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If you’re looking for a portable, IP67 waterproof Bluetooth speaker, Sprout’s Soundwave speaker could be the one for you. We check it out.
Headphones may be a great way to enjoy your Spotify playlist privately, but if you’re entertaining at home, camping, or relaxing on the beach, you may want to share your music. For this, you are going to need a Bluetooth speaker like Sprout’s Soundwave speaker.
Sprout is an Aussie company that designs speakers, headphones, chargers and phone accessories. They pride themselves on being sustainable and ethical, with a mission to enhance our world not just for today but for tomorrow as well. They do this via using recyclable packaging and examining the impact of their end-to-end supply chain, including end-of-life disposal.
Sprout’s Soundwave Bluetooth speaker stands 150mm high and weighs only 680g, making it the perfect size for sticking in your bag. The speaker features twin 47mm drivers and a 24W output, so you’re not really compromising power for portability. The speaker comes with a USB Type-A to Type-B charging cable, a strap, and the manual.
On the front of the speaker is a rubber panel with a power button, play button, volume buttons and a Unisync button for syncing up to 50 Sprout Bluetooth speakers. There’s also a bank of four battery charge indicator lights. A status light at the top of the rubber panel flashes red and blue for Bluetooth pairing and a solid blue when paired.
Behind a little rubber cover on the back of the speaker is a charging input, a 3.5 mm aux input. There’s also a 5W USB Type-A output, as the Soundwave speaker doubles as a power bank.
Connecting the device to my phone was painless. Following the instructions, the speaker appeared on my phone’s list of Bluetooth devices and paired with no fuss, with a voice prompt confirming that it was connected. A vocal cue will also let you know if the device needs charging. You should see around 14 hours between charges.
The speaker’s sound quality is great, but maybe a little pedestrian for those wanting to really upset the neighbours. For a bit of background music to accompany an alfresco meal or while doing chores, the Soundwave will do the job. If it’s a dance party you are after, you are likely going to need something with a bit more meat. Alternatively, you could buy a few more Sprout Bluetooth speakers and sync them together if you really need some extra volume.
The speaker seems quite rugged, but you do need to be mindful of the exposed drivers at each end. They are sealed in with rubber and look cool with the Sprout logo, but I’d like to have seen them with mesh covers, just to make sure they don’t get pierced by something in my bag.
Sprout’s Soundwave Bluetooth speaker does what it says on the tin. It’s a robust, very portable speaker for sharing music when you are out and about. It’s waterproof, so there are no problems if you are by the pool or on the beach. The audio is crisp, and it even acts as a power bank. The multi-speaker Unisync mode is pretty cool as well. All-in-all, it’s a competent device that’s worth a look if you are in the market for a portable Bluetooth speaker.
The eero 7 is now the most affordable Wi-Fi 7 router in the company’s range. It is designed to deliver multi-gigabit speeds and enhanced connectivity in a compact and accessible form factor. Priced at NZD $319.99 for a single unit and NZD $699.99 for a three-pack, the device targets customers looking to upgrade to the latest Wi-Fi standard without a high upfront cost. Coverage offered by a single eero 7 unit spans up to 190 square metres, while a three-pack extends coverage to 560 square metres. The device supports both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands and can achieve wireless speeds of up to 1.8 Gbps, with wired speeds reaching up to 2.3 Gbps using its two 2.5 GbE ports.
eero Pro 7 features
The eero Pro 7 is intended for households with high connectivity demands, such as those that require capacity for hundreds of devices or utilise large amounts of bandwidth. This model features tri-band support across 2.4, 5, and 6 GHz, maximising spectrum use to reduce congestion and maintain performance in busy Wi-Fi environments. Its wireless speeds can reach up to 3.9 Gbps, and the device features two 5 GbE ports for wired connections with speeds up to 4.7 Gbps. The Pro 7 is priced at NZD $599.99 for a single unit and NZD $1,299.99 for a three-pack.
Both the eero 7 and eero Pro 7 are powered by eero’s proprietary TrueMesh, TrueRoam, and TrueChannel technologies. These capabilities allow the routers to adapt in real time to changing network conditions by automatically optimising channel selection, dynamically connecting users to the best available unit, and managing data traffic to avoid interference from neighbouring networks.
Technologies and performance
The Wi-Fi 7 standard, which both new devices support, brings improved network throughput, increased device capacity, and lower latency compared to previous generations. Features such as Multi-Link Operation, Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access, and 4K-QAM ensure that more devices can communicate simultaneously and data is transmitted more efficiently.
Additional features on both devices include support for advanced encryption and WPA3 security protocols, over-the-air software updates for security and functionality, and backward compatibility with earlier generations of eero products. Both the eero 7 and eero Pro 7 function as smart home hubs and include support for Matter, Thread, and Zigbee devices, allowing users to connect a wide range of smart home products via Alexa.
The increasing demand for reliable and high-capacity Wi-Fi has driven interest in mesh and advanced wireless systems in New Zealand households, particularly as more residents work or study from home and rely on multiple connected devices. Jacqueline Lipman, APAC Managing Director at eero, commented on the expansion:
“We are excited to bring advanced performance to Kiwi homes through our expanded eero range. Whether customers prioritise affordability or premium features, our lineup meets every household’s needs – from powering home offices and streaming across multiple devices to staying connected with family overseas,” said Jacqueline Lipman, APAC Managing Director, eero. “As connectivity becomes increasingly essential for Kiwi consumers, the new eero 7 and eero Pro 7 help simplify everyday life by delivering reliable connections in our complex digital world.”
The eero app, which accompanies the hardware, gives users the ability to set up and manage their networks within minutes, pause internet access, and view connected devices. The app recently underwent a redesign aimed at improving navigation and device monitoring for users. Subscribers to the eero Plus service, available for AUD $15.99 per month or AUD $159.99 per year, gain access to additional security features, parental controls, and internet backup during outages, as well as third-party security software.
The Deebot T50 Max Pro OMNI from Ecovacs Robotics is a robot vacuum and mopping system that uses 3D LiDAR technology to map your home. It comes with a station unit that automatically replenishes water and disposes of waste.
For nearly four years, my trusty Deebot N8 Pro has been soldiering on, haplessly vacuuming up the mess that a house with three kids, a cat and a dog leaves behind. I wouldn’t say life has been easy for the little robot vacuum cleaner. But it is the perfect environment to test the new Ecovacs Deebot T50 Max.
In the box you’ll find the Deebot T50 Max robot, the Omni Station, a base ramp, a side brush, a power cord and a brief instruction manual. Before you start using the Deebot, you need to download the Ecovacs Home app from either the Apple Store or Google Play. I already had the app installed as my Deebot N8 Pro is already on cleaning duty. You can have more than one Ecovacs robot on the app, for instance, if you use separate vacuums for different levels in your house. It’s a great app, and very robust, giving you full control of your robot vacuum, including mapping and cleaning settings.
After you’ve got the app, there’s a little bit of setting up, mainly removing the blue tape holding the bits together during transit. Then you just need to fix the base into the OMNI station and click the side brush into the robot. You’ll also need to hook up the dust bag and fill the water tank in the Omni station. After powering up the Omni station, placing the robot in the dock will start the charging cycle.
From the Ecovacs app, selecting “add device” will pair the new robot. You need to connect your phone to a 2.5GHz Wi-Fi channel (or a mixed network), as the device only supports 2.5GHz Wi-Fi connections. You’ll need your Wi-Fi password to complete the network connection.
From now on, interaction with the actual Deebot T50 Max is kept to a minimum. The Omni Station services and maintains the robot, filling it with water and emptying it of dust and dirty water, as well as cleaning off the mopping pads. There’s also an optional tank for Ecovacs’ cleaning fluid, which is available separately. It’s a shame that a pot of cleaning fluid isn’t included in the box, as it’s probably a good idea to use it to keep things cleaner.
The Omni Station is a game changer, making the T50 Max an autonomous cleaning system that requires minimal intervention. But there are some disadvantages compared to the old Deebot dock employed by my old N8 Pro. Whereas I could tuck the old dock out of the way somewhere, the Omni Station is a rather large bit of kit. It has a footprint, including the ramp base, of 45cm x 33cm and stands about 50cm high. It also needs 50cm clearance on each side and 80cm clearance at the front. To be fair, though, it’s no bigger than a kitchen bin, but still worth noting.
Anyone who’s used a regular robot vacuum, or even one of Ecovacs’ earlier Deebots will see the value in the Omni Station. My N8 Pro will happily continue to go through the motions of vacuuming the house with the little dust compartment stuffed to overflowing with debris. You then have to pluck out the compartment and pick out the fluff and dust into your bin. There’s a similar tiresome interaction with the N8’s mopping function, which is again redundant with the T50 Max’s automated Omni Station.
The Omni Station does provide a bit of a false sense of security. It’s dreadfully easy to completely forget about the vacuum once you’ve set up a cleaning schedule. You can be at work whilst the device vacuums your carpets and mops the floors and completely forget that the thing exists. But you do need to check that there’s water (and cleaner if you are using it) in the tank(s) and that the dirty water tank and the dust bag aren’t full. The mop pad cleaner also needs the occasional rinse, as does the mop cleaning area. You will get alerts from the app when maintenance is required, but it’s best to keep on top of it, rather than have your autonomous cleaning schedule disrupted.
The robot does an exceptional job of not getting caught up in items lying around the house. Whilst the instructions state that you need to make sure your floors are clear of obstacles, in reality, that’s not always going to work. Occasionally, the kids will leave something lying around that’s too much for it, but compared to my old N8, the Deebot T50 Max avoids sucking up cables and socks without any drama.
It’s not all plain sailing, though. A few times, the robot lost a mopping pad. Whilst the app alerted me to this issue, the robot had moved on, leaving the whereabouts of the missing mopping pad a bit of a mystery. Mishaps such as this are few and far between.
The robot has no problem detecting the difference between carpet and tile, keeping the brush up to avoid smudging your carpet. You need to be mindful if you have a particularly deep pile carpet, as the mop pads may not be high enough to clear the fabric.
All the robot’s clever technology, which includes LiDAR 3D mapping, ultrasonic carpet detection, infrared ranging and a microphone and an AI camera, is filtered to the end user via the Ecovacs app. Despite the high level of technology and automation at work, the Deboot T50 Max is simple and easy to use.
You can set the vacuum off by just pressing the start button. The first time, the robot will map your home, noting where rugs and carpets are. It will also detect and map the various rooms, labelling them for reference.
As you get used to the Deeboot you can start experimenting with the settings. You can select the way the robot cleans, i.e. vacuum and mop, vacuum first and then mop or just switch on intelligent hosting and allow the robot’s AI to select the best way to proceed for you. Setting up a cleaning schedule allows you to leave the robot to clean while you are at work or at any other convenient time, without any further intervention.
The app also allows access to the T50’s onboard 960P camera, which Ecovacs suggests can be used to monitor your home remotely. Whilst that’s sort of true, it’s not that practical, as you can’t directly control the path of the robot. The robot’s patrol mode, however, converts Deebot into an autonomous security guard, well, more like a moving security camera, as it trundles around your house snapping pictures. You can also remotely watch the live-streamed video from the robot’s camera. This is a cool bonus to complement your home security setup.
As well as being compatible with the likes of Amazon’s Alexa, the T50 Max Pro comes with its own voice assistant, called YIKO. When switched on via the app, saying “OK Yiko” and a command like, say, “clean the kitchen” will start the robot and have it follow your command. You can use this to quickly have the robot clean a spill in a particular area rather than open the app or commence a full house clean.
The scalability of the T50 Max Pro is its biggest strength. It’s easy to set the device off and get a great result without having to check the manual or wade through countless options in the app. But if you want to use the more powerful commands and automation, it’s all there for you. This is exactly what you should be looking for in a piece of technology.
The Ecovacs Deeboot T50 Max Pro Onmi is an impressive bit of kit that makes a big dent in your housework chores. Easy to use, but incredibly thorough and effective, Ecovacs has produced an AI-driven autonomous vacuuming and mopping system that is virtually unflappable. The Omni station automates most of the maintenance duties, allowing the device to potentially clean for weeks without needing any human interaction. The patrol mode and streaming video feed are added bonuses that make the robot even more futuristic. It’s an incredible cleaning machine that’ll leave you wondering what you ever did without it.
With both Bluetooth and 2.4GHz capabilities, the budget-friendly SteelSeries Rival 3 Wireless is a bit of a head turner.
Complementing the usual black and white colours for their mice, for the second generation of the Rival 3 Wireless mouse, SteelSeries is offering more avant-garde aqua blue and lavender purple alternatives. We received the aqua version of the mouse to try out.
And it looks fantastic. The box doesn’t do the aqua colour of the mouse justice. It also features a lightly textured matte finish that makes it stand out even more.
The mouse is symmetrical, so if you are a lefty who, out of principle, feels the need to use a mouse in their left hand, you can with this mouse. You may have trouble using the two buttons on the left side, but that’s what you get for being awkward (and I say this as a lefty- that uses a mouse in my right hand).
The mouse comes with two AAA batteries in the box, which fit in a compartment under the palm area. SteelSeries states that the batteries should last you 175 hours using the 2.4GHz dongle or 450 hours with Bluetooth. You can even remove one of the batteries to reduce the weight by 11g if you want to make the mouse lighter. Personally, I found the weight, at 106g, to be about right.
Tucked away in the battery compartment is the 2.4GHz USB dongle. It’s good to see a device that has a place to store the dongle, so you don’t lose it if you are on the go. Whilst the mouse is Bluetooth as well, you will get better response times (polling rate) using the dongle.
The SteelSeries GG software (available as a free download from the SteelSeries website) is a bit pushy and wants to become your gaming hub. It would be nice to have a more streamlined app that only manages your device rather than wanting to manage your entire gaming life. The GG app “Engine” area is where you can update your SteelSeries devices and adjust options.
For the Rival 3, you can customise the six buttons with keystrokes or macros, set the DPI (including the middle button sensitivity toggles), adjust movement acceleration/deceleration, angle snapping and polling rate. There are also options to extend battery life, smooth Bluetooth cursor movement, and enhance wireless stability if you are getting interference. The GG software saves options to the mouse once set, so you can use it on other devices without the app.
There is an LED light in the scroll wheel, but this only seems to light up when pairing with Bluetooth. The only other time it seemed to light up is to warn when the battery is getting low. I’d expect, though, for lighting to be minimal with a battery-powered mouse to extend the time between battery replacements.
Using the mouse is a breeze. It’s very responsive and glides across your mouse mat on its three PTFE feet. The buttons have a reassuringly positive click about them and are built to last, with SteelSeries boasting that the mouse uses sixty million click switches.
For what purports to be a budget-friendly peripheral, the SteelSeries Rival 3 Wireless Gen 2 mouse certainly stands out. Not only does it look good, but it also feels solid. Having to replace the batteries is a bit of a downer, but you can’t have everything with a sub-AU$100 mouse. Overall, it’s a stylish mouse that performs well and offers excellent value for money.
New Dell Pro Max high-performance laptops and audio solutions are now available, offering a range of features designed for power users, engineers, creators and AI developers.
Pro Max Premium features
The Dell Pro Max 14 and 16 Premium laptops are positioned as models balancing mobility, design and advanced functionality. The devices feature a modern aesthetic, and, according to Dell, have the smallest footprint of 14- and 16-inch mobile workstations on the market. The Premium 16-inch model includes what is described as the world’s first 4K Tandem OLED display for a mobile workstation, certified with VESA DisplayHDR TrueBlack 1000.
The display aims to bring improved content presentation, with greater clarity and colour depth for tasks such as creative project work and collaborative engineering. Dell states that their laptops are built to cater for the needs of highly demanding workflows without unacceptable sacrifices in portability or design.
The Premium laptops use NVIDIA RTX PRO 3000 Blackwell laptop GPUs and up to 45W Intel Core Ultra 9 285H processors. Dell states that these new models provide a 19% and 23% boost in graphics performance over the previous generation for the 14- and 16-inch models respectively, based on internal testing. This is intended to allow smoother performance in tasks such as video editing and data analysis.
The Dell Pro Max Plus range, aimed at even greater performance, comes in 16- and 18-inch form factors. These laptops are targeted at users requiring additional screen real estate and processing power, such as those involved in AI modelling, complex simulations and large-scale data analysis.
The models feature NVIDIA RTX PRO 5000 Blackwell GPUs, up to 55W Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX processors, and storage capacities up to 16TB. According to Dell, the new Pro Max 16 Plus and Pro Max 18 Plus models deliver graphics improvements of 53% and 44% respectively when compared to the previous generation. These results are based on benchmarking against earlier models, as referenced in Dell’s internal testing reports.
Advanced thermal management is another element highlighted in the Pro Max Plus series. Dell claims that their patented thermal technology allows for up to a 36% increase in total performance while keeping the devices cooler during resource-intensive tasks. CAMM2 memory support with modules of up to 256GB, due to become available this year, is designed to facilitate increasingly demanding AI and specialty workloads.
Entry-level Pro Max options
For users with lighter workloads or those new to the Pro Max range, the Dell Pro Max 14 and 16 offer performance and reliability at a more accessible entry point. Weighing from 3.95 pounds for the 14-inch model, these laptops prioritise portability while maintaining operational battery life – up to 18 hours on the 14-inch and 20 hours on the 16-inch, according to Dell’s internal evaluation.
Processors include AMD Ryzen AI for the first Copilot+ PCs in the Pro Max line, allowing devices to reach 50+ TOPS (trillions of operations per second) on the NPU, and access a set of exclusive AI-powered features. Options also include up to 45W Intel Core Ultra 9 285H processors and, in the upper configurations, NVIDIA RTX PRO 2000 Blackwell GPUs supporting 572 AI TOPS. Dell reports up to 36% and 33% performance improvements for the 14- and 16-inch variants, compared to their predecessors.
The Pro Max 14 and 16 are positioned for users such as financial analysts and emerging creators who require dependable everyday performance.
Security and sustainability
The new Pro Max laptops incorporate security features for commercial use. Dell highlights that with AI workloads processed on-device rather than in the cloud, sensitive data remains local, potentially reducing exposure to external threats. Manageability tools enable IT departments to oversee devices in a fleet more easily.
Sustainability is also addressed in the Pro Max range. Dell reports that the new laptops utilise recycled and bio-based materials, including magnesium, plastics, ocean-bound plastics, aluminium, and cobalt. Recycled content is integrated into various laptop components such as speaker housings, covers, palmrests, and batteries, with some models incorporating up to 98% recycled plastic in specific parts. The modular USB-C port and easy-access service doors in certain models are designed to enhance durability and facilitate repair and upgrades.
Operating system and transition support
All models in the new Pro Max lineup run on Windows 11, which Dell notes delivers enhanced security and a modern user experience, including productivity tools such as Copilot for Windows. These features are promoted as aiding users’ transition ahead of Windows 10’s end of support in October 2025.
Dell’s portfolio strategy includes addressing growing workload demands with new devices and serviceability features. As stated in the release, “If your current technology is starting to strain under new and growing demanding workloads, now is the moment to upgrade to Dell Pro Max.”
Fujifilm has unveiled the X-E5, a new mirrorless digital camera that combines a compact body with features aimed at a wide range of photographers.
The X-E5 is the latest addition to Fujifilm’s X Series and weighs approximately 445g, offering portability for everyday use. The camera is powered by a 40.2MP back-illuminated X-Trans CMOS 5 HR sensor paired with the high-speed X-Processor 5, which the company states delivers “exceptional results in a range of shooting scenarios, from spontaneous street photography to carefully composed portraits.”
For the first time in the X-E series, the X-E5 introduces a five-axis in-body image stabilisation (IBIS) mechanism. According to Fujifilm, this provides “up to 7.0 stops of stabilisation in the centre of the frame (6.0 stops on the periphery). Whether shooting handheld in low light or on the move, users can enjoy sharper, more stable images.”
Design and handling
The camera debuts a new top plate made entirely from machined aluminium. The company describes this as giving “crisp edges with smooth curves to deliver a refined, tactile feel in hand.” The X-E5 also includes a “Classic Display” mode, which provides a “clean viewfinder with key information placed subtly at the bottom of the frame.” Fujifilm states that this design choice is aimed at helping “creators stay in the moment.”
The overall design continues with other classic elements, including a rope-type shoulder strap and a tapered rear on the top plate for comfort and improved operability. The Film Simulation dial is another new feature, and it includes a “precision-cut indicator window that minimises the gap between dial and body for an exact finish.” The dial allows users to individually set and save Film Simulation and image quality settings to three FS positions.
“Refinement is central to every aspect of X-E5’s design. For example, the viewfinder and diopter adjustment control fit flush with the body. By refining vertical and horizontal elements, the design preserves the essence of a traditional camera while exuding a sophisticated presence.”
Viewfinder and shooting experience
The X-E5 offers a “retro and minimalist ‘Classic Display’ mode for the EVF, inspired by the old film cameras. The information on the EVF has been simplified as much as possible. Combined with a body style that allows you to operate the dials and the lever with one hand, you can immerse yourself in image making with the camera to your eye.”
The camera introduces a Surround View function that displays the area outside the shooting range as a semi-transparent or line pattern, according to the chosen aspect ratio. Fujifilm says “users can easily switch between these two modes using a lever, providing a shooting experience that is similar to an OVF, even though it is an EVF.” A control lever on the front adds customisable options, including switching view modes, changing aspect ratios, and adjusting digital teleconverter magnification.
The company highlights improvements to the gyro sensor and a new algorithm for increased responsiveness to camera shake. “Thanks to the latest technologies, the camera realises 5-axis compensation performance of up to 7.0 stops at the centre and 6.0 stops at the periphery. The compact body is equipped with powerful image stabilisation, allowing for comfortable shooting across a wide range of scenarios.”
A digital teleconverter function provides 1.4x and 2.0x zoom levels. With the high-resolution sensor, Fujifilm says users can “zoom with minimal loss of image quality, making it versatile for a wide range of shooting scenarios.” The rear monitor can tilt and flip up to 180 degrees for varied compositions, including selfies, and the camera supports 6.2K/30P video recording with tracking autofocus.
Sensor and autofocus
The fifth generation X Series sensor is described as the “back-illuminated 40.2 megapixel ‘X-Trans CMOS 5 HR’ sensor.” Fujifilm states, “The latest image processing algorithms deliver high resolution while maintaining a high signal-to-noise ratio.” The improved sensor allows ISO 125 to be used as normal sensitivity and offers fast shutter speeds up to 1/180,000 second via the electronic shutter.
Autofocus is powered by an AI-based subject detection system developed through deep learning technology, which can detect a wide range of subjects, including “animals, birds, cars, motorcycles, bicycles, airplanes, trains, insects, and drones.” The company claims the predictive algorithm “provides high tracking performance for moving subjects and high precision AF in low-contrast environments.”
If you own multiple Apple devices and want to save money, this is the plan to get
(Image credit: Apple)
If you want to protect your Apple devices from accidents, theft and loss and get priority support, you can now get coverage for multiple Apple products in one plan for one price. And you’ll save a bit of money in the process.
The new service is called AppleCare One, which builds on AppleCare+ by letting you protect up to three products tied to your Apple Account for $19.99 a month. It starts rolling out on July 24.
That’s not a bad deal considering that AppleCare+ currently costs $11.99 a month for theiPhone 16and $13.99 a month for the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max.
So, for a few bucks more per month, you can add your Apple Watch and iPad. Or your MacBook and AirPods Max. It’s up to you. And if you want to protect more than three devices at once, each additional device will cost you an extra $5.99 a month.
Another plus is that AppleCare One can cover Apple products you already own up to 4 years old. Headphones need to be less than a year old, though. But at least you don’t have to buy something new to add it to your plan.
Apple will walk you through the steps virtually to see if your devices are eligible by checking if they’re in “good condition.” So you don’t need to go to an Apple Store.
For the first time, Apple is also extending theft and loss coverage to the Apple Watch and iPad. This will be available to AppleCare One and AppleCare+ customers.
What does AppleCare One cover?
Similar to AppleCare+, AppleCare One includes:
Unlimited repairs for accidents like drops and spills
24/7 priority support from Apple experts
Quick Apple-certified service
Battery coverage
Theft and loss protection for iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch
Note that you cannot add devices from family members to AppleCare One — at least for now. They need to be tied to your specific Apple Account.
I review tablets for a living, and if you’re okay with Amazon’s FireOS I think the the best Amazon Fire tablets are just as good as any iPad or Android slate.
I know because my team and I review all the iPads that come out every year alongside a slew of Android slates from the likes of Google, Samsung and OnePlus. We also test and review every major Amazon tablet, and I use all that data to compile this regularly-updated list of the best Amazon Fire tablets on the market.
For my money theAmazon Fire HD 10is the best Amazon Fire slate for most of us because it offers you good performance, great battery life and a nice screen for significantly less than your average iPad.
If you can afford to splurge and crave something fancier than the HD 10, I recommend you upgrade to theAmazon Fire Max 11because it sports a bigger, brighter display, more power and more storage than the Fire HD 10 for roughly a hundred bucks more.
But if you’re on a really tight budget and just need a cheap tablet to browse the web, I think you can get by with theAmazon Fire 8. It’s a small, cheap slate with sub-1080p resolution, so it’s not great for enjoying your favorite movies—but it’s one of the best tablets you can get for $100.
I’ve got a lot more advice and recommendations to share below, so scroll down for more help finding the best Amazon Fire tablet for you!
The Amazon Fire HD 10 is a great all-around tablet, which is why I generally recommend it as the best Amazon Fire tablet for most people.
While it’s not the fastest or most beautiful tablet on the market, or even the most premium Amazon tablet (that honor belongs to the Fire Max 11), the Fire HD 10 hits a great sweet spot in terms of performance and price.
I say that because (according to our testing) you get great battery life, good performance, and a nice screen for a starting price of $150, making this a more affordable way to enjoy the benefits of having a tablet around without having to pay Apple or Samsung prices.
Its biggest flaws, though, are those endemic to the Amazon Fire tablets in general. Most notably, Amazon’s Fire OS is still app-challenged, missing the Google Play app store — which means you can’t get the full YouTube experience, for example, and you’ll miss out on a lot of great apps not available on Amazon’s app store.
But as long as you’re happy to content yourself with the apps available to you in the Amazon App Store, you can have a lot of fun with the Fire HD 10. It definitely helps to be deeply invested in Amazon’s ecosystem, as these slates are great for streaming videos, reading ebooks and browsing the web.
The Amazon Fire HD 8 is a cheap tablet, and for some that’s the main selling point.
I recommend this slate to Fire shoppers on a budget because its slightly nicer than the bottom of the barrel Fire 7, yet still affordable at $99. And while the 8-inch touchscreen isn’t sharp enough to support 1080p content, it’s more than fine for browsing the web and reading books.
This is a great utility tablet because you get good battery life (nearly 14 hours in our testing) and decent speakers, as well as easy access to Amazon’s various content streaming apps and strong parental controls. Of course, the front and rear cameras are pretty bad, but who uses their tablet to take photos anyway?
And since this tablet isn’t powerful enough to run many demanding apps very well anyway, you won’t miss the full panoply of apps available on Android nearly as much.
Camera Resolution:8MP front/back; 1080p video recording
Display:11-inch 2K (2,000 x 1,200 pixels)
Storage:64-128 GB
Memory:4GB RAM
Ports:1x USB-C, headphone jack, microSD
Dimensions:10.2 x 6.4 x 0.29 inches
Weight:1.08 pounds
Reasons to buy
+Bright, colorful screen +Good battery life +Premium build quality
Reasons to avoid
-Awkward button/port placement -Tinny speakers -Limited by FireOS
The Amazon Fire Max 11 is the biggest Fire tablet you can buy right now, and it’s the only one with a 2K (2,000 x 1,200 pixels) display. So if pixels count, this is the Fire tablet you want to buy for streaming shows on the biggest, most vibrant screen possible.
You pay extra for the privilege, of course, as this is not only the biggest but also the most expensive Fire tablet with a starting price of just over $200. But in return you get a speedy 2.2Ghz Mediatek chip that runs games and apps well, 4GB of RAM for speedy multitasking and a pair of decent cameras on the front and back.
Of course, even this beefy Fire tablet is handicapped by shipping limited to Amazon’s App Store. While you can sideload apps outside the Amazon App Store with enough know-how, it’s a hassle and a lot of effort to go through so you can access Google apps like Gmail and YouTube.
But if you don’t need to use YouTube, Gmail, Google Docs and other Google apps, the Fire Max 11 gives you a pretty premium-feeling slate for over a $100 less than the base iPad. It’s the best Fire tablet to upgrade to if you need more screen and power than the Fire Max 10 can deliver!
Best for older kids
4. Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro
The best Amazon Fire tablet for tweens
Specifications
CPU:2.0GHz octa-core CPU
Camera Resolution:5 MP (rear) 2 MP (front)
Display:10.1-inch, 1920 x 1200-pixel
Storage:32GB
Ports:1x USB-C, headphone jack, microSD
Dimensions:9.7 x 6.5 x 0.4 inches
Weight:17.8 ounces/1.1 pounds
Reasons to buy
+Vibrant screen makes cartoons pop +Tenacious battery outlasts the competition +Comprehensive 2-year warranty
Reasons to avoid
-No native Google apps
-Dull audio compared to the competitors
The Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro is basically the same, hardware-wise, as the excellent Amazon Fire HD 10. It’s got the same octa-core processor, 3GB of RAM and vivacious 1,900 x 1,200 display. The big difference is that it’s designed specifically for use by older kids ages 6-12, so it comes with a one-year Amazon Kids+ subscription, a colorful kickstand case, and a comprehensive, no-questions-asked 2-year warranty that covers accidental damage.
If you’re in the market for a kid-friendly tablet, few competitors can match what the Fire HD 10 Kids Pro offers for $199, particularly with that generous extended warranty. Sure, it has all the same weaknesses as every Fire tablet — most notably, no easy access to the Google Play Store — but if you’re planning to give this to a kid anyway, that’s less of an issue.
Best for younger kids
5. Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids
The best Amazon Fire tablet for young children
Specifications
CPU:2.0GHz octa-core CPU
Camera Resolution:5 MP (rear) 2 MP (front)
Display:10.1-inch, 1920 x 1200-pixel
Storage:32GB
Ports:1x USB-C, headphone jack, microSD
Dimensions:9.7 x 6.5 x 0.4 inches
Weight:17.8 ounces/1.1 pounds
Reasons to buy
+Durable build +Great parental controls +Bright and sharp display
Reasons to avoid
-Lack of Google Play Store apps -Poor sound quality -Underwhelming performance
The Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids, like the Fire HD 10 Kids Pro listed above, is effectively a version of the Fire HD 10 that’s tailored for kid-friendly use. It costs as much as the Fire HD 10 Kids Pro ($199) and offers basically the same features, but aimed at children ages three to seven rather than older kids.
Like its siblings the Fire HD 10 Kids sports a bright display, a durable kid-friendly design, and excellent battery life. Plus, the detailed built-in parental controls give you a lot of control over what a child does on the device, with little risk of them going astray. Sure, the lack of Google Play Store apps limits what you can do with this tablet, but that’s hardly a problem if you’re planning to give it to your 5-year-old so they can have something to watch videos on. If you want a durable, long-lasting tablet tailored to young children, the Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids is a great choice.
How to choose the right Amazon Fire tablet for you
Still not sure which Amazon Fire tablet is right for you? Here are some important things to consider.
Screen size:The Amazon Fire tablets come in a variety of screen sizes ranging from 7 to 10 inches. If you expect to be watching a lot of videos, you’ll want the biggest, nicest screen possible, so consider the Fire HD 10 or the Fire Max 11. But if you just want a tablet to browse the web and read ebooks, a smaller display, like those on the Fire 7 or Fire HD 8, will be more than enough for your needs.
Budget:While all of the Amazon Fire tablets are more affordable than anything Apple makes, there’s still a wide price range of $50-$200, or more if you splurge on extras. If you can afford the higher end of that spectrum, the $150 Fire HD 10 is probably the best choice for you. But if you’d rather spend $100, or $50, the Fire HD 8 or Fire 7 (respectively) are decent tablets that should meet your needs. If money is no object, you may as well get the Fire Max 11.
Age:How old is the person you’re buying this tablet for? Obviously if it’s for you, buy whatever you like, but if you’re getting a cheap Amazon Fire tablet for a younger person, there are a variety of kid-friendly options depending on their age. For those ages 3-7, the Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids offers decent performance, great parental controls, and a colorful drop-resistant case. The Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro offers effectively the same benefits for the same price, but it’s aimed at older kids in the 6-12 range. And if the person you’re buying for is older than that, they should be well-served by the standard Amazon Fire HD 10.
Battery life compared
Battery life is one of the key things to consider when buying a tablet, and even though Amazon’s slates are pretty long-lived you can’t blindly trust the manufacturer’s claims about exactly how long they’ll last.
That’s why we put every tablet we test and review through a series of battery tests, then average the results and compare them against the competition. I’ve assembled the tested battery life of every tablet on this page here in one handy chart, to help you make a more informed buying decision.
Battery test results
Time (min:secs)
Amazon Fire Max 11
13:45
Amazon Fire HD 10
12:39
Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro
14:12
Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids
14:32
Amazon Fire HD 8
13:42
Amazon Fire 7
6:56
Frequently Asked Questions
What apps can I run on an Amazon Fire tablet?
I’m so glad you asked! One of the biggest weaknesses of the Amazon Fire tablets is that they run on Amazon’s FireOS, which is a modified version of Android. But while these are technically Android slates, you can’t just buy one and start putting your favorite Google apps on it because the Google Play Store is not accessible on an Amazon Fire tablet.
That means that unless you want to futz around with sideloading apps, you can’t easily install a significant number of Android apps that other Android tablets have access to. Basic Google apps like Gmail, Google Docs and YouTube are not easily available on a Fire tablet. You can still access those services by opening a web browser and using the web versions, but you should know this key limitation of Fire tablets before you buy one.
How do I get rid of lockscreen ads?
Good question! Like Amazon Kindles, Fire tablets can be ordered with or without lockscreen ads. It costs $15 more to buy one without lockscreen ads, but that means you won’t have to stare at promos for products when your tablet is locked.
Luckily, if you decide to get rid of ads later (or you get an ad-supported Fire as a gift and want to banish the advertising) you can. Just head to Amazon’s website, log into your account and navigate to the “Manage Your Devices” page.
From your Devices page, click on the Fire tablet you wish to remove ads on and select the “Special offers” section, then navigate to the “Remove offers” option. Click it, pay a $15 fee and voila—no more ads!
Should I get a Fire tablet or a Kindle?
This is a question I sometimes get from readers, and it has a simple answer.
If all you want your tablet for is to read books, documents and magazines or take notes, get a Kindle. Specifically, check our guide to thebest e-readersand choose which Kindle or Kindle competitor is best for your needs and budget.
But if you want to do anything else with your tablet, like browse the web, watch movies, play games or send emails, you should buy an Amazon Fire tablet. While they’re limited by what apps you can install in FireOS, even the cheapest Amazon Fire tablet is a lot more capable than any Kindle because once you connect it to the Internet you can load the Fire tablet up with all sorts of apps and files.
The Motorola Edge 60 could pass as a phone twice its price: with a premium design, loads of storage space and RAM, good-looking display and fast charging, it’s just as good at day-to-day tasks as a top-end mobile, and its other specs are still impressive given how cheap the device is. It’s one of the best phones on the market right now, and certainly the best I’ve reviewed in a long time.
Pros
+Serious bang for your buck
+Premium looks
+Adaptable camera array
Cons
-Limited color options
-Bloatware
-A few camera bugs
Motorola Edge 60 two-minute review
I’ve tested loads of great low-cost phones over many years, but it’s rare for me to think “I’d actually buy this if I was on the market” given how I am used to premium mobiles. However, the Motorola Edge 60 earns this distinction thanks to its high-quality build at a shockingly low price.
The Moto Edge 60 is the latest member of Moto’s ‘top-end’ (i.e. not as cheap as its other options) range of Android phones and was released alongside a bigger sibling, theEdge 60 Pro,which I tested first thinking it would be the more interesting phone. How wrong I was.
At a glance, you’d think that the Edge 60 would be a contender for our list of thebest cheap phones: relatively affordable, low specs, overshadowed by a more impressive device and finding one area in which to punch above its weight (in this case, and again just at a glance, the design department).
However this Moto is a wolf in… well, wolf’s clothing, and it offers enough value for money that I think it should be in contention for our overall list of thebest phonesyou can buy.
The phone’s design is a work of art. Moto’s Edge phones have long been some of the most attractive due to the collaboration with Pantone to offer them in funky and interesting colors, but it rounds out the package with a lovely-to-hold textured back, gentle curved-edge display, lightweight body and seriously study protections.
The screen is just as appealing, offering the same specs that you’d get in a phone twice the price, and holding up surprisingly well in the sun thanks to a high max brightness. There’s also a nice big battery, fast charging and way, way more storage than I’d expect to see in a phone at this price.
I need to mention price here, but every time I want to reference it I end up double checking “wait, is the phonereallythat cheap?” The price is lower than I can wrap my head around given the design and specs at play.
Some usual sore spots amongst Moto phones are offset here by the low price of the thing. The processor isn’t particularly speedy but I never found an issue with day-to-day tasks or even light gaming. The cameras would be fine for a mid-range phone but are surprisingly good at this price point; how many budget phones have zoom lenses these days?!
If there were any issues, it was in the software. Load up the phone and it’s chock-full of bloatware, a problem that can be solved by quickly deleting all the pre-installed apps and adding your own. And I found a few issues in the camera app that might compel you to take a little extra time when snapping pictures, but neither of these issues are deal-breakers by any means.
For the last few years, the cheap phones I’ve reviewed have mostly been blocky, low-cost devices that have ignored design or style in favor of hardcore specs. Motorola shows us that you can have an attractive phone that still works well, with specs that keep the phone running smoothly, all while keeping the price low. If I needed to buy a phone right now, to the Motorola Edge 60 I would go.
Motorola Edge 60 review: price and availability
Released in April 2025
Costs £379 (roughly $520, AU$700)
No US release expected; AU possibly
The Motorola Edge 60 was released alongside its Pro model in April 2025, and was followed not long after by the Fusion.
You can pick up the phone in its sole configuration (12GB RAM, 512GB storage, blue model) for £379 (roughly $520, AU$700). A US release is unlikely due to differences in Moto’s release patterns there; it’s more likely in Australia as the Fusion sibling released there but we don’t know for sure if it’ll release.
For contrast the Pro model costs £599 (roughly $800, AU$1,250) while the Fusion sells for £299 / AU$699 (roughly $400); here’s where I’d compare it to the previous-gen version if I had one, but Moto skipped the non-appendix member of the family in 2024. However last year’s Edge 50 Fusion went for £349.99 / AU$599 (roughly $475) so it’s the best point of comparison.
With a price tag like the one it has, the Moto Edge 60 straddles the budget and mid-range phone markets, tempting to people who are on a budget but don’t want to settle for any old phone.
Motorola Edge 60 review: specs
Dimensions:
161.2 x 73.1 x 7.9 mm
Weight:
179g
Screen:
6.67-inch FHD (1220 x 2712) 120Hz P-OLED
Chipset:
Mediatek Dimensity 7300
RAM:
12GB
Storage:
512GB
OS:
Android 15
Primary camera:
50MP, f/1.8
Ultra-wide camera:
50MP f/2.0 122-degree
Telephoto camera:
10MP, f/2.0 3x optical
Front camera:
50MP, f/2.0
Audio:
Dolby Atmos stereo speakers
Battery:
5,200mAh
Charging:
68W wired
Colors:
Gibraltar Sea
Motorola Edge 60 review: design
Only premium-looking phone at this price
Lightweight with textured rear
Comes in one color: blue
Design-wise, the Edge 60 isn’t that different from its contemporaries or predecessors, but I dubbed the Pro the “best-looking phone of the year” and this model is the same — the only real change Moto made is a good one.
Motorola’s long-standing partnership with paint company Pantone continues with the Edge 60, but only to a limited degree: there’s only one single color option. This is called Gibraltar Sea and it’s a royal blue that’s dignified, though I can’t help but feel longing for the selection of vibrant colors other Edge mobiles have come in. Apparently in some countries a green version called Shamrock is available, but in the UK it’s just blue.
Like other members of the cohort, and most past generations of Edge, the 60 has a curved-edge display a premium though divisive feature which makes handsets feel a lot more comfortable to hold… though sometimes prone to accidental touches (something I never encountered).
On the back, the camera bump doesn’t poke out too far, and is incorporated into the rear of the device as you can see in images. The back is smooth and textured — apparently it’s made of silicone but it feels just like leather to me.
The edges offer a volume rocker and power button on the right edge, and a USB-C port — sadly no 3.5mm jack, though the phone is so thin that I don’t even know if one would fit. To be precise it measures 161.2 x 73.1 x 7.9mm and weighs 179g.
Another premium feature on offer is the protection: the phone has IP69 protection against immersion in water and fine objects, and also the military-standard MIL-STF-810H rating which means it’s safe in certain rugged conditions.
The bespoke AI key of the Edge 60 Pro is absent here, an omission I’ll detract exactly no points for as it wasn’t very useful and I’m happy to see it go.
Design score: 4 / 5
Motorola Edge 60 review: display
6.67 inches, 2712 x 1220 resolution
120Hz refresh rate, 20:9 aspect ratio
Easy to see in sunlight
Motorola has put a 6.67-inch pOLED screen in the Edge 60, a size which must be the most popular across the entire Android market… though bear in mind the curved edges of the mobile mean it’s not all viewing space.
The resolution is 1220 x 2712 which matches the Pro and it’s stretched on a 20:9 aspect ratio. The refresh rate is 120Hz and the phone supports HDR10+; most of these are standard for Androids, especially at this price.
The max brightness of 4500 nits is great though, ensuring that you can see the screen in the sun (or blind yourself when you turn on the device at night).
It’s hard to fault the Edge 60’s screen, given that you can pay more than double the amount to get the same specs. It’s good-looking with vibrant colors and a few customization options too.
Display score: 4 / 5
Motorola Edge 60 review: software
Android 15 with three guaranteed updates
Moto AI app isn’t very useful
Packed with bloatware
Motorola remains one of the few Android phone makers to use stock (or near-stock) Android, even though myriad tweaks ensure that the software on its phones feel distinct to on Google phones.
The Edge 60 comes with Android 15, the latest iteration of the software for 2025, and Moto has pledged at least three years of software updates. Given the arms race that is ‘phone companies announcing long shelf lives for their phones’, three years falls short of a fair few rivals (and even the Edge 60 Pro), but this will only be an issue for people who want their phone to have every new feature as it comes – the mobile will likely get security updates for much longer.
Despite not having an AI key like the Pro, the Edge 60 still comes with a Moto AI app which is a smart assistant and image generator rolled into one. However Google Assistant is much quicker for triggering tasks around your phone and image generators aren’t exactly things most people use every day, so I didn’t do much with Moto AI beyond checking it out for this review.
One thing you can do with it is create a wallpaper for your phone. Customization has always been strong on Motorola phones and that’s no different here: you can change font, color scheme, icon shapes, the animation that appears when you unlock the phone with your fingerprint, the light that appears on the screen curves when you get a notification, and so on.
As a final gripe: Android has always been popular as it’s a clean, simple user interface, but Motorola has included bloatware in the Edge 60 Pro. No, I’m not talking about the ever-growing list of Google apps that all Android phones come with, or even Moto’s own suite of apps (the function of many of which remains unclear).
But when I booted up my phone it already had apps like TikTok,AmazonMusic, LinkedIn, Opera and whatever Perplexity is. I’ve never used any of these apps and don’t plan to start just because they’re cluttering up my phone screen.
Software score: 3.5 / 5
Motorola Edge 60 review: cameras
50MP main, 50MP ultra-wide and 10MP telephoto cameras
50MP front-facing
Pictures look dull and colorless
Offers the standard range of camera modes
Having tested countless Motorola phones over the years, I’m used to the camera array being their Achilles’ Heel; I gave the Pro model only three stars out of five in this department. However the Moto Edge 60 has the exact same camera set-up for a much lower price, making it a pretty great-value budget camera phone.
There are three rear cameras on the Edge 60: a 50MP main, 50MP ultra-wide and 10MP telephoto for 3x zoom and yes, before you ask, that’s surprisingly solid hardware for a phone at this price. I don’t remember the last time I saw a budget phone with a zoom lens.
Photos taken on the main camera look decent, as they’re clear and bright, although not especially vibrant in terms of color and I did see a few white areas get blown out in multiple photos I took.
The ultra-wide camera has a few issues – pictures could be quite distorted around the edges, and the color profile of snaps taken on it were quite different to ones taken on the other cameras (look at how the sky changes in samples below).
But getting to enjoy a zoom camera helped me calm these woes. The 3x zoom lets you get closer to details or create a nice depth of field for close-up shots, and you can even zoom digitally up to 30x but these images were really blobby and unclear.
A few other snafus affected my results with the camera: at one point Portrait Mode decided to keep my background perfectly clear but add ‘bokeh’ solely to me, in the foreground, and sometimes AI modes like Night Mode would change quite substantially between capturing a picture and it being processed in the gallery, in at least one case creating a much worse image.
In terms of a feature set, Motorola includes all the standard ones (like Portrait and Night, which I’ve mentioned before, and slow-mo video, panorama, time lapse, you know the ilk). But there aren’t any unique additions that change the game.
The selfie camera clocks in at 50MP and it performs pretty identically to its rear counterpart: it’s bright and clear but colors could be more exciting. Portrait Mode was, at least on this camera, pretty accurate in what it blurred.
Camera score: 3.5 / 5
Motorola Edge 60 camera samples
Motorola Edge 60 review: performance and audio
Mid-range Dimensity 7300 chipset
12GB RAM and 512GB Storage
Dolby Atmos-tuned stereo speakers
A clear sign of a cheap phone is its processor but the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 used in the Edge 60 handled everything well (a surprise since we found it struggled in theCMF Phone Pro 2). Moto has already used this chipset in theEdge 50 Neobut that had less RAM.
Using the Geekbench 6 benchmarking test, the Moto returned an average multi-core score of 2988, which is roughly the same as theEdge 50 Pro– you’re not getting blazing-fast speeds but for most everyday tasks it’s totally fine.
That shows in day-to-day use: I rarely found performance issues during testing except during gaming, which occasionally could be stuttery or laggy but for the most part was fine too. Just don’t expect to play top-end mobile games and get out unscathed.
As mentioned before, the Edge 60 only comes in one configuration, and it’s a surprising one for a low-cost phone. You get 12GB RAM, which undoubtedly helps with the performance speeds of the phone, and 512GB which is practically unheard of at this cost. That’s absolutely loads of extra space for photos, apps or downloaded games.
Moto doesn’t put 3.5mm headphone jacks in its Edge phones any more so you can only enjoy wired audio with an adaptor from its USB-C port. Your other ways of listening to audio are via Bluetooth or the stereo speakers which are, despite being Dolby Atmos tuned, just phone speakers – not exactly an audiophile’s paradise.
Performance score: 3.5 / 5
Motorola Edge 60 Pro review: battery life
Large 5,200mAh battery
68W wired charging
No wireless or reverse charging
Motorola has packed the Edge 60 Pro with a massive 6,000mAh battery, which is markedly bigger than the cell in its predecessor, though thThe Moto Edge 50 comes with a 5,200mAh battery, which marks a small size increase from the last-gen Edge members, but overall is pretty standard for a phone of its size in 2025.
In my testing the battery easily lasted a full day of use, but I wouldn’t rely on it to make it through a second day of use without charging; if you do much gaming or video streaming you might only get one day of use out of it per charge, although that’d involve a fair amount of screen time.
Through normal use I generally saw the phone drop to between 20% and 50% by the time I went to bed, which rules out a second day of use but shows there’s wiggle room for me to use it more.
The Edge 60 supports 68W wired charging, which is a nice bristling speed that’ll see the battery charged in well under an hour – from empty, it takes just over 45 minutes to get to full if you’re not using the phone.
Battery score: 4 / 5
Motorola Edge 60 review: value
If you skipped straight to this section: I’ve spent the past six sections waxing lyrical about how every aspect of the Motorola Edge 60 punches above its weight.
By ‘weight,’ of course, I mean price. You’re getting a phone that’s better-looking than its same-price rivals as well as one that’s equipped by a better camera array, offering more storage, packing a more attractive display and lasting longer.
The value proposition here is seriously impressive, and I give the full five stars because I don’t see any companies doing better. Obviously if you find this thing at a discount, it would be aneven bettervalue, but don’t wait for a sale to pick it up.
Value score: 5 / 5
Buy it if…
You want a fashion centerpiece While it’s a bit weird to make your phone a fashion statement, the Pantone-infused Moto DNA lets you do that thanks to its vibrant hue and curvy, fun look.
You need lots of storage I’m still surprised that Motorola put 512GB storage in a phone at this price. Forget expandable memory or cloud storage, that’s more spare than I’d use in half a decade.
You want a cheap camera phone Another surprising aspect of the Moto Edge 60 is the presence of a zoom lens, something that barely any low-cost phones have these days (and few mid-range ones either). This gives you loads of extra versatility for photography, at a market segment that rarely has any.
Don’t buy it if…
You’re on a super-light budget While the Edge 60 is certainly not expensive, it’s still not the cheapest phone on the market. If you want something even more affordable, Moto has its G series which are also great value for money.
You’re a big gamer The Edge 60 has decent enough processing power but there are other handsets for cheaper that offer more speed, as well as unique gaming features.
You don’t like curved-edge displays There’s no accounting for taste and not everyone likes phones with curved-edge screens. If you fall into this regrettable camp, then there are enough other options for you beyond the Moto.
These are the best tablets for kids, based on my research and testing
Not every top-rated tablet is actually a good pick for kids — trust me. I’ve seen more than a few end up cracked, frozen, or forgotten in a drawer. A solid kids’ tablet needs to be tough enough to survive daily chaos, flexible enough to grow with them, and loaded with the kinds of games and apps that make learning feel like play. And of course, built-in safety controls are a must.
That’s why I personally test a huge range of thebest tabletseach year, but only a select few make the cut for this kids list. They have to tick all those boxes and still be worth the money — because let’s face it, just like they outgrow shoes and uniforms, kids eventually need something more capable.
If you’re looking for something with an ocean of content and versatility across all age groups,Apple’s iPadis a great way to go (provided you buy a case)! But of course, there are better value for money options provided you are willing to upgrade as they grow — going from theAmazon Fire HD 10 Kidsfor the younglings, and graduating to theFire HD 10 Kids Prowhen they hit elementary school age.
To help you buy the best kids tablet for your needs, here are some key questions to ask.
Are there safety and parental controls?
All the tablets in my list have built-in parental controls to limit screen time and restrict what content is seen. Always be sure to check what these are before buying. For example, theAmazon Fire HD 10 Kids Prohas a phenomenal suite of options to tweak specific to every child who uses it.
That’s not to say the iPaddoesn’thave parental controls. They just take a little tweaking
How durable is it?
All too often, tablet makers focus on making their hardware slim and sleek, but don’t really think about the fact that a kid is clumsy. Check for a sturdy case and a good warranty.Amazon’s Fire HD 10 Kidsis the best on this list for that purpose — offering a 2-year warranty and a chunky shockproof cover.
Is there a lot of kid-friendly content?
Kids get bored easily (I know firsthand with my nephew). So is there a lot of stuff available for a child to watch, play and learn? Out of these three picks, for the sheer wealth of child-friendly apps in the app store,Apple’s iPadreigns supreme.
So whether you’re on the lookout for a big slab to distract your younger kid with Bluey, or you need an all-in-one slate for homework and entertainment, here are the best tablets for kids that I recommend right now.
The 2022 iPad is a great all-round tablet for kids of all ages. There are other tablets on this list that are more directly catered to certain age ranges, but if you wanted to make one purchase and accessorize with different cases as they grow up, this is the one to buy.
Why is it the best overall tablet for kids?
Looking beyond the design (which will just be covered up by a case to protect it from clumsy moments), the three superpowers here are its big and bright display for all your kid’s needs, impressive performance and power efficiency to keep running on long journeys, and the amount of child-friendly experiences you can find on the App Store. And all of this comes in at agood price of $299.
What do we like?
👍A16 Bionic performs well for kids:We’ve done all the lab testing to prove this is the fastest tablet on this list for apps and games. I’ll spare you the jargon and simply say this guarantees the A16 Bionic is zippy enough for zero temper tantrums while using it, and with over 11 hours of battery life, long enough for those big journeys.
👍Apps and accessories to match your child’s imagination:With any child-friendly tablet, you want to not just distract them from eating broccoli, you want to inspire learning and creativity. FromLegoDuplo world to Crayola Create and Play, the options are endless in iPad’s app store. And on top of that, the optional Magic Keyboard or Apple Pencil can take that creativity one step further when the time is right.
What don’t we like?
👎An expensive bet:I know I mentioned the cases to protect your iPad, along with the $299 price being good value for money as a whole. But if you need something quick and cheap to do the job, there are cheaper options on this list that aren’t a potentially fragile combination of aluminum and glass.
Looking for a cheap and cheerful tablet that’s got enough going for it to keep the kids entertained during the times they need to be quiet? Look no further thanAmazonFire 7 Kids edition.
Why is it the best value tablet for kids?
$109. That’s it. That’s the reason. Well, it’s actually$54 right now over on Amazon, but I’m being a little ignorant of the many other reasons this is the best value tablet for kids. From its 2-year worry-free guarantee ensuring replacements if they’re broken, award-winning parental controls, and a 1 year subscription to Amazon Kids+ content, this is a fully thought-out package for children.
What do we like?
👍Speedy for the price:That Quad-core 2GHz chipset with 2GB of RAM is more than enough for the many books, games and learning apps your child will interact with — all without any signs of slow down or performance hitches.
👍Decent battery life:With nearly 7 hours of battery life in our testing, this small tablet can go for a while on one charge — perfect for road trips that can get a little long and boring.
👍A case that Amazon has confidence in:Amazon has worked hard and iteratively over years to land on the Kid-Proof Case you see here. With a good amount of heft for drop protection, and an adjustable stand for hands-free use. Oh, and if your kid does manage to break it, Amazon’s 2-year warranty is pretty open-ended on this — just return it and get a free replacement.
What don’t we like?
👎Dull display:With a 1024 x 600-pixel resolution and 370 nits of brightness, this is a dim, fuzzy panel that isn’t too colorful either. Not the best for bringing out the yellow in Big Bird’s feathers.
👎Watch out for ads:Out of the gate, you’ve got Amazon Kids+ free for a year — giving you access to great entertainment and educational content from the likes of Disney, Lego and National Geographic. This subscription also stops ads from being served too. So if you’re using this beyond a year, you’ve got a choice to make: $5.99 a month, or a deluge of ads.
The Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids tablet has been purpose-built for children aged 3-7 years old — from its ultra durable and colorful hardware construction to the tailored OS with engaging apps and robust parental controls.
Why is it the best tablet for younger kids?
With a specific focus on younger kids, the Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids tablet is a fantastic option for any child to grow up with — packing enough performance and battery life to keep that 1080p panel going for a long time, comprehensive child safety controls for setting limits, and all the entertainment your kids will love from the likes of Disney and Blippi’s treehouse.
What do we like?
👍Kid-proof from all angles:Yes, this is a big 10-inch tablet, but Amazon has pulled out all the stops with its Kid-Proof case, parental controls to set screen time limits and restrict apps, and a dense library of content catered to every year, so the tablet actually grows with your child.
👍Performant and power efficient:To limit frustration, you’ve got to make sure its zippy and lasts a long time. While Geekbench scores (1,523 multi-core) may fall well behind iPad, the 2.0GHz octa-core processor is more than enough for the far more simplistic OS you get in the Fire HD 10 Kids tablet. Plus, this slab can last over 14.5 hours on one charge.
👍Big, bright display:The 10.1-inch display is a true eye-catcher with color and brightness — paired effectively with loud and clear speakers. The bass production is poor, but from personal experience with my nephew, a kid is going to miss that bassy warmth when watching Paw Patrol in the car seat.
What don’t we like?
👎Limited app selection:Just like the HD 7, you get a year of Amazon Kids+. The content selection is wonderful for kids, but beyond the Kids+ subscription, Amazon’s tablet app library is extremely constrained.
The best tablet for older kids
4. Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro
The best tablet for older kids
Specifications
CPU:2.0GHz octa-core CPU
Camera Resolution:5 MP (rear) 2 MP (front)
Display:10.1-inch, 1920 x 1200-pixel
Storage:32GB
Ports:1x USB-C, headphone jack, microSD
Dimensions:9.7 x 6.5 x 0.4 inches
Weight:17.8 ounces/1.1 pounds
Battery life (tested):14:12
Who is this for?
For slightly older kids aged 6-12 years old, that’s where the Fire HD 10 Kids Pro tablet comes in. The case is slimmer, the OS is tweaked to allow for more advanced interactions (while keeping those robust parental controls), and Disney,Marveland lego are all part of that Amazon Kids+ subscription.
Why is it the best tablet for older kids?
For the kids growing up and getting used to using tech/expanding their horizons of learning/being inspired by the gadgetry they use, the Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro Tablet is a respectively powerful slab with storage to take your films and TV shows on the go.
What do we like?
👍Big, bright display:With a 10.1-inch 1080p display, this is a big, bright and colorful canvas for your kids to interact with. Whether it’s jumping into all the age-appropriate Amazon Prime Video content or the apps and games built into the Kids+ service.
👍Enough under the hood to do more:It’s still not iPad-levels in terms of power, but for the limited amount of tasks that are possible on the Fire HD 10 Kids Pro Tablet, the Octa-core chip is fast enough for keeping apps running at a smooth 60 FPS with plenty of multitasking capability too — say for when you’re flipping between a word processor for your homework and Duolingo for learning foreign languages. Oh, and did we mention this has over 14 hours of battery life in our testing!?
👍Award-winning parental controls:Amazon goes on about the controls being award-winning a lot, but what that means in practice is so much more important when it comes to older kids. Those guardrails are critical in this transitional phase of a kids life, and being able to fine tune them along with screen time use limits too has limited my sister’s anxiety when it comes to making sure my nephew stays safe on the tablet.
What don’t we like?
👎Limited app selection:At this point in a child’s development, sometimes what you need to do isn’t necessarily going to be a purpose-built education app or a storybook. You need the ability to get stuff done, and the productivity side of Amazon Fire tablets has always been a bit of a weakness.
How to choose the best tablet for kids
Still not sure which tablet is the right fit for your child? Don’t worry — picking the right one can feel a bit overwhelming, especially with so many out there. I go through tons of tablets every year, and here are the key things I always think about when deciding which ones are actually worth recommending for kids.
Screen size:Think about how your child is going to use the tablet. If they’ll be watching lots of videos or playing games with detailed visuals, a bigger screen — up to 10 inches — will give them a better experience.
Battery life:All the tablets I recommend here last at least 7 hours, so you can expect them to survive a full school day or a long car ride. That said, some last even longer — over 12 hours — perfect for those long haul flight moments for vacation.
Budget:You can spend as little as $50 or as much as $600 on a kids’ tablet. But honestly, most parents don’t need to go anywhere near the top of that range. A good rule of thumb is to only spend what you’re comfortable losing if (okay, when) it gets dropped, sat on, or left behind somewhere.
Age matters:A tablet that works great for a preschooler probably won’t cut it for a pre-teen. For little ones (around ages 3–7), the Fire HD 10 Kids is ideal — it’s easy to use, durable, and has excellent parental controls built in. For kids a bit older (around 6–12), the Fire HD 10 Kids Pro offers the same reliability but with a more “grown-up” feel. And once they’re in their teens, they’ll likely want something more capable, like the iPad
How we tested these tablets
When we test tablets for kids (or anyone, really), we don’t just take a quick look and call it a day — we put them through their paces to make sure they’re really worth your money.
First, we check how fast they are compared to other tablets. Some are better at handling games and apps than others, and we try to measure that as clearly as possible.
Then we take a close look at the screen. Is it bright enough to use comfortably? Do colors look rich and vibrant? We actually use tools (like light meters) to check this, so it’s not just based on how it “feels” to us.
Battery life is a big one too. Nobody wants a tablet that dies halfway through a long car ride. So we run a set test that browses the web nonstop until the battery runs out — that gives us a consistent way to compare how long each one lasts.
And finally, we use the tablets the same way you and your kids might. We browse the web, watch videos, play games, write things — all the everyday stuff. If the tablet has a keyboard attachment, we’ll even try typing the entire review on it, just to see how it holds up in real-life.
All of this helps us figure out which tablets are actually worth recommending — and which ones aren’t ready for life with kids.
