Best Cheap Tablets Under £200 For 2021

Michael Passingham

In this article

A great tablet can be expensive, but it doesn't need to be. If you want a tablet for casual use, more basic operations, or something to carry around on the go that might get knocked or scratched, it makes sense not to spend a fortune.

What cheap tablets are good for?

Luckily there are plenty of options available today for tablets that tick all the important boxes, and don't break the bank. Pick a good budget tablet and you'll find it perfectly capable for tasks like:

Browsing the internet - even the most basic of tablets should be able to handle a bit of web browsing, but with less capable models this can be sluggish, with annoying delays.
Watching videos - all tablets are capable of playing video content, but the difference between a good and bad model is the quality of the screen. We've found plenty of tablets that rate four stars for screen quality, even in the budget market.
Using apps - unless you're interested in more power-hungry apps, such as the latest 3D games or video editing suites, budget tablets should be fine for most purposes. Again though, a poorly built budget model could be sluggish and frustrating to use.
Taking photos/video calling. Most budget tablets have a camera built in, but this is an area where quality can vary wildly at the lower end of the market. A poor camera will make video calls grainy, and take poor quality photos.
Reading books. Though not as effective as e-readers, tablets can be used for reading. However, a poor quality or low resolution display can make this difficult, and put a strain on the eyes.

Fortunately we've tested all of the above and much more in our labs, and have found many budget models, some of which cost less than £100, that tick most or all of these boxes.

Only logged-in Which? members can view our recommendations in the table below. If you’re not yet a member, join Which? to get instant access.

Best cheap tablets

74%

£160.00

Reviewed Feb 2021

This 8-inch tablet is an attractive device and is reasonably fast, too. Battery life is excellent, although its screen is one area where there has been a clear compromise so it isn't an all-rounder. It's pretty close, though.

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74%

£101.00

Reviewed Oct 2019

This tablet is seriously impressive for the money, putting some more expensive models to shame. It certainly isn’t the fastest around, but it’s perfectly suited to anybody who wants portable tablet to take on holiday or to use on their daily commute.

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70%

£89.99

Reviewed Sep 2020

A great choice for those on a budget, this 8-inch tablet isn't a power house, but does more than enough for the average user. The battery stamina means you can use it for long stretches away from the plug socket.

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69%

£185.00

Reviewed Apr 2019

This is a great-value tablet with a decent screen and fast performance. That, plus the fact it can be used as a voice-assistant and also comes with a speaker dock, makes this a good buy, if not quite a Best Buy.

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68%

£159.99

Reviewed Jun 2020

This is the biggest tablet Amazon sells, meaning it isn’t quite as convenient to carry around, especially if you commute or travel a lot. Still, if you don’t mind the size, you get a large screen for a better web browsing experience and the ability to see TV and films in more detail.

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64%

£49.99

Reviewed Mar 2020

There's almost no need to consider any other brand of ultra-cheap tablet. This model does such a good job of hiding its cheapness, it's a great pick for adults and kids alike.

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Products updated April 2021.

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Cheap tablets to avoid

While there's some cheap tablets that you should consider, there are plenty that you shouldn't. Stuffed with bad tech and unpleasant to use, here are tablets that you'll want to steer well clear of.

A tablet to avoid

31%

£50.00

Reviewed Dec 2016

A slow processor and just 1GB of Ram means that this tablet is sluggish and unresponsive, making a for a frustrating user experience.

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Not found the product for you? Browse all of our tablet reviews.

Saving money on an older model

A lot of manufacturers refresh their tablet line-up on a yearly basis, which means that you'll often see deep discounts on the previous years older, less desirable models.

The launch of the latest tablet can be a great time to pick up the previous version, with stores getting rid of old stock to make way for the latest shiny model. While manufacturers would have you believe that their newest model is the best ever, remember that they would have been parroting exactly that same sentiment the year before, and in many cases, the older version will still be a good tablet.

By ensuring that the software is up to date, you should find that an older tablet will have more or less the same functionally as a new one, but the specifications won't quite be as impressive. Choose wisely, by checking our reviews, and you could grab yourself a bargain.