3 budget tablets under $250: Perfect for reading in bed and beyond

Tablets have long been a must-have for those who love watching shows before sleep or scrolling through news feeds without leaving bed. The 2025 market is overflowing with options, but Palach’s editors have picked three models that combine strong specs and affordability under $250. These devices handle everyday needs — from video streaming to light gaming — with ease.

Xiaomi Redmi Pad 2: The People’s Favorite with Marathon Battery Life

Xiaomi hits the mark again: the Redmi Pad 2 is a refreshed 2025 version of its budget hit, offering an almost flagship-level experience for a modest price. It features an 11-inch IPS display with a 2560×1600 (2.5K) resolution, 90 Hz refresh rate, and 600 nits peak brightness. The panel supports 1 billion colors, an anti-glare coating, and TÜV Rheinland certification for eye comfort — ideal for Netflix nights or bedtime reading.

The MediaTek Helio G100 Ultra chip easily handles browsing, YouTube, and mid-tier games like Genshin Impact without stutter. Battery life is the showstopper: the 9000 mAh cell provides up to 17 hours of video or 86 days on standby, with 33W fast charging (full in 1.5 hours).
Extras include quad speakers with Dolby Atmos, microSD expansion (up to 1 TB), a 3.5 mm jack, and Redmi Smart Pen support. Cameras (8 MP rear, 5 MP front) are basic but sufficient for video calls. The only trade-off: no 5G, Wi-Fi only — though that’s fine for home use.

Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+: Korean Reliability Without the Guesswork

For those who trust Samsung’s ecosystem and prefer a proven brand, the Galaxy Tab A9+ is a safe bet. This 2023 model, still supported through 2025, remains relevant for its solid build and balanced performance. The 11-inch TFT LCD screen (1920×1200, FHD+) with 90 Hz refresh rate and 500 nits brightness offers crisp visuals and accurate colors for movies or e-books.

Running One UI on Android 14, it supports DeX Mode for desktop-like multitasking when connected to a monitor. Inside is the Snapdragon 695, an efficient chip that handles everyday multitasking and gaming (like PUBG on medium settings). The 7040 mAh battery delivers 10–12 hours of mixed use, and the 15W charger—while not fast—gets the job done overnight.

Audio shines with four Dolby Atmos speakers, delivering rich and loud sound. There’s microSD support, 8+5 MP cameras, and Samsung Knox for data protection. Downsides: no stylus in the box (sold separately) and no LTE in the base version (5G available for extra cost).

Huawei MatePad 11.5 S: Smoothness and Style for Display Enthusiasts

Huawei isn’t backing down: the MatePad 11.5 S (2025 refresh) is an underrated gem focusing on display quality and fluid performance. Its 11.5-inch IPS screen offers 144 Hz refresh rate, 2800×1840 (2.8K) resolution, 1 billion colors, and 500 nits brightness — arguably the best in its class. The PaperMatte coating gives a semi-matte, e-ink-like effect that’s easy on the eyes during long sessions.

Powered by the Kirin 9000WL, it runs HarmonyOS 4.2 smoothly, with quick app switching and mid-range gaming performance. Battery life: 7700 mAh, up to 13 hours of video, with 22.5W fast charging. Audio comes from four Histen 9.0-tuned speakers, creating an immersive cinematic soundstage.

The cameras (13 MP rear, 8 MP front) are solid for the class, and there’s support for the M-Pencil (3rd gen) stylus — perfect for drawing or note-taking. The only real drawback: no Google services out of the box (though you can use GSpace or alternatives). For browsing and streaming, it’s barely a concern. The metal body keeps it light at 499 g.

In Short

• Xiaomi Redmi Pad 2 — best for long video sessions and all-day battery life.
• Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ — reliable all-rounder with top-tier build and stability.
• Huawei MatePad 11.5 S — superior display and creative flexibility.

All three feature Wi-Fi, microSD expansion, and Dolby audio.
Choose by ecosystem: Xiaomi for savings, Samsung for stability, Huawei for smoothness and screen quality.