Best Budget Tablets Under $300 for 2025

9.75

Overall Score: 9.75/10

Consumer:9.75/10

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The Apple iPad 11-inch is our top pick. It's at the higher end of budget pricing, but the value is undeniable. Apple's A16 chip keeps things snappy for years, and the Liquid Retina display looks gorgeous whether you're binging shows or taking notes. You get 128GB storage, solid 12MP cameras on both sides, Touch ID, and battery that actually lasts all day. Apple's tablet app selection is still the best, updates keep coming for 5+ years, and the build quality is leagues ahead of Android options at this price. Yes, the Apple Pencil is extra, and that's annoying. But if you want the most reliable, longest-lasting tablet experience under $300, this is it.

9.88

Overall Score: 9.88/10

Consumer:9.88/10

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The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Lite is our runner-up and the best bet for stylus fans. That included S Pen saves you over $100 versus buying an Apple Pencil separately, which makes a huge difference for students and note-takers. The 10.9-inch 90Hz display feels responsive whether you're writing or scrolling, and 6GB RAM handles multitasking just fine. Samsung Notes works great out of the box, DeX mode adds desktop-style productivity, and you can expand storage up to 2TB with a microSD card. Samsung commits to 7 years of updates, matching Apple's support. The screen isn't quite as punchy as the iPad's, and some Android apps still feel like phone apps stretched big, but that bundled S Pen makes this an outstanding deal for anyone who writes, draws, or marks up PDFs.

9.6

Overall Score: 9.6/10

Consumer:9.6/10

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The Amazon Fire HD 10 is our budget champion. Prices frequently drop below $100 during sales, making this ridiculously affordable for what you get. The 10.1-inch Full HD screen looks sharp for streaming, the processor handles media and browsing without complaints, and 13+ hours of battery means all-day entertainment. USB-C charging is a nice modern touch. The obvious tradeoff is Fire OS: no Google Play Store means you're limited to Amazon's app selection. That's perfectly fine if you're already using Prime Video, Kindle, and Audible. Pay a bit extra to skip the lock screen ads. This isn't for power users or anyone who needs specific apps, but as a dedicated entertainment device, e-reader, or family tablet, nothing beats this value.

9.66

Overall Score: 9.66/10

Consumer:9.66/10

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The Lenovo Idea Tab 2025 is our entertainment specialist. The 11-inch 2.5K IPS display looks great for movies, and the four Dolby Atmos speakers sound better than tablets costing twice as much. Lenovo throws in a pen and folio case, saving you $50+ in accessories. The MediaTek Dimensity 6300 handles streaming and casual games without issue, and 128GB storage holds plenty of downloads. No microSD slot is annoying, but those included extras help make up for it. Build quality and software aren't as refined as Samsung or Apple, but for movie nights, YouTube sessions, and casual gaming, this combination of sharp display, quad speakers, and bundled accessories is hard to beat.