6 Best 8-Inch Mini Tablets Review & Comparison | 2024 Edition

Which is the best 8 inch tablet? Since there is such a large selection, it can be hard to get an overview. I’ve been reviewing tablets for over ten years now, and I particularly enjoy using 8 inch tablets. In this guide, I’ve listed the best small mini tablets that you can buy right now.

At the beginning of this list you get a quick overview of my recommendations. At the top are the better models, which are usually more expensive. And further down are the cheaper models, which are also good, but not top class. Further down in the article you can find out more details about the respective devices.

I reviewed all of these tablets myself and you can find links to each of the reviews linked further down 😊

The Best 8-Inch Mini Tablets: An Overview

• Best overall: Apple iPad Mini 6 (on Amazon*). The Apple iPad Mini is the undisputed winner among all 8-inch tablets. It offers a nice 8.3-inch display, a very high-quality design with many premium features and up-to-date software. Thanks to Apple’s A15 processor, it is significantly more powerful than all other tablets on this list and it supports the Apple Pencil 2. It’s also unrivaled – there is no direct competitor with Android in the US or Europe.
• Reliable entertainment tablet: Samsung Galaxy Tab A9 (on Amazon*). The Samsung Galaxy Tab A9 boasts a design that rivals the iPad mini but has a high-quality finish and solid construction that defy its price point. However, scrolling can be occasionally blurry and less smooth. It’s a good thing the tablet compensates with good stereo speakers and a Mediatek Helio G99 processor that gets the job done for casual users. 
• Good 8-inch Android tablet: Alldocube iPlay50 Mini Pro NFE (on Amazon*). The Alldocube iPlay50 Mini Pro NFE is a compact and portable tablet with a sleek metal back. While the display resolution is high, it lacks auto-brightness. Performance-wise, the tablet competes well with entry-level Samsung tablets. But I don’t recommend it for heavy users as the battery life is short.
• 9-inch Android tablet with great value: Lenovo Tab M9 (on Amazon*). The Lenovo Tab M9 is a bit bigger than the other devices on this list at exactly 9 inches. It’s more of a lower mid-range tablet and therefore significantly cheaper, but also significantly weaker than the iPad Mini. Still, it offers a solid display, solid performance, and an overall good price/performance ratio.
• Good and Cheap: Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus (on Amazon*). The Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus is a good choice if you’re looking for a very affordable 8-inch tablet that’s still good. It offers solid performance and a surprisingly long battery life. Unfortunately, however, it lacks the Google Play Store out of the box. I can’t recommend the simple Fire HD 8 without the “Plus”.
• The best small Android tablet: Lenovo Legion Tab Y700 2023. The Lenovo Legion Tab Y700 is a high-performance Android tablet designed for mobile gaming. It has an 8.8-inch 2K level LCD display that offers a 144Hz refresh rate and a 6550mAh battery with 45W fast charging, which makes it ideal for gaming. Although it’s a strong contender among Snapdragon 870 tablets, you’ll have to risk importing it from China without warranty or support. 

Best 8-Inch Tablets: In-Depth Look

Here you’ll find more in-depth information about each tablet. If you want to know even more, don’t forget to check out my detailed reviews linked below each of them.

Apple iPad Mini 6: The Best 8-Inch Tablet

Tablet Specs	Apple iPad Mini 6
Display Size	8.3 inches 1488 x 2266 pixel resolution
Processor	A15 Bionic
RAM	4 GB
Storage	64 GB or 256 GB

The Apple iPad Mini is clearly the best 8-inch tablet that you can buy. It offers the best screen, is much more powerful than its competition, and has up-to-date software. But it’s also the priciest device on this list. Right now, no direct competitor is running Android that’s easily available in the US or Europe. That’s good for Apple but I wish there would be more competition.

Its highlight is the 8.3-inch display, of course, which means it’s small enough to comfortably hold in one hand. This is a pretty Liquid Retina Display with great color reproduction, a good contrast, and a brightness of 500 nits. Thanks to its resolution of 2266 x 1488 pixels, it’s very sharp.

During my review, I did encounter one downside, though. I noticed a kind of rolling shutter effect when scrolling while holding it in portrait orientation. When scrolling in the browser, for instance, it looks as if one part of the screen is refreshing faster than the other. That’s visible in some situations only, so it’s not too bad. And like I said, there’s no better alternative anyways.

The iPad Mini features a high-end metal body with good speakers and a USB-C port. A Touch ID fingerprint scanner is built into the home button and on one of the longer sides, you can charge the Apple Pencil 2 inductively. So, yes, that stylus is supported and works exactly as it does on the iPad Pro and iPad Air.

To make it so fast, Apple is shipping the iPad Mini with its own Apple A15 chipset that is supported by 4GB of RAM and 64GB or 256GB storage. You can get it with 5G as well. Due to that A15 processor, it’s much faster than all other tablets on this list. You can play the latest games with the highest graphics settings and graphic apps like Adobe Photoshop run as well.

Read: The Best iPads In 2023: Which Apple Tablet Is Right For You?

Pros

• Runs powerful apps effortlessly
• All-day battery life
• Great at multitasking
• Portable and beautifully designed

Cons

• No multi-user support
• No headphone jack

Read: My Apple iPad Mini Review

Samsung Galaxy Tab A9: A Reliable Entertainment Tablet

Tablet Specs	Samsung Galaxy Tab A9
Display Size	8.7 inches 800 x 1340 pixel resolution
Processor	Mediatek Helio G99
RAM	4 GB or 8 GB
Storage	64 GB or 128 GB

The Samsung Galaxy Tab A9 is one of the most popular budget tablets you can buy right now. It’s easy to hold one-handed and feels more like an iPad mini rival than a bargain device. 

The look of the tablet is not what you’d expect for this price, either. The high-quality finish and solid construction give it a sleek appearance and add to its durability. I particularly like the Graphite color, but it’s usually the first one to go out of stock. So, you might want to get the Mystic Silver version instead. 

While reviewing the device, I noticed scrolling to be blurry and less smooth. This is a common problem with low-end 60Hz displays. Not to worry; it doesn’t happen all the time, but it is exacerbated by some content.  

Like the display and build on the Galaxy Tab A9, the stereo speakers are surprisingly good. I didn’t expect such a robust audio performance from a device in this price range. Whether you’re watching videos or listening to music, they deliver clear sound with decent bass.

Samsung ships the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9 with Mediatek Helio G99, which is supported by 4 GB or 8GB of RAM and 64 GB or 128 GB of storage. So, don’t expect it to be lightning fast. If you’re a casual user, though, it’ll suffice.  

Read: I Love These 10 Apps On My Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+

Pros

• Lightweight and compact design
• Very affordable
• Decent performance
• Bright screen and good stereo speakers

Cons

• Slow charging
• Awful cameras

Also Read: Full Review of the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9

Alldocube iPlay50 Mini Pro NFE: Good 8-inch Chinese Tablet

Tablet Specs	Alldocube iPlay50 Mini Pro NFE
Display	8.4 inches 1200 x 1920 pixel resolution
Processor	Mediatek Helio G99
RAM	8 GB + 8 GB
Storage	128 GB or 256 GB

The Alldocube iPlay50 Mini Pro NFE is a compact and very portable tablet. I liked the metal back, which feels sleeker than the glass back of my phone.

The tablet’s display resolution is higher than most 8-inch tablets, like the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9. But upon close viewing, it looks a bit too saturated. It also does not support auto-brightness. Nevertheless, I like using it to watch videos while lazing in bed.

The main issue is the lack of regular updates. The iPlay50 Mini Pro NFE currently runs Android 13, but don’t hold your breath for future software upgrades. 

The tablet is built on Mediatek Helio G99 and competes with entry-level Samsung tablets. Performance-wise, it holds its ground admirably, offering smooth multitasking and decent gaming capabilities. But, the battery is on the short side, which interferes with extended usage.

Pros

• Lightweight and compact design
• Very affordable
• Decent performance
• Bright screen and good stereo speakers

Cons

• Slow charging
• Awful cameras

Also Read: I Tested the Alldocube iPlay 50 Mini Pro NFE, and Here’s What I Found Out

Lenovo Tab M9: Great Value

Tablet Specs	Lenovo Tab M9
Display	9 inches 800 x 1340 pixel resolution
Processor	Mediatek Helio G80
RAM	3 GB or 4 GB
Storage	32 GB, 64 GB, or 128 GB

The Lenovo Tab M9 is better than most 8-inch Android tablets on the market – just the Galaxy Tab Active3 is an exception. It is a real pity that there are no other high-quality Android tablets of this size at the moment. But that’s the way it is.

We get a display that is minimally larger than typical 8-inch tablets with 9 inches. The resolution of 1340 x 800 pixels is as high as on the Realme Pad mini and Nokia T10, but significantly lower than the iPad Mini. The sharpness is therefore only sufficient. However, it’s relatively bright with 400 nits.

It’s not a high-quality gaming tablet with the MediaTek Helio G80 octa-core processor, but most games can be played with low graphics settings. This even includes Apex Legend, which runs quite well. Other features include 3GB or 4GB of RAM and 32GB or 128GB of internal storage. A version with LTE is also available.

Pros

• Larger display
• Strong graphic performance 
• Lightweight and very affordable
• Long battery life

Cons

• Low display resolution
• No fingerprint scanner

Read: My Lenovo Tab M9 Review

Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus 2022: Just good enough?

Tablet Specs	Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus
Display	8 inches 800 x 1280 pixel resolution
Processor	Mediatek MT8169A
RAM	3 GB
Storage	32 GB or 64 GB

The Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus plays in the lowest league in many aspects. However, it’s exciting and actually usable if you want to spend as little money as possible. However, you will have to make some sacrifices – first and foremost, the Google Play Store is missing out of the box, so you have to install it yourself. If you dare to do that, the HD 8 Plus is a real bargain, especially on days like Black Friday.

Amazon offers us an 8-inch IPS screen with a resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels. Although it’s not particularly bright, I think the pixel density is sufficient for the price range. However, it is quite a shame that the display is not fully laminated. Thus, an air gap is visible between the touchscreen and IPS panel.

Inside, there is a MediaTek MT8169A hexa-core processor that is supported by 3GB of RAM. The internal storage is 32GB or 64GB and there is a MicroSD card slot. So far, Amazon does not offer a version with LTE.

It not only performs relatively poorly in benchmarks, but also in my gaming test. I could not install some games at all. Asphalt 9 and PUBG Mobile, on the other hand, run well and the latter can even be played with HD graphics.

It not only performs relatively poorly in benchmarks, but also in my gaming tests. 3D Mark Wild Life test scores rank the Fire HD 8 Plus close to the bottom. Geekbench won’t run consistently nor would any other 3D Mark test.

Same story with games — most games we’ve tested don’t run well, sometimes ending in crashes, including simpler games like Subway Surfers and Botworld. Surprisingly, PUBG and Asphalt 9 run fine on the Fire HD 8 Plus.

It is nice that the battery life is 9.75 hours. Thus, the Fire HD 8 Plus lasts longer than all other tablets listed here.

The Plus does run Android out of the box, but it’s Amazon’s variant of Android and not the typical Google version. This means that many Amazon apps and services are preinstalled out of the box, and all Google services are missing. However, the latter can easily be installed afterwards.

By the way: I cannot recommend the non-Plus Amazon Fire HD 8 at the moment, especially because the working memory is too small for today’s times in my eyes.

Read: The Best Amazon Fire Tablets Compared | 2023 Edition

Pros

• Impressive battery life
• Decent display
• Sturdy plastic construction
• Affordable

Cons

• Google services do not come out of the box
• Not fast and powerful enough

Also Read: My Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus Full Review

Bonus: Lenovo Legion Tab Y700 2023: Best Small Android Tablet

Tablet Specs	Lenovo Legion Tab Y700
Display	8.8 inches 1600 x 2560 pixel resolution
Processor	Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1
RAM	12 GB or 16 GB
Storage	256 GB or 512 GB

The Lenovo Legion Tab Y700 2023 is a high-performance Android tablet with complete features for mobile gaming. At first glance, it looks like a big smartphone. But you can hold it firmly in one hand for a long time without feeling tired. 

Coming with an 8.8-inch display, it’s the first tablet to come very close to the latest iPad Mini. It has a 2K-level LCD panel with a 144Hz refresh rate and 500 nits of peak brightness. In actual use, I find the visual experience to be decent, especially when I’m reading or web viewing. 

The peak performance is quite similar to what you typically find in other Snapdragon 870 models. The Y700 stayed at a comfortable temperature even after a couple of hours of gaming. Plus, it is equipped with a 6550mAh battery with up to 45W fast charging, which is pretty fast for a tablet. I can truly say that it’s the best device for gaming. 

The only issue is that it has to be imported from China with no warranty or support. But, if you’re looking for a high-end 8-inch Android tablet and are willing to take the risk, the Lenovo Legion Tab Y700 is a good option.

Pros

• High refresh rate
• Amazing chipset performance
• Immersive gaming experience
• Impressive battery life and charging

Cons

• Low camera setup
• Overpriced for its specs

Also Read: My Detailed Review of the Lenovo Legion Tab Y700

Where Are Huawei Tablets?

You might have noticed that I haven’t mentioned any Huawei tablets on this list so far. That’s not a mistake but on purpose. Because of the trade war between the United States and China, current Huawei tablets are being shipped without the Google Play Store and Google Services. And unlike with Amazon’s tablets, you can’t install them easily.

I think that if you’re getting an Android tablet, you expect to have access to Google’s stuff and that it behaves just as your phone does. So, even though I loved Huawei devices in the past, I can’t recommend them at the moment.

That doesn’t mean that they’re a bad choice for everyone. If you can find a great deal, live in China, or want to stay away from Google, they might be interesting for you. So, if you want, feel free to check out their current 8-inch tablets like the Huawei MediaPad M6 8 and the Huawei MatePad T8.

How I Review Tablets

My reviews mostly consist of two parts. First, I run lots of synthetic benchmarks like Geekbench 4, Geekbench 5, 3D Mark, GFXBench, and so on, to get a quick impression of the performance. Then I always run the same battery test on all of the devices I review. For that, I’m looping an HD video on YouTube at maximum brightness. I also check if you can watch Netflix and Amazon Prime with HD resolution since many are not capable of doing that.

After I’m done with benchmarks and a couple of other standard tests, I use it as my daily tablet. That means I surf the web, watch lots of YouTube, and play games. I try to always play the same games so that I can compare them. Among these are Fortnite, PUBG Mobile, Call Of Duty, Asphalt 9, and others.

If possible, I also try to render a video in Adobe Premiere Rush which higher-end devices are capable of only. Almost always I also try to get some serious work done. That means I attach a keyboard and mouse and work with Microsoft Word, Excel, and so on. All current tablets are capable of that, but some are better suited than others, of course.

Your trust matters to us. Examine our full review methodology.

The original version of this article was published on September 22, 2023. Jian contributed to and updated it on March 14, 2024.