The best Amazon Fire tablets in 2024 - our top picks
Introduction
Working out which Amazon Fire tablet to buy can be tricky because the spectrum to choose from is vast and catered to many different requirements. Fire tablets from Amazon have a massive reputation in both big value for money and durability, hence many have picked it to be of the right fit for different purposes such as entertainment, reading, and many others. However, there are a few things you need to consider in choosing the best Fire tablet for your needs.
All Amazon Fire tablets run on Fire OS, which is a custom version of Android designed by Amazon in a way that most intuitively and user-friendly delivers its content—be it Kindle books, Prime Video, or Amazon Music. This operating system is optimized in a way that eases access to Amazon services, making it great for those heavily invested in the Amazon ecosystem.
However, one common downside of all Fire Tablets is their minimal access to the Google Play Store. In practical terms, it means that some highly popular Android apps from Google itself like Gmail and YouTube are simply not there readily available unless sideloaded onto the Fire Tablet. This is a tedious process and a stumbling block for many users.
Nevertheless, these minor defects, Amazon Fire still is a purchase warranting investment if one is in need of an inexpensive and durable device for navigating the web, reading, and streaming media. Users deeply entrenched with Amazon's content offerings should particularly derive more added value from these tablets. Besides, one can watch out for current Amazon promo codes—to maximize one's savings—before one makes a purchase.
Quick Overview
In case you are in a hurry, here is a brief overview of the Amazon Fire tablets discussed in this overview, with links to detailed reviews of each model.
• Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023) - Best Overall: Offers a great balance of price, size, and performance. With a price around ₹12,000, it’s the top recommendation for most users.
• Amazon Fire HD 8 (2022) - Best Budget Option: At approximately ₹8,000, it’s a solid choice for those who want a balance of affordability and functionality.
• Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus - Best Upgrade Option: For around ₹14,000, this model offers better performance and screen quality, making it a worthwhile upgrade.
• Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro - Best for Tweens: Priced around ₹16,000, it’s ideal for older kids aged 6-12, with robust parental controls and a durable design.
• Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids - Best for Young Children: Also priced around ₹16,000, this tablet is tailored for children aged 3-7, with a colorful, drop-resistant case and excellent parental controls.
Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023) – Best Overall
The new Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023) possibly is one of the more versatile devices of this lineup. It sports a beautiful 10.1-inch bright display with detailed, vivid content at 1920 x 1200 resolution. As of RAM and a CPU, it is in the course of an octa-core CPU with 3GB, providing smooth functionality while most content streaming, browsing, and some light gaming are executed.
Among the really great features of the Fire HD 10 are its long-lasting battery. It can go a long time between charges and is also fast-charging using the newer USB-C that is more widely compatible. Fast charges through the more modern and broad-standard USB-C. But this tablet fails you if audio-rich content consumption is a priority; its speakers are not robust.
Just like virtually all other Fire tablets, it comes running Fire OS, which, first of all, means no easy access to the Google Play Store, and therefore, not easy access to the full range of Android apps, including most Google services for those not okay with sideloading. In any case, with that limitation, the Fire HD 10 is still a very nice pick for most, starting at around ₹12,000.
Amazon Fire HD 8 (2022) – Best Budget Option
Now for the people operating on a stricter budget, the Amazon Fire HD 8 is more than a little exciting, checking in at a price of around ₹ 8,000. Really, it's the perfect balance between cost and feature set. True, the 8-inch display is small, but it's pretty bright, making it fit for watching videos and reading. The 2022 model comes with a quad-core processor 30% more powerful than the predecessor, 2GB of RAM, giving decent performance under most causal usage.
There's also USB-C charging on the new Fire HD 8—milking out all the benefits of the old microUSB standard. The model is lightweight and durably designed to ensure easy portability within your daily activities.
However, the saddle the Fire HD 8 shares with its bigger siblings includes the apparent inability to access the Google Play Store. The Silk Browser is also quite sluggish and at times can turn out to be a hassle for those who prefer faster and more responsive web experiences. Keeping this in focus, the Fire HD 8 really sets its ground fairly well and is quite an excellent option for budget users who plan to use their tablet primarily for media consumption.
Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus – Best Upgrade Option
Next up is a premium choice if you are ready to pay somewhat more for better performance and a superior screen. This is the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus. Close to ₹14,000 gets you everything on the Fire HD 10 and some more. One of those additional inclusions is 4GB RAM on the Fire HD 10 Plus, which eases multitasking a tad and does increase performance minimally.
This version gives you a few extras, like wireless charging, but the core tablet is identical to the regular Fire HD 10. That means the same 10.1-inch display with beautiful, vibrant colors that work quite well for movie and TV watching. Much like the standard Fire HD 10, the features include good battery life—so you can watch to your heart's content without searching for a charger too often.
However, the same app restrictions apply by design to the Fire HD 10 Plus as to all other Fires. No fast lane to the Google Play Store here. Also, the speakers cannot get that loud, so individuals who use their tablets a lot for sounds and videos might want to look elsewhere. Still, being the top choice, the Fire HD 10 Plus is quite the bang-up good buy for those seeking out supremacy with their Fire tablet while not wanting to burn a hole in the pocket.
Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro – Best for Tweens
Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro Have older children? This will do. The Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro targets children between 6 and 12 years and turns down with features that well-target this age-group. The actual tablet is close to a regular Fire HD 10. It carries the 10.1in display with an octa-core processor and 3GB RAM.
The major differences between it, the software, and the available accessories. Also, a one-year subscription of Amazon Kids+ accompanies the Fire HD 10 Kids Pro tablet; it offers a wealth of kids' content, from books and videos to educational apps. It has additional accessories, such as a colorful kickstand case and a two-year worry-free warranty that covers accidental damage.
These parental controls are actually tight enough with regard to content and allow the parent to set time limits on the device per day for their children. However, the area where it can falter for some is by not providing as easy access to the Google Play Store as is available for most other Fire tablets, which might limit some of the apps available to your child. Still, the Fire HD 10 Kids Pro is a great choice for an older kid who needs a durable, well-featured tablet.
Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids – Best for Young Children
The Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids is suitable for children from the age of 3 to 7 years. Priced equivalently with the Kids Pro, at around ₹16,000, this is a tablet designed to be hardy in nature for use by contankerous little children. It comes with a big, colorful case that will protect it from drops and bumps, but it also features a two-year worry-free guarantee for damages.
The Fire HD 10 Kids packs all the same hardware found on the regular Fire HD 10 mobile device: a 10.1-inch display, an octa-core processor, a 3GB RAM powerhouse, and a one-year subscription to the robust Amazon Kids+ ecosystem with deep parental control for proper regulation of how your child uses the device.
However, the limitations of Fire OS haven't changed one big grain, and, most of all, there is still no way to get to Google Play Store. Second, although I wasn't expecting much, the sound quality is a little bit compromised, which is kind of a negative side if your child is not into silent movies.
Actually, those are very minor problems, and for all practical intents and purposes, the Fire HD 10 Kids is a great solution for younger children who want a reliable easy-to-use tablet.
How to Choose the Right Amazon Fire Tablet
Knowing which Amazon Fire tablet is the right one really depends on your requirements and preferences. Here are some key factors to consider:
• Screen Size: Amazon Fire tablets are from 7 to 10 inches in size, so if you're going to watch videos or do a lot of detailed stuff for which the size would matter, just go for the bigger one, namely the Fire HD 10, obviously. For light work with a reader or on the internet, a small screen like on the Fire 7 or Fire HD 8 will be enough.
• Budget: Fire tablets are generally priced within safe limits, but there is a sweet point to take note of. The Fire HD 10 tablet should run at about ₹ 12,000, while the Fire HD 8 and Fire 7 are placed a tad lower, at ₹ 8,000 and ₹ 4,000, respectively.
• Age: Consider buying a child an age-appropriate model, such as the Fire HD 10 Kids or the Kids Pro, which has far greater durability and comes equipped with parental controls.
How We Test Amazon Fire Tablets
Our process for testing Amazon Fire tablets consisted of a suite of rugged benchmarks and real-world usage focused on many device cornerstones, like performance and screen quality, all the way down to things like battery life and, really, much more.
For testing tablets only against the responsiveness and speed range of multitasking abilities, we use industry-standard benchmarks together with something like everyday use, web surfing, video streaming, and gaming. We also test the tablets in daily situations of reading, watching videos, and general use of apps so that the tablets meet the needs of real-world users.
FAQs
1. Which Amazon Kindle Fire Tablet is the best fit for reading?
It supports a large 10.1-inch Full HD screen, thus vivid and clear text that perhaps would be more comfortable for the eye to scrutinize for quite a long period during reading. Users can actually enjoy a large selection of books and other materials in crystal clear clarity. But the Fire HD 8 is still the most portable. It combines screen sizes with greater convenience: an 8-inch display proves to be equally comfortable when you read but more compact and easily lugged around.
2. Will Google apps install on an Amazon Fire tablet?
However, as much as Amazon Fire operates on a modified Android version, it lacks native access to Google Play Store, therefore limiting the direct installation of Google applications. However, users who are knowledgeable about technology can take it even farther and sideload the Google Play Store themselves to allow the installation of Google apps.
This mainly implies downloading some specific APK files and installing them. It is risky because the process is too complex and hazardous if a mistake is made.This method isn't official and isn't supported by Amazon, and users will do this at their own risk with no guarantee of updates, whether or not the app provides full functionality.
3. Is Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro worth the price premium?
For the parent interested in a tablet for children between the ages of 6- and 12-years-old, the Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro definitely supports those who look for high added value for the extra money invested.
Designed specifically with children in mind, the device boasts rugged construction for daily energetic use by kids and powerful parental controls able to put parents' minds at ease.
It is also underwritten with an exceptional two-year worry-free warranty for a free replacement in the case of accidental damage.Its increased screen size and improved hardware make the device grow with your child, as it turns out to be a versatile tool for both learning and enjoyment.
4. How does the battery life of the Amazon Fire HD 8 compare to other tablets?
One area that the Amazon Fire HD 8 really outclasses in this price range is its impressively long battery life of over 13 hours of use on a single charge. It sort of endures way better than most of other tablets in the budget category, and you probably can use it the whole day long—reading, streaming, or lightly playing games.
The long-lasting battery of this model assures the user it won't have any irritation while consuming content, which is very important for those constantly on the move. One of the leading attributes of the Fire HD 8 that has consumers flocking to it is this advanced battery performance.
5. Are Amazon Fire tablets decent for games?
Amazon Fire Tablet is designed with casual gaming in mind and titles are quite optimistic towards the demands upon the graphic processor or the processing performance. The Fire HD 10 Plus is stronger in a feature for maximum gaming experience compared to other Fire tablets. Basic gaming ought to be normally smooth, plus less lag will be shown.
These tablets are not game devices at a high level and so should sometimes run low when they come across games that have heavy graphics. For them, while these tablets may very well be fun and entertaining, for some looking toward intense gaming experiences with advanced graphics, there are very real possibilities that these tablets can disappoint when set alongside other more powerful gaming devices.
