7 Tablets With Great Sound Quality That Won't Break The Bank

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You don't need to buy an expensive tablet if you want to enjoy solid audio quality while watching shows on the top streaming services or playing video games. While we can't expect affordable gadgets to match the performance of premium devices, there are options available today that will still be able to provide decent sound without forcing you to exceed your budget for a new tablet.

If you'd like to own one of them, we've identified seven tablets with great sound quality that won't break the bank. The list includes models from leading brands like Samsung and Apple, as well as from less popular but still reliable manufacturers like OnePlus and Lenovo.

All of the tablets that we've chosen for this roundup are available on Amazon with retail prices below $500. They've received favorable reviews for certain aspects of their sound quality from trustworthy websites, and we'll highlight each device's other special features to showcase why they're worth buying, even beyond their audio capabilities.

The most affordable tablet on this list is the Amazon Fire HD 8 (2024). You can buy the ad-supported 64-gigabyte (GB) model from Amazon for $129.99, and at this price, you probably shouldn't expect its audio quality to match that of flagship tablets like Apple's iPad Pro M5. Still, Tech Advisor said that most people will be satisfied by the clear audio delivered by the Fire HD 8's stereo speakers when watching videos. In addition to the clarity, What Hi-Fi said that the tablet can get pretty loud. The review pointed out that the speakers are located at the top edge of the device when you hold it horizontally, so your hands won't cover them while you're accessing content on a streaming app.

This Fire tablet has secured an average score of 4.4 stars (out of five) after more than 10,700 ratings from Amazon shoppers, with plenty of positive feedback on the size and resolution of the eight-inch HD touchscreen. The 64 GB model also comes with four GB of RAM for smooth performance, especially for the price, and if you need more storage, you can add up to one terabyte more through a microSD card. The tablet is powered by Amazon's FireOS, so it doesn't support the Google Play Store. That means some apps you've been using on Android devices may not be available on the Fire HD 8, as mentioned by What Hi-Fi.

The HMD T21, also known as the Nokia T21, is available on Amazon for $149.99. The tablet features two speakers on each end, and they combine with the device's OZO Spatial Audio software for loud sound that's good enough for watching streaming videos and listening to podcasts, according to Tech Advisor. The device's audio output won't distort even when you increase its volume to higher levels, though the tradeoff is that there's not enough bass, according to Notebookcheck. 

The speakers in this HMD tablet combine with its 10.4-inch touchscreen with 2,000-by-1,200-pixel resolution to deliver a decent entertainment experience, though Tech Advisor recommends indoor use since the display is hard to see under the sun. With its Unisoc T612 processor and four GB of RAM, the device is fine for basic Android apps, according to the review. You can increase the base storage of 64 GB up to 512 GB using a microSD card. HMD promises up to three days of battery life from a full charge, though testing by Tech Advisor and Notebookcheck showed that it's closer to two days with typical usage.

AndroidGuys described the Xiaomi Redmi Pad 2 as an affordable tablet that's a solid choice for streaming videos and children's entertainment, partly because of its four speakers with support for Dolby Atmos. Starting at $209.99 for its Wi-Fi-only model with four GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage, this device offers clear dialogue and ample volume for a small room, according to AndroidGuys. Tech Advisor is similarly impressed by the gadget's audio quality, noting that the Dolby Atmos significantly improves its output and makes it sound good for different types of content.

The Redmi Pad 2 features an 11-inch touchscreen with 2.5K resolution and a refresh rate up to 90 hertz. AndroidGuys said the results are sharp and colorful visuals, and Tech Advisor said that it's a nice display for a budget-friendly device. The gadget packs the MediaTek Helio G100-Ultra processor that's appropriate for casual use, and it ships with Xiaomi's HyperOS 2, which is based on Android 15 and intuitive to use, according to AndroidGuys. The tablet is rated to last up to 17 hours on a single charge, but it only lasted about 10.5 hours in Tech Advisor's testing, though that figure is still respectable for the price.

The Lenovo Tab Plus Gen 2 features a JBL Pro speaker system with Dolby Atmos on the back of the tablet. There are a total of nine speakers, namely four tweeters for high-frequency sounds, three woofers, and two passive radiators for deep bass, combining for full-range audio that you can further improve with presets and a customizable equalizer, according to Tom's Guide. Notebookcheck described the device as "the tablet with the best sound system in years," and you can also use it as a Bluetooth speaker with a wireless connection to other gadgets.

For $269.99 on Amazon, this Lenovo tablet offers excellent value if you're planning to maximize its speakers, and its built-in kickstand can rotate 360 degrees so that you can prop the tablet horizontally or vertically on your desk while you're streaming shows or movies. Tom's Guide said that the device's 12.1-inch touchscreen with 2.5K resolution and up to 120-hertz refresh rate plays videos smoothly, and its battery lasted just over 13.5 hours in testing, an impressive mark. Meanwhile, the tablet's MediaTek Dimensity 7400 processor and eight GB of RAM won't be able to handle the most demanding tasks, but it should be enough for entertainment apps, according to Notebookcheck.

Samsung makes powerful Android tablets like the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra, but they're usually very expensive. The brand also offers cheaper tablets like the Samsung Galaxy Tab A11+, which goes for $299 on Amazon for its 128 GB model, and it's a fine option if you want an affordable device with solid sound quality. The device features four Dolby Atmos-powered speakers with decent output and can get loud enough to fill a medium-sized room, according to Notebookcheck. Tech Advisor also highlighted the tablet's quad speaker setup, which comes alongside other improvements in the gadget from its predecessor, the Galaxy Tab A9+.

While the Samsung Galaxy Tab A11+ has a similar design and the same 11-inch TFT LCD touchscreen with 1,200-by-1,920-pixel resolution as the Galaxy Tab A9+, Tech Advisor said that the tablet runs smoothly with the switch to the Mediatek Dimensity 7300 processor and six GB of RAM. Samsung also promises update support until November 2032, and a long-running battery that Notebookcheck tested to last almost 15 hours with real-world usage. If you need more space for your apps and files, you can expand the tablet's storage with a microSD card up to two terabytes. On Amazon, the Galaxy Tab A11+ has more than 2,700 ratings and an average score of 4.5 stars, with many customers impressed by its performance, especially considering its price.

The OnePlus Pad Go 2, which you can purchase on Amazon starting at $399 for the 128 GB model, features a 12.1-inch LCD touchscreen with 2.8K resolution and a refresh rate of up to 120 hertz. The display is just one of the reasons why Trusted Reviews described it as "a perfect entertainment device," though, as the tablet's four speakers are also capable of delivering adequate stereo sound and bass. The review added that the gadget's volume can get really high, even in outdoor settings. GSMArena confirmed this in its loudness test, with the tablet beating the likes of the Xiaomi Redmi Pad 2 and the Apple iPad Pro 11 (2024). That review also gave positive feedback on the audio quality for vocals and bass that the Pad Go 2 delivers.

Our review of the OnePlus Pad Go 2 highlights the brand's Omnibearing Sound Field technology, which automatically adjusts the tablet's stereo channels depending on whether it's in portrait or landscape orientation. We also said that, not only are the device's speakers fine for casual use, but the MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Ultra chipset and eight GB of RAM deliver unexpectedly solid overall performance. That makes the Pad Go 2 great for both consuming media and boosting productivity, and GSMArena's tests showed that the 10,050 milliampere-hour battery lasts about 14.5 hours with active use.

The Apple iPad (A16) is the latest version of the base model of the brand's tablets, with a price that starts at $449 for the Wi-Fi version with 128 GB of storage. In many aspects, like in terms of audio quality, it won't be able to match the iPad Air and iPad Pro, but the base iPad's speakers are good enough for watching streaming content with sufficient volume and quality, according to Macworld. Laptop Mag said that the tablet's sound output is balanced and clear, which makes it a nice device for casually listening to videos and games, as voices and sound effects are not overshadowed by background noise.

We described the Apple iPad (A16) as barely an upgrade to its predecessor, the Apple iPad (A13), but doubled base storage and up to 50% faster performance are enough to earn the title of the best tablet you can buy in 2026. According to Amazon's customers, who have given the device a high average score of 4.7 stars after more than 29,600 ratings, it's a great pick for everyday use because of its fast performance, colorful and clear 11-inch Liquid Retina display, and long battery life. It's also a solid productivity tool, especially if you take advantage of the things the Apple Pencil (USB-C) can do.

All of the tablets that we've selected for this list are available on Amazon, where they carry retail prices below $500 and a buyer rating of at least 4.5 stars (out of five). The platform not only provides wide accessibility to shoppers, but it also presents a chance to buy these devices for even cheaper by taking advantage of the retailer's discounts.

In addition to reviewing the spec sheets for these tablets, we confirmed their sound quality through the insights provided by professional reviewers. We have also mentioned other reasons why you may want to purchase these devices, as they offer features beyond just decent audio and affordable prices.