Which Amazon Fire Tablet Is Best for You?

Education

22 Jul, 2025

Bella Alvarez

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Amazon

Amazon’s Fire tabletsare some of the only high-profile, ultra-affordable tablets around. The prices seem too good to be true—and in some ways, they are—but Fire tablets are also completely functional, reasonably capable devices. They’re not the best Android tablets by any means, but if you want a way to consume Prime content without spending a bundle, these fit the bill.

We reviewed every model to help you decide whether one of these slates is right for you. We list Amazon’s base price, but we suggest you spend the extra $15 to get an ad-free model.

Check ourrelated guidesfor more, like theBest Tablets,Best iPads, andBest Alexa Speakers.

Updated July 2025: We've added notes on our experience with the new Amazon Fire HD 8 tablets, updated our spec tables, and updated links and prices.

Amazon

The Fire HD 10 is Amazon’s best tablet. The current model dates from 2023, which means it likely will get some kind of update in 2025, but we don't expect anything more than a processor and RAM upgrade. The current Octa-core processor is plenty fast enough for everyday tasks like web browsing and watching movies, and the 3-GB of RAM helps in browsing the web with many tabs. The Fire HD 10 also has a full HD (1080p) screen, making it better for watching those Prime videos.

That said, this is not an iPad, or even a OnePlus Pad, and does not perform like one. It is primarily for delivering Amazon content to you, sitting on your couch. It can work like an Echo speaker too. Turn on Show Mode (swipe down on the notification overlay and check the Show Mode box) and you can query Alexa til your heart's content.

There are 32-GB and 64-GB models, with a microSD slot on both so you can add up to 1 TB of storage if you need more space. Whichever you choose, Amazon will serve up advertisements on the lock screen. To get rid of that, you'll need to spend $15 more for the version without “special offers.”

If you want to try using your Fire tablet as more than a tablet, there's a keyboard option as part of theKeyboard Case Bundle ($190).Working on the Fire HD 10isn't as terrible as you might think, as long as you don't need Google apps. None of Google's office apps work on the Fire HD 10, not even in the browser. This latest Fire HD 10—and Max 11 below—support theMade for Amazon Stylus Pen ($35).

Amazon

Amazon (Bundle)

If you're all in on all things Amazon, the Fire Max 11 (5/10, WIRED Review) is the company's most powerful tablet. The problem is that it's more expensive than a9th-gen iPad ($225), and the list of things even an older iPad can do that the Fire Max 11 can't is longer than I have space for here. That said, if all you plan to do is consume Amazon content, the Fire Max 11 is a good way to do it. The screen is bright and sharp, the speakers aren't bad, and the cameras are 1080p, which is nicer than the cameras on the rest of the Fire tablets.

However, this premium-priced tablet is still hamstrung by the same Fire OS that powers the cheaper models. While Fire OS seems okay when you pay $75 for it on sale during Prime Day, it feels a lot more limiting at $230 (and even at $120 during sales). If you want to do anything more than watch Prime video and browse the web, we suggest you grab aniPadorOnePlus Pad.

Amazon

Amazon's 2024 Fire HD 8 is most notable for bumping the RAM capacity to 3 GB, now matching the Fire 10 HD. There's also a better rear camera (5 MP, compared to the previous model's 2 MP). The Fire HD 8 works great for browsing the web, and battery life is rated at 13 hours (though we rarely got over 11 in our testing).

The Fire HD 8 is a slightly more travel-friendly size, and with the expanded RAM in the last update, very nearly as capable (it still has a slightly slower processor than the HD 10 model). The big difference between the HD 10 and this is the screen, which isn't nearly as nice as the Fire 10 HD screen. On this smaller model, pixels are often still visible and movies often feel flat. Still, the HD 8 has most of the benefits of the HD 10, and supports the new AI features, hands-free Alexa, stereo sound, USB-C, and nearly 12 hours of battery life. I recommend picking upAmazon’s magnetic stand-up caseif you plan on watching movies or TV, or, if you opt for the Plus model, theWireless Charging Dock, which turns your tablet into an Echo Show speaker.

Amazon

Amazon (Pro)

Recognizing that “kids” covers a wide range of hand sizes and other factors, Amazon has two different Kids Edition Fire tablets. There's the regular Kids Edition and a “Pro” model. The latter, aimed at older kids, has a streamlined case with a little less padding.

We think the 2024Fire HD 8 Kids ($140)is the best kids tablet for younger children, while theFire HD 10 Kids Pro ($220), which isreallybig in little-kid hands, is better for older children. The latter was refreshed in October 2023 and includes some new features like Music Maker, a kid-friendly music editing app (think GarageBand, but simpler).

TheFire 7 Kids ($110)is an even cheaper option for young children, though mine have always found the 7-inch screen size more challenging to use.

The Kids Edition versions are exactly the same as the regular Fire tablets, except they come with a rugged case and a two-year worry-free guarantee, which means Amazon will replace the tablet for free if your kids break it. It also comes with one year ofAmazon Kids+, offering access to kid-friendly movies, books, games, and apps. It costs $6 per month after the first year (for Prime subscribers, $9 if you don't have Prime). The parental controls aren't the most robust though so be sure to see ourguide to managing Amazon Kids+ content.

Amazon

The 7-inch Fire 7 is tough to recommend. The processor is underpowered, the largest storage option is 32 GB (though you can add up to 1-TB of SD storage), and there's only 2-GB of RAM. The screen is also cramped and the resolution low. With only 1024 by 600 pixels at density of 171 ppi, it's hard to miss the pixels in this one.

Performance is sluggish. Open more than 10 tabs in the Silk browser and it will grind you down to a standstill. The quad-core MediaTek processor is the slowest of the Fire lineup and is badly showing it's age (this model was last updated in 2022, and wasn't speedy then).

If all you want to do is browse the web and read in the Kindle app, this might fit the bill, but the video experience is subpar. We strongly recommend the Fire HD 8 instead, but if that's out of your budget, the Fire 7 might work.

Get a cover.Fire tablets are sturdy enough, but I've found the screens do crack quite easily. It's worth protecting your investment with a cover. Amazon's covers are nice–they're not too bulky and provide good protection–but they are expensive. At $30,Fintie's Folio Casesaren't much cheaper, but they are frequently on sale for more like $15 to $20; if you can grab one at that price they're well worth it.

Get a keyboard for work.I won't go so far as to suggest a Fire Tablet can replace your laptop, but I have found that I can get a good bit of work done on my 2021 Fire HD 10 when I pair it with Finitie'sBluetooth Keyboard ($70). It lacks a trackpad, and the keys are a little smaller, but it's otherwise quite nice to type on.

I find the Fire 10 with a keyboard better value than theFire Max 11, which also comes in a productivity bundle that includes a keyboard with a trackpad. But the keyboard stand is not free-standing, so it's awkward to hold in your lap and it's more than double the price of the Fire HD 10 keyboard combo when it's one sale.

Get a stylus.Both the Fire 10 and the Fire 11 support theMade for Amazon stylus pen. If your job involves a lot of document review or graphics, this might be a good accessory for you.

Should You Buy an Amazon Fire Tablet?

The most important question that you need to ask yourself if you're shopping for an Amazon Fire Tablet is: Is it Prime Day? If so, then yes, it's a good time to buy. If not, then no.

Seriously, Fire Tablets are loss leaders for Amazon Prime. Unless youreeeeallyneed itright now, there's no reason to pay full price. Fire HD tablets go on sale multiple times a year for at least 30 percent off, and they are 50 percent off during Prime Day sales (which, remember, isn't a single day anymore). Do the math here and you're basically never more than two months from getting one for at least 30 percent off. Do yourself a favor and wait for the sale. It'll make your Fire HD tablet that much better.

Amazon Sells Older Fire Tablets. Don’t Buy Them

Only buy one of the 12th or 13th Generation Fire tablets. We suggest sticking to the models we talk about in this article (also listed here). Older-model Fire tablets won't get software updates for as long as the current generation will. You'll also miss out on the faster processor and more RAM in the newer models. A far better idea is to wait for Prime Day or another sale when you can get the new models at 30 to 50 percent off.

If you won't be deterred from buying an older Fire tablet right now, be sure to cross-reference the latest update available for the tablet you’re going to buy (find it on this sheet) with thelatest version of Fire OSto see how up-to-date your software will be. And bear in mind that Amazon does cut off old devices from accessing its content.

Amazon Improves Fire OS

Amazon added generative AI features to Fire OS at the end of 2024. Fire OS now has three AI assistants, Writing Assist, Wallpaper Creator, and a webpage summary tool. The first is designed to help with sending messages, emails, and other text content. It consists of automated spelling correction, grammar fixes, and more predictive features like an option to make your message more “casual”, which appears to consist in adding words like “stoked” to your messages. Wallpaper creator lets you generate images based on your prompts, and the webpage summary tool offers quick, reasonably accurate bullet points summarizing the webpage you're reading.

What's WIRED and TIRED About Fire Tablets

WIRED

A faucet for Amazon content:If you subscribe to Amazon’s Prime service, you can consume all the included movies, music, TV, and books, shop for all the items you can get with its free two-day shipping, and browse your free Amazon photo storage. You can do most of the same things from an Android tablet or iPad, but the Fire OS interface is crafted specifically to deliver Amazon goods, with swipeable pages for each type of media Amazon sells.

Built “good enough”:Physically, Amazon’s Fire tablets are made of cheap-ish plastic, but they’re designed with enough care that the build quality won’t bother you too much. Wifi reception is excellent, and the front facing cameras have improved considerably in the last couple releases. The Kids Editions are also some of the best-quality tablets for kids, encased in a rugged bumper, and all have microSD slots so you can add extra storage. (We recommend this128-GB microSD cardfor $17.) You can make them even more capable by following our guide toinstalling the Google Play Store on your Fire device. That will give you access to the full range of Android apps. (Note that some apps won't work, but 99 percent of the apps out there for Android will run just fine.)

Cheap:Did we mention the price? They all cost $200 or less, save the new Max 11. If you stick to the cheaper models though, they're a great value. You can also get them with Amazon lock-screen ads, which will lower your price by $15.

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Non-Amazon content is lacking:The greatest strength of these tablets is also their greatest weakness. If you aren’t an Amazon Prime subscriber and don't plan to get your video, audio, or books from Amazon, the Fire tablet line is far less compelling. They do have Alexa, so that could be a plus, but again, that’s tied deeply into Amazon’s content library. You can download third-party apps like Netflix on Amazon’s Appstore, but the selection isfarmore limited than what's available onApple's iPador the Google Play Store on standard Android tablets. To help you get around this limitation, we put together a guide toinstalling the Google Play Store on your Fire device. Installing the Google Play Store gives you access to the full range of Android apps. In the end, you get a $60 tablet that's capable of 95 percent of what a $330 iPad can do.

Old tech:The tech inside these tablets is old. The processors aren't the fastest, and you'll likely notice small fits of lag and a general lack of power compared to more expensive Android tablets. The touchscreens aren't a responsive or sensitive as more expensive tablets. Since many of the apps for Fire OS are built with weak processing power in mind, you don’t notice it too much. The operating system is also dated (depending on which Fire tablet you're buying), which could hide some of the weaknesses. Amazon’s latest Fire OS is a modified version of Android 11, which came out in 2020. Amazon keeps updating its tablets to some degree, but not nearly as often as it should.

Short warranties:Only the Fire HD 10 comes with a full one-year warranty. Oddly, the smaller devices come with 90-day warranties.

Special offers:Over time Amazon's Special Offers ads have gotten more overt and annoying. We recommend you pay the extra $15 to buy a Fire tablet without them.

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