In this guide, we take a look at some of the best tablets under $500, so you can find the perfect one for your needs. We have taken into account factors such as battery life, processor speed, and storage to make sure that we have included only the best tablets in this price range.
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| Feature | 
Apple iPad 10.2 (2021) |
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 |
Amazon Fire HD 10 (2021) |
Amazon Fire HD 8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display | 10.2″ Retina display | 11.0″ Super AMOLED display | 10.1″ IPS LCD display | 8.0″ IPS LCD display |
| Resolution | 2160×1620 | 2560×1600 | 1920×1200 | 1280×800 |
| Processor | A13 Bionic | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 | MediaTek Helio G90T | MediaTek MT8168 |
| RAM | 3GB | 8GB | 4GB | 2GB |
| Storage | 32GB, 128GB or 256GB | 128GB, 256GB or 512GB | 32GB, 64GB or 128GB | 16GB, 32GB or 64GB |
| Camera | 8MP rear-facing camera, 12MP front-facing camera | 13MP rear-facing camera, 12MP ultrawide front-facing camera | 8MP rear-facing camera, 5MP front-facing camera | 2MP rear-facing camera, 2MP front-facing camera |
| Battery | 8,200mAh | 8,000mAh | 7,040mAh | 3,090mAh |
| Operating system | iPadOS 15 | Android 12 | Fire OS 8 | Fire OS 7 |
Detailed Reviews: Best Tablets Under 500$
Apple iPad 10.2 (2021): Best Overall Tablet
The 2021 Apple iPad 10.2 is the top choice for those looking for a powerful tablet at an affordable price. The iPad 10.2 features a large 10.2-inch Retina display, allowing you to enjoy immersive media experiences. The tablet is powered by the A12 Bionic chip, which allows for a fast, smooth experience with no lag. The iPad 10.2 also features Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard support, allowing you to take advantage of the iPad’s capabilities for productivity. The iPad 10.2 also features long battery life, up to 10 hours of web browsing or video playback. The iPad 10.2 is the perfect tablet for those who want a powerful, feature-rich device at an affordable price.
Specifications:
- 10.2-inch Retina display
- A12 Bionic chip
- Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard support
- Up to 10 hours of battery life
The iPad 10.2 is a great choice for those looking for a powerful tablet experience. It features a large 10.2-inch Retina display, giving you a great view of movies, TV shows, and games. The iPad 10.2 is powered by the A12 Bionic chip, which allows for a smooth, lag-free experience. The iPad 10.2 also features Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard support, allowing you to take advantage of the iPad’s capabilities for productivity. The iPad 10.2 also features long battery life, up to 10 hours of web browsing or video playback.
The iPad 10.2 is the perfect tablet for those who want a powerful, feature-rich device at an affordable price. The 10.2-inch Retina display is great for watching movies, TV shows, and playing games. The A12 Bionic chip provides a smooth, lag-free experience. The iPad 10.2 also features Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard support, allowing you to take advantage of the iPad’s capabilities for productivity. The iPad 10.2 also features long battery life, up to 10 hours of web browsing or video playback.
Pros:
- Large 10.2-inch Retina display
- A12 Bionic chip for a fast, smooth experience
- Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard support
- Long battery life up to 10 hours
- Affordable price
Cons:
- No USB-C port
- Does not support 5G networks
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8: Best Android Tablet
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 is the perfect choice for those looking for an Android tablet. The Tab S8 features an 8-inch Super AMOLED display, allowing you to enjoy movies, TV shows, and games in vivid detail. The Tab S8 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 processor, which allows for a smooth, lag-free experience. The Tab S8 also features long battery life, up to 10 hours of web browsing or video playback. The Tab S8 also features an S Pen, allowing you to take advantage of the tablet’s capabilities for productivity. The Tab S8 is the perfect tablet for those who want a powerful, feature-rich device.
Specifications:
- 8-inch Super AMOLED display
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 processor
- S Pen support
- Up to 10 hours of battery life
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 is a great choice for those looking for a powerful Android tablet. It features an 8-inch Super AMOLED display, giving you a great view of movies, TV shows, and games. The Tab S8 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 processor, which allows for a smooth, lag-free experience. The Tab S8 also features an S Pen, allowing you to take advantage of the tablet’s capabilities for productivity. The Tab S8 also features long battery life, up to 10 hours of web browsing or video playback.
The Tab S8 is the perfect tablet for those who want a powerful, feature-rich device. The 8-inch Super AMOLED display is great for watching movies, TV shows, and playing games. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 processor provides a smooth, lag-free experience. The Tab S8 also features an S Pen, allowing you to take advantage of the tablet’s capabilities for productivity. The Tab S8 also features long battery life, up to 10 hours of web browsing or video playback.
Pros:
- 8-inch Super AMOLED display
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 processor
- S Pen support
- Long battery life up to 10 hours
Cons:
- No USB-C port
- No 5G support
Amazon Fire HD 10 (2021): Best for Alexa Fans
The 2021 Amazon Fire HD 10 is the perfect choice for those looking for an Alexa-enabled tablet. The Fire HD 10 features a 10.1-inch HD display, allowing you to enjoy movies, TV shows, and games in vivid detail. The Fire HD 10 is powered by the quad-core 2.0 GHz processor, which allows for a smooth, lag-free experience. The Fire HD 10 also features long battery life, up to 10 hours of web browsing or video playback. The Fire HD 10 also features Alexa built-in, allowing you to access Alexa’s capabilities right from the tablet. The Fire HD 10 is the perfect tablet for those who want a powerful, feature-rich device.
Specifications:
- 10.1-inch HD display
- Quad-core 2.0 GHz processor
- Alexa built-in
- Up to 10 hours of battery life
The Amazon Fire HD 10 is a great choice for those looking for an Alexa-enabled tablet. It features a 10.1-inch HD display, giving you a great view of movies, TV shows, and games. The Fire HD 10 is powered by the quad-core 2.0 GHz processor, which allows for a smooth, lag-free experience. The Fire HD 10 also features Alexa built-in, allowing you to access Alexa’s capabilities right from the tablet. The Fire HD 10 also features long battery life, up to 10 hours of web browsing or video playback.
The Fire HD 10 is the perfect tablet for those who want a powerful, feature-rich device. The 10.1-inch HD display is great for watching movies, TV shows, and playing games. The quad-core 2.0 GHz processor provides a smooth, lag-free experience. The Fire HD 10 also features Alexa built-in, allowing you to access Alexa’s capabilities right from the tablet. The Fire HD 10 also features long battery life, up to 10 hours of web browsing or video playback.
Pros:
- 10.1-inch HD display
- Quad-core 2.0 GHz processor
- Alexa built-in
- Long battery life up to 10 hours
Cons:
- No USB-C port
- No 5G support
Amazon Fire HD 8: Best for the Money
The Amazon Fire HD 8 is the perfect choice for those looking for an affordable tablet. The Fire HD 8 features an 8-inch HD display, allowing you to enjoy movies, TV shows, and games in vivid detail. The Fire HD 8 is powered by the quad-core 1.3 GHz processor, which allows for a smooth, lag-free experience. The Fire HD 8 also features long battery life, up to 10 hours of web browsing or video playback. The Fire HD 8 is the perfect tablet for those who want an affordable, feature-rich device.
Specifications:
- 8-inch HD display
- Quad-core 1.3 GHz processor
- Up to 10 hours of battery life
The Amazon Fire HD 8 is a great choice for those looking for an affordable tablet. It features an 8-inch HD display, giving you a great view of movies, TV shows, and games. The Fire HD 8 is powered by the quad-core 1.3 GHz processor, which allows for a smooth, lag-free experience. The Fire HD 8 also features long battery life, up to 10 hours of web browsing or video playback.
The Fire HD 8 is the perfect tablet for those who want an affordable, feature-rich device. The 8-inch HD display is great for watching movies, TV shows, and playing games. The quad-core 1.3 GHz processor provides a smooth, lag-free experience. The Fire HD 8 also features long battery life, up to 10 hours of web browsing or video playback.
Pros:
- 8-inch HD display
- Quad-core 1.3 GHz processor
- Long battery life up to 10 hours
- Affordable price
Cons:
- No USB-C port
- No 5G support
If those choices don’t satisfy you, maybe you are interested in specific laptops under 500$ like:
- Best drawing tablet under 500$
- Best Samsung tablet under 500$
- Best Android tablets under 500$
- Best 2 in 1 tablets under 500$
Tablet Buying Guide: Factors to Consider When Shopping for Tablets Under 500$
When shopping for a tablet, it can be difficult to know which features are most important. Here are some of the key factors to consider when shopping for a tablet under 500$.
Size
The size of your tablet will depend on how you plan to use it. If you plan to primarily use your tablet for web browsing and other light activities, then a smaller tablet will work fine. However, if you plan to use it for more intensive activities such as gaming or video streaming, then a larger tablet may be a better choice.
Display Quality
The display is one of the most important factors when choosing a tablet. Look for a tablet with a high-resolution display, such as 1080p or 2K, for a clear and sharp image. You should also consider the brightness and color accuracy of the display, as these can greatly affect the viewing experience.
Battery Life
Battery life is an important consideration when buying a tablet, especially if you plan to use it for long periods of time. Look for a tablet with at least 8 hours of battery life, or more if you plan to use it for extended periods of time.
Processor
The processor is the brain of your tablet, and it will largely determine how well your tablet performs. Look for a tablet with a powerful processor such as an Intel Core i3 or i5 for a smooth and responsive experience.
Storage
Storage is another important factor to consider when shopping for a tablet. Most tablets come with either 32GB or 64GB of storage, but some models offer up to 128GB. If you plan to store a lot of files or install large games, then a higher storage capacity is a must.
Connectivity
When shopping for a tablet, you should also consider the connectivity options. Look for a tablet with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for easy connectivity to other devices. You should also consider cellular connectivity if you plan to use your tablet on the go.
Final Thoughts: Choosing the Best Tablet Under 500$ for Your Needs
Finding the perfect tablet for your needs can be a daunting task. With so many options on the market, it can be hard to decide which one is right for you. To help you make the right decision, we’ve compiled a list of the top tablets under 500$. Whether you’re looking for a powerful tablet for work and play or a budget-friendly option for watching movies and TV shows, we’re confident that you’ll find the perfect tablet for your needs.