A good tablet is hard to find, especially if you’re under a budget of 200 dollars. There are several great models out there, but most of them come with a high price tag. Luckily, you can get a cheap, solid device if you know where to look.
The tablets in this guide have plenty of premium features, and they all are quite affordable. It’s easy to stay away from cheaper devices, but don’t let the low prices in this guide fool you. Every single model listed here brings something unique to the table. As long as you know what you want, you’ll be happy with your purchase.
Contents
Quick Summary
- Those on an extreme budget who don’t want to sacrifice quality will enjoy the Amazon Fire HD 8. This model comes in at the lowest price point on this list, but still manages to fit a lot of handy specs inside the compact frame.
- The multi-layered Samsung Galaxy Tab A is the perfect device for people who want a portable tablet. This machine is not just compact, it’s also quite easy to carry around.
- If you’re someone looking for a higher-end budget tablet, the Lenovo Tab 4 may be for you. This device sits at the top end of the “under 200” spectrum, but it’s absolutely worth the extra money.
Who Should Get This?
The tablets in this guide are best-suited for users looking for a cheaper model. That can be because they are on a budget, or because they want an extra affordable model to keep around the house. Either way, if you care about solid specs and saving money, you’re going to like the devices listed here.
Students can especially make use of a cheaper tablet. Being able to have a relaxation device you can both use in your dorm and take around campus is incredibly handy. Those who just graduated and looking for their first job would also do well to save some money on their technological devices.
Best Tablets Under $200: What to Consider?
Portability
Tablets are made to be portable. As such, many users want a compact model that they can easily throw into a backpack or bag. However, just because you’re getting a tablet doesn’t mean it has to be small. There are some larger brands that come with big screens. While such displays are nice to look at, they are not as easy to carry around. This choice depends on how often you take your tablet out of the house.
Battery Life
One of the perks of owning a tablet is being able to take it around the house or on vacation much easier than you would a computer. While size is part of it, the other key is battery life. If your tablet only lasts a few hours on one charge, you won’t be able to comfortably relax with it. You don’t want to constantly look for an outlet or have your device die as soon as you get comfortable on the couch or in bed.
Display
Most people don’t get affordable tablets for their display, but a good, bright screen is never a bad thing. How much this matters to you completely depends on why you want a tablet. If you’re just reading or playing basic games, the screen might not be as important. However, if you want to stream shows and watch movies, quality matters.
Best Tablets Under $200: Our Picks
1. Amazon Fire HD 8
Nobody does cheap tablets better than Amazon. The Fire HD 8 is another solid device in a long line of solid products. The 8-inch display looks great, while the internal storage (16GB or 32GB) is enough to read, play games, or watch videos.
This affordable tablet comes in many different colors, making it great for people who care about look, and the 1.3 GHz quad-core processor works like a dream. In addition, the 10-hour battery life gives you plenty of time to relax away from the outlet, while the two cameras will serve all your needs.
What We Like:
- Front and dual facing cameras
- 1.3 GHz quad-core processor
- 10-hours of battery life
- 1.5 GB of RAM
- 16 or 32GB of internal storage
- Alexa enabled
- Several fun color options
What We Don’t Like:
- Can only use Amazon’s Appstore
2. Samsung Galaxy Tab A
With its portable frame and bright 7-inch display, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A is a solid budget model that everyone can enjoy. Not only is the price-point quite low, but it also comes with a great-looking 1280 x 800 display, quad core processor, and full touchscreen design. It also has two cameras (5-megapixel on the back and 2-megapixel on the front). If you’re someone who cares about photos, this is a good way to go.
This is not a high-end option that will replace your laptop. However, what it gives you is more than enough to read your favorite book or browse the web. It is also a great pick for those who just care about watching a few movies or shows. The image quality holds up for just about everything.
What We Like:
- Can upgrade with a MicroSD
- 5-megapixel camera
- 1.5GB of RAM
- Long battery life
- 7-inch display
- Quad-core processor
- Lightweight
What We Don’t Like:
- Only 8GB of storage
- Response time can be slow
3. Lenovo Tab 4
If you’re someone on a budget who wants a bit more from their tablet, look no further than the Lenovo Tab 4. This handy model has a lot of great specs, high-quality speakers, and 16GB of internal storage. It also runs Android 7.1 and is packed full of great apps.
The quad-core Snapdragon processor works well, and the 20-hour battery life is incredible. That amount of time is great for anyone who likes to recline far away from an outlet. There are many other great specs here as well, such as the 2GB of RAM, that makes this the affordable option for those who want a premium tablet.
What We Like:
- Stunning HD display
- 16GB internal storage
- 64-bit quad-core Snapdragon processor
- 2GB of RAM
- 20-hour battery life
- Many potential add-ons
- Excellent sound quality
- Solid display
- Two cameras
- Runs Android 7.1 right away
What We Don’t Like:
- Colors could be better
- Not great for gaming
Useful Tips and Information
One of the best ways to ensure your tablet sticks around a long time is by taking care of it. There are many ways to protect your device, and they all help you get the most years from your device. If you’re curious about such methods, check out this article.
All of the tablets listed in this guide have a solid battery life, especially for their price. However, that doesn’t mean they couldn’t last a little bit longer. If you want to get even more out of a single charge, this video will give you some great tips.
Final Words
Tablets, even good ones, don’t need to break the bank. It may be tempting to spend a lot of money to get a premium tablet, but, as this guide shows, you don’t have to go that route. There are many ways to get a great device that comes packed with a range of exciting features without spending more than $200.
Any of the above tablets will provide you with excellent results. When choosing between them, understand what type of device you want and what features are most important to you. Do your best to pick the one that suits your needs.
What type of tablets do you like? Do you have a favorite brand? Let us know in the comments below!
