The best budget tablets: Low-price slates at unbeatable value

You might know Xiaomi’s Redmi line from the world of budget smartphones. But with the Redmi Pad 2, we’ve seen just how good its tablets can be.

Despite costing just £169 in the UK (sadly not available in the US), it offers plenty of compelling features. You can look forward to a premium-like design that feels a lot more expensive, a solid 11-inch, 90Hz display and a superb quad speaker system. Throw in decent performance and solid battery life, and you’ve got yourself an excellent all-rounder.

Compromises are inevitable at this price, and here they come in the form of just 18W charging, hit-and-miss Xiaomi software and basic cameras that don’t offer much.

But when you’re paying so little and getting so much, it’s easy to recommend the Redmi Pad 2 to pretty much everyone.

Who should buy the Xiaomi Redmi Pad 2?

Anyone looking for a solid budget tablet that gets almost all the basics right.

Xiaomi Redmi Pad 2: Further considerations

Look elsewhere if you care about top-tier software or fast charging. Expect our review for the Redmi Pad 2 Pro in due course.

Two years after one of our favourite budget tablets ever, Samsung has replaced the Galaxy Tab A9 with the Tab A11 (there was no A10) and you’d be forgiven for thinking I forgot to change the photo here.

The new model looks identical because Samsung has used the exact same chassis, though this means it’s still super compact and lightweight – and still stylish.

Much of the spec sheet is the same, too, but the Galaxy Tab A11 comes with a few upgrades in key areas as well as a price reduction, which is rare these days.

The screen now has a higher refresh rate (previously reserved for the + model) for smoother interactions, the front camera quality is better for video calls (though is still fairly basic) and you now get a whopping seven years of software support, including OS versions, which matches flagship devices.

Considering that cheap tablets this size are rare, we can forgive how similar the device is to its predecessor, thanks to the improvements and cheaper price.

Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab A11?

Anyone looking for a cheap tablet that’s highly portable.

Samsung Galaxy Tab A11: Further considerations

Consider the higher spec model for double memory and storage, therefore, better performance over time. Look elsewhere, including the A11+, for a larger screen.

So we’re breaking the rules slightly with one, as Apple’s entry-level iPad carries a price tag of £329/$349 and upwards, which is above the £300/$300 limit we set for entries into this article. But the reason why this iPad gets a pass is that it can regularly be found at a price just below that.

At almost every major sale, we’ve seen significant discounts for the iPad (A16), so if you ever spot it at full price, it’s unlikely that you’ll have to wait for long before another discount appears.

What’s impressive is even at its full RRP, the iPad (A16) is something of a bargain given that you’re still getting the same core iPadOS experience that you can enjoy with the iPad Air and the iPad Pro, but for a lot less. This includes intuitive multitasking (something that’s only been improved with iPadOS 26), exclusive Apple apps and seamless connectivity with devices like your AirPods.

In fact, multitasking works so well on the iPad (A16) that if you want to use it as a productivity device, you can absolutely do that (within reason). The large 11-inch display works well for typing up documents or kicking back with a bit of Netflix, and the stereo speakers onboard carry a surprising amount of depth for a tablet of this size.

While the A16 chipset does a solid job with everyday performance, it is unable to run Apple Intelligence, and so the iPad won’t be privy to any of Apple’s AI-focused updates in the future. Still, given that Apple Intelligence has a long way to go before reaching the heights of Google Gemini or Galaxy AI, it doesn’t take away from everything that makes this iPad great.

Who should buy the iPad A16?

Apple users who want a simple tablet for productivity and entertainment.

iPad A16: Further considerations

It’s not compatible with Apple Intelligence or the Apple Pencil Pro.

After three generations of mid-range tablets, OnePlus launched its first budget slate in 2025, and it’s a real contender.

The Pad Lite nails most of the fundamentals of a great tablet: an attractive 11-inch display with a smooth 90Hz refresh rate, slick software that’s set up for multitasking and superb battery life from the 9340mAh cell. You also get solid performance from the MediaTek Helio G100 chipset, all wrapped up in an impressively premium design.

However, as impressive as that display is, limited brightness can make outdoor visibility a challenge. Annoying speaker placement means you’re often blocking the impressive sound quality, while common features such as support for Micro-SD storage expansion and a fingerprint sensor are missing. The latter means you’re relying on the much less secure face unlock to get into your device.

Given how affordable it is, the OnePlus Pad Lite is definitely worth considering. But other options here are likely to suit most people better.

Who should buy the OnePlus Pad Lite?

Anyone who uses their tablet almost exclusively inside and wants brilliant battery life.

OnePlus Pad Lite: Further considerations

Look elsewhere if you need top-tier performance or good outdoor visibility.

For just £199 (not available in the US), the Redmi Pad SE offers a very good all-around tablet experience.

That starts with the design, which looks the part and is clearly inspired by more expensive tablets. The 11-inch, Full HD LCD display also holds its own, especially with a 90Hz refresh rate.

Don’t expect amazing performance from the Snapdragon 680 chipset, but it is powerful enough for day-to-day usage, even with just 4GB of RAM.

An already-generous 128GB of storage is expandable via microSD, while punchy audio and two-day battery life are both better than you might expect.

Inevitable compromises come in the form of slow charging, annoying additions to Xiaomi’s MIUI software and only two years of Android version updates. But with three years of security updates, it’s still easy to recommend.

Who should buy the Xiaomi Redmi Pad SE?

Anyone looking for a budget tablet with a premium design and great battery life.

Xiaomi Redmi Pad SE: Further considerations

Look elsewhere if you need great performance or intuitive software.

The Galaxy Tab A11+ is an underwhelming update which adds very little to the overall experience. But the Tab A9+ was already such a solid device that its successor is undoubtedly worthy of inclusion.

Essentially, the upgrades boil down to improved performance, slightly better battery life and more storage, making it a more well-rounded device.

Of course, the main selling point compared to the regular Tab A11 is its larger 11-inch LCD display, which is a real highlight. When combined with impressive audio from the quad speaker system, it’s ideal for watching movies and TV.

The familiar design still does the job, while Samsung’s One UI 8 software is well-suited to tablets. A seven-year software update promise means the Tab A11+ is future-proofed, too.

A fingerprint sensor is one upgrade I’d have loved to see, but there are no real dealbreakers here. The Tab A11+ is a reliable budget slate that should stand the test of time.

Who should buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab A11+?

Anyone looking for a big-screen budget tablet with great software.

Samsung Galaxy Tab A11+: Further considerations

The regular Tab A11 is cheaper and still offers everything most people need in a budget Samsung tablet.

If you’re buying a budget tablet just for consuming content, as many people are, the Lenovo Tab Plus is a fine choice.

It excels at the fundamentals of a great video-watching experience, with a high-quality display (90H, FHD+, LCD) delivering rich colours and impressive brightness. It’s ably supported by eight JBL speakers, which deliver very solid audio across a range of scenarios.

Alongside a built-in kickstand for hands-free viewing and strong battery life, the appeal of the Tab Plus is there for all to see.

Unfortunately, the performance is compromised to the extent that it can’t go any higher in this list. And while general performance is good, software support is frustratingly limited.

Overall, the Lenovo Tab Plus is a compelling choice for entertainment, but best avoided if productivity or gaming are priorities for you.

Who should buy the Lenovo Tab Plus?

Anyone looking for a budget tablet that excels at watching TV and movies.

Lenovo Tab Plus: Further considerations

Look elsewhere if you need a device for productivity or gaming.

Just like the entry-level iPad, we’re bending the rules ever so slightly for the OnePlus Pad Go 2 as its starting price is above the aforementioned cap at £319/$399, but in the time since the tablet’s been on the market, it has fallen far south of that price. With that in mind, if you shop around, then there’s a good chance that you can find the Pad Go 2 at a budget price, which is a huge win for consumers given how great the tablet is for productivity.

The 12.1-inch display is wonderfully bright in everyday use, but most importantly, it’s the 7:5 aspect ratio that makes it perfectly suited for having apps side by side. For example, if you’re a student who needs to conduct research and take notes at the same time, it’s very easy to have Google Chrome open on one side and Google Docs or Keep Notes on the other. 

What helps to facilitate this seamless multitasking is OnePlus’ Open Canvas software, and you can even resize those apps so that one takes up more space than the other. It’s a great system that’s not available on the cheaper OnePlus Pad Lite, although it would have been nice to see the tablet have the expanded capabilities of the OnePlus Pad 3, which can have three apps open side by side.

There’s a 5G model that lets you use a SIM card to work remotely from anywhere with a network signal, but regardless of which configuration you buy, you’ll be getting a sizeable 10,050mAh battery. When run through the PCMark Battery test, the Pad Go 2 lasted for 15 hours and 22 minutes, so you won’t have any issues getting a full day’s work out of this tablet.

Who should buy the OnePlus Pad Go 2?

Students and professionals who need a tablet for work.

OnePlus Pad Go 2: Further considerations

It’s only a budget tablet when discounted.

The Fire HD 8 Kids Pro adds a few child-friendly features to the familiar Amazon Fire tablet experience.

These include a commitment to durability, with an included protective case (available in several designs) and a two-year replacement guarantee. On the device itself, you also get robust parental control features to keep an eye on what your child (it’s designed for ages 6-12) is up to and set limits.

However, to get the most out of it, you’ll need a subscription to Amazon Kids+, which offers access to a range of shows and games from the likes of Disney, Harry Potter, Marvel and Nickelodeon. After a free first year, it costs at least £4.99/$5.99 per month.

Elsewhere, all the usual Fire tablet limitations apply here, including a basic display, limited performance and a low-quality camera.

However, as you’re buying this for a young child, none of it matters too much. The Fire HD 8 Kids Pro performs well as a child-friendly tablet, which makes it easy to recommend.

Who should buy the Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Pro?

Anyone looking for a simple tablet that’s suitable for young children.

Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Pro: Further considerations

Look elsewhere for a ‘proper’ Android operating system.

When you buy a Fire tablet, you have to be aware of the compromises that come with it. When it comes to the latest Fire HD 8, that’s the basic performance and a rear camera you should pretty much never use, plus the usual limited app selection from the Amazon Appstore.

However, as a device for the basics, there are reasons to recommend it. The 8-inch display is decent for the price, battery life is strong, and the storage (starting at 32GB) can easily be expanded via a Micro-SD card.

It makes the Fire HD 8 an ideal device for watching TV and movies, casual gaming and reading e-books – especially via Amazon’s Kindle app. The software experience is also fairly user-friendly, though I’d highly recommend paying the extra £10/$15 to remove ads.

Another positive is the compact, lightweight design, which means you can take the Fire HD 8 almost anywhere with you.

Who should buy the Amazon Fire HD 8 (2024)?

Anyone looking for a compact tablet that’s suitable for young children or basic use.

Amazon Fire HD 8 (2024): Further considerations

Look elsewhere if you want more than basic specs or access to a full app store.