Overview
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Apple iPad (2022)
Best iPad for Kids - Jump To Details
Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+
Best Affordable Android Tablet - Jump To Details
Apple iPad mini (2021)
Best Small iPad - Jump To Details
Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro (2023)
Best Amazon Tablet for Kids - Jump To Details
Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids 32GB Tablet (2022 Release)
Best for Reading Books - Jump To Details
TCL Tab 10 5G
Best Low-Cost 5G Tablet
Tablets are great because they allow kids to read books, watch shows, and play games. But not every tablet offers strong parental controls or kid-friendly apps and services. PCMag's analysts have been reviewing tablets since the very first iPad came out 14 years ago and kid-friendly devices as long as they have been around. Therefore, you can trust that our picks reflect the best of what's available. Our current Editors' Choice winners are the 10th-Gen Apple iPad and the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ because of their excellent value, respectable performance, and top-notch software; your child won't have any complaints about using them. But all of the other slates here are also worth considering depending on the needs of your kid, so make sure to explore our in-depth reviews. We also include some buying advice toward the bottom to help you with your search.
You Can Trust Our Reviews
Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
Apple iPad (2022)
Best iPad for KidsWhy We Picked It
The base-model iPad features an expansive 10.9-inch screen with a dense resolution of 2,360 by 1,640 pixels, while its A14 Bionic chip ensures that your kids can easily run all of the age-appropriate apps from the App Store. This tablet even gives your child access to iMessage for chatting with family members or friends who also have an Apple device.
Who It's For
Apple's entry-level tablet makes sense for parents who want something that their kids can continue to use as they age. Robust parental controls allow you to keep a close eye on the activities of young kids, but you can always relax these restrictions over time. Despite the recent price drop, you still pay somewhat of a premium for the Apple experience.
Pros
- Appealing iPad Pro-like design
- USB-C port
- High-quality cameras
- Good speakers
- Fast performance
Cons
- No traditional Touch ID button
- No Face ID
Learn MoreApple iPad (2022) ReviewSamsung Galaxy Tab A9+
Best Affordable Android TabletWhy We Picked It
The Samsung Galaxy A9+ packs a decent amount of power for its price and works with Android's built-in parental controls. Quality speakers and an 11-inch, 1,920-by-1,200-pixel screen with an adaptive refresh rate of 90Hz are among the highlights for entertainment. Meanwhile, three more years of software upgrades and a microSD card slot mean the tablet can grow with your child's needs.
Who It's For
This slate is better for older, more responsible kids who are comfortable with Android, as well as parents who primarily use Google software and services.
Pros
- Affordable
- Large screen
- Good performance
- Expandable storage
- Software aids productivity
Cons
- No fingerprint sensor
- Low base storage
Learn MoreSamsung Galaxy Tab A9+ ReviewApple iPad mini (2021)
Best Small iPadWhy We Picked It
Not everyone needs or wants a big tablet, regardless of their age. That's why the iPad mini's 8.3-inch display, compact frame, and light feel are so appealing. You don't sacrifice many performance benefits either, and can still access all of the apps and parental control features that make iPads such a good choice for parents.
Who It's For
If your kid wants an Apple tablet, but can't handle the base model's hefty 10.9-inch screen and weight, the iPad mini is the way to go. You pay a premium for its portability (and also likely need to factor in the cost of a good case and an extended warranty), but the iPad mini is a lot more future-proof than other entries on this list.
Pros
- Excellent performance
- Long battery life
- Works with second-generation Apple Pencil
Cons
- No multi-user option in iPadOS
- Pricier than previous model
Learn MoreApple iPad mini (2021) ReviewAmazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro (2023)
Best Amazon Tablet for KidsWhy We Picked It
Like the base model Fire HD 10 (2023), the Kid's Pro version offers a great value. It comes with a better processor that then Fire HD 8, a thick case with a built-in kickstand, an extended warranty, and a year's subscription to Amazon's Kids+ service. It's a great way for kids to watch their favorite shows, play some basic games, browse online, and read Kindle books.
Who It's For
The Kid's Pro Fire HD 10 (2023) is best suited for kids aged 6 to 12 for whom durability and robust parental controls are more important that full-fledged performance.
Pros
- Good build quality
- Decent display
- Strong parental controls
- Kid-focused content
- Alexa Smart Display mode
- Two-year warranty
Cons
- Limited app selection
- Focus on Amazon services
Learn MoreAmazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro (2023)Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids 32GB Tablet (2022 Release)
Best for Reading BooksWhy We Picked It
The Fire HD 8 Kids Tablet offers a higher-quality screen and slightly better performance than the Fire 7 Kids Tablet, but still comes with a rugged case, an extended warranty, and a one-year Kids+ subscription. It also costs more, but it's worth the extra money because the larger display and faster processor result in a more enjoyable experience overall.
Who It's For
If an iPad or midrange Android tablet is too pricey for your tastes, the Fire HD 8 Kids Tablet strikes an excellent balance between price, size, and performance.
Pros
- Rugged case
- Strong parental controls
- Good battery life
- Vibrant screen
Cons
- Sluggish performance
- $10 more than the previous model
- Limited app selection
TCL Tab 10 5G
Best Low-Cost 5G TabletWhy We Picked It
5G tablets are pretty rare in the affordable segment, but the TCL Tab 10 5G is a notable exception. It lasted more than 10 hours in our battery drain test, which is impressive for a device with a large 10.1-inch display. A decent set of onboard speakers and a microSD card slot also add value. And, because it runs Android, most parental control apps are available for it.
Who It's For
If you and your kid are often away from a Wi-Fi network, this TCL slate makes a lot of sense. Typically, you have to spend much more to get a tablet with 5G support.
Pros
- Quality screen for the price
- 5G support
- Good performance and battery life
- Decent stereo speakers
- MicroSD support
Cons
- Disappointing Android upgrade commitment
- Only 32GB of built-in storage
- Lackluster cameras
Learn MoreTCL Tab 10 5G Review
Buying Guide: The Best Tablets for Kids in 2024
The Best Tablets for School
The best tablet for school is a base model iPad. The iPad's dominant role in the tablet landscape means most schools support them, many teachers have them, and tech support is easy. Other tablets might not be able to run the third-party apps that schools demand or allow you to fill out basic web forms. The worst offenders here are Amazon's Fire tablets, which are inexpensive and popular but don't work well for productivity.
If an iPad won't do for your school, pick something with Chrome OS. For those, head over to our list of the best Chromebooks for kids.
What Specs Do You Need in a Tablet for Kids?
Don't assume a tablet for a kid should be a piece of junk. Sufficient hardware specs can help you find a tablet that works well enough to avoid frustrating meltdowns. Let's start with screen size and resolution. An 8-inch, 1,280-by-800-pixel display is good for reading comics and watching videos, so use that as your baseline.
Pay close attention to storage specs, too. We recommend 64GB of built-in storage (or more) rather than 32GB. This amount of storage enables you to install more apps and take more pictures and videos. A microSD card slot can't hurt, either, especially if you want to download movies for your kids to watch on long trips. Some games, like Genshin Impact, take up more than 32GB by themselves.
Look for 4GB of RAM or more. This amount of RAM helps apps launch and run more smoothly, particularly if there's anything else running in the background. Amazon’s Fire tablets get a pass here because they still provide a stutter-free experience despite their 3GB of RAM.
Battery life is another factor to remember—you don't want the tablet to die in the middle of a long car ride. Carrying a backup battery can help.
The Best iPad for Kids
iPads have the best tablet apps, grow with your kid, and can double as a pseudo-laptop for schoolwork. Apple's operating system, iPadOS, has the Screen Time feature that lets you monitor usage, set time limits, block apps, filter content, and prevent purchases—which you should use to keep your kids from spending money without your permission. iPadOS does not, however, support multiple user profiles to separate what adults and kids see when they use the tablet.
The iPad also has, by far, the best ecosystem of accessories for productive and creative kids, including cases, keyboards, and the Apple Pencil stylus. It's versatile and extendable.
And, as you probably already know, iPads let kids use iMessage and FaceTime to talk with friends or relatives who have Apple devices without you having to get them a phone.
The Best Fire Tablet for Kids
Amazon's inexpensive Fire tablet lineup has been one of the best family options for years. The Kids Edition has a rubber case, a no-questions-asked two-year guarantee, a simplified interface, and Kids+, which is basically a giant bucket of age-appropriate content. A Parent Dashboard lets you track what your children are doing and restrict their screen time. You can put multiple user profiles on the tablets, as well.
The Best Android Tablet for Kids
If you primarily use Google services and Android apps, an Android tablet can get you what you need for a little less money than an iPad, and it's not locked to Amazon services like a Fire tablet.
Regarding parental controls, Google Family Link lets you control what apps your kid can access, set daily limits, and block explicit content in Chrome, Search, and YouTube. Your best bets come from Lenovo, Samsung, and TCL.
Why You Should Avoid Toy Tablets
Companies such as Fuhu, Kurio, and Leapfrog made their names with highly restricted tablets that came with kid-friendly software and, by default, don't offer access to the open internet. By and large, though, these tablets haven't been updated for years and are running old, insecure versions of Android that we don't recommend. They also won't grow with your kids as they age, leaving you to purchase a more advanced tablet from this list eventually, anyway.
While you're shopping for your kid, check out our lab-tested picks for the best kids' phones and the best kids' laptops. For a broader selection of tablets for older kids and adults, look at the best tablets we've tested overall.
Sascha Segan contributed to this report.
