When it comes to purchasing a tablet, there are several different factors to consider: size, camera quality, resolution, battery life, and of course, price.
Tablets have quickly progressed since they were first launched, with many now carrying powerful software that can rival laptops. Plenty have crisp resolutions, a great amount of storage, and an impressive camera quality, too.
They offer all of this, but in a much more lightweight and convenient form than a laptop. From gamers to students, and for everyday use, tablets have become a way for you to always have what you need on the go, without the added weight.
So, we've done all of the legwork for you and rounded up the best budget android tablets. We've included a range of different devices, such as the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite - an excellent choice for artists and creatives due to the crisp resolution and the S Pen pressure sensitivity.
Our guide also has more basic options such as the Amazon Fire HD 10, a great, straightforward option for anyone who only requires the tablet for everyday use.
The best budget android tablets
Editor's pick
With this tablet, Samsung has managed to deliver a pretty powerful device with a great price tag. This tablet features a headphone jack, an impressive 13-hour battery life, and a good camera system. All in all, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.5 is an excellent tablet for any use, although it's ideal for streaming videos or movies due to its Dolby Atmos sound, vibrant resolution, and large 10.5-inch display. It also has a handy 3GB amount of RAM.
Pros
- Large 10.5-inch display
- Crisp, clear resolution
Cons
- Can be a tad slow
| Resolution: | 1900 x 1200 |
| Screen: | 10.5 inches |
| Camera: | Rear 8MP, front 5MP |
| Storage: | 32GB |
Best budget android tablet for creatives
Another Samsung tablet that packs a punch is the Galaxy Tab Lite S6. It's incredibly lightweight and super portable, boasts a fast-charging battery, and features a superb display. Due to all of these features, this tablet is excellent for streaming, everyday use, or for students. However, with the S Pen and the high levels of pressure sensitivity, this tablet is ideal for any artists, graphic designers, and creatives in general.
Pros
- Vibrant display
- S Pen included
Cons
- Won’t run demanding apps
| Resolution: | 2000 x 1200 |
| Screen: | 10.4 inches |
| Camera: | Rear 8MP, front 5MP |
| Storage: | 64GB |
Best budget android tablet for everyday use
When it comes to everyday use, be it streaming videos or administrative tasks, the Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus delivers. It's very straightforward and easy to use, and for just a little over £100, you're getting a great camera, decent resolution, and excellent battery life. It does have a smaller screen than most, but this does mean that the tablet is lightweight and compact, so it would be an ideal option for anyone on the move a lot.
Pros
- Hands-free with Alexa
- Excellent price
Cons
- Below average camera
| Resolution: | 1200 x 800 |
| Screen: | 8 inches |
| Camera: | Rear 2MP, front 2MP |
| Storage: | 32GB |
Best budget android tablet for students
Although this is more on the higher end in terms of price, the features and specs on this tablet more than make up for that. The Microsoft Surface Go 2 is a handy and versatile tablet with an easy-to-use Windows OS. The 10.5-inch Full HD touchscreen is crisp and smooth, and it features a whole 4GB RAM and 64GB memory. This is particularly handy for any MS Office-based tasks, making it an ideal option for students.
Pros
- Impressive resolution
- Plenty of storage space
Cons
- Not creative apps
| Resolution: | 1920 x 1280 |
| Screen: | 10.5 inches |
| Camera: | Rear 8MP, front 5MP |
| Storage: | 64GB |
If you love the Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus but you're in the market for a bigger screen and better resolution, then the Amazon Fire HD 10 might just be the one for you. With this tablet, you'd be getting a 10.1-inch screen with a resolution of 1920 x 1200 pixels, which is excellent for streaming or binge-watching your favourite series.
Pros
- Large screen
- Hands-free with Alexa
Cons
- Not the best camera system
| Resolution: | 1920 x 1280 |
| Screen: | 10.1 inches |
| Camera: | Rear 2MP, front 2MP |
| Storage: | 64GB |
FAQs:
What is the best screen resolution?
The screen resolution shows how many pixels are on the screen. The higher the number of pixels, the clearer, sharper and better the images are displayed on the device. If you'll be using your iPad for creative tasks, we recommend the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite. For streaming and other activities which require a high resolution, we recommend the Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.5.
What features should I look for?
This really depends on what you'll be using your tablet for, but a few key features to look out for are the battery life, screen resolution, and the camera system.
The camera quality will depend on how many megapixels or MP the device has. The larger the megapixel count, the sharper and clearer the images will be, so if the camera quality is important to you, make sure you choose a tablet with a larger megapixel count.
With most of us having to commute, the battery life is another important aspect, as you'll want one that lasts for a good chunk of your day. In this case, we'd suggest the Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.5, as it has whopping 13-hour battery life.
Isabel Martins is a Commercial Content Writer for What's The Best, specialising in technology.
Subscribe to the What’s The Best Newsletter to keep up to date with more of the latest reviews and recommendations from the What’s The Best team.