These Are The Tablets Experts Say Aren't Worth The Money

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

Whether you're a first-time tablet shopper or you're starting to notice the signs that you need to upgrade your tablet, there's a lot to consider when browsing today's expansive tech market. The easy answer might be to buy the latest high-end flagship tablet from a brand like Apple or Samsung. But if you just want an affordable tablet you use for work and home, you're likely to be overwhelmed with options. And some of them are simply not worth the money.

Experts are likely to give negative reviews to tablets that don't live up to the use cases they're designed for. In today's market, even a lower-end tablet is expected to run any productivity app or simple games at a smooth refresh rate. Battery life is a huge consideration, too, and the modern expectation is that a tablet should last for a minimum of 10 hours with a fast recharge rate. We came across two particular tablets that were released in 2026, with expert feedback indicating that they might not meet current standards: the Amazon Fire HD 10 and the second-generation Lenovo Tab Plus.

The 2026 iteration of the Amazon Fire HD 10 is an updated version of the model that was released in 2023. The recent refresh increased the RAM of this budget tablet to 4GB, though it is otherwise unchanged. The reviewers at PC Mag praised the Fire HD 10 for being a surprisingly decent tablet for under $150, but with a huge caveat: it runs on Amazon's restrictive version of the Android operating system and is only compatible with Amazon's very limited app store. The Fire HD 10 frequently goes on sale for as little as $73 according to Amazon's price history tool, but experts have expressed doubts as to whether it's worth it even at that price.

It's much more practical to spend your money on a tablet that isn't bound by arbitrary limitations. Fortunately, Amazon actually gave users a reason to buy its Alexa tablets with a new lineup that has full access to the Google Play Store. In particular, the Amazon Alexa Tablet 8 is in a similar price bracket to the Fire HD 10, with its 64GB model at $229.99. It's arguably a much better buy, especially when you factor in the Alexa Tablet's superior rear-facing camera quality and built-in Alexa+ compatibility.

The Lenovo Tab Plus Gen 2 is a tablet with an outstanding built-in JBL speaker. In fact, Tom's Guide calls it a "giant speaker with a tablet attached," which could be interpreted as a comment on how the tablet itself is overshadowed by its gimmick. It's powered by a MediaTek Dimensity CPU that isn't suitable for powerful work or gaming. And even if you wanted to use the Tab Plus Gen 2 for everyday tasks, its jutting speaker makes it heavy and awkward to hold. It's slow to charge, too, with one test showing that it took 30 minutes just to go from zero to 20%.

Perhaps the biggest caveat to the Tab Plus Gen 2 is its short software lifespan. Lenovo has only guaranteed support through two major Android versions and security patches through 2030, which the experts at Notebookcheck aptly describe as "problematic." At its original list price of $399.99, the Tab Plus Gen 2 is a difficult purchase to justify for most users. If you're looking for a great tablet-and-speaker combo, your money may go farther by choosing the more affordable Lenovo Idea Tab Plus and pairing it with one of the best Bluetooth speakers for outdoor use.