If you’re in the market for a tablet that’s easy to take with you on the go, an 8-inch tablet is a great option. These devices are lightweight and compact, making them perfect for reading, working, or watching movies while you’re out and about. Plus, their smaller size means they’re easier to handle and carry than larger tablets. But with so many options on the market, which 8-inch tablet is the best?
However, with millions of these products available, it can take time to settle on a reliable one. We have compiled a list of the best 8-inch tablets currently available, so if you are in the market for one, you can feel confident that you will find a suitable tablet for yourself among them.
Despite the fact that all of the 8-inch tablet selections in this article are excellent, we will also include a detailed buying guide of a few factors below you should consider before purchasing an 8-inch tablet. In the meantime, let’s understand what is an 8-inch tablet and check over the top brands to see what they have to offer.
What is an 8-Inch Tablet?
An 8-inch tablet is a compact tablet with a 7.9 to 9.7-inch screen that you can use for browsing the internet, reading eBooks, playing games, and watching movies, among other things.
The screen is slightly larger than a smartphone but much smaller than a laptop or most 2-in-1 models. Nevertheless, it’s portable and good at some tasks, including watching films and surfing the web, and it’s smaller than competing devices.
Tablets have touch screens, which allow for easy navigation. It has menus and programs that you can use your fingertips to operate, or you can attach an external mouse for more accurate control. It also contains a pen that enables precise drawing on the screen.
Is an 8-Inch Tablet Screen a Good Size?
This is completely dependent on your requirements. This tablet might be the best option if portability is important to you. The vast majority of them are lightweight (weighing in at one pound or less) and ergonomically shaped for easy portability.
This is a great option if you need to process payments, collect signatures, take photos, or do any other activity that requires you to be on the go. However, if you can avoid it, you should not carry around a bulky device.
If you’re considering purchasing an 8-inch tablet, you should first determine its primary purpose. After you’ve answered that question, you’ll be ready to search for the ideal tablet.
The tablets listed below span various price points, brand names, and operating systems. They are multipurpose and allow you to do everything from work to reading, watching movies, and browsing the web. You can even do more depending on the model you receive.
1. SAMSUNG Galaxy Tab A7 Lite 8.7″ WiFi Android Tablet
Image Source: samsung.com
If you’re looking for a compact tablet, go no further than the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite. The device, which has a high-end look and feels yet is still affordable, is superior to comparable Android tablets in terms of value.
We loved that it has an expandable storage of up to 4GB of RAM and 64GB of flash storage, and it is powered by a 1.8GHz octa-core MediaTek Helio P22T processor. It was our perfect little tablet, and we recommend it to any Android user who wants to travel light.
The Tab A7 is capable of doing a lot of work. With a screen resolution of 1340 by 800, we can comfortably use it in direct sunlight. The maximum brightness of 315 nits on the Tab A7 Lite’s screen is also impressive for a device in this price range.
Pros
- Portable tablet
- Robust display
- Premium feel
Cons
- Small storage
2. 2021 Apple iPad Mini (Wi-Fi, 64GB)
Image Source: apple.com
Before Apple upgraded the 8-inch market with a revolutionary new design, it was in recession. As time passed, they realized that people were sick of carrying heavy laptops for all of their different trip demands.
As a result, Apple eventually introduced a version of the best 8-inch tablet that could beat most of the currently available. With its legendary Apple 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display, True Tone and P3 broad color, and up to 500 nits of brightness, the Apple iPad Mini constantly provides an incredible viewing experience.
This was my favorite pick for a number of reasons. First, the iPad Mini is powered by Apple’s most recent mobile technology, the A15 Bionic, which features 65-bit architecture and a 6-core central processing unit (CPU).
The battery life is up to 10 hours, and you can get as much storage as 256 GB and as much RAM as 4 GB. I loved that all these great features are contained in an aluminum alloy that is 100% certified as recycled and weighs only about 1.3 pounds.
Pros
- Amazing design
- Battery life of 10 hours
- Outstanding camera performance
- Convenient and comfortable
Cons
- No headphone jack
3. Lenovo Tab M8 Tablet, HD Android Tablet
Image Source: lenovo.com
Consider this an easy choice if you need a tablet but don’t want to pay too much or want a second device to keep in your bag. Similarly to the Samsung Tab A7 Lite, it is powered by a MediaTek CPU, but we got twice as much memory (2GB) and storage space (32GB) at our disposal.
We recommend this as the perfect option if you’re looking for something cheap but still want comfort and reliability. Whether you’re watching Netflix or looking for weekend dinner recipes, you’ll have plenty of time thanks to the 1280 x 800 resolution screen and 5100 mAh Lithium-Polymer battery that can last up to 14 hours.
Although the Smart Tab M8 has some attractive extras, we didn’t like its subpar performance, even for a low-priced tablet. Nevertheless, it’s a good option if you’re shopping for a device solely to use as a voice assistant while in the kitchen or to watch YouTube videos with your children.
Pros
- Incredible Value
- Aluminum construction
- Long-lasting battery
Cons
- Slow performance
- Not the best audio performance
4. ASUS Z380M-A2-GR ZenPad 8 Dark Gray 8-inch Android Tablet
Image Source: asus.com
With its sharp pictures and convenient front-facing camera, the ASUS ZenPad 8 made it onto our list of the best 8-inch tablets of the year. In addition, ASUS’s proprietary VisualMaster software is pre-installed on the device and renders the camera’s perspective nearly indistinguishable from that of a person with 20/20 vision.
The low-light mode enables reasonably bright pictures at dusk without the need for a flash. A panoramic mode can also capture over 150 degrees of the scene from the camera’s vantage point. Finally, there is a beautification mode for all you Instagram models out there.
Furthermore, the shutter lag reduction helps record all actual events as they happen. Along with the outstanding camera benefits, ASUS produces a large amount of proprietary software, which is bundled with this 8-inch tablet. If you want to experience what it’s like to receive a lot of goodies without paying too much, check out this one.
Pros
- Low light mode
- Decent panoramic mode
- Great battery life
- Incredible software
Cons
- Not the best performance
5. All-new Amazon Fire HD 8 Tablet
We also have an Amazon tablet, which isn’t surprising given that Amazon is one of the most flexible and well-known brands in the world, producing a wide range of products.
With the continued popularity of the Kindle, one of the best 8-inch tablets for the price, Amazon has a firm grasp on the minimalist and cheap tablet markets. The 1280 x 800-pixel resolution of the Amazon Fire HD 8 makes it ideal for watching movies online, browsing the web, and reading books.
The battery may last up to 12 hours, which is unexpected and surprising. With its slim profile and long-lasting battery life, this Amazon tablet is the perfect companion on the road.
This tablet has a 2.0 GHz quad-core processor, 2 GB RAM, and 32 GB of internal storage. The performance is smooth, with no lags or freezes, and the battery provides a backup of about 12 hours. Speaking of cameras, this tablet has 2MP cameras on the front and rear.
Pros
- Fast charging
- Reasonable price
- Compatible with Alexa assistant
- Kid’s mode
Cons
- Limited to only Amazon Prime members
Things to Consider When Purchasing the Best 8 Inch Tablet
This buyer’s guide has looked at the best 8-inch tablets currently available. Yet, before making a final decision, there is much more to think about. What follows is a list of considerations to make before settling on a certain device purchase.
1. Size and Display
We’ve already established that 8-inch tablets offer the best portability and ease. In a perfect world, gadgets wouldn’t weigh you down and still deliver sharp, clean entertainment wherever you go.
The clarity of the image increases with resolution. If this measure is extremely important to you, be prepared to pay a little extra.
2. Versatility
We reviewed the best 8-inch tablets and emphasized their respective strengths and weaknesses, as well as their optimal use case. Nevertheless, quite a few are adaptable enough to meet a wide range of applications. If you want to give someone a gadget but need to figure out what they’ll do with it, try to get one of them.
3. Audio Quality
If you plan on doing any sort of work or playing any kind of games on your tablet that involves the use of sound, then you should invest in a model with decent speakers. To learn more about the product’s audio quality, reading user reviews was really useful.
4. Battery’s Life
you must use this measure. High-end smartphones have a 12-hour or longer battery life. The user will, however, be less likely to get up and walk around, which could harm their health. Consider this when deciding whether to make your purchase.
5. Connectivity
You can instantly share your work between compatible devices thanks to the WiFi, LTE, and Bluetooth networking capabilities offered by many tablets.
WiFi connectivity is a bare minimum for a modern tablet. Having GPS accessible, even without a connection, though, might be helpful. Look into this functionality if you plan to live off the grid or in a location with low coverage.
6. RAM, Processor, and Storage
The memory in 8-inch tablets is surprisingly large, and most tablets allow you to expand the storage. In addition, most of these devices support multi-app operation, making them a dependable choice for various applications.
Many devices on our list support Android if that’s your preferred operating system. If neither Android nor Microsoft are your preferred operating systems, think about purchasing an 8-inch tablet with dual functionality to meet your demands.
7. Port
Micro USBs are widely used. Nowadays, a Micro SD card for storage and a headphone port for listening to music discreetly in public is the bonus.
8. Weight
It’s likely that mobility has you thinking about purchasing an 8-inch tablet. Although most 8-inch tablets weigh under a pound, check the product’s specifications and customer reviews to ensure it is as light as you require.
9. Accessories
Tablet attachments such as styluses, keyboards, and cases can greatly enhance your device’s functionality. The fastest charger and a case to protect it from harm should round up your search for the perfect accessories.
10. Price
Price is important, as it always is, especially when buying for the holidays. Choose devices under $100 to stay under your spending limits this year. We have included many 8-inch tablets that fit this description without requiring you to make any major sacrifices; nonetheless, you should still exercise caution when making your final decision.
8 Inch Vs. 10 Inch Tablet: Which One is Better?
Most of us apply the same standards when looking for a new laptop to our tablet purchases. Simply said, we’re looking for the most powerful gadget with the largest display. But, sadly, this line of thought almost always leads us in a direction that will be unpleasant for us in the long term. And here’s why:
In most cases, you will either use your laptop while sitting on your lap or while resting it on a desk. This equates to a distance of around arm’s length.
This means that even those with 20/20 vision require a reasonably sized screen to enjoy a comfortable viewing experience. On the other hand, tablets are rarely out of reach. In fact, just like we do with our phones, most tablet owners lean their devices against something when watching videos.
To that end, mobile devices, notably phones, are created to be used while held in hand and relatively close to the user’s body and, more specifically, the user’s face.
For this reason, most modern smartphones are around 5 inches in screen size. This convenient size allows our phones to remain safely within our pockets, accompany us wherever we go, and entertain us whenever we desire.
A tablet with an 8-inch screen is almost as portable as a smartphone. As a result, many of the advantages I listed for why smartphones are around 5 inches long also apply to smaller tablets. However, tablets with a 10-inch screen are roughly twice as big as smartphones. The viewing pleasure is, thus, multiplied by two.
However, the conveniences associated with smartphones are usually unavailable; thus, the benefit of having those extra inches is usually offset. For instance, if you have a 10-inch tablet, you won’t be able to hide it in a pocket easily. Plus, the added weight of all those extra inches would lead to arm fatigue rather quickly.
Except, of course, if you set the tablet up on a stand. However, someone is highly likely to see a 10-inch tablet and attempt to steal it due to its apparent size, even more so if you sit back the minimum amount and observe it at the optimal distance.
Conclusion
The tablet computer market got off to a rocky start, but tablets have now found their niche and become indispensable. These devices, which come in various sizes, have numerous benefits for all kinds of consumers.
The most effective 8-inch tablets are marketed as being more portable and long-lasting. We’ve compiled the top 8-inch tablets for every task imaginable, covering every major operating system, from PadOS to Windows to Android.