Best Small Tablets: iPad Mini Alternatives in 2025
Small tablets strike the perfect balance between portability and functionality. For students, commuters, readers, and anyone needing a lightweight device, they offer enough screen real estate for reading, note-taking, watching videos, and light productivity — without the bulk of a full-size tablet or laptop.
The iPad Mini is often considered the gold standard in this category thanks to its power, stylus support, and premium design. However, it comes with a premium price tag that isn’t for everyone. The good news? There are several excellent alternatives that deliver great performance, solid battery life, and a smooth user experience — all without breaking the bank.
The iPad Mini (7th generation) is Apple’s compact powerhouse, featuring an 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display, the fast A17 Pro Bionic chip capable of Apple Intelligence, and support for the Apple Pencil Pro as well as Apple Pencil USB-C. Its sleek, lightweight design makes it perfect for students, readers, and creatives on the go. With USB-C connectivity, all-day battery life, and access to the full iPadOS ecosystem, it offers premium performance in a portable size — ideal for note-taking, video calls, sketching, and more.
What to Look for in a Small Tablet
When choosing a compact tablet, it’s important to consider the following factors:
Screen Size: Aim for between 7 and 9 inches, which balances usability with portability. It’s big enough for reading, browsing, and video, but small enough to comfortably carry anywhere.
Weight and Portability: A lightweight tablet is key if you plan to take it to classes, libraries, coffee shops, or while traveling.
Battery Life: Look for at least 8 hours of screen time, especially for study sessions, lectures, or long commutes.
App Ecosystem: Android offers flexibility and affordability, Amazon Fire OS is great for budget users focused on media, and Windows (in small devices) supports desktop-grade apps.
Stylus Support: Handy for students, note-takers, or creatives. Check whether the tablet supports an active stylus if handwriting or drawing is important.
Price vs. Performance: Don’t overpay for features you won’t use. Look for a balance — decent RAM (3GB or more), modern processors, and at least 32–64GB storage (expandable if possible).
Best Android Alternatives to iPad Mini
1. Samsung Galaxy Tab A9 (8.7″)
A strong contender for the best small Android tablet, the Galaxy Tab A9 offers a reliable mix of affordability and performance. It features an 8.7-inch LCD display that’s bright and sharp enough for media consumption, note-taking, and browsing. Powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 (5G variant) or MediaTek processor (Wi-Fi version), paired with 4GB or 8GB of RAM, it handles everyday tasks comfortably.
Pros:
- Solid build quality with slim bezels
- Dolby Atmos stereo speakers
- Optional Samsung DeX for desktop-like productivity
- Expandable storage (microSD)
Cons:
- Not designed for heavy multitasking or demanding apps
- No official stylus support
2. Lenovo Tab M9 (9″)
If affordability is a priority, the Lenovo Tab M9 is an excellent budget option. It offers a 9-inch display, which is great for reading and watching videos, though it’s not the sharpest in class (HD resolution). Powered by a MediaTek Helio G80, it’s sufficient for web browsing, eBooks, streaming, and basic productivity tasks.
Pros:
- Very affordable
- Compact and lightweight
- Decent battery life (up to 13 hours of video playback)
- Dolby Atmos dual speakers
Cons:
- HD display instead of Full HD
- Limited performance for gaming or multitasking
Both of these Android tablets are ideal for students, casual users, or anyone who needs a reliable portable device for reading, video, browsing, and cloud-based tasks — at a much lower price point than the iPad Mini.
Amazon Fire Tablets: Super Budget Picks
If affordability is your top priority, Amazon’s Fire HD tablets are hard to beat. While they don’t offer the full flexibility of Android or iPadOS without extra work (like sideloading Google Play), they are excellent for basic tasks such as reading, streaming, light browsing, and note-taking through web apps.
3. Amazon Fire HD 8 (2024)
The latest refresh of the Fire HD 8 (2024) replaces the previous HD 8 Plus. It offers a modest performance boost with a quad-core processor, an 8-inch HD display, and up to 13 hours of battery life — all for an ultra-affordable price. It’s great for casual tasks, Kindle books, Netflix, or simple research.
Pros:
- Extremely affordable
- Lightweight and compact
- USB-C charging
- Great battery life
Cons:
- Limited to Amazon’s app store (missing Google apps unless sideloaded)
- Lower screen resolution and performance compared to Android or Apple tablets
- No native stylus support
4. Fire HD 8 Kids (2024)
Aimed at younger students, this version is wrapped in an ultra-rugged case and includes a 2-year worry-free guarantee— if it breaks, Amazon replaces it. It comes with a 1-year subscription to Amazon Kids+, offering educational games, videos, and books.
Pros:
- Kid-proof case with stand
- Best-in-class parental controls
- Same hardware as the standard Fire HD 8 (2024)
- Outstanding value for families
Cons:
- Bulkier due to the protective case
- Same app limitations as other Fire tablets
- HD display
Apple Option: Still Best in Class but Pricey
5. iPad Mini 6 (2021) — Still the Gold Standard
Despite being released in 2021, the iPad Mini 6 remains the benchmark for small tablets in 2025. It features an 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display, a powerful A15 Bionic chip, Apple Pencil (2nd generation) support, and excellent camera and audio quality. Its lightweight, premium design makes it perfect for note-taking, digital sketching, reading, and multitasking — if your budget allows.
Pros:
- Best-in-class performance and display
- Long software support from Apple
- Apple Pencil 2 support for handwriting and drawing
- Excellent cameras and speakers
Cons:
- Expensive relative to Android and Fire alternatives
- Accessories like the Pencil and cases are extra
6. The New iPad (11-inch, 2025) — The Cheapest iPad Option
For those open to a slightly larger tablet, the 11-inch iPad (11th generation, 2025) is the most affordable entry into the Apple ecosystem. Despite its larger size, it costs less than the iPad Mini and supports the Apple Pencil (USB-C version)— ideal for digital notes, studying, and creativity.
Key Specs:
- 11-inch Liquid Retina display (2360×1640 resolution)
- Powered by the A16 Bionic chip — fast for all student tasks
- Supports Apple Pencil (USB-C) and Smart Keyboard
- USB-C charging
Pros:
- Bigger screen for productivity at a lower price than the iPad Mini
- Bigger starting storage at 128GB
- Excellent performance for the price
- Runs full iPadOS with long-term updates
Cons:
- Less portable due to size compared to the iPad Mini
- Still pricier than Android or Fire tablets
Choosing the Right Small Tablet for You
Small tablets deliver an unbeatable combination of portability and everyday functionality. Students, commuters, and casual users can all benefit from having a lightweight device that’s ideal for reading, streaming, note-taking, and light productivity.
While the iPad Mini sets the bar high with its premium design and performance, there are excellent Android and Amazon Fire alternatives that offer great value. Apple’s entry-level iPad (11th gen) also deserves attention for those who want more screen space at a lower price point.
Focus on what matters most — performance, app compatibility, stylus support, or affordability — and you’ll find a small tablet that fits seamlessly into your daily routine.
