Best Tablets Under $300 to Buy in 2025 (Android/iPad/Fire)
You don’t need a premium slate to get a great reading, streaming, or study companion. In 2025, sub‑$300 tablets deliver sharp 10–11‑inch screens, solid speakers, long battery life, and reliable performance for everyday apps. This guide focuses on real, widely available models that usually sell at or under $300 (and sometimes much less) — prioritizing displays, battery life, accessories, and long‑term software support.
Who this is for: Students, families, casual gamers, travelers, and anyone who wants a second screen for note‑taking, Zoom, or media without overspending.
You might want to check these if you are looking for something to read soft-copies on-the-go: Best Tablets for Reading & Annotating PDFs in 2025
Quick Picks (TL;DR)
- Best all‑round Android: Lenovo Tab P11 (Gen 2)
- Best value Samsung: Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+
- Best for reading & battery: Xiaomi Redmi Pad SE
- Best for note‑taking on a budget: OnePlus Pad Go
- Best kids/household tablet: Amazon Fire Max 11
- Best rugged/business‑friendly: Nokia T21
- Wildcard under $300 (sales): iPad 9th‑gen (10.2‑inch) when discounted
Prices vary by region and promos; accessories may be sold separately.
The Best Tablets Under $300 in 2025
Lenovo Tab P11 (Gen 2)
Why it’s great: 11.5‑inch 2K (2000×1200) 120Hz display, roomy battery, and a clean Android build make this the best balanced budget tablet. Optional keyboard and pen support turn it into a light productivity device for docs, email, and classroom notes.
Best for: Everyday streaming, PDFs, note‑taking, and casual gaming.
Highlights: 11.5″ 120Hz 2K LCD · 4/6/8GB RAM options · big battery ~7700mAh · microSD slot · keyboard/pen support.
Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+
Why it’s great: A slick, reliable 11‑inch Android slate with stereo quad speakers, DeX (wired/wireless) for basic desktop‑like multitasking, and Samsung’s strong update track record. Frequently discounted well below $250.
Best for: Families and students who want Samsung polish, good speakers, and smooth performance for the money.
Highlights: 11″ 90Hz LCD · Snapdragon 695‑class performance · 4/8GB RAM · microSD · Dolby Atmos.
Xiaomi Redmi Pad SE
Why it’s great: Packs a 11‑inch 90Hz display and long battery life into one of the most affordable packages. MIUI for Pad has matured, and the form factor is slim and sturdy.
Best for: Readers and travelers who want a bright screen and excellent endurance for a low price.
Highlights: 11″ 90Hz 1920×1200 · 6–8GB RAM variants · ~8000mAh battery · metal build.
OnePlus Pad Go
Why it’s great: A crisp 2.4K (2408×1720) 90Hz panel with a light, comfortable chassis. OxygenOS is fast, and the aspect ratio is well‑suited to reading and web apps. Optional folio and stylus support make it a great study companion.
Best for: Note‑taking, web apps, and casual drawing without stepping up to pricey flagships.
Highlights: 11.35″ 2.4K 90Hz · 6–8GB RAM · ~8000mAh battery · fast charging · accessories available.
Amazon Fire Max 11
Why it’s great: Amazon’s best Fire tablet to date: an 11‑inch laminated display, aluminum body, surprisingly good speakers, and excellent battery life. Fire OS is content‑first; you can install major streaming and social apps easily. Optional keyboard and pen are inexpensive.
Best for: Households deep in the Amazon ecosystem, Prime Video, Kindle books, and Alexa.
Highlights: 11″ 2000×1200 · aluminum build · strong battery · optional keyboard/pen · fingerprint unlock.
Note: Google Play install is possible but not preloaded; app selection differs by region.
Nokia T21
Why it’s great: Rugged, business‑friendly Android with 2K screen, long support window, and LTE option in many regions. The rubberized frame and clean software make it easy to recommend for kids or field work.
Best for: Parents, schools, and small businesses needing durability and updates.
Highlights: 10.4″ 2K · clean Android · aluminum/rubber build · LTE variant · microSD · decent stereo.
Apple iPad (9th‑gen, 10.2‑inch) — Sale Watch
Why it’s great (when under $300): The A13 chip still flies for web, apps, and light photo edits. Access to the iPadOS app ecosystem, Apple Pencil (1st‑gen) support, and long OS updates make it a superb pick only when discounted below $300.
Best for: Buyers who can grab sale pricing and want iPad apps and accessories.
Highlights: 10.2″ Retina · A13 Bionic · Pencil (1st‑gen) · excellent apps/support.
Note: Street price oscillates; if it’s above $300, skip and pick Lenovo/Samsung instead.
Comparison Table (At a Glance)
| Model | Display | Refresh | RAM/Storage | Battery (approx) | Extras | Typical Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lenovo Tab P11 Gen 2 | 11.5″ 2000×1200 | 120Hz | 4–8GB / 64–256GB + microSD | ~7700mAh | Keyboard & pen support | ~$220–$299 |
| Galaxy Tab A9+ | 11″ 1920×1200 | 90Hz | 4–8GB / 64–128GB + microSD | ~7040mAh | Quad speakers, DeX | ~$200–$260 |
| Redmi Pad SE | 11″ 1920×1200 | 90Hz | 6–8GB / 128–256GB | ~8000mAh | Metal build | ~$150–$229 |
| OnePlus Pad Go | 11.35″ 2408×1720 | 90Hz | 6–8GB / 128–256GB | ~8000mAh | Fast charge, folio/pen | ~$220–$299 |
| Fire Max 11 | 11″ 2000×1200 | 60Hz | 4–8GB / 64–128GB | Excellent | Aluminum body, fingerprint | ~$160–$230 |
| Nokia T21 | 10.4″ 2000×1200 | 60Hz | 4GB / 64–128GB + microSD | Long | LTE option, durable | ~$190–$240 |
| iPad 10.2 (9th‑gen) | 10.2″ 2160×1620 | 60Hz | 3GB / 64–256GB | Very good | Pencil (1st‑gen) | ~$249–$299 (sales) |
Specs and prices vary by region/trim; check local availability and bundles.
How to Choose the Right Sub‑$300 Tablet
- Display & refresh: A 90–120Hz panel feels smoother when scrolling or sketching. Prioritize 2K‑class resolution for reading.
- RAM/storage: Aim for 6GB RAM and 128GB storage (or microSD support) for longevity.
- Battery life: Look for 7000–8000mAh if you stream or travel frequently.
- Accessories: Verify keyboard/pen compatibility if you’ll write notes or drafts.
- Updates: Samsung and Lenovo offer solid update policies; iPadOS remains strongest for long support if price fits.
- Apps & ecosystem: For Google Play and general Android apps, Lenovo/Samsung/OnePlus/Xiaomi are simple; Fire OS is Amazon‑centric (you can sideload/enable Play in many regions).
Use‑Case Picks
- Students & notes: OnePlus Pad Go or Lenovo Tab P11 Gen 2 (keyboard/pen options, 90–120Hz).
- Media & travel: Redmi Pad SE or Tab A9+ (great speakers, smooth screens).
- Kids & shared home tablet: Fire Max 11 (profiles, parental controls, price).
- Work field use: Nokia T21 (LTE variant, sturdy build).
- iPad apps on a budget: iPad 9th‑gen if — and only if — it’s under $300.
Tips to Get the Most from a Budget Tablet
- Use a case + tempered glass — protects resale and longevity.
- Expand storage with microSD where supported; keep offline media on card.
- Tweak display: Enable 90/120Hz and eye‑comfort modes; set color to “Natural.”
- Battery habits: Keep between 20–80% for long‑term health; use 15–30W chargers where supported.
- Split‑screen & DeX/desktop modes: Learn your model’s multitasking; it’s a free productivity boost.
Final Thoughts
Under $300, you now get smooth screens, strong battery, and useful accessories without the flagship price tag. The Lenovo Tab P11 Gen 2 and Galaxy Tab A9+ are the safest all‑round picks; Redmi Pad SE wins on battery/value; OnePlus Pad Go is our budget note‑taking favorite; Fire Max 11 and Nokia T21 serve families and field work; and the iPad 9th‑gen is a great wildcard only when it dips below $300. Match the tablet to your apps and accessories, and you’ll have a dependable daily companion.
