Jane
The tablet market has diversified and grown with technology as it continues to develop to meet diverse needs and prices. Although Apple’s iPad is still one of the most used tablets available, its high cost usually makes it out of reach for those who are on a lower budget. Android and Amazon’s Fire tablets provide excellent choices for those in need of something more affordable without compromising on quality or necessary features.
In 2025, the affordable tablet market will provide tablets that provide good performance, excellent displays, and good battery life without costing an arm and a leg. The major challenge, though, is sifting through the numerous choices out there to find the tablets that offer the best value for money. This guide delves into the top budget tablets 2025, showing that a lower price tag doesn’t have to mean low quality. No matter if you need a tablet for work, play, or daily use, there’s something for everyone on this list.
Best Affordable Tablets of 2025
1. Samsung Galaxy Tab A9 – Best Overall Budget Tablet
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A9 is a top budget tablet, providing great features at a low price of £169. Its 8.7-inch screen is sharp and clear, perfect for browsing, reading, and streaming. Small and light, it’s easy to take with you, and Samsung’s One UI provides a seamless and intuitive experience.
Performance is good enough for daily activities such as browsing the web, email, and casual gaming with a battery that will last a full day. While not the most powerful, it navigates light usage without lag. Sleek design makes it feel like a premium device even at a budget price.
Nonetheless, charging speeds are sluggish, and the camera is subpar. Some may experience minimal ghosting effects during scrolling, and the absence of 5G connectivity might be a letdown. Nevertheless, with a 4G version option, the Galaxy Tab A9 is still a leading contender for those in search of a budget-friendly and reliable tablet.
2. Apple iPad 10.2-inch (2021) – Best Cheap iPad
For those who like Apple’s ecosystem without the expense, the iPad 10.2-inch (2021) is still a great budget option in 2025, usually priced below £300/$300. Even though it was released in 2021, it still represents great value, with good performance coupled with Apple’s good software support.
Bundled with the A13 Bionic chip, it manages regular tasks, light gaming, and productivity seamlessly. The 10.2-inch Retina screen provides stunning color, while TrueTone tech adjusts the color temperature for better viewing comfort. iPadOS is optimized for improved usability with an intuitive interface and access to optimised apps.
This model is compatible with the first-gen Apple Pencil, so it is perfect for note-taking and creative work. With all-day battery life and Apple’s high-end build quality, it is the best budget tablet. While more expensive than most Android options, its durability, dependability, and software updates make it a good investment.
3. Xiaomi Redmi Pad SE – An Excellent Budget Android Tablet
The Xiaomi Redmi Pad SE, at about £199, provides decent performance and great value. Its 11-inch Full HD LCD display with 90Hz refresh rate provides smooth visuals, and the Snapdragon 680 processor and 4GB of RAM easily manage light multitasking, web browsing, and entertainment.
It provides basic necessities with 128GB of expandable storage, stereo speakers, and battery life throughout the day. While MIUI may look cluttered with default apps and software support is only up to two years of Android updates, the Redmi Pad SE is still reliable and budget-friendly.
4. Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ – Excellent Big Tablet
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ is a good choice for £239 for those who wish to have a bigger screen but on a tight budget. This tablet offers an 11-inch bigger screen compared to the usual Tab A9 and comes with a 90Hz refresh rate for smoother gameplay.
The Snapdragon 695 processor is a more powerful alternative to the A9 model, so the A9+ can handle multitasking better and more resource-intensive apps. It also supports 5G, which makes it a great option for customers who require faster mobile data speeds.
While battery life is reasonable, it’s not exceptional relative to other tablets in the same price category. Similarly, while camera performance is good, it will not excite those expecting premium photo quality. Charging speed can also be better, but the Galaxy Tab A9+ provides good value for those requiring a bigger screen and decent performance at an affordable price.
5. Lenovo Tab Plus – Best for Entertainment
For users who prioritize entertainment, the Lenovo Tab Plus is among the best budget-friendly options. It is available at £249 with a 90Hz, FHD+ LCD display that produces bright colors and good brightness—ideal for viewing movies, television shows, or watching videos.
Another feature that stands out is the quality of audio, as the tablet comes with eight JBL speakers, giving a clear, strong sound that enhances the viewing and listening experience. The tablet also features a built-in kickstand, which simplifies the process of positioning the device for hands-free viewing.
Though battery life is more than sufficient for long media sessions, a fairly modest chipset prevents the tablet from performing at its best. This results in it possibly lagging behind with heavier tasks or multitasking. Also, software updates could be limited, which is something to consider for those seeking long-term support. The Lenovo Tab Plus is great value if entertainment is your main use case.
6. Oppo Pad Air – Strong All-Rounder
The Oppo Pad Air is an all-rounder tablet that features a premium design with an economical price tag. Weighing only 440g, it is both lightweight and easy to carry, and sports a slim metal chassis with a textured plastic rear. The 10.3-inch IPS LCD provides a 2000 x 1200 resolution, which brings crisp and bright images for everyday use.
The tablet is driven by the Snapdragon 680 processor and has 64GB of storage—more than enough for everyday use. It also features quad speakers, providing stunning sound for entertainment and media. Although the 60Hz refresh rate can feel restrictive in contrast to higher-end offerings, it’s more than adequate for most people.
Although the camera is important, and the device does not have a fingerprint reader, the Oppo Pad Air is still a great choice for anyone looking for a good, budget-friendly tablet for everyday use such as browsing, reading, and streaming content.
7. Nokia T21 – Best Android Software
The Nokia T21 is unique in its minimalist and uncluttered Android experience. With near-stock Android, the T21 eschews the bloatware that plagues many budget tablets. It also has a 2K screen, providing crisp visuals, although it could be slightly less bright than other tablets. The battery life is good, and the tablet comes with LTE support, enabling mobile data.
For users who value a clean and easy-to-use software experience, the Nokia T21 is a great choice. But in performance and design, it’s trumped by offerings such as the Oppo Pad Air. But if software experience is of high importance, then the T21 is a consideration.
8. Amazon Fire Max 11 – Budget Productivity Choice
The Amazon Fire Max 11 is the priciest tablet in Amazon’s range but is still affordable for those who want basic productivity capabilities. The 2K screen is crisp, and the tablet can be used with an optional keyboard case (separate purchase), making it good for light work applications. The stylus support (separate purchase) offers a good writing experience.
But the Fire Max 11 does not have access to the Google Play Store, restricting app choice, and its use is better aligned to Amazon’s world than a proper Android experience. Nevertheless, as a basic productivity device in the Amazon world, the Fire Max 11 provides good value.
9. Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023) – Excellent for the Basics
Another sturdy budget-friendly offering is the Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023), best suited to people interested primarily in routine use. The new look is sleek, and a higher-quality front-facing camera has added 5MP for crispier video calling. 15W of rapid-charging juice further ups its recharging prowess from the predecessor series.
Though the Fire HD 10 is appropriate for simple functions such as web browsing and streaming, its performance is inadequate for heavy applications. Moreover, the absence of access to the Google Play Store restricts its usability.
10. Amazon Fire HD 8 (2022) – Best Value Tablet
Amazon Fire HD 8 (2022) is a great budget tablet, particularly for users who will be mainly consuming media on their device. Its 8-inch HD screen provides good viewing for streaming, reading, and browsing, while the stereo speakers add to the experience with clear sound. The tablet is small and light enough to easily tote around for traveling or daily life. Amazon’s Fire OS allows users to enjoy seamless integration with Alexa and a huge collection of content, such as Kindle books, Prime Video, and Audible. The ad-supported option makes it even cheaper, although users have the option to pay more for an ad-free experience.
While the Fire HD 8 provides great value, it is not without its constraints. The processor is sufficient for everyday activities such as browsing, email, and streaming but does not handle intense multitasking or demanding applications. Gaming performance is not impressive, rendering it less suitable for graphically demanding games. But the addition of a USB-C charging port is a nice touch, enabling quicker and more convenient charging. Battery life is decent, at up to 12 hours on a single charge. Even with its unimpressive specs, the Fire HD 8 is still a good option for those looking for a reliable, affordable tablet for entertainment and general use.
Affordable Tablets That Deliver Quality and Value
In 2025, the tablet market offers plenty of affordable options that balance performance, display quality, and battery life without cutting corners. From Samsung’s sleek Galaxy Tab A9 to Apple’s reliable iPad 10.2, budget-friendly tablets cater to various needs, whether for entertainment, productivity, or general use. Devices like the Amazon Fire HD 8 (2022) excel at media consumption, while others provide smooth multitasking and long-term software support. With the improvements in features and competitive pricing, budget tablets remain a great value for the widest range of users.
