Today’s tablets are incredibly useful, versatile devices. They are a great way to enjoy movies and music, play casual games, stay in touch with family and friends, and travel anywhere. They have larger screens than phones, making them a better way to enjoy movies and shows, and easier to type with for longer communication or composition.
In addition, they are smaller and more lightweight than a laptop, easier to take with you, easier to hold in your hand, and easier to take pictures with. They are ideal devices for children and older adults, who need a simpler interface and require less power and features than a computer.
In short, tablets fulfill a powerful role in a family’s device ecosystem, and today’s tablet computers are surprisingly affordable. In fact, you can easily get a great tablet for less than $300.
So, without much droning around, let’s get right into it!
Table: The 6 Best Tablets Under 300 Dollars
Note: If you use a small screen you may have to scroll right in order to see all the columns.
(Kyle's #1 Pick)
Samsung Galaxy Tab A8.0”Android$$
Apple iPad9.7"iOS$$$$
Fusion510''Windows$$$
Lenovo Tab 4 Plus10''Android$$$$
Huawei MediaPad M58.4"Android$$$$
ASUS ZenPad10.1"Android$$$
The 6 Best Tablets Under 300 Dollars
Now, let’s have a look at the 6 contenders for best tablet under 300 dollars in 2019, starting with my top pick from Samsung:
Best Android Tablet Under 300 Dollars: Samsung Galaxy Tab A
Samsung Galaxy Tab A is one of the best tablets under 300 dollarsThe Samsung Galaxy Tab A is an Android tablet with a lot of features to love. First and foremost, it features a 16:10 HD display that looks amazing in any light, and a long 14-hour battery life to let you enjoy your tablet for hours longer than others. The streamlined shape and light weight will also help you use your tablet in comfort and ease for long periods of time.
Furthermore, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A has 32 GB of internal memory, and an SD card slot so you can safely store up to 256 GB of your favorite photos, videos, and more. And it can take beautiful pictures with the 8MP camera with flash, digital and optical zoom, and HDR mode for exceptional photos. The front-facing camera is 5MP, for high quality and detailed images, social media posts, and video chats.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A also comes with Samsung Flow, so you can seamlessly connect your Samsung tablet and Samsung phone to share files, receive notifications, and communicate with ease. In addition, it comes with Bixby Home, a smart assistant that helps you manage your schedule, provide news and weather when you need it, and preview the day ahead. And finally, it comes with a free 3 month trial of YouTube Red, to enjoy premium content on demand and when offline, and family-friendly apps and parental control settings.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A has everything you need in a tablet, at a price lower than most phones. It’s a great device at a bargain price.
Processor1.4 GHz 8032
RAM 2 GB
Storage32 GB flash memory solid state
Display8 inches, 1280 x 800
Camera8 MP with HDR mode in rear, 5 MP in front
Operating SystemAndroid 7.1
Weight12.6 ounces
Battery LifeUp to 14 hours
best laptops under 600
" data-orig-size="343,120" sizes="(max-width: 343px) 100vw, 343px" aperture="aperture" />Best Apple Tablet Under 300 Dollars: Apple iPad
The Apple iPad is, for many people, the definitive tablet computer. It comes in space grey, silver, and rose gold, and the big 9.7-inch retina display has beautiful, clear, brilliant images, whether watching your favorite videos, FaceTiming with friends and family, or taking photographs. The rear camera is 8MP with HD video capability at 1080p, and the front camera is 1.2 MP for FaceTime in HD. The iPad weighs just over 1 pound, for easy use and portability anywhere.
Furthermore, the iPad has up to 10 hours of battery life, and high speed 802.11ac Wi-Fi and 4.2 Bluetooth for fast, stable, wireless connections. It also has stereo speakers for great sound when enjoying your music and media, and a Touch ID fingerprint sensor to protect your privacy and your device.
It’s also compatible with the Apple Pencil, for use in a variety of pencil-enabled apps. And the iOS is famous for being beautiful, stable, and easy to use, making these tablets friendly for all family members, young and old.
The Apple iPad gives you the ease of use, huge range of high-quality apps, and gorgeous display and images that Apple is famous for. It’s a beautiful tablet, and many people find it their favorite.
ProcessorA10 Fusion chip
RAM 2 GB
Storage32 GB
Display9.7 inch Retina display
Camera8 MP with HDR and 1080p video in rear, 1.2 MP with HDR in front
Operating SystemiOS
Weight1.03 pounds
Battery LifeUp to 10 hours
best laptops under 600
" data-orig-size="343,120" sizes="(max-width: 343px) 100vw, 343px" aperture="aperture" />Best Windows Tablet Under 300 Dollars: Fusion5
The Fusion5 Windows tablet has a big 10-inch display for greater enjoyment of your video, streaming, and even casual games. It’s ultra-slim, but has an Intel Quad Core processor and a full-size USB port for more power, speed, and versatility than you expect from a tablet computer.
Furthermore, it comes with 2 GB of RAM and 32 GB of storage space, and runs the popular Windows 10 operating system. And fast Wi-Fi speeds and Bluetooth 4.0 allow you to have rapid streaming, stable wireless connections, and cordless convenience. It also has dual 2 MP cameras for high quality pictures and video chats.
The Fusion5 Windows tablet doesn’t have a great battery life, and some people feel that the Windows app store could be improved, but this is a fantastic tablet for people who are used to the Windows operating system and want maximum compatibility with their other devices. It’s slim, lightweight, and affordable, with a big display, making it an excellent choice for a Windows tablet.
ProcessorIntel Atom Processor Z3735F
RAM 2 GB
Storage32 GB
Display10 inch 1280×800
Camera2 MP dual camera
Operating SystemWindows 10
Weight1.5 pounds
Battery Life5 hours
best laptops under 600
" data-orig-size="343,120" sizes="(max-width: 343px) 100vw, 343px" aperture="aperture" />Best Tablets Under 300 Dollars: Runners-up
Lenovo Tab 4 Plus
The Lenovo Tab 4 Plus has a big 10.1-inch display with FHD 1920 x 1200 resolution, for immersive entertainment experiences and beautiful display of your photos. The 8 MP rear camera captures high quality, detailed pictures. And Big Dolby Atmos Audio and dual front-facing stereo speakers create excellent sound for your movies and music, with loud, rich, detailed sound.
Furthermore, the Lenovo Tab 4 Plus is also family friendly, with sleek dual-class casings to protect against scratches and bumps. And it’s made for multiple users, with fingerprint scanning that automatically logs in users and restores their files, settings, wallpaper, and social media accounts. It also has a whopping 20 hours of battery life, with enough power to last for even the longest flights, road trips, and other situations where power is scarce.
The Lenovo Tab 4 Plus is a great device for kids, with the big screen, scratch resistance, and simple logins that allow parents to control access to apps and settings. And the long battery life will keep young people entertained and occupied for as long as needed, and the price is affordable.
ProcessorQualcomm
RAM 2 GB
Storage16 GB
Display10 inch 1920×1200
Camera8 MP rear camera
Operating SystemAndroid 7.1 Nougat
Weight 2.1 pounds
Battery Life20 hours
best laptops under 600
" data-orig-size="343,120" sizes="(max-width: 343px) 100vw, 343px" aperture="aperture" />Huawei MediaPad M5
Next on my best tablets under 300 dollar list is the Huawei MediaPad M5, a table made for entertainment, with an incredible 2k 2560 x 1600 high resolution display. It has a unique 2.5D curved edge glass display with an 82% screen-to-body ratio that lets you enjoy a wider viewing angle than ever before. And the precision curved edge uni-body is simple and beautiful, with ClariVu screen technology that ensures you never miss a detail. It also has enhanced audio, with Harmon Kardon Hi-Res premium sound. And stereo speakers create a more rich, immersive sound experience with music and movies.
Furthermore, the 13 MP rear and 8 MP front cameras have F2.2 apertures for bright, clear, high quality images. It has 4 GB of RAM, and a 64 GB solid state hard drive. The Huawei MediaPad M5 has a battery life of up to 10 hours, but charges quickly, in less than 2 hours. It also has advanced fingerprint recognition, and fast and stable Wi-Fi connections.
The Huawei MediaPad M5 gives powerful, immersive media experiences in a compact, thin, ultra-lightweight, and one of the best tablets under 300 dollars.
Processor2.1 GHz 8032
RAM 4 GB
Storage64 GB flash memory solid state
Display8.4 inches, 2560 x 1600
Camera13 MP rear camera, 8 MP front camera
Operating SystemAndroid 8.0
Weight10.9 ounces
Battery Life10 hours
best laptops under 600
" data-orig-size="343,120" sizes="(max-width: 343px) 100vw, 343px" aperture="aperture" />Bonus: Best Tablet Under 250 Dollars: ASUS ZenPad 10.1″ Tablet
The ASUS ZenPad Z301M-A2-GR has a big 10.1-inch WXGA IPS display with 1280 x 800 resolution and an incredible screen-to-device ratio with the smallest possible bezel. The hardware and software work together to control sharpness, contrast, color, clarity, and even blue light filtering for optimal visual performance. And it has a wide, 178 degree viewing angle for easy sharing with multiple people.
Furthermore, it also has a 5MP/2MP dual camera with HDR, low light mode, 140 degree panoramic selfie mode, and more. The microSD card slot expands your storage capacity and allows you to safely keep all your precious pictures. And if you need even more storage, it comes with 100GB of space on Google Drive, free for 1 year. It’s powered by a quad-core processor, and has 2 GB of RAM for plenty of speed.
The ASUS ZenUI allows you to use simple, elegant, intuitive gestures to control everything on the tablet, and it’s kid-friendly, with built in parental controls and a timer. In addition, it’s a great looking tablet with all the features you need, and a 10-hour battery life to enjoy them for longer.
ProcessorMediaTek quad core 1.3 GHz 8032
RAM 2 GB
Storage16 GB
Display10.1 inch 1280 x 800
Camera5 MP rear camera
Operating SystemAndroid 7.1 Nougat
Weight1.04 pounds
Battery Life10 hours
best laptops under 600
" data-orig-size="343,120" sizes="(max-width: 343px) 100vw, 343px" aperture="aperture" />What You Should Look For When Buying the Best Tablets Under 300 Dollars
When shopping for a tablet, there are a few things to consider in order to make the right choice for you. Here are some things to keep in mind.
Primary use
The features you need most depend a great deal on how you plan to use the tablet. Do you need a great tablet for travel, with a long battery life for flights, trains, commutes, and road trips? Will you be primarily using it to watch movies and shows, to read e-books, to play casual games, to explore drawing apps? You may be looking for a tablet that is lightweight and small, comfortable to hold in your hand or carry in a bag. You may be looking for one with a rugged screen and reinforced corners, able to withstand use by children. Once you have identified what you most want to use it for, it will help narrow your choices.
Operating system
The operating system is a big choice to make in a tablet, but the choice is probably simplified by the operating system of your phone. For the most part, it makes sense to stick with the operating system of your phone, for ease of use and navigation, simple syncing, and the ability to use the same account. However, if you’re considering a different operating system, it’s important to review the relevant app store.
The capabilities of a tablet are largely determined by the available apps, and you want to ensure that the apps you rely on are available for the tablet you plan to purchase. Broadly speaking, you can expect the following:
- iOS: Apple has high standards for apps and a proprietary ecosystem. This means that there are often fewer apps, but they are very high quality and work extremely well on Apple devices.
- Android: Android has a more open ecosystem, which means that there are a wider range of available apps of all kinds. There is less quality control, and performance on different devices may be uneven. Sometimes an app will work differently on different devices, or will work less well after an update.
- Windows: Because Windows mobile devices have a smaller market share, their app store has fewer choices. However, the Windows app store is growing all the time as they seek to make the app store more robust.
Cameras
Most new tablets have both a front-facing and a rear-facing camera, but not all of them. Make sure your tablet has a front-facing camera if you want to do video chatting.
Size and weight
Most tablets are famed for their small size and light weight. However, if you plan on holding it in your hand or lap for long periods, while reading an e-book or watching a movie, size and weight become increasingly important. If you plan to use a tablet for reading or private enjoyment, you may want a smaller, lighter tablet. If you plan on sharing your tablet with others, for watching movies together, or gathering around a video chat, you may want a larger tablet with a wider screen.
Battery life
Battery life may be very important, depending on your use, and can vary tremendously. If you want to travel with your tablet, or keep kids busy on a long drive or flight, look for a long battery life.
Accessories
The ability to connect headphones, use a stylus, connect a keyboard, or use other accessories with a tablet make these devices even more useful and versatile. Some tablets lack headphone ports, aren’t compatible with certain accessories, or slow down when Bluetooth accessories are added. If you plan on expanding your tablet with the use of accessories, check to make sure it is compatible.
There are so many tablets available, with a great range of features and options, at extremely accessible prices, that you are sure to find the right tablet for you, at a price you will love. It’s just a question of identifying the features and uses that matter most to you.
Now when we know the basics for choosing the best tablet under 300 dollars, let’s wrap this up:
Best Tablets Under 300 Dollars: Conclusions and Final Words
My pick for the best tablet under 300 dollars is the Samsung Galaxy Tab A. First and foremost, the widescreen, 16:10 ratio shows movies as they were intended, and it’s optimized to look great and be useful in any lighting conditions, from bright sun outdoors to dim light in bed with a blue light filter. Also, both cameras capture beautiful, high-quality images, and the 14-hour battery life gives great portability and versatility.
Furthermore, Samsung users will love Samsung Flow, and the included apps and YouTube Red add value to this affordable tablet. It’s a great choice for mobile communication, entertainment, and productivity, with the reliable Android OS and Samsung brand names. And this tablet is our recommended pick for best tablet under 300 dollars.
Today’s tablets are powerful and versatile, with a wide range of communication, entertainment, and productivity options. They are an ideal way to enjoy your favorite media and entertainment on the go, and fantastic for exploring creative apps and having new experiences. And they are more affordable than ever, with some great options available at very reasonable prices.
Cheers!
Kyle
PS: In closing, I hope my best tablets under 300 dollars review was helpful when you’re making your choice. In addition, I recommend that you look around my site to learn about other consumer electronics and computer hardware. Also, if you have any questions about my best tablet under $300 reviews or something else, don’t hesitate to send me an e-mail using my contact form.
Who is Kyle?
Hi I am Kyle, an engineer and small business owner from Northern California. I am an outgoing creative writer and tech blogger who has a passion for helping people and building creativity in the mind, through outstanding how-to guides, articles and honest reviews.
On Kyle’s Hardware you will find solutions to common problems related to software and computers, with practical reviews, tools tips and step-by-step technical guides. Read my complete biography here, or connect with me on Facebook or Twitter with the buttons below.