Are you on the hunt for a budget-friendly tablet for everyday use, entertainment, or basic work tasks? We’ve put together a list of the top 6 best tablets under 100 dollars.
While these low-cost tablets might not have all the fancy features of pricier models, they still offer great value for regular tasks.
1. What to Look for in Tablets Under $100?
While they may not be as popular as smartphones, tablets still offer a good choice for people who want to carry around a device with larger screen. Tablets are great for browsing, streaming, reading, and simple tasks like notetaking.
When you’re looking to buy cheap tablets under $100, you should consider how you’ll use the device. For a cheap tablet, between $50 and $100 is a good deal. At this price, you’ll find basic functionalities. As for storage, 64GB is often enough for everyday use.
Cheap tablets offer good points like affordability, portability, and decent performance for simple tasks. But they often have slower processors and not much storage space.
2. Top 6 Best Tablets Under 100 Dollars
Top tablets for under $100 for 2025 include:
- Apple iPad 6
- Samsung Galaxy Tab A 2020
- Samsung Galaxy Tab E
- Apple iPad Air
- ZTE Zpad 10 2016
- Sky Pad8
2.1. Apple iPad 6: Best tablet under $100 for overall
The Apple iPad 6 (6th Generation) has many features you’d expect in pricey devices. Its 9.7-inch Retina display delivers vibrant visuals and sharp text.
Powered by the A10 Fusion chip, this device delivers steady performance for daily use, applications, and light gaming. Moreover, it provides a strong battery life of up to 10 hours.
However, the device doesn’t have Face ID or a more advanced biometric security system and uses the standard Touch ID to verify users.
2.2. Samsung Galaxy Tab A 2020: Best tablet under $100 for screen quality
Samsung Galaxy Tab A (8.4″, 2020) is one of the best tablets under 100 dollars with 4G LTE connectivity. The device offers a vivid display and long battery life to keep you entertained and productive.
You’ll find 32GB of internal storage, but you can expand up to 512GB more with a microSD card, giving you room to store tons of content. The 5MP front camera and 8MP rear camera with autofocus are ideal for video calls, photos, and video recording.
Although the Galaxy Tab A works well overall, the display resolution may not be as sharp as that of higher-end tablets. The tablet might slow down when running more demanding apps or multitasking.
2.3. Samsung Galaxy Tab E: Best tablet under $100 for kids
Samsung Galaxy Tab E is a cheap and functional tablet. It’s ideal for those looking to keep the kids entertained.
The 5MP rear camera and 2MP front camera are decent for everyday use, like video calls and taking photos. With a 1.3GHz quad-core processor and 1.5GB of RAM, this tablet can handle simple tasks.
For families, the Kids Mode, available through Samsung Galaxy Essentials, stands out. It lets parents control what their children can see and how long they use the device.
While it won’t impress you with strong performance or a high-end display, it can handle the basics just fine. If you see the Samsung Galaxy Tab E priced below $100, it’s worth considering for families or casual users who want a cheap device.
2.4. Apple iPad Air: Best tablet under $100 for creativity
Apple iPad Air sports a slim super-thin design and an eye-catching display.
The iPad Air has a 9.7-inch Retina display with a 1536 x 2048 pixel resolution. With a large 8820 mAh battery, it offers plenty of power for long hours of use.
Even though it’s not the newest model, it still has good features at a low price if you can find one for less than $100.
2.5. ZTE Zpad 10 2016: Best tablet under $100 with a large display
The ZPad stands out as a wallet-friendly tablet with useful features at a low cost. IWith its 10.1-inch screen, users can enjoy a larger display for both work and entertainment, making it ideal for watching videos, reading, or browsing.
The ZTE tablet comes with a 5 MP camera to take decent photos and make video calls. It runs on Android giving users access to tons of apps to boost their productivity and leisure time.
It will give you a lot for your money, but it might not work well enough for people who want a faster tablet.
2.6. Sky Pad8: Best tablet under $100 for a decent display and camera
The Sky Pad8 proves to be a cost-effective tablet that performs well. The tablet has 64GB of internal memory, which is expandable, allowing you to store more photos, apps, and videos. With a 5 MP rear camera and a 2 MP front camera, the Sky Pad8 is great for capturing memories and making video calls.
With its quad-core processor and expandable storage, it offers a good balance of features at an affordable price point, making it one of the best tablets under $100.
3. How to Choose the Best Cheap Tablet for You
When looking for the best cheap tablet for your needs, you should prioritize some things like operating systems, usage, screen size, and budget.
Operating system
Three main operating systems run most tablets: iOS, Android, and Windows. iPhone users will find it easy to switch to an iPad.
The apps that work on iPhones also work on iPadOS, making it a good choice if you already use Apple products. If you’re looking for a low-cost option, consider iPad Air.
Use purpose
If you’re looking to buy a tablet for under $100 to watch movies and browse the web, you should focus on models with good screen resolution and size.
For a tablet your kids can use, you might want to check out the Samsung Galaxy Tab E. It’s budget-friendly and comes with features to control what your kids can access.
These tablets might not work great for heavy-duty tasks, but they’re just right for enjoying media.
Screen size and display quality
Larger screens give you more space for apps and movies. Smaller screens (7-8 inches) are easier to carry around and better for reading.
While cheap tablets won’t have the sharpest displays, try to find options with at least HD resolution (1280 x 800 pixels) to get a clearer picture.
Battery life
Most cheap tablets can run for 5-10 hours on a single charge, based on how you use them. If you need a tablet for trips or long work hours, check the battery capacity.
Storage and expandability
Low-cost tablets have limited internal storage, ranging from 16 GB to 64 GB. This might work for simple tasks, but you should see if the tablet allows you to add more storage with a microSD card.
Also read: How To Get A Free Tablet With Food Stamps
4. The Best Tablets Under 100 Dollars for 2025 Comparison
To help you device which tablet to get, here’s a quick comparison of the above choices.
| Tablet | Screen Size | Display | Camera | Storage | Battery Life |
| Apple iPad 6 | 9.7 inches | Retina Display (2048×1536) | 5MP rear, 1.2MP front | 32GB | Up to 10 hours |
| Samsung Galaxy Tab A 2020 | 8.4 inches | HD Display (1920×1200) | 5MP rear, 2MP front | 32GB (expandable to 512GB) | Up to 10 hours |
| Samsung Galaxy Tab E | 8 inches | TFT Display (1280×800) | 5MP rear, 2MP front | 16GB | Up to 8 hours |
| Apple iPad Air | 9.7 inches | Retina Display (2048×1536) | 5MP rear, 2MP front | 16GB | Up to 10 hours |
| ZTE Zpad 10 2016 | 10.1 inches | Full HD Display (1200×1920) | 5MP rear, 2MP front | 16GB | Up to 8 hours |
| Sky Pad8 | 8 inches | HD Display (1280×800) | 5MP rear, 2MP front | 64GB (expandable via SD) | Up to 5 hours |
Read more: How to get a free government phone
5. How to Find the Good Deals for Best Tablets Under $100
For individuals with low incomes, some programs and resources can help make owning a tablet more accessible, one of which is Lifeline.
Lifeline is a government program that helps low-income families get affordable communication devices such as tablets and phones.
5.1. How you get the best deals when applying Lifeline on AirTalk Wireless
AirTalk Wireless is an authorized phone service provider for the Lifeline program. AirTalk Wireless provides discounted tablets as part of their Lifeline service bundle. Depending on your region, you can get a tablet at a much lower price. If you’re in California, you have a chance to secure a Apple iPad Mini just for $59.99.
Besides, customers who qualify for Lifeline can also get discounted monthly service plans. AirTtalk Wireless provides plans with unlimited data, talk, and text, based on the specific plan.
5.2. How to apply Lifeline on AirTalk
To qualify for the Lifeline program, you must meet either the income requirements or participate in certain government assistance programs:
- If your gross income is at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, you can qualify. For example, for a single-person household in 2024, the income limit is $15,060. You’ll need to provide proof of eligibility like annual income documentation (pay stubs from the past three months).
- You can qualify for Lifeline if you participate in at least one of the government programs: SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, Public Housing Assistance, and Veterans Pension Benefit. If you live on Tribal lands, additional programs like Tribal TANF and Head Start may help you qualify.
You may provide an official document that includes your name, the program name, the issuing agency, and the issue or expiration date (within the past 12 months) to qualify for Lifeline.
Here is how to apply for Lifeline on AirTalk Wireless:
Step 1: Visit AirTalk Wireless
Visit the AirTalk Wireless website. Enter your zip code. Then click “ Apply Now”.
Step 2: Choose a phone plan
AirTalk Wireless gives you two options:
- Free Phone and Plan: Select the “Device Discounts Included” option to claim a free phone or discounted tablet with a phone service plan.
- Bring Your Own Device (BYOD): If you keep your current phone, you can select this option to receive just the phone plan.
Step 3: Pick a tablet under $100
Check out the impressive selection of tablets from AirTalk Wireless and choose the one that suits you best.
- Samsung Galaxy Tab E: $69.99
- Samsung Galaxy Tab A 2020: $99.99
- Apple iPad 6: $89.99
- Apple iPad Air: $79.99
Do note that the price for each device will vary based on where you live.
Step 4: Upload the required documents
Submit the required documentation to confirm your eligibility for the Lifeline program.
Step 5: Submit your application and await approval
Once you’ve uploaded your documents and completed the necessary information, submit your application. AirTalk Wireless will assess the details you’ve provided and inform you of your application status.
Conclusion
Getting a good tablet for less than $100 is doable. You can find the best tablets under 100 dollars that can handle your daily tasks without breaking the bank.
When you’re looking for your ideal tablet, you’ll need to make some trade-offs at this price point. However, if you stick to well-known brands, you’ll end up with a tablet that lasts and doesn’t let you down.
Think about what’s most important to you, a big screen, fast performance, long battery life, or something easy to carry around, and pick the one that fits your needs best.