Amazon’s Fire Tablets, Tested, So You Don’t Have To (2026)

LoaderSave StorySave this storyCommentLoaderSave StorySave this storyFeatured in this articleBest Fire TabletAmazon Fire HD 10Read more$140 Amazon The Max TabletAmazon Fire Max 11Read more$280 Amazon Best-Value Fire TabletAmazon Fire HD 8 (2024)Read more$100 Amazon Best Fire Tablet for KidsAmazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition (2024)Read more$150 Amazon Amazon’s Fire tablets are some of the only high-profile, ultra-affordable tablets around. The prices seem too good to be true—and in some ways, they are—but Fire tablets are also completely functional, reasonably capable devices. They’re not the best Android tablets by any means, but if you want a way to consume Prime content without spending a bundle, these fit the bill, especially when they're on sale for Amazon Prime Day. We reviewed every model to help you decide whether one of these slates is right for you. We list Amazon’s base price, but we suggest you spend the extra $15 to get an ad-free model. Check our tech guides for more, like the Best Tablets, Best Android Tablets, and Best iPads. Updated June 2026: We've added some more buying advice and updated links and prices throughout. Courtesy of Best BuySave to wishlistSave to wishlistAmazon The Fire HD 10 is Amazon’s best tablet and the one we recommend for most people. It's certainly not the fastest tablet around, and it's not even the nicest Fire tablet (that's the Fire Max 11 below), but when you can snag it on sale for around $100, it's a good deal. In my testing it has the best battery life of any Fire tablet, and a 1080p screen that has a lot of glare, but looks decent when you're watching a movie in the dark. Realize this is no iPad, or even a OnePlus Pad, but performance is good enough for browsing the web with a few tabs open (the 3 GB of RAM helps there), and you set it up to work like an Echo speaker. Turn on Show Mode (swipe down on the notification overlay and check the Show Mode box) and you can query Alexa til your heart's content. The Fire HD 10 comes with 64 GB of RAM, but there's also a microSD slot on both, so you can add up to 1 TB of storage if you need more space. There used to be a 32-GB model as well, but as of this writing it's been sold out for months, which probably means it's been discontinued. The design of the Fire HD 10 is what you might charitably call "spartan." It's a hunk of colored plastic (you can choose between black, blue, and lilac) with a screen on it. It's functional, but definitely lacks the more premium feel of other Android tablets. If you go for the cheapest model, Amazon will serve up advertisements on the lock screen. To get rid of that, you'll need to spend $15 more for the version without “special offers.” If you want to try using your Fire tablet as more than a tablet, you can get a third-party keyboard case. Working on the Fire HD 10 isn't as terrible as you might think, as long as you don't need Google apps. None of Google's office apps work on the Fire HD 10, not even in the browser. This latest Fire HD 10—and Max 11 below—support the Made for Amazon Stylus Pen ($37). WIREDCrazy cheap for Black Friday, Prime Day and other salesEasiest tablet to consume all things AmazonBattery life is comparable to any other tabletsMicroSD slot for extra storageProductivity bundle makes real work possibleTIREDApp selection is limited (no Google Play store)Runs an outdated version of AndroidScreen quality is ho-humThe Max TabletCourtesy of AmazonSave to wishlistSave to wishlistAmazon If you're all in on all things Amazon, the Fire Max 11 (5/10, WIRED Review) is the company's most powerful tablet. The problem is that it's barely cheaper than the iPad (A16), and the list of things the iPad can do that the Fire Max 11 can't is longer than I have space for here. That said, if all you plan to do is consume Amazon content, the Fire Max 11 is a good way to do it. The 2K screen is bright and sharp, the best you can get in a Fire tablet, the speakers aren't bad, and the cameras are 1080p, which is nicer than the cameras on the rest of the Fire tablets. However, this premium-priced tablet is still hamstrung by the same Fire OS that powers the cheaper models. While Fire OS seems OK when you pay $75 for it on sale during Prime Day, it feels a lot more limiting at $230 (and even at $150 during sales). If you want to do anything more than watch Prime video and browse the web, we suggest you grab an iPad or OnePlus Pad. WIREDSolid build compared to other Fire tablets.Genuinely nice screen.The keyboard isn’t Bluetooth anymore.Has a fingerprint sensor.TIREDApp selection is limited (no Google Play store).Runs an outdated version of Android.Best-Value Fire TabletCourtesy of AmazonSave to wishlistSave to wishlistAmazon Amazon's 2024 Fire HD 8 is most notable for bumping the RAM capacity to 3 GB, now matching the Fire 10 HD. There's also a better rear camera (5 MP, compared to the previous model's 2 MP). The Fire HD 8 works great for browsing the web, and battery life is rated at

Amazon’s Fire Tablets, Tested, So You Don’t Have To (2026)

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