Products at a Glance
How we picked the best 8-inch tablets
Now 8 inches is not a very common size in tablets, as most people would go for a 10-inch or an 11-inch tablet (like an iPad Pro model). However, there are a few good options available on the market at the 8-inch specification, like the iPad Mini 6. With all this being considered, we’ve got our research on and have selected a list of the best 8-inch tablets for you to choose from.
For this guide and the selections we’ve picked, we’ve considered a range of uses including productivity, entertainment use (like watching movies or YouTube videos), cameras, and rear cameras. We’ve also considered whether docks are available and so whether you can depend on these 8-inch tablets to be laptop replacement devices, or more akin to larger-screen smartphones.
Before we go any further, if you have particular budget constraints check out our best cheap tablets guide for some options, or if a compact size is most important, head over to our best small tablets article.
Product Reviews
- Powerful A15 Bionic chip
- Excellent 2266 x 1488p resolution, beyond other options
- All-day battery to save on constant charging
- 60Hz refresh rate which is fine but not great
If you want a powerful 8-inch tablet, then you should check out the Apple iPad Mini 6, which was released in 2021.
The iPad sports an 8-inch Liquid Retina display with a 2266 x 1488p resolution, so you can expect stunning visuals. Plus, the display also features a P3 color gamut, which should deliver better color accuracy and also make it one of the best tablets for reading.
On the inside, the iPad features an A15 Bionic chip, which promises to deliver powerful, speedy, and efficient performance. Yet another useful feature is that the iPad has an all-day battery, so you can expect the iPad to last you for a day without charging.
The variant that we have selected comes with 256GB of storage, which should be sufficient for most people. However, if you need less storage, then you can go for the 64GB RAM version
The iPad is compatible with Apple Pencil (2nd generation), so you can use it to take down notes quickly and easily. However, you will have to buy accessories separately. As you’d expect though, this tablet will give you access to Apple’s App Store. Which, if you’re an iPhone user, you’ll be very comfortable with.
- 8.7-inch display so fairly large
- Expandable storage up to 1TB
- Lightweight and easy to carry
- Has been around a while
If you prefer the best 8-inch Android tablet, then the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite is a good 8-inch option. In fact, we think it deserves to be one of the best tablets under $200. It’s not the latest Android tablet available but its specs do stand it in good stead.
As mentioned, the tablet sports an 8.7-inch display, which is slightly bigger than the 8-inch mark. Plus, you get a 1340 x 800p resolution, so you should be able to see clear and stunning visuals, and have no problems with apps from the Google Play Store looking clear. On the inside, you get up to 32GB of internal storage that can be expanded up to 1TB, via a microSD card slot, which should be sufficient for most people. It also makes use of a USB-C port for power.
Coming to portability, the tablet weighs around 0.8 pounds, which is quite lightweight and portable. Plus, the device promises to give you an all-day battery life, which adds to the tablet’s portability. In the absence of the likes of the Google Pixel Tablet and
- Anti-fingerprint screen
- 1280 x 800p resolution greater than 720p
- Lightweight so easily portable
- Charging is known to take some time from full depletion
If you are looking for a budget Android tablet, then the Lenovo Tab M8 might fit the bill.
To start with, the tablet sports an 8-inch display that has a 1280 x 800p resolution, so you can expect clear, detailed high-resolution picture quality. The display is anti-fingerprint, which means you don’t have to worry too much about the screen getting dirty.
On the inside, the tablet MediaTek Helio A22 processor has a clock speed of 2 GHz, which should be sufficient for media consumption and light tasks. And as far as storage space is concerned, you get 2GB LPDDR4x memory along with 32GB eMMC storage, which should be sufficient for most users.
One noted downside of the Tab M8 though is its reported long charging time from full depletion of its battery.
- 8-inch HD display so good value for resolution
- Expandable storage up to 64GB
- Parental controls for children's safety
- Not the most vivid display, despite resolution
If you want an 8-inch tablet for kids or streaming content, then you should check out the Amazon Fire HD 8 tablet. The Amazon Fire tablet range is strong in terms of value, and this model is no different.
To start with, the tablet offers an 8-inch HD display, which should deliver clear picture quality. Plus, the screen is made from strengthened aluminosilicate glass, which promises to provide additional durability to the display.
On the inside, the tablet features an updated Hexa-core processor that claims to be faster and more responsive than the previous-gen chip. Plus, you get 2GB RAM, up to 64GB of storage, and expandable storage up to 1TB, which should be sufficient for most people. It also offers Bluetooth or a headphone jack so you have options for audio.
As this is a Fire tablet, you can download popular streaming apps like Netflix and Prime Video from Amazon’s app store. As far as smart features are concerned, the tablet supports Alexa, so you should have more convenient voice support.
Further, you also get Amazon Kids, where you can find apps, books, games, videos, and more, that are suitable for kids. Plus, you get access to parental controls, which allows you to adjust kids’ access to the internet and foster healthy online habits.
- Super affordable
- Great for entertainment
- Wireless charging
- Limited applications
- You need Amazon Prime
It’s not quite as advanced as some of the other offerings on the list, but we’ve added the Amazon Fire HD 8 as one of the best 8-inch tablets due to the great value for money it provides. Coming in at around $115 / £100, this is a class budget option if you are strapped for cash but still want a great portable tablet.
Running off Fire OS, this tablet really stands out in providing accessible, high-quality entertainment. It excels at streaming, especially when using Amazon Prime, which is pretty much a must if you are buying this laptop. However, the app store is pretty limited, which is a big downside if you want to use it for more than a few basic functions.
What to consider in the best 8-inch tablets
While shopping for the best 8-inch tablet, here are a few things to consider.
Resolution
Ideally, you should be looking for Full HD resolution, so you can get the best picture quality. Plus, some of the best tablets have a better resolution than FHD. However, considering that an 8-inch screen is a rather small one, an HD resolution should also deliver decent picture quality.
Storage
The ideal amount of storage depends on how you plan to use the tablet. But in any case, you should look for at least 3 to 4GB of RAM for smooth performance. With that being said, many tablets come with expandable storage, which means you would be able to store additional files in there.
Battery life
Most tablets have at least 10 hours of battery life, so you should be able to get a day’s worth of use. However, some tablets, like the iPad Mini 6, offer an all-day battery, which is something you should consider if you travel around a lot. A long-lasting battery life will save you having to keep plugging in!
Is 8 inches good for a tablet?
Yes, an 8-inch tablet is generally a good balance between weight and functionality. You get a big enough screen for reading and media consumption without the added bulk.
What is the difference between a 7-inch and 8-inch tablet?
If you look at the screen size in square inches, then a 7-inch tablet will have about 21 square inches, and an 8-inch tablet will have about 27 square inches. So, technically speaking, there is a difference of about 6 square inches of screen space.
Our Verdict
Overall, Apple is the only brand that has fully understood the big opportunity this market offers, building strong processors, quality operating system and amazing screens for small tablets. Apple is setting the stage for its competitors, showing just how alternative companies should follow in this sector with its Apple iPad Mini 6. We feel that this is (probably) the most varied guide for the best 8-inch screen tablets available on the internet right now. From the top of the range iPad to a tablet that can withstand any situation you put it in (more or less), there really is something for everyone. Which one best suits your needs? If it’s the latter, you really need to consider creating a YouTube channel.