Amazon Fire tablet in the test: All models in comparison!
This is how COMPUTER BILD tests tablet PCs
Testing tablets requires a sophisticated test procedure. The editors explain the most important disciplines for tablet PCs here.
When it comes to image quality, both are important: the color space indicates how many colors the display can show, and high color fidelity enables the content to be displayed true to the original.
picture quality
The be-all and end-all of a tablet is and will always be the display. If it’s too dark, little can be seen – especially when strong sunlight hits the screen. It is extremely important what colors the screen displays. Also crucial: How true to the original does the tablet present colors? A special sensor measures color range and color fidelity. The examiners determine the contrast and the pixel density – they determine how sharp the tablets display images.
pace of work
In the speed tests, the tablets not only have to deal with everyday tasks such as writing messages or surfing the web quickly, but also edit photos and videos quickly. Sophisticated benchmark apps push the tablets to their performance limits in order to determine the maximum working speed. A good speed mark is given to those who also have short loading and reaction times.
Battery test: The Dobot robot operates the tablet like users do – until the display is black.
battery life
A fast tablet is great. But is it clever and economical to use the energy in the battery? COMPUTER BILD has developed a new method for measuring battery life, among other things. The Dobot robot arm from Variobotic (see picture above) operates the tablet like a user: write messages, surf the web, shop, watch films and much more. It does this in an endless loop – until the battery is empty and the tablet switches off. This intensive use is therefore a meaningful endurance test. The test laboratory determines the duration of a charging process from 0 to 100 percent.
Furnishing
Additional tablet capabilities are required in the “equipment” checkpoint. The editors evaluate the speed in the WLAN and in the mobile network, taking into account, among other things, the comparatively new 5G standard. COMPUTER BILD also tests biometric locks such as fingerprint sensors and face recognition. It’s not just about convenience, it’s also about security: How easy or difficult is it to trick the sensors used to unlock the device?
The best Fire tablet: Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus
Very long battery life
Wireless charging possible
No mobile version available
Moderate pace of work
That Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (Price at the time of testing: 180 euros) is better than any other Fire tablet. From the sister model Fire HD 10 it only differs in a few details: The battery life is even better, the working memory is a bit larger and there is the option of charging the tablet wirelessly. An additional 30 euros is money well spent. You can read the full review of the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus here.
Price tip: The 55 euro tablet Amazon Fire 7
Storage expandable
Light weight
Moderate picture quality
Slow pace of work
More memory and voice assistant Alexa – these are the most important innovations of the Amazon Fire 7 (Price at the time of testing: 55 euros). Despite the better processor, the speed is only marginally higher than that of the previous version. And customers cannot ask for a better display from a tablet for around 50 euros. The test of the Amazon Fire 7 provides you with detailed information.
Fire 7 Kids Edition: Handy children’s tablet
Storage expandable
Light weight
Moderate picture quality
Slow pace of work
the Amazon Fire 7 Kids Edition (Price at the time of testing: 100 euros) is technically based on the Fire 7. Amazon’s device for youngsters has a special surface that was convincing in the test. The thick protective cover with built-in stand function for the tablet, which the manufacturer includes free of charge, was also pleasing. Would you like more details? You can find them in the test of the Amazon Fire 7 Kids Edition.
Amazon Fire HD 8: Practical 8-inch tablet
Acceptable pace of work
Storage expandable
Display with poor detail reproduction and strong reflections
Mediocre cameras
In contrast to the previous renovations, the revision of the current one Amazon Fire HD 8 (Price at the time of testing: 100 euros) turned out to be less cautious. But despite the significantly higher brightness, the display remains the central weak point – the low resolution is simply not up to date. There is a faster processor, more RAM and more space for apps, photos and videos. In addition, that offered Fire HD 8 a very long battery life in the test. Too bad: The useful “wireless charging dock” accessory, with which the Fire HD 8 transformed into an Amazon Echo speaker, only has the more expensive one in the 2020 version Fire HD 8 Plus. The test of the Amazon Fire HD 8 provides more information.
Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus: Nice extras
bright screen
Long battery life
Sluggish pace of work
Moderate colors
That’s exciting Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus (Price at the time of testing: 120 euros) especially for users who are toying with buying an Echo Show. The reason: Smart displays come without a battery and are therefore tied to one place with a power cable; the devices can only be used if you are in the same room. It’s different with the tablet: A plus point is the wireless charging function. On the other hand, if you just want to surf and play smaller games, it’s best to save the extra charge of 20 euros compared to the normal Fire model. You can read the full review of the Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus here.
Amazon Fire HD 10: Large 10-inch tablet
Very long battery life
Storage expandable via microSD card
No mobile version available
Moderate pace of work
The new Amazon Fire HD 10 can do (almost) everything better than its predecessor for the same price and is even slimmer (price at the time of testing: 150 euros). The main improvement is the longer battery life – the 2021 model manages over eleven and a half hours of intensive use. A successful update! The test of the Amazon Fire HD 10 provides more information.
Fire HD 10 Kids Edition: For young and old
Amazon Fire
HD 10 Kids (2021)
Very long battery life
Storage expandable via microSD card
Rugged case
Child-friendly content
A robust cover, no-worry guarantee and child-friendly software with many setting options for parents – little can go wrong in the children’s room. Technically, there are far better tablets out there, but few of them are handed out to guardians as unhesitatingly as this Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Edition (Price at the time of testing: 200 euros). The additional 50 euros compared to the normal variant of the tablet is well spent: you get a case and a free year of “FreeTime Unlimited” – for access to kid-friendly games, videos, books, educational apps. You can read the full review of the Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Edition here.
Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro: The tablet for students
Rugged carrying case with built-in kickstand
Child-friendly content
Additional functions subject to a charge after 1 year
No LTE
Protective carrying case, no-worry guarantee and child-friendly software with many setting options for parents: Also with the Kids Pro drive parents well (price at the time of testing: 200 euros). There are technically better tablets, but they are usually noticeably more expensive than the Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro (2021). The 50 euros extra compared to the normal version of the tablet are well invested in the case and for the additional Kids Plus functions in the first year. After that, Kids+ is subject to a fee – it can cost up to 10 euros a month, Prime subscribers are cheaper.
comparison test
Amazon Fire: Which Tablet Delivers Best?
Conclusion: Amazon Fire tablets in the test
You now know all of the current Fire tablets from Amazon – and you may have already found your favourite. If not: Just read the linked tests of the devices! If fire 7, Fire HD 8 (Plus), Fire HD 10 or the Kids Editions for the youngsters: each model has its advantages.
Which Amazon tablet is the best?
The new Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus (Price at the time of testing: 180 euros) is better than any other Fire tablet. However, it only differs from the Fire HD 10 sister model in a few details: The battery life is even better, the working memory is a bit larger and there is the option of charging the tablet wirelessly. An additional 30 euros is money well spent. You can read the full review of the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus here.
What is a Fire tablet?
The online retailer Amazon sells its self-developed tablet PCs from the Amazon Fire 7, Fire HD 8, HD 8 Plus, Fire HD 10 and Fire HD 10 Plus series under the name Fire Tablet.
What operating system does the Fire tablet have?
Fire tablets work with the Fire OS operating system. This is a modified version of Android that the manufacturer Amazon has trimmed for entertainment and shopping via its own services.
Can you surf the Internet with the Fire tablet?
Of course! With all Fire tablets, users can surf the Internet as normal if they wish.
