The 5 best tablets for kids in 2023
The 5 best tablets for kids in 2023
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What are the best tablets for kids and is YouTube available on Fire tablets?
A tablet is a multipurpose gadget that has quickly become an indispensable tool for many. Whether you’ve replaced your laptop with an iPad Pro or use it to sketch with a dedicated stylus, tablets are versatile devices that you can customize. Not only are tablets a staple in most classrooms, but they’re also a great education and entertainment tool for kids at home.
Also: The 7 best tablets you can buy right now
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Parents are naturally hesitant to spend hundreds of dollars on a device that their kid(s) will surely put to the test. But the good news is, you don’t have to spend a fortune to get a decent tablet. You can find a device that offers plenty of educational content along with entertainment options and parental controls. In turn, these devices make perfect kids’ gifts this holiday season.
Below, you’ll find a selection of tablets that are best for kids, starting with my top pick: Apple’s iPad.
Also: The best phones for kids
- Solid performance
- Long battery life
- App support for days
- Wide education adoption
- Expensive
- Storage limited to 64GB or 256GB
- Accessories add up, too
Tech specs: Display: 10.2-inch Retina display | Processor: A13 Bionic | Storage: 64GB or 256GB | Biometrics: Touch ID | Colors: Silver, space gray | Cameras: 8MP rear, 1080p video. 12MP FaceTime camera with Center Stage | Weight: 1.07 pounds | Dimensions: 9.8 x 6.8 x 0.29 inches | Connections: 3.5mm headphone jack, Lightning port | Battery life: 10 hours
You might be thinking, “Didn’t he just admit that parents don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars on a tablet?” And you’re right. But hear me out. From its release until now, Apple’s iPad is unmatched in the value it provides for the price. The entry-level iPad I’ve featured here is commonly on sale for around $300, down from its standard price of $329. I agree, it’s a lot of money to put in a young child’s hands, but there are plenty of rugged cases to protect your investment.
Apple’s iPad is easy to use and it has excellent performance. Plus, there are thousands of accessories and apps to enhance the experience. On top of wide industry support, you’re getting a lot of tech in exchange for the asking price. The 10.2-inch display looks clear and sharp, and the cameras can be used for FaceTime calls or augmented-reality apps to help your child learn more about their surroundings.
The iPad can be paired with a keyboard and Apple’s Pencil, further expanding its functionality. You also don’t have to buy Apple’s dedicated keyboard for the tablet — any Bluetooth keyboard will work.
Read the review: Apple iPad (2021) review
- Affordable
- Kids edition has many perks
- Easy to use
- Performance will be an issue
- Amazon’s Appstore is hit or miss
Tech specs: Display: 7-inch display | Processor: Quad-core 2.0GHz | Storage: 16GB or 32GB | Memory: 2GB | Colors: Blue, purple or red | Cameras: 2MP rear and 2MP front-facing camera | Weight: 15.1 ounces pounds | Dimensions: 6.4 x 7.9 x 1.1 inches | Connections: 3.5mm headphone jack, USB-C port | Battery life: 10 hours
Amazon just refreshed the Fire 7 tablet with a faster processor, USB-C port, and longer battery life. The price of the base Fire 7 tablet went up from $49.99 to $59.99 in the process, but it’s still a budget tablet that’s perfect for young kids to use and abuse.
If you opt for the Kids Edition that I’ve highlighted here, the price goes up to $109, but you get a two-year worry-free guarantee. If something happens to the tablet — your toddler throws it off the couch and the screen cracks, for example — Amazon will replace it, no questions asked. On top of the replacement plan, you’ll get a protective case and a year subscription to Amazon Kids+, which provides parental controls and access to age-appropriate apps, games, books, and videos.
The Fire 7 isn’t the fastest tablet. It’s actually pretty slow at times. But it’s more than capable of doing exactly what it’s designed to do: Provide a basic and inexpensive tablet experience for all ages. The refreshed Fire 7 tablet is available to order right now as a stand-alone tablet, or as part of the Kids Edition bundle.
- Larger display
- Long Battery life
- Great price point
- Performance is good, not great
- Amazon’s Appstore is slightly limited
Tech specs: Display: 10.1-inch display | Processor: Octa-core 2.0GHz | Storage: 32GB or 64GB | Memory: 3GB | Colors: Black, denim, lavendar, olive | Cameras: 5MP rear and 2MP front-facing camera | Weight: 16.4 ounces | Dimensions: 9.73 x 6.53 x 0.36 inches | Connections: 3.5mm headphone jack, USB-C port | Battery life: 12 hours
The Fire HD 10 is another Amazon tablet that combines affordability with versatility. With the 10.1-inch display, you’ll get a larger screen without adding much to the overall cost. The Kids Edition version of the Fire HD 10 comes with the same perks as the Fire 7 Kids Edition, including a protective case, a two-year worry-free guarantee, and a year subscription to Amazon Kids+. You can get the Fire HD 10 Kids Edition for $199, or pick up the standard Fire HD 10 for $149.
Either way, you get Amazon’s largest tablet with a 1080p display. It has a USB-C port for faster charging, and up to 12 hours of battery life. Performance isn’t on par with an iPad, but in my experience testing, it’s better than the Fire 7. If your child is older and needs more of a laptop-like experience, Amazon sells a productivity bundle that includes a Bluetooth keyboard designed specifically for Fire HD 10.
Amazon’s Appstore has a respectable list of apps available, with staples like Zoom, Microsoft 365 apps, and Facebook readily available. But you won’t find any of Google’s apps listed due to Fire OS, the operating system all Fire tablets run, not being certified by Google.
Read the review: Fire HD 10 review
- Full Android support
- MicroSD card support
- Under $200
- Performance
- Battery life
- Display is just okay
Tech specs: Display: 8.7-inch display | Processor: MediaTek MT8768T | Storage: 32GB | Colors: Gray | Cameras: 8MP rear, 1080p video. 2MP front | Weight: 13 ounces | Dimensions: 8.37 x 4.91 x 0.31 inches | Connections: 3.5mm headphone jack, USB-C | Battery life: 10 hours
If you’d rather have a true Android tablet with full Google support, then look no further than the Galaxy Tab A7 Lite. Samsung’s low-end tablet has an 8.7-inch display, 32GB of storage, and runs Android 11 out of the box. That means you or your kids will have access to the Play Store, which includes access to YouTube or YouTube Kids.
The Tab A7 Lite, like the Fire tablets, isn’t going to impress you with performance, but it’s more than capable of streaming shows, playing child-friendly games, or being used as an e-reader. You can also expand the 32GB of storage via microSD card, which is a nice feature that keeps the overall cost low.
- Long battery life
- Full Android
- Great display
- Keyboard not included
- Performance
- Cameras
Tech specs: Display: 11-inch display | Processor: MediaTek Helio G90T | Storage: 64GB or 128GB | Memory: 4GB or 6GB | Colors: Slate grey | Cameras: 8MP front and 13MP rear | Weight: 1.1lbs | Dimensions: 10.2 by 6.4 by 0.3 inches | Connections: USB-C, microSD | Battery: Up to 15 hours
Lenovo’s Tab P11 Plus is an attractive tablet that’s not overly expensive. The 11-inch 2K display looks fantastic, and the battery life will keep your child entertained for hours. The battery life is actually my favorite quality of this tablet. Lenovo touts up to 15 hours of video streaming, and my tests have confirmed that its accurate. Plus, it runs Android 11 out of the box.
One downside to the Tab P11 Plus: It lacks a headphone jack, so if you want to keep your child’s cartoons or games quiet, you’ll have to invest in some kid-friendly Bluetooth headphones.
Read the review: Lenovo Tab P11 Plus review
What is the best tablet for kids?
Apple’s base iPad is the best tablet for kids that money can buy. It offers the complete package of performance, battery life, app availability and widespread accessory support. However, if prefer Android OS or a better price point, there are plenty of solid alternatives on the market.
|
Kids tablet |
Price |
Display size |
Battery life |
|
Apple iPad |
$280 |
10.2-inch |
10 hours |
|
Amazon Fire 7 Kids Edition |
$60 |
7-inch |
10 hours |
|
Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Edition |
$150 |
10.1-inch |
12 hours |
|
Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite |
$80 |
8.7-inch |
10 hours |
|
Lenovo Tab P11 Plus |
$195 |
11-inch |
15 hours |
Which is the right tablet for your kid?
Picking the right kids tablet comes down to a couple of questions you need to ask yourself. First and foremost, you need to have a set budget in mind. Once you decide the dollar amount you’re willing to spend, then you can begin to narrow down your options. Then, decide if you want a tablet made by a specific company.
|
Choose this kids tablet… |
If you want… |
|
Apple iPad |
The best all-around tablet your kid can grow up with |
|
Amazon Fire 7 |
A best budget tablet |
|
Amazon Fire HD 10 |
An affordable tablet with a large display |
|
Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite |
An Android tablet with access to the Play Store |
|
Lenovo Tab P11 Plus |
A tablet with long battery life |
How did we choose these tablets for kids?
I’ve used an iPad as a laptop replacement since the original iPad was released. Because I’ve constantly had a tablet on hand, my kids naturally grew up using the same devices I did. Over the years, I’ve been fortunate enough to test every tablet on this list (plus others that didn’t make the cut).
I chose these five picks based on my personal experience testing and, more importantly, watching my own kids test these tablets. I’ve reviewed all of these tablets and read more reviews about these tablets than I want to admit.
I chose devices that are affordable, or in the case of the iPad, has a tradeoff that makes the higher price tag worth the cost.
Should I pay for insurance for my kids’ tablet?
It’s not a bad idea to get a protection plan for any of your gadgets — especially when it comes to a tablet you’re handing to a young child. If you opt for one of Amazon’s Kids Edition tablets, it comes with a two-year protection plan included in the price with no deductible to replace a broken device.
Meanwhile, Apple Care and Asurion also offer protection plans for the iPad or tablets from competing manufacturers, respectively.
How do I video call on an Amazon Fire tablet?
There is a front-facing camera on all Fire tablets, allowing you to video call using the Zoom app that’s available in the Amazon Appstore, free of charge.
Alternatively, you can also use the Alexa app to video call other Fire tablets or Echo Show devices.
Can my kids use YouTube on Amazon’s Fire tablets?
Not officially. Amazon customizes the base version of Android and turns it into Fire OS, forgoing any sort of Google certification in order to make Google’s apps available on the tablets.
You won’t find the official YouTube app available in the Appstore, but you can use Amazon’s Silk browser to access the YouTube website to gain access to the video platform.
Are there alternative tablets for kids worth considering?
Absolutely. While I’ve presented my five top choices, there are countless other tablets available that can be a good fit for your budget and child. For example, Apple’s iPad Mini is smaller than the standard iPad and easier for a young child to hold and manage. However, it’s a lot more expensive. The Surface Go 3 and the Lenovo Chromebook Duet are both solid options as well, with full operating systems in the form of Windows 11 or Chrome OS, respectively, making them more geared towards older kids who are familiar with using a computer.
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