For a limited time, Amazon has slashed the price of its Fire HD 10 tablet in half, dropping the starting configuration to about $70. If you’ve been holding off on a budget reading and streaming slate that doesn’t look like it’s already 2013 vintage, now’s the time to hit the buy button — provided you know which one to get.
For that price, you’re getting a 10.1-inch Full HD display, 3GB of RAM, 32GB of storage and a microSD slot supporting cards up to 1TB.
The manufacturer lists battery life of up to 13 hours, and apart from USB-C charging, you’re getting dual-band Wi-Fi, stereo speakers and hands-free Alexa here too, so it’s a straightforward couch companion for video content, ebooks and smart home control.
Take a closer look at the 50 percent Fire HD 10 deal
The headline deal applies to the base Fire HD 10 with 32GB of storage and lockscreen ads (which Amazon refers to as “Special Offers”). Those ads only show up on the lockscreen, and they don’t disrupt app or video usage — which is why many buyers are OK with them to save money. If they bother you, you can pay a one-time fee at checkout or simply remove them after the fact from your account settings.
The same discounting usually extends to the 64GB model, which is usually our smarter long-term pick for most folks. And, while you can use the microSD slot for media and files, many apps and most games prefer internal storage for speed. Investing a bit more now could keep you from micromanaging space later.
This is one of the lowest prices we see generally available outside major sales events. IDC research indicates that appetite for budget-priced tablets remains robust as value-driven buyers looking to fill a lay-around need favor the Fire HD 10 over typical sub-$200 offerings; at half-off, that Fire HD 10 squarely targets that market reality.
Which Fire HD 10 configuration should you buy?
For the majority of people, that sweet spot is the 64GB Fire HD 10 with lockscreen ads. You have the same core hardware, twice the internal storage and the option to add a microSD card later for offline videos or downloads. If you plan on your little one using the tablet as well, consider getting the ad-free version to avoid clutter and distractions.
For a turn-key family setup, the Fire HD 10 Kids and Kids Pro editions include a rugged case, a two-year worry-free guarantee and a year of child-specific content service. They’re more expensive, but for households that are prone to drops, that warranty is peace of mind you simply can’t get from most rivals.
Performance and everyday use cases for Fire HD 10
The Fire HD 10’s octa-core processor and 3GB of RAM won’t take the place of a good laptop, but images and webpages stream seamlessly for daily browsing, email and video calls. The extra RAM and Full HD panel give a noticeably snappier and sharper experience than on the smaller Fire HD 8, especially for Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+ and YouTube.
Fire OS is based on Amazon’s own Appstore, not Google Play, which means some Android favorites may need substitutes or to be accessed through the browser. In practice, it has all the major services that big-screen owners would want — streaming apps, Kindle, Audible, Spotify and Zoom are available — and many productivity tools work through Amazon’s built-in Silk browser. You’re really in casual game territory here, by which I mean puzzlers and lightweight fare, not graphically intense action.
Battery life is a strength. Real-world, mixed-use stamina typically checks in at somewhere between a full day of reading and streaming at moderate brightness. Stereo speakers are loud enough for a kitchen or bedroom, and Bluetooth works with wireless earbuds or a keyboard if you want to write or email on the go.
How the Fire HD 10 compares with other budget tablets
Dollar for dollar, compared with other budget tablets, the Fire HD 10 is a tough deal to beat. The Fire HD 8 is less expensive but downshifts to a lower-resolution screen and less RAM, which you will notice while multitasking. That’s where the pricier newcomer, the Fire Max 11, comes in, boasting a larger and brighter display that’s constructed from more premium materials while also offering better support for note-taking accessories — useful for anyone who bought a Fire to use for work but noticeably more expensive even at sale prices.
Independent reviews by groups such as Consumer Reports often point to Fire tablets being a good deal for digesting media, if you can stomach Amazon’s ecosystem. IDC consistently pegs Amazon as one of the world’s leading tablet makers in terms of shipments, and deals like this are a big reason why.
What to check before buying a half-price Fire HD 10
Select storage with care: The easiest option is 64GB of internal storage, and an A1- or A2-branded microSD card will be your ticket to faster app-loading times if you ever expand. You decide upfront if you want lockscreen ads removed, and opt for a protective case if the tablet is going in a backpack.
Finally, consider your use case. If you need a cheap screen for streaming, ebooks, recipes and casual games, this half-price Fire HD 10 is the deal to get. If you want robust note-taking, advanced gaming or desktop-class apps, save your cash for a higher-end tablet. For everyone else, this is the one deal that really does live up to the hype.