Small but mighty: The best mini tablets of 2024

The Samsung Galaxy S6 Lite has a slim, stylish and compact design meaning it's readily convenient and able to be carried anywhere. But, it's got a slightly larger screen than the others on our list, at 10.4". A speedy processor, fast charging and scratch-resistant screen make this mini tablet a worthy contender on our list of the best.

But what really assures its place is the pairing of that extra screen size with the included S Pen – Samsung's answer to the Apple Pencil. Your ability to get creative, use your handwriting with the S Pen, and stay entertained make this a brilliant alternative to more expensive Apple tablets.

But, if you are brave enough to let a child loose on it, there's a fingerprint-resistant coating on the screen and advanced Parental Control. Samsung Kids is readily available for their engagement at a moment's notice as well. Best of all, there's a massive 3-year warranty. Just a stunning tablet and a brilliant deal.

A fantastic choice for those looking to get themselves a mini tablet at a budget price, the Lenovo Tab M9 is a recent release in a long line of technology from the laptop manufacturer, Lenovo. At nine inches, this comfortably designed mini tablet ticks all the boxes in terms of design with its striking rear panel design.

Sporting some relatively new technology thanks to its 2023 release, the Lenovo Tab M9 makes use of its relatively cheap hardware - navigation is smooth and stable for the most part. Its hardware, however, is certainly limited, which is to be expected in a budget mini tablet.

With a particularly low 3GB of RAM, which in itself is an oddity as we usually see even numbers in hardware, we'd love to see a little more out of this budget model, although that might be an impossibility with its low price.

All things considered, the Lenovo Tab M9 is a fantastic choice for those who love a larger screen with plenty to explore, and at its price, it's great for a cheap gift.

The perfect display for budget buyers looking to get their hands on, UMIDIGI's Android 14 mini tablet is a diamond in the rough of the smart tech world, providing sensational value for what is a solid entry-level mini tablet.

Sporting an eight-inch screen with a 1280 x 800-pixel display, this surprisingly sharp tablet is quite visually impressive for the cash, despite some drawbacks in build quality. Performance, while not exceptional, feels better than most cheaper tablets on the market thanks to its brand-new Android 14 operating system, which gives users access to one of the smoothest user interfaces on the market right now.

Yes, the UMIDIGI's build quality is far from fantastic, but considering its price, it's not surprising: don't expect a whole lot of functionality from its rear and front camera either. The UMIGI mini tablet works best when you're watching YouTube and relaxing with your preferred social media feed: it's not

Amazon's new and improved Fire HD 10 tablet is a no-fuss tablet for those seeking quick access to entertainment features. Like the previous model, Prime Video, Prime Music, Audible and Kindle are all integrated into the OS for ease of access.

The 10.1-inch HD screen is a great upgrade for fans looking to maximise their streaming and gaming displays – plus it's 10% brighter than the previous version. The 2Ghz processing speed with 3GB RAM handles most applications well.

Alexa is built-in, providing access to all that the assistant has to offer, and the battery life reaches up to 12 hours. Storage-wise, Amazon has definitely geared this tablet up for expansion to store all of those apps and games they have on offer – all the way up to 1 TB via microSD. If you're already an Amazon user, this is a no-nonsense highly capable mini tablet.

A very respectable and affordable offering, the Fire HD Plus offers 3GB RAM and 2Ghz of processing power and features full Amazon eco-system integration, distraction-free Game mode, a softened look, and increased battery life over the Fire HD 8.

All that performance really shines on the HD IPS screen which really delivers quality streaming entertainment. App support includes BBC iPlayer, Prime Video, Netflix, Disney+ and NOW.

It's a Qi-certified device, and you can add on a dedicated charging port which activates 'Show mode' while recharging the device. This mode mimics an Echo Show device, providing the user with full hands-free Alexa control and all that every voice assistant can do.

While plugged in via a USB-C adapter, the Plus also charges more quickly than the others in the range, hitting full charge after only four hours. Battery life tops out at 12 hours. There's a lot of power here for the price – stunning.

The Fire HD Kids tablet follows on from the success of 2019's Fire 7 Kids Edition by offering parents the chance to provide their young ones with a tablet while addressing the financial weight, and online safety concerns.

The Kids Edition of the Fire 8 is effectively just the Fire HD 8 in a rugged, protective shell. It comes in three bright colours as well. Reassuringly, adults will have access to Amazon Parent Dashboard for all kinds of settings for peace of mind.

Also, the Kids Edition comes with one free year of Amazon Kids+ for tons of extra apps and games. The device carries a two-year guarantee, too. However, If your child is fast becoming a teen, you may want to ditch the kid-safe aesthetic and head towards budget Android tablets instead.

Since the release of the Fire HD 10 Kids Edition in 2023, you might be wondering why we're still recommending this slighter older model. While, yes, there are certainly performance improvements on the Fire HD 10 Kids Edition, we feel that the £50 price difference isn't quite worth it. The Fire HD 10 Kids Edition has slightly more RAM and a larger screen with a higher resolution than its predecessor, but the fractional difference for quite a lot more money isn't really a must.

For reliable performance with hundreds of games and educational entertainment, the Fire HD 8 Kids Edition is a must for keeping your children boredom-free.

Easily one of the best mini tablets of the year on a number of fronts, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9 delivers some seriously good hardware on an almost non-existent budget.

Out of the gate, this budget model's thin bezels and strong 60Hz screen are a marvel to behold at its price: the screen is solid, with good HD visuals and an 8.7-inch size that's perfect for bunkering down to some Netflix shows in the late evening with.

Sporting the latest Android 13 OS, you'll be forgiven for thinking that this mini tablet should be more money, but it's no error: Samsung's Tab A9 is just that cheap. Alongside it, there's 64GB of storage (which is upgradeable to 1TB), an impressive 8MP camera, and a standard 4GB of RAM that'll combine to provide gratifying performance to even mobile gaming enthusiasts.

If we were to nitpick, we'd like more battery life from this mini tablet model: at 10 hours of moderate use, you're not going to get a whole lot of functionality from the A9 throughout the day, which doesn't make it the most ideal for commuting with.

If used sparingly, however, you'll quickly find that the Tab A9 lasts long enough to provide hours of entertainment, regardless of what you're engaged in.

As in the world of full-sized tablets, Apple is the name to beat. The iPad mini (2021) tops our list because, without question, it's the best mini tablet available today - at least, until the rumoured 7th generation version surfaces in 2024. Its crisp screen is hugely impressive, with a 60Hz refresh rate and 1488 x 2266 pixels.

The LCD delivers brilliant colours, and the pixel density means that reading here is a real delight. There are two versions available, one with 64GB storage and one with 256 GB. Both have 4GB RAM which works wonders with the super-smart and efficient Apple A15 Bionic chip.

There are two 12MP cameras, one forward-facing and the other for snapping selfies, and 4K recording is also supported (main camera only). The stereo speakers kick out a surprising volume, and though there's no 3.5mm audio jack, Bluetooth can get your headphones connected in no time (or pick up a Lightning-to-3.5mm converter).

Physically, the iPad mini (2021) has had a little spruce up, with more angular edges and camera bezel. This brings it more in line with the aesthetics of the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 ranges. It also supports the Apple Pencil, which is ideal if you're the arty type.

When the iPad Mini was released in 2012, it redefined the tablet marketplace. All these years on, it still delivers. While not as powerful as the 2021 A15 model above, the 2019 version of the iPad mini still wows. As a testament to just how popular it still is, it's almost impossible to buy new - but thankfully Amazon Renewed has a 1-year guarantee which means you have just the same peace of mind. Plus, of course, you're getting a brilliant Apple iPad for a really low price.

Its Apple A12 Bionic chipset still runs like a dream, handling even the most demanding apps. The 7.9 Retina display comes with True Tone, a valuable feature which maintains image clarity no matter your surroundings. The 8MP camera captures in 1080p HD. The 10-hour battery life will keep you working throughout the day and the Lightning connector will quickly recharge you.

It's even compatible with the Apple Pencil (first gen only) and Bluetooth keyboards, lending its power to both administrative and creative endeavours.