ConsFirst / Kids' tablets / Compare
Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids vs Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids (2024)
Which one has the downsides you can live with?
We may earn a commission when you buy through our links. It never changes what we report. Learn more
The short answer
Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids ranks higher (#1 vs #4 of 8) and scores better on kids content & ads, speed & screen, battery.
The biggest complaint about the Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids is limited app selection, no google play; for the Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids (2024) it's slow. Pick the one whose catch bothers you less.
Side by side
| Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids | Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids (2024) | |
|---|---|---|
| Rank in kids' tablets | #1 | #4 |
| Price tier | $$ | $$ |
| Type | Kids edition (with case) | Kids edition (with case) |
| Amazon 1–2★ share | 7% | 5% |
| Overall score | 4.0 | 3.6 |
| Parental controls | 4.5 | 4.5 |
| Kids content & ads | 3.5 | 3.0 |
| Speed & screen | 3.0 | 2.0 |
| Battery | 4.5 | 4.0 |
| Durability & warranty | 4.5 | 4.5 |
Price tiers: $ under $120 · $$ $120–250 · $$$ over $250. Highlighted = clearly better (a score gap of 0.3 or more, or a 1–2★ share at least 3 points lower). Scores are explained, with sources, on each product's page.
Top complaints
Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids
- Limited app selection, no Google Play
Tom's Guide says the app library beyond Amazon Kids+ is extremely constrained, with no Google Play Store apps. Good Housekeeping reports mixed results with outside apps, from families who can't get Roblox to work at all to others who see lag.
Source: Tom's Guide, Good Housekeeping - Underwhelming speed and sound
Tom's Guide lists underwhelming performance and poor sound quality. Its Geekbench score falls well behind the iPad's. PCMag saw Roblox stutter on the same Fire HD 10 hardware.
- Mixed reliability and battery reports
Amazon's review summary says battery life gets mixed feedback, with some owners saying it doesn't stay charged for long. Some report flickering screens, and some say it stopped working properly.
Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids (2024)
- Slow
Wirecutter says it can be 'painfully slow': Minecraft lags, and even switching profiles or loading an app is sluggish. PCMag says performance is average, apps stutter at times, and it can't run intense games. Amazon owners are mixed on speed.
- Thin app selection and a subscription you'll need
Wirecutter says Kids+ apps often lack substance, there's no YouTube Kids app, and popular books like Dog Man cost extra. PCMag says you'll eventually need to pay for Kids+ to get the most out of it. Amazon owners are mixed on app options.
- Low-res, glary screen and weak speakers
Wirecutter says the 189 ppi screen is much lower in resolution and brightness than the iPad's. PCMag says it's often obscured by glare outdoors and the speakers aren't loud.
Source: Wirecutter (NYT), PCMag review
Who should pick which
Pick the Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids if
Ages 3 to 7 (Amazon's age range)
Long car rides and flights
Parents who want strong, easy controls and a drop warranty
Skip it if: Your child wants Roblox, Minecraft or other heavier games to run smoothly; You rely on Google apps or YouTube Kids; You don't want to pay for Amazon Kids+ after the first year
Pick the Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids (2024) if
Ages 3 to 7 (the Kids Pro version, ages 6 to 12, has the same hardware and a slimmer case)
Siblings sharing one tablet (multiple profiles)
Video and books on a tight budget, often on sale
Skip it if: Your child plays Minecraft or other demanding games; You want YouTube Kids or Google apps; You don't want an ongoing Kids+ subscription
We don't list prices — they change daily. Paid links.