Home / Tablets / Best Tablets under $400 – Top 10+ for Quality & Power

Best Tablets under $400 – Top 10+ for Quality & Power

If you’re looking for a quality, powerful tablet, the best tablets under 400 dollars are for you.

Whether you are a working professional or someone looking for a multimedia device with an excellent display & some hardware muscle to play heavy games, tablets under $400 offer it all.

You should get one of these if you want a quality, high-end tablet. But, if you’re looking for a good one without paying for a premium product, you might want to look at tablets under $300. They offer good quality as well, at a more affordable price.

Our Top 3 Picks

#1 – Asus ZenPad 3S 10#2 – Apple iPad#3 – Samsung Galaxy Tab S2
Asus ZenPad 3S 10Apple iPad 10-inchSamsung Galaxy Tab S2
Premium & Ideal for Multimedia
Premium looking with an excellent display and camera
Compact 8-inch with premium feel and good performance
9.7″ HD9.7″ HD8″ HD
MTK MT8176 Dual-Core with 4 GB of RAMA10 Fusion with 2 GB of RAMOcta-core APQ8076 with 3 GB of RAM
64 GB32 GB32 GB
Up to 10 hoursUp to 10 hoursUp to 10 hours

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What to expect from the best tablets under 400 dollars

Quality and Casing

For a premium price tag of $400, tablet manufacturers try to offer the best quality for your money.

Tablets in this range provide either a high-quality plastic chassis or a more premium aluminum body. They will be durable and lightweight. Depending on the display size, most of them to offer great one-handed usability.

Display

$400 tablets are equipped with vibrant full HD screens and the best ones will have a 2K resolution. The display size varies depending on the model of the tablet, and you can get it in 7-inch, 8-inch and 10-inch options.

Expect the top tablets under 400 dollars to have great color accuracy and vividness. After all, you paying for a premium tablet!

Performance

At this price range, tablets are equipped with powerful hardware.

You can expect the tablet to offer quad-core and octa-core processor from Qualcomm, Intel, MediaTek, and Nvidia. Also, they’ll have enough memory to handle many apps opened at once. That will give you a powerful tablet that won’t lag during multi-tasking.

Audio

When buying a tablet for multimedia needs, a good audio system is a priority. Tablets in this price range output distortion-free sound while being loud enough to use it as a portable music player.

Camera

You can expect the camera unit to be better than low-end tablets. While a tablet’ camera may never produce pictures of smartphone quality, the best tablets under $400 offer an acceptable image quality.

Software

Tablets under $400 come either with Windows or Android.

Android is, of course, the standard choice if you’re a normal user. But if you’re looking for MS Office integration or for a more versatile tablet, choose one with Windows 10. There are a few on the market.

Other Aspects

Other things you can expect from the best tablets under $400:  32 GB of internal storage that can expend up to 128 GB and an excellent battery life ranging from 8 to 15 hours.

The sub $400 tablet market has some exciting options to choose from. They’ll be useful for both the working professional and users that need a multimedia tablet. Their excellent display quality and hardware power are great for watching movies and playing games

Recommended for you:

Specs for the Top 10 Best Tablets under $400

Graphics8 to 10-inch
ProcessorApple A8 & A10, Intel Atom, Qualcomm Snapdragon or similar
RAM1 to 4 GB
Storage16 to 128 GB
CamerasFront: 2 to 5 MP
Back: 2 to 13 MP
Battery life9 to 18 hours
OSWindows 10, Android 4 to 6, iOS 9 to 11
Dimensions / WeightHeight: 7.82 to 10.4″
Width: 4.49 to 7.1″
Thick.: 0.22 to 0.38″
Weight: 0.58to 1.74 lbs
Price Range$$$, $$$$

Top 10 Best Tablets under $400

1 – Asus ZenPad 3S 10 – 10″ HD

Asus ZenPad 3S 10

“Premium & Ideal for Multimedia”

The Asus ZenPad 3S 10 is definitely the best 10-inch tablet under $400 if you want a tablet for media consumption. It offers a stunning design with a slim profile and great build quality. The aluminum shell feels and looks premium. It weighs less than 1 lbs, which is quite good for a 10-inch tablet.

The 9.7-inch display is brilliant with its 2K resolution: you get a bright & crisp display with good viewing angles. The audio is also impressive: with the loud & clear speakers, you’re in for a treat. It runs on Android 6.0 Marshmallow on top of Zen UI.

The MediaTek processor paired with 4 GB of RAM delivers adequate performance. Apps open fast, and the games don’t show any lag or slowness. It also gets a fingerprint reader that is as good as it gets.

The area where it could improve is on the camera-side: they are the average for the price. The battery life on this 400 dollars tablet is good, but some competitors offer a better one, making the Asus ZenPad 3S 10’s battery life look just average.

Pros

  • Excellent Display
  • Premium Thin & Light Design
  • Great Audio
Cons

  • Doesn’t make the best pictures
  • Average Battery Life

Buy on NewEgg.com
Check current price on Amazon.com

Graphics9.7″ HD screen (2048 x 1536)
PerformanceMTK MT8176 Dual-Core with 4 GB of RAM
Storage64 GB
CamerasFront: 5 MP / Rear: 8 MP
Battery lifeUp to 10 hours
OSAndroid 6
Dimensions / Weight9.45″ x 6.44″ x 0.22″ / 0.94 lbs
Colors Avail.Silver

2 – Apple iPad – 10″ HD

Apple iPad 10-inch

“Premium looking with an excellent display and camera”

The Apple iPad 9.7 is among the premium tablets and is one of the best 10-inch tablets under $400. The iPad offers a 9.7-inch display packed in a premium lightweight aluminum shell, weighing a respectable 1.05 lbs. It feels solid but I wish they would have taken care of the thick bezels, it would make it even smaller.

The 2K resolution display is adequately bright and sharp for watching movies, playing games and creating presentations. The iPad has always been a solid performer, and this one is no exception. With A10 fusion Chip and 2 GB of RAM, it handles any game with ease. You can even use the Adobe Premiere Clip to edit and render videos.

If you want a tablet with a good camera, iPad is the best choice. The rear camera takes excellent pictures for your school work or vacation trip. This iPad offers 10 hours of battery life with moderate usage. Not the best, but definitely acceptable. The Apple iPad 9.7 runs on the iOS 11 out of the box which is ideal for the iPad. The audio quality is crisp and fairly loud for media consumption.

Pros

  • Premium Looking High Standard Build
  • Smooth Performance
  • Good Battery Backup
  • Finger Print Sensor
Cons

  • More expensive than competition

Buy on NewEgg.com
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Graphics9.7″ HD screen (2048 x 1536)
PerformanceA10 Fusion with 2 GB of RAM
Storage32 GB
CamerasNo Front Camera / Rear: 8 MP
Battery lifeUp to 10 hours
OSiOS 11
Dimensions / Weight9.4″ x 6.6″ x 0.29″ / 1.05 lbs
Colors Avail.Silver, Gold, Grey

3 – Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 – 8″ HD

Samsung Galaxy Tab S2

“Compact 8-inch with premium feel and good performance”

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 is an 8-inch tablet under $400 that offers a premium feel thanks to the matte finish at the back and metal work on the side. The tablet feels durable and weighs only 0.58 lbs, making it ideal for one-handed use. The 8-inch AMOLED screen is sharp and bright and, with a 2k resolution, the picture quality is excellent.

The Tab S2 comes powered with an Exynos Octa-core processor paired with 3 GB of RAM. The hardware is powerful enough to handle any given task like playing graphic intensive games, video streaming and multitasking. The rear camera captures decent quality pictures under good lighting conditions, whereas the front facing camera is good for video calling.

The battery life is average and can last up to 10 hours with moderate usage. The audio output is good but not great and could have been better for the price.

Pros

  • Bright & Colorful Display
  • Good Performance
  • Good Build
Cons

  • Average Battery Life
  • Average Audio

Buy on Amazon.com

Graphics8″ HD screen (2048 x 1536)
PerformanceOcta-core APQ8076 with 3 GB of RAM
Storage32 GB
CamerasFront: 2 MP / Rear: 8 MP
Battery lifeUp to 10 hours
OSAndroid 6
Dimensions / Weight7.82″ x 5.31″ x 0.22″ / 0.58 lbs
Colors Avail.Black, White, Gold
Other similar versions (prices may vary)

Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 10-inch HD

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4 – Lenovo Yoga Tab 3 Plus – 10″ HD

Lenovo Yoga Tab 3 10 Plus

“An excellent 10-inch tablet for home entertainment”

The Lenovo Yoga Tab 3 Plus has a design that no other tablet in this segment offers. The cylindrical base houses the flip-out metal stand & the speakers. It’s great for watching movies. This tablet also feels well-built and it comes with water-resistant certification.

The Tab 3 offers a 10.1-inch 2K resolution display which is fantastic thanks to sharpness and outstanding contrast. The front base holds the JBL speakers that sound great for a tablet.

It runs on Android 6.0 Marshmallow. Performance is handled by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 652 processor coupled with 3 GB of RAM and 32 GB of internal storage. The hardware can handle graphics intensive games and high-resolution video play without any lag. The battery life of Tab 3 Plus is excellent and will last more than 10 hours with moderate usage.

Pros

  • Awesome Display
  • Great Audio
  • Useful KickStand
  • Battery life
Cons

  • Heavy

Buy on Amazon.com

Graphics10.1″ HD screen (2560 x 1600)
PerformanceQualcomm Snapdragon with 3 GB of RAM
Storage32 GB
CamerasFront: 5 MP / Rear: 13 MP
Battery lifeUp to 18 hours
OSAndroid 6
Dimensions / Weight9.72″ x 7.05″ x 0.37″ / 1.4 lbs
Colors Avail.Black

5 – Lenovo Yoga Book (Windows) – 10″ HD

Lenovo Yoga Book

“Unique 10-inch convertible with super slim profile and lightweight chassis”

The Lenovo Yoga Book is a super slim convertible with a touch-and-type keyboard. Equipped with Windows 10, its unique design makes it a great productivity tool. The tablet is well-built and feels solid in hand. It offers a 10.1-inch full HD IPS display which is colorful and bright, and the color production is excellent.

Despite the slim profile, the speakers on the tablet are fairly loud and clear. The touch-and-type keyboard is something unique & useful, but it will not replace a real physical keyboard if you type a lot. The included pad & the pen both work great and let you create art or can be used for note-taking.

With the Intel Atom processor and 4 GB of RAM, the tablet does what it is supposed to do without lag. Take notes, watch movies and have multiple browser tabs opened and still won’t lag. The 64 GB of internal storage is enough as it also comes with a micro SD card reader.

The battery life can last up to 10 hours which is excellent considering all the bells and whistles it offers. Also, the rear and front camera on the tablet is adequate and capture decent photos.

All-in-all, a very interesting tablet under $400 that delivers a lot of value.

Pros

  • Windows 10 Home
  • Sharp Display
  • Good Performance
  • Great input from the Stylus & Well-made Keyboard
Cons

  • No Full USB supports
  • Display wobbles when in Laptop mode
  • Not a great trackpad

Buy on Amazon.com

Graphics10.1″ HD screen (1920 x 1200)
PerformanceIntel Atom with 4 GB of RAM
Storage64 GB
CamerasFront: 2 MP / Rear: 8 MP
Battery lifeUp to 15 hours
OSWindows 10
Dimensions / Weight10.1″ x 6.72″ x 0.38″ / 1.52 lbs
Colors Avail.Black, White
Other similar versions (prices may vary)

Lenovo Yoga Book 10-inch HD

# 6 to 10 Best Tablets under $400

6 – Apple iPad Mini 4 – 8″ HD

Apple iPad Mini 4

“8-inch iPad with good battery life, good display, and sleek design”

The Apple iPad Mini 4 gets a lot of things right but also misses out on a few. The iPad Mini 4 is a well-built, sleek device with a premium quality chassis that weighs around 0.65 lbs.

The 7.9-inch 2k resolution display is excellent, offering good contrast & color accuracy, making it an excellent device for media consumption. The audio quality, however, is only decent and is nothing exceptional. The iPad Mini 4 runs on iOS 9 and doesn’t show any glitches or lags.

As for the performance, the Apple A8 chip makes sure that you zip through any task with ease, even if it’s not the most recent one. Asphalt 8 runs smoothly and the movie playing experience is lag free. The rear camera offers a good amount of details and the panorama mode is particularly impressive. The battery can last up to 10 hours with web surfing and normal usage. This variant of the iPad Mini 4 offer 128 GB of internal storage that makes up for the lack of Micro SD card slot.

If you are looking for one of the best 8-inch tablets under $400, the iPad Mini 4 is a good choice.

Pros

  • Retina Display is Excellent
  • Good Battery Life
  • Premium Look and Durable
  • Lots of Space
Cons

  • Old Processor
  • Missing 3D Touch

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Graphics7.9″ HD screen (2048 x 1536)
PerformanceApple A8 Chip with 2 GB of RAM
Storage128 GB
CamerasNo Front Camera / Rear: 8 MP
Battery lifeUp to 10 hours
OSiOS 9
Dimensions / Weight8″ x 5.31″ x 0.24″ / 0.65 lbs
Colors Avail.Silver, Gold, Grey

7 – Huawei MediaPad M3 – 8″ HD

Huawei MediaPad M3

“8-inch Tablet offering excellent display and impressive audio”

The Huawei MediaPad M3 offers a metal unibody design with clean lines and premium look. The tablet has an 8.4-inch high-resolution display which is perfect for watching movies and playing games. The color accuracy is good, with great black contrast and the viewing angles are impressive too. The Harman Kardon speaker sounds excellent with clear and loud sound output.

The tablet is powered by the Krin 950 CPU paired with 4 GB of RAM. Multitasking, gameplay and video streaming all happen without any lag or stutter. However, the Huawei user interface on top of Android isn’t impressive and I’d have preferred the original OS. The rear and front-facing camera both do a decent job of taking pictures, but are nothing to brag about. The 5100 mAh battery on this tablet lasts for a day with moderate usage.

The Huawei MediaPad M3 is not the cheapest tablet, but it is a great multimedia device.

Pros

  • Beautiful Display
  • Good Build Quality
  • Great Audio
  • Good Battery Life
Cons

  • Average Camera Quality
  • Huawei UI

Buy on NewEgg.com
Check current price on Amazon.com

Graphics8″ HD screen (2560 x 1600)
PerformanceKirin 950 Octa Core with 4 GB of RAM
Storage64 GB
CamerasFront: 2 MP / Rear: 2 MP
Battery lifeUp to 12 hours
OSAndroid 6
Dimensions / Weight8.47″ x 4.49″ x 0.29″ / 0.68 lbs
Colors Avail.White

8 – Asus Transformer Mini T102HA – 10″

Asus Transformer Mini T102HA

“A Windows 10 hybrid with a good display, battery life, and loud speakers”

The Asus Transformer Mini T102HA is for those who want an inexpensive 2-in-1 Windows hybrid with a good display and audio. Asus is the pioneer of these 2-in-1 devices and the Asus Transformer Mini has a simple yet elegant design. The build quality is good, and the tablet feels premium. At 1.74 lbs, it is not the lightest but considering it comes with a keyboard dock, the weight is acceptable.

The 10.1-inch HD resolution display is bright and is, in fact, one of the brightest screens in this range. The keyboard is a bit cramped for large hands, and the typing experience is decent for a keyboard of that size. The audio output is loud and clear.

Powered by a 1.44 GHz Intel Atom processor and 4 GB of RAM, the Transformer Mini has enough power for basic tasks, but anything slightly demanding may make it lag. The onboard 128 GB storage is adequate for media storage and better than most $400 tablets. The webcam on the device is poor and you better off not considering it as a buying factor, but the battery can last a long day on a single charge.

Pros

  • Well-built
  • Good Display
  • Good Battery Life
  • Windows 10
Cons

  • Average performance

Buy on Amazon.com

Graphics10.1″ touchscreen (1280 x 800)
PerformanceIntel Atom with 4 GB of RAM
Storage128 GB eMMC
CamerasFront: 2 MP / No Back Camera
Battery lifeUp to 11 hours
OSWindows 10
Dimensions / Weight10.2″ x 6.7″ x 0.32″ / 1.74 lbs
Colors Avail.Silver, White & Orange

9 – Asus MeMO Pad 8 – 8″

Asus MeMO Pad 8

“Affordable 8-inch with good display & build quality”

The Asus MeMO Pad 8 is a thin 8-inch tablet that weighs around 0.7 lbs. The build quality is good and feels well-constructed. The HD resolution display offers good contrast with decent black level and good color accuracy. The 16 GB of onboard storage is decent for the price and you can upgrade the memory further using the Micro SD card slot.

The MeMO Pad 8 comes packed with a quad-core processor coupled with 1 GB of RAM. For the price the hardware is right, and the performance doesn’t disappoint either. You can run games like Assassins Creed Pirates with ease, as there is no lag unless you push it to the limits.

This tablet runs on Android 4.4 KitKat which is an obsolete version of Android. The rear camera on the tablet is poor so is the front-facing camera. The battery life depends on the usage, however, with moderate usage the tablet can last up to 9 hours.

Pros

  • Good Build Quality
  • Good Display
Cons

  • Average Performance
  • Low RAM
  • Average Battery Life
  • Outdated OS

Buy on NewEgg.com
Check current price on Amazon.com

Graphics8″ screen (1280 x 800)
PerformanceIntel Atom Z3745 with 1 GB of RAM
Storage16 GB
CamerasFront: 2 MP / Rear: 5 MP
Battery lifeUp to 9 hours
OSAndroid 4.4
Dimensions / Weight8.3″ x 4.9″ x 0.3″ / 0.7 lbs
Colors Avail.Black, White

10 – Asus Transformer Pad Infinity – 10″ HD

Asus Transformer Pad Infinity

“Sharp display, quad-core processor & long battery life”

The Asus Transformer Pad Infinity is not the prettiest on this list of the best tablets under $400, but it is surely durable and well-built. The 10.1-inch display with full HD resolution is stunning with good brightness and color saturation. Any 1080p video file runs smoothly, revealing great detail. The speakers on the tablet produce decent sound but I’d have preferred something better.

Featuring NVIDIA’s quad-core Tegra 3 processor, playing games & web browsing happens without any lag despite having only 1 GB of RAM. The rear camera on the tablet is not good according to today’s standards when compared with the Asus ZenPad 3S and Apple iPad. Also, the battery life on the tablet is a little low with 7 hours of continues usage.

Pros

  • Durable and Tough
  • Good Performance (when not upgraded)
Cons

  • Old Android OS
  • Software glitches

Buy on Amazon.com

Graphics10.1″ HD screen (1920 x 1200)
PerformanceNVIDIA Tegra 3 1.6 GHz with 1 GB of RAM
Storage32 GB
CamerasFront: 2 MP / Rear: 8 MP
Battery lifeUp to 9.5 hours
OSAndroid 4.4
Dimensions / Weight10.4″ x 7.1″ x 0.33″ / 1.32 lbs
Colors Avail.Purple / Black

About Erik

Erik is the owner and main editor of techmanik.com. He has been working in computers and information technology for more than 20 years. He’s a business analyst, developer and avid traveler.

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