The most effective 8-inch tablets in 2023

Telephone screens have constantly gotten larger, however there’s nonetheless room for the venerable 8-inch pill. These standalone units supply extra digital actual property for work and play with out feeling cumbersome. For years, corporations handled their smaller tablets poorly—omitting options current in “full-sized” fashions—however that’s modified. At present’s “8-inch “mini” tablets have characteristic parity with their larger siblings whereas besting them in portability. The most effective 8-inch tablets fill a noticeable hole between smartphones and tablets, providing a few of the better of each worlds.

How we selected the very best 8-inch tablets

Our analysis and testing revealed that the time period 8-inch pill is just a little ambiguous as a result of many tech corporations have determined to play quick and unfastened with display screen sizes. The iPad Mini, for instance, has an 8.3-inch display screen, whereas Samsung’s Galaxy Tab A7 Lite’s show is available in at 8.7 inches. This distinction could appear delicate, however each tenth of an inch counts when coping with tablets this small. We factored in these variations—plus which tablets have the very best general {hardware}, expandable storage, and battery life—to search out 5 that go well with totally different individuals’s wants equally.

The most effective 8-inch tablets: Opinions & Suggestions

There’s much more competitors on this a part of the tech world than you would possibly suppose, with many tablets having overlapping options and delicate variations. You’ll discover the appropriate 8-inch pill beneath no matter your display screen dimension preferences, working system preferences, or price range.

Finest general: iPad Mini

Specs

• Display screen dimension: 8.3 inches
• Battery life: As much as 10 hours
• Storage: As much as 256GB
• Weight: 239 grams
• Cameras: 12 megapixel (entrance) 12 megapixel (rear)

Execs

• Helpful for media consumption and work
• Wonderful digicam {hardware} for its dimension
• App retailer filled with useful software program

Cons

This whole story may actually be a meditation on how the iPad mini completely smokes another pill on this display screen dimension bracket in terms of efficiency, {hardware} high quality, and software program high quality. Nonetheless, as is usually the case, its price—roughly thrice larger than our different suggestions—will mood anybody’s enthusiasm.

In our assessments, there wasn’t a single activity the iPad Mini couldn’t do nicely. Its Liquid Retina display screen (2266-by-1488 decision at 326 pixels per inch) made studying textual content, viewing photographs, and watching movies a pleasure. The LED IPS show’s vast shade show (P3) copy was particularly spectacular—it may’t match the efficiency of the 12.9-inch iPad Professional’s miniLED display screen, but it surely holds its personal. The pint-sized pill is powered by Apple’s A15 Bionic chip, which is speedy sufficient to stream 4K video, load high-resolution photographs, and play Apple Arcade video games with no indicators of slowing down.

Should you’ve used an iPhone or previous-generation iPad, you’ll be acquainted with many facets of iPadOS. Apple’s pill working system isn’t as versatile as macOS, however Apple has constantly added options to bridge the hole. The iPad Mini’s biggest software program benefit over Android tablets is the App Retailer, which is loaded with lots of of hundreds of productiveness and leisure functions. If you wish to work on an iPad Mini, you’ll discover the software program you want on the App Retailer, and the pill is highly effective sufficient to run it.

Apple says the iPad Mini’s battery lasts as much as 10 hours per cost, and that’s true, relying on how you employ it. You’ll in all probability get there for those who browse the online, take heed to music, or stream video with the five hundred nits of brightness at 50 %. Useful resource-intensive duties like gaming or streaming video with the brightness cranked all the best way up will run down the battery far more shortly.

Taking pictures and movies with a pill is extra cumbersome than utilizing a telephone, however the iPad Mini’s 12-megapixel digicam system is unmatched in comparison with its competitors. Whether or not you’re video chatting with associates and colleagues or snapping a fast pic of one thing that catches your eye, you need to be very pleased with the outcomes. The truth that you possibly can import your picture and edit it in skilled software program like Adobe Lightroom or Photomator—utilizing the Apple Pencil (2nd technology), if desired—speaks volumes in regards to the iPad Mini’s worth.

The iPad Mini is obtainable in 64GB and 256GB storage sizes—greater than the typical for an 8-inch pill—however you possibly can’t develop it with a reminiscence card in a while. The bottom storage tier is ok for informal use, however for those who plan on utilizing the iPad Mini for productiveness duties, it is likely to be essential to bump as much as the excessive storage tier. At that time, you’re taking a look at a pill that prices over $600—greater than Apple fees for the entry-level mannequin of its higher-end tablets. Including mobile connectivity will increase its worth much more.

Should you don’t thoughts spending the additional cash, the iPad Mini is in a league of its personal. You received’t discover a better-looking, better-performing 8-inch pill—or one which even comes shut.

Greatest storage: Amazon Fireplace HD 8 Plus

Specs

• Display screen dimension: 8-inches
• Battery life: As much as 13 hours
• Storage: 32GB (Expandable as much as 1TB)
• Weight: 337 grams
• Cameras: 2 megapixel (entrance), 5 megapixel (rear)

Execs

• Tight integration with Amazon’s digital content material ecosystem
• Massively expandable storage
• Worth

Cons

• Weak productiveness app choice
• No native YouTube assist

Amazon has steadily improved the standard of its Fireplace Tablets by including extra reminiscence (3GB), 30-percent sooner processors, growing the battery life, and persevering with to permit customers so as to add to the bottom 32GB or 64GB storage through a MicroSD Card. That ultimate characteristic is true of most Android tablets, however the Fireplace HD 8 Plus takes it to the subsequent degree by supporting storage enlargement as much as 1TB. That’s greater than sufficient house to carry a lifetime’s price of media—which this pill is greatest used for.

The best power of the Fireplace HD 8 Plus is its tight integration with Amazon’s companies ecosystem. Your Kindle books, Prime Music library, Prime Video library, and Audible audiobooks will instantly be accessible while you activate the machine. All the acceptable Amazon apps come pre-downloaded, so all it is advisable to do is select which media you’d wish to sync with it. Should you use Amazon’s digital companies and luxuriate in Alexa, utilizing the Fireplace HD 8 Plus will likely be a superb expertise.

The identical is true if you wish to stream video from companies like Netflix, take heed to music on Spotify, or obtain media from both service. YouTube is the one streaming app you received’t discover on this pill; you’ll should entry this service through the online browser. The Fireplace HD 8 Plus has sufficient reminiscence and processing energy for audio and video consumption, looking the online, or taking a video convention name. If you wish to get work finished, although, it’s a distinct story. The app library accessible on the Fireplace HD 8 Plus isn’t as huge as Apple’s App Retailer, and its comparatively low-resolution display screen (1280 x 800 at 189 ppi) will make utilizing the restricted productiveness software program much more tough.

That mentioned, you will get the Fireplace HD 8 Plus and a 1TB MicroSD card for a 3rd of the price of the iPad Mini. Economically, it’s a greater wager for those who solely want your pill for studying, watching motion pictures in mattress, on-line purchasing, and catching up with associates on social media. If it is advisable to obtain a cache of reveals and movies to look at on an extended journey, the expanded storage and Amazon’s battery claims—this pill can last as long as 13 hours of their estimation—make it an awesome journey companion.

Greatest display screen: Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite

Specs

• Display screen dimension: 8.7-inches
• Battery life: N/A
• Storage: 32GB (expandable as much as 1TB)
• Weight: 371 grams
• Cameras: 2 megapixels (entrance) 8 megapixels (rear)

Execs

• Massive show
• Expandable storage
• Worth

Cons

• Weak front-facing digicam
• Samsung not forthright about battery specs

Should you’d wish to push the boundaries of what it means to be an 8-inch pill, Samsung’s Galaxy Tab A7 Lite is the appropriate selection. Its 8.7-inch 1340 x 800 px (WXGA+) show is the biggest display screen of any pill we’re recommending, which can come in useful whether or not you’re making an attempt to get work finished or get pleasure from a streaming video. The pill’s different tech specs—an eight-core processor, 3GB of reminiscence, and expandable storage as much as 1TB through MicroSD—are spectacular given the pill’s low worth.

The Galaxy Tab A7 Lite runs on Android, and the number of apps on the Google Play retailer is powerful sufficient that it is best to be capable of discover productiveness apps along with the standard assortment of streaming companies. The pill’s massive display screen and extremely expandable storage make it an exquisite content material consumption machine. Nonetheless, no expertise will match the one on Amazon’s tablets concerning general consumer expertise. No less than you possibly can obtain the YouTube app on this pill.

Our solely criticism in regards to the Galaxy Tab A7 is that Samsung shouldn’t be forthright about its tech specs. It touts this pill’s battery life however refrains from giving a battery estimate on its website. The battery’s capability is excessive sufficient to final a number of hours between fees, however, sadly, Samsung doesn’t give a determine to assist set your expectations. If that ambiguity doesn’t hassle you, you’d be hard-pressed to discover a higher Android pill at this worth.

Finest for teenagers: Amazon Fireplace HD 8 Youngsters Version

Specs

• Display screen dimension: 8-inches
• Battery life: As much as 13 hours
• Storage: 32GB (Expandable as much as 1TB)
• Weight: 337 grams
• Cameras: 2 megapixel (entrance), 5 megapixel (rear)

Execs

• Features a case
• Two-year guarantee
• Bundled with Amazon Youngsters+ subscription

Cons

• Worth is steep for a child’s gadget

The Amazon Fireplace HD 8 Youngsters Professional has the identical precise specs because the model of this pill geared toward adults, however its kid-friendly options assist it stand out within the 8-inch pill house in important methods.

Amazon bundles every of those tablets with a hardshell case accessible in a handful of colours and patterns, a two-year guarantee towards any harm, and a 12 months’s subscription to Youngsters+. The primary two advantages are simple, however entry to Amazon Youngsters+ is an even bigger deal than you may think. Amazon’s child-friendly service provides youngsters on the spot, limitless entry to age-appropriate video games, motion pictures, TV reveals, motion pictures, music stations, and apps. Consider it as baked-in parental controls that permit a baby to expertise autonomously with their pill with out worries in regards to the bother they might get themselves into.

We’re comfortable that Amazon opted to construct its kids-edition Fireplace Pill with the identical {hardware} as its customary 8-inch pill as a result of it ensures that your child can use this gadget for a number of years with out it feeling run down and gradual. That’s essential given this pill’s worth, which is much decrease than the iPad Mini’s, however nonetheless expensive for tech geared toward youngsters. Nonetheless, the general worth is there, and for those who’d like your child to cease reaching in your telephone always, it’s a smart funding.

Finest price range: TCL Tab 8

Specs

• Display screen dimension: 8 inches
• Battery life: As much as 8 hours
• Storage: 32 (expandable as much as 512GB)
• Weight: 310 grams
• Cameras: 2 megapixel (entrance), 5 megapixel (rear)

Execs

• Worth
• Blue mild discount modes
• Expandable storage

Cons

TCL’s Tab 8, which routinely goes on sale for $99, gives loads of worth at its discounted worth for anybody who wants an 8-inch pill for light-weight duties like internet looking, on-line purchasing, and video streaming. The Android 11 machine comes with 32GB of storage with the choice so as to add 512GB with a MicroSD card. TCL says this pill lasts as much as eight hours per cost—once more, it will rely on how you employ it and your display screen brightness degree.

Regardless of operating Android 11, which is spectacular for a budget-priced pill, we’d nonetheless categorize the Tab 8 as being extra for media consumption than productiveness. Its show is comparatively low decision (‎800 x 1280 pixels), making it tough to edit pictures or video, although textual content ought to look OK. Consider this as a giant show you possibly can throw in your bag for video streaming on the go—particularly for those who obtain media to look at offline. TCL even bundles the Tab 8 with a foldable case, which protects your machine and lets you angle it upward for extra snug viewing.

One of many Tab 8’s coolest options is its assortment of eye safety modes, that are optimized for duties like e-book studying. Observing a display screen can begin to harm your eyes after some time, so it’s nice to see these options baked into the machine as an alternative of forcing you to obtain third-party apps for a similar performance. All of those little extras are sudden for such a budget-conscious pill. Should you’re principally content material together with your telephone, however would really like an even bigger display screen when on-line purchasing or watching random cat movies, give TCL’s Tab 8 severe consideration.

What to think about when searching for the very best 8-inch tablets

Display screen dimension

The definition of what 8-inch pill is varies from firm to firm—some hit that mark precisely, whereas others push the bounds to a display screen nearer to 9 inches. A bigger display screen makes the pill higher for media consumption and productiveness, however the extra dimension will make it extra cumbersome to hold.

Battery life

A pill’s dimension doesn’t actually matter if it’s run out of energy, so we solely advocate tablets that get not less than eight hours of battery per cost. Some 8-inch tablets can final even longer, although the quantity of uptime you get will likely be primarily based on the apps you’re operating and your display screen brightness settings.

Storage

Should you plan on storing loads of media and apps in your pill, it’s going to have sufficient storage to carry all of it. Many of the 8-inch tablets we’re recommending will let you add extra storage to your machine by popping in a reminiscence card, which may come in useful in case your wants change.

Weight

Should you’re frightened about how a lot bulk an 8-inch pill will add to your on a regular basis carry, don’t be. All of our suggestions weigh in at round 325 grams, which is below one pound. Tablets on this dimension class can sometimes match within the small pocket of a backpack.

Cameras

Pill pictures stays standard, and all of our suggestions have each a entrance and rear-facing digicam. The previous is helpful for selfies or video calls, whereas the latter will allow you to take fast photos of something round you. Pill digicam programs aren’t as refined as those in your telephone, however can work in a pinch.

FAQs

Last ideas on the very best 8-inch tablets

There’s loads of competitors within the 8-inch pill world, which is nice to see after years of corporations targeted on larger-screen units. Present fashions from the highest tech corporations are all fitted to media consumption, and a few are starting to be helpful for productiveness. Shockingly, corporations have managed to maintain the costs of those units down whereas frequently updating them with sooner elements—Apple is the notable exception, however the iPad Mini is just about untouchable in its efficiency. Should you’ve been inquisitive about tablets, however haven’t taken the plunge as a result of they have been too massive and unwieldy or costly, give an 8-inch pill a attempt.

Why belief us

Well-liked Science began writing about expertise greater than 150 years in the past. There was no such factor as “gadget writing” once we revealed our first subject in 1872, but when there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for on a regular basis readers means we might have been throughout it. Right here within the current, PopSci is absolutely dedicated to serving to readers navigate the more and more intimidating array of units available on the market proper now.

Our writers and editors have mixed many years of expertise overlaying and reviewing client electronics. We every have our personal obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video video games to cameras and past—however once we’re reviewing units exterior of our fast wheelhouses, we do our greatest to hunt out reliable voices and opinions to assist information individuals to the easiest suggestions. We all know we don’t know the whole lot, however we’re excited to stay via the evaluation paralysis that web purchasing can spur so readers don’t should.