The Best 8-Inch Tablets For Every Budget

The Best 8-inch Tablet easily fits into a backpack and is more portable compared to a 10-inch tablet. It is lighter and compact with thin bezels on its modern and sleek body. 8 inch tablets feature powerful processors and RAM plus easy connectivity that ensures they can be used for multiple tasks.

You can use these small tablets for video conferencing, browsing, note-taking, or reading. We have compared different tablet brands depending on their operating platforms that is Android OS, iPads, and FireOS tablets all with an 8-inch screen.

Top Picks for Every Budget

1. Samsung Galaxy Tab Active 3: Best Overall
2. Apple iPad Mini: Best 8-inch Tablets for Artists and Designers
3. Lenovo Tab M9-2023: Best Value
4. Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite 8.7: 8-inch Android Tablet
5. Lenovo Tab M8 Tablet: The Best Budget 8-Inch Tablet
6. Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus tablet: Best for Reading
7. ASUS PixelMaster: Best for Basic Games
8. Lenovo M8: Best for Watching Videos

Samsung Galaxy Tab Active 3: Bes Overall

1. Screen size: 8 inches
2. Resolution: 1900×1200 pixels
3. OS: Android 10, upgradable to Android 12, One UI 4.1
4. Processor: Exynos 9810
5. Storage: 64 or 128 GB, expandable to 1 TB
6. RAM: 4 GB
7. Compatible with S-Pen
8. Battery Life: 11 Hours

Samsung Galaxy Tab Active 3 is the top pick for Android 8-inch tablets. It has one of the best screen resolutions at 1900 x 1200 pixels in Full HD on the 8-inch screen size.

This tablet is sturdy and built to endure adverse conditions. It is water, dirt, and dust resistant, increasing its overall life and usage.

For file saving, you will have a choice between 64 and 128 GB of space. If both are too small for you, you have the option to upgrade to 1 TB using an external microSD card slot. Unfortunately, you will have to buy the card separately.

Samsung Galaxy Tab Active3 is compatible with S-Pen and DEX wireless modes. This will make it comfortable for you to use when drawing or writing.

Like many expensive Samsung tablets, the S-Pen will come free in the box upon purchase. Although it is bulky and a little difficult to carry around, the price range is low and generally fair.

Apple iPad Mini: Best for Creatives

1. Screen Size: 8.3 inches
2. Resolution: 2266 x 1488 Pixels
3. Storage Space: 256 GB
4. Processor: A15 Bionic chip
5. Battery Life: 10 hours

We have resisted having this iPad mini in the first position, but its specifications remain unbeaten in the world of tablets. This version was first released in 2019, and ever since its release, this Apple iPad Mini has become a darling tablet for many.

If you are an artist or designer, this is the tablet for you. It is compatible with many design applications like SketchBook, Illustrator, and Procreate.

The Apple iPad Mini 5 has an 8.3-inch Retina display with vibrant colors. The screen features 2266 x 1488 Pixels with Liquid Retina Display unique to iPads only.

When it comes to performance, you don’t expect any lags, all thanks to its A15 Bionic chip, which enables the tablet to run smoothly even with heavy apps.

This tablet is multipurpose, even if you’re creative; you can design some smooth pieces or even download your favorite series if you’re not in the work mood. Its battery life is pretty impressive, and it can serve you for 10 good hours with basic tasks.

For those looking for a tablet that can record high-quality videos, this Apple iPad Mini records decent videos at 720p. Everything about the tablet is great, just that the price lies on the upper side.

Lenovo Tab M9-2023: Best Value 8-Inch Tablet

1. Screen Size: 9 inches
2. Resolution: 1340 x 800 pixels
3. Brightness: 400 nits
4. Processor: MTK G80 Octa Core processor
5. RAM: 3 GB
6. Storage: 32 GB
7. OS: Android 12 or Later
8. Accessories: Folio Case Included
9. Battery Life: 13 hours
10. Front Camera: 2 MP
11. Rear Camera: 8 MP

If you are looking for the best value for your money, we recommend the Lenovo Tab M9-2023. It is slightly larger, at 9 inches, instead of 8 like the others.

However, the resolution and overall screen display quality are no better than the rest, with a 1340 x 800-pixel resolution. The quality is good enough but could be better.

The best thing about the screen is the high brightness levels, at 400 nits. It allows you to easily stream in high-light conditions without issues.

Processing power will allow you to run basic programs and games but will lag when using complex applications. This is because of its MediaTek Helio G80 octa-core processor and 3 to 4 GB of RAM options.

If you like saving files on your tablet, you will only have 32 GB or 128 GB options, which are both low. The Lenovo Tab M9-2023 is not a premium-level tablet, but for its very low price range, the features are quite good

Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite 8.7: Best 8-Inch Samsung Tablet

1. Screen size: 8.7 inches
2. Resolution: 1340 x 800 pixels
3. OS: Android 11
4. Processor: 8-core MediaTek
5. Storage: 32 GB expandable to 1 TB, 2x as much as the previous model
6. RAM: 2 to 4 GB
7. No S-Pen
8. Battery Life: 10 Hours

The Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite 8.7 has the largest screen compared to other tablets in this review. However, its low 1340 x 800 pixels resolution will highly reduce its screen clarity.

You will have two times better storage space upgradability compared to older versions at 1 TB using an external MicroSD card. On purchase, however, you will only have 32 GB.

Despite the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite 8.7 not being compatible with the S-Pen, this remains a lightweight and affordable tablet that is easy to carry.

Lenovo Tab M8 Tablet: Best 8-Inch Tablet on a budget

1. Screen size: 8 inches
2. Resolution: 1280 x 800 pixels
3. OS: Android 9 Pie
4. Processor: Quad-Core, 2.0 GHz processor
5. Storage: 16 GB
6. RAM: 2 to 3 GB
7. Battery Life: 8 Hours

The Lenovo Tab M8 Tablet is the first non-Samsung tablet on this list. The Lenovo brand has consistently produced high-quality smartphones and computers.

This tablet’s quality is no different. For a very affordable price, you will get a large 8-inch screen with a 1280 x 800 pixel resolution.

The sleek and slim look with thin bezels makes the screen seem larger than it is. Many users like its modern and futuristic look on a black body.

If you like streaming music and videos on your tablet, you will have a set of reliable speakers on the front of the tablet.

You will have a long battery life, a decent processor, and 2 or 3 GB of RAM. Unfortunately, 16 GB of storage is quite low. Additionally, the Android 9 Pie operating system is old and rigid.

Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus tablet

1. Screen size: 8 inches
2. Resolution: 1280 x 800 pixels
3. OS: Fire OS
4. Processor: 2.0 GHz quad-core processor
5. Storage: 16 or 32 GB (1 TB) of expandable storage.
6. RAM: 3 GB
7. Battery Life: 12 Hours
8. Weight: 355 g
9. 2 MP front- and rear-facing

If you like using Amazon products like Amazon Prime and Alexa, we recommend the Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus tablet. 

You might have problems with Google Play applications, but you will navigate across Amazon products with ease.

This is because the Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus tablet is a product of Amazon. Long battery life, fast charging, and expandable storage of up to 1 TB set it apart as a reliable tablet for both students and professionals.

Unfortunately, the camera is not the best at 2 MP front and rear. But in its defense, most tablets also feature very poor cameras.

ASUS PixelMaster: Best Tablet for Basic Gaming

1. Screen size: 8 inches
2. Resolution: 1280 x 800 pixels
3. OS: Android 6.0 Marshmallow
4. Processor: MTK8163 Quad-Core 1.3GHz Processor
5. Storage: 16 GB, 128 GB of expandable storage.
6. RAM: 2 GB
7. Battery Life: 12 Hours

The ASUS PixelMaster Android tablet features a slightly better camera but is still poor. The front camera is the same as the Fire HD 8 Plus at 2 MP, while the rear camera is better at 5 MP.

This tablet has a cool modern dark gray look with thin bezels around its 8-inch screen size. Like most tablets here, it has a 1200 x 800-pixel resolution. It is ideal for streaming movies and basic gaming.

Its MTK8163 Quad-Core 1.3GHz Processor will easily run basic mobile games like PUBG Mobile or Roblox without issues. Unfortunately, ASUS PixelMaster is not the most powerful tablet with 2 GB of RAM and a weak MTK8163 quad-core 1.3GHz processor. This means complex games can not be played on this tablet.

Additionally, the Android 6.0 Marshmallow operating system is old and not upgradable to modern versions.

Lenovo M8: Best for Watching Videos

1. Screen Size: 8″
2. Resolution: 1280×800 Pixels
3. Brightness: 350 nits Glossy
4. Touch Screen
5. Processor: MediaTek Helio P22T
6. 3 GB RAM
7. Storage: 32GB eMMC
8. Connectivity: Bluetooth, WiFi, Android 11, Iron Grey, EAT Cloth
9. Battery Life: 15 Hours

If you want to purchase a tablet on a budget, then this Lenovo M8 might be what you want. One thing you need to know, though, is that this M8 might not be good for any major tasks but can be a great tablet if you want to gift your child. 

The kids might watch videos using the M8 and other light tasks, but you cannot throw any demanding tasks at it. Because of its price, you’d expect people to demand something better, but it does have some useful features. 

First, the tablet is lightweight, has a good battery life, and has a metal cover for durability. The 16 GB memory is a letdown, but at least your kids can play and save some of their favorite games. 

Amazon Fire HD 8: Best 8-Inch Tablet For Kids

Everyone deserves a portable tablet on the go, which is what the Amazon Fire HD 8 is meant for. This tablet is a perfect choice if you want a tablet for your child. Amazon improved the performance of this tablet, setting it apart from its previous version, which lacked performance.

The only thing Amazon compromised with is the resolution because, with this Fire HD 8, we get 1280 by 800, while the previous version racked 1920 by 1200 pixels. We realized that while reading smaller texts on this tablet, the sharpness was a bit low too.

Now let’s get to the better part. Starting with the battery life, you get 13 hours after a full charge, enough to entertain your kid the whole day (although you would want to limit screen time for kids).

Featuring the MediaTek MT8168 chip, the performance of this tablet is decent enough to handle light tasks without any lag. The tablet has 32GB or 64GB of memory and can be expanded to 1 TB.

Conclusion

Generally, when choosing a small tablet, portability is a key consideration. You need to consider the tablet’s size, weight, and battery life. 

Other important factors include processing power, display resolution, storage space, and whether it is expandable using an external MicroSD card.

First, the tablet is lightweight, has a good battery life, and has a metal cover for durability. The 16GB of memory is a letdown, but at least your kids can play and save some of their favorite games.

Choosing the Right 8-Inch Tablet

1. Display
2. Performance
3. Speakers
4. Operating System

Display

The display is one of the most important aspects. Because you already have the size in mind, you want to choose a tablet with a high resolution and good color accuracy. We advise that you go for a resolution of at least 1280 by 800 pixels and higher.

Performance

If you purchase a tablet to handle heavy tasks, you might want to go for a tablet with 3 GB of RAM or higher and a processor with 4 or more cores.

Speakers

If all you want to do is work and have great entertainment sessions afterward with some great music, then you will need to consider the sound quality of the speakers. A tablet with front-facing speakers renders quality sound better.

Storage

How could we almost forget storage? You want to ensure you get a tablet with sufficient storage capacity for your apps, documents, and media files.

The more files you want to store, the greater large storage capacity. Some tablets come with 32GB, and some go up to 256 GB. The tablet should have an SD card slot to add an external storage card.

Operating System

Tablets run on different operating systems. On the tablets mentioned above, you’ll find that they run on various popular OSs. While all might be good, most can’t contend with iOS, so Apple tablets are rated high-end in performance. While we might not all be iOS fans, there are some great Android tablets from brands like Samsung.

iOS vs. Android vs. Windows

Frequently Asked Questions