ConsFirst / Kids' tablets / Compare
Apple iPad (11th gen, A16) 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
Apple iPad (11th gen, A16) ranks higher (#2 vs #4 of 8) and scores better on kids content & ads, speed & screen. Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids (2024) wins on parental controls, durability & warranty.
The biggest complaint about the Apple iPad (11th gen, A16) is parental controls are clunky and easy to work around; for the Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids (2024) it's slow. Pick the one whose catch bothers you less.
Side by side
| Apple iPad (11th gen, A16) | Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids (2024) | |
|---|---|---|
| Rank in kids' tablets | #2 | #4 |
| Price tier | $$$ | $$ |
| Type | Regular tablet + case | Kids edition (with case) |
| Amazon 1–2★ share | 4% | 5% |
| Overall score | 3.7 | 3.6 |
| Parental controls | 3.0 | 4.5 |
| Kids content & ads | 4.5 | 3.0 |
| Speed & screen | 4.5 | 2.0 |
| Battery | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| Durability & warranty | 2.5 | 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
Apple iPad (11th gen, A16)
- Parental controls are clunky and easy to work around
Wirecutter says Screen Time can be hard to use and doesn't do enough. Parents report glitches and kids who figure out how to get around it, and it's less easy to use than Amazon's controls. Good Housekeeping's testers say kids can reach blocked apps like YouTube through the web browser, and weekend limits lead to constant requests for more time.
- No multiple user profiles
Wirecutter and PCMag both note that iPadOS doesn't support multiple profiles, so siblings (or kids and adults) sharing the iPad share everything.
Source: Wirecutter (NYT), PCMag - Expensive and fragile without a case
PCMag says Apple raised the price by $100 to $449 in June 2026. Tom's Guide calls it an expensive bet in fragile aluminum and glass. Wirecutter and Good Housekeeping say you'll need to buy a protective case. Wirecutter also finds the 1-pound, 11-inch tablet hefty for small kids.
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 Apple iPad (11th gen, A16) if
One tablet that lasts from preschool to the teen years
Kids who want the widest choice of games, creative and school apps
Families already using Apple devices
Skip it if: Siblings will share it (there are no separate user profiles); You want a rugged case and drop warranty included; You want simple, tight parental controls out of the box
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.