Amazon Fire tablets stand out as incredibly affordable options in the tablet market, offering a blend of respectable display quality and adequate performance for everyday tasks, all at remarkably low prices. Typically ranging from just $60 to $230, these tablets become even more attractive during sales events like Amazon Prime Day, where prices can drop as low as $40 for the Fire 7 and up to $150 for the Fire Max 11.
However, with several models available, deciding on the best Fire tablet for your needs can be challenging. Amazon provides a basic spec comparison, but a deeper dive is often necessary to truly understand the differences.
To simplify your decision, we’ve compiled a detailed comparison of Amazon Fire tablets, putting all the essential specifications in one easy-to-read table. This guide will help you Compare Fire Tablets and find the perfect one to suit your needs and budget.
| Amazon Fire 7 (2022) | Amazon Fire HD 8 (2024) | Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023) | Amazon Fire Max 11 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display | 7 inch, 1024 x 600 | 8 inch, 1280 x 800 | 10.1 inch, 1920 x 1200 |
| Storage | 16GB or 32GB + microSD (up to 1TB) | 32GB or 64GB + microSD (up to 1TB) | 32GB or 64GB + microSD (up to 1TB) |
| RAM | 2GB | 3GB (32GB) or 4GB (64GB) | 3GB |
| CPU | MediaTek MT8168V 4 x ARM Cortex-A53 @ 2 GHz | MediaTek MT8169A 6 x ARM Cortex-A55 @ 2 GHz | MediaTek MT8186A 2 x Cortex-A76 @ 2.05 GHz 6 x ARM Cortex-A55 @ 2 GHz |
| GPU | Mali-G52 3EE MC1 | Mali-G52 2EE MC2 | Mali-G52 2EE MC2 @ 1 GHz |
| Battery Life | Up to 10 hours | Up to 13 hours | Up to 13 hours |
| Ports | USB 2.0 Type-C | USB 2.0 Type-C | USB 2.0 Type-C |
| Charging Time | 4 hours (5W wired) | – 5 hours (5W wired charger – included) – 3 hours (9W wired charger, sold separately) – 2.5 hours (15W wired charger – sold separately) | – 4 hours (with included 9W charger) – 3 hours (with a 15W charger) |
| Audio | Mono speaker 3.5mm headphone jack | Stereo speakers 3.5mm headphone jack | Stereo speakers 3.5mm headphone jack |
| WiFi | WiFi 5 | WiFi 5 | WiFi 5 |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | 5.3 |
| Cameras | 2MP rear (720p) 2MP front(720p) | 5MP rear (1080p) 2MP front (720p) | 5MP rear (1080p) 5MP front (1080p) |
| Operating System | Fire OS 8 | Fire OS 8 | Fire OS 8 |
| Accessories | – Cover – Screen protector | – Cover – Screen protector | – Cover – Screen protector – Bluetooth keyboard case – Stylus |
| Dimensions | 180.7 x 117.6 x 9.7mm | 202 x 137 x 9.6mm | 246 x 165 x 8.6mm |
| Weight | 282 grams | 337 grams | 434 grams |
| Starting Price (MSRP) | $60 | $100 | $140 |
When you compare fire tablets across different models, performance is a key differentiator. While hands-on testing of every current Fire tablet generation wasn’t conducted, personal experience with a 2020 Fire HD 8 (2GB RAM) and a 2019 Fire HD 10 reveals a noticeable boost in responsiveness on the larger model, thanks to its superior CPU and graphics. Benchmark tests like GeekBench, PCMark, and 3DMark further highlight these performance gaps.
Geekbench benchmark scores comparing performance across different Fire HD tablets.
3DMark benchmark scores illustrating graphics performance differences in Fire HD tablets.
The latest Amazon Fire Max 11 is designed to offer a significant performance leap. Amazon claims its MediaTek MT8188J processor is up to 50% faster compared to the MT8183 chip used in the Fire HD 10 tablets from 2019 and 2021. This suggests a smoother and more efficient user experience, especially for more demanding applications.
For families with children, Amazon provides Kids Edition tablets for each model. These versions are slightly more expensive but come with a durable, kid-proof case, a year-long subscription to Amazon Kids+, and a 2-year worry-free guarantee, which includes replacement for damaged tablets, no questions asked.
Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Edition tablet in its protective blue case, designed for durability and child-friendly use.
Amazon also introduced Kids Pro versions, offering the same worry-free guarantee and Kids+ subscription, but with a more mature interface and additional features like access to a curated app store, catering to older children.
Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Pro tablet, featuring a slimmer case and a more grown-up design for older kids.
It’s important to note that all Amazon Fire tablets utilize Fire OS, an Android-based operating system customized by Amazon. This includes a unique home screen and app launcher focused on Amazon’s ecosystem. Instead of the Google Play Store, Fire tablets come with the Amazon Appstore.
While it is possible to install Google Play Store on Fire tablets, and customize them further, compatibility with all Android apps isn’t guaranteed.
In conclusion, Amazon Fire tablets are excellent and budget-friendly devices for media consumption. They are also suitable for video conferencing using apps like Zoom, although camera quality is basic.
However, for users seeking high-performance tablets for gaming or productivity tasks, alternatives like iPads or Samsung tablets would be more appropriate. Fire tablets excel in affordability and basic functionality, making them ideal for casual use, reading, and media streaming within the Amazon ecosystem.
