When it comes to technology today’s seniors are a veteran player. However, they face some challenges due to nature’s rule – like low vision, low hearing. But thanks to the manufacturers, they are implementing the new accessibility feature to make their gadgets useful for all types of people.
If you’re in a hurry, check out our top choice GALAXY TAB S4 View at Amazon.
Also read: best hearing aids buyer’s guide and reviews
Nowadays, most of the people being introduced to laptops and smartphone before their retirement. And a tablet is the perfect medium for older people to flow with the technology tides. Because it is enough big to read character easily as compared to the smartphone, and more portable than a laptop.
This post is all about it, I have gathered the best tablet for old people while considering their maximum comfort and usability. Also, you will find what do you need to consider before choosing the best tablets for seniors citizens.
Don’t have enough time, let’s jump to my recommendations.
So, without further ado let’s jump right into the important factors.
What features are important for seniors that we need to look into a tablet.
Screen
It is one of the most important factors that you’ll need to consider because is the main medium of interaction. So, let’s break it down with some points below.
In my opinion, around 8-inch tablets are good because they are enough big to see what you are doing and can be managed easily. Even if you’ll increase the font size and display size for the seniors it’ll still have enough room to work.
For an 8-inch tablet, at least full HD resolution is recommended if you can get even more that would be great.
You might we be wondering the higher brightness is always great into the tablet, but it is not always true. The display brightness matters but only at a level, because the unwanted bright display can cause eye strain and the low battery backup condition.
Along with brightness, the display reflection level is also important. Because it doesn’t matter how brighter display you have if it is not glare-free (or less reflection) then you might not concentrate on the display content in the outdoor situations.
So, rather just focusing only on the display brightness, you should also check the display reflection level.
In my opinion, the going with IPS panel is a good idea because it offers the widest view angle along with color accuracy. It will definitely prove as a nice display type for seniors.
It is the ratio between the white and black color of the display that is capable to produce – the highest contrast ratio means you’ll get a clearer image. It is also a considerable thing for senior, it can help them to read more conveniently. However, most of the latest tablet is offering a great contrast ratio, so you don’t need to worry about that.
Voice-Activation Feature
The voice-activation is gaining popularity across a range of devices. And the tablets can’t fall behind in this race, most of the latest tablets are offering the voice-activated functionality. Whether we talk about Android, iOS, Windows, or FireOS you can get voice assistance in all of these.
This feature is very helpful for old people and allows to complete a wide range of task without needing to touch screen or reading small character on screens.
With the voice activation feature, there are tremendous benefits for seniors.
For example:
- Order items online
- Dictate emails, text messages
- Calling to your friends and families
- Ask questions
- Set reminders for medications or appointments
How to activate voice searches and actions in the different OS?
Open Google app.
At the bottom right tap on the menu icon > settings > Voice > Voice Match.
Just follow the instruction to match your voice and you are ready to go.
You can activate Google assistant by saying “ok Google”, on some devices you can also say “hey Google”
Google Assistant is available for both iOS and Android.
You can read more here.
If you are going to choose an Apple device then it will come with Siri named voice assistant. It is only available for iOS user’s only.
If your device supports Siri then you can activate it by long pressing the home button.
You can also enable “hey Siri” recognition function for hands-free activation.
Open settings app > General > Siri > Allow “Hey Siri” (set to enable).
The Alexa is developed by Amazon and it can be found in most of the Amazon’s Fire tablets along with their smart speakers (Echo, Echo Dot). It is also available for iOS, Android along with FireOS (it is also an Android-based OS).
You can activate Alexa voice assistant by the press and hold the tablet’s home screen button.
If you want to use the hands-free:
Open setting > Alexa > Hands-Free Mode (enable it)
However, Windows tablets are not much popular nowadays but still, the Microsoft Surface series is a strong competitor. The Cortana is inbuilt in the Windows 10, also it is available for Android and iOS.
To use Cortana on your Windows 10 tablet or PC.
Click Windows icon > All apps > Cortana > Click Use Cortana > Yes
To enable voice activation:
Press the Windows + S key simultaneously to open Cortana > Click on the Notebook button (left side of your screen) > settings > Hey Cortana > on the switch.
Operating System
Which Operating system is good for seniors that should be chosen before purchasing any tablet – Android or iOS or Windows?
Nowadays, Google’s Android and Apple’s iOS are the most popular operating systems on the market that you can get into the tablets. Also, it depends on your requirements, if you are going to use your tablet for just watching movies, internet browsing or playing some games, then Android or iOS are the great options.
While Windows tablet is recommended for higher PC -like performance. If you are an advanced user then it’s a good idea to opt for a Windows tablet.
In my opinion for old peoples, any from iOS or Android could be a nice choice.
Here are some important settings that will help the old people to use their devices more effectively.
While using a desktop or laptop is not a big deal for seniors but when it comes to focusing on the small device (like a tablet or smartphone) can be overwhelming and impossible. Fortunately, the built-in adjustable magnifier can make these gadgets more convenient to use.
You can enable this magnification feature with the following settings:
Android
Open settings > accessibility > Magnification > turn on the switch.
Now you simply turn on magnification feature anywhere with quickly tap screen 3 times. And with 2 or more fingers you can move and zoom according to your need.
iOS
Open settings > general > accessibility > zoom > turn on the switch.
Now you can use this zooming feature anywhere on the screen with just double tap with three fingers. And you can move the screen with dragging three fingers around the screen. While for scroll you’ll need to use one or two fingers in the particular section.
Windows
Click start > settings > ease of access > magnifier > turn on the switch.
If you have keyboard enable device you can simply press – Windows Key + Plus (+) key to instantly turn on the magnify feature.
Seniors have trouble to identify the small icons and characters, so these options come in handy. With setting the font and display size to the max you’ll rarely need to use magnify feature. Thus, you can use your device in the easiest way.
These setting also can be found under the accessibility options.
Features for Visually impaired
While magnifier feature is very useful for seniors but what about those who have very low eyesight or totally visually impaired. Fortunately, OS manufacturer has already added a feature for making their device usable for visually. However, different Operating System has a different name for this feature accordingly, but it exists.
Android
In the Android tablets, you can find this feature with the name of TalkBack.
Open settings > accessibility > talk back > turn on the switch.
Now you can use your entire mobile or tablet without seeing it. It means it will guide you with spoken feedback. Whenever you tap on the screen it will read all option for you, double tap to activate the particular selection. Moreover, for scrolling, you can do with two fingers. It is really boon for visually persons to become capable to use the gadgets.
Along with that, there is a Select-to-Speak feature is also available, which can read the screen item for aloud for you. You can also enable this under the same accessibility option.
If you just want to run this feature instantly, you can assign it with the volume keys shortcut.
For doing this:
Open settings > accessibility options > volume key shortcuts > turn on > select from available features (you can select talkback).
Now you can run talkback or selected feature with the long pressing both volume keys for 3 seconds.
Read more about the Android’s accessibility features here.
iOS
In the iOS this feature can be found with the name of “VoiceOver”, and it also does the same things like TalkBack.
For enabling this feature:
Open settings > general > accessibility > VoiceOver > turn on the switch.
You can access this feature with just triple click the home button on iPad.
Moreover, just like Android’s select-to-speak feature – in iOS, this feature can be found with the name of Speak Screen. You can access this feature with the swipe down from top to bottom with two fingers. It can read the email, iMessages, web pages and books for you.
Read more about the iPad’s accessibility features here.
Windows
In windows devices, you can find this feature with the name of the Narrator.
For enabling this:
Click start > settings > ease of access > Narrator > start Narrator.
After activating this feature, you can use your Windows tablet without the need to see the screen.
Read more about the Windows accessibility features here.
So, if you are choosing the best tablet for visually impaired then you need to check out this feature as well.
Connectivity
Nowadays the health monitor devices are getting smarter, so it becomes crucial to have a tablet with the ability to connect with them. For example, if you are using a fitness tracker then tablet should be capable to connect with the device to show your whole day activity.
Just like that, there are many health care devices like blood pressure monitor, insulin monitor needs a compatible device to show their data.
However, you don’t need to worry about that, I have only included those tablets for review who have both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity. So, you can connect your all health device without any problem.
That was some crucial thing that you’ll need to keep in mind while choosing the best tablets for old people.
Now let’s jump into the tablets reviews to find a perfect one for you.
QUICK OVERVIEW
Top Rated Tablets for Seniors in 2023
| Lenovo Tab 4 |
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View at Amazon |
| Samsung Galaxy Tab A |
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View at Amazon |
| Fire HD 10 |
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View at Amazon |
| Fusion5 Ultra |
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View at Amazon |
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Apple iPad mini 4 Editor’s Choice for iOS |
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View at Amazon |
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Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 Editor’s Choice for Android |
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View at Amazon |
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Microsoft Surface Pro 6 Editor’s Choice for Windows |
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View at Amazon |
Best Tablet for Old People – Reviews
Best Tablets for Affordable Range
This section contains the affordable tablets if you have something high budget then click here to jump.
1. Lenovo Tab 4 (Most Affordable Tablet for Seniors)
1.11 lbs | 8-inch | IPS | 1280 x 800 | 2 GB | 16 GB | 10 hours | Android 7.1
If you are on the tight budget then the Lenovo Tab 4 is the perfect option on the current market. It has everything that will be needed for the old people.
First of all, it is an Android tablet and running 7.1 versions, so you will get all accessibility option for your personalization. You can increase the font size, display size for better viewing. Moreover, it has the TalkBack feature which can help to visually impaired peoples.
The display quality is also acceptable for this price range, the 8-inch IPS display with 1280 x 800 resolution is quite good. Apart from that, with the IPS panel technology and bright display quality, you can also use in the outdoors.
When it comes to performance, with Snapdragon 64-bit processor, 2GB of RAM and 16GB of storage capacity are enough for doing all general task like – using social media, browsing the internet or watching movies.
However, if you are looking for some more storage and better performance, you can choose its upgraded variants – you can choose up to 4GB memory, 64GB storage, and a 10-inch screen.
This tablet is bundled with Kid’s pack and you might be wondering that what is the use of that? However, the stickers might not be useful for you, but the durable kids-cover can save your tablet if you’ll ever accidentally fall it from the hand.
With the Dolby Atmos audio and built-in dual-stereo speakers, it can deliver an outstanding sound which is very useful for watching movies, listening to a song or just using TalkBack Feature.
Overall, the Lenovo Tab 4 is really a good tablet for old people for the most aggressive price. Moreover, with Android 7.1, you can personalize your tablet according to the requirement for more effective usage – you can take advantage of font size, screen size, TalkBack, and screen zoom features.
If you are looking for something big screen or better battery life then you might like my next pick.
PROS
- Lightweight
- Most affordable price
- Shock-proof case included
- Great sound quality
- Good battery life
- Upgradable storage
- Accessibility features are available for seniors
CONS
- Average built quality
- Low memory (but the high variant is available)
2. Samsung Galaxy Tab A (Budget Tablet with Big Screen and Long Battery)
1.2 lbs | 10.1-inch | TFT | 1920×1200 | 2 GB | 16 GB | 13 hours | Android 6.0
Samsung is one of the tech giants whether we talk about electronics appliances, or smart gadgets like tablets, smartphones, smartwatches or laptops. Samsung has a wide range of tablets into the product lineup, there are cheapest to expensive options are available.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A is the perfect pick for the old people for the affordable price. This tablet is one of the most successful products of Samsung.
First of all, this tablet has a big 10.1-inch display with full HD resolution. So, your viewing experience is going to be amazing. Moreover, it is offering around 2-3 hours extra battery life than our previous tablet.
It is also an Android-powered tablet and having 6.0 version, which is slightly old but it doesn’t affect much to the old people.
As compared to the previous tablet you are also getting 2GB of RAM and 16 GB of storage capacity, but it has something better processor. Overall, the performance is ok for this budget price. If you are going to use this tablet for internet browsing, reading or playing a few games there is no need to worry about the performance. However, if you need something powerful for your high computational needs then you need to scroll down for the performance-oriented tablets.
Because it is an Android tablet so you can find the accessibility options to make this unit more usable for you as a senior. You can change font size and display size to view easily and also enable talkback feature for the visually impaired person.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab A is one of the most affordable tablets for Seniors which is offering a big beautiful display, long battery life and good performance.
PROS
- Affordable
- High resolution and big display
- Good performance
- Long battery life
- Accessibility options for seniors are available
CONS
- Some bloatware exists
- Average sound quality
3. Fire HD 10 (Amazing Tablet with inbuilt Alexa)<
1.10 lbs | 10.1-inch | IPS | 1920 x 1200 | 2 GB | 32/64 GB | 10-hours | FireOS
When it comes to affordable tablet how can we forget the Amazon’s Fire HD tablet?
The Fire HD 10 is the latest tablet of Amazon with is coming with inbuilt Alexa support. So you can use your tablet with voice commands.
With Amazon’s improved accessibility features, you can personalize this tablet according to your need. You can take advantage of some feature like text size, screen magnifier, and screen reader.
This tablet has a big IPS display with the full HD resolution which is just amazing for this cheap price. Also, the view angles, brightness and contrast ratio are impressive.
With Alexa support, you can do many tasks without even touch the screen. For example – call or message someone or just ask some questions.
When we talk about the performance – you are getting 2GB of RAM with a quad-core processor which is justified for a budget tablet, and there are two storage options are available 32GB or 64GB.
The sound quality also good, it has Dolby Atmos technology with dual stereo speakers.
Overall, the Fire HD 10 is the most feature rich tablet for the old people at the cheaper price. You are getting a big bright full HD display, great sound quality, Alexa support, and good performance.
PROS
- Cheaper price
- Big beautiful display with high resolution
- Great sound quality
- Good battery life
- Voice assistance, Alexa support
CONS
- Average build quality
4. Fusion5 Ultra (Affordable and Powerful Windows Tablet)
2.43 lbs | 10-inch | IPS | 1280 x 800 | 2 GB | 32 GB | 9.5 hours | Windows 10
If you are looking for a pc-like performance then this Windows tablet worth consideration. The adaptability of tons of application and software makes the windows tablet most powerful.
This Windows tablet has Microsoft’s latest Windows 10 operating system. And, it has improved accessibility options for the seniors. There are screen magnifier, Narrator, and screen customization related options are available. Overall, Microsoft has included great features to make their device usable for all types of people.
For the performance concern – this tablet has Intel Atom Processor z37735F which is the best option for the budget windows devices. Moreover, 2GB of RAM and 32GB of storage capacity is pretty good for general use. But keep in mind, you’ll not get full 32GB of storage, there some space has been occupied by the Windows itself.
Like our previous tablet is also has a 10-inch display which is big and ideal for old peoples to conveniently viewing.
If you are an advanced user and do multitask often then you might like this budget Windows tablet. You can extend its storage capacity up to 64GB with rf-card (not included).
Moreover, the battery life is also good, but it takes some long time to charge it.
The Fusion5 Ultra is a great opportunity to taste the full Microsoft Windows 10 for the cheap price.
These four above tablets were budget friendly, but if you are looking for something great then you might like our next recommendations.
PROS
- Budget price
- Good performance
- Powerful full Windows 10 OS
- Big display with good quality
- Ease of access options are available for old people
- Large storage capacity (also upgradable)
- Good battery life
- Lightweight
- Full-size USB port
CONS
- Somewhat longer charging time
Best Tablets in Mid-Range and Above
5. Apple iPad mini 4 (Overall Recommended in iOS)
0.65 lbs | 9.7-inch | IPS | 2048 x 1536 | 2 GB | 128 GB | 10 hours | iOS 12 | Lightning Port
The iPad min 7.9-inch variant is perfect for seniors because this size is perfect for ideally viewing or carrying.
As I have discussed in the buyer’s guide that iOS has great accessibility features for old people so you don’t need to worry about that. You can change character size, use screen reader feature or take advantage of zooming
Even you don’t need to worry about the performance and durability. Because Apple is well-known for the reliable unibody metal design construction. Moreover, this tablet has an A8 chip which is based on the 64-bit architecture which delivers amazing performance. Along with that, the battery life is also commendable.
When it comes to the display quality, it should be enough bright to read outside. And this iPad has a brighter Retina display with anti-reflective coating, which is just icing on the cake.
With the dual speaker setup, this device can deliver rich sound for your video viewing or screen reading feature. Moreover, its great camera quality is capable of amazing video calling.
Also, read: best tablets for video calling
Overall, the Apple iPad mini 4 is the perfect tablet for seniors if we talk about the iOS. It is offering amazing display quality, impressive sound, commendable durability, and great battery life.
In my opinion, you don’t need to go above this tablet because it has everything that should be available for senior into a tablet. However, if your budget is higher, then you should check out the newly launched iPad Pro which is an outstanding tablet for the elderly.
PROS
- Larger storage capacity
- Durable and premium design
- Bright display with vibrant colors
- Decent sound quality
- Great camera quality
- Accessibility options for seniors are available
- Both Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi + Cellular options are available
- Fingerprint sensor for better security and quick unlock
- Good battery life
CONS
- Slightly Expensive
6. Samsung Electronics Galaxy Tab S4 (Overall Recommended in the Android)
1.06 lbs | 10.5-inch | Super AMOLED | 2560×1600 | 4 GB | 64/256 GB | 16-hours | Android O
While my previous both recommendations for the Android tablets were good and they were budget friendly. But if you can spend more on your tablet then they somewhere lack features.
If you are familiar with the Android then the Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 is the best option for you on the current market. In facts, this tablet is expensive but it offers tons of features.
First of all, this tablet is offering 10.5-inch super AMOLED display with 2560×1600 pixels of resolution which deliver a brilliant quality image with high brightness. Moreover, the Dolby Atmos Surround sound can make your user experience more immersive.
The built-in Google Assistant is one of the best things about this device that I like it. And it is pretty useful for seniors to perform several tasks with voice commands.
If you familiar with the Google Assistant then you definitely know it is a comparatively much effective and accurate voice-activated feature. Because Google is itself a top search engine which covers a large ratio of gadgets.
This tablet comes in two storage capacity – 64GB and 256GB, you can pick as per your requirement, and the 4GB memory is sufficient for smoother performance. The performance is quite awesome, you can do multitasking, gaming or anything that you want, it won’t let you know.
With the latest Android operating system, you will get the most efficient performance and features.
When we talk about the battery life then you’ll definitely surprised – it can last up to 16 hours on continuous video playback with a single charge. I think this tablet has top battery life among all tablets.
Also, read: best tablet for battery life
There is another great thing about this premium tablet, with Dex and keyboard cover (sold separately) you can use it as a laptop and with the included stylus you can drawing or take notes on it.
If you are looking for a top Android tablet then the Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 is the best android tablet for seniors without any doubt. It is offering longest battery life, great performance, big brilliant display quality, and great durability. You can do anything that you want to do – whether it’s about gaming, streaming or just casual use.
Moreover, you are getting all accessibility feature for old people.
PROS
- Best performance in Android
- Super AMOLED Display with crisp and clear color
- Immersive sound
- Can be used as a notebook or tablet
- Included stylus with 2048 pressure sensitivity
- Inbuilt Google Assistant for voice commands
- Lightweight
- Longest battery life
- Accessibility for old people are exists
CONS
- Somewhat pricier
- Keyboard sold separately
7. Microsoft Surface Pro 6 (Premium Choice for Windows Tablet)
1.73 lbs | 12.3-inch | IPS | 2736 x 1824 | 8/16 GB | 128 GB – 1TB | 13.5-hours | Win10 Pro
If you are just a casual user or not interested in the big size tablet then it is not for you. Saying it only a tablet is not justified as well, because it is a powerful desktop in the shape of a tablet.
I hope you have already understood that what this tablet cum laptop can do. But the great thing about this device is – it is available with several configurations, and you can choose according to your budget and requirements.
So, it’s not a big deal to grab a lower variant of this machine for the old people, because it is also offering a bigger display along with high-performance for the maximum convenience. Moreover, all accessibility options are also given for making this device more usable for seniors.
You can choose between Intel i5 or Intel i7 variant, also, there are two options for the memory size – 8 and 16GB. While, for storage, you can pick from 128GB to 1TB as per your requirement.
The display quality is fantastic – a 12.3-inch IPS display with 2736 x 1824 pixels resolution can deliver life-like color and top brightness.
The Microsoft Surface Pro 6 is probably the most premium option in the Windows tablet nowadays. Which is expensive but it worth it, while considering its brilliant performance, top durability, and richest display quality.
PROS
- Biggest display with best color quality
- Pretty much storage and memory
- Best performance
- Great battery life
- Commendable durability
- Multi-usage mode
- Ease of access options for seniors are available
CONS
- Expensive
- USB Type-C is not given
Wrapping it up
Great! if you are reading this, I hope you have read the entire article. In case, if you haven’t already, I have something quick tip for you.
Grab a tablet with around 8-inch size with at least full HD resolution; this size is ideal for viewing even with large font size – you’ll have enough room for work.
Along with that, the sound quality should be good for proper listening, it is especially very useful for using TalkBack or screen reader feature for visually impaired.
Durability matters – for seniors, lightweight tablets are good but it should be enough durable at the same time. Because slipping tablet from the hand of elderly people is quite common, even I have accidentally dropped my tablet many times. So, it’s not a bad idea to consider a durable tablet, at least you should try to get the shock-proof cases like this.
However, I have already discussed much in the buyer’s guide so check that out. If you have any question regarding these best tablets for elderly then let me know in the comment below, I’ll back to you shortly.
