Onn tablets are budget devices that work well for basic tasks but have real trade-offs you should know before buying

Onn tablets are made by Walmart's house brand and cost between $80 and $200 depending on screen size and storage. They run Android, come with decent battery life for the price, and handle everyday tasks like streaming, email, and web browsing without lag. The catch is that they use older processors, have lower-resolution screens than competitors at the same price, and Walmart does not promise long-term software updates the way Samsung or Apple do. If you need a tablet for light use and do not want to spend $300 or more, an Onn tablet works. If you plan to keep it for five years, use it for demanding apps, or want a sharp display, you will hit its limits.

Key Takeaways

  • Onn tablets cost $80 to $200 and handle streaming, email, and basic apps without problems, making them good for casual use.
  • The processor and screen quality lag behind Samsung Galaxy Tab A and iPad models at similar prices, which matters if you use demanding apps or want a crisp display.
  • Walmart does not publish a clear update schedule, so you may not receive security patches or new Android versions as regularly as other brands.
  • Battery life is solid for the price—typically eight to ten hours of mixed use—but the tablet itself feels lighter and less durable than premium models.
  • Onn tablets are best for people who watch videos, browse, and read, and worst for gaming, photo editing, or keeping the device for many years.

Processor speed and everyday performance

Onn tablets use MediaTek processors, which are slower than the Snapdragon chips in Samsung tablets or the A-series chips in iPads. For scrolling through social media, watching YouTube, and checking email, you will not notice the difference. Apps open in a second or two, and switching between them is smooth.

The problem shows up when you run multiple apps at once or use apps that demand real computing power. Mobile games with high-end graphics will stutter. Photo editing apps like Snapseed will lag when you explore filters to large images. If you only use one app at a time and stick to lightweight tasks, the processor is fine. If you multitask or use creative apps, a Samsung Galaxy Tab A or iPad will feel noticeably faster.

Screen quality and brightness

Onn tablets have LCD screens with 1280 × 800 resolution on the smaller models and 1920 × 1200 on the larger ones. That means text and images look softer and less sharp than on a Samsung Galaxy Tab A, which starts at 1920 × 1200 even on smaller sizes. If you sit close to the screen or zoom in to read, you will see the pixelation.

Brightness is adequate indoors but weak in sunlight. You can use the tablet outside, but you will need to turn the brightness all the way up and angle it away from direct sun. The colors are accurate enough for watching movies, but they are not as vibrant as on more expensive tablets. If you spend most of your time indoors and do not care about color accuracy, the screen is acceptable. If you read a lot or work with photos, the lower resolution will bother you.

Battery life and charging

Onn tablets typically last eight to ten hours on a single charge with mixed use—streaming, browsing, and apps. That is solid for a budget device and enough for a full day of casual use. The battery does not degrade as quickly as some cheap tablets, so after a year you will still get close to the original runtime.

Charging is slow. Most Onn tablets use a 5-watt or 10-watt charger, which means a full charge takes four to six hours. If you need the tablet ready in an hour, plan ahead. Walmart sells faster chargers separately, but they cost extra and are not always compatible with every model.

Software updates and security

Onn tablets ship with Android, usually one or two versions behind the current release. Walmart has not published a clear schedule for how long it will support each model with security patches or major Android updates. Samsung promises three years of major updates and four years of security patches. Apple supports iPads for five to seven years. Onn's silence on this is a real gap.

In practice, this means your Onn tablet may stop receiving security updates after one or two years, leaving it vulnerable to new threats. If you use the tablet only for streaming and light browsing on your home Wi-Fi, the risk is lower. If you do banking or shopping on it, the lack of may provide updates is a real problem. Before buying, check the current model's support status on Walmart's website or call their support line to ask how long they will update it.

Build quality and durability

Onn tablets feel light and plasticky compared to Samsung or Apple tablets. The frame is plastic, the back is plastic, and there is no metal reinforcement. That makes them straightforward to hold but also straightforward to crack if you drop them. The screen is not as tough as Gorilla Glass, so scratches happen faster.

The speakers are tinny and quiet. If you watch a lot of video, you will want to use headphones or an external speaker. The microphone is adequate for video calls but not great in noisy rooms. Overall, the tablet will probably last two to three years of regular use before the battery degrades too much or the plastic cracks. If you are rough with devices or plan to keep it longer, spend more on a Samsung or iPad.

When an Onn tablet makes sense

Buy an Onn tablet if you want to watch movies, read books, browse the web, or use social media without spending $300 or more. They are good for kids who are learning to use tablets and might drop them. They work for elderly people who need something straightforward and affordable. They are fine for a second device you keep in the kitchen or bedroom.

Do not buy an Onn tablet if you plan to use demanding apps, play games, edit photos, or keep the device for more than three years. Do not buy one if you need may provide security updates or want a sharp, bright screen. If you can stretch your budget to $200 to $250, a Samsung Galaxy Tab A is a better long-term investment. If you have $300, an iPad is worth the extra cost.

Onn tablet models and what differs between them

Walmart sells Onn tablets in 8-inch, 10-inch, and 10.1-inch sizes. The smaller models are cheaper and easier to hold but have lower resolution. The larger models are better for watching video and reading but harder to carry. All of them use the same MediaTek processor, so performance is the same across the line.

Storage varies from 32 GB to 128 GB. The 32 GB models fill up fast if you read movies or apps. The 64 GB and 128 GB models give you more room. Walmart sometimes sells Wi-Fi-only versions and cellular versions. The cellular versions cost more and let you use mobile data, but you have to pay for a data plan. For most people, Wi-Fi-only is enough.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long will an Onn tablet last before the battery dies?

The battery usually lasts two to three years of regular use before it holds noticeably less charge. After that, you can replace the battery, but Walmart does not sell official replacement batteries, so you would have to use a third-party part or send it to a repair shop. Most people replace the whole tablet by then.

Can I use an Onn tablet for video calls?

Yes. The camera and microphone work fine for Zoom, Google Meet, and FaceTime. The camera quality is not great—the image is soft and colors are dull—but it is good enough for a call. The speaker is quiet, so you may want headphones if you are in a noisy room.

Is an Onn tablet waterproof?

No. Onn tablets have no water resistance rating. If you spill water on it or drop it in a pool, it will likely stop working. Keep it away from water and use a case if you plan to use it near a sink or bathtub.

Can I expand storage with a memory card?

Most Onn tablets have a microSD card slot, so you can add up to 256 GB or 512 GB of extra storage depending on the model. This is a real advantage over iPads, which have no expandable storage. Just buy a microSD card and insert it into the slot on the side of the tablet.

Should I buy an Onn tablet or a Samsung Galaxy Tab A?

If you have $150 or less, an Onn tablet is your best option. If you can spend $200 to $250, a Samsung Galaxy Tab A is worth it because it has a sharper screen, faster processor, and longer software support. The Galaxy Tab A will last longer and feel more solid in your hands.