Explore a selection of affordable tablets for various needs, highlighting top choices under €500 for 2024. Featured models include the powerful Xiaomi Pad 6, Apple’s budget-friendly iPad 10, Samsung’s Galaxy Tab A9 series for multimedia, the high-performing Xiaomi Redmi Pad Pro, and the value-packed Lenovo Tab P12. Each tablet offers unique features, ensuring quality performance and versatility without straining your budget, making them ideal for students, professionals, and casual users alike.
Discover Affordable Tablets for Every Need
If you’re shopping on a budget, finding a quality tablet doesn’t have to be a challenge. We’ve tested various models and compiled a list of the top options that offer remarkable value for your money. The tablet market is experiencing a resurgence, with leading brands like Samsung, Apple, Xiaomi, and Lenovo launching new models annually to cater to diverse price points. While premium tablets can cost upwards of €1000, many mid-range and entry-level models deliver a satisfying user experience without breaking the bank. In fact, there are excellent tablets available for under €500, and even some for less than €300. Here’s our curated list of the best budget tablets for 2024.
Xiaomi Pad 6: A Strong Contender
The Xiaomi Pad 6, which debuted in 2023, is a worthy successor to the popular Pad 5. This upgraded model enhances the existing features with a superior display and more powerful processor while maintaining a familiar design. The Pad 6 is powered by the Snapdragon 870 SoC, a chip that was once targeted at high-end devices and continues to offer impressive performance today, rivaling more recent mid-range processors. It handles tasks with ease, including running 3D games smoothly.
Available with either 6GB or 8GB of RAM and 128GB or 256GB of storage, the Pad 6 does lack a microSD card slot. However, its 8840 mAh battery ensures excellent battery life. The 11-inch screen, while not OLED, provides good display quality, and its refresh rate of up to 144 Hz is exceptional. The resolution has been upgraded to 2880 x 1800 pixels, enhancing the viewing experience.
Though photography might not be the primary focus for a tablet, the Pad 6 features a 13-megapixel rear camera and an 8-megapixel front camera, delivering decent photos. Priced at €399 for the 6GB/128GB version and €499 for the 8GB/256GB model, the Pad 6 is also compatible with the second-generation Smart Pen, available separately for €99. Its value for money is truly impressive.
iPad 10: Apple’s Budget-Friendly Option
The 10th generation iPad stands as Apple’s most affordable tablet, with a base price of €439, although promotional deals can drop it below €400. It boasts a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display with a resolution of 2360 x 1640 pixels, featuring True Tone technology that automatically adjusts brightness and colors based on your surroundings.
Powered by the Apple A14 chip, the iPad 10 delivers reliable performance, effortlessly running all types of applications. It supports both the USB-C Apple Pencil and the first-generation Apple Pencil for those interested in drawing or taking notes. Available in both WiFi and WiFi + 4G versions, users can choose between 64GB and 256GB of storage. The tablet also comes with a 12MP wide rear camera and a 12MP ultra-wide front camera, suitable for photography and video calls.
With a battery life of up to 10 hours, the iPad 10 can easily last through a full day of use, making it a practical choice for students and professionals alike.
Galaxy Tab A9 and A9+: Budget-Friendly Multimedia Tablets
The Galaxy Tab A9 series includes the A9 and A9+, priced below €200 and €300 respectively. Samsung has made some compromises to achieve these price points, but the build quality remains solid. These tablets are perfect for multimedia entertainment, web browsing, and light gaming.
While both models share a similar design, they differ in specifications. The Tab A9 features a 7.8-inch display, whereas the A9+ has an 11-inch screen with a refresh rate of 90 Hz, compared to 60 Hz for the base model. The A9 is powered by a Mediatek Helio G99 (4G), while the A9+ utilizes a Snapdragon 695 5G chip. Users can choose between 64GB and 128GB of storage options.
The A9+ also boasts four Dolby Atmos-compatible speakers, providing an immersive audio experience. If you own other Samsung devices, you’ll appreciate the seamless connectivity within the Samsung ecosystem, allowing easy file sharing across devices.
Xiaomi Redmi Pad Pro: Performance Meets Affordability
The Xiaomi Redmi Pad Pro, launched in April 2024, is a mid-range tablet that impresses with its performance and design. Featuring a sleek aluminum casing, this pro version stands out in the market. Priced around €300, it offers a 12.1-inch display with a remarkable refresh rate of 120 Hz and HDR brightness reaching up to 600 nits, making it a great choice for media consumption. It also supports Dolby Vision and Atmos for enhanced viewing.
Under the hood, it is powered by a Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 SoC and comes with 6GB of RAM, making it one of the best-performing tablets under €300. The Redmi Pad Pro also excels in video calls with an 8MP ultra-wide front camera, ensuring everyone is in frame.
With a robust 10,000 mAh battery and running on Android with Xiaomi’s new HyperOS interface, this tablet is designed for both productivity and entertainment.
Lenovo Tab P12: Enhanced Features for Great Value
The Lenovo Tab P12 is known for its impressive value, showcasing significant upgrades over the previous Tab P11 model. While its design remains largely unchanged, the screen size has been expanded from 11 inches to 12.7 inches, featuring slimmer bezels for a more modern look.
Equipped with a Dimensity 7050 SoC, this tablet offers superior performance compared to its predecessor’s Snapdragon 662. With 8GB of RAM and storage options of 128GB or 256GB, plus a microSD slot for expansion, the Tab P12 delivers excellent multitasking capabilities.
WiFi 6 compatibility ensures fast internet connections, although it does not offer 4G or 5G options. The tablet features a 13MP rear camera and an 8MP front-facing camera, suitable for various photography needs. Its battery capacity of 10,200 mAh promises long-lasting usage, making it an ideal choice for both work and play.