While children can use a tablet to play games, office-goers might want to make video calls or edit documents on it; seniors use it to connect with family, health tracking applications, and keep themselves entertained.
A good tablet for senior citizens should not only be easy to use, but it should also be helpful. Unfortunately, the elderly are more prone to injuries and health ailments than people younger than them, so you should consider getting a sturdy device or getting a rough case along with it.
Tablets, can be of great help and there are some tablets that carry apps that can help them stay alert. These can be quite the life-savers in certain cases.
Here, I discuss things you need to consider before purchasing a tablet for the elderly. I looked at some of the best options in the markets from the point of view of how well-suited they are for the elderly. Here we go:
Contents
7 Best Tablets for Seniors in 2023
Senior citizens or the elderly have special needs that have to be taken care of. You need to make sure that these tablets are durable, have a large screen and louder audio, and are very easy to operate.
Having a good camera for recording videos or attending Zoom calls and support for a large number of apps are also some features the elderly would appreciate. These are some features I’ve kept in mind while coming up with this list.
1. Best Overall: Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite
If you’re in search of the best Android tablet for senior citizens, then your search should end with the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite. It is a powerful device and yet one which isn’t overloaded with features such as its next-gen Tab S7 lineup.
Display
The 10.4-inch display is suitable for senior citizens, as it is neither too small for them to accidentally fall off, nor is it too big that it becomes a hassle to carry around. This device sports a TFT panel with a resolution of 2000 x 1200 pixels, giving the viewers the best and most natural colors.
Performance
The processor that this tablet runs on is still considered to be a leader in the mid-range category of Samsung-made tablets. It comes with Exynos 9611, which is made by Samsung itself and can run any task you throw at it. Besides, unlike the previous-gen Exynos processors, this one doesn’t heat up and offers great performance.
RAM & Storage
The Galaxy S6 Lite is also a pretty impressive device when it comes to specs. With 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage, you know that you’re in for quite a performance. For those who need more internal storage, you may opt for 128GB storage variant with a slightly increased price. However, I believe 64GB is sufficient for seniors’ usage, and if needed, it can be expanded up to 1TB using an SD card.
Design & Cameras
At 1.02 pounds, the tablet is light and features thin bezels. The 5MP front camera is very clear – not just for family video calls but also for a doctor’s consultation. There’s also an 8MP camera on the back. While the video front is pretty clear, you also get a very good audio quality from this tablet as it comes with dual speakers tuned by AKG.
Other Features
Samsung has included a stylus with this package. So, it can be convenient for seniors to navigate through the UI, apps, and they can also take notes or draw on the tablet. Moreover, the tablet runs on Android 10, ensuring you get all the latest security updates and patches. The sad truth is that a lot of seniors fall prey to malware and fake apps.
Battery & Conclusion
Lastly, Samsung also claims that this tablet offers a battery life of up to 12 hours, which means the users will rarely ever run out of complete charge. To conclude, this is a tablet that is extremely easy to handle and use for seniors and the elderly and one that I highly recommend in the Android department.
- Thin and Light design
- Pretty efiicient processor
- Expandable storage
- Good quality cameras
- Comes with an S-Pen
- Amazing battery life
- Headphone jack
- Qualcomm SoC could be even better
2. Best Windows Tablet: Microsoft Surface Go 2
Microsoft is the absolute best when it comes to making business tablets and 2-in-1 devices. And, when it comes to Windows tablets for seniors, the Microsoft Surface Go 2 is the one you should go for. It has a very familiar OS, keyboard & stylus support, a great build, and some really amazing accessibility features, which truly makes it a great option.
Display
There’s a 10.5-inch PixelSense display, which showcases colors in a more vivid and ‘real’ manner. The maximum resolution supported here is 1920 x 1280 Pixels. It’s sufficiently bright and produces vibrant colors. So, this tablet is perfect for watching Netflix and offline movies.
Performance
This sub $400 tablet runs on Intel’s Pentium Gold 4425Y processor, ensuring your tablet runs smoothly, can multitask quite a bit, and doesn’t lag. There’s an Intel Core m3 variant as well, in case you’re looking for slightly higher processing power. However, for seniors, this Pentium Gold processor is more than enough.
The Operating System here is a major plus. Since this is a Microsoft device, it runs on the Windows 10 Home OS in the S-Mode. This brings in the familiarity aspect. This is pretty similar to the PC UI and allows them to use their tablets in a more productive manner without getting intimidated by a new interface.
RAM & Storage
Loaded with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of faster SSD storage, the basic specs are quite alright. Another 8GB/128GB variant is also available in case you need a little more power.
Design & Cameras
Design-wise, this tablet is a complete stunner. The tablet weighs only 1.2 pounds. It has a really smooth look and feels to it, is great to grip, and can survive a few bumps and scratches without worrying you too much. This is another senior-friendly feature. The presence of a 3.5mm jack is a welcome move here.
Coming to the cameras, Surface 2 packs a full HD 5MP front-facing shooter that fulfills your video conferencing needs very well. There’s also an 8MP rear camera that clicks pretty good pictures.
Other Features
You can also gift this tablet to an older adult looking forward to buying a laptop because it is quite portable and can double up as a laptop when using the detachable keyboard (it needs to be purchased separately). The keyboard is well-spaced and quite easy to use and type on.
Battery & Conclusion
Lastly, the battery life can last for up to 10 hours, which is pretty good. All in all, with the great processing, portability, and ease of use, Windows tablets are a great choice for you if you have the interests of an older person in mind while buying the tablet.
- Lightweight & easy to carry around
- Has a familiar Windows 10 OS
- High-resolution cameras
- Support for 3.5mm jack
- Good for multitasking
- Can double-up as a laptop
- Type cover needs to be purchased separately
- Battery tends to drain quicker than advertised
3. Best iPad for Elderly: Apple iPad (9th Gen)
Apple’s devices are among the best options you have for buying a tablet for the elderly. The 9th generation Apple iPad is designed as an easy-to-use device. It provides them with a variety of useful features which help them stay safe as well as connected.
Display
Coming to the display next, the 10.2-inch Retina IPS LCD screen is ideal for elderly users as it is just big enough without being too big. You get a resolution of 2160 x 1620 pixels here. The display is scratch-resistant, making it quite durable in case of a few bumps and falls. The visual output is pretty bright, making sure the seniors can see it even under broad daylight.
Performance
This 9th Gen iPad comes out into the markets with an Apple A13 Bionic chip built-in, which helps power the device. This powerful processor can provide you with easy multitasking like playing online games or trading stocks without lagging at all.
Although older people don’t play games or perform resource-intensive tasks, but they don’t close apps after using them. That’s why an efficient processor like this can run multiple applications while on a video call smoothly.
RAM and Storage
The 3GB of RAM aids the processor in this tablet. This is the 64GB storage variant, while there’s a 256GB variant available as well. For the seniors who need a tablet just for reading and basic stuff, I believe the 64GB variant should be more than sufficient. It’ll be a cost-effective decision too.
Design & Cameras
Design-wise, the tablet is pretty smooth and easy to hold. It is also quite durable and lightweight at just 1.09 pounds. However, it follows the old design and features thick bezels. But again, it’s not a deal-breaker considering it’s going to be used by seniors.
Another great feature here is that of the cameras. The 12MP ultra-wide front and 8MP rear camera allow you to communicate with your friends and family with great clarity.
Other Features
The Apple Health app is great for tracking the health and fitness-related details of your senior family member. You can also maintain a whole database of any medical issues you have over there, which can be of use in case of an emergency. Apple also has an option to increase the size of the fonts and the apps so that people with visual ailments can see everything clearly.
Battery & Conclusion
Furthermore, 10-hour battery life is also a major plus. All in all, the 9th Gen iPad is a great value-for-money tablet for seniors and the elderly.
- Durable build quality
- 10-hour battery life
- Lightweight at just 1.09 lbs
- Great cameras for video calls
- Bright display, even under sunlight
- Cellular variant is also available
- Lightning port
- Many health related apps are paid
4. Best Under $250: Lenovo Tab M10 Plus
I have noticed that many times elderly users don’t really need a high-power performer but just want a device for basic communication and entertainment. Hence, it doesn’t make sense in these cases to spend a lot of money to purchase something like a top-notch Microsoft or Apple tablet. This is where the Lenovo Tab M10 Plus comes in.
Display
The 10.3-inch Full HD display is crisp and clear. The screen is pretty tough and can survive quite a few bumps. You can watch movies, read ebooks, mangas, etc., on this beautiful display.
Performance
The tablet offers you just the basics and nothing more. However, don’t mistake it for an underperformer. An eight-core MediaTek Helio P22T Tab processor runs the tablet, which is great for browsing, streaming video and audio, mailing, and video calling, often all at once.
RAM and Storage
This is a 4GB RAM variant that also provides 128GB of storage space. However, you have two more options if you need more RAM and storage, there are 4GB/64GB and 2GB/32GB variants. You can also expand the storage up to 256GB using an SD card.
Design & Cameras
At just 1.50 pounds, the tablet is surprisingly well-built with a metal back and slim profile. You also get an 8MP camera on the back and a 5MP camera on the front. This is another senior-friendly feature that ensures that they’re always able to make video calls with you.
Other Features
To ensure that older users get the best audio experience, there are 2 side speakers on the tablet, powered by Dolby Atmos. Lenovo also stacks in an inbuilt eye protection feature to save seniors from eye strain. There’s also a dedicated kids mode that enables kid-friendly content/apps. So, this is also one of the best tablets for kids out there.
Battery & Conclusion
Lastly, the battery life can also last for up to 8 hours, which is decent for an average user. There’s simply no alternative for this amazing tablet from Lenovo when you compare the price and the performance. Offering you all the essential features without costing a bomb.
- Doesn’t cost too much
- Very clear full HD display
- Can survive scratches and bumps
- Good cameras for video calling
- Loud speakers with Dolby Atmos
- Kids mode & Eye Care features
- Average battery life
5. Best For Entertainment: Samsung Galaxy Tab A7
Samsung is an industry leader when it comes to making smartphones, and they make some really good tablets too. If you’re considering buying a tablet for old people, you might want to take a look at their Galaxy Tab A7, which is a pretty great budget offering from Samsung.
Display
A 10.4-inch screen that offers Full HD visuals and a corner-to-corner 2000 x 1200 pixels display is also a great addition. The thin bezels on this tablet are great for a cinematic experience.
Performance
The tablet is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 662 processor, which runs on eight cores. It keeps things pretty cool and makes sure the tablet does not heat up. Qualcomm processors like this one are pretty reliable for basic multitasking and do not lag, which is a major plus.
RAM & Storage
The tablet offers 3GB of RAM along with 64GB of storage space. The storage can be further expanded up to 1TB by using a MicroSD card.
Design & Cameras
Being ‘smooth’, that’s also how this tablet feels in your hands. It has a pretty good design and is also quite durable, which is particularly beneficial for senior users. Coming to the cameras, the device sports an 8MP front camera and 5MP rear camera. Quality-wise, they’re adequate for the video conferencing needs.
Other Features
Speakers on this tablet provide you with a Dolby Atmos surround sound. This device also supports the 3.5mm headphone jack, which seems to be quickly disappearing from most modern-day tablets these days. Samsung has tied up with Spotify, so you also get 6 months of Spotify Premium with the purchase of this tablet.
Battery & Conclusion
With a battery life of up to 12 hours, you can rest assured that this tablet will keep you entertained and won’t run out of charge mid-movie! Overall, Tab A7 is the ultimate entertainment tablet at a sub $250 price tag. Gifting this to a senior member of your family will ensure they’re never bored and always have a device that will keep them entertained.
- Premium & durable metal body
- Expandable storage
- Get 6 months of Spotify Premium
- Loud speakers with Dolby Atmos
- 3.5mm headphone jack
- Doesn’t heat up
- Affordable price
- Rear camera not quite impressive
- Location of the side buttons is uncomfortable
6. Best Compact Size: Apple iPad Mini
I am back with another Apple tablet! This time with the iPad Mini. The biggest difference between this tablet and the one that I’ve reviewed above is the fact that the Mini comes with a significantly smaller display and a more powerful processor.
Display
At just 8.3-inches the key highlight of this tablet is the smaller display compared to all the latest iPad. The Retina True Tone panel exhibits a screen resolution of 2266 x 1488 pixels. The Mini series has always been a hit with users owing to its compact size and better portability.
Performance
The iPad Mini is powered by Apple’s latest A15 Bionic chip, which is quite a smooth processor built on 5nm process technology. It runs on iPadOS 14.4 and is likely to get all the latest updates for the next few years.
RAM & Storage
Apple’s iPad Mini comes out with 4GB of RAM along with 64GB of storage space. However, if you need more storage, the other variant comes out with 256GB of space with the same amount of RAM.
Like Apple iPad that I reviewed before, this tablet also comes in two variants: a WiFi-only model and a WiFi + Cellular model. The latter is better suited for the needs of the elderly as they can make calls using this tablet with ease.
Design & Cameras
Another thing that really impresses us about the iPad Mini is its camera setup. There’s a 12MP ultra-wide front camera, which gives you really clear and precise images. It can be used for video consultations with doctors and other medical practitioners. You also get a 12MP wide camera on the back which can be used for video recording.
Other Features
There are good upgrades on the Mini so far, but knowing what lacks inside is also important. Having said that, in the new iPad Mini, Apple removed the 3.5mm headphone jack. Most seniors are more comfortable using wired earphones, and this could be a deal-breaker for some. As Siri is the most natural voice-based assistant for conversing with users than Google Assistant or Alexa, Apple has another advantage.
Battery & Conclusion
When it comes to battery, the iPad Mini promises about 10 hours of battery life. All said and done, the iPad Mini is an overall great compact tablet for older people. It is easy to use, rich in features, has great cameras, and is also quite portable.
- Compact size
- Refreshed display panel
- Apple A15 Bionic chip
- Decent battery life
- Great camera setup
- Type-C charging port
- No headphone jack
- Still pricey
7. Best for Reading: Amazon Fire HD 10
Elderly users often do not have too many expectations from a tablet. They just need a device to chill. If you happen to be buying a budget-friendly tablet for a senior user who is fond of reading, the Amazon Fire HD 10 is the best option out there!
Display
With a 10.1 inch Full HD screen, you get pretty good visuals as compared to the previous release of the Fire HD tablets. It provides a resolution of 1920 x 1200 and reproduces colors in a very vivid and natural manner. The tablet is also great for reading books and can double up as a Kindle. Amazon’s large collection of books can be utilized best using this tablet.
Performance
Powered by the MediaTek MT8183 Helio P60T processor, the tablet isn’t really much of a performer when it comes to CPU statistics, but it is not meant for heavy tasks either. This is a device that can do just the bare minimum and is great for just that.
RAM and Storage
There’s 2GB of RAM and 32GB storage space in this tablet. For those who may have larger storage needs, you can get the 64GB variant as well. You can add another 512GB of storage space with the help of a MicroSD card.
Design & Cameras
The tablet is pretty light in weight, 1.02 pounds to be precise. It sports a simple design and is available in four different colors. While the display is an upgrade in this release, the bezels are a little thicker than what you’d expect them to be.
One major let-down in an otherwise decent tablet is the 2MP camera on the front, which is of terrible quality. There’s also a 5MP rear camera which is okay. When the conditions are darker, it is practically impossible to take a half-decent picture using it. Not recommended for professional video calls, but good enough for basic communication.
Other Features
One of the best features that truly make this tablet a senior-friendly tablet is its built-in support for the Amazon Alexa voice assistant. Considering it is one of the best and the most conversation-friendly assistants, older users will particularly enjoy using this tablet.
Now, let me clear the confusion about the OS. Yes, this is an Android tablet. While Fire OS sounds like Amazon’s own thing at first glance, it is actually based on Android 9.0. This gives users quite a bit of comfort and familiarity while navigating through the user interface.
Battery & Conclusion
The tablet offers a decent battery life of up to 12 hours, making sure you can read for long hours or watch a movie in it without worrying about plugging it in for charging. Overall, the Fire HD 10 from Amazon is an average product for most regular or professional users. However, it is one of the best tablets for elderly, particularly if they are into reading.
- Full HD display
- Long lasting battery life
- Quite durable and sturdy
- Expandable storage
- Amazon Alexa voice assistant
- The camera is a major let-down
- Bezels are quite thick
Frequently Asked Questions
Apple’s tablets are among the easiest tablet for seniors to use. The reason is they have been designed in such a manner that there’s only one main screen and no complex menus. Besides that, even settings and other customization options are pretty simple.
Basically, any Apple tablet that fits your budget should be fine for the elderly. However, if you ask my personal opinion, I have reviewed the 8th Gen Apple iPad, which seems a great deal. Apart from the thin bezels, you won’t miss much from the new-gen iPads that cost double of it.
You need to make sure that these tablets are easy to use, as it gets harder for older users to adjust to new technologies. You must also keep in mind the durability and weight of the device, as older users would require a sturdy yet lightweight tablet. Besides, a good camera is also great to keep in touch with them.
These tablets can range from anywhere between $150 to $400. There’s no fixed price range for them. However, they are usually cheaper than business tablets because older users generally don’t need a high-power device.
Verdict
To sum it all up, elderly people often need a tablet that can keep them connected as well as engaged. Here are my top picks which would be among the best options for seniors and elderly tablet users:
- If you want the powerful Android tablet, Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite is the best option out there. It also comes with an S-Pen, which lets you take quick notes, navigate through UI, or even draw on the tablet.
- The ‘easiest to use’ tablet would certainly be 9th Gen Apple iPad – given its decent size as well as simple user interface, this is the frontrunner here.
- The budget-friendly tablet is certainly Lenovo Tab M10 Plus. It provides all the basics and is a surprisingly good device for the low price point.
- The best entertainment device is Samsung's Galaxy Tab A7, thanks to its great display and audio output, as well as a great battery life.
I hope my list helped you pick just the right tablet to gift to an elderly user. Make sure to visit again for more amazing tablet recommendations and reviews.
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