Tablets have become an everyday essential, whether it’s for browsing on the sofa, keeping the kids entertained or catching up on work on the go. The good news is you no longer need to spend a fortune to get something genuinely usable.
This guide focuses on the best cheap tablets for 2026 – models that keep the upfront price low but are still pleasant to live with. We’ve picked out a handful of options that balance cost with screen size, storage and everyday performance.
You’ll see a mix of compact and larger‑screen tablets from big‑name brands. Some are the absolute rock‑bottom bargains, while others cost a touch more but reward you with better screens or more comfortable all‑round use. The aim is to help you save money without ending up with a false economy.
Our recommendations are based on real‑world priorities: how a tablet feels to use day after day, not just what it looks like on paper. We look closely at specifications, customer ratings and owner feedback to understand which cheap models genuinely deliver and which ones cut too many corners.
Price is important, but it’s not the only factor. We focus on models that combine sensible performance, usable screens and decent battery life for the money, while filtering out poorly rated or obviously under‑powered options. If a tablet is on this list, it’s because we believe it offers good value for typical home, family or student use.
The result is a shortlist of budget tablets that should feel like smart, confident purchases – devices you can rely on for everyday tasks without regretting that you went for the cheapest thing you could find.
We started by looking at the lower end of the tablet price range, focusing on models that cost around £100 or less at the time of writing. From there, we filtered out options with weak feedback, erratic performance reports or obvious design compromises that would frustrate everyday users.
Only tablets with at least 64GB of storage made the cut, as this is the practical minimum for apps, updates and a few offline films in 2026. We then compared screen sizes, user ratings and brands’ reputations to highlight a mix of compact 8‑inch designs and larger 10–11‑inch options.
Every tablet here is cheap, but not all in the same way. Some are chosen because they bring the price down as far as possible without becoming unusable, while others spend a little extra budget to improve the display, build or everyday speed. That way, you can decide whether to prioritise the lowest possible price or better features for only a small step up in cost.
Below you’ll find our top cheap tablet picks, ordered from the strongest overall recommendation down. They all offer 64GB of storage and come from brands with solid track records.
The first model is our standout bargain, offering a very low price without feeling throwaway. The others either match it on cost with different screen sizes or spend slightly more to give you a larger display or better‑rounded experience. Pick the one that best fits how and where you’ll actually use it.
A genuinely low‑cost Lenovo tablet with an 8.7‑inch screen and 64GB of storage, ideal if you want something small, light and affordable for everyday browsing and streaming.
The Lenovo Tab One 8.7″ is one of the cheapest tablets here, yet still includes a practical 64GB of storage so you’re not immediately fighting for space. Its compact 8.7‑inch size makes it easy to hold one‑handed, slip into a bag or hand to the kids without worrying about it being too big or heavy. A 4.7 out of 5 rating from buyers is reassuring at this price point, suggesting that performance and build are better than the low cost might imply. For casual browsing, streaming catch‑up TV or checking emails on the sofa, it covers the basics comfortably.
As a very low‑cost compact tablet, the Lenovo Tab One is not designed for demanding games or heavy multitasking, so you may notice slow‑downs if you push it too hard. The smaller 8.7‑inch screen won’t suit everyone, particularly if you plan to do a lot of typing or long film sessions. If you value a big display or want a device to share for family movie nights, one of the 10‑inch or 11‑inch options on this list will be a better fit.
Ideal if you want the lowest possible price from a recognised brand without dropping to no‑name hardware. The Lenovo Tab One 8.7″ suits kids, casual users and anyone who mainly scrolls, streams and shops online. It’s also a good choice as a travel tablet thanks to its compact size and light weight.
A 10.1‑inch Lenovo tablet that gives you more screen for only a little extra cash, making it a strong, family‑friendly choice for watching films and casual use around the home.
The Lenovo TAB 10.1 offers a noticeable step up in screen size to 10.1 inches for only a small increase in price, which makes films, games and web pages feel far more spacious. It keeps the same generous 64GB of storage, so there’s room for apps and a good stack of offline content. Customer feedback is excellent, with a 4.9 out of 5 score from a growing number of reviews, which is impressive for a budget tablet. The larger display is particularly handy for shared use at home or for anyone who finds smaller screens a strain on the eyes.
Although the Lenovo TAB 10.1 offers more screen for the money, it still sits firmly in the budget category, so you shouldn’t expect premium speed or top‑tier speakers. The larger footprint also makes it a bit less travel‑friendly than the smaller 8.7‑inch models, especially for children’s hands. If you only need something compact for quick browsing and reading, the cheaper Lenovo Tab One or the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9 could be more convenient.
Best for families and anyone who mainly uses a tablet at home for films, browsing and the occasional bit of work or homework. The 10.1‑inch screen makes it comfortable for sharing and for longer viewing sessions. It’s a strong pick if you’re on a budget but don’t want to compromise too much on screen size.
Samsung’s Galaxy Tab A9 delivers an 8.7‑inch display and familiar Samsung interface at a firmly budget‑friendly price, perfect if you prefer sticking with a big brand.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A9 gives you a way into the Samsung ecosystem at a very wallet‑friendly price, which will appeal if you already use a Samsung phone. Its 8.7‑inch display keeps the tablet portable and easy to use on the go, while still being large enough for comfortable video watching and reading. You get 64GB of storage, which is generous for an entry‑level Samsung device in this price bracket. A 4.5 out of 5 score from early reviews suggests that most owners are happy with the balance of price and performance.
The Galaxy Tab A9 does cost slightly more than the absolute rock‑bottom tablets you can find, largely because you’re paying for the Samsung name and software support. Its review count is still low, so long‑term reliability is less proven than some rivals on this list. The 8.7‑inch screen is also on the compact side, so if you want a more cinematic feel or plan to do a lot of typing, a 10‑inch or 11‑inch model will be more comfortable.
A great fit for Samsung fans who want a cheap companion to their phone without learning a new interface. It’s also well suited to commuters, students and younger teens who need something compact for reading, streaming and light study. Choose this if brand familiarity and a neat, portable size matter more than having the very biggest screen.
The TCL Tab 10L Gen. 4 keeps costs down while offering a roomy 10.1‑inch screen, a good fit for light use, homework and streaming without spending more than you need to.
The TCL Tab 10L Gen. 4 stands out by offering a 10.1‑inch display at a budget‑friendly price, so you can enjoy a big‑screen experience without overspending. With 64GB of storage, there’s space for school apps, games and a good library of streamed content. A 4.4 out of 5 rating shows that most buyers feel it delivers what they expected at this price point. It’s a strong option if you want a larger screen for family use or light productivity but don’t feel the need to pay extra for a premium brand logo.
While the TCL Tab 10L Gen. 4 is affordable, TCL doesn’t have quite the same brand recognition as Lenovo, Samsung or Honor in the tablet space, which may give some buyers pause. The 4.4 rating is good but not outstanding, hinting at some compromises compared with slightly pricier rivals. If you want the best mix of value and overwhelmingly positive feedback, the Honor Pad X8a may justify its small extra cost.
Well suited to households that want a big screen for streaming, simple games and schoolwork but are determined to stick to a strict budget. It’s a good option as a communal living‑room tablet or for older children who don’t need a premium device. Choose it if you value a 10‑inch display but can live without a big‑name brand.
With an 11‑inch display and very strong customer feedback, the Honor Pad X8a is an excellent option if you can nudge your budget slightly higher while still staying firmly in the value camp.
The Honor Pad X8a pairs an expansive 11‑inch display with a still‑accessible price, giving you more room for split‑screen apps, study materials and comfortable film watching. It’s by far the most tried‑and‑tested tablet on this list, with a superb 4.9 out of 5 rating from dozens of customer reviews, which is a strong vote of confidence for reliability and everyday performance. The 64GB of storage keeps it in line with the others on capacity, but the larger display and positive feedback make it feel like a cut above the usual bargain‑basement models. For not much more money than the very cheapest tablets, it offers a more grown‑up, long‑term experience.
The Honor Pad X8a is the priciest tablet in this line‑up, even if it’s still very much in the budget zone, so it won’t suit the tightest of budgets. Its larger 11‑inch size also makes it less portable than the compact 8.7‑inch options and a bit more awkward for smaller hands. If you simply want the cheapest possible tablet for occasional use or for young children, the Lenovo Tab One will save you money.
Best for students, home workers and families who can stretch their budget slightly for a more comfortable, future‑proof feeling tablet. The 11‑inch display lends itself to reading, note‑taking and split‑screen multitasking, as well as box‑set marathons. If you want a cheap tablet that still feels a bit special, this is the one to go for.
