If you’re in the market for a tablet, it’s worth considering a few options beyond the popular models from Apple and Samsung. One of those is, of course, Amazon, which has emerged as a major player at the cheaper end of the tablet market. Amazon offers a pretty diverse range of tablets under the Fire branded lineup, so we’ve rated the best Fire tablets to make your decision easier.
As they all derive from Camp Bezos, Amazon Fire tablets come with a certain seal of approval that other retailers may not provide. Much like the Echo, Fire tablets are reliable, offer good value for money and are packed with features. However, there are also a few major differences between each model to consider before taking the plunge on one.
Check out our roundup of the best Amazon Fire tablets below.
Why you can trust Stuff: Our team of experts rigorously test each product and provide honest, unbiased reviews to help you make informed decisions. For more details, read how we test and rate products.
Quick list: what’s the best Fire tablet?
The best Fire tablets you can buy today:
Amazon tablet
1. Fire HD 10
|Fire HD 10 specs|
|---|---|
|Screen|10.1in touchscreen 1080p full HD, 1920 x 1200|
|CPU|Octa-core 2.0 GHz|
|Memory|3 GB|
|Cameras|5 MP with 1080p HD video recording (front and back)|
|Storage|32 or 64 GB (expandable up to 1 TB)|
|Battery|Up to 13 hours|
|Dimensions|246 x 164.8 x 8.6 mm, 433.6g|
The Amazon Fire HD 10 is a budget-friendly tablet offering surprising value for its price. It provides a full HD 10.1-inch screen, decent performance, and long battery life. While it won’t outshine more premium models from Apple or Samsung, it certainly holds its own for casual use. The sharp display and punchy speakers make it great for media consumption, though its brightness could be better outdoors.
Alexa integration is fantastic, allowing voice commands even when the screen is off, making it a mini Echo Show with a screen. However, button placement could be better, as we occasionally found ourselves turning off the screen by accident.
Ultimately, the Fire HD 10 is a strong contender in the budget tablet market. Its affordable price, combined with the ability to sidestep some of its limitations, makes it a solid choice for casual users. It’s not perfect out of the box, but with a bit of tweaking, it offers unbeatable bang for your buck.
Amazon tablet
2. Fire Max 11
|Fire Max 11 specs|
|---|---|
|Screen|11in touchscreen 2000×1200 with 213 PPI|
|CPU|Octa-core processor: 2 x up to 2.2 Ghz and 6 x up to 2 Ghz|
|Memory|4 GB|
|Cameras|8 MP with 1080p HD video recording (front and back)|
|Storage|64 or 128 GB (expandable by up to 1 TB)|
|Battery|Up to 14 hours|
|Dimensions|259.1 x 163.7 x 7.5 mm, 490 g|
The Amazon Fire Max 11 is Amazon’s largest and most powerful tablet yet, boasting an 11-inch 2000 x 1200 display, a 2.2GHz octa-core processor, and 4GB of RAM. According to Amazon, it’s 50% faster than its predecessors, making it a solid choice for both entertainment and productivity. It also supports a full-size keyboard and stylus, offering a more versatile, laptop-like experience for those looking to do more than just stream content.
We appreciate that Amazon designed the Fire Max 11 to be more productive, with its optional keyboard featuring customizable shortcut keys and the stylus integrating well with Microsoft 365. This makes it a practical option for work and note-taking. The durability claim is impressive too – Amazon says the screen is three times stronger than the iPad’s, which certainly adds peace of mind.
In our opinion, this tablet is Amazon’s answer to the iPad, especially with its aluminium build, fingerprint sensor, and added productivity features.
Amazon tablet
3. Fire HD 8 Plus
|Fire HD 8 Plus specs|
|---|---|
|Screen|8in touchscreen 1280×800, 189 ppi|
|CPU|Hexa-core 2.0 GHz|
|Memory|3 GB|
|Cameras|Front 2 MP with 720p HD video recordingRear 5 MP with 1080p HD video recording|
|Storage|32 GB or 64 GB (expandable up to 1 TB)|
|Battery|Up to 13 hours|
|Dimensions|201.90 x 137.34 x 9.60 mm, 342 g|
The Fire HD 8 Plus might look identical to the standard Fire HD 8, but it packs a few extra features beneath the screen. Along with the same 8-inch display and battery life, the Fire HD 8 Plus comes with a hex-core processor, 3GB of RAM, and a 5MP rear camera. These improvements, especially the wireless charging support, make it stand out.
While the display size and up to 13-hour battery life remain the same, the Fire HD 8 Plus excels with its faster processing power, making it better suited for tasks like gaming and light video editing. It also features improved cameras, with a 2MP front-facing shooter capable of 720p HD video recording and a 5MP rear-facing camera supporting 1080p HD video.
For just £20 ($20) more than the regular model, the Fire HD 8 Plus offers a noticeable upgrade in performance. With wireless charging and a few extra bells and whistles, it’s a strong contender for those looking for a budget-friendly tablet that can handle more than just the basics. Whether for entertainment or productivity, the Fire HD 8 Plus gives you more bang for your buck.
Amazon tablet
4. Fire 7
|Fire 7 specs|
|---|---|
|Screen|7in touchscreen 1024 x 600, 171 ppi|
|CPU|Quad-core 2.0 GHz|
|Memory|2 GB|
|Cameras|Front 2 MP with 720p HD video recordingRear 2 MP with 720p HD video recording|
|Storage|16 GB or 32 GB (expandable up to 512 GB)|
|Battery|Up to 10 hours|
|Dimensions|180.68 x 117.59 x 9.67 mm, 282 g|
The Fire 7 is Amazon’s most affordable tablet, and it offers a 7-inch 1280×800 pixel display, a 1.3 GHz quad-core processor, and 2GB of RAM. Available in 16GB or 32GB storage, though non-expandable, the Fire 7 features 2MP front and rear cameras, both supporting 720p HD video recording. With up to 10 hours of battery life, it’s a great option for basic tasks like streaming, reading, and light work.
The major update in the 2022 version is the addition of USB-C charging, which makes charging more convenient, along with a 30% faster processor than the previous model. Priced around £60, the Fire 7 is positioned as a solid, budget-friendly alternative to pricier tablets like the iPad Mini, even boasting a claim of being twice as durable.
Though its specs aren’t groundbreaking, we find the Fire 7 a reliable device for everyday use—perfect for new users or those wanting something simple to throw in a bag. For kids, the Fire 7 Kids version comes with a protective case, a kickstand, and a year of Amazon Kids+, offering child-friendly content and a two-year worry-free guarantee.
It’s a no-frills tablet, but for the price, it’s hard to beat for casual use.
Fire tablets for kids
A major plus for Amazon Fire tablets is the option to buy kid-friendly versions. Basically, they’re the same as the regular versions but come with kid-approved construction, better warranties, and Amazon Kids+.
By subscribing to Amazon Kids+, you can restrict access to age-appropriate entertainment, and focus on educational content for your kids. You can also set parental controls to monitor their activities.
One thing to note about Amazon’s kids’ tablets: they’re a little bit more expensive than the similarly sized regular models, thanks to the extra perks and kid-proof protection.
Amazon tablet
5. Fire HD 8 Kids Pro
|Fire HD 8 Kids Pro specs|
|---|---|
|Screen|8in touchscreen 1280 x 800, 189 ppi|
|CPU|Hexa-core 2.0 GHz|
|Memory|3 GB|
|Cameras|Front 2 MP with 720p HD video recordingRear 2 MP with 720p HD video recording|
|Storage|32 or 64 GB (expandable by up to 1 TB)|
|Battery|Up to 13 hours|
|Dimensions|212 x 162 x 17 mm, 509 g|
The Fire HD 8 Kids Pro is designed for children aged 6 to 12 and is available in a range of colour combinations such as cyber blue, hello teal, and rainbow universe. The older children are also provided with a kid-friendly case, which is slimmer than those on other models. The package also includes an extended warranty and an Amazon Kids+ subscription.
An 8in HD display, 2 GB RAM and 32 GB or 64 GB, up to 1 TB when expanded, should be more than enough to power Nickelodeon for an afternoon. It comes with an enhanced hexa-core processor, 30% faster than the previous generation, 2 GB RAM, a bright 8in HD display and immersive Dolby Atmos, perfect for blasting Baby Shark in full glory…sorry about that.
Amazon tablet
6. Fire 7 Kids
|Fire 7 Kids specs|
|---|---|
|Screen|7in touchscreen 1024 x 600, 171 ppi|
|CPU|Quad-core 2.0 GHz|
|Memory|2 GB|
|Cameras|Front 2 MP with 720p HD video recordingRear 2 MP with 720p HD video recording|
|Storage|16 or 32 GB (expandable by up to 1 TB)|
|Battery|Up to 10 hours|
|Dimensions|162 x 201 x 28 mm, 429 g|
The latest go-to for parents who want to plonk their kid in front of Peppa Pig for the afternoon, the Fire 7 Kids comes in vibrant blue, red, and purple colours. Ideally suited for kids between the ages of 3 and 7, the tablet comes with a HD Ready screen, and 16GB built-in storage with more storage available with a microSD card.
In addition to receiving one year of Amazon Kids+ content, the tablet comes with a kid-proof case with a built-in stand and a two-year warranty.
Amazon tablet
7. Fire HD 10 Kids Pro
|Fire HD 10 Kids Pro specs|
|---|---|
|Screen|10.1in touchscreen 1080p Full HD, 1920 x 1200, 224 ppi|
|CPU|Octa-core 2.0 GHz|
|Memory|3 GB|
|Cameras|Front 5 MP with 720p HD video recordingRear 5 MP with 720p HD video recording|
|Storage|32 GB (expandable by up to 1 TB)|
|Battery|Up to 13 hours|
|Dimensions|256 x 189.3 x 16.3 mm, 658.1g|
The Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Edition is an excellent child-focused tablet, offering great value for money. Its standout features include a sturdy, kid-proof case with a new kickstand, perfect for propping it up for video watching. The device has seen some welcome upgrades, like a faster processor and improved battery life, making it ideal for long-term use. USB-C charging is another useful addition, ensuring quicker recharges and compatibility with other devices.
We love how robust and well-suited this tablet is for younger kids. It’s designed to handle accidental drops, and the kid-friendly software is a massive plus. With a one-year subscription to Amazon’s Fire for Kids service, it provides safe access to a variety of age-appropriate content. From games to videos and books, there’s plenty for young children to explore, though it might feel lacking for older kids as they approach their teens.
Despite some shortcomings, like underwhelming cameras and a screen that could be sharper, this tablet excels where it counts. Its durable build, solid performance, and child-centric features make it a great investment for parents. If peace of mind and peace and quiet are what you’re after, this tablet delivers both in spades.
Everything you need to know about Amazon’s Fire tablets
Amazon tablets run on Fire OS, a modified version of Android. And, perhaps most crucially, they’re affordable, with choices catering to both adults and children.
The Fire tablet was initially released in 2011, and Amazon has made significant updates to its product line over the years. As of now, consumers can choose from 7in, 8in, 10in, and 11in tablets with varying storage capacities.
By using the built-in Amazon Appstore, Fire users can buy and search through a vast library of apps, games, books, movies, and TV shows. Additionally, there is a specialist Kids’ Corner mode that restricts the tablet to child-appropriate content.
The current non-kiddy lineup of everyday Fire tablets includes six different models, all released between 2021 and 2023. For the small ones, there are currently four to choose from. These range in price from $60/£65 to $230/£250, which makes them much less expensive than other tablets on the market. Take Apple’s least expensive tablet, the 9th generation iPad, which starts at $329/£369.
What to consider when buying the best Fire tablets
When buying a Fire tablet, there are several important factors to consider, especially since Amazon’s lineup includes models designed for different needs and budgets.
The first thing to think about is how you plan to use the tablet. If you need something for reading, watching videos, or browsing, an entry-level option like the Fire 7 or Fire HD 8 might be enough. However, if you plan to use it for multitasking, gaming, or even some light productivity tasks, investing in a more powerful model like the Fire HD 10 or Fire Max 11 will provide a smoother experience thanks to faster processors and more RAM.
Storage is another key consideration. Most Fire tablets offer 16GB to 64GB of internal storage, which might seem small by today’s standards. Thankfully, many Fire tablets support expandable storage via microSD cards, so you can easily add more space for apps, videos, and other media. But if you plan to download a lot of content, starting with a larger internal storage model might save you the hassle.
Finally, consider whether you need a device for kids. Amazon’s Kids editions come with robust parental controls, durable cases, and a one-year subscription to Amazon Kids+. If you’re buying a Fire tablet for a younger audience, these models are worth the extra cost.