6 affordable tablet alternatives to the iPad — starting at just $50

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It’s common knowledge that Apple has a firm stronghold on the portable and wearable tech markets, with the massive successes of the brand’s AirPods and Apple Watch setting records in 2020, alone. While these two releases prove to be major revenue drivers for the tech giant, its more classic devices are still dominating consumer markets with the iPad being one of the latest to break barriers.
According to CNBC, the iPad set a June 2020 quarter revenue record in China, the world’s second-largest economy. Apple’s Chief Executive Tim Cook said that “work-from-home and distance learning” practices led to a massive surge in iPad sales across the board. While the company did not disclose its specific revenue numbers, Cook did outline that “about two out of three” customers that are buying the iPad are new.
While this data is no surprise given the massive reach and brand loyalty many have to Apple, it remains a deep reality that its products are not within the “affordable” space.
Currently, the latest model of the Apple iPad retails for $329 while the Apple iPad Pro (12.9-inch) begins at a base price of $999.
While iPads are certainly some of the most luxe options available in the tablet space, there are several others that deliver similar quality and features for hundreds of dollars less.
Below, we’ve listed six of our favorite tablet picks (all customer-approved and recommended) from brands ranging from Amazon and Lenovo to Samsung and Vankyo. What’s even better is that they range in price from $50 to $150 — all cheaper than the most affordable iPad.
To make your shopping experience a bit easier, we’ve also listed the top features for each one.
1. Fire 7 Tablet, $49.99

Top Features:
Thin and compact
Comes with three months of free Kindle Unlimited
Alexa hands-free
A part of the Amazon ecosystem
2. Lenovo Tab M8 Tablet, $89.99

Top Features:
Long-lasting battery life
Metal outer cover
HD display
Lowers harmful blue light when appropriate to reducing eye strain
3. Fire HD 8 Plus Tablet, $109.99

Top Features:
Alexa hands-free
All-day battery life
Wireless charging compatible (fully charges in under four hours)
Game mode (a distraction-free and optimized gaming experience)
A part of the Amazon ecosystem
4. Vankyo MatrixPad S30 Tablet, $126.64 (Orig. $152.99)

Top Features:
1080P display
Up to 15 hours of use on a full charge
32 GB of built-in storage
Storage can be expanded with a microSD card
13MP back camera and 8MP front camera
5. Samsung Galaxy Tab, $137 (Orig. $149.99)

Top Features:
Designer with a minimized bezel for more screen space
Dual speakers
Up to 13 hours of use on a full charge
32 GB of built-in memory
Storage can be expanded with a microSD card
6. Fire HD 10 Tablet, $149.99

Top Features:
Alexa hands-free
Up to 12 hours of battery life on a full charge
Charges in four hours
Dual speakers
A part of the Amazon ecosystem
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