget-friendly Android tablet that comes with a SIM card slot for 5G connectivity on the go. It also features a massive 8000 mAh battery that is perfect for binging movies and TV shows. It has a 10.1-inch full HD display that is decently bright. The tablet comes with stereo speakers for a more immersive auditory experience.
- Brand
- TCL
- Storage
- 32GB
- CPU
- MediaTek Kompanio 800T
- Memory
- 4GB
- Operating System
- Android 12
- Battery
- 8000 mAh
- Size
- 10.1
- Expandable Storage
- Yes
- Weight
- 489 grams
- Front Camera
- 5 MP
- Rear Camera
- 8 MP
- Incredible battery life
- Face unlock for secure access
- Relatively slow charging
- On the thicker side
With its 8000 mAh battery, the TCL Tab 10 5G is the best tablet for battery life. It is a standard-looking budget tablet with relatively thick bezels all around and a thickness of 8.3 mm. There is nothing in particular that stands out in the aesthetics department, but the battery backing its 10.1-inch full HD display makes it a great device for productivity and binging shows. For storage, it comes with up to 32GB, which is expandable to 512GB via microSD card.
The TCL Tab 10 5G is powered by the MediaTek Kompanio 800T (MT8771) processor, which is not the fastest, but it is capable of running most popular games. Another feature that makes the tablet stand out is the ability to put a SIM card for 5G connectivity. Making calls holding a tablet to the ear looks funny, to say the least, but connecting to Bluetooth earbuds makes the experience much more manageable, effectively letting users replace their mobile phones. Of course, it is going to be challenging carrying around a 10-inch tablet everywhere.
The size and thickness of the tablet allow for a massive battery that can stream all day. It also runs Android 12, which is two generations old at this point, and it is unclear if TCL has any plans to release Android 13 for the Tab 10 5G.
Acer Iconia Tab P10
With a sharp 2K display, an octa-core processor, and an included folio case, the Acer Iconia Tab P10 is a great all-round package. The tablet features a 10.4-inch display that is backed by a 6000 mAh battery that supports 10W charging. It also uses In-Cell Touch Panel (iTP) technology that reduces the display thickness giving a more immersive and accurate touch feel.
- Brand
- Acer
- Storage
- 64GB
- CPU
- MediaTek MT8183C
- Memory
- 4GB
- Operating System
- Android 12
- Battery
- 6000 mAh
- Size
- 10.4-inch
- Front Camera
- 5 MP
- Rear Camera
- 8 MP
- Comes with a folio case
- In-Cell Touch Panel (iTP) technology
- Average battery life
- Slow charging
The Acer Iconia Tab P10 is perfect for those whose sole reason for purchasing a tablet is media consumption. It has a crisp and sharp 10.4-inch 2K display that is surrounded by relatively thin bezels all around. Just enough space for holding the device in either orientation. Acer is using In-Cell Touch Panel (iTP) technology, which means the digitizer is embedded within its display layer. This leads to a more responsive feeling when interacting with the screen, as well as better visual performance.
When it comes to design, Acer seems to have taken a page out of Apple’s playbook. The Iconia Tab P10 has a sleek flat design with rounded edges, similar to an iPad Pro. What adds to the appeal is that it comes with a folio case to protect the display when not in use. With a focus on the display, the battery seems to have taken a hit as the Iconia Tab P10 packs a 6000 mAh battery which, according to Acer, can deliver 10.5 hours of video playback.
There is no SIM card slot, so internet connectivity on the go is lacking, but there is a 5 MP selfie camera for video calls over Wi-Fi. There is also an 8 MP camera at the back with autofocus for those who like to take photos with their tablets.
Doogee T30S
The Doogee T30S is the successor to the T20S and it brings several improvements. It packs a massive 8580 mAh battery and a large 11-inch 2.4K display which lends to a great media consumption experience. It comes with 6GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, which is the highest in the budget category. It also runs Android 13 making it fairly recent and up to date.
- Brand
- Doogee
- Storage
- 256GB
- CPU
- Spreadtrum T606
- Memory
- 6GB
- Operating System
- Android 13
- Battery
- 8580 mAh
- Size
- 11 inches
- Weight
- 506 grams
- Front Camera
- 8 MP
- Rear Camera
- 13 MP
- Impressive battery life
- Highest RAM and storage configuration among competition
- Relatively new brand
- Slow charging
Doogee is a new brand in the smartphone and tablet space. It seems to be captivating audiences through a premium design, packed with top-tier specifications, for a very affordable price. The Doogee T30S is a prime example with its aluminum design, thin bezels, and sleek form factor. There is a massive 11-inch 2.4K display up front with a 16:10 aspect ratio and 300 nits peak brightness, which is quite impressive at this price point.
It is powered by an octa-core processor and has 6GB of RAM with up to 10GB of additional virtual memory. It comes with 256GB of storage, which is the highest in this budget. It also packs a gigantic 8580 mAh battery, which is somewhat necessary given the large high-resolution display. Audio is handled by four speakers, two on either side, with support for Hi-Res audio.
Media consumption is going to be fantastic on this tablet and, at this price point, it is the best visual experience on the market. The Doogee T30S runs Android 13 out of the box and supports dual SIM cards, though some users have complained about connectivity issues with older Doogee tablets.
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FAQ
Q: Which tablet is best value for money?
Every price range will have a tablet that offers the best value. In the sub $200 range, the Lenovo Tab M10 Plus (3rd Gen) is the best overall owing to its sharp 2K display and massive 7700 mAh battery.
Q: Are tablets being phased out?
While tablets are not as popular as smartphones or devices like consoles, they hold their place in the market. Big players like Apple and Samsung are continuing to release new tablet models and other brands like Google have tablet-related plans in the pipeline.
Q: Should I turn off my tablet every night?
It is not necessary to turn off the tablet every night though doing so can save battery.