Amazon’s Fire Tablet It’s one of the only high-profile, ultra-affordable tablets around. The price seems too good to be true—and in some ways it is—but the Fire tablet is also a fully-featured, reasonably-functioning device. To help you decide if one of these slates is right for you, we’ve reviewed each model. These are our unfiltered recommendations. While we’ve listed Amazon’s base prices, please note that we recommend paying an extra $15 for the ad-free version.
Be sure to check out our other guides like the best tablets, best iPads, and best Alexa speakers.
Update June 2022: We note new Fire 7 and Fire 7 Kids tablets, upcoming Prime Day deals, and updated prices and links.
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wait until prime day
If you’re going to buy a new Fire tablet right away, you should hold off.With Prime Day just around the corner (July 12-13), Amazon’s line of tablets will be At least 30% off. Of course, these slates are already affordable compared to other slates on the market, but you can save even more. Worth the wait.
Best Fire Resistant Tablet
The Fire HD 10 is Amazon’s largest and fastest tablet. Amazon updated it this year (7/10, recommended by WIRED) with a brighter screen and 3 GB of RAM. On top of that, there’s a new Fire HD 10 Plus, which bumps up the RAM to 4 GB and adds wireless charging, and if you plan on doing more than watching movies and browsing the web, the extra $30 is worth it. Amazon hopes you can do more, too, because now there’s a “productivity bundle” that includes a nifty keyboard (though no trackpad) and a one-year Microsoft 365 subscription. Works fine on Fire HD 10 for so long because you don’t need Google apps. None of Google’s Office apps work on the Fire HD 10, not even in the browser.
The Fire HD 10 has a larger screen and more pixels (1080p) than its siblings, making it better for watching video. And, like the Fire HD 8, you can shout commands to Alexa from across the room. To use Alexa’s Display Mode, swipe down on the notification overlay and check the Display Mode box. After that, you can put the HD 10 on the stand (if you opt for the Plus model, we love the official wireless charging stand), and it essentially becomes an Echo Show.
You can choose between 32 GB or 64 GB models (both come with a MicroSD slot, so you can add up to 1 TB later if you need more space). Whichever way you choose, Amazon will place ads on the lock screen. To get out of this, you’ll need to pay an extra $15 for the version without the “special offer.”
Best Value Fire Tablet
The 2020 edition of the Fire HD 8 is quite possibly one of the best values for a tablet. The travel-friendly size, along with a processor upgrade and a Plus model ($110) with 3 GB of RAM and wireless charging, make the Fire HD 8-Series nearly as powerful as its larger sibling. It’s portable enough to take anywhere, and its screen won’t strain your eyes while you watch Netflix.That is, the screen does not quite As good as the larger Fire HD 10, it has a higher pixel density.
Still, the HD 8 has most of the benefits of the HD 10, including hands-free Alexa, stereo, USB-C, and nearly 12 hours of battery life. If you’re planning to watch movies or TV, I recommend Amazon’s magnetic stand case, or, if you opt for the Plus model, the wireless charging dock that turns your tablet into an Echo Show speaker.
Best Fire Tablets for Kids
Recognizing that “kids” covers a variety of hand sizes and other factors, Amazon is now offering two different Kids Edition Fire tablets. There is a regular kids version and a “professional” model. The latter, aimed at older kids, has a streamlined case with less padding, and parents can choose to install apps from a dedicated kids’ app store.We think the HD 8 ($140) is the best device for younger kids, while the 2021 Fire HD 10 Kids Pro ($200) is real The bigger one is in the hands of the child, and the older one is better. The new Fire 7 Kids ($110) is a cheaper option for younger kids, though I’ve always found the 7-inch screen size harder to use.
The Kids Edition versions are exactly the same as regular Fire tablets, except they come with a sturdy case and a two-year worry-free warranty, which means if your child breaks the tablet, Amazon will replace it for free. It also comes with a year of Amazon Kids+, which provides access to kid-friendly movies, books, games, and apps. $5 per month after the first year ($8 for Prime subscribers if you don’t have Prime). Be sure to check out our Amazon Kids+ content curation guide.
Best Budget Fire Tablet
Amazon has finally updated its smallest Fire tablet, the 7-inch model. The 2022 version has a more powerful processor, double the RAM, and longer battery life. It also charges using USB-C. Unfortunately, while the supported SD card size has been increased to 1 TB, there is still a paltry 16 GB of storage, so if you want more (and trust me, you do), you can add it. The price of this version has also increased, jumping from $49 to $59.
We’ve recommended avoiding this in the past because it’s underpowered and the small screen makes it less useful. We haven’t had a chance to test the new model yet, but based on the new specs, the Fire 7 is now more than capable of keeping up with Fire OS. That said, we still think you’re better off spending $30 more for the Fire 8. If that’s out of your budget, the new Fire 7 will do just fine.
Amazon sells older Fire tablets.don’t buy them
Buy only one of the “10th Gen” or “11th Gen” Fire tablets. We recommend sticking with the model we discuss in this article (also listed here).
Older models of Fire tablets don’t get software updates like the current generation. You’ll also miss out on faster processors and more RAM in newer models. A better idea is to wait for Prime Day or other promotions, when you can buy new models for 30% to 50% off.
