The Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023) Review

The Amazon Fire HD 10 (2023) is widely regarded as one of the best budget tablets available, offering a compelling mix of performance, features, and affordability.

Design and Build

The Fire HD 10 sports a simple, functional design with a sturdy plastic body and rounded corners. It’s lightweight at 434 grams (about 30 grams lighter than its 2021 predecessor) and slim at 8.6mm thick, making it easy to hold or slip into a bag. The 10.1-inch display is framed by relatively thick bezels, which provide a good grip without covering the screen. It’s built with aluminosilicate glass, and Amazon claims it’s 2.7 times more durable than the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 (2022) in tumble tests. Available in Black, Lilac, and Ocean colors, it has a matte finish that feels solid but isn’t flashy.

Display

The 10.1-inch screen boasts a Full HD resolution of 1920 x 1200 pixels, delivering a pixel density of 224ppi—sharp enough for movies, ebooks, and casual browsing. Colors are punchy for an LCD, though it lacks the deep blacks of OLED displays found on pricier tablets. Brightness is decent indoors but can struggle in direct sunlight. The 16:10 aspect ratio is ideal for widescreen video content, making it a great choice for streaming.

Performance

Powered by an octa-core processor (two Arm Cortex-A76 cores at 2.05GHz and six Cortex-A55 cores at 2.0GHz) and 3GB of RAM, the Fire HD 10 is noticeably snappier than its predecessors—Amazon claims a 25% performance boost over the 2021 model. It handles streaming, web browsing, and light multitasking well, with no significant lag when switching apps or running multiple browser tabs. However, it’s not built for heavy gaming—titles like Roblox’s NHL Blast show stuttering. Storage options are 32GB or 64GB, expandable up to 1TB via microSD, which is a big plus for media hoarders.

Software and Ecosystem

Running Fire OS (based on Android but heavily customized), the tablet is deeply tied to Amazon’s ecosystem—think Kindle, Prime Video, Audible, and Alexa. The Amazon Appstore is limited compared to Google Play, missing apps like YouTube, Gmail, and many niche titles. However, tech-savvy users can sideload the Google Play Store in about 10 minutes with online tutorials, unlocking a broader app selection. Alexa integration is a standout, turning the tablet into a portable Echo Show with voice commands even when the screen is off. New AI features like Writing Assist, Wallpaper Creator, and webpage summaries (rolling out to 2019+ models) add some modern flair.

Audio and Cameras

The dual stereo speakers deliver solid sound for a budget tablet, with decent volume and a 3D-like effect for movies. They’re not as refined as an iPad’s, but they get the job done. The 5MP front camera (up from 2MP) is fine for video calls via Zoom or Alexa, while the 5MP rear camera is basic and best for casual snaps. There’s still a 3.5mm headphone jack, a rarity these days, alongside Bluetooth support.

Battery Life

Amazon touts up to 13 hours of mixed use, and real-world tests align closely, with about 12-13 hours for streaming, reading, or browsing. Charging takes around 4 hours with the included 9W charger via USB-C, which is on the slow side but typical for the price range.

The Fire HD 10 (2023) shines as a budget-friendly option for streaming, reading, and casual use, especially if you’re in Amazon’s ecosystem. It’s not a powerhouse like an iPad or Samsung Galaxy Tab, nor is it meant to be—its value lies in delivering a solid experience for under $150. If you don’t mind the app limitations (or are willing to tweak it), it’s hard to beat at this price point. For kids, the $189.99 Kids editions add protective cases and parental controls, making it even more versatile. Overall, it’s a top pick for anyone seeking an affordable, no-frills tablet.