Tablets aren’t just for casual browsing anymore. They’re portable TV screens, light work stations, and even creative outlets with fantastic drawing and music apps. While the iPad reigns supreme for ease and software, Android’s comeback and budget-friendly Fire tablets offer alternatives. And for note-taking and sketching.
Looking for a portable screen around the house that doubles as a light workhorse and creative playground? Tablets, while not crucial, offer delightful versatility. They boast a smorgasbord of drawing, painting, and music-making apps, igniting your artistic spark.
The iPad stands as the golden child for most folks, thanks to its user-friendliness and top-notch software. But fret not, iPad-averse individuals! Android tablets are bouncing back, fueled by Google’s renewed tablet-love. Amazon’s Fire tablets offer budget-friendly movie marathons and web surfing, perfect if you can overlook their quirks. Craving a note-taking haven? E Ink slates deliver an inky-good writing experience. We’ve scoured the market and picked the cream of the crop, just for you.
Craving a handy device for shows, notes, or simply something smaller than your laptop? Look no further! These affordable tablets are brimming with possibilities, whether you’re a student seeking a study companion or just want to upgrade without splurging. We’ve got the best picks from iPad to Amazon, all ready to unleash the power of portability.
Finding the perfect tablet under $400 depends on your specific needs, so here’s a breakdown of 5 great options with their key specs to help you choose: Explore our top picks and find the perfect tablet to suit your needs.
1. Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (2022)
SAMSUNG Galaxy Tab S6 Lite 10.4″ 64GB Android Tablet, LCD Screen, S Pen Included, Slim Metal Design, AKG Dual Speakers, 8MP Rear Camera, Long Lasting Battery
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (2022) is a mid-range Android tablet that was released in May 2022. It is a successor to the original Galaxy Tab S6 Lite, which was released in 2020. The 2022 model has a few improvements over the original, including a faster processor, a better camera, and a longer battery life.
Overall, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (2022) is a good mid-range tablet that is well-suited for casual use. It is not the most powerful tablet on the market, but it is fast enough for most everyday tasks, such as browsing the web, watching videos, and checking email. The battery life is also good, and the display is bright and clear.
One of the best things about the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite is that it comes with an S Pen. The S Pen is a great stylus that can be used for taking notes, drawing, and editing photos. It is also very accurate and responsive.
The Galaxy Tab S6 Lite also has a few other features that make it a good choice for students and professionals. For example, it has a microSD card slot, so you can easily expand the storage. It also has a headphone jack, which is becoming increasingly rare on tablets.
If you are looking for a mid-range tablet for casual use, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (2022) is a good option. It is a well-rounded tablet that offers good performance, a long battery life, and a great S Pen experience.
Here are some of the pros and cons of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (2022):
Pros:
- Good performance for everyday tasks
- Long battery life
- Bright and clear display
- Comes with an S Pen
- MicroSD card slot
- Headphone jack
Cons:
- Not the most powerful tablet on the market
- Only 4GB of RAM in the base model
- Display is not laminated
- No Wi-Fi 6 support
2. Lenovo Tab P11 Plus (2nd Gen)
Lenovo Tab P11 (2nd Gen) – 2023 – Tablet – Long Battery Life – 11.5″ LCD – Front 8MP & Rear 13MP Camera – 4GB Memory – 128GB Storage
- Price: $279
- Specs:
- 11″ 2K display
- MediaTek Helio G90T processor
- 6GB RAM, 128GB storage (expandable)
- Dolby Atmos speakers, Android 12
Pros:
- Bright and colorful 2K IPS display
- Powerful MediaTek Helio G99 processor
- Long-lasting battery life
- Expandable storage
- Affordable price
Cons:
- Not the most powerful tablet on the market
- No OLED display
- No built-in keyboard
The Lenovo Tab P11 Plus (2nd Gen) has a sleek and stylish design. It is made of a metal chassis with a plastic back. The tablet is available in two colors: Storm Grey and Slate Blue. The Lenovo Tab P11 Plus (2nd Gen) has a 11.2-inch 2K IPS display with a resolution of 2000 x 1200. The display is bright and colorful, and it is great for watching videos and gaming.
It is powered by a MediaTek Helio G99 processor and 4GB of RAM. The processor is powerful enough for most everyday tasks, but it is not the most powerful tablet on the market. You may experience some lag when playing demanding games or using multiple apps at once.
It has a 7500mAh battery. The battery life is excellent, and you should be able to get up to 12 hours of use on a single charge. The Lenovo Tab P11 Plus (2nd Gen) has an 8MP rear camera and a 5MP front camera. The cameras are not the best, but they are good enough for taking occasional photos and videos.
The Lenovo Tab P11 Plus (2nd Gen) runs Android 12. Lenovo has also promised to provide two years of security updates for the tablet. Lenovo offers a number of accessories for the Tab P11 Plus (2nd Gen), including a keyboard case, a stylus, and a dock.
A good mid-range tablet that is well-suited for everyday tasks. It has a bright and colorful display, a powerful processor, and a long-lasting battery. However, it is not the most powerful tablet on the market, and it does not have some of the features that are found on higher-end tablets, such as an OLED display or a built-in keyboard.
If you are looking for a good all-around tablet for everyday use, the Lenovo Tab P11 Plus (2nd Gen) is a good option. However, if you are looking for the most powerful tablet on the market, or if you need a tablet with an OLED display or a built-in keyboard, you may want to consider a different model.
Overall, the Lenovo Tab P11 Plus (2nd Gen) is a good mid-range tablet that is well-suited for everyday tasks such as browsing the web, watching videos, and gaming. It has a bright and colorful display, a powerful processor, and a long-lasting battery. However, it is not the most powerful tablet on the market, and it does not have some of the features that are found on higher-end tablets, such as an OLED display or a built-in keyboard.
3. Apple iPad (9th Gen)
Apple iPad (9th Generation): with A13 Bionic chip, 10.2-inch Retina Display, 64GB, Wi-Fi, 12MP front/8MP Back Camera, Touch ID, All-Day Battery Life – Silver
The iPad (9th Gen) is the most affordable iPad Apple sells, making it a great option for students, budget-minded users, and anyone who just needs a basic tablet. Good performance: The A13 Bionic chip is a few generations old, but it’s still plenty powerful for everyday tasks. You won’t have any trouble browsing the web, watching videos, or playing games.
Bright display: The 10.2-inch Retina display is bright and clear, making it great for watching videos and reading. Long battery life: The iPad (9th Gen) can last up to 10 hours on a single charge, so you can use it all day without having to worry about running out of battery.
iPadOS 16: The iPad (9th Gen) comes with iPadOS 16, which is Apple’s latest operating system for iPads. iPadOS 16 has a number of new features, including Stage Manager, which makes it easier to multitask, and Quick Note, which lets you quickly jot down notes from anywhere. Headphone jack: Unlike some of Apple’s other iPads, the iPad (9th Gen) still has a headphone jack. This is great if you still use wired headphones.
Verdict:
The Apple iPad (9th Gen) is a great tablet for everyday tasks. It’s affordable, it has a good display, and it has long battery life. However, it does have some design limitations, and the storage and camera could be better. If you’re looking for a basic tablet for web browsing, watching videos, and staying connected, the iPad (9th Gen) is a great option. But if you need a more powerful or feature-rich tablet, you’ll want to consider a different model.
Overall: The Apple iPad (9th Gen) is a great tablet for everyday tasks like browsing the web, watching videos, and staying connected. It’s not the most powerful or feature-rich iPad on the market, but it’s a great value for the price.
4. Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2023)
Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus tablet, 10.1″ 1080p Full HD display, 32 GB, Slate + Made for Amazon, Wireless Charging Dock
Pros:
- Bright and clear display
- Long-lasting battery
- Kid-friendly interface
- Affordable price
- Expandable storage
- USB-C charging
- Physical headphone jack
Cons:
- Not the most powerful tablet
- No Google Play Store
- Limited app selection
- Amazon’s advertising can be intrusive
The Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (2023) is a great tablet for the price. It has a sharp display, fast performance, and long battery life. However, it is important to be aware of the limitations of the Fire OS platform, such as the limited app selection and lack of Google Play Services.
If you are looking for a budget-friendly tablet for basic tasks like browsing the web, watching videos, and reading ebooks, the Fire HD 10 Plus is a great option. However, if you need a tablet for more demanding tasks or if you want to use all of your favorite apps, you may want to consider a different model.
- Sharp display: The 10.1-inch Full HD+ display is bright and clear, making it great for watching movies and TV shows.
- Fast performance: The new MediaTek processor and 3GB of RAM provide a smooth and responsive experience.
- Long battery life: The Fire HD 10 Plus can last up to 12 hours on a single charge, so you can use it all day without worrying about running out of juice.
- Durable design: The tablet is built to withstand everyday bumps and bruises.
- Kid-friendly features: The Fire HD 10 Plus comes with Amazon Kids+, which gives parents access to parental controls and a library of kid-safe content.
- Affordable price: The Fire HD 10 Plus is one of the most affordable tablets on the market, making it a great option for budget-minded shoppers.
5. Microsoft Surface Go 3
Microsoft Surface Go 3 – 10.5″ Touchscreen – Intel® Core™ i3 – 8GB Memory – 128GB SSD
- Specs:
- 10.5″ 1080p display
- Intel Pentium Gold processor
- 4GB RAM, 64GB storage (expandable)
- Optional keyboard cover, Windows 11 SE
Pros
- Compact and lightweight design
- Comfortable keyboard
- Long battery life
- Durable build quality
- Good webcam
- Windows 11 Home in S Mode
Cons
- Not the most powerful laptop
- Small display
- Thick bezels
- Limited storage space
- Windows 11 Home in S Mode can be restrictive
The Microsoft Surface Go 3 is a compact and lightweight 2-in-1 laptop that is perfect for students, travelers, and anyone who needs a device that is easy to carry around. It has a 10.5-inch touchscreen display, a comfortable keyboard, and a long battery life. However, it is not the most powerful laptop on the market, so it is not suitable for demanding tasks. The Microsoft Surface Go 3 is a 10.5-inch 2-in-1 laptop that is designed for portability and affordability. It starts at $400 for the base model, which has a Pentium Gold 6500Y processor, 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of storage. The higher-end models come with an Intel Core i3 processor, 8GB of RAM, and up to 128GB of storage.
The Surface Go 3 is well-built and has a premium feel to it. It is made of magnesium alloy and has a sturdy kickstand that can be adjusted to multiple angles. The bezels around the screen are a bit thick, but they are not as noticeable as on some other 2-in-1 laptops.
The Pentium Gold 6500Y processor in the base model is adequate for basic tasks such as web browsing, email, and word processing. However, it can struggle with more demanding tasks such as photo editing and video playback. The Intel Core i3 processor in the higher-end models is a better choice for users who need more power.
Battery life. The Surface Go 3’s battery life is average. I was able to get around 5 hours of light use out of it on a single charge. This is not the best battery life for a 2-in-1 laptop, but it is enough to get you through a workday if you are not using it too heavily.
Keyboard. The Surface Go 3’s keyboard is one of its best features. It is a full-size keyboard with good key travel and feedback. It is also spill-proof, which is a nice bonus.
The Microsoft Surface Go 3 is a good choice for users who are looking for a portable and affordable 2-in-1 laptop. It is not the most powerful laptop on the market, but it is capable of handling most basic tasks. The keyboard is one of its best features, and the display is bright and clear. However, the battery life is average, and the bezels around the screen are a bit thick.
Bonus:
TCL 10.36 inch Android Tablet, TABMAX
TCL 10.36 inch Android Tablet, TABMAX 10.4, 6GB + 256GB Up to 512GB, 8000mAh, FHD+ Display, WiFi Android 11 Tablet, Space Gray, with Protective Case
- Pros:
- Bright, crisp 2K display
- Good performance
- Long battery life
- Affordable
Cons:
- Cameras are not very good
- Software is not the latest version of Android
The TCL Tab Pro 5G is a mid-range Android tablet that was released in 2021. It has a 10.36-inch 2K display, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 480 5G processor, 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of storage. It also has a 13MP rear camera and an 8MP front camera.
The TCL Tab Pro 5G is a good option for users who are looking for an affordable 5G tablet. It has a large display that is good for watching videos and browsing the web, and the Snapdragon 480 5G processor is powerful enough for most everyday tasks. The battery life is also good, and the tablet can last for up to a day on a single charge.
However, there are some drawbacks to the TCL Tab Pro 5G. The build quality is not as good as some other tablets on the market, and the storage capacity is limited. The tablet is also only available on Verizon in the United States, so it is not a good option for users who are on other carriers.
Overall, the TCL Tab Pro 5G is a good mid-range tablet that offers good value for money. However, there are some better options available if you are willing to spend more money.
Verdict:
Remember, the “best” tablet is subjective, so consider your priorities when choosing. Do you need a powerful device for work and multitasking, or a more affordable option for entertainment? Do you want a stylus for drawing or note-taking? Once you know what’s important to you, you can narrow down the options and find the perfect tablet for your needs under $400.
