The 7 Best Tablets for Kids | 2024 Edition

Tablets are a great way to introduce kids to the digital world in a playful manner. Whether for playing, learning, or watching videos, tablets offer various possibilities and can contribute significantly to media education.

But which tablet is right for your kids? Which device is affordable yet powerful enough to meet your children’s needs? We present tablets from Apple, Samsung, Xiaomi, Amazon, and Honor, each with different pros and cons. We’ll dig into aspects like processing power, display size and quality, software update policies, and special features for kids. Additionally, we’ll also recommend you sturdy and child-friendly cases for each tablet.

If you’re looking for a bit more power, be sure to also check out the best tablets for students.

Let’s find out together which tablet best suits your kids’ needs.

Best Tablets for Kids: An Overview

• Most Affordable Entry into the Apple Ecosystem for Your Kids: Apple iPad 9 (on Amazon*). The iPad 9 stands out with its A13 processor, delivering excellent performance that surpasses most Android premium tablets. This allows your kids to enjoy even demanding apps and games. Although the 60Hz display with a resolution of 1620 x 2160 pixels is not laminated, it still provides very good quality for watching videos and gaming. An additional plus is the convenient fingerprint reader. All in all, the device is an excellent reliable everyday companion for your kids.
• Price-Performance Winner: Xiaomi Redmi Pad (on Amazon*). The tablet impresses with a fantastic 90Hz display, excellent build quality, and good speakers. We were also pleased with the long battery life, solid processing power, and the manufacturer’s good software update policy. It’s worth noting that the 3GB version doesn’t support true multitasking. It’s also annoying that neither the Xiaomi Stylus nor a keyboard cover is supported. If your kids primarily want to draw on the tablet, this might be a dealbreaker for you.
• Large Display for Your Little Ones: Honor Pad 8 (on Amazon*). The device is available for around $300. If your kids are primarily looking for a tablet with a large screen, the Honor Pad 8 might be the right choice for you. It offers a 12-inch display with a resolution of 2000 × 1200 pixels and 60Hz. The design is stylish, the speakers sound excellent, and it comes with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. However, the processing power of the Honor Pad 8 is relatively low, making it unsuitable for regular use of demanding apps and games. The software update policy is also uncertain.
• Best Tablet for Under 200 Euros: Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 (on Amazon*). In our opinion, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 is the best tablet for under 200 euros. This is primarily due to the combination of a solid display, sufficient performance, and, most importantly, the manufacturer’s software policy. Samsung provides relatively long software updates, which is rare in this price range.
• Affordable 10-Inch Tablets with Solid Hardware: Amazon Fire HD 10 and Fire HD 10 Plus (on Amazon*). The Amazon Fire HD 10 costs 150 euros and differs only minimally from the Fire HD 10 Plus, which is available for $150. Both models are good 10-inch tablets for enjoying Amazon Video, Netflix, and more, and for occasional gaming. The screens have a resolution of 1920 x 1200 pixels. The tablets’ performance is not outstanding but sufficient for games on low graphics settings and less computationally intensive apps. It’s also cool that there are special editions of the tablets for kids, offering your kids some advantages like a durable case and, thanks to the one-year membership to Amazon Kids+, free access to thousands of apps, games, books, videos, songs, and Audible audiobooks and audio stories.
• LTE and Solid Performance under $200: Chuwi HiPad Max (on Amazon*). With the Chuwi HiPad Max, your kids get a good tablet for around 200 euros, offering excellent value for money. Solid performance, generous storage space, HD video streaming, and even LTE and GPS ensure that the HiPad Max is a good companion for your kids on long car rides and more. The biggest criticism is the poor speakers, but this deficiency can be compensated for with good headphones.
• Affordable 8-Inch Tablet for Moderate Applications: Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus (on Amazon*).The Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus is available for $135. It has an 8-inch screen with a resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels and 60Hz. The performance is sufficient for surfing, watching Netflix, and gaming with low graphics settings. As with the other Fire HD tablets, we appreciate that Alexa and the Echo Show mode are integrated into the tablet. The good battery life is also positively noteworthy.

Good Tablets for Kids: All the Details

Let’s take a closer look at the devices in detail now.

Most Affordable Entry into the Apple Ecosystem for Your Kids: Apple iPad 9

With the iPad 9, your kids can draw, watch YouTube, surf, and even play graphics-intensive games. Thanks to its excellent performance and build quality, it’s the perfect entry into the Apple ecosystem.

The iPad 9 is a budget-friendly alternative to the current iPad 10 with minimal performance differences. In fact, it outperforms many Android tablets in terms of performance. The main difference between the iPad 9 and iPad 10 is that the iPad 9 has a Lightning port instead of a USB-C port. However, this has the advantage that no adapter is needed to charge the Apple Pencil 1. There are also special styluses for kids, like the Logitech Crayon, available for the iPad. It features a unique design and a flat shape, preventing it from rolling off the table easily.

The iPad 9 comes with the latest iPadOS software and is expected to be supported with regular updates for up to seven years.

The display has a resolution of 1620 x 2160 pixels, a refresh rate of 60Hz, and a maximum brightness of 500 nits. Unfortunately, the iPad 9 screen is not laminated, so when using the Apple Pencil, it may feel like you’re not directly touching the display. However, this might not be a significant issue for your kids.

Thanks to the powerful Apple A13 processor with 3GB of RAM and options for 64GB or 256GB of internal storage, the performance of the iPad 9 is excellent. This allows your kids to play hardware-intensive games like Asphalt 9 on high settings or explore professional drawing apps like ProCreate and image editing programs like Adobe Photoshop if they have a passion for drawing, graphic design, or image editing.

Apple also offers an LTE version of the iPad 9, allowing your kids to surf on the go, whether in the train or on the schoolyard.

Although the two speakers of the iPad 9 provide good sound, their positioning on the same side prevents true stereo separation. Nevertheless, the sound is great for your kids to enjoy their favorite shows on Netflix and others without headphones.

The reliable fingerprint scanner is also a plus for the iPad 9.

In our battery test, the iPad 9 achieved a runtime of six hours while playing an HD YouTube video in a continuous loop at maximum brightness.

Kid-friendly cases are available for the iPad 9. We recommend the ZoneFoker case*, available for 18 euros, providing higher shock resistance. Additionally, the cover includes a convenient built-in stand for propping up the iPad, ensuring your kids will enjoy the device for a long time.

Overall, the iPad 9 offers excellent performance and a good overall package, making it an ideal companion for your kids.

Also Read: Apple iPad 9 Review

Xiaomi Redmi Pad: Price-Performance Winner

The Redmi Pad is visually appealing and feels high-quality. It is 7.05mm slim and weighs 445g. The tablet features a USB-C 2.0 port and a microSD card slot. Unlocking the tablet is possible through facial recognition, although it is not as secure as Apple’s.

The 10.61-inch LCD display of the Redmi Pad stands out with a 90Hz refresh rate, 400 nits brightness, and excellent color and contrast values. The resolution is 2000 x 1200 pixels, and the pixel density is 220 ppi. Particularly noteworthy for this price range is the 90Hz refresh rate, making animations smoother and benefiting some games.

Inside, it is powered by a MediaTek Helio G99 chipset with 3GB, 4GB, or 6GB of RAM and options for 64GB or 128GB of internal storage. There is no version with 5G or LTE.

Games like PUBG Mobile run smoothly on the Redmi Pad, as long as the graphics setting is set to HD. Apps like Chrome, YouTube, and Adobe Lightroom work well thanks to the robust chipset.

However, it’s unfortunate that the tablet does not support multitasking, especially in the 3GB RAM variant, where not even two apps can be opened side by side. Additionally, there is no keyboard cover or stylus available.

The Redmi Pad runs on Android 13 and, according to the manufacturer, will receive major Android updates for two years and security updates for three years. This ensures that your kids will enjoy the device for a long time. The MIUI interface looks like a combination of Android and iPadOS.

In our test, the Redmi Pad achieved an excellent battery life of ten hours while playing an HD YouTube video in a continuous loop at maximum brightness.

We recommend the XunyLyee case* for the tablet. It is very robust and shockproof, featuring a convenient handle.

Overall, the Xiaomi Pad 5 offers a good price-performance ratio, a stylish 90Hz display, high-quality construction, good speakers, long battery life, sufficient processing power, and commendable update philosophy. It’s a drawback that the 3GB RAM version does not support multitasking, and there are no Xiaomi stylus or keyboard cover options. However, if your kids don’t primarily use the tablet for drawing or writing, this might not be a significant issue.

Also Read: Xiaomi Redmi Pad Review

Honor Pad 8: Large Display for a Low Price

Good news for all budget-conscious buyers: It is indeed possible to get a good 12-inch tablet for around $300.

Although the LCD display of the device is not as sharp, with a resolution of 2000 x 1200 pixels, it’s still suitable for watching movies and series. However, when surfing the web, you may notice that text and graphics are not as sharp as on higher-end tablets.

Due to the large screen, good contrast and color values, and sufficient brightness of 350 nits, the Honor Pad 8 is still ideal for media consumption. The display is fully laminated, and the device is well-built.

The Honor Pad 8 runs on Android 12 and the Honor Magic UI 6 user interface. It’s unclear how many more updates the tablet will receive.

The Honor Pad 8 is only available as a WiFi version.

The sound of the Honor Pad 8 is excellent. The tablet has a total of four speaker slots and eight built-in speakers—four for low frequencies and four for high frequencies. The sound quality is not quite as good as the 12.9-inch iPad Pro but sounds even slightly better than the Galaxy Tab S7 FE.

The CPU performance of the Honor Pad 8, according to the Geekbench 5 benchmark test, is slightly higher than entry-level tablets like the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8. However, compared to similarly priced tablets in the 10- and 11-inch segment, such as the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite and Xiaomi Pad 5, it falls noticeably behind.

The graphics performance is even lower, and most games can only be played on low graphics settings. If your kids are looking for a gaming tablet, you should consider a different option.

In our battery test at maximum brightness and a continuous loop of an HD YouTube video, the Honor Pad 8 achieved a runtime of 6.5 hours.

For the Honor Pad 8, we recommend the XYOUNG cover*. This cute silicone case looks like a cartoon frog and features an integrated kickstand and a carry handle.

If your kids are looking for an entertainment tablet for watching their favorite movies and series and are not demanding gamers, the Honor Pad 8 is a good option.

Also Read: Honor Pad 8 Review

Samsung Galaxy Tab A8: Best Tablet for Under $200

In our opinion, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 is the best tablet under $200, even though it doesn’t stand out in any particular category. However, it is good enough in almost all areas for most applications such as internet browsing, Netflix and YouTube streaming, and simpler games. If your kids desire a tablet with an active stylus and a good keyboard cover, you’ll need to spend over 200 euros.

The Galaxy Tab A8 features a 10.5-inch display with a Full HD resolution of 1920 x 1200 pixels, which is acceptable in terms of colors, contrast, and pixel density. It is fully laminated and equipped with four speakers on the sides that sound average. The tablet also supports a Widevine Level of L1, allowing your kids to enjoy Netflix and other streaming services in HD resolution.

More demanding games may not be played on the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 with the highest graphics settings, as the Unisoc Tiger T618 SoC is not powerful enough. It is supported by 3GB or 4GB of RAM, and you have the choice between 32GB, 64GB, or 128GB of internal storage. However, the chipset’s performance is sufficient to play games like PUBG Mobile with HD graphics.

Although the tablet is budget-friendly, the Galaxy Tab A8’s casing is mostly made of metal. It features a USB-C 2.0 port and a microSD card reader, but lacks special features like a fingerprint scanner.

For the Galaxy Tab A8, we recommend the Patamiyar case*, which is very robust and provides a handle. The device now runs on Android 13. Updates are one of the advantages of Samsung tablets, so your kids should enjoy the device for a long time.

Also Read: Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 Review

Chuwi HiPad Max: LTE and Solid Performance for $180

The HiPad Max by Chuwi makes a good impression both visually and in terms of touch. It has a 10.36-inch display, is slim and lightweight, weighing 440g and measuring 8mm in thickness. It is available in a stylish dark gray tone. The aluminum alloy back feels rough and is resistant to fingerprints. The front camera has a 5MP resolution and is located in the center when using the tablet in landscape mode, while an 8MP camera is on the back. Overall, the design is timeless and unobtrusive, and the tactile feel is pleasant. It may not feel as premium as a high-end tablet, but for the price of around 200 euros, you can hardly expect more in terms of construction.

The tablet features a 10.36-inch display with a resolution of 2000 x 1200 pixels and a 60Hz refresh rate. It is also laminated. Unfortunately, the screen lacks good viewing angle stability, and the color and contrast values are not convincing. In terms of performance, the tablet offers a nice overall package at a reasonable price with its solid Snapdragon 680 8-core processor, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage capacity.

The device handles light tasks such as Netflix, browsing, or gaming with medium to low settings without any problems. Simple multitasking is also possible.

The CHUWI HiPad Max runs on pre-installed Android 12. However, it is unclear whether and how many updates will be provided for the tablet.

In our battery tests, we found that the CHUWI HiPad Max achieved a runtime of six hours with continuous playback of an HD YouTube video in a loop at maximum brightness.

We recommend the sturdy MAMA MOUTH case* for the CHUWI HiPad Max, made of high-quality synthetic leather and featuring a kickstand.

The tablet is ideal for entertainment purposes such as watching Netflix, browsing the internet, and occasional gaming, and it even comes with LTE. This makes it a wonderful option for your kids, especially during long car rides.

Also Read: Chuwi HiPad Max Review

Amazon Fire HD 10 and Fire HD 10 Plus: Affordable 10-inch Tablets with Solid Hardware

Amazon’s tablet range is led by two models—the Amazon Fire HD 10 and the Fire HD 10 Plus. The Fire HD 10 costs around 150 euros and comes with 3GB of RAM. The Fire HD 10 Plus is available for approximately 180 euros, has 4GB of RAM, and supports wireless charging. Additionally, it is slightly more premium in build quality. However, these are the only differences between the two tablets. In practice, your kids won’t notice any significant difference, and therefore, we recommend the cheaper Fire HD 10.

What’s cool is that there are special editions of the tablets for kids. These offer some advantages for your kids. They get access to thousands of apps, games, books, videos, songs, and Audible audiobooks with a one-year membership to Amazon Kids+. Also included are over 100 educational apps such as mental arithmetic, success in primary school, and Conni English. 

The web browser comes with built-in filters to block age-inappropriate content. You can selectively block specific websites as well. Parents can also allow their kids to make voice and video calls with selected contacts and send announcements via Wi-Fi. For this, the contacts must have an Alexa-enabled device or the Alexa app. Additionally, Amazon provides a 2-year worry-free guarantee: If the device breaks, the manufacturer replaces it for free. Moreover, you get a sturdy case for free.

The Fire HD 10’s screen is 10.1 inches with a resolution of 1920 x 1200 pixels. It is also possible to stream Netflix and other services in HD quality on the tablet. The speakers of the Fire HD 10 also sound reasonable.

The tablet’s casing is made of plastic and doesn’t feel particularly high-quality. Additionally, it is quite thick at 9.2mm and weighs 465g.

Under the hood, there is an octa-core processor with 3GB of RAM. Considering the price, the performance is solid. While games like Asphalt 9 may stutter at times, PUBG Mobile runs smoothly with HD graphics, for example. Most games can be played with reduced graphics settings without any issues.

The tablet comes with 32 or 64GB of internal storage, which can be expanded via a microSD card. The tablet has a 2-megapixel front camera and a 5-megapixel main camera. For around 50 euros, you can also purchase a Bluetooth keyboard cover for the Fire HD 10. The keyboard is well-made, and typing on it is comfortable, but it does not have a trackpad.

Ezoic The Fire HD 10 runs on Fire OS, Amazon’s own operating system based on Android, providing access to Amazon’s Appstore, media library, and services. Alexa and the Echo Show mode are also directly available on the tablet. Although all Google apps are not installed by default, the Google Play Store can be easily installed.

Amazon claims that the tablet offers a battery life of up to 12 hours. In our battery test, where we played an HD YouTube video in a loop at maximum brightness, the Fire HD 10 lasted nine hours. The manufacturer’s specified battery life seems realistic.

Overall, the Fire HD 10 is an affordable, good 10-inch entertainment tablet, ideal for using Amazon Video, Netflix, and similar services, as well as occasional gaming. It is an ideal entry-level device for kids.

Also Read: Amazon Fire HD 10 & HD 10 Plus Review

Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus: Budget 8-inch Tablet for Moderate Usage

The Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus is an 8-inch tablet with a resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels, 60Hz, and 400 Nits. The device costs around $135 euros and is entirely made of plastic, which the manufacturer claims to be very robust and therefore ideal for children. It lacks both a fingerprint scanner and facial recognition.

The tablet can display Netflix, Prime Video, and other services in HD resolution, and the sound quality is good considering its size. It features a 2-megapixel front camera and a 5-megapixel main camera on the back. Unfortunately, the image quality is not particularly good.

Inside the Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus is a MediaTek MT8169A hexa-core processor, and it has 3GB of RAM. You can choose between 32GB or 64GB of internal storage, which can be expanded by up to 1TB via a microSD card. The tablet has a USB-C 2.0 port, and there is no LTE variant.

The Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus runs on Amazon’s proprietary Fire OS, based on Android 11. Amazon’s update policy is known to be good, which should keep the device up-to-date for a long time. Alexa and the Echo Show mode are integrated, and although the Google Play Store is not pre-installed, it can be easily installed.

The tablet is suitable for simple multitasking and playing games like PUBG Mobile, Asphalt 9, World of Tanks, and League of Legends. Although most games can only be played on low graphics settings, they mostly run smoothly.

In the battery test, the Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus achieved a runtime of 9.75 hours. For the test, we played an HD YouTube video in a loop at full brightness.

We recommend the EVA case* for the Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus, which is very robust and scores with environmentally friendly and non-toxic materials.

The Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus is a recommended option for budget-conscious users looking for an inexpensive 8-inch device for their kids. However, the realme Pad mini, for about 40 to 50 euros more, is a better choice as it offers a stylish metal body, a laminated display, pure Android, and stronger performance. However, the update policy for the Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus is expected to be more customer-friendly.

Also Read: Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus review