Best 7 Inch Tablet 2013: Amazon Kindle Fire HDX 7

The 7 inch tablets are usually cheaper and convenient enough to carry in coat pocket than tablets with 10 inch or larger display size leading to the extreme popularity of 7 inch form factor. To utilize this opportunity, several unknown manufacturers have released their 7 inch Android tablets in the market. While this is good in the sense that prices are far more competitive now, but as a buyer, selecting the tablet right for your need has become a lot more difficult. Therefore, we did all the hard work to bring you the best 7 inch tablets currently available in the market right here to help you select best tablet as per your requirements.

But, before we tell you why we think Amazon Kindle Fire HDX is the best 7 inch tablet, lets take a look at all the contenders.

Best 7 Inch Tablets

5. Barnes & Noble Nook HD

best-7-inch-tablets-nook-hd

Barnes & Noble Nook HD is no way near to Nexus 7 (2013) and Kindle Fire HDX in terms of specifications and performance. Still, its an ideal 7-inch tablet especially for reading eBooks, web browsing and watching movies delivering decent performance. With the latest update, it has only become better as earlier there was only Nook Store available for buying and downloading apps, but, all is changed since the recent firmware update. Now, Google Play store is available for downloading and installing apps to the Nook and Chrome browser is pre-installed along with the standard array of Google Apps while the Nook Store is retained. However, absence of the built-in camera is still an issue, so until and unless you don’t plan on doing any Skype calls, this is a tablet worth checking.

Key Specs: Texas Instruments 1.3 GHz processor, 1 GB of RAM, 7-inch display having 1440 x 900 pixel resolution, Bluetooth, WiFi and 8GB or 16GB of internal storage expandable via microSD card slot.

Best Price: $119 and up

4. Samsung Galaxy Tab 3

best-7-inch-tablets-samsung-galaxy-tab-3

Successor to Galaxy Tab 2, the refreshed Galaxy Tab 3 costs $60 less than 16GB Nexus 7 (2013). However, Galaxy Tab 3’s 1.2GHz dual core processor and 1GB RAM delivers performance that is far behind to what the quad core processor and 2GB RAM of Nexus 7 (2013) gives. Also, the 8GB internal storage is quite low, and the 1024 x 600 pixels screen resolution do not match up the full HD resolution of Nexus 7. Despite of all this, it still has enough power to get basic things done. Moreover, it comes with a micro SD card slot that is not even present in Nexus 7 (2013). Furthermore, its relatively lower price tag along with a reliable brand name of Samsung, makes it one of the best 7 inch tablet available on the market right now under $200 price segment.

It’s also worth mentioning that the Galaxy Tab 3 includes $10 Google Play store credit, a free 3-month Hulu Plus membership, and 12 months of free, unlimited Boingo Wi-Fi access in North America. To learn more, click here.

Key Specs: Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean OS, 7 inch display with 1024 x 600 pixels screen resolution, 1.2 GHz dual-core processor, 1GB of RAM, 8GB internal storage, microSD slot, 3MP rear-facing and 1.3MP front-facing cameras.

Best Price: $200 $159 (20% off at Amazon)

3. Apple iPad Mini 2 (with retina display)

best-7-inch-tablets-ipad-mini-2

While not exactly a 7 inch tablet, the Apple iPad Mini 2 comes with a display measuring 7.9 inch diagonally having 4:3 aspect ratio and specs that match its bigger sibling: the new iPad Air. When Apple released the original iPad Mini last year without retina display for which Apple is usually known, it was a feature missed greatly. But, guess what, with the latest iteration of iPad Mini, Apple has rectified this. Apple iPad Mini 2 comes with “retina display” featuring a whopping screen resolution of 2048 x 1536 pixels, which is far better than any other tablet with a display measuring eight inches or smaller. Moreover, along with 64-bit architecture dual core A7 processor, it runs everything remarkably smoothly without breaking any sweat. In addition, its light weight and thin design makes it easy to hold and carry.

Although, it does cost more than any other tablet we have listed here, but Apple is known to release their products with a hefty price tag. This is also the case with iPad Mini 2. Nevertheless, iPad Mini 2 is the best non-Android 7 inch tablet available on the market.

Key specs: Dual-core A7 processor, 1GB of RAM, 16GB to 128GB of storage, 1.2-megapixel front and 5-megapixel rear cameras, 7.9-inch (2,048 x 1,536) display.

Best Price: $399 and up

2. Google Nexus 7 (2013)

best-7-inch-tablets-nexus-7-2013

If there is any 7 inch tablet that needs no introduction, then its going to be Nexus 7, the first tablet to ship with the latest version of Android operating system — Android 4.3 Jelly Bean. The second generation Google Nexus 7 is quite an improvement over its predecessor, but, as we expected, it costs more. However, the features and improvements do make up for the extra bucks.

Being equipped with a quad core Snapdragon S4 Pro processor and 2GB of RAM, it runs everything smoothly, then whether its 3D games like Prince of Persia, Asphalt 8, and Riptide GP 2 or any intensive app. In addition, its clean, simple, slim and light weight design featuring a thin bezel and matte back makes it a delight to have. Furthermore, with up to 9 hours of HD video playback and 10 hours of web browsing or eBook reading, it will not be wrong to say that its one of the best 7 inch tablet available in the market especially for Android supporters.

Key Specs: Android 4.3 Jelly Bean operating system, scratch resistant 7 inch HD IPS display panel having 1920 x 1200 pixels screen resolution, high performance Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro processor clocked at 1.5 GHz, 2 GB RAM, WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0 and dual cameras — 1.2 MP front facing camera and 5 MP auto focus rear facing camera.

Best Price: $219 (for 16 GB Model) and $239.99 (for 32 GB Model)

1. Amazon Kindle Fire HDX 7

best-7-inch-tablets-kindle-fire-hdx-7

The discussion of best 7 inch tablets would be incomplete without the mention of Amazon Kindle Fire HDX. Loaded with the latest version of Fire OS — Fire OS 3.0 Mojito built on top of Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean, adds cloud services, a content-forward user interface, and some platform enhancements to integrate Amazon’s digital content.

Kindle Fire HDX features a quad core 2.2 GHz Snapdragon 800 processor, 2GB of RAM, and new Adreno 330 GPU making it a powerful tablet for gaming, work or even media consumption. Its 7-inch 1920 x 1200 pixels high resolution display, 323 ppi high pixel density and ability to use it in any lighting conditions along with Dolby Digital Plus audio makes it an incredible tablet for media consumption. While the features like Mayday (live on-device tech support from an Amazon expert) which can be accessed by tapping a button on the interface, and battery backup of around 11 hours under normal usage, gives us enough reasons to feature Amazon Kindle Fire HDX in best 7 inch tablets list and even declare it as best 7 inch tablet on the market as of now.

Key Specs: 2.2 GHz Quad-core Snapdragon 800 CPU with Adreno 330 GPU, 2GB of RAM, 16GB to 64 GB internal storage, and front-facing 720p HD camera.

Best Price: $229 and up

Summing up: Best 7 inch Tablet on the Market

All the 7-inch tablets listed above are best in one way or another, however, the battle for the top spot was mainly between Nexus 7(2013) and Kindle Fire HDX 7. With a better processor and battery backup compared to that of Nexus 7’s, Kindle Fire HDX wins the title of best 7 inch tablet available on the market currently. Its performance is top notch, display is superb, and features like Mayday only gives it a slight edge over Nexus 7(2013). But, for those looking for pure Android experience, Nexus 7(2013) is more suitable.

Let us know your thoughts if you think we have missed any other 7 inch tablet that deserves to be featured above (and whether you agree with us being Amazon Kindle Fire HDX 7 declared best 7 inch tablet) in the comment box below.