A tablet is likely not your primary tech device when it comes to work. But it becomes significantly more important when you need a smaller, secondary device for travel or your children. So, if you don’t want to spend a fortune on a tablet, but still need an efficient device that holds up to hours of continuous use, we’ve got you covered.
Our curated list highlights the best budget tablets you can buy right now – all under Dh899 – with features and specifications that have been carefully assessed, based on user ratings and reviews. We’ve also got more options specifically for school work, children, or if you have a higher budget.
Pick up your favourite with Amazon Prime and get your new device delivered to you as early as today. Check out other devices on sale during PC Mania.
1. Best Overall: Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ WiFi
Pros
- Premium design and build
- Screen is wide enough for working on three apps side by side
- Loud, clear speakers with Dolby Atmos
- Expandable 1TB storage
- Supports Quick Share within the Galaxy ecosystem
Cons
- Low RAM
The undisputed king of budget tablets (at least we, and thousands of reviewers think so), Samsung’s Galaxy Tab A series is a good place to start. The latest iteration, Tab A9+, features a classy design and some fabulous features you wouldn’t expect at its affordable price. It’s a full-sized, 11-inch tablet that supports more pixels than the standard 1080p resolution, and is wide enough to display three apps simultaneously for busy multitaskers. The slim 6.9mm-thin body carries a quad-speaker set-up, complete with Dolby Atmos support, so the audio is crisp and clear. However, at this price, you get the lower end of the memory range, 4GB RAM and only 64GB storage - the latter is expandable via SD card up to 1TB. Regardless, it's sufficient for children's schoolwork and light gaming on Roblox, add reviewers.
Bonus: Buy with 0% instalments and pay Dh57.42 for 12 months with select banks.
Warranty: Amazon offers a one-year extended warranty for Dh57, a one-year accidental damage protection for Dh95, and two-year damage protection with one-year extended warranty for Dh121.
2. Best Tablet for Kids: Lenovo Tab M9
Pros
- Nine-inch display is easier for kids to hold
- Comes with Google Kids Space and YouTube Kids
- Google Lens allows quick image searches
- Features Dolby Atmos
- 13-hour battery life with video playback
Cons
- Low RAM
A great all-rounder that the entire family can share, Lenovo’s M9 includes fantastic features that benefit every member of the household. Adults will appreciate its thin, lightweight design for on-the-go streaming on its palm-sized nine-inch display, and dual Dolby Atmos speakers. Parents in the reviews love that the screen is just the right size for little children, not too big or too small. The Tab M9 shares some of its specs with the Galaxy Tab A9+ at a much cheaper price, from the 4GB RAM to the 8MP rear camera and expandable storage. Students can use the built-in Google Lens to translate text, get help with homework or quickly look up people and places, and switch on Immersive Reading Mode to limit eye strain during long hours of project research. And the pre-loaded Google Kids Space ensures younger children have a safe space to explore, create and develop their skills. The battery lasts up to 13 hours for video playback, so there’s no doubt about it – you can enjoy hours and hours of entertainment and productivity on this solid device.
Warranty: The manufacturer offers a one-year warranty. Amazon offers a one-year extended warranty for Dh29, a one-year accidental damage protection for Dh48, and two-year damage protection with one-year extended warranty for Dh61.
3. Best Value: Redmi Pad SE
Pros
- Excellent performance
- Decently sized 11-inch display
- Runs on Snapdragon 680 chip
- 14-hour video playback
- Eye protection technology
Cons
- No fast charging
Nothing beats Xiaomi's products when it comes to value for money. The Redmi Pad SE is chockful of incredible specs that easily rival that of the Galaxy Tab A9+. With the spacious 8GB RAM, large 11-inch screen and long battery life, the tablet is meant for serious users who cannot afford a sluggish machine. It's supported by a powerful Snapdragon 680 chipset that easily backs a 90Hz refresh rate and 14 hours of video playback. The quad speakers play any Dolby Atmos-supported audio well, bringing you an extraordinary surround sound experience on the streaming platforms you love. Both the video and audio are of high quality, according to reviewers, who put it to use for business, gaming and multimedia purposes. They do note, however, that the tablet does not have fast charging, so fuelling it up can take some time.
Bonus: Buy with 0% instalments and pay Dh64.08 for 12 months with select banks.
Warranty: Amazon offers a one-year extended warranty for Dh57, a one-year accidental damage protection for Dh95, and two-year damage protection with one-year extended warranty for Dh121.
4. Best Display: OPPO Pad Air
Pros
- Clear 2K display with 120Hz refresh rate
- Dolby Atmos-supported speakers
- Comes with the fast charger in the box
- 13-hour video playback
- Optimised for Oppo phones
Cons
- Storage is expandable to up to 512GB only
If graphics are important to you, then shell out a bit more and bag the most expensive tablet on our list - the Oppo Pad Air. Measuring 10.36 inches, the screen has a high 120Hz refresh rate to bring you buttery smooth motion in movies, which will look even better in 2K resolution and 1.07 billion colours. It features the same chipset as the Redmi Pad SE, Snapdragon 680, as well as the Dolby Atmos-supported quad speakers. But the best part about this tablet is its smart multitasking functionality, meaning you can cast your Oppo phone's screen onto the display and share text and files easily between the two devices with a single drag and drop. Though you're only getting 4GB RAM, there's always the option to virtually expand it with an additional 3GB, and another possible con to keep in mind is the limited expandable storage of up to 512GB. The good news is that it does support 18W fast charging. Reviews attest to the fast, responsive screen, with several replacing their old Apple iPad devices with the tablet to stream shows, listen to podcasts and read.
Bonus: Buy with 0% instalments and pay Dh63.75 for 12 months with select banks.
Warranty: Amazon offers a one-year extended warranty for Dh57, a one-year accidental damage protection for Dh95, and two-year damage protection with one-year extended warranty for Dh121.
5. Best Budget: Nokia T10
Pros
- Pure Android experience
- Fantastic battery life
- Portable screen that fits in bags and pockets
- Netflix HD certified
- Can be used as a second screen to Windows PC
Cons
- Low RAM
A tough travel tablet should ideally have a long battery life, a small screen and just enough memory to see you through light media browsing. The Nokia T10 tablet fits the bill. Powered by Android 12, the portable device features an eight-inch HD display and dual stereo speakers, all backed by rigorous testing and a tough polycarbonate shell. Since it carries the complete Google experience, you can install your favourite apps easily - the T10 is Netflix HD certified - and access Google Kids Space. Attend last-minute video calls on the 2MP front camera or use the tablet as your Windows PC's second screen - it's the perfect travel companion. Though it only arrives with 32GB, you can always insert a 512GB microSD card. Reviewers admit that while it's not the fastest tablet out there, it's a reliable device for daily browsing, checking the news, reading books, answering emails and other mundane tasks. They also love how pure the Android experience is.
Warranty: Amazon offers a one-year extended warranty for Dh29, a one-year accidental damage protection for Dh48, and two-year damage protection with one-year extended warranty for Dh61.
Our recommendations are independently chosen by Gulf News editors. If you decide to shop through links on our website, we may earn an affiliate commission, as we are part of Amazon Services LLC Associates Program.
