Electronics 8 min read

Best Budget Tablets Under $200: iPad Alternatives That Deliver

By Mike Chen • January 14, 2025

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products we believe will add value to our readers.

You don't need to spend $500+ on an iPad to get a great tablet experience. After testing 15 budget tablets, we found excellent alternatives under $200 that handle streaming, reading, and light productivity perfectly.

🏆 Top Pick: Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite

Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite - 8.7" Screen

Price: $159 at Walmart (Regular: $199)

Why It's Great:

Compact 8.7" screen perfect for reading
All-day battery life (12+ hours)
Expandable storage up to 1TB
Kids mode with parental controls
Access to Google Play Store

→ Check Current Price at Walmart

💰 Best Value: Amazon Fire HD 10

Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023 Release)

Price: $139.99 (often on sale for $89.99)

Perfect For: Media consumption, reading, casual gaming

10.1" Full HD display
12-hour battery life
Alexa hands-free
Great for Prime Video/Netflix

→ View on Amazon

🎮 Best for Kids: Lenovo Tab M8

Lenovo Tab M8 (4th Gen)

Price: $119 at Best Buy

Features:

Kid-friendly design with protective case
Google Kids Space built-in
8" HD display
Good for educational apps

→ Available at Best Buy and Walmart

📊 Quick Comparison Table

Tablet	Price	Screen	Battery	Best For
Samsung Tab A7 Lite	$159	8.7"	12 hrs	Overall use
Fire HD 10	$139	10.1"	12 hrs	Media
Lenovo Tab M8	$119	8"	10 hrs	Kids

🛒 Where to Buy

We've found the best prices at these retailers:

Walmart: Best for Samsung tablets, often has exclusive colors
Best Buy: Good for Lenovo, includes free tech support
Amazon: Best for Fire tablets, frequent sales
Target: Check for RedCard 5% discount

💡 Money-Saving Tips

Wait for sales: Black Friday, Prime Day, and Back-to-School see 30-50% off
Consider refurbished: Save 20-40% on certified refurbished models
Bundle deals: Look for tablet + case + screen protector bundles
Price match: Most retailers will match competitors' prices

🎯 Bottom Line

For most users, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite at $159 offers the best balance of features, performance, and price. It's available at Walmart with free shipping and often goes on sale for $139.

If you primarily watch videos and read, the Fire HD 10 is unbeatable value, especially during Amazon sales when it drops to $89.

🔔 Don't Miss Future Deals!

We track tablet prices daily and alert you when they hit historic lows.