In recent years, the tablet market has been gaining momentum. This is evident from the new models from Lenovo, Xiaomi, as well as the industry leaders Samsung and Apple. If you’re only looking to surf the internet and watch series, you can find decent tablets for under 250 euros. However, these tablets often come with slow CPUs, limited RAM and storage, and outdated versions of Android. The built-in displays are also not always impressive. If you prefer more power and better features, you’ll need to invest more.
In this top 10 list, we’ll help you make the right purchase decision by showcasing the best tablets under 600 euros. Here, buyers will find almost everything a tablet needs and true all-rounders when it comes to entertainment.
Display
The screen sizes in this ranking range from 10.4 to 12.4 inches. AMOLED technology is rarely found in tablets under 600 euros, with only Lenovo offering a device with an OLED display in this price range. The screens all have at least Full HD resolution. However, tablets cannot match smartphones in terms of pixel density. This is less of an issue since tablets are held further away from the face. The Xiaomi Pad 6 leads the way with a pixel density of 309 ppi. The maximum screen brightness goes up to 600 cd/m² with the Samsung Galaxy Tab Active 4 Pro. In terms of aspect ratio, Android tablets dominate with a widescreen format of 15:9, 16:9, or 16:10 – similar to a television. This is perfect for watching movies and series, but it’s not as enjoyable for vertical viewing.
In comparison, the Apple iPad has an aspect ratio of 59:41 (approximately 3:2), making it ideal for activities like reading e-books or browsing and shopping online. However, when it comes to watching series and movies, the screen size is slightly smaller compared to Android tablets, resulting in black bars. For streaming, Android devices require a Widevine Level 1 certificate, which is necessary for content playback in Full HD on platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, or Disney Plus. This applies to all Android devices in this top 10 list. Widevine Level 1 is already available on Apple devices. You can find more information in our guide “Netflix & Co.: The Best Tablets and Chromebooks for Streaming.” In terms of screen refresh rate, tablets fall short compared to smartphones, with only three exceptions offering 60 Hz.
Performance
For digital performance in Android tablets, octa-core processors are exclusively used. The most powerful CPU in this range is the Snapdragon 870 and MediaTek Kompanio 1300T. There are also Snapdragon chips from the 7 and 6 series. Apple devices offer significantly more power with just six cores. The iPad 10 with the Bionic A14 chip is much more powerful than any other device on this list. Even the older iPad 9 is faster than most Android tablets. The iPad’s system runs smoothly with just 3 GB of RAM, thanks to the seamless integration of its software and hardware. Android tablets in this price range offer 4 to 8 GB of RAM.
Features
Many devices only support Wi-Fi 5, while Wi-Fi 6 is still rare. Models with an LTE module for a SIM card usually exceed the price limit. It’s rare to find an Android device under 600 euros with a fingerprint sensor. However, almost all the models featured here support a stylus (Apple Pencil, S-Pen for Samsung). Many devices also come with small keyboards as accessories, which also protect the display. None of the tablets shown here are waterproof. The USB-C port has finally become the standard, even for the iPad 10. Its predecessor still uses Lightning. None of the devices have an HDMI port, but the USB-C slot occasionally serves as a Display Port. The internal storage ranges from 64 GB to 256 GB.
Many Android models in this price range allow for expandable storage via a microSD card. The cameras don’t play a major role for us when it comes to tablets as they generally deliver mediocre results. The Apple iPad 10 and Lenovo Tab P11 Pro Gen 2 are positive exceptions. Regarding updates, manufacturers of Android tablets are often not as prompt as with smartphones. Some devices still come with Android 11, and most of them have Android 12 as the default operating system, with updates to Android 13 already being delivered or coming soon for Samsung. The Xiaomi Pad 6 already comes with Android 13 pre-installed.
1st Place: Lenovo Tab P11 Pro 2022
The top spot goes to the 2022 version of the Lenovo Tab P11 Pro Gen 2. This tablet primarily owes its position to its powerful 11.2-inch OLED display with a 15:9 aspect ratio. It is the only device in this price range that utilizes AMOLED technology. Additionally, the display has a refresh rate of up to 120 Hz, providing a particularly smooth image when playing games or scrolling. With its WQHD resolution, the picture is sharp enough with a pixel density of 267 ppi. The brightness of 500 cd/m² is excellent for a tablet.
The tablet features the powerful MediaTek Kompanio 1300T chip, making it one of the most powerful Android tablets in this overview. It runs smoothly in everyday use and offers sufficient performance for gaming. Only the Apple A14 Bionic chip in the iPad 10 is significantly faster. The four JBL speakers provide surprisingly rich sound. However, the tablet is not perfect; it lacks a fingerprint sensor, and the battery life of around 8 hours could be better. Nevertheless, considering its current price of 449 euros for the 8/256 GB model, it offers excellent value for money.
2nd Place: Apple iPad 10
Ultimately, the choice between Android and iPad OS is a matter of personal preference. Apple users, due to the quality and strong ecosystem, are unlikely to switch to an Android tablet. The Apple iPad 10 is an excellent product. We struggled with its placement on the list, but due to its higher price and the somewhat “old-fashioned” LCD display with a 60 Hz refresh rate, the iPad ended up in second place. Don’t get us wrong, the display is fantastic, with a resolution of 2360 × 1640 pixels (264 ppi) and a brightness of 500 cd/m². Other than that, there’s nothing to complain about with the Apple iPad 10. No other tablet in this price range offers more power.
Therefore, the iPad 10 is the top choice for intensive gaming or resource-intensive business tasks. The build quality is excellent. Unlike Android tablets, which are usually only available in widescreen format, the iPad can also be used in portrait mode. It has an aspect ratio of 59:41. However, the iPad 10 is more expensive than its predecessor, with the variant with only 64 GB of storage starting at 520 euros. An affordable alternative is the iPad 9, starting at 330 euros, which can keep up with the current model in many areas.
3rd Place: Xiaomi Pad 6
The Xiaomi Pad 6 offers a strong price-performance ratio and is one of the best tablets on the market. Along with the Lenovo Tab P11 Pro Gen 2, it features the Snapdragon 870, making it the most powerful Android device in this list. The LCD display with a refresh rate of 144 Hz is also suitable for gaming, which is not available on any other tablet here. The display is impressive and sufficiently bright with over 500 cd/m². However, dark scenes in movies are often less clear, a weakness of IPS panels.
Compared to its predecessor, the battery life is slightly shorter at around 8 hours. Unfortunately, it does not have a fingerprint sensor. However, it comes with Wi-Fi 6, USB 3.2, and Android 13 as standard. However, it does not have a microSD card slot. Apart from that, the differences compared to its predecessor are rather small. We are currently testing the Pad 6, and a comprehensive review will follow shortly. It starts at around 350 euros for the 6/128 GB model.
4th Place: Xiaomi Pad 5
In our opinion, the tablet with the best price-performance ratio is the Xiaomi Pad 5. This Android tablet stands out for its good features, excellent build quality, and fair price of 308 euros for the 6/128 GB model. We were impressed by the 11-inch IPS display, which achieves a pixel density of 274 ppi. The display also has a 120 Hz refresh rate, making scrolling and gaming smoother. With a brightness of up to 500 cd/m², the display is easily readable outdoors. The speakers provide immersive sound. The tablet weighs 511 grams. It is powered by the Snapdragon 860, which delivers sufficient performance for smooth gaming. The battery lasts almost 10 hours. It has 6 GB of RAM and either 128 GB or 256 GB of internal storage.
However, it does not support expandable storage via a microSD card. Xiaomi has shown remarkable consistency in software support. Our test device now runs Android 13 with the latest security patch. The tablet does not have Wi-Fi 6 and lacks a fingerprint sensor. However, it is compatible with a stylus, but it is only available as an accessory.
5th Place: Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE
The next spot is taken by the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE. With its 12.4-inch screen, it is the largest device among its competitors. The Galaxy Tab S7 FE comes with a stylus as standard. The bright LCD display with an IPS panel exceeds 500 cd/m² and offers a pixel density of 243 ppi at a resolution of 2560 × 1600 pixels. The picture quality is good but not outstanding.
However, the aluminum casing is of excellent quality. The tablet is somewhat bulky and 100 grams heavier than its competitors. It is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G, which falls slightly behind the Snapdragon 860 of the Xiaomi Pad 5 in terms of performance, but still delivers good overall performance. The battery can last over 11 hours. It has Bluetooth 5.2 and Wi-Fi 6 for wireless connectivity, but lacks a fingerprint sensor. However, it is not cheap. The cheapest variant with 64/4 GB of storage costs 449 euros. The tablet goes up to 559 euros for the 128/6 GB model. An additional 60 euros is required for 5G support.
6th Place: Lenovo Tab P11 Gen 2
The second generation of the Lenovo Tab P11 Gen 2 features a larger 11.5-inch IPS panel display. According to the manufacturer, the maximum brightness is 400 cd/m². It is powered by a rather modest MediaTek Helio G99. Wi-Fi 6 is available, but the Type-C port only supports USB 2.0. The device comes with Android 12 out of the box, with an upgrade to Android 13 in the works, as well as support for Android 14. Software support will continue until the end of 2025. The Tab P11 offers great value for money, with prices starting at 249 euros for the 4/128 GB model or 279 euros for the 6/128 GB model. The LTE version is priced at 339 euros.
7th Place: Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (2022)
The 2022 model is an updated version of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite. There have been no changes in terms of appearance. It weighs about 30 grams less than the iPad 9. The 10.4-inch LCD uses a conventional IPS panel, and the Full HD resolution results in a pixel density of 224 ppi. It comes with Android 12 out of the box, and an update to Android 13 is planned by the end of 2023. Security updates will be provided for four years, and it is also likely to receive Android 14.
Samsung has improved the CPU with the Snapdragon 720G, which offers sufficient speed but is not a high performer. It has 4 GB of RAM, which is acceptable, and the internal storage is either 64 GB or 128 GB, depending on the variant. There is also an LTE version. A standout feature is that it comes with the S-Pen. However, starting at around 282 euros, the tablet with 4/128 GB is not particularly cheap.
8th Place: Lenovo Yoga Tab 11
The Lenovo Yoga Tab 11 is largely similar to the Tab P11 Plus in terms of hardware. The main difference lies in the design. The Yoga Tab 11 is primarily designed for media consumption, featuring an integrated stand that can be unfolded on the back of the device, eliminating the need for a separate tablet stand. The bottom of the tablet has a larger, rounded handle with built-in speakers that offer Dolby Atmos. This design is very practical. However, due to its higher price, starting at a minimum of 300 euros, the Yoga Tab 11 ranks behind the Tab P11 Plus.
The other hardware specifications are almost the same: 11-inch LCD, MediaTek Helio G90T, and a 7500 mAh battery that lasts for 10 hours. The RAM ranges from 4 to 8 GB, and the internal storage is either 128 or 256 GB. There is also a high-end version with LTE support. The device supports the Lenovo Precision Pen 2. It comes with Android 11 out of the box, and an upgrade to Android 12 should already be available. Security patches will be provided until mid-2024. We believe that the price of 296 euros for the 4/128 GB model is somewhat high given the tablet’s age. The 6/256 GB version costs an additional 100 euros, and the LTE version with 8/256 GB is priced at over 500 euros.
9th Place: Samsung Galaxy Tab Active 4 Pro
The Samsung Galaxy Tab Active 4 Pro is an outlier on this list. It is the only true outdoor tablet. The rugged casing can withstand shocks, and Samsung also includes a protective cover with a convenient slot for the stylus. It not only survives shocks but is also IP68-certified, making it resistant to water. If you are naturally clumsy or plan to use the tablet outdoors extensively, this device should be considered. These features also make it suitable for commercial use. However, the technology is less impressive.
The 10.1-inch IPS panel has a resolution of 1920 × 1200 pixels with a 16:10 aspect ratio. In terms of image quality, it is more comparable to tablets under 250 euros. One exception is its brightness: at 600 cd/m², the Galaxy Tab Active 4 Pro is the leader in this category. Unusually, the battery is replaceable. The Snapdragon 778G provides good performance, and the battery life of 12 hours is impressive. However, such security comes at a price. The outdoor tablet barely makes it onto this list, starting at 588 euros for the meager 4/64 GB model. We recommend opting for the 6/128 GB version, priced at 612 euros.
10th Place: Amazon Fire Max 11
The Fire Max 11 is Amazon’s best tablet to date. The manufacturer emphasizes its suitability for work, but we can only partially agree. However, it is a great entertainment device. The 11-inch LCD display is bright and offers good image quality with Full HD resolution. The processor specifications are decent. The tablet also has good battery life.
However, Fire OS has some limitations, as it does not come with Google services pre-installed. In our guide, we explain how to install them afterwards. The Fire Max 11 is usually priced at 279 euros with ads. However, it is currently available on eBay for just 239 euros. As accessories, there is also a stylus for 35 euros and a keyboard case for 89 euros.
Conclusion
Tablets under 600 euros offer almost everything you need for entertainment or browsing the internet. While 120 Hz is not yet standard, some tablets can achieve 144 Hz. The iPad 10 offers top performance with its processors, making it the fastest Android tablet. The Lenovo Tab P11 Pro Gen 2, the Xiaomi Pad 5, and its more powerful successor, the Xiaomi Pad 6, follow as the fastest Android tablets.
The Lenovo Tab P11 Pro provides the best display, as it is the only device under 600 euros with an OLED screen. The Xiaomi Pad 5 offers the best value for money. If you are looking for significantly more power and a potential laptop replacement, you will need to go for a top-tier tablet.
