A tablet is a handy, practical device you can use for many different purposes. But while the best large tablets get a lot of attention, smaller tablets are often overlooked.
So, in this guide, I’ll shine a light on the best tablets out there. A 7-inch tablet is compact and lightweight, yet it can still be very powerful and useful.
Plus, 7-inch tablets often cost a fraction of the price of larger, premium tablets. So, you can save yourself a lot of money by going for a smaller model.
Buying Guide to the Best Mini Tablet
Here are the essential factors you should look for in any mini-tablet. Keep these factors in mind, and you’re sure to find the best small tablet that meets your needs.
Portability & Weight
If you’re after a 6-inch or 7-inch tablet, then you want something lightweight and portable. It should be easy to slip into any bag and not weigh you down. So, look out for a tablet that is slim and compact.
But at the same time, you don’t want it to feel flimsy or cheap. You can find excellent mini tablets that are robust enough to carry with you. They will withstand small bumps and regular wear and tear, so you don’t need to worry about it.
Screen Quality & Resolution
Screen quality is another important factor when choosing a tablet. Look for one with a higher resolution so that images and videos will look crisp and sharp.
That’s crucial if you want a tablet for streaming movies or any kind of creative work. But if you want a tablet for sending emails or reading ebooks, it may not be such a high priority.
You should also think about the screen brightness (measured in nits). The brighter the screen, the more vibrant and colorful it will be.
Processor
You can think of the tablet’s processor as the computer that powers the whole thing. So, as you can imagine, it’s a pretty vital piece of hardware.
The more powerful the processor, the faster your tablet will respond. It will also handle more intensive tasks and programs without slowing down.
If a processor has more cores, that means it should be most robust. For example, a quad-core processor will outperform a dual-core processor. A dual-core processor fits the bill if you only need to do simple tasks. But otherwise, I’d go with one that provides better performance.
So, to sum up, don’t skimp on the processor.
Storage Space
Every app on your tablet takes up space. The same goes for movies, documents, photos, and anything else you download. So, you want as much storage space as possible.
But tablets with larger storage space also cost more. So, it’s a case of weighing up your priorities. It’s also true that smaller tablets often have less space on them.
I would recommend looking for a tablet with at least 8 GB of storage space. But if you can find one with more that fits your budget, go for it.
Though with cloud storage available, it doesn’t have to be a deal-breaker. You can get by with less, but you’ll need to keep track of how much space you have left.
Memory
Next up is how much memory your tablet has. It’s easy to confuse memory with storage space, but they are two different things. You can find out more info about memory vs. storage here. Memory is measured in RAM – and the basic rule is the more, the better.
RAM is short for random access memory. A tablet uses the RAM to access files and apps and retrieve data. So, if you go for a tablet with more RAM, it will run faster and smoother.
Top 3 Small Tablets Quick Comparison
Short on time? Here are three of the best mini-tablets you can buy right now! (Read on for the full reviews).
If you’re looking for a small tablet on a budget, you won’t go wrong with the Amazon Fire 7. With its compact design and expandable memory, it’s a great low-cost tablet. Plus, you can easily access Amazon Kindle or Prime Video.
But if you have a bit more money to spend, check out the ASUS Transformer Mini. This 2-in-1 design provides the benefits of a laptop and a tablet combined.
It’s very slim and portable, but it comes with a detachable keyboard and a digital pen. So, you get a lot more versatility with this tablet as well as fast and reliable performance. Plus, the battery life lasts an impressive 10 hours.
And finally, if you prefer iPads, then the Apple iPad mini ticks all the right boxes. It’s tiny at 7.8 inches but that makes it perfect for using on the go.
The iPad mini will cost you more than the budget entry-level tablets. But spending a bit more is well worth it for the improved power, performance, and user experience. The iPad Mini also has superb specs, including the huge 128 GB memory.
 |  |  | |
| Product | Best Small Tablet Overall: ASUS Transformer Mini | Best Small Android Tablet on a Budget: Amazon Fire 7 | Best Small Apple Tablet: Apple iPad Mini 4 |
| Screen Size | 10.1 inches | 7 inches | 7.8 inches |
| Resolution | 1280 x 800 pixels | 600 x 1024 pixels | 2048 x 1536 pixels |
| Dimensions & weight | 262 x 173 x 15.7 mm, 870 g (including keyboard) | 191 x 105 x 10.6 mm, 313 g | 203 x 135 x 6.1 mm, 299 g |
| Processor | Intel® Atom™ x5-Z8350 Processor 1.4 GHz | 1.3 GHz MediaTek MT8127 Quad-Core Processor | Dual-core 1.5GHz, Apple 8 Chip |
| OS | Windows 10 Home/Pro | Android 5.1, Fire 5 UI | iOS 9, upgradeable to iPadOS 15.1 |
Amazon Fire 7 tablet
Best Small Android Tablet
(Image credit: Amazon)
The Amazon Fire 7 is a great entry-level tablet. It’s compact and durable and comes in a nice range of colors. So, you can take your pick from pink, blue, sage, plum, or classic black.
While the Amazon Fire doesn’t have a metal build, it does feel sturdy.
The benefit of going with a Fire tablet is that it works seamlessly with Amazon Prime Video. So, you can easily stream any shows or movies you’d like to watch. It’s also simple to download Kindle ebooks from Amazon.
But of course, you can also use this tablet for regular tasks like browsing the Internet.
This 2019 tablet has double the storage space as the earlier models. You can choose between 16 or 32 GB. So, there’s plenty of space for your apps and files.
Even better, you can upgrade it to a massive 512 GB with a microSD card. Because of this feature, the Amazon Fire beats many other cheap 7-inch tablets.
At 7 inches, it’s the perfect size to fit in a bag or purse. And while it only has 1 GB RAM, it’s suitable for light use. It’s also ideal as a first tablet for a child, as it comes with special safety features.
One disappointing factor is that you only get a 90-day limited warranty with the Amazon Fire. That’s nothing compared to regular 1-year warranties. It would be annoying if something goes wrong with your tablet just outside the 90-day window.
But overall, the Amazon Fire is a strong contender for the best small Android tablet. It’s practical, lightweight, and easy to use. Plus, the expandable storage is a real bonus.
Specifications:
- Screen size: 1026 x 600 pixels
- Resolution: 600 x 1024 pixels
- Dimensions & weight: 191 x 105 x 10.6 mm, 313 g
- Processor: 1.3 GHz MediaTek MT8127 Quad-Core Processor
- OS: Android 5.1, Fire 5 UI
Pros:
- It’s compact, lightweight, and comes in a range of colors
- The IPS screen looks crisp and bright
- It has decent storage that’s expandable with a microSD card
- This mini-tablet is perfect for a child or student
Cons:
- It only has a 90-day warranty
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Lenovo Tab 2 A7-10
Best Budget Mini Tablet
(Image credit: Lenovo)
If you’re looking for cheap mini Android tablets, check out the Lenovo Tab 2. It ticks all the right boxes with its bargain price and compact design.
The Lenovo Tab 2 has a slim, simple build that’s only 9.3mm thick. It’s a fantastic tablet with a bright screen and lots of useful features.
For example, this cheap tablet has an inbuilt GPS and 16 GB of storage space. It also has great speakers with Dolby audio enhancement. That makes it perfect for watching movies, but you can also use it to navigate on trips.
The MediaTek 1.3Ghz processor can handle all but the most demanding tasks. So, this little tablet is reliable and a huge bargain!
One drawback is that it doesn’t have a rear-facing camera. That means it’s not suitable for video calls with family or work meetings. Don’t expect to talk selfies with this tablet!
But at just 269g, this tablet is so lightweight that you won’t even notice it. As a result, it’s ideal for popping into a bag for use on the go.
In my opinion, the Lenovo Tab 2 is a fantastic cheap tablet for entertainment.
Specifications:
- Screen size: 7 inches
- Resolution: 1024 x 600 pixels
- Dimensions & weight: 269g, 189 x 105 x 9.3 mm
- Processor: MTK 8127 Quad-core ARM Cortex-A7
- OS: Android 4.4
Pros:
- It’s very slim and lightweight
- It has a robust processor for a tablet in this price range
- It’s a real bargain
- Includes nice features like a bright screen and inbuilt GPS
Cons:
- It doesn’t have a camera for selfies or video calls
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LG G Pad V400 7-Inch
Best Low-Cost 7-Inch Android Tablet
(Image credit: LG)
The LG G Pad V400 is another suitable option if you’re on a tight budget.
While it doesn’t have amazing specs, it’s great for light use. You can read emails, browse online, or watch YouTube videos on this tablet. Just don’t expect it to do anything too demanding!
The LG G Pad comes in two colorways, so you can pick between black and white. This slim tablet has some handy features, too. For example, you can easily multitask with the Dual Window mode.
It also has a QPAIR feature that syncs it with your Android phone. Plus, you can hook it up to the LG Smart Keyboard if you need to send off a few quick emails. So, this tablet can enable you to travel light without your laptop but still feel connected.
For such an affordable tablet, the screen is pretty impressive. It has 1280 x 800 pixels, a high resolution for a mini-tablet. As a result, the visuals look vibrant and sharp on this screen!
The basic model comes with 8GB of storage space, but only 3.89 GB is available. However, it also has a microSD slot, so you can upgrade the storage to 32 GB.
The LG G Pad could be exactly what you need if you’re after a lightweight tablet on a tight budget. It’s portable and compact so that you can use it anywhere. And at such an affordable cost, it’s accessible and won’t leave a hole in your savings.
Specifications:
- Screen size: 7 inches
- Resolution: 1280 x 800 pixels
- Dimensions & weight: 297 g, 189.3 x 113.8 x 10.2 mm
- Processor: Qualcomm 1.2 Ghz Dual-Core Processor
- OS: Android 4.2
Pros:
- It’s very compact, slim, and lightweight
- It has a gorgeous screen with a high resolution
- You can upgrade the storage up to 32 GB with a microSD card
- You get great value for money
cons:
- It doesn’t have a rear-facing camera for calls or photos
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ASUS Transformer Mini
Best 2 in 1 Mini Tablet/Laptop
(Image credit: Asus)
Next up is a super versatile price, as it’s both a tablet and a laptop. At 10 inches, it’s larger than most of the other options on this list, but it’s still compact and portable.
10 inches is great as you get more real estate for watching movies. But you can easily pack it in a bag and use it on the go, too.
The ASUS Transformer Mini comes with a slim, detachable keyboard. So, you can keep up to date on admin or reply to emails wherever you are.
You can even use it for digital art or design, as it also comes with the ASUS pen. As a result, it’s a very versatile and practical device for all your needs.
This 2-in-1 tablet isn’t the cheapest option on this list. But despite that, it still offers excellent value for money. It runs on the Windows 10 operating system and has a robust processor. So, it can handle more demanding tasks than the entry-level tablets reviewed here.
The Transformer Mini also has a full-sized USB port, a microSD card slot, and a micro HDMI port. Most tablets don’t have USB ports. So, it’s a bonus as it allows you to connect to other devices easily.
If you have a bit more money to spend, it’s worth investing in the ASUS Transformer Mini. While it’s not super lightweight, the pros of this powerful tablet far outweigh any cons.
Specifications:
- Screen size: 10.1 inches
- Resolution: 1280 x 800 pixels
- Dimensions & weight: 262 x 173 x 15.7 mm, 870 g (including keyboard)
- Processor: Intel® Atom™ x5-Z8350 Processor 1.4 GHz
- OS: Windows 10 Home/Pro
Pros:
- This 2-in-1 tablet provides the power of a laptop
- It’s still very lightweight and practical
- It comes with a detachable keyboard and a digital stylus
- The larger 10-inch touchscreen is perfect for entertainment or creative work
- It has great connectivity, including built-in 4G and a full USB port
Cons:
- It’s not as compact as some of the tablets on this list
- It’s quite expensive compared to other mini tablets
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Acer Iconia B1
Best Affordable 7-inch Android Tablet
(Image credit: Acer)
The Acer Iconia B1 is a reasonably priced tablet that’s ideal if you’re on a budget. It makes a good choice as a family tablet or a cheaper device for when you’re on the go.
This tablet comes in two colors, black and red. It’s very lightweight at 315 g, although it’s not the sleekest tablet out there. The large bezels make the 7-inch screen seem even smaller, and there are slimmer tablets than this.
But don’t write it off straight away. It’s still a great, dependable tablet for light use. The Iconia B1 also has a nice finish, with a non-slip textured pattern that makes it easy to hold. And the battery life can last up to 5 hours, which is decent for a tablet at this price.
The Iconia B1 has a bright, sharp screen with 1024 x 600 pixels. That’s fine for such a small tablet, so images and videos look crystal clear.
You can choose between 8 GB or 16 GB storage, and it has 1 GB of RAM. If you have a bit more money to spend, you could also opt for 3G connectivity. That’s handy if you want to browse or catch up on social media when you don’t have a WiFi connection.
Unlike the Lenovo Tab and the LG G Pad, this tablet does have a front camera. But you might find that you don’t use it much at all. It only has 300K pixels, which is nothing compared to most smartphones these days.
So, it’s not a tablet for taking photos. It does mean that you can hop on a quick video call if you need to, though.
Overall, the Acer Iconia B1 is a reliable tablet at a very affordable price. It’s ideal if you’re on a tight budget and it has better specs than some basic tablets.
Specifications:
- Screen size: 7 inches
- Resolution: 1024 x 600 pixels
- Dimensions & weight: 320 g, 122 x 199 x 11 mm
- Processor: MediaTek MT8111 Dual-core 1.30Ghz Processor
- OS: Android 4.2 (upgradeable to Android 4.4)
Pros:
- A small, lightweight tablet with some great features
- It has a nice, bright screen with multi-touch functionality
- It comes with anti-virus software installed and has a front camera
- You can choose to have 3G connectivity for use on the go
Cons:
- It looks a little clunky and has very large bezels
- The camera isn’t the most powerful, with low image quality
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Samsung Galaxy Tab 4
Best Smallest Samsung Tablet
(Image credit: Samsung)
The Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 is another excellent 7-inch tablet. It costs more than the basic, entry-level tablets but also has a lot more to offer.
This tablet is slim and compact and lightweight to hold comfortably for hours. However, it doesn’t look like a high-end tablet with its large bezels and plastic build.
You can choose from the black or white Samsung Tab 4. It has a bright 7-inch screen with 1280 x 800 pixels, which is pretty good for this size. It has a nice pixel density and a great HD display.
Another standout feature is its long battery life, lasting up to 10 hours. That outperforms most other cheap tablets, which tend to last 5 hours (or even less).
The basic Samsung Tab 4 comes with 8 GB of storage space. But that’s expandable up to 32 GB with an SD card. However, you may still find that pretty limiting. You’ll need to make sure you delete any unnecessary files and keep your apps to a minimum.
This is one of the smallest Samsung tablets on the market, but it provides excellent value for money. Its robust quad-core processor makes it ideal for browsing, streaming, or light gaming.
The Samsung Tab 4 also has some good bonus features. For example, the Multi Window mode allows you to run more than one app at once. However, the speaker doesn’t have the best audio quality, so bear that in mind.
But generally, this is a fantastic little mini tablet at an affordable price. It’s not as cheap as the basic 7-inch tablets, but it provides more power and better performance. And in my opinion, it’s worth spending a little more for an improved experience.
Specifications:
- Screen size: 7 inches
- Resolution: 1280 x 800 pixels
- Dimensions & weight: 187 x 108 x 9 mm, 276 g
- Processor: Quad-core 1.2 Ghz Marvell PXA1088
- OS: Android 4.4
Pros:
- It has a great HD screen with high pixel density and bright colors
- It’s powerful, thanks to the quad-core processor
- You can hold it easily as it’s so lightweight and slim
- It has a very long battery life of up to 10 hours
Cons:
- The speaker quality isn’t the best
- You don’t get much storage, even if you add a microSD card
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Apple iPad Mini 4
Best Small iPad
(Image credit: Apple)
If you’re an Apple fan, you’ll want to know which is the best small iPad. My recommendation is the Apple iPad Mini 4. It has a superb range of features and specs, but it’s still not very expensive. So, I don’t think you can go wrong with this compact and portable iPad.
The iPad mini measures just 8 x 5.3 inches. It’s incredibly lightweight at 299g (0.65 pounds) and as slim as they come as just 6 mm thick.
And of course, you get the superior Apple quality, build, and streamlined interface. The iPad Mini has loads of great features like the Lightning connector and the touch ID sensor. You also get an 8MP camera with advanced controls and 1080p video recording.
The multitouch display is sharp, with LED backlighting and a super-high resolution. With 2048 x 1536 pixels, it beats any of the other tablets on this list by a long way.
So while it costs more money, this tablet provides fantastic value. The user experience is second to none, and you can download any of the apps available on the Apple Store.
The Apple iPad mini comes with 128 GB of storage space. That’s very generous, so you’re unlikely to run out of space on this tablet.
Overall, it’s hard to find any flaws in this small Apple tablet. It’s compact yet powerful, with tons of storage. It’s just what you’d expect from an iPad, only smaller. I think the iPad mini is perfect if you’re looking for a small tablet with a larger budget.
Specifications:
- Screen size: 7.9 inches
- Resolution: 2048 x 1536 pixels
- Dimensions & weight: 203 x 135 x 6.1 mm, 299 g
- Processor: Dual-core 1.5GHz, Apple 8 Chip
- OS: iOS 9, upgradeable to iPadOS 15.1
Pros:
- It’s a powerful, responsive tablet for all your needs
- You get plenty of storage with 128 GB
- It has an HD screen with a superb resolution
- It has extra features like a great camera and fantastic video recording
Cons:
- It’s the most expensive tablet on this list
- It won’t sync with your Android devices or Windows laptop
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The Wrap Up
A small tablet is a handy tool for all sorts of uses, from streaming movies to sending work emails. You could also use it for gaming, listening to music, or video calls.
But the best thing about a mini-table is its lightweight and portable size. But you still want a tablet that’s up to the job.
There’s a tablet on this for everyone, no matter your budget. So, browse through these top recommended tablets and take your pick! And let me know which one you go for in the comments below.
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