Beauty
Body care, Makeup, SkincareCameras
Camera supplies, Digital cameras, Drones and multirotorsHealth
Beauty supplements, Medical supplies, Feminine careHousehold goods
Air treatment, Bath and shower supplies, BlanketsPCs and laptops
Computer accessories, Computer components, Desktop pcsHome appliances and electronics
Air conditioners and coolers, Air treatment, Blenders, mixers, and food processorsFood and drinks
Alcoholic beverages, Baked goods and desserts, BakingKitchen supplies
Baking tools, Coffee and tea accessories, Food containersClothing
Brands and shops, Men's coats and jackets, Men's innerwearShoes
Men's shoes, Other shoes and footwear, Outdoor footwearAccessories
Bags, Accessories and jewelry, BeltsMom and baby
Baby books and toys, Baby food and snacks, Baby suppliesInterior and furniture
Beds, Carpets and rugs and mats, ChairsHobbies
Animes, Arts and crafts, Board gamesOutdoor
Camping beds and cots, Camping stoves, CoolersDIY and tools
Sports and fitness
Accessories, Badminton, BasketballPets
Cat supplies, Dog supplies, Fish and aquarium suppliesBooks, CDs, and DVDs
Books and magazines, CDs, Linguistics, dictionaries, and phrase booksGames
Console accessories, PC and console gamesCars and motorcycles
Car accessories, Car seats, Car suppliesGifts
Christmas-related gifts, Gifts for kids, Gifts for menHome improvement and tools
Door hardware and locks, Electrical, Gas stovesSmartphones and tablets
Smartphone accessories, Smartphones, StorageBanking and finance
Credit cards, Debit cards, Services and appsInsurance
Car insurance, Life insurance, Medical insuranceAudio
Earphones, Gaming, HeadphonesSmartphone applications
Business apps, Dating apps, Education appsOthers
Others, Merch, RecreationWhether you're looking for the best budget tablet for gaming, studying, or working on the go, tablets have become great alternatives over the years. Only slightly larger than your average smartphone, these affordable handheld devices also perform functions equivalent to that of the typical multi-component computer.
On top of sticking to a strict tablet budget price and aesthetic preference, a long list of specifications to consider awaits in finding the best tablet below 20k. But, worry not, we've got you covered! Our in-depth buying guide, reviewed by IT Consultant, Developer, and Instructor Kevin Lee Cardoza, is guaranteed to give you a head start on your search for the best affordable tablet in the Philippines.
Kevin Lee is an educator who specializes in Information Technology (IT). He also has years of experience as a technical support specialist and is well-versed in programming, application development, software testing, and user experience design. Furthermore, his passion for building custom computers and creating electronic devices and systems keeps him up-to-date with the latest trends and information.
Jame Clarisse is a freelance writer with a degree in Civil Engineering who joined the myBest PH team in December 2022. Her passion for writing sparked during her early elementary school days as a campus journalist. A crafter by heart, she also enjoys crocheting, sewing, and jewelry-making.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
Table of Contents
Here are some key points to consider:
For more detailed information, read through our buying guide below.
Tablet sizes can go from anything larger than the average mobile phone to ones as close to the dimensions of a laptop. Choosing the right proportions depends mostly on how you want to use your gadget. For light social media browsing or e-book reading, a pocket-size, 8-inch tablet is a great option. This size also makes it lightweight and easy to carry around.
If you prefer to get a tablet for editing or multitasking, options that are 10 inches or higher can get the job done. Do remember that tablet measurements are usually denoted by just one number, which refers to the device’s length when measured diagonally. If you want to know its actual dimensions, look for values written as length x width.
Depending on the use-case scenario, a tablet's dimensions can be a deal-breaker. Are you going to buy a tablet for reading? Then go for a tablet that favors portrait or vertical usage. Are you a digital artist looking for a large screen to draw on or are you just buying a tablet to consume media? Then a widescreen would be great.
In the tech world, you would often come across the term RAM, which stands for random access memory. It refers to the storage utilized by your tablet when it begins to run any type of application on your device. Once the applications are closed, your RAM storage is cleared. Since RAM is not expandable, choosing a high-capacity one is a great investment.
Tablet RAMs typically start at 2 GB, but if you wish to use your gadget for activities like gaming, editing, or attending virtual meetings, splurging on 4 GB and above options can save you more money in the long run. In some cases, having inadequate RAM may also lead to a major system crash, on top of its tendency to be laggy. A 4 GB of RAM should be sufficient for your device to steer clear from overloading while in use.
Most apps would not be enough to put a strain on a tablet's performance, but high-performance programs like the current generation games popular nowadays and audio and video editing apps would struggle if a tablet's RAM capacity is insufficient. A decent baseline if you are an everyday casual user would be 4GB.
Brands often carry multiple Read-Only Memory or ROM options for the same tablet model. This could easily bump up the price should you go for one with a bigger capacity. However, it would be best to purchase a unit that has expandable memory. Having the feature to insert a MicroSD card as expandable storage is a great alternative to prolong the use of your tablet instead of upgrading to a new one.
These memory cards come in many sizes and are widely available in tech or gadget shops, so you won’t have trouble looking for them. It is also an ideal feature for photographers and digital artists since they can easily transfer files in and out of their tablets. Take note, on the other hand, that the expandable memory capacity of tablets also varies so it's important to check your device specifications first.
Apps, photos, and recorded videos easily build up files over time to consume most of our tablet's storage capacity. If you are the type that takes lots of photos and videos or has a penchant for installing lots of apps that take up lots of space, consider buying a Class 1 SD card as your storage expansion.
Getting a budget-friendly tablet doesn't mean that you can only take low-quality pictures and videos with it. Nowadays, you can get tablets that have HD cameras despite the lower price tag. Just make sure that the gadget you're eyeing has both a front and rear camera. This way, you can easily attend your online meetings, make video calls with your family, or take snapshots.
With a higher megapixel rate, a clearer and crisper image can be seen. In today’s market, a good camera for a mobile device starts at 5 MP. This means there are 5 million pixels taken every time you capture an image. Do note that the front and rear cameras have different MPs, with the latter usually having better quality.
Back and front-facing cameras are usually never equal in performance. Some tablets have front-facing cameras with high-definition performance for better selfies while others favor the contrary. When buying a tablet, check the cameras' specifications if this would be an issue.
A tablet is a great portable device that is best paired with a large battery capacity. This decreases the need to sit next to a power outlet all day or carry around a heavy battery pack to keep your gadget working.
Make sure to look for tablets that have a 5000 mAh battery capacity or bigger. This should be enough to run strong apps the whole day. You can also look for ones that are fast-charging. This convenient upgrade lets you get a full charge for half the time it would usually take.
A tablet with a high-capacity battery is nothing to a heavy user that is going to use the tablet for playing games. It is therefore advisable to carry a battery bank with you if the tablet's charge doesn't last long enough for you to enjoy it whenever.
Many manufacturers release budget-friendly tablets with 4G, 5G, or LTE compatibility along with the usual Wi-Fi support. However, it's not a guaranteed feature and still widely depends on the brand and model. If you're looking into having a backup internet connection when you're out and about, you should consider getting a tablet with a SIM card slot to access mobile data features.
Having a SIM card-ready tablet allows you to gain cellular connectivity. Enabling this varies on the network brand of your SIM card, but the process remains as straightforward as inserting one on your regular smartphone. After opening the SIM card slot cover, with the notch matching the shape of your SIM card, you should be able to push in on the card until it locks in place.
This powerhouse from Huawei is complete with everything you need from a tablet. Thanks to its large 7250 mAh battery capacity, you can now binge-watch your favorite shows for 12 hours straight! It has a bonus 10W fast charger that can power up your tablet up to 100% in just 3.8 hours.
Its screen size of 10.4 inches with a 2k resolution is perfect for artists looking for a portable and lightweight device to edit on. For maximum productivity, the MatePad 10.4 also has a split-screen function, so you can do more with just one gadget.
Apple products are known to be on the upper end of the price spectrum, but this budget-friendly option won't break the bank. The 9th generation of the iPad runs on the A13 Bionic Chip, which uses the iPadOS 15. With this, you can also use it as a laptop since it is compatible with both the smart keyboard and Apple pen.
Plus, the 12 MP front camera and 8 MP rear camera let you shoot high-quality pictures and videos and edit them directly on the device. The most affordable option starts at 64 GB, but if you think you'll need more storage space, you can splurge to get the 256 GB capacity. In terms of its battery life, a single charge gives you 10 hours of playtime to keep you going the whole day.
Now that working remotely has become part of the norm, investing in reliable power devices for work is a smart move to boost your productivity. The realme Pad X's Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 5G processor, paired with its impressive 8340 mAh battery capacity, helps you stay on top of your workload by eliminating unnecessary lags when switching through multiple apps in the background.
The 10.95 inches display and 8 MP front camera, in addition to the 2000x1200 screen resolution, also makes the realme Pad X ideal for attending virtual conferences and screen sharing. Although it is not immediately included in the tablet package, realme also offers a magnetic keyboard and pressure-sensitive stylus. So if you're looking for a lightweight alternative to laptops, the realme Pad X makes a great option to consider.
Great for note-taking, annotating, and digital journaling, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite takes pride in its key feature of coming with an S Pen stylus. Offering an affordable take on the premium Tab S6, the S6 Lite is actually the most affordable Samsung tablet that comes with a stylus.
With its expandable ROM of up to 1 TB and 7040 mAh battery life, this budget tablet is ready for an all-day of extended productivity at school or work. The presence of a 3.5mm headphone jack serves additional convenience to its users as this feature isn’t always available on tablets.
Do you constantly need to access files for work or school? Have them all in front of you by making use of Tab A7's large, expandable memory of up to 1 TB. Besides your important documents, you can also store countless movies and games to keep you entertained with or without the internet.
With its octa-core processor and 3 GB RAM, you can say goodbye to game lags and slow loading times. It also has an 8 MP rear camera and a 2 MP front camera for selfies and video calls. On top of that, it has a slim body, measuring only 8.0 mm and weighing 371 grams for a truly 'lite' and handy device.
Well-known for their previously released gaming phones, Xiaomi now joins the market for in-demand tablets with its signature 'reliable beast' processor, the Snapdragon 860 processor. Complemented by an Adreno 640 GPU and 6GB of RAM, the Xiaomi Pad 5 is one of the best options to consider for a budget-friendly gaming tablet.
On top of the lag-free performance, the 11-inch display of the Pad 5 proves to be worth the hype as it also comes with 8720 mAh battery life, perfect for an intense gaming experience. Additionally, the built-in quad-speaker setup supported by Dolby Atmos in this device makes it ideal for streaming multimedia content.
The Teclast T40 Pro comes with excellent specifications despite its lower price tag, including a dual card slot that can either accommodate two nano-SIM cards or a MicroSD card instead of the second SIM. This unique feature allows its users to have not only one, but two backup mobile internet access, making it ideal for students learning from home.
In addition, the T40 Pro runs on 8 GB of RAM and supports up to 1 TB of external memory. However, since Teclast is a relatively new player in the tech world and not as popular as the other tablets in the market, finding a case for this unit might not be easy. Thus, we suggest getting the option with a case when you order this tablet.
Taking pride in its lightweight and comfortable built, the OPPO Pad Air's 6.94 mm ultra-slim body and 440 g net weight make it handy and effortless to carry around despite its impressive 10.36 inches display. Ideal for long hours of entertainment streaming, this tablet can support up to 12 hours of non-stop video playback.
Combined with the 8 mm ultra-narrow bezels and 7100 mAh battery life, the Pad Air also comes with a quad-speaker setup tuned by Dolby Atmos for a guaranteed immersive multimedia experience. On top of this, the 2000x1200 screen resolution comes with a built-in eye-care display, perfect for all-night binge-watching.
Getting the Amazon Fire HD 10 gives you access to the power of Alexa, which is the artificial intelligence technology that's used across all Amazon devices. Its notable feature that lets you access apps, play music, send messages, and fill your schedule through voice command makes the Fire HD 10 a must-have for every home.
For avid readers, this handy tablet gives you up to 12 hours of reading time on a single charge. With its 10.1-inch display and 3 GB of RAM, it is an ideal, all-in-one device for watching movies and TV shows, updating your social media, and more! Equally beneficial for work and play, you can also make use of the split-screen display to finish multiple tasks at the same time.
Only available in select Android tablets, the Nokia T20 is one of the few budget-friendly options that supports Google Kids Space. It works with your child's Google Account, which parents can help manage and supervise with the Family Link parental controls. The T20 is also low blue light certified, so it's easier on the eyes and non-damaging for your kids' long hours of screen time.
However, even if you're an adult looking for an affordable second screen, the T20 has some notable features worth considering. This includes an impressive 8200 mAh battery capacity and sandblasted aluminum body that feels premium and durable, a classic quality trademark of all Nokia products that many brands fail to replicate.
Below are some of the most asked questions on the web answered by IT Consultant, Developer, and Instructor Kevin Lee Cardoza.
Now that you've got your brand-new device, getting these practical tools can help you make the most out of your budget tablet's performance. Check out some of the articles below to know more.
Author: Roxanne A.
Re-editor: Jame Clarisse Trinidad
Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors, in collaboration with the expert featured in this article. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.
When you purchase products mentioned in the article, part of the sales may be returned to mybest.
The descriptions of each product is referenced from the content available from the manufacturer, e-commerce sites etc.
Beauty
Body care, Makeup, SkincareCameras
Camera supplies, Digital cameras, Drones and multirotorsHealth
Beauty supplements, Medical supplies, Feminine careHousehold goods
Air treatment, Bath and shower supplies, BlanketsPCs and laptops
Computer accessories, Computer components, Desktop pcsHome appliances and electronics
Air conditioners and coolers, Air treatment, Blenders, mixers, and food processorsFood and drinks
Alcoholic beverages, Baked goods and desserts, BakingKitchen supplies
Baking tools, Coffee and tea accessories, Food containersClothing
Brands and shops, Men's coats and jackets, Men's innerwearShoes
Men's shoes, Other shoes and footwear, Outdoor footwearAccessories
Bags, Accessories and jewelry, BeltsMom and baby
Baby books and toys, Baby food and snacks, Baby suppliesInterior and furniture
Beds, Carpets and rugs and mats, ChairsHobbies
Animes, Arts and crafts, Board gamesOutdoor
Camping beds and cots, Camping stoves, CoolersDIY and tools
Sports and fitness
Accessories, Badminton, BasketballPets
Cat supplies, Dog supplies, Fish and aquarium suppliesBooks, CDs, and DVDs
Books and magazines, CDs, Linguistics, dictionaries, and phrase booksGames
Console accessories, PC and console gamesCars and motorcycles
Car accessories, Car seats, Car suppliesGifts
Christmas-related gifts, Gifts for kids, Gifts for menHome improvement and tools
Door hardware and locks, Electrical, Gas stovesSmartphones and tablets
Smartphone accessories, Smartphones, StorageBanking and finance
Credit cards, Debit cards, Services and appsInsurance
Car insurance, Life insurance, Medical insuranceAudio
Earphones, Gaming, HeadphonesSmartphone applications
Business apps, Dating apps, Education appsOthers
Others, Merch, Recreation