Technology is something we all are fascinated about, even our grandparents and great-grandparents.
Our seniors might not fully understand how things work (let’s be honest – sometimes neither do we), but they are usually curious about what do people do these days and what are their kids and grandkids talking about when using words like “tablet”, “Candy Crush”, “net”, “website” etc.
And honestly, they want to be included in this technology world. Problem is, seniors often learn slowly and need someone to show around the tablet or computer and teach how to use it. Remember, they are not technology autodidacts. They grew up playing yard games and doing everything else with pen and paper.
Finding and gifting a tablet for seniors is one of the best steps you can do to help them enter this digital age. Tablet is bigger than a smartphone and easier to use than a computer. And as added bonus, tablets are easier and quicker to set up and teach how to use.
If you think your grandparents would understand buttons and clicks better than swipe all the time, tablets with keyboards might more up their alley.
There are few facts to keep in mind when looking to buy a tablet for seniors. Not all seniors are the same so you need to think about your specific situation.
Here is a list total of 6 tablets that we found would make the best tablet for seniors and meet their needs.
We focused on the features mentioned below:
- Screen size;
- Resistance against falls;
- Sound loudness and quality;
- Interface;
- Real reviews from the elderly, who used these tablets;
- Price point.
As kids and grandkids ourselves, we understand you want to help your grandparents be more digitally free and active, but also don’t want to break your bank buying a tablet for an elderly person that might or might not actually enjoy using it.
Enough intro, here we go!
1. Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro 12.2 – the biggest screen of them all
The biggest feature of this tablet is the screen size – 12.2 inches. This tablet is one of the biggest in size in the market at the moment. If you know your senior in mind will enjoy a really big screen, this is definitely a tablet to get for him or her.
The screen is made from gorilla glass so it will be durable against falls and will survive a little bit of rough handling.
With the bigger size, you should keep in mind that it is not the lightest of options, it weighs 1.61 lb (0.73kg). It might not be so easy to just hold it in one hand and stroll around. But it will be great to rest in your lap or use together with a tablet stand to video call grandchildren or watch videos.
The sound system is good and loud. However, for the even better sound quality, we would advise using headphones. That way your grandma will not disturb neighbors listening to music or TV shows on full volume. 🙂
This tablet comes with a standard Android KitKat OS and all the features it has to offer. For first time users, it might take some time to get used to the interface. But once you reach your user “AHA” moment, every next android tablet and smartphone you use will feel like home.
Summary of Pros & Cons
| Pros: | Cons: |
| Huge screen for a tablet; | To access the internet, this tablet only uses Wifi; |
| Very good battery life – up to 11h used with multimedia or up to 131h used passively; | It is pretty heavy and big for a tablet to effortlessly carry around in one hand; |
| Good quality photo and video camera front and back; | A senior citizen will need help setting it up and learning how to use it. |
| High-quality screen resolution; | |
| Easy to add a keyboard and a mouse and use it as a laptop. |
Product specifications
| Dimensions: | 295.4 x 203.7 x 7.9 mm (11.63 x 8.02 x 0.31 in) |
| Weight: | 730.2 g (1.61 lb) |
| SIM: | No |
| Screen Type: | Super clear LCD capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors |
| Screen Size: | 12.2 inches, 431.6 cm2 (~71.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Screen Resolution: | 2560 x 1600 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~247 ppi density) |
| OS: | Android 4.4.2 (KitKat), upgradable to 5.1.1 (Lollipop); TouchWiz UI |
| Memory Card slot: | microSD, up to 64 GB (dedicated slot) |
| Internal Memory: | 32GB 3GB RAM or 64GB 3GB RAM |
| Main Camera: | 8 MP, AF |
| Selfie Camera: | 2MP, AF |
| Video on both cameras: | [email protected] |
| USB: | microUSB 3.0, USB On-The-Go |
| Battery Talk time: | Up to 11 h (multimedia) |
| Battery Music play: | Up to 131 h |
2. Apple iPad mini
Apple iPad mini is a good option for all the Apple fans out there. Technological religion aside, Apple products have a lot of good qualities – they are easy to use, the interface is very intuitive and if you already own an iPhone or Apple iPad it will be easy to Facetime with your grandparents.
As with any Apple product, the iPad mini is of high quality in all aspects. The display is bright and colorful and made from tempered glass so it is very scratch-resistant, but you can still use an iPad screen protector to be 100% sure that the screen is safe.
The volume and sound quality are also splendid. Actually, it is possible to increase the volume by changing settings on the Volume Limit. For regular use, the settings are set lower so even when using volume button the sound doesn’t hit the maximum decibels it could. But for someone who has problems with hearing, going over the volume limit might just be the right thing.
Summary of Pros & Cons
| Pros: | Cons: |
| Easy to carry with you as it is very small; | More on the pricey side; |
| Intuitive Apple interface. | You cannot use it with software that is designed for elderly people, for example, Breezie. |
Product specifications
| Dimensions: | 203.2 x 134.8 x 6.1 mm (8.0 x 5.31 x 0.24 in) |
| Weight: | 300.5 g (Wi-Fi) / 308.2 g (3G/LTE) (10.86 oz) |
| SIM: | Nano-SIM, eSIM |
| Screen Type: | IPS LCD capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors |
| Screen Size: | 7.9 inches, 193.3 cm2 (~70.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Screen Resolution: | 1536 x 2048 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~324 ppi density) |
| Screen Protection: | Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating DCI-P3 True-tone |
| OS: | iOS 12.1.3, upgradable to iPadOS 13.1.2 |
| Memory Card slot: | No |
| Internal Memory: | 64GB 3GB RAM, 256GB 3GB RAM |
| Main Camera: | 8 MP, f/2.4, 32mm (standard), 1.12µm, AF |
| Selfie Camera: | 7 MP, f/2.2, 31mm (standard) |
| Video in both cameras: | [email protected] |
| USB: | 2.0, proprietary reversible connector |
| Battery: | Talk time Up to 10 h (multimedia) |
3. Asus Memo Pad 10 – a budget version for basic needs
This is a simple tablet that doesn’t hold lots of fancy features but gets the job done aka a perfect tablet for seniors.
The screen is 10.1 inches which is a decent size that is not too big nor too small. You can install all the regular apps that work on Android, so it can be used for Skype calls game playing (the ones without high graphic demands), watching TV, and so on.
Since the tablet is not too big and weights 1.15 lb (or 0.52kg) it is easy to carry around and pop in the bag and go. Since this is a budget version, the screen itself is not really crash-safe but you can make sure the screen is protected by adding a tempered glass screen protector to the display.
Summary of Pros & Cons
| Pros: | Cons: |
| Great price and screen size; | The screen is not the highest quality, but since grandparents usually have some. visual impairments, it would be ok. |
| Compatible with software for seniors, like Breezie; | Camera quality is really low, but you still can use it for video calls. |
| Tablet works quite fast and is easy to use. | Tablet can access the internet only with Wifi. |
Product specifications
| Dimensions: | 256 x 174.6 x 10.5 mm (10.08 x 6.87 x 0.41 in) |
| Weight: | 522 g (1.15 lb) |
| SIM: | No |
| Display Type: | IPS LCD capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors |
| Display Size: | 10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~66.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Screen Resolution: | 800 x 1280 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~149 ppi density) |
| OS: | Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean) |
| Memory Card slot: | microSD, up to 64 GB (dedicated slot) |
| Internal Memory: | 8GB 1GB RAM, 16GB 1GB RAM |
| Main Camera: | 2 MP |
| Selfie Camera: | 1.2 MP |
| Video on the main camera: | 720p |
| USB: | microUSB 2.0 |
| Battery: | Up to 9 h 30 min (multimedia) |
4. Lenovo Tab M10 – a low-cost option
Another great tablet for seniors is the Lenovo Tab M10. It is a low-cost tablet, that has all the functions an elderly person might need.
You can use it for TV watching, doing a Skype call, or scrolling through the Internet. It is a decent size – 10.1 inches, the same as the ASUS Memo Pad, so it also can be easily carried around. The screen has a good display, it is colorful and bright and will be easy to use for a senior. But the sad news is, as, with ASUS Memo Pad, it is not made 100% crash-safe, so it definitely needs a screen protector plus a tablet case.
This is a tablet that can be easily connected to a keyboard and a mouse and used as a portable computer. It might come in handy if your grandparents start to enjoy writing long e-mails or spend hours chatting on Skype with friends or grandkids.
Summary of Pros & Cons
| Pros: | Cons: |
| Very affordable; | Cameras (front and back) are not so good; |
| Not a lot of preinstalled apps (so it is less confusing for the person using it); | Weak speakers (but the sound can be enhanced by using headphones). |
| Easy to connect with keyboard and mouse. |
Product specifications
| Dimensions: | 168 x 242 x 8.1 mm (6.6 x 9.5 x 0.32 in) |
| Weight: | 480 g |
| SIM: | Nano SIM |
| Display Type: | 10.1” FHD (1920 x 1200) IPS with capacitive 10-point multitouch |
| Display Size: | 10.1 inches |
| Screen Resolution: | 1920 x 1200 pixels |
| OS: | Android Oreo |
| Memory Card slot: | microSD, up to 256 GB (dedicated slot) |
| Internal Memory: | 3 GB RAM, 32 GB ROM |
| Main Camera: | 5 MP |
| Selfie Camera: | 2 MP |
| Video on the main camera: | 720p |
| USB: | USB 2.0 Type-C |
| Battery: | Up to 8 hours (multimedia) |
5. Huawei MediaPad T5
Even though this tablet is not very pricey, it holds a lot of good features that will be appreciated not only by seniors but by their grandkids as well. This is definitely one of the best tablets for seniors.
It is around the same size as previous ones – 10.1 inches, however, MediaPad has a metal body which means it will be more resistant against falls and scratches. The display is colorful and has decent contrast that can be useful for people who might have vision problems.
The tablet is very good for the basic needs a senior will use it for – photo gallery, video calls, surfing the internet, etc. It might even live the test of grandkids playing a graphic video game once in a while.
Summary of Pros & Cons
| Pros: | Cons: |
| Loud built-in speakers; | The display is quite glossy that might reflect very bright indoor lights and make it hard to use the tablet; |
| You can add a SIM card and use the tablet even in a place where WiFi is not accessible; | Tablet doesn’t have a quick charge. |
| Preloaded apps can be easily uninstalled, so there is less confusion for the elderly tablet user. |
Product specifications
| Dimensions: | 243 x 164 x 7.8 mm (9.57 x 6.46 x 0.31 in) |
| Weight: | 460 g (1.01 lb) |
| SIM: | Nano SIM |
| Display Type: | IPS LCD capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors |
| Display Size: | 10.1 inches, 295.8 cm2 (~74.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Screen Resolution: | 1920 x 1200 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~224 ppi density) |
| OS: | Android 8.0 (Oreo); EMUI 8 |
| Memory Card slot: | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal Memory: | 16GB 2GB RAM, 32GB 3GB RAM |
| Main Camera: | 5 MP |
| Selfie Camera: | 2 MP |
| Video on the main camera: | 1080p |
| USB: | microUSB 2.0 |
| Battery: | Up to 5 hours (multimedia) |
6. Samsung Galaxy Tab Active 2
Samsung Galaxy Tab Active 2 is a great tablet for seniors if you have a bit more budget. This tablet has been designed for an active lifestyle which means it is made more durable and suited for situations where the tablet might get dirty, be dropped, etc. These qualities make it one of the best tablets for seniors.
This tablet already comes with a rubbery, rugged case and the tablet itself is water and dustproof. So, even if dropped on wet surfaces it will survive just fine. This is just one of the qualities that make it a perfect tablet for seniors. The size is quite small – 8 inches, but it makes it easy to carry around and have it with you at all times. The screen also has a high brightness function, so you can easily use it outdoors. It also might come in handy with elderly users, as it is easier to see details on brighter displays.
Samsung Galaxy Tab Active 2 tablet also has a stylus or S pen. It is a great addition for seniors as operations with a pen or pencil are nothing new to the elderly. S pen will ensure a more comfortable note-taking process and help with more precise taps.
This tablet also has a removable accumulator that might not be that important for seniors, but still an interesting feature to mention.
Summary of Pros & Cons
| Pros: | Cons: |
| Very durable and resistant to falls; | Display resolution is not the highest quality. |
| Has an S pen for more precise taps or handwritten notes; | Small storage (but might not be a problem for a senior user). |
| Option to have a very bright screen. |
Product specifications
| Dimensions: | 127.6 x 214.7 x 9.9 mm (5.02 x 8.45 x 0.39 in) |
| Weight: | 415 g (Wi-Fi) / 419 g (LTE) (14.64 oz) |
| SIM: | Nano SIM |
| Display Type: | LCD capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors |
| Display Size: | 8.0 inches, 185.6 cm2 (~67.7% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Screen Resolution: | 800 x 1280 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~189 ppi density) |
| OS: | Android 7.1.1 (Nougat) |
| Memory Card slot: | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal Memory: | 16GB 3GB RAM |
| Main Camera: | 8 MP |
| Selfie Camera: | 5 MP |
| Video on the main camera: | 1080p |
| USB: | 2.0, Type-C 1.0 reversible connector |
| Battery: | Up to 8 hours (multimedia) |
What to consider before buying a tablet for seniors?
1. Technology skills.
First, you need to understand how technology inclined the senior you wish to buy a tablet for is.
If it is your 90+ grandma with a little bit of dementia you will need a very easy solution like Konnekt Videophone and maybe even then she will need help from a caretaker to video call her kids and grandkids.
If your grandma is younger and has used a computer before or is familiar with text messages on her phone, she might easily learn how to work with a regular tablet and use just the features that are important to her.
2. What will seniors use the tablet for?
The most common thing elderly people use tablets for is to keep in touch with their loved ones, which includes video calling their kids and grandkids or chatting on Skype or other platforms.
If the person you are getting a tablet for is more technologically advanced or curious and capable of learning features on this piece of technology, they might also use it for:
- Taking pictures and showing pictures (gallery function):
Elderly people like to talk about their kids and grandkids and complement the stories with images. If they learn how to do it, they also like to send pictures to their family to inform them what they’ve been up to. It is a nice way how to keep up with what’s going on in each other’s lives.
- Playing games:
Oh, yes, not only kids, teenagers (and grownups) like to play games on tablets, seniors enjoy the thrill of a game as well!
The games might be different though, elderly people usually gravitate towards card games or other easy games that are similar to something you could play in real life. Some chess enthusiasts might even find themselves fully taken by the opportunities to play against a robot or any stranger who is ready to join in.
- Surfing the internet:
Even if it is not the first thought for seniors to look for answers on the web, after a helpful hand of grandkids or kids, they might find it very useful to Google different questions and look for the answers.
However, as a representative of the digital era, you should warn your grandparents, that not everything you read on the internet is true as they are used to the fact that everything that is published is fact-checked and approved (like in the old days it would be in papers).
- Catching up on news.
Reading news on the tablet is a great way to be informed about what’s new in the World at any time not only once a day.
- Watching TV shows, movies & Youtube videos.
If you teach your grandparents right, you might help them find the bottomless hole of fun and entertainment you can discover online. If retirement isn’t the time to binge-watch TV shows on Netflix, we don’t know what is!
3. The tablet’s features.
When buying a tablet for seniors, keep in mind their physical needs, for example, hearing, eyesight, handgrip, etc.
Good features to have on a tablet for seniors are:
- Big screen. The bigger the better. Remember how your grandpa always grumbles that your writing is too small and he cannot read it. Elderly people will want to zoom in and put the default font settings to huge letter size. It is easier to read a big letter on a bigger screen.
- Resistance against falls. Look for tablets with unbreakable screens. No matter how careful your grandma is, she might drop the tablet once in a while and even if it has the protective case on, it is better to also have a very good and strong screen.
- Loud sound. You want to find the tablet with the loudest sound. Old people usually have weaker hearing and having a tablet that can produce loud enough sound so they can hear their grandkids in a video call is crucial.
- Easy interface. It depends on how familiar your senior is with technology, but the easier the interface, the best results you will get. If you feel like the regular Android interface is too challenging for your grandparents, you can purchase a special interface software made for seniors, for example, Breezie. The best part is, it goes with any Android version (aka any tablet) and is easy to use and set up!
And now you have it – all the main variables to look for when picking the next tablet for seniors.
What is the easiest tablet for seniors to use? (our nr.1 recommendation)
The easiest tablet for seniors to use thanks to its screens size and build quality in our opinion is Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro 12.2.
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Conclusion
Unfortunately, there are not many tablet options that are made just with seniors in mind. There are some like GrandPad or Konnekt but they usually come with a subscription or other strings attached.
This is our selection of the best tablets for seniors currently found in the market. We hope you found all the tips useful and you are one step closer to finding the next new tablet for your grandparents.
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