The Amazon Fire HD 10 Tablet Review

Best Amazon Tablet for Seniors

The Seattle-based technology and e-commerce giant Amazon has its own lineup of tablet computers known as Fire tablets. Amazon’s Fire HD 10 tablet, one of the largest tablets sold under the Fire brand, ranks as the best Amazon tablet for seniors. This 10-inch tablet retails for around $150 to $200 depending on the configuration, and it connects to the internet via Wi-Fi only. First launched in 2015, the Fire HD 10 tablet comes preloaded with Fire OS 7, Amazon’s own Android-based operating system.

Amazon’s lineup of tablets includes the Fire HD 10, which is the largest of three devices in the entry-level Fire tablet lineup. This portable touchscreen device has 3 gigabytes of RAM along with 32 gigabytes or 64 gigabytes of built-in storage that’s expandable to 1 terabyte with a compatible microSD card. Weighing in at 465 grams (16.4 ounces), the latest version of the Fire HD 10 was released in 2011, and consumers can choose one of four case colors.

The Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet comes in two versions, ad-supported and without ads. Amazon Fire devices with targeted lock screen advertisements are sold at a discount, while the ad-free devices cost more. Consumers who purchase a discounted ad-supported Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet can remove the ads by paying a fee through their Amazon account.

The ad-free 32-gigabyte Amazon Fire HD 10 retails for about $165, while the 64-gigabyte model sells for around $205. Ad-supported models tend to sell for about $30 less than the ad-free versions, and Amazon often offers steep discounts on its Fire tablets on Amazon Prime days and during the holiday season.

This tablet is good for consumers who want a budget-friendly, easy-to-use tablet designed to work seamlessly with Amazon’s Prime video streaming service, as well as Amazon Music, Amazon Photos and Kindle. The web browser on the Fire HD 10 tablet is Amazon Silk, and many functions on the device can be controlled using Alexa, Amazon’s voice-activated virtual assistant.

Seniors who want a general-purpose tablet that can be used for watching videos, playing simple games, browsing the internet and video chats may find that the Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet is their best option.

Design

The Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet has a plastic back made from about 28% post-consumer waste, and the device weighs in at 465 grams. It comes in four colors (black, blue, pink and green), and there’s a microSD card slot, power button, volume buttons, dual speakers, two microphones and a 3.5-millimeter USB-C port.

Unlike some higher-priced tablets, the Amazon Fire HD 10 doesn’t support wireless charging. To charge the device, users need to plug the included USB-C cable into the tablet’s charging port and connect the cable to a compatible AC adapter.

Connectivity and Web Browsing

Unlike some higher-priced tablets that offer a cellular option, the Amazon Fire HD 10 can only connect to the internet via Wi-Fi. The device comes preloaded with Amazon’s Fire OS, an Android-based operating system that’s proprietary to Amazon devices, and Amazon Silk, the company’s web browser.

Users can control a number of functions on the Fire HD 10 tablet using Alexa, Amazon’s voice assistant. Alexa can be used to open apps, make calls and send messages, and control Alexa-enabled smart home devices such as light switches, security cameras and speakers.

Cameras

There are two cameras on the Fire HD 10 tablet, a 2-megapixel front-facing camera and a 5-megapixel rear-facing camera that can be used to record 720p high-definition videos.

Apps

The Fire HD 10 tablet is designed to be used with Amazon services and apps, and it also comes loaded with a number of popular third-party apps such as Facebook, Instagram and Netflix. Additional apps such as Zoom can be added through the Amazon Appstore.

Users should note the Fire HD 10 tablet doesn’t support downloads from Apple’s App Store or Google Play.

Accessibility

Users who are visually impaired can use the built-in screen magnifier to zoom in on any area of the screen. This tablet also supports closed captioning for video content, color correction and high-contrast text.

Accessories

A number of Amazon-branded and third-party accessories are available for the Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet. Some popular add-ons include a Bluetooth keyboard, cases with kickstands and anti-glare screen protectors.

Seniors Who Enjoy Using Amazon Services and Apps

The Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet is optimized for use with Amazon’s video streaming service, Amazon Prime, as well as other Amazon apps such as Amazon Music, Amazon Photos and Kindle.

Seniors Who Don’t Need a Cellular Tablet

Seniors who have access to a reliable Wi-Fi connection don’t plan on using their tablet while on the go may find the Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet is a good alternative to similar, higher-priced 10-inch tablet devices.

Seniors Who Want a Larger Touchscreen

While many popular tablets have touchscreens measuring 7 inches or 8 inches, the generous 10.1-inch high-definition screen on the Amazon Fire HD 10 provides plenty of screen space for viewing photos and videos and for ease of navigation.

Amazon-branded tablets are exceptionally popular among consumers who appreciate the relatively low cost of these devices, the build quality and the ease of use when accessing Amazon services.

The Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet has an overall rating of 4.5/5 stars on Amazon.com based on more than 76,000 reviews left by verified purchasers. Several reviewers commented that they like the clarity of the high-definition screen and that they use this device mainly for entertainment. Some consumers said that they paired their Fire HD 10 tablet with a compatible Bluetooth keyboard to create a low-cost alternative to a laptop computer.

While most reviews of the Amazon Fire HD 10 are positive, a few people mentioned that the screen is difficult to see outdoors, even in the shade. Others said that the lack of access to Google Play is disappointing and that the build quality simply isn’t up to par with many comparable tablets.