The Best Tablets Under $50 Review & Comparison | 2024 Edition

In this article, we take a look at tablets in the lower price range. Which are the best tablets under $50 and what can they do? You will find out here. We have been testing tablets for over 15 years and always review the very cheap options as well.

First off: In this price range, we obviously don’t get any top performers. If possible, we recommend spending at least $100 and even better $200.

Best Tablets under $50: An overview 

Here is a quick overview of our recommendations.

• Compact budget tablet: Amazon Fire 7 (at Amazon*). The Amazon Fire 7 is one of the few tablets available in this price range. With a small display and acceptable battery performance, this tablet is recommended for casual users.
• HD tablet for streaming: Amazon Fire HD 8 (at Amazon*). To snag the Amazon Fire HD 8 in a deal, you need a bit of luck. In return, you get a relatively well-rounded device with some flaws, which are acceptable given the price.

Best tablets under $50: All the details

Before we take a closer look at the two tablets: What are such cheap devices good for?

What are the lowest-priced tablets suitable for?

Before we go into detail on various tablets, we should discuss the usage options. Even though cheap tablets may resemble much more expensive devices on paper in terms of operating system, screen size, or even battery life, it should be clear: A tablet that costs less than the keyboard of a device from Apple or Microsoft certainly does not offer the same features.

As work devices, i.e., tablets for professional use, we cannot make any recommendations. After all, you cannot expect the absolute reliability from budget tablets that you need when it comes to money and career.

In our opinion, you can consider looking for a tablet in the lowest price segment if you mainly plan to do the following:

• Browse the internet via WiFi connection
• Access entertainment content, stream movies and series
• Read news or eBooks

At the same time, you should not expect too much from the tablet. For example, you will have to make do with a lower display resolution. You should also not expect impressive colors and contrasts. Video games are also problematic, as the performance of the weak processors usually is not sufficient.

If you are looking for a simple device that you only use occasionally, such as to visit a website, you may be hopeful.

Amazon Fire 7: Affordable tablet for streaming

Admittedly, the price of the Amazon Fire 7 exceeds the budget if you have planned to spend no more than $50. Currently, it costs $60 from the manufacturer, which is really little for a tablet released in 2022.

Indeed, with a bit of luck, you can strike an even cheaper deal. For this, you have to wait for promotional campaigns, as Amazon then significantly reduces the price. On Black Friday or Cyber Monday, you can get the Amazon Fire 7 for about $50.

The tablet is equipped with a 7-inch screen and is thus one of the smallest representatives of its kind. If you are used to smartphones like the Huawei P30, the Fire 7 will almost seem like a large smartphone to you. Due to the low screen resolution and the thick 9.7 mm case, unfortunately, it does not make a very high-quality impression.

Where the Fire 7 collects brownie points

At least the tablet has a good battery life and is therefore suitable for streaming movies and series. It is even possible to install the Google Play Store on the Fire tablet, thus accessing Android apps. This means you have practically no restrictions with the Fire OS operating system.

The voice assistant Alexa, which works really well and can be used in everyday life in various ways, is a positive feature. The multiple-year security and software updates are also commendable.

That the internal storage capacity is limited to a maximum of 32 gigabytes will bother only a few. After all, the Amazon Fire 7 is intended to access content online. You stream eBooks, audiobooks, or music via WiFi, for example, using pre-installed apps like Prime Video or Audible. Alternatively, you can also use a micro-SD card to expand the storage by up to 1 TB.

By the way, you have to consider that the cheapest version of the Amazon Fire 7 comes with ads from the factory. Unfortunately, the regular ads can only be turned off by paying a one-time fee. Or you opt for the ad-free and 15 € more expensive version when you order the tablet.

Despite the flaws, the Fire 7 is a really good choice for the price – especially since there are hardly any alternatives. As a tablet that you use at home on the sofa, the budget tablet from the Bezos empire is definitely suitable. It is also a good gift for tablet beginners.

Amazon Fire HD 8: Refurbished Starting at Around $50 

With the Fire HD 8, Amazon offers a direct relative to the Fire 7, clearly capitalizing on the limited competition in the lowest price segment.

Although a new Fire HD 8 costs at least $100, there are also opportunities for bargain hunters: Amazon offers refurbished models of the Fire HD 8, depending on availability. These tablets are inspected and come with a full warranty, allowing you to purchase without risk. Typically, the price for refurbished devices is just over $50.

Technically, the HD 8 is superior to the Fire 7 in almost every aspect. Notably, it features the HD resolution of its display. The screen being an inch larger is advantageous for watching videos.

Thanks to the 2 GHz Hexa-Core processor, the tablet’s performance is commendable, although demanding games remain out of reach. In our tests, the battery lasted up to 12 hours. The inclusion of headphone and USB-C ports is also valuable, especially for entertainment purposes.

Regarding the software, there are not many differences compared to the Fire 7: Alexa simplifies daily tasks, and streaming platforms come pre-installed. Access to the Android App Store is also possible, albeit indirectly.

Our verdict: If you’re among the quick buyers who manage to get a refurbished Fire HD 8, it offers a significantly better value for money.

Used and Refurbished Tablets: Bargains with Risks

An alternative to Amazon’s Fire tablets are used devices, particularly “refurbished” tablets.

“Refurbished” means that the tablets have been professionally overhauled and repaired. If you buy from a trustworthy seller, you can be confident that the device has no defects.

For $50 or less, you can find the following used tablet models:

• Apple iPad Air
• Apple iPad 4
• Lenovo Tab M7
• Huawei MediaPad M1
• Asus ZenPad 8.0
• Apple iPad Mini 2

While this selection may seem tempting at first glance, there’s a significant catch: Some of these tablets are over 10 years old. Software updates or new operating systems are not available.

For newer devices, like a 2019 Lenovo Tab M8 or a 2018 Samsung Galaxy Tab A, you would need to invest more than $50 even in the “refurbished” category.

Conclusion: Better to Wait and Save More

So, what’s our verdict on tablets around $50?

Well, the selection is extremely limited. Manufacturers like Samsung, Apple, or Microsoft simply have no interest in selling tablets at such low prices.

Even though we’ve found some positive aspects of Amazon’s tablets, we hesitate to make definitive recommendations. This is mainly because you can get significantly better alternatives for a bit more money.

In the price range between $100 and $200, you’ll find many more options. This allows you to compare devices and not have to accept every drawback.

Sure, the Amazon Fire 7 and the Fire HD 8 are OK for users who only want to stream or read eBooks. However, with a slightly more expensive tablet, you have many more possibilities open to you.