Best Budget Tablets in India - Reviews and Comparison 2021

In the case of a tablet, you get to choose between the two types- standard and convertible.

Stand-alone tablets are equivalent to oversize smartphones as they also have a touch screen (though a large one), a few buttons on the case, a charging connector, etc. Stand-alone tablets are compact and portable as they usually weigh between 400 grams to 800 grams and thickness is less than half an inch. For video streaming, e-reading and alike purposes, you can use a tablet as a smartphone. Pair it with a Bluetooth enabled keyboard to complete office work and use as a laptop.

Convertible tablets offer the flexibility of the PC and the convenience of a tablet. These 2-in-1 devices either have a detachable keyboard or they come in a full-size touch screen laptop.

The detachable tablet looks and works as a stand-alone tablet, but they are specially designed for keyboard attachment to use as laptop replacements. On the one hand, some detachable tablets do come with the keyboard, and on the other hand, some tablets require you to buy the keyboard separately, like iPad.

Screen size depends on the purpose you are buying the tablet for. For example, for business work purpose, you will want at least a 9-inches screen. For home use-browsing, listening to music, a tablet with 8-inches screen or less will also do. Similarly, a 7-inches tablet will be best suited for small hands of kids.

Typically, tablet size starts from 6 inches and goes all the way to 18.4 inches. However, 7 to 11 inches screen size is most popular among buyers.

Up to 7 inches

Tablets with screen size up to 7-inches are considered small tablets and they are known for their portability. There aren’t many tablets available under ₹ 8,000, but if you do find then there is a good chance that they’re around this size. Like a smartphone, these tablets can also fit into bags or large pockets. Small size tablets are not for those who are looking for high-end specifications like powerful processors or extendable storage. However, they are suitable for web surfing, reading, and casual entertainment.

7.1 to 10.9 inches

The definition of mid-range tablets keeps changing as per the consumer’s taste. Currently, mid-range tablet means 7 to 10 inches size tablet. They are also the famous ones as they give the best of both worlds: small enough to carry anywhere with ease and large enough for comfortable long-term usage. Thus, mid-range tablets attract both casual users who like entertainment and business users who are frequently on to go.

11 inches and greater

The big size tablets are usually laptops too (the 2-in-1 devices we talked about). Their buyers are usually business users, creative professionals, or students who want to use several applications with other peripherals (mouse, keyboard, and pencil). They might be considered a laptop’s cousin due to a similar size, but they are way lighter than laptops.

Many tablets come with all-day battery life, and some have only of a few hours life. A tablet with a minimum of 8 hours of battery backup is ideal for enjoying uninterrupted content. Battery life also depends on the making and specifications of your device. Typically, a 2,600mAH to 4,000mAH battery lasts up to 4 hours, while a 6,000mAH battery can stays for 8 hours. Look out for Li-Poly batteries as they provide better battery backup than Li-ion batteries.

Display resolution is considered to measure the clarity and sharpness of the images. Greater the pixel density, sharper the image quality. In tablets, the screen resolution varies from SD to Full HD and Quad HD. The kind of display technology used in making the device also brings a difference to the picture quality. For instance, the world-renowned Retina Display is often considered the best, and it is usually found in Apple. Other brand devices use Super AMOLED and IPS LCDs.

Operating System is one of the most significant factors in determining user experience. Each OS provides an entirely different experience and ecosystem from a general interface to application support. Moreover, if your tablet and smartphone have the same OS, file transfer and account sharing becomes seamless and simple. The three primary OS are Google Android, Apple iOS, and Microsoft Windows.

Android

Google is the tablet OS market leader, mainly due to the system’s inherent flexibility and openness. Renowned mobile device manufacturers like Samsung, Lenovo, Dell, and Huawei tend towards Android because of its hardware adaptability and functionality. Also, Android’s app store is more diverse and cheaper than other app stores as many developers are vying for consumer loyalty.

On the downside, Android’s open-source nature and present adaptability lack security and standardisation. A large number of applications available on the Android store means less secure and lower-quality apps. If the app is free or costs you peanuts, there’s quite a chance that it’s riddled with advertisements or bugs.

iOS                                                                                                                         

Apple iOS have not only popular features but also smooth, seamless interface and a robust ecosystem. If you already have an Apple device, getting an iPad will be better. iPads and iOS are known for the minimalist interface, intuitive controls, and secure platform. Apple tightly monitors iOS; thus, there is rarely an instance of malware or security concerns. Moreover, the Apple App store has been around the longest, so you will find an app for all the purposes.

Windows

Windows is the undisputed leader in the PC operating system, but people have welcomed the Windows OS for tablets also with open arms. The credit for this goes to Surface Laptops by Microsoft. The Windows Store isn’t as developed as Android and iOS, but there are Windows apps same as those you have been using on PC. This OS is best for business professionals, and students as most of the popular software are seamlessly integrated into the tablet.

Storage is a crucial feature to consider. If your tablet does not have expandable storage options, it becomes more critical to ensure that you are getting enough storage to future-proof your tablet. Remember, just like size, more storage means more expense.

16GB to 32GB

16GB storage capacity is usually found in extremely small tablets. Newer tablets generally have at least 32GB storage, which is suitable for most things like running various applications, media files, and games. If you need a tablet to stream content or browse the internet, 16GB is enough for you. Moreover, some tablets may have expandable storage which can be upgraded to 256GB or more with a microSD card.

64GB to 256GB

If 32GB is not enough for your favourite apps, movies, and photos, 64GB should provide you with more than enough wiggle room for storage. For instance, if you download high-end games, you might struggle with finding space for other apps. This is especially true in case of iPad as the average application storage size for iOS is more than twice the size of Android apps. If you are not an average but an active tablet user for business, travel, or home, going for a minimum 64GB storage option is better.

512GB to 1TB

You will not find a tablet with this much storage capacity RAM, but you can always expand the storage to this level. You can find this huge space option in premium tablets or 2-in-1 laptops that are packed with high-end specifications for processors, memory, and graphics. Tablets with so much capacity are certainly aimed toward creative professionals using file-heavy apps such as Photoshop or business professionals wanting a more laptop-like experience.

All three major operating systems provide app stores where you can download apps, music, movies and other kinds of content.

An iOS user can get apps for the iPad only from the Apple Store. Apple keeps tight control over what apps go to its store, which reduces the risk of downloading something malicious. However, this also limits the number of apps you get on the platform. The iTunes Store lets you purchase music, movies and TV shows, and for reading material, you can go to the iBooks app. Whereas, the Music app enables you to listen to your tunes or stream music via the Apple Music subscription service.

Google Play is the official one-stop-shop for Android tablet users for getting apps, music, and other content. Android is more open in nature which definitely means you get more apps and other content, but at the same time, security is less.

On Windows lead devices, you can purchase apps, music and movies through the Windows Store. But this is not it. It’s Windows, and therefore, you can download apps from just about anywhere. However, certain software may be available only via the Windows Store, and since Microsoft controls, you're at a lower risk of malware infection.

With close to 1.3 million apps, Android is the most popular OS in the market. Not only it is easy to use, but also, it is highly customisable, often making it the preferred choice over its competitors. iOS, on the other hand, boasts of 1.2 million apps on its platform. Apple apps are expensive and offer limited customizability. The Windows Store has a small library of only around 3,00,000 apps.

Apple uses custom A-series chips inside iPads. The number could be A7, A8, A8X or A12 processors and higher the number, newer the processor. It also means better performance, and the X suffix indicates a more powerful version of the previous processor. For instance, A8 is newer than the A7, but the A8X is the powerful version of the A8.

Android tablets get processors from a variety of manufacturers. However, Samsung's Exynos chips and Qualcomm's Snapdragon processors are the most popular as they give better performance.

Speaking of the Windows, you'll find mainly Intel processors, including the Core m3, i5 and i7. Tablets with Intel Core processors are higher-end devices, and costs more. For lower-cost, you can get Intel Atom processor-based Windows tablet.

RAM may not be as important as a processor but it is still worth considering it. The rule is, the more you spend, the more RAM you'll get, and on most tablets, you easily get anywhere between 1GB and 4GB of memory. Moreover, more RAM often equates to snappier performance.

The camera is one feature which is of least importance while buying a tablet due to its bulky size. You can imagine yourself that if you are given a choice between a smartphone and tablet to click a photo, which one would you choose? Of course, a smartphone. However, a tablet with a decent camera doesn’t hurt. Like a regular camera, the first thing to look for in a tablet camera is megapixels, whether back or front.

In most of the tablets, storage can be expanded either using a memory card or USB flash drives. The iPad has no memory-card slot, but its Lightning to USB Camera Adapter facilitates a USB keyboard and can be used to import photos.

At Home

General home usage consists of web surfing, email, listening to music, and almost any tablet out there will fit the bill. You don’t need a big screen size and superhigh-end tablet for this.

For Work

If you need a tablet as a laptop replacement for business purpose, you need at least a 9-inch screen size tablet. Also, it should come handy with multitasking features, optional keyboard attachments and stylus-input support.

For Gaming

For gaming, iPad should be your call as iOS is the centre of the mobile gaming universe. An apple device striking the right balance between portability and power will be great.

For Kids
When buying tablets for children, size, price, durability, and parental-control features become essential factors. A small screen size tablet will be suitable for little hands, and since kids are going to use it, its chances of getting damage multiplies. Therefore, you would want to stay on the lower end, perhaps somewhere around ₹ 10,000. For children, the Fire Kids Edition is a good choice. Besides offering basic features, it also gives a two-year guarantee if the child does some severe damage.

For Media Consumption

Any of the tablets is good for watching movies or TV shows, but if you're a true media junkie, your tablet should have a sharp display and Dolby Atmos speakers. If it integrates with any video-on-demand television channel or video sharing platforms like Amazon's Prime or YouTube Premium, it’s even better. For this, you can buy, Amazon Fire HDX or Samsung Galaxy Tab A7. iPad Air 2 is another good option to consider as it integrates with iTunes and supports a 2048 x 1536-pixel screen.

You can choose between Wi-Fi only or Wi-Fi +cellular connectivity devices as per your need. If you travel often, get a tab with a SIM card slot because then you will not have to rely on your home or office Wi-Fi to stay connected. NFC and Bluetooth further improve Wireless connectivity. The two technologies are like a must-have for file transfer between multiple devices.

You need a basic grab-and-go device, any tablet of decent screen size and medium storage capacity will do for you.

Microsoft Surface Pro is the answer to your question. It comes with a stylus, has the latest Intel processors, and it's stylish. However, it will cost more than ₹ 30,000.

If you plan to let your two kids share the same tablet, get a tablet that allows you to create multiple profiles. Also, this way, you can ensure an age-appropriate experience for both your children.

Any tablet with features like extensive parental controls that let you block access to certain apps and websites is the right tablet for kids.

If you are looking for a tablet specifically for kids, you can go for Amazon Fire Kids. The kid’s edition from Amazon is lightweight, comes in blue/pink colour, has a small screen size, and such other features that have been built-in keeping kid's needs in mind.

You have two options to expand the storage capacity of your tablet. One, you can get a microSD card. Two, you can upgrade to the new model. However, not all tablets give you the choice of attaching the microSD card, like an iPad. In that case, you will have to go for option two.

Same as cars, computers and alike devices, you get what you pay for. Understandably, why pay that much, when you can get a basic tablet for ₹ 5,000? Well, look beyond the price. Think in terms of hardware and software.

However, depending on your purpose, you can splurge on a high-end stunner, choose a midrange model, or simply get an affordable primary tab. After all, there are plenty of configurations available to appease one and all.

All tablets are touchscreens and usually, your finger act as your stylus. However, if you need one specifically for drawing, writing, etc., there are a few models which are stylus compatible. The stylus also varies like you get a pen in case of the Samsung Galaxy Tab and a pencil stylus is sold separately for the Apple iPad users.

iPad is Apple's version of a tablet. Popular tablets use the Android OS, while the iPad runs on iOS. Unlike iPads, tablets allow the use of popular software for showing online videos. You can also interact with multiple apps simultaneously, i.e. you can use one app when other apps are running in the background.

Android devices generally last for three years. Flagship products have a little longer lifespan, and cheap gadgets are thrown away earlier. iPad usually has a useful lifespan of 6.5 years.

Yes. You can charge and use your tablet simultaneously provided the device doesn't get too hot. Moreover, the tablet stops charging at 100% automatically, so there is no need to unplug the charger when the device is fully charged. But, you need to be more cautious if your tablet has li-Ion batteries as they degrade much faster when they get hot while charging, especially near 100%.

Yes. Modern-day tablets support SIM card, although a SIM card supporting tablet comes at a higher price than the tablets without SIM facility. iPad, Samsung tab and other high-end tablets support SIM card.

Usually, tablets which do not support SIM facility comes with dongle support for web surfing. Budget tablets provided by companies like Huawei support dongle.

Yes. You will have to download a Google Cloud Print app from the Google Play Store for Android devices. It will allow you to print any document to your Google Cloud Print connected printer.

Connect one end of the USB cable to the printer and another end to the tablet. A plugin should pop-up on your Android tablet. Select “OK” to get the device ready for printing.

The easiest way to print from any Apple device, be it iPad or MacBook, is to use an AirPrint supported printer. Also, ensure that both your device and the printer are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

Social media platforms, your calendar and even email will start to under-perform and crash if you fail to install the latest iOS.

We recommend replacing tablets every three years so that the security features, memory size and speed remains intact. Even internet security protocols continue to evolve.

• No sunlight:- People need vitamin D and not your tablet. Thus, you must ensure to protect it from direct sunlight. It would be best if you do it, mainly because a tablet is made from aluminium and is usually dark grey or black which gets heat up very quickly in direct sunlight. Also, keep the tablet away from heat sources like radiators, stoves.

• Fixed stylus:- All styluses are not equal. If your tablet has come with one, never use a stylus of any other device. By utilising another stylus, you may welcome scratches on the screen. If you have lost or destroyed the original stylus, the best thing to do is order a new one rather than practising hit and trial with other objects.

  Similarly, stick to the power cord that came with your tablet. Other cords might fit in, but they may bring hassle by not charging the tablet as quickly. In fact, they can damage both the battery and tablet in the long run.

• Protection:- Buy a good quality case, if possible, get it as and when you get the new tablet. It is best to buy tablet cases that offer screen protection, as well. For example, a case that comes with complete cover giving the display an added layer of protection.

  For further protection of the screen, you may also want to consider a screen protector.

• Cleaning:- If you practice what we have mentioned in the ‘protection’ point, your cleaning job will get reduced to almost zero. Else, you will have to clean the dust and dirt from time to time.

  To clean the display, use a soft, lint-free cloth. Using paper towels is not good because they could scratch the display. If you clean the tablet from time to time, you can get rid of dirt using just a dry cloth, but to eliminate stubborn marks, a cleaning agent will be required. If that situation arises, then use one designed specifically for tablet displays.

• Basic care:- There are a few basic things as well you need to keep in mind, and they are listed below.

  • Update the tablet- Software updates are essential for any electronic device. Hardware manufacturers release updates to fix bugs for further improvement of the hardware. These updates offer several usages starting from display operation, screen brightness issues, to touch responsiveness. Tablet update is vital for display functions as well.

  • Don’t use it as a table- You may think this point is unnecessary, but we had to mention it as there are people who use the device as a table. They would put anything you can think of on it- books, papers, and even drinks.

• Display breakage:- Accidents happen, and at that time you should know what all options you have. In many cases, it depends on the type of tablet you have. Premium tablets from Samsung or Apple can often be repaired, but other brands might not give you this choice. However, here are some options in case you break your tablet display.

1. Leave it as it is – If there is a simple crack in the corner or a crack that you hardly notice, you better leave it alone and live with it. Fixing that screen can cost you even ₹ 10,000, so is that worth fixing for a small crack?

2. Replace the display – If the cracks are bad or tablet has a shattered display, you are not left with much choice but get the screen repaired.

3. Buy a new tablet – If the crack/shatter isn’t covered under warranty and will cost more than the device is worth fixing, get a new tablet. It might not be the ideal choice, but this might be the only choice based on your situation.

• Pamper the battery:- Keep the ports, where your battery plugs into your device, clean. Ensure that the device doesn’t get hotter than 35 degrees Celcius, and restrict its usage in colder weather, too.

• Economise:- Switch on the Wi-Fi only when required as it gobbles a lot of power while looking for a signal. Keep the screen dim to the extent you can stand it. Next is, close apps when not required, so they don’t run in the background. Last but not least, whenever possible, put your tablet to sleep.

• Turn off push notifications and more:- It’s good to remain updated but your habit of receiving the news as and when the incidence happens, requires power. Turn off the notifications to conserve energy and disable location-based services when not in use. Similarly, keep the Bluetooth and GPS off when, not in use.

• Charge:- Keep the battery charged but only to an extent. Batteries prefer to operate between 20 and 80 per cent. Even if you fully charge it, don’t leave it plugged in for hours and also, don’t regularly allow the battery to discharge completely. The battery life is based on recharge cycles, so if you can keep that in the range, you will automatically increase the battery's life.
  

If you are a fan of Apple, then iPad (7th generation) is the only option you have under minimum budget. Even if you are not brand conscious, Apple iPad (7th generation) is still the best tablet on our list. It is a bit pricey than other listed tablets but a lot comes at that price.

Starting with the screen size, it has 10.2 inches retina display with IPS technology which is good enough for both home and business users. Coming to next important feature-battery life, the iPad has up to 10 hours of the battery provided you use the device for web surfing or streaming videos on Wi-Fi.

The 7th generation iPad is available in two storage capacities, i.e. 32GB and 128GB. Since the iPad doesn’t have any expandable storage, you need to choose between the two accordingly. Our review is for only the Wi-Fi model, but the Wi-Fi + Cellular model is also available. Both the models are portable and make iPad a grab-and-go device. Moreover, we chose a silver colour, but it is also available in gold and space grey.
This iPad offers 8MP back camera with autofocus and 1.2MP front camera for a clear FaceTime. Speaking of security and sensors, the iPad is equipped with body and face detection, touch ID, accelerometer, barometer, ambient light sensor, and other sensors.

The warranty period has not been mentioned, but be confident that the device will stay for years to come as it is from Apple.

Samsung’s latest tablet for India market is the Galaxy Tab A7, and it comes second on our list.

Galaxy Tab A7 is a 10.4-inch Full HD+ screen tablet with a resolution of 2000x1200 pixels. It is powered by octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 processor and comes with 3GB of RAM as well as 32GB of internal storage. Unlike iPad, Tab 7 storage is expandable up to 1TB, and you can do that using a MicroSD.

Tab A7 is Android 10 OS compatible and is powered by a 7040mAh non-removable battery. Furthermore, it is also a quad-speaker setup powered by Dolby Atmos audio which makes the device perfect for media consumption. A7 height x width x thickness measures 157.40 x 247.60 x 7.00mm respectively and weighs just 476 grams. It was launched on 28th September 2020 in Dark Gray, Gold, and Silver colours.

Our review is for Wi-Fi only model and does not come with a SIM card slot. However, the LTE version is also available at a slightly higher price. We are really impressed with the camera capabilities. The 8MP rear camera has auto-focus but no flash. And the front camera is of 5MP making is suitable for video calling.

Connectivity options on the tablet include USB Type-C, Wi-Fi, and GPS. While, sensors consist of accelerometer, proximity sensor, ambient light sensor, and gyroscope.

With such a large screen, Quad speakers and unique features, indeed, Galaxy Tab 7 is an entertainment powerhouse.

Samsung Galaxy Tab A is an excellent choice for having a 'look-and-feel-expensive' tablet, with a sharp and colourful screen and a design close to high-tech tablets. However, the tab is good not only from appearance purpose but usage point of view as well.

Our review is for 10.1 inches Tab A, but the tablet is also available in 8-inches screen size. It has a mostly-aluminium back available in three-colours silver, black, and gold.

Samsung has made the design modern by trimming down the screen borders significantly. The borders are thin, and thickness is also a super-slim 7.5mm, due to which we can say the Samsung Galaxy Tab A’s design is real 5-star for a budget tablet.

Same as Tab 7, this also has 32 GB internal storage, and you can expand the same to 512GB using a microSD card. Its 6,150 mAH lithium-ion battery can run for up to 13 hours when used on Wi-Fi. With Exynos 7904 CPU, Mali-G71 MP2 GPU and 2GB RAM, the brand offers a great processor. The camera is stable and has precisely the same features as Tab7.

All-in-all, Tab A is a stellar bargain.

MediaPad T5 by Huawei is the latest addition to the popular MediaPad series. Our best value tablet is primarily for those who want to enjoy content on a bigger screen. You get a big 10.1-inch 1080P Full HD, 1920 x 1200 IPS technology-based screen display. T5 is very thin at just 7.8mm and super portable with 460 grams weight. The tab supports both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. 

MediaPad T5 has dual speakers which produce high-quality, robust audio and the HUAWEI Histen audio technology further makes the sound richer, thereby, giving a cinematic experience.

Powering the device is Kirin 659 chipset, paired with 3GB of RAM. Further, the tablet has 32GB internal storage expandable up to 256GB via microSD card. The device is compatible with Android 8.0 Oreo with EMUI skin. MediaPad T5 is safe to use for kids as well due to the Children's Corner, which is loaded with plenty of kid-friendly applications. Most importantly, the tab is equipped with parental controls. Therefore, you can easily manage the apps your kids can use and for how long they can use it.

Lenovo Tab M10 HD tablet comes with a 10.1-inch touchscreen display with 1280x800 pixels resolution. It is powered by processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 429 which is paired with 2GB of RAM and internal storage 32 GB (expandable up to 256 GB using microSD card). The tablet is available with 3GB RAM+32GB internal storage as well. The Lenovo Tab M10 HD runs on Android Pie and is powered by a 4850mAH lithium-ion non-removable battery.

Speaking of the cameras, the Lenovo Tab M10 HD on the rear packs an 8-megapixel camera with autofocus and a fixed focus 5-megapixel camera on the front for selfies.

The Lenovo Tab M10 HD measures 169.2x 243.2 x 8.45mm (height x width x thickness) and weighs 480 grams. Moreover, the tablet can be unlocked in a flash with face recognition, and the Dolby audio sound technology gives immersive sound experience.

Connectivity options on the Lenovo Tab M10 (HD) includes Audio jack, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4GHz, 5GHz), Bluetooth, and Micro USB.

Honor Pad 5 comes with an 8-inches touchscreen display with a resolution of 1920x1200 pixels. Pad 5 is powered by processor octa-core HiSilicon Kirin 710 which is paired with 3GB of RAM. Furthermore, it has a 64GB ROM which is expandable up to 512GB via microSD card. The tablet runs on Android 9 Pie and is powered by a 5100mAh Lithium-polymer non-removable battery.
Pad 5 has both rear and front camera with 8MP. The Honor Pad 5 (8-inch) was launched on 11th June 2019 in Glacial Blue colour. Its dual stereo speakers & Dolby Atmos Surround Sound technology gives a cinematic experience.

Speaking of connectivity options, the tablet facilitates Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac and GPS. Last but not least, the tablet also comes with Sensors like accelerometer, ambient light sensor, and proximity sensor.

Another tablet from Lenovo, the 2nd generation M8 has an 8-inch Full HD display. The elegance exuding 8.15 mm ultra-slim metallic body makes head turn. Moreover, the rounded edges give a better grip over the tablet. 

Tab M8 is powered by octa-core, MediaTek Helio P22T chipset clocked at 2.3GHz. Further, it comes with 4GB of RAM and best in segment 64GB internal storage which is expandable up to 256 GB. It is best not only from the internal storage point of view, but it also has long-lasting battery life and a fantastic camera. The tablet has a 5100 mAh battery which lasts up to 18 hours. And the 13 MP auto-focus rear camera with LED flashlight helps you capture even minute details. Also, the 5MP front camera is excellent for video calling anyone.

Along with the FHD display, Lenovo Tab M8 offers the speakers, fine-tuned with Dolby Audio. On the connectivity front, it is a Wi-Fi-only model. It supports both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz band and runs on Android 9 Pie.

The tablet also has Kid's mode, and it comes with parental control option. So, your child gets all in the kid section from games, to educational books, cartoons, songs, and stories. And as parents, you can easily monitor what content your kids watch and for how long.

Considering the screen size is small, Tab M8 is best for children and home usage. Checkout reviews and comparison of best iphone 12 cases, best android smartphones, best smartwatches in India.