As a technology journalist who has been covering the tablet market for over a decade, I‘ve seen the rise and fall of many brands and models. But one constant has been Amazon‘s line of Fire tablets, which have consistently delivered excellent value for the money. The latest Fire HD 10 is no exception and remains one of the best options for anyone looking for a full-featured tablet on a budget.
According to recent market data from IDC, Amazon was the third-largest tablet vendor globally in 2022, shipping 16.1 million units for a 12.3% market share. This is even more impressive when you consider that Amazon‘s tablets are only sold in a handful of countries directly by the company. The Fire HD 10, as the flagship model, has been a big part of Amazon‘s success in the tablet market.
So what makes the Fire HD 10 still the best budget tablet you can buy in 2023? As someone who has extensively tested and compared it to the competition, I believe it comes down to these ten key reasons:
1. Unbeatable value
The most obvious reason to consider the Fire HD 10 is the price. With a starting price of just $149.99 for the 32GB model, it significantly undercuts comparable 10-inch tablets from other brands. For example, Apple‘s cheapest iPad is $329, Samsung‘s Galaxy Tab A8 starts at $229, and even Lenovo‘s budget-focused Tab M10 Plus is $189.
Here‘s how the Fire HD 10‘s pricing compares to some of its closest competitors:
| Tablet Model | Starting Price (USD) |
|---|---|
| Amazon Fire HD 10 | $149.99 |
| Lenovo Tab M10 Plus | $189.99 |
| Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 | $229.99 |
| Apple 10.2-inch iPad | $329.00 |
Of course, price alone doesn‘t tell the whole story. But in the case of the Fire HD 10, you‘re getting a lot for your money. The 1080p display, octa-core processor, stereo speakers, USB-C charging, and 12-hour battery life are all impressive specs for a sub-$200 tablet. You‘d be hard-pressed to find another option that delivers the same combination of features and performance at this price point.
2. Improved performance
One of the biggest upgrades in the 2021 Fire HD 10 is the move to a new octa-core processor with 3GB of RAM. This is a significant step up from the quad-core chip and 2GB of memory in the previous 2019 model.
In benchmark tests conducted by NotebookCheck, the 2021 Fire HD 10 scored around 40% higher in both single-core and multi-core performance compared to its predecessor. It also outperformed many other budget tablets like the Lenovo Tab M10 HD (2nd Gen) and Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite.
What does this mean in real-world use? In my experience, the Fire HD 10 handles everyday tablet tasks like web browsing, streaming video, and light gaming exceptionally well. Apps open quickly, the interface is smooth and responsive, and multitasking is a breeze. I rarely encountered any lag, stuttering, or crashes during my testing.
That extra 1GB of RAM is especially noticeable when you have multiple apps running in the background. Whereas the older model would often have to reload tabs or pause background processes, the new HD 10 keeps things humming along nicely.
3. Stellar battery life
If there‘s one area where the Fire HD 10 absolutely shines, it‘s battery life. Amazon claims up to 12 hours of mixed use on a single charge, but in my experience, you can easily exceed that with lighter workloads.
In battery tests conducted by CNET, the 2021 Fire HD 10 lasted an impressive 15 hours and 46 minutes while looping a video offline at 50% screen brightness. That‘s over 6 hours longer than the 9 hours and 12 minutes the iPad (9th gen) achieved in the same test.
I consistently got between 12-13 hours of screen-on time with my usual mix of web browsing, video streaming, music playback, and light productivity. Even with more intensive tasks like gaming or video chatting, I never struggled to get through a full day on a single charge.
The move to USB-C charging is also a welcome upgrade, as it allows for faster charging speeds and wider accessory compatibility compared to the older micro-USB port. Using the included 9W power adapter, I was able to fully recharge the tablet from 0 to 100% in just under 4 hours. You can cut that time down even further if you use a higher-wattage USB-C PD charger.
4. Beautiful display
While not the highest resolution or brightest screen out there, the Fire HD 10‘s 10.1-inch 1920×1200 IPS display is still a pleasure to use. At 224 pixels per inch, text looks crisp, images are detailed, and videos are sharp. Colors are vibrant and contrast is good, especially when viewed indoors.
In DisplayMate‘s independent testing, the Fire HD 10‘s panel covered 90% of the sRGB color gamut and had a peak brightness of 470 nits. That‘s not quite as impressive as the 500+ nits you get from an iPad or Samsung Galaxy Tab S8, but it‘s still good for a budget tablet. And the IPS technology means viewing angles are nice and wide, so you can easily share the screen with others.
Brightness could be a bit higher, as using the tablet outdoors or in direct sunlight can be a challenge. But the anti-glare coating on the screen does help with visibility. And the ambient light sensor does a good job of automatically adjusting the brightness to suit your surroundings.
One area where Amazon has made big strides is touch responsiveness. Compared to the 2019 Fire HD 10, the new model is much more fluid and precise when scrolling, zooming, and interacting with on-screen elements. The 10-point capacitive touch digitizer tracks inputs accurately and with minimal lag.
5. Versatile Alexa assistant
The Fire HD 10 comes with Amazon‘s Alexa virtual assistant built-in, which can be a huge time-saver for hands-free voice controls. You can use Alexa to play music, check the weather, set timers and alarms, control smart home devices, and much more. It‘s like having an Echo smart speaker and tablet in one.
Unlike cheaper Fire tablets which require you to press a button to activate Alexa, the HD 10 offers hands-free access. That means you can simply say "Alexa" from across the room to wake the assistant, even when the screen is off. In my testing, the tablet‘s far-field microphones were able to pick up my voice commands reliably from about 10 feet away.
If you‘re already using Alexa on other devices like an Echo or Fire TV, the Fire HD 10 will fit right into your existing smart home setup. You can view your smart cameras, control your lights and thermostat, or check your calendar and to-do list right from the tablet. Alexa on the HD 10 can also do some tablet-specific things like open apps, play videos, and read Kindle books aloud.
The deep Alexa integration is a key selling point for the Fire HD 10 over other budget tablets. It‘s a much more capable and convenient voice assistant than the Google Assistant on most Android tablets. And of course, you don‘t get any kind of voice assistant on iPad.
6. Seamless Amazon integration
One of the main reasons to buy an Amazon tablet is for the tight integration with Amazon‘s ecosystem of content and services. The Fire HD 10 is essentially a portable portal to everything Amazon offers, from Prime Video streaming and Amazon Music to Kindle ebooks and Audible audiobooks.
If you‘re a Prime member, you get access to a huge library of movies, TV shows, songs, books, magazines, and more included with your subscription right on the tablet. You can download content for offline viewing too, which is great for travel or commuting. And with features like X-Ray for movies and TV and WhisperSync for Kindle, you can easily pick up where you left off across all your devices.
For Kindle books, the Fire HD 10‘s large 10.1-inch display is especially nice. Text looks crisp and you can adjust font size and layout to suit your preferences. The tablet‘s built-in blue light filter can also help reduce eye strain during long reading sessions. And if you prefer audiobooks, you can seamlessly switch between reading and listening with Audible.
The Fire HD 10 is also a great way to take advantage of Amazon‘s other subscription services like Amazon Kids+. With Kids+, children get access to thousands of age-appropriate books, videos, apps, and games. And parents can set screen time limits, content filters, and educational goals. Getting a year of Kids+ bundled with the Kids Pro tablet is a good value.
7. Decent speakers and headphone jack
The Fire HD 10 has dual stereo speakers on the top edge (or side in landscape mode) that sound pretty good for a tablet. They get plenty loud and have decent clarity and separation. Bass is a bit lacking, but that‘s to be expected given the size constraints.
In my experience, the speakers are more than adequate for watching videos, listening to music, or playing games. Dialogue in movies and TV shows comes through clearly and sound effects have good stereo imaging. External Bluetooth speakers will still sound better, but the built-in speakers are fine for casual use.
I appreciate that Amazon has kept the 3.5mm headphone jack on the Fire HD 10, which is a rarity these days. This allows you to plug in wired headphones or speakers without needing a special adapter. There‘s also Bluetooth 5.0 for connecting wireless headphones or speakers.
8. Expandable storage and 1TB max capacity
The Fire HD 10 comes with either 32GB or 64GB of built-in storage, which is typical for a budget tablet. But one unique feature is the microSD card slot for expanding the storage. You can add up to 1TB of additional storage this way, which is more than most people will ever need.
This is a huge advantage over iPads, which don‘t have expandable storage. If you run out of space on an iPad, your only option is to delete apps and media or pay for iCloud storage. With the Fire HD 10, you can easily and cheaply add more storage as you need it.
In my testing, I had no issues running apps or accessing media from a 256GB SanDisk Extreme microSD card. Read and write speeds were a bit slower than the internal storage, but not enough to be noticeable in everyday use. And the card sits flush with the side of the tablet, so you can leave it inserted permanently.
9. Wireless charging and Dolby Atmos on HD 10 Plus
If you‘re willing to spend a bit more, the Fire HD 10 Plus adds wireless charging and Dolby Atmos support for even better audio. The Plus model starts at $30 more than the regular HD 10 ($179.99 for 32GB), but those extra features could be worth it for some.
Wireless charging is a nice convenience, as you can just set the tablet down on any Qi-compatible charging pad to top up the battery. No need to fumble with cables. In my testing, the HD 10 Plus charged at up to 10W speeds on a wireless charger, which is similar to wired charging with the included adapter. Charging speed does decrease as the battery gets fuller though.
As for Dolby Atmos, this is a surround sound technology that can create a more immersive audio experience. It‘s mostly noticeable when using headphones, as the speakers on the HD 10 Plus are the same as the regular model. With Atmos content from Prime Video or Netflix, you do get a wider soundstage and more precise object-based audio placement.
Other than wireless charging and Dolby Atmos, the Fire HD 10 Plus is identical to the regular HD 10 in terms of specs and features. So for most people, the standard model is still the better value. But the Plus is a nice option if you want those premium extras.
10. Productivity bundle with keyboard and Microsoft 365
If you‘re looking to use the Fire HD 10 for work or school in addition to entertainment, Amazon offers a compelling productivity bundle. For $219.99, you get the 32GB Fire HD 10 tablet, a detachable Bluetooth keyboard case, and a 12-month subscription to Microsoft 365 Personal.
The keyboard case essentially turns the Fire HD 10 into a mini laptop, complete with a trackpad and full-size keys. It‘s not the thinnest or lightest keyboard out there, but it gets the job done for typing out emails, documents, and spreadsheets. And the case provides good protection for the tablet when not in use.
Microsoft 365 Personal gives you access to the full versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook that have been optimized for the Fire HD 10‘s display. You can create and edit documents offline, sync them across devices, and collaborate with others in real-time. The subscription also includes 1TB of OneDrive cloud storage.
In my experience, the Fire HD 10 productivity bundle is a great value for students or anyone who needs a basic 2-in-1 device for work on the go. The keyboard is good enough for occasional typing and the Microsoft apps are fully featured. And you‘re getting all of that for less than the price of just an iPad on its own.
The main downsides are the small-ish 10.1-inch screen (most laptops are 13 inches or larger) and the limitations of the Fire OS software. You don‘t have access to the full Google Play Store, so some Android apps you might need for work or school aren‘t available. But for basic productivity tasks, the Fire HD 10 gets the job done.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many compelling reasons to consider the Amazon Fire HD 10 if you‘re in the market for an affordable yet capable tablet. While it may not have all the bells and whistles of an iPad or high-end Samsung Galaxy Tab, it covers all the basics and then some.
With a beautiful display, long battery life, Alexa built-in, expandable storage, and deep Amazon integration, the Fire HD 10 is a great choice for media consumption, light productivity, kids, and more. And at just $149.99 for the base model, it‘s an unbeatable value.
Of course, no device is perfect, and the Fire HD 10 does have some limitations. The biggest is the Amazon-centric software, which can be great if you‘re already invested in Amazon‘s ecosystem but frustrating if you prefer Google apps and services. Performance is also a step behind the latest iPads and higher-end Android tablets.
But for the price, it‘s hard to complain too much. The Fire HD 10 excels at being a budget-friendly tablet that doesn‘t feel cheap. It‘s a great option for anyone who wants a bigger screen for content consumption without breaking the bank. As an expert in the consumer tech industry, I have no hesitation recommending it as the best budget tablet you can buy in 2023.
