The question really comes down to which compromises are you willing to live with? Some less expensive tablets build advertisements into the device itself, others include less storage or RAM, and others use lower resolution screens. Regardless of how restrained your budget may be, we’ve put together this list to help you pick the best tablet under $200 for you.
Best Overall
- Screen is good for streaming video
- Kid-friendly design
- Hands-free operation with Alexa
The Fire HD 8 is nice and light at just 12.8 ounces, and its 8-inch screen is the ideal mix of useability and portability, making it comfortable to hold while providing you with a screen larger than that of your smartphone. The big compromise is that it’s only packing 1.5 GB of RAM which limits multitasking. Overall this is a more competent tablet than you might expect for less than a hundred dollars, which makes it easy to recommend.
Best Android
Lenovo Tab M10 FHD Plus (2nd Gen)
Large 10.3-inch high-resolution display
Good parental controls
Powerful processor for the price
Storage is limited
A bit heavy
Best Budget
Excellent price point
Alexa-enabled
Expandable storage
SD video quality
Weaker specs than other Fire tablets
Best Display
Large, high-resolution display
Alexa voice assistant integration
Fast and fluid interface
Restrictive software due to the operating system
Audio isn’t great
The Galaxy Tab A is a great 8-inch tablet running the versatile Android operating system. Its 8-inch display makes it less heavy and bulky than more cumbersome 10” tablets. This tablet is comfortable to hold and has the important benefit of an impressive 13-hour battery life that should be enough to get most people through a full day of heavy use.
Runner-Up, Best Android
Samsung Galaxy Tab A (2019)
Light and compact
Android operating system
13-hour battery life
Processor is pretty sluggish
Low-resolution display
Handing a tablet over to a kid can be a risky endeavor both for the physical well being of the tablet and considering the trouble kids can get into on such a device. The Fire HD 10 Kids Editions solves the problem of durability by including a versatile and durable kid-proof case with an attractive and friendly bright blue design.
Best for Kids
Attractive kid-proof case
10-inch FHD display
Kid focused experience
Parental controls
More expensive
How We Tested
To test the best tablets under a certain price range, our expert reviewers and testers use a variety of methods. Firstly, we look at design, weight, and portability, to see how easy a tablet is to tote around. We also evaluate the screen size and resolution with a view to streaming video, looking at images, and browsing web pages. Audio and connectivity play an important part in determining multimedia quality.
For objective performance measures, we use common tests like PCMark, Geekbench, and 3DMark, and also try to download some demanding games to see if it can handle it. To test battery life, we stream video at maximum brightness to measure runtime, along with general usage over the course of a day. Finally, we look at the value proposition and competition, to see how the tablet stacks up against rivals in a similar price range. All of the tablets we test are purchased by us; none of the review units are provided by a manufacturer.
About our Trusted Experts:
Andy Zahn has been writing for Lifewire since 2019. Andy has a deep fascination with technology and has tested and reviewed a wide variety of gadgets from tablets to cameras to desktop computers.
What to Look for in the Best Tablets under $200
Screen Size - The average tablet is around 10 inches, measured diagonally, but they can be as small as 8 inches and run up to 13.5. The screen size is really a personal preference, but for productivity purposes, it’s often the bigger the better. If you’re merely streaming a show or reading a book, a smaller screen should suffice.
Performance - You’ll want to pay attention to the RAM and CPU that your tablet uses if you’re planning on using it for heavy gaming or demanding apps. But these specs typically demand a higher price tag.
Storage - Some tablets allow for additional storage via a MicroSD card, allowing you to store up to 512GB worth of files, photos, and apps. If you’re planning on storing a ton of media on your tablet, this is something worth looking into.
Tablets provide a perfect hybrid of the portability of a smartphone and the functionality of a laptop/desktop PC. They’re an inexpensive way to get some work done on the go (or when you just want to lounge on the couch), and are great for entertaining children, easy for the elderly to use, and an awesome way to read books/comics.
Start by identifying what size you’d want: something larger for games or reading comics in the 10-inch range, or a smaller, more portable model closer to 7 inches. Then consider specs, stuff like screen resolution, battery life, and processor, to make sure it’ll perform well in the roles you need it for. Also bear in mind stuff like the quality of the camera and storage if those qualities are important to you.