Amazon Fire HD 10 (2024) Review

Amazon’s latest iteration of the Fire HD 10, priced at $139.99 in its 2023 edition, seamlessly blends premium aesthetics with commendable performance, all while being more budget-friendly compared to its predecessor. This renders it the top choice for tablets under $150.

True to Amazon’s tradition, the Fire HD 10 is tethered to the company’s proprietary software, services, and app ecosystem. Nevertheless, it remains a stellar option for web browsing and streaming music, movies, and TV series. Should you seek a tablet geared towards productivity or content creation, you’ll find yourself shelling out considerably more for alternatives like the $259 Lenovo Tab P11 Plus or the $329 Apple iPad. However, if your primary goal is to indulge in media consumption without breaking the bank, the Fire HD 10 unquestionably earns our coveted Editors’ Choice accolade for budget-friendly tablets.

The Goldilocks Fire Tablet

The Fire HD 10, often dubbed the Goldilocks of Amazon’s tablet lineup, has long boasted the most potent processor and expansive screen among its peers. However, this narrative shifted with the debut of the larger and mightier Fire Max 11 ($229.99) earlier this year. While the Fire HD 10 may have relinquished its title as Amazon’s flagship tablet, it remains the epitome of versatility. Unlike its larger counterpart, the Fire HD 10 offers a plethora of bundles and configurations, including options tailored for younger users—a feature not mirrored in the Fire Max 11 lineup.

Crafted with a sleek and lightweight design, the tablet boasts rounded edges and a vibrant matte plastic rear panel. Its dimensions measure 9.7 by 6.5 by 0.3 inches (HWD), tipping the scales at a mere 0.96 pounds. In comparison, the smaller Kindle Fire HD 8 ($99.99) clocks in at 7.9 by 5.4 by 0.37 inches and weighs lighter at 0.74 pounds. On the other hand, the Fire Max 11 presents a larger profile, measuring 10.2 by 6.4 by 0.3 inches and carrying a weightier build at 1.08 pounds.

True to its moniker, the Fire HD 10 boasts a spacious 10.1-inch display, offering a resolution of 1920 by 1200 pixels within a 16:10 aspect ratio, resulting in a pixel density of 224ppi.

This configuration ensures an immersive viewing experience for movies and TV shows, albeit with limited viewing angles necessitating a direct gaze at the screen. Text on Kindle books retains clarity and sharpness, even at smaller font sizes. In contrast, the Fire HD 8 condenses the display to 8 inches, sporting a resolution of 1280 by 800 pixels with a density of 189ppi, while the 7-inch Fire 7 downsizes further to 1024 by 600 pixels, boasting a density of 171ppi. On the other end of the spectrum, the expansive Fire Max 11 enlarges the screen to 11 inches, featuring a resolution of 2000 by 1200 pixels at a density of 213ppi.

Fire HD 10

Positioned along the left side of the tablet, two speakers deliver stereo sound, achieving a respectable 91.6dB in testing.

This output is sufficient for filling a small room with sound, albeit not much beyond that. While adequate for dialogue in movies and TV shows, the sound quality falls short in music due to its limited soundstage, hindering the discernment of intricate details.

For an optimal audio experience, connecting a pair of headphones is recommended. Fortunately, the tablet offers versatility in this aspect; whether opting for wireless connectivity or direct plug-in via the 3.5mm headphone jack located on the upper right corner, users have options to suit their preferences.

Capable Performance:

Equipped with an eight-core CPU configuration, the Fire HD 10 incorporates two Arm Cortex-A76 cores running at 2.05GHz and six Arm Cortex-A55 cores operating at 2.0GHz. Both the 32GB and 64GB variants are paired with 3GB of RAM, sufficient to facilitate light multitasking seamlessly.

During my usage, I encountered no lag while managing multiple tabs in Amazon’s Silk browser or concurrently running several apps in the background.

The processor effortlessly handles a range of tasks, from streaming services and Zoom video conferencing to Kindle applications and web browsing. I even managed to enjoy basic games like Hungry Shark and other less demanding options without any issues. However, when delving into more demanding gaming experiences like NHL Blast on Roblox, I encountered some setbacks.

Stuttering and slowdowns occurred, particularly during basic maneuvers like navigating across the ice. It’s evident that this tablet isn’t geared towards moderate gaming, so individuals seeking top-notch gaming performance should explore more potent alternatives beyond the Amazon ecosystem.

While the Fire HD 8 and 7 exhibit even slower performance, and the Fire Max 11 offers greater overall robustness, none of these devices deliver the power necessary for stutter-free gaming.

Fire Tablet Accessories

Amazon offers a keyboard case priced at $49.99 and a stylus priced at $34.99 separately for the Fire HD 10. It’s worth noting that the keyboard case designed for the 2021 Fire HD 10 isn’t compatible with the 2023 tablet model. Additionally, Amazon launched its stylus alongside the Fire Max 11 earlier this year, and it is compatible with both the Fire HD 10 and the Fire Max 11 tablets.

Crafted by Fintie, a renowned third-party keyboard manufacturer, the keyboard case incorporates a clever design feature: a small piece of leather that can be pulled up to serve as a stylus holder or pulled down to conceal it when not in use.

The tablet fits snugly within the book-shaped case, ensuring a secure fit, and closes securely thanks to a magnetic connector. Moreover, this connector has the added functionality of automatically waking the tablet or putting it to sleep.

For enhanced typing comfort, users can adjust the keyboard positioning by flipping the bottom half of the tablet into the magnetic groove located just above the keyboard, effectively locking the device into an upright, type-ready position.

Regrettably, the keyboard doesn’t establish an automatic connection with the tablet; users need to manually toggle it on and off using a small switch located on the back of the case. Charging is facilitated through a USB-C port, and according to Amazon, a single charge can provide up to 200 hours of usage. While the keyboard may feel somewhat cramped, typing remains smooth without any notable issues. Although Amazon doesn’t specify the travel distance of the keys, typing elicits a satisfying click, enhancing the overall typing experience.

Software on Amazon’s Terms

While Amazon’s Fire OS shares its roots with Android, it’s been significantly modified and tailored by Amazon to align closely with its proprietary software and services. As a result, Fire users are restricted from accessing the Google Play Store and must rely solely on apps available within the Amazon Appstore. This limitation poses challenges, especially for those prioritizing productivity or content creation, as essential Google products like Gmail, Docs, Drive, and Calendar are notably absent from the ecosystem.

Fortunately, the Fire tablet offers a wide array of streaming and reading apps to cater to your entertainment needs. Popular platforms like Disney+, ESPN+, Netflix, Max, and Spectrum TV are readily available, along with Libby from Overdrive, enabling users to access e-books from their local libraries. However, it’s worth noting that certain apps such as Alto’s Odyssey, Apple TV+, and Marvel Unlimited are not accessible on the platform.

Enthusiasts of smart displays will be delighted to discover that the Fire HD 10 offers support for Echo Show mode, transforming the tablet into a versatile smart display.

With this feature, users can interact with Alexa hands-free, accessing various functionalities such as checking the weather forecast, viewing the time, exploring trending topics, and much more. This added capability enhances the overall experience for those who appreciate the convenience of smart displays.

Amazon refrains from making explicit public commitments regarding software updates for the Fire HD 10. However, the company does assure users of four years’ worth of security updates.

A Good, Affordable Tablet for the Basics

The Amazon Fire HD 10 impresses with its sturdy build, reliable screen quality, and sufficient performance for web browsing, casual gaming, reading, and video streaming.

Whether you’re commuting by bus, car, plane, or train, the tablet’s enduring battery ensures you stay entertained throughout your journey, with the option to connect your preferred headphones via Bluetooth or the standard headphone jack. Despite Amazon’s limited app selection, the Fire HD 10 stands out as a compelling choice at $139.99.

While the $99.99 Fire HD 8 offers greater portability, it compromises on speed. On the other hand, the $229.99 Fire Max 11 boasts superior performance and a sharper screen but sacrifices battery longevity. With its balanced features and affordability, the 2023 edition of the Fire HD 10 emerges as the flagship model in Amazon’s tablet lineup, earning our coveted Editors’ Choice award as the best tablet under $150 that we’ve tested.

PROS CONS
Affordable Limited app selection
Good build quality Amazon-focused content
Decent display
Alexa Echo Show mode