There are a ton of advantages of having a smaller tablet–it’s more portable, charges faster, and is often way less costly than larger options.
The display sizes of small tablets can range from six to 10 inches. Despite the size, many still offer long battery life, fast performance, vibrant displays, and plenty of customizable features. Our top picks include the iPad Mini (7th gen) and other best small Android tablets like the Boox Tab Mini C or cheap small tablets.
Based on our extensive hands-on testing with various tablets of all sizes, our pick for the best small tablet is the iPad Mini (7th gen)
Also: Best Windows tablet in 2025
The best small tablets of 2025
Apple’s iPad Mini is our top pick for the best small tablet thanks to its A17 Pro Chip–the same powerful processor found in the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max–that is also compatible with Apple Intelligence.
The iPad Mini was updated last year with new features including support for the Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Intelligence capabilities that include Writing Tools, the redesigned Siri, Priority Notifications and Messages, Summarization tools, Smart Reply, and the Clean Up tool in Photos.
There’s a spot on the right side of the tablet to charge the Apple Pencil, making it a great tablet for those who value the option to draw or write notes. Customers who bought the iPad Mini reported in reviews that they were impressed by its battery life, durability, and display. They also noted its portability to fit in purses and bags, particularly for entertainment purposes.
Review: Apple iPad Mini (7th generation)
ZDNET writer Maria Diaz tested the Apple iPad Mini and said, “The iPad Mini 7 is compact and fast, and its Apple silicon processor is built to last for years.” She also added, “buy the iPad Mini 7 for the entertainment tablet it is.”
If you’re interested in picking up an iPad Mini, Amazon and Best Buy are offering $100 off the 128GB model, bringing the cost down to $399.
iPad Mini tech specs: Display: 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display | Processor: A17 Pro | Storage: 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB | Colors: Space gray, blue, purple, starlight | Cameras: Rear: 12MP, 4K video Front: 12MP UltraWide with Center Stage | Weight: 0.65 pounds | Dimensions: 7.69 x 5.3 x 0.25 inches | Connections: USB-C | Battery life: 10 hours
Apple’s iPad Mini is our top pick for the best small tablet thanks to its A17 Pro Chip–the same powerful processor found in the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max–that is also compatible with Apple Intelligence.
The iPad Mini was updated last year with new features including support for the Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Intelligence capabilities that include Writing Tools, the redesigned Siri, Priority Notifications and Messages, Summarization tools, Smart Reply, and the Clean Up tool in Photos.
There’s a spot on the right side of the tablet to charge the Apple Pencil, making it a great tablet for those who value the option to draw or write notes. Customers who bought the iPad Mini reported in reviews that they were impressed by its battery life, durability, and display. They also noted its portability to fit in purses and bags, particularly for entertainment purposes.
Review: Apple iPad Mini (7th generation)
ZDNET writer Maria Diaz tested the Apple iPad Mini and said, “The iPad Mini 7 is compact and fast, and its Apple silicon processor is built to last for years.” She also added, “buy the iPad Mini 7 for the entertainment tablet it is.”
If you’re interested in picking up an iPad Mini, Amazon and Best Buy are offering $100 off the 128GB model, bringing the cost down to $399.
iPad Mini tech specs: Display: 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display | Processor: A17 Pro | Storage: 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB | Colors: Space gray, blue, purple, starlight | Cameras: Rear: 12MP, 4K video Front: 12MP UltraWide with Center Stage | Weight: 0.65 pounds | Dimensions: 7.69 x 5.3 x 0.25 inches | Connections: USB-C | Battery life: 10 hours
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If you’re looking for something even smaller and cheaper than the iPad Mini, the Amazon Fire 7 tablet is a great budget tablet pick. The Fire tablet’s 7-inch screen has a 1024 x 600 display, so you can stream movies or play video games without hauling around a bulky product.
Former ZDNET contributor Jason Cipriani reviewed the Amazon Fire 7 tablet and said it offers “a well-rounded experience as long as you take the cost into account when setting expectations.” Even though performance may be a bit slow, Cipriani said that’s expected at an affordable price point, considering the tablet is a colorful Kindle, a dedicated Alexa smart display, and a smart home controller all in one device.
Review: Amazon Fire 7 (2022)
Along with the ability to ask Alexa questions, you can view and manage your Alexa-connected smart home devices. You can control cameras, lights, and outlets using your voice or by tapping the dedicated Devices button in the bottom navigation bar.
While the 16GB model is out of stock at many retailers, you can opt for a refurbished item or the 32GB version at Amazon with an $80 price tag. If you’re willing to pay a little more, you can remove lockscreen ad support.
Amazon Fire 7 tech specs: Display: 7-inch, 1024×600 display | Processor: MediaTek MT8168V/B | Storage: 16GB or 326GB | Colors: Black, denim, or rose | Cameras: 2 MP front and rear-facing cameras with 720p HD video recording | Weight: 9.9 ounces | Dimensions: 7.11 x 4.63 x 0.38 inches | Connections: 2 USB-C, 3.5mm jack | Battery life: 10 hours
If you’re looking for something even smaller and cheaper than the iPad Mini, the Amazon Fire 7 tablet is a great budget tablet pick. The Fire tablet’s 7-inch screen has a 1024 x 600 display, so you can stream movies or play video games without hauling around a bulky product.
Former ZDNET contributor Jason Cipriani reviewed the Amazon Fire 7 tablet and said it offers “a well-rounded experience as long as you take the cost into account when setting expectations.” Even though performance may be a bit slow, Cipriani said that’s expected at an affordable price point, considering the tablet is a colorful Kindle, a dedicated Alexa smart display, and a smart home controller all in one device.
Review: Amazon Fire 7 (2022)
Along with the ability to ask Alexa questions, you can view and manage your Alexa-connected smart home devices. You can control cameras, lights, and outlets using your voice or by tapping the dedicated Devices button in the bottom navigation bar.
While the 16GB model is out of stock at many retailers, you can opt for a refurbished item or the 32GB version at Amazon with an $80 price tag. If you’re willing to pay a little more, you can remove lockscreen ad support.
Amazon Fire 7 tech specs: Display: 7-inch, 1024×600 display | Processor: MediaTek MT8168V/B | Storage: 16GB or 326GB | Colors: Black, denim, or rose | Cameras: 2 MP front and rear-facing cameras with 720p HD video recording | Weight: 9.9 ounces | Dimensions: 7.11 x 4.63 x 0.38 inches | Connections: 2 USB-C, 3.5mm jack | Battery life: 10 hours
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The upgraded 12th-generation Kindle offers most of the specs from the previous model, with a few new additions. These include different exterior colors (Matcha and Black), a brighter front light, a higher contrast ratio, and a faster page-turn rate.
ZDNET editor Nina Raemont also tried the new Kindle hands-on and was particularly impressed with its lightening-fast performance, especially when compared to older models.
Review: Amazon Kindle (12th generation)
“While I was reading, I noticed that the page-turning and book-loading speeds were significantly quicker than on my Kindle Oasis or Kindle Paperwhite from 2022,” she wrote.
The anti-glare 300ppi display makes it easy to read in any light, and dark mode is a warm welcome when you’re trying to read at night without letting blue light interrupt your sleep cycle. Plus, its small size (it weighs just .35 pounds) means it’ll fit most bags and backpacks, so you can take your library with you wherever you go.
The 12th-generation Amazon Kindle is available for a budget-friendly price of $100 at Amazon and Best Buy.
Amazon Kindle tech specs: Display: 6-inch, 300ppi glare-free | Storage: 16GB | Colors: Black or denim | Weight: 5.56 ounces | Dimensions: 6.2 x 4.3 x 0.32 inches | Connections: USB-C | Battery: Up to six weeks
The upgraded 12th-generation Kindle offers most of the specs from the previous model, with a few new additions. These include different exterior colors (Matcha and Black), a brighter front light, a higher contrast ratio, and a faster page-turn rate.
ZDNET editor Nina Raemont also tried the new Kindle hands-on and was particularly impressed with its lightening-fast performance, especially when compared to older models.
Review: Amazon Kindle (12th generation)
“While I was reading, I noticed that the page-turning and book-loading speeds were significantly quicker than on my Kindle Oasis or Kindle Paperwhite from 2022,” she wrote.
The anti-glare 300ppi display makes it easy to read in any light, and dark mode is a warm welcome when you’re trying to read at night without letting blue light interrupt your sleep cycle. Plus, its small size (it weighs just .35 pounds) means it’ll fit most bags and backpacks, so you can take your library with you wherever you go.
The 12th-generation Amazon Kindle is available for a budget-friendly price of $100 at Amazon and Best Buy.
Amazon Kindle tech specs: Display: 6-inch, 300ppi glare-free | Storage: 16GB | Colors: Black or denim | Weight: 5.56 ounces | Dimensions: 6.2 x 4.3 x 0.32 inches | Connections: USB-C | Battery: Up to six weeks
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Samsung’s tablet lineup spans price, capability, and screen size. The Galaxy Tab A7 Lite is a small Android tablet that combines affordability and usefulness. Its 8.7-inch screen features a 1340×800 display, making it worthy of streaming, working, and more.
The Tab A7 Lite is portable enough to take anywhere, and is especially pragmatic if you’re using it to entertain kids with educational apps. Plus, the metal frame adds some added ruggedness.
In addition, you can expand your storage beyond the 32GB or 64GB allotted. The tablet allows up to 1TB of expandable storage, twice as much as the previous model. Overall, 91% of Best Buy customers would recommend buying this tablet, giving it an average rating of 4.5 out of 5.
ZDNET author Charlie Osborne, who contributed to this article, selected this model to help a family member start a new business. The reason? It’s affordable, has a small enough form factor to slip easily into a handbag, and is able to handle day-to-day tasks such as checking email and using mobile apps with ease.
You can pick up this tablet for $170 at Amazon.
Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite tech specs: Display: 8.7-inch, 1340×800 display | Processor: MediaTek MT8768N | Storage: 32GB or 64GB | Colors: Gray | Cameras: 2MP front and 8MP rear | Weight: 0.81lbs | Dimensions: 8.37 x 4.91 x 0.31 inches | Connections: 3.5mm headphone jack, USB-C | Battery: 10 to 12 hours
Samsung’s tablet lineup spans price, capability, and screen size. The Galaxy Tab A7 Lite is a small Android tablet that combines affordability and usefulness. Its 8.7-inch screen features a 1340×800 display, making it worthy of streaming, working, and more.
The Tab A7 Lite is portable enough to take anywhere, and is especially pragmatic if you’re using it to entertain kids with educational apps. Plus, the metal frame adds some added ruggedness.
In addition, you can expand your storage beyond the 32GB or 64GB allotted. The tablet allows up to 1TB of expandable storage, twice as much as the previous model. Overall, 91% of Best Buy customers would recommend buying this tablet, giving it an average rating of 4.5 out of 5.
ZDNET author Charlie Osborne, who contributed to this article, selected this model to help a family member start a new business. The reason? It’s affordable, has a small enough form factor to slip easily into a handbag, and is able to handle day-to-day tasks such as checking email and using mobile apps with ease.
You can pick up this tablet for $170 at Amazon.
Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite tech specs: Display: 8.7-inch, 1340×800 display | Processor: MediaTek MT8768N | Storage: 32GB or 64GB | Colors: Gray | Cameras: 2MP front and 8MP rear | Weight: 0.81lbs | Dimensions: 8.37 x 4.91 x 0.31 inches | Connections: 3.5mm headphone jack, USB-C | Battery: 10 to 12 hours
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Other tablets we’ve tested
ZDNET’s Tablet Guide
- iPad Pro 2024 review
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra review
- Amazon Kindle Scribe review
- Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra review
- Onyx Boox Tab Ultra review
- Lenovo Tab P12 Pro review
- iPad 2022 vs iPad Air 2022
- iPad 2021 vs Remarkable 2
- Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra vs Apple iPad Pro
- Amazon Fire Tablet vs Apple iPad
- Kindle Scribe vs Remarkable 2 tablet
- Google Pixel Tablet vs Apple iPad 2022
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