From durable designs to comprehensive parental control systems, kids' tablets are marketed as a safer way to introduce kids to technology.
Reviews show that the Amazon Fire 8 Kids Edition is one of the most versatile options.
But what do other options bring to the table? And how do you know which ones are the best?
Choosing a tablet is tricky, but when it comes to kids' tablets the best model is one that offers all the options a parent might want for their child and does so at a very attractive price.
We’ve rounded up five best kids tablets that reviewers feel offer exceptional value.
Editor’s Note: This post has been updated for 2022
Our Picks
1. Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition
Editor's Pick, Best Budget Tablet for Young Kids
Pros: Included kid-proof case, no question replacement policy, multiple colour options, a decent amount of storage, easy-to-use interface, excellent parental controls, microSD support
Cons: So-so display, fewer apps than Android or iOS tablets
Amazon's Fire HD 8 Kids Edition offers a complete package at one of the lowest prices around for a "name brand" tablet.
It includes a soft case that protects the screen from cracks, edges from impacts, and gives the whole tablet a more reassuring grip in smaller hands. If the protector should fail to keep the tablet running, Amazon will also replace it no-questions-asked for 2 years after the purchase date.
By default, the tablet uses a customized version of Android providing an easier way to access apps, games, and media.
There is also the FreeTime interface used on kids' profiles. This interface makes it simple to browse any apps, games, or other content you want your kids to access.
All of this is also controlled by an in-depth parental controls system that allows you to set limits on everything from spending to screen time and give your kids as much -- or as little -- freedom as you want them to have with their tablet.
You'll need to use the Amazon App Store to add things to the tablet. This is kind of a mixed bag. On one hand, it has most of the popular apps covered and decent prices on games for kids. On the other, there are apps on Google Play and the iTunes App Store you won't find on Amazon's App Store.
Bottom Line...
If you're looking for a budget-friendly tablet option for younger kids, the Fire 8 Kids Edition offers everything you need in one affordable, convenient package.
Read More: Amazon Fire HD 8 Review Summary
Buy It From: Amazon, Currys
While the Fire 7 Kids Edition is technically cheaper -- and offers many of the same parental control and replacement perks as the larger 8 Kids Edition -- the performance on it falls far behind the larger option. We recommend avoiding it if you have any extra room in your budget to go for the 8.
2. Amazon Fire HD 8
Best Budget Tablet for Older Kids
Pros: Multiple colour options, a decent amount of storage, easy-to-use interface, excellent parental controls, microSD support
Cons: So-so display, fewer apps than Android or iOS tablets
Amazon's Fire HD 8 is one of the best values in tablets. Their FireOS interface provides easy access to movies, TV shows, games, and more while the modest specs offer good-enough performance -- especially for the price.
While the tablet doesn't use the same rugged bumper as the Kids' Edition, everything else is identical. This means you can still enable Amazon's excellent parental controls to keep usage reasonable and avoid access to things you don't want your older child accessing while still providing a solid tablet experience.
The Fire 8 HD won't win any benchmark tests and blow you away in any one area, but it also won't disappoint for the average user either. It's a splendid example of making the right compromises and hitting the perfect price point.
Bottom Line...
If you're looking for a budget-friendly tablet option for younger kids, the Fire 8 Kids Edition offers everything you need in one affordable, convenient package.
Read More: Amazon Fire HD 8 Review Summary
Buy It From: Amazon, Currys
If you have a little extra room in your budget, the Fire HD 10 is also a great option. While it's the snappiest (and largest) tablet in Amazon's lineup, it still doesn't keep up with many mid-tier Android tablets. But if you're looking for a large screen for the kids to enjoy their favourite shows, apps, or casual games, the price is hard to beat.
3. Apple iPad 10.2
Best Apple Tablet for Kids of All Ages, Best Premium Tablet for Kids
Pros: Premium design, impressive performance, loads of accessories, parental controls, good camera, Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard compatible
Cons: Doesn't come with a case, no microSD support, price
We'd argue that the iPad is easily the best tablet for adults in 2022. But for kids, the price might be an issue. That's the only reason it missed an editor's choice pick.
With that said, the 10.2-inch iPad offers everything you -- or your kids -- might want in a tablet. There's even support for the Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard now on the 10.2. This means the kids can use the tablet for work and creativity as well as play.
The iPad runs circles around every pick on this list in terms of performance and the screen is easily one of the best as well. But it's also the most expensive pick in this roundup.
While there are built-in screen time settings and parental controls, the iPad doesn't come with a protective case out of the box.
For younger kids, we'd recommend something like the AVAWO iPad case on Amazon. For older kids, something a bit more refined like the ProCase can add protection without making the tablet look like a kid's toy.
Also, keep in mind that iPads do not allow you to use microSD cards. So, if you have room in your budget, upgrading to a variant with more storage might save headaches down the road. Still, 32GB is a good amount of storage for most needs.
Bottom Line:
If you're not worried about price or you're looking for a full-featured tablet for older kids, the iPad 10.2 is an excellent option -- just consider if you'll need to pick up a case to go with it.
Read More: Apple iPad 10.2 Review Summary
Buy From: Amazon, Apple, Currys
How We Picked
The picks in this roundup are what we consider the top kids' tablets in 2022 for most people.
We selected these services based on analysis of expert reviews from around the web, user feedback on sites like the Google Play Store and TrustPilot, forum comments on our site, social media discussions, and more.
When answering the question, "What’s the best tablet for kids?", we considered the following primary criteria:
Excellent Parental Controls
The Internet is awesome... but that doesn't mean you want your kids to have unfiltered access to it. And while games are fun, you don't want your kids playing for 12 hours a day either.
All our picks include a range of parental control features -- ranging from basic restrictions to full-featured monitoring suites -- to give you a range of options in how to manage your child's tablet usage.
Good Pricing
If you ask most kids, they'd want the latest and greatest tablet on the market. But let's face it... buying a high-end tablet is an expensive gamble when you're handing it to your kids.
We picked tablets for our roundup that offer a range of prices to provide multiple options -- and easy replacement should accidents happen.
Reliable Performance
If you spend more time fixing your kid's tablet than they do using it, you're going to get frustrated very quickly. We chose tablets for this round-up that have a proven record of solid performance. This means they should work well out of the box and age gracefully.
Solid Reviews
There is no shortage of cheap kids' tablet options on the Internet. We sorted through the best to bring you a collection of tablets that reviewers all agree are well made and offer a good user experience -- for both parents and kids alike.
Good Support
If something goes wrong, kids don't want to wait on hold any more than you do. All the picks on our list are from companies that offer fast, reliable phone support to get you back up and running quickly and keep the kids happy.
We
compared the things most people consider
when choosing a tablet designed for kids.
In short,
we did the research -- so you don’t have to.
Common Questions
This will depend on the settings on the tablet you buy.
Most kid-centric tablets feature some form of basic protections you'll need to configure when you're setting up the tablet for the first time.
Be sure to check out any settings and set passwords or PINs where needed to lock down features or content you don't want your kids using before handing it over to understand how the controls work.
This will depend on the tablet you purchase.
Many tablets allow you to either set a list of blocked sites or allowed sites depending on how you wish to limit access.
If you're looking for more comprehensive screening of site options, consider this list of kid-safe browsers and search sites from Common Sense Media.
By setting one of these as the default browser or home page on the mobile browser you choose, you can limit the chances of undesirable content showing up in searches or web browsing.
Many Android tablets support multiple users. This makes it simple to set up profiles with different games, content, or parental control settings based on the interests of each child and any restrictions you might feel are appropriate.
Unfortunately, iPads are designed to have a single user. So while your children could still share a single iPad, you'll have one set of apps, accounts, and parental controls.
Most kids tablets are Wi-Fi only to reduce worries about data overages and keep tablet costs low. So if you do not have Wi-Fi access in the plane or cruising down the highway to grandma's house, their favorite apps might not load.
Check any apps your kids might want to use on the go and see if they work. Apps that don't require online access or display ads might run fine with no Wi-Fi or data access.
Many popular streaming apps -- such as Netflix and Spotify -- also allow you to download files for offline viewing or listening.
If the kids' favorite apps require an Internet connection -- and your cell phone and cell phone plan support tethering -- you could always use your phone as a Wi-Fi hot spot to provide online access to your kids while on the go.
Just be sure to keep an eye on their usage if you have metered data. If they install a ton of apps while you're cruising down the road, you could be in for a big surprise when the bill rolls in.
This is something we cannot answer.
Many people worry about the impact of screen time on children while others are content to let their kids use their tablets, game consoles, and other technology from sunrise to sunset.
That doesn't account for the unique aspects of each kid.
What might be right for our kids might not be ideal for yours.
We think the best approach is to consider what you're comfortable with and go from there.
If you decide that the best tablet for your kids is none at all, there is nothing wrong with that. that your data stays safe and hidden from prying eyes.
Ready to get your kid their first tablet? Set ground rules and expectations, monitor their usage, and be ready to answer any questions they might have.
Whether you choose to allow them a tablet or not, you're taking an active role in helping them explore the world and set boundaries. That's never a bad thing...
Recap
- Amazon Fire 8 Kids Edition: Editors Pick, Best Budget Tablet for Young Kids
- Amazon Fire HD 8: Best Budget Tablet for Older Kids
- Apple iPad 10.2: Best Apple Tablet for Kids of All Ages, Best Premium Tablet for Kids
Still Not Sure?
While we feel our picks offer a wonderful experience for most kids, there's not a single pick that will be perfect for everyone.
If you have a major electronics retailer in your area, there's a good chance you will find a few of our picks on display.
Don't hesitate to make a trip over and check out display models to get an idea of how these tablets work and what might be a better fit for your kid.
Looking for a more in-depth look at what to consider when comparing options?
Our tablet buyer's guide covers everything you should consider -- including frequent questions from community members. If you don't see an option you like in this list, you can also use our tablet comparison tool to highlight more options based on features, price, and more.
Disclosure: You should know that in some cases, we may receive a referral fee (at no additional cost to you) for products purchased through the links on our site. These links help support our work but they do not influence our content. Our editorial recommendations are always genuine and we try to feature only the best products and services. Why trust us?
