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The new Amazon Alexa Tablet lineup runs Android with the full Google Play Store, so apps like YouTube, Gmail and Google Docs install the way they would on any Android tablet. There are three sizes, priced from $229.99 to $499.99. Orders opened Thursday, and Amazon says they ship in the US on Oct. 14.
The short version
Amazon announced three Alexa Tablets on Oct. 8 that run Android with Google Play and have Alexa+ built in. The sticker price is only part of the cost, so here is what each one really costs.
- The Alexa Tablet 8 costs $229.99, the Alexa Tablet 11 costs $329.99 and the Alexa Tablet 12 Pro starts at $499.99.
- Alexa+ is free with Prime, but without Prime it costs $19.99 a month, or $239.88 a year, which is more than the Tablet 8 itself.
- The 12 Pro with Amazon’s $149.99 keyboard and $89.99 pen comes to $739.97 before tax.
- The feature that lets Alexa read your screen is off by default, and you have to turn it on yourself.
- Amazon has not said how many years of Android and security updates these tablets will get.
What changes for you: This is the first time Amazon’s own tablets get the whole Google Play Store, which removes the biggest reason people skipped Amazon tablets. But the price on the box is not the whole bill. Alexa+, the AI assistant built into every model, is free only if you pay for Prime.
What each Amazon Alexa Tablet costs
Here is the lineup, with the specs Amazon published in its announcement.
| Model | Price | Screen | Memory and storage | Battery (Amazon’s claim) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexa Tablet 8 | $229.99 | 8.7 inches | 4GB, 64GB | Up to 14 hours of video |
| Alexa Tablet 11 | $329.99 | 11 inches, 2.5K, 90Hz | 8GB, 64GB | Up to 15 hours of video |
| Alexa Tablet 12 Pro | $499.99 ($549.99 with anti-glare Nanomatte screen) | 12 inches, 120Hz | 8GB, 128GB | Up to 16 hours of video |
All three come with Amazon’s own apps too, including Prime Video, Kindle, Audible and Amazon Music. Amazon says the tablets last up to 20 hours of reading in the Kindle app.
The real cost: our math
We added up what you would actually pay over a year. Two numbers stand out.
- Alexa+ without Prime: $19.99 a month comes to $239.88 a year. That is $9.89 more than the Alexa Tablet 8 costs. Amazon also offers a free, text-only Alexa+ chat with usage limits.
- The 12 Pro as a laptop stand-in: $499.99 for the tablet, $149.99 for the Pro Keyboard and $89.99 for the Pro Pen adds up to $739.97 before tax. Pick the Nanomatte screen and it is $789.97.
If you already pay for Prime, Alexa+ costs nothing extra and the tablet price is the real price. If you do not, decide whether you want Alexa+ before you buy, because it is the headline feature.
Which Alexa Tablet should you buy?
Alexa Tablet 11: best for most people
For $100 more than the Tablet 8, you double the memory to 8GB and get a sharper 2.5K screen with smoother 90Hz scrolling. That memory matters for keeping a few apps open without reloads.
The downside: 64GB of storage fills up fast if you download a lot of shows for travel. Best Buy also lists a 128GB version for $379.99.
Skip if: you only want it for reading books. A dedicated e-reader is the better tool for that.
Check price at Best Buy (paid link)
Alexa Tablet 8: best for a small budget
At $229.99, it is the cheapest way into Google Play and Alexa+ on an Amazon tablet. It weighs 329 grams, light enough to hold in one hand in bed.
The downside: 4GB of memory is the minimum we would accept in 2026. Expect slowdowns if you switch between many apps.
Skip if: you do not have Prime and want the full Alexa+. A year of it costs more than the tablet.
Check price at Best Buy (paid link)
Alexa Tablet 12 Pro: for work, with the keyboard
This is the one to buy if you want to type on it. The Pro Keyboard snaps on with magnets and needs no Bluetooth pairing, and the Pro Pen senses 4,096 levels of pressure for notes and sketches. The tablet is 6.5mm thin with four speakers and Wi-Fi 6E.
The downside: with the keyboard and pen, you are close to the price of a budget laptop, and Android still handles some work tasks less smoothly than Windows or macOS.
Skip if: you need full desktop software, such as Windows-only programs for work or school.
Check price at Best Buy (paid link)
Can Alexa see my screen?
Only if you let it. A feature called On-Screen Intelligence lets Alexa read what is on your screen and act on it. Amazon says every On-Screen Intelligence feature “is off by default and requires a deliberate opt-in.” A visual indicator shows when Alexa can see the screen, and you can turn it off in Settings.
Our advice: leave it off until you have a clear reason to use it, especially on a tablet a child also uses.
What we don’t know yet
- How many years of Android and security updates Amazon will provide. The announcement does not say.
- How the batteries hold up in real use. The hours above are Amazon’s numbers.
- Prices for the new Amazon Kids Tablets, which ship the same day. Amazon did not list them.
What to do now
If you want one for the holidays, there is no reason to rush: all three ship Oct. 14 and Amazon, Best Buy and Target all sell them. Compare against our best tablets of 2026, or our budget tablet picks for kids and seniors if this is a gift. For other gadgets worth buying this month, see what to buy and skip from Amazon’s October sale.
Prices checked at Best Buy on Oct. 9, 2026, when all three were open for preorder. Prices change often.
