Amazon Fire 7 Tablet Review
Best Tablet Under $100 for Seniors
The Amazon Fire 7 is a compact, lightweight and budget-friendly tablet that was ranked as the best tablet under $100 for seniors. This device features a 7-inch full-color touchscreen, and the battery can last up to 10 hours between charges. It includes Amazon’s AI system, Alexa, and users can sync this tablet with compatible smart home devices, such as speakers, light switches and security cameras.
Unlike some higher-priced tablets that can be connected to nationwide cellular networks, the Amazon Fire 7 tablet is a WiFi-only device. It’s equipped with two 2MP cameras, one on the front and one on the rear, and it allows for up to 720p HD video recording.
Pros:
- Hands-free voice control with built-in Alexa support
- Extremely affordable price point for a tablet
- MicroSD card slot adds expandable memory
Cons:
- Lower quality performance and graphics processing
- Lock screen shows ads
Overview of the Amazon Fire 7 Tablet
Amazon designs and sells a lineup of proprietary tablet devices, and the Fire 7 is the smallest and lightest of all Amazon Fire tablets. It’s sold directly through Amazon, and it’s listed at under $100. While this tablet lacks many of the features that can be found on costlier tablets, such as cellular connectivity, a high-resolution camera and a larger screen, it may be the best option for seniors who want a simple, affordable handheld device.
User Interface and Operating System
Fire OS
Weight
10.1 ounces
Screen Size
7 inches
Screen Definition
Standard definition
Average Battery Life
Up to seven hours
Available Colors
Black, twilight blue, plum, sage
Price
$50
How Much Does an Amazon Fire 7 Tablet Cost?
As of mid-2022, the Amazon Fire 7 tablet was listed at $94.99 for a 32GB device without lock screen ads. Amazon often sells its tablets with lock screen advertisements at a discount, so there’s a good chance that budget-minded consumers will be able to find a lower price on this device.
The company is known for offering deep discounts on Amazon devices during Amazon Prime Days, which are usually held in early July. The Fire 7 may also be available at a lower price on the Amazon Warehouse site, where Amazon re-sells like-new products that have been returned.
Full Review of the Amazon Fire 7 Tablet’s Features
The Amazon Fire 7 is the entry-level device in Amazon’s Fire tablet lineup. Formerly known as the Kindle Fire and first introduced in 2011, the latest version of the Fire 7 was released in June, 2022.
Amazon Fire 7 Features
Screen Size
7"
Weight
9.9 ounces (282 grams)
Price
$94.99 or less
Cameras
2MP front
2MP rear
Can record 720p HD video
Battery
Up to 10 hrs
Rechargeable via USB-C cable
Case colors
Pink, blue or black
Connectivity
Wi-Fi
Bluetooth
Audio
Built-in speaker
3.5mm stereo jack
Memory
16 GB or 32 GB
Can accommodate up to a 1TB microSD card
Accessible features
VoiceView screen reader
Screen magnifier
High-contrast text
Color inversion
Closed captioning
Warranty
90-day limited
Who Should Consider the Amazon Fire 7 Tablet?
Seniors Who Want a Low-Cost Tablet
With a retail price under $100, the Amazon Fire 7 tablet is one of the least-expensive tablet devices on the market today. It can be connected to any Wi-Fi network and used to stream videos, make video calls, read e-books and surf the web.
Seniors Who Use Alexa-Enabled Smart Home Devices
The Amazon Fire 7 tablet from Amazon is equipped with Alexa, Amazon’s voice-activated AI system that can be connected to a wide range of compatible smart home light switches, speakers and cameras. Alexa can also be used to conduct web searches, check the weather, start and stop music and make phone calls through the Fire 7 tablet.
What Are People Saying About the Amazon Fire 7 Tablet?
Consumers report that the Amazon Fire 7 tablet is a great option for anyone who wants a low-cost, handheld digital device that can be used for reading e-books, watching videos and basic web browsing. Reviewers like the fact that Amazon included Alexa, its proprietary voice-activated assistant, on the latest version of the Fire 7 tablet, which makes this tablet even more user-friendly for seniors.
Critics of the Fire 7 tablet dislike the 7-inch screen, which is considered to be quite small when it comes to tablet devices. Some reviewers complained of poor audio quality, slow performance and a lack of available apps when compared to either an Android or iOS (Apple) device.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Amazon Fire Tablet Good for Seniors?
The Amazon Fire tablet can be a good option for seniors who want a basic, budget-friendly tablet they can use to watch movies and streaming videos, surf websites and read e-books. Click here for our full answer to this question.
What Size Tablet Is Best for Seniors?
In general, the best tablet size for seniors is between 8 inches and 10.5 inches, although this is really a matter of personal preference. Some seniors prefer a smaller tablet, such as the Amazon Fire 7, while others like a larger, laptop-like device, such as the 12.3-inch Microsoft Surface Pro 6. Click here for our full answer to this question.
What Is the Easiest Tablet for Seniors to Use?
According to Caring.com, the overall best tablet for seniors is the GrandPad, a simplified Android-powered handheld device. Many seniors find other popular tablets, such as the Amazon Fire 7, iPad and Samsung Galaxy A7 Lite, easy to use as well. Click here for our full answer to this question.
The Best Tablet for Seniors With Vision Problems
The Amazon Fire 7 tablet is equipped with a VoiceView screen reader, a text-to-speech function that can be helpful for seniors with vision problems. It also has a screen magnifier and accessibility features, such as closed captioning, high-contrast text, color inversion and color correction. Click here for our full answer to this question.
What Is the Difference Between an iPad and Kindle?
An iPad is a full-featured tablet computer that can be used to surf the web, take photos, check email and make video calls. By comparison, a Kindle is a handheld e-reader designed primarily for reading electronic books. Click here for our full answer to this question.