A tablet is a great form of entertainment and education for your teen. Having the ability to conveniently take your entertainment on the go is a huge benefit for any busy kid. However, with the tablet market becoming so watered down it may be difficult to know which one is the best for your teen.
This guide will help solve that problem by breaking down our three favorite teen tablets on the market today. Rather than stressing out searching for the right item, sit back and relax as we dive in for you. It isn’t always easy to do, but finding the right tablet will result in a happy teen (fingers crossed!).
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Who Should Get This
Purchasing a new tablet for your teen is a win-win for the whole family. Your kid will love the freedom of taking control of their entertainment options, and Mom and Dad will feel like they have their Netflix and Hulu accounts back.
A tablet is also a great learning tool for kids of all ages. If monitored correctly, parents can allow their child to stream their favorite shows in between virtual lessons and homework assignments.
Best Tablet for Teens: Our Top Picks
Every part of this section covers a top teenage tablet and explains its traits/niche.
1. iPad Mini
- Best For: Overall
- Key Features: Powerful speakers and excellent dual cameras. Long battery life. Strong accessory support. Lightweight and portable.
- Screen Size: 8.3 inches
- Weight: 1.32 pounds
- Storage Capacity: 64GB
The iPad Mini is a great teen tablet because it has all of the quality and features you see in an iPad without the bulk. It’s sleeker, more portable, and overall much easier to manage. That, mixed with the full Apple app support, makes it perfect for both relaxation and work.
In terms of specs, it has various storage options, a 10-hour battery, as well as a crisp 8 MP back camera. The speakers are fantastic, delivering excellent audio, and the Retina Display looks great from multiple angles. It also comes with Apple Pencil compatibility, which is a nice touch.
As this is a smaller option, it’s only a good option for users who don’t want something larger. It’s also a bit more fragile than other tablets. Not the best choice for those who put their tablets through the ringer.
2. Galaxy Tab A
- Best For: Lightweight
- Key Features: Lightweight-but-tough. Compact size. Long battery life and bright screen. Minimum bezel design.
- Screen Size: 8 inches
- Weight: 0.76 pounds
- Battery Life: 13 hours
The Tab A from Samsung is a strong tablet with a well-rounded feature suite. The 8-inch display is far from the largest on the market, but the minimum bezel design mixes perfectly with the excellent colors to deliver a great look. That’s backed by solid memory and great speakers.
Teenagers like to spend a good amount of time on their tablet. They can also be a bit forgetful. In both cases, Tab A’s amazing 13-hour battery goes a long way. This is a great model for teenagers who like to browse for hours, or for those who don’t want to be tied to an outlet.
The only drawback you’ll find with this model is the touchscreen. While it both works and looks great, it’s not the most responsive model. You may see some lag every now and then.
3. Lenovo Tab M10 Plus
- Best For: Display
- Key Features: Stellar screen. Two side speakers. Octa-core processor. Various memory options. TDDI technology. Affordable price point.
- Screen Size: 10.3 inches
- Weight: 1.4 pounds
- Storage Capacity: 128GB
If you’re interested in a teenage-focused tablet with a stunning screen, the Lenovo Tab M10 Plus is the peak of the mountain. The entire product has a slim, striking appearance in addition to narrow bezels and a 10.3-inch full HD screen outfitted with TDDI technology.
Inside, it’s strong too. The WiFi connectivity is top notch, as is Bluetooth 5.0. You also get a fast Octa-Core processor and a range of different storage options to match your budget and space. The speakers, both tuned in Dolby Atmos, sound great as well.
This tablet has a lot of pros, but its camera is definitely lacking. If you’re someone who likes to take a lot of pictures, you might want to get an extra camera rather than rely on this item.
4. Lenovo Chromebook Duet
- Best For: Functionality
- Key Features: 2-in-1 design. Incredibly smooth performance. Crisp graphics. USB Type-C connectivity. Great keyboard.
- Screen Size: 10.1 inches
- Weight: 2.65 pounds
- Resolution: 1080p
Teenagers are always looking for something different, which is why the Chromebook Duet makes the list. This 2-in-1 option has an absolutely fantastic design that offers a lot of versatility similar tablets can’t match. The screen looks great and the internal processor works well.
It’s easy to type on this model, but it’s just as easy to kick back on your bed and relax. The built-in keyboard feels good to use, while the slim design enhances the look and general portability. There’s even full USB Type-C connectivity as well.
When buying this, it’s important to understand what you’re getting. While this is great for everyday tasks like watching and browsing, it’s not the best pick if you need to put your tablet under a lot of stress. It’s not ideal for gaming either.
5. ASUS ZenScreen
- Best For: Versatility
- Key Features: Wide viewing angles. Open design. Blue light filter. Flicker-free technology. Full HD screen.
- Screen Size: 14 inches
- Weight: 1.3 pounds
- Refresh Rate: 60 Hz
The ASUS ZenScreen is an excellent device for teenagers who want options. This can do just about anything you would want on a portable device, including playing games, watching movies, running programs, and browsing the web. It’s also lightweight and easy to carry around.
This model comes with a 14-inch anti-glare IPS display, but never seems too big. The Eye Care technology is perfect for those who like to use their devices in bed, while the advanced display settings create even more customization. There are different ports too.
While this tablet’s size and large screen are definitely selling points for users who care about optics, they may be a drawback for some people. If you want a portable device you can easily throw into a backpack, this isn’t the best pick.
6. Dragon Touch Notepad
- Best For: Value
- Key Features: Quick charging. Powerful processor. 800 x 1280 IPS display. Dual speakers. Responsive and intuitive.
- Screen Size: 10.1 inches
- Weight: 1.96 pounds
- Storage Capacity: 16GB
The Dragon Touch Notepad is an excellent choice for teenagers because it delivers a lot of great specs without breaking the bank. This value-oriented device manages to pack in several different features, including great audio, a bright screen, and an incredibly tough shell.
In addition, you get plenty of storage (alongside a micro SD slot) and a wide range of viewing angles. The IPS display looks amazing, especially when combined with the fantastic resolution. Everything is then powered by a strong processor.
That being said, this model could definitely have better battery life. You aren’t going to get an all-day charge here. That’s not a big deal considering how quick it gets to 100 percent, but you shouldn’t take it out of the house without a charger.
7. Fire HD 10
- Best For: Budget
- Key Features: Strong Octa-Core processor. Long-lasting battery. Various app functionality. Full HD display. Different color options.
- Screen Size: 10.1 inches
- Battery Life: 12 hours
- Weight: 10.1 ounces
If you’re on a budget or are simply looking to get your teen a starter tablet, the Fire HD 10 is a perfect pick. It’s sleek, has a tough build, and looks great. It won’t break the bank, and still has enough power, functionality, and speed to be used as an everyday device.
The Octa-Core processor runs everything you need, while the vivid 10.1-inch screen makes games, movies, and web pages pop. It’s an Amazon device, which means full Alex compatibility, and the battery keeps it on for a staggering 12 hours at a time. Reliable through and through.
As this is a cheaper model, not everything is perfect. The usability is a bit lacking, which can be annoying at times, and it can slow down if you put it under too much stress.
Best Tablet for Teens: What to Consider
Battery Life
A tablet’s battery life is critical. Always take into account how long your device will last on a single charge. While adolescents are usually glued to their chargers, it’s nice to know your teenager can use their tablet for a full day at school without fail and for flights or road trips without running low on juice.
The models in this guide have different battery lives, but each one is sure to get you through a day at school with reasonable usage patterns.
Audio/Visual
Make no mistake, teens will be using their tablets to stream their favorite music and watch YouTube in their free time. That’s why the picture quality and speakers are a big factor to consider when doing your research.
While a Bluetooth speaker or set of headphones can always be added to the bundle, your device’s speaker quality still matters. Your screen should also be sharp and crystal clear.
Specs
The specifications, or specs, of the tablet, is important information about the measurements and the materials that make it.
Durability is important in anything that regularly moves freely and leaves the house, so be sure when looking into the build that it meets your life’s standards. Other equally important specs on a tablet include dimensions, weight, and screen size.
Useful Tips and Resources
While tablets tend to have a great picture for streaming shows, there’s always the issue of where to rest it when you get sick of holding it.
This Universal Hand Strap Holder by Fintie takes that problem away. Not only are you able to attach it to your hand for easy adjustment, but it can also be used as a stand.
That will make binging your favorite shows or long study sessions even more comfortable for your busy teen.
Final Thoughts
Tablets are a great investment for your teen in a number of ways. They can feed their creative and artistic sides while educating them using modern multimedia resources. In addition, they are a big source of entertainment.
That makes the purchase a hit with the whole family. Your teen will be the first to thank you for the new tablet and you can’t go wrong with the three we reviewed today.
Parents, what are some great tablet apps that your teens love? Let us know below in the comments section!
