Best Tablets for Seniors

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Tablets are the perfect mid-way points between laptops and smartphones. They marry the best of both worlds. Like laptops, they have big screens, but they’re not as large or heavy. Like smartphones, they are portable and lightweight, but their screens aren’t as tiny.

Tablets are the ideal smart devices for seniors primarily because of those reasons — they are lightweight, portable, and still manage to have large legible displays. As such, you don’t have to squint over the tiny phone’s screen nor have to lug a heavy laptop on your back.

Before purchasing tablets, you should be aware of a couple of important points.

  • Not as Powerful as Laptops: Tablets don’t have the same processing powers and capabilities as laptops. However, they are still perfectly capable of playing Full HD videos, surfing the web, playing online games, engaging with social media, etc. As such, unless you — or the senior in question — need to play intensive high-processing video games or handle professional photo/video editing software, that should not be an issue.
  • Touchscreen Enabled: Tablets need to be handled via touchscreens. As such, you need to be comfortable with touchscreen functionality. If not, you’ll have to purchase a separate keyboard and mouse as well.
  • Functionality like Smartphones: Tablets are basically large-screen smartphones. As such, even their operating systems resemble those of smartphones and not computers.

Tablets can be useful to seniors for the following reasons:

  • They can be used to easily send and receive emails.
  • Watch movies and videos.
  • Internet surfing is made easy.
  • Staying in touch with extended family via social media apps like Facebook and Instagram becomes easy.
  • They can be used as eBook readers.
  • Tablets can also be used to take videos or access FaceTime and Skype video calls with family.
  • For seniors, tablets are a lot easier to use than smartphones because they have larger screens and font sizes.
  • Equipped with a tablet pen, seniors can also simply write notes on tablets as they would on any regular paper.
  • Seniors can also benefit from voice navigation features that allow them to dictate notes and messages instead of having to type them.

However, there are a lot of tablets on the market, not all of which are suitable for seniors just looking for simplicity of design and execution. To help you make the right decision, I have written this article with a detailed review of the best tablets for seniors on the market.

Best Android Tablets for Seniors

Based on their operating systems, tablets can be categorized into four types — Android, Apple iOS, Windows, and FireOS. First lets look at the Android. Android tablets are just like Android smartphones. They come with a wide range of features and are highly versatile. If you are comfortable with slightly complex operations and want a system that you can customize according to your needs, then Android tablets might be for you.

1. Lenovo Tab 4

Lenovo Tab 4 is an affordable tablet for seniors that runs on Android 7.1 operating system. It has an 8-inch IPS display along with a 1280×800 resolution. While the display size isn’t very large, the icons are decently sized so you don’t have to worry about squinting to see the display. The IPS technology and bright display also minimizes glare and ensures that visibility isn’t compromised even in direct sunlight.

Due to its advanced Android operating system, Lenovo Tab 4 is also equipped with a range of accessibility features to make it easier for seniors. You can, for example, increase the font and display sizes. If you use the Magnification feature, all the fonts and icons will become instantly larger. The TalkBack feature can be used by visually-impaired individuals. It narrates all the options and icons available on the screen so even seniors with limited visibility can use the tablet.

In terms of performance, it uses a Snapdragon 64-bit processor and 2GB RAM. As such, you can easily handle all necessary general tasks like social media, internet usage, etc, with ease. The inbuilt dual-stereo speakers are also loud enough for you to talk to people on loud speakers.

The only things I disliked here are the limited space and battery life. It has an inbuilt storage of 16GB only and the battery will only last for a couple of hours. As such, you won’t be able to store a lot of data or movies in this tablet and will have to largely rely on online streaming. You can, however, extend the internal space by using a microSD card.

Pros

  • Extremely lightweight at 1 pound.
  • Loud speakers.
  • Storage can be increased with a microSD card.
  • Range of accessibility features available.
  • Bright non-glaring display.
  • Comes with a shock-proof tablet case.

Cons

  • Extremely low memory, not enough to store video and audio files.

2. Samsung Galaxy Tab A

Samsung Galaxy Tab A is a 10-inch tablet that only weighs 1.2 pounds. As such, it is lightweight and also has a large screen size. This tablet also has a Full HD 1920×1200 resolution to ensure that everything is crisp and sharp. It also has a better battery life than the aforementioned Lenovo tablet, capable of lasting for around 14 hours with average usage.

While most of its specifications are more advanced than Lenovo Tab 4, I have placed it lower on this list because it runs on a slightly older Android 6.0 operating system. In terms of performance, this shouldn’t make a large difference to most people. However, Android 6.0 lacks certain accessibility features like Magnification and Vision Assistant.

As such, if users want to increase display size, they will have to manually increase the font and icon sizes, along with a lot of other specific settings. They cannot simply use a single button to magnify the entire screen. Furthermore, Vision Assistant is a useful feature available in Android 7 that guides visually-impaired individuals through the setup process. This feature, too, is lacking in Android 6. However, TalkBack is still available, so you can still enable a narrator to dictate the options available onscreen.

In terms of performance, this tablet runs on a 1.6 GHz exynos 7870 octacore Processor and has a 2GB RAM. That’s enough power to handle most day-to-day applications and features. The internal memory is only 16GB, but it can be expanded by unto 200GB with an additional microSD card. This tablet also has an 8MP rear camera and a 2MP front camera. As such, seniors can comfortably take pictures or video chat with their friends and family.

In addition to the presence of an older operating system, another major drawback here is the presence of bloatware. This tablet already has an extremely limited storage space, but that is compromised even further because of the presence of unnecessary software that occupy disc space while adding little to no utility.

Pros

  • Strong performance.
  • Long battery life.
  • Full HD resolution.
  • Large display size.
  • Expandable memory.

Cons

  • Internal storage is extremely limited.
  • Older operating system lacks certain accessibility features.
  • Presence of a wide range of bloatware.

3. Lenovo Smart Tab M10 Plus, 10.3-inch FHD Android tablet, Alexa-enabled Smart Device

Even if this Lenovo tablet is on the cheaper side, it’s still feature-packed. It’s a 10.3 inches full high definition (FHD) Android tablet that is Alexa-enabled. Other features include a 2.3 GHz octa-core processor, Android 9 Pie OS, 32 GB internal storage, 2 GB RAM, WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, 2.4 GHz, and 5 GHz dual-band, Bluetooth connectivity, Dolby ATMOS dual speakers, and a smart dock with 3W speakers.

What makes Lenovo Smart Tab M10 Plus unique amongst other Android tablets in this price range is that it has narrow bezels, maximizing the display screen. It also has a 93% full metal back cover that, though more durable and better at heat dissipation, will also magnify any scratch or dent on the surface.

Pros:

  • Relatively cheaper than similar Android tablets
  • Comes with a smart speaker dock with Show Mode capabilities
  • Lower blue light

Cons:

  • There are issues with pairing the device with the docking system

One of the most senior-friendly features is the tablet’s capability to lower blue light as needed. This helps reduce the risk of eye strains, dry eyes, and sleep issues related to prolonged blue light exposure. The smart speaker dock, on the other hand, provides enhanced capabilities. It supports Show Mode that turns the Lenovo Smart Tab M10 Plus into a smart display. In Show Mode, you can ask Alexa to play music, set a timer, or show the latest trending news stories. Even when not on Show Mode, the dock can serve as a holder, speaker system, and charger. Though these sound like great hands-free features, seniors may need assistance in pairing the tablet with the dock since the connection can be spotty at times.

Best Apple iOS Tablets for Seniors

Apple iOS tablets are ideal for those who prefer simplicity and efficiency. This operating system — native to iPad — doesn’t offer a lot of features for customization, but it’s extremely simple to grasp. The user-interface and voice activation features on Apple iOS are ideal for seniors.

4. Apple iPad Mini 4

Apple iPad Mini 4 is one of the most lightweight and compact tablets for seniors. It weighs only 0.65 pounds and has a moderately-sized screen of 7.9 inches retina display. Furthermore, the screen has an antireflective coating to prevent glares from irritating your eyes and you can also use it in direct sunlight without worrying about reflections.

This tablet runs on the iOS operating system which is known for its extremely simple and straight-forward user interface. All of the apps are available on the main screen. They can also be arranged into folders or groups so you can find them easily. Furthermore, you also have access to a wide range of accessibility features. You can magnify all the icons and fonts on the screen, you can use Zoom features to magnify only certain areas, and access other similar features to enhance display ease.

Furthermore, Apple iPad Mini 4 has some of the most advanced features for visually-impaired seniors. The VoiceOver feature is a screenreader that describes all the images and options available on the screen so you can use the tablet even without seeing the screen. You can also turn on Audio Descriptions so all the videos are described to you with an accompanying audio file. This iPad even includes an inbuilt braille keyboard so you can type and access the touchscreen without seeing it. Another interesting feature is Speak Selection, which turns all texts into audio so you can hear them instead of reading them. All of these features make Apple iPad Mini 4 the most user-friendly and interactive tablet for seniors.

If you are suffering from some hearing impairments, this tablet also comes with a range of features for you. For example, you can set a wide range of vibrations to alert you of different notifications and calls. You can also set up Subtitles and Captioning so you can read the dialogues in all your video files.

In addition to accessibility features, this tablet also has impressive sound quality, a battery life of around 10 hours, and an A8 chip with 64‑bit architecture. In terms of storage, it has 128GB internal space, a much higher storage space than the aforementioned laptops. However, that comes with a caveat — you can’t increase the storage with an additional microSD card. However, 128GB is more than enough for most people, even if you love storing a wide range of movies and audio files. Its rear camera is 8MPs and the front camera is 1.2MPs, and both are capable of recording HDR 1080p videos.

Pros

  • Excellent storage space.
  • User-friendly interface.
  • Extremely durable.
  • Antireflective display.
  • Extremely lightweight.
  • Wide range of accessibility features for the visually impaired and those with hearing disabilities.
  • Decent battery life.
  • Excellent camera.

Cons

  • Can’t add a microSD card.
  • Screen size is slightly small.

5. Apple iPad Air 2

Apple iPad Air 2 is a 1-pound tablet with a 9.7-inch low reflectivity Retina screen. It operates on an advanced iOS 8 operating system. It has all the advanced accessibility features available in iOS operating systems. The user interface is extremely efficient and can easily be navigated by even those who aren’t tech-savvy. All the different apps and features available in the device are clearly listed in the main display.

In terms of accessibility, you can trigger various features to increase functionality and ease of use. You can use Magnification and Zoom features to increase the size of fonts and icons to make them more visible. You also have access to the complete range of features designed for those who are visually-impaired such as Speak Selection, Braille Keyboard, VoiceOver, etc. If you are suffering from some hearing problems, you can also turn on Captioning for all video files and vibrations.

In terms of display, this iPad has an extremely advanced 2048 x 1536 resolution with Retina pixel display. It also has an antireflective coating. As such, the videos are completely sharp and the colors are such that they won’t strain your eyes, even if you use it in direct sunlight. The speakers are also fairly loud and you can clearly hair the dialogues in movies. It doesn’t have great bass, but that’s not really necessary for most seniors.

In terms of performance, this iPad runs on the 1.5GHz A8X tri-core CPU with a quad-core graphics card and 2GB RAM. All of this combined, this iPad proves to be more powerful than most seniors would require for daily use. You can easily stream Full HD videos, hold video calls, play video games, and handle a multitude of other functions.

Like all other Apple iPads, Air 2 also lacks a microSD slot. However, this iPad is available in storage options ranging from 16GB to 64GB, so that’s adequate enough for most people and you can choose the version that’s suitable for your storage needs. While the 16GB version will most likely be inadequate for most people, the other two versions should suffice for most seniors. If you record and store a lot of Full HD videos, you should go for the 64GB version.

Pros

  • Decent storage space.
  • Large screen size.
  • User-friendly interface.
  • Antireflective coating on the display.
  • Ultra HD resolution.
  • Wide range of accessibility features.
  • Ideal for those suffering from vision or hearing impairments.
  • Great camera.

Cons

  • Lack of a microSD card slot.
  • The 16GB version is not enough for most people.

6. Apple iPad Mini 2019 (Wi-Fi, 256GB)

Apple iPad Mini 2019 is a 7.9-inch iPadOS 14 model with True Tone and wide color Retina Display, A12 bionic chip, Touch ID fingerprint sensor, 8 MP back camera and 7 MP HD front camera, stereo speakers, 802.11ac WiFi, gigabit-class LTE cellular data, up to 10 hours of battery life, and 1st generation Apple Pencil support. The latter feature is an upgrade from previous models and can prove very useful, expanding iPad mini’s capabilities. Aside from its artistic utility, Apple Pencil is also perfect for note-taking apps.

Pros:

  • Apple Pencil support
  • Thin and lightweight
  • Fast and reliable performance

Cons:

  • Requires precise gestures that may be difficult for seniors

iPad has a reputation for reliable performance and the iPad Mini 2019 lives up to expectations. It has relatively fast performance and can run powerful apps without difficulty. iPad Mini 2019 is also more portable than other models with its 7.9-inch screen and thinner frame. It’s also lightweight at 300.5 grams, making it comfortable to use all day. The narrower frame also makes the tablet easier to hold and minimizes the usual unwieldiness of tablets.

Another feature that makes this one of the best iPadOS tablets for seniors is the Retina display that has vivid colors that allow for easy reading in any level of brightness and type of lighting. One pain point is, seniors who are not used to iOS or iPadOS devices may find some necessary gestures unintuitive or difficult to get right at all times.

Best Windows Tablets for Seniors

Are you accustomed to using a desktop Windows operating system? If so, then the Windows tablet will be ideal for you. While most tablets resemble smartphones in functionality, Windows tablets more closely resemble Windows computers.

7. Fusion5 Ultra

Fusion5 Ultra is one of the best tablets for seniors that runs on the Windows operating system. If you’re used to a desktop or laptop’s functionality and want a tablet that can closely resemble that experience, then Fusion5 Ultra is perfect for you. If you get yourself an additional portable and detachable keyboard, Fusion5 Ultra will basically double as both a tablet and a PC.

This is a 2.43-pound tablet with a 10-inch IPS screen with a 1280×800 resolution. While the screen size and display quality are decent, the biggest concern here is the weight. Weighing almost 2.5 pounds, it isn’t as portable and lightweight as other tablets on this list. Furthermore, due to the heavy weight, some seniors might find it difficult to hold on to the tablet for extended periods of time.

Fusion5 Ultra runs on the latest Windows 10 operating system. It comes with a wide range of accessibility options for seniors such as Screen Magnifier, Narrator, Screen Customization, etc. The Magnifier feature can enhance all the icons and fonts on the screen. The Narrator can be used to get a readout of all the options on the screen so you can navigate without having to focus on the contents of the screen. And you have a range of other customization options to change themes, font sizes, etc.

In terms of performance, this tablet has an Intel Atom Processor z37735F with 2GB of RAM. This might not be the most powerful processor, but it’s enough for simple tasks like internet surfing, video chatting, watching movies, etc. However, it might not be powerful enough to stream Full HD or Ultra HD videos and it won’t be as multifunctional as some of the other tablets on this list. If you open up too many windows and apps simultaneously, you might experience delays and some of the apps might become non-responsive.

Fusion5 Ultra comes with an internal 32GB storage. However, you can extend it to 64GB with an additional RF-card. You should, however, note that this tablet comes with a wide range of pre-installed apps that consume disc space but don’t have much utility for seniors. If you want to increase your usable space, you can go through the list of apps and uninstall the ones you don’t need. In terms of battery life, this tablet can last for about 9 hours with moderate usage, which is decent. However, it takes around 3 hours to recharge completely, which is not ideal.

Pros

  • Reasonable price.
  • Ideal for people who are used to Windows operating systems.
  • Similar to laptops in functionality.
  • Can double as a regular PC and tablet if equipped with a keyboard.
  • Range of accessibility features available.
  • Upgradable storage.

Cons

  • Not ideal for multitasking.
  • Takes a long time to charge.
  • Not light enough for some seniors.
  • Battery life isn’t great.
  • Comes with lots of pre-installed apps that take up space but provide limited functionality for seniors.
  • Doesn’t have the same range of accessibility features as iOS tablets.

8. Microsoft Surface Pro 6

Microsoft Surface Pro 6 is one of the most advanced and expensive tablets for seniors. It runs on the most advanced Windows 10 operating system, weighs 1.73 pounds, and has a strong battery life of approximately 13 hours on moderate usage. In terms of display, it has a large 12.3-inch IPS screen with a 2736 x 1824 resolution. Furthermore, it is equipped with an impressive Intel Core i5 processor with an 8GB RAM. In terms of storage, you have options ranging from 128GB to 1TB.

As you can probably tell from the aforementioned specifications, this tablet is not meant for casual users. It is rather meant for seniors who care about high-end quality and require advanced functionality. As a Windows 10 tablet, it can easily double as a lightweight laptop if you simply attach an additional keyboard. The operating system’s interface will be familiar to most PC users. While this tablet is expensive, it is worth it because it comes with a wide range of accessories that seniors will find useful. These include a portable Surface keyboard, a Surface Pen, and a Surface Arc Mouse. You can use these devices in conjunction with the tablet whenever you want a regular PC-style usage.

Furthermore, Windows 10 also gives users access to a wide range of accessibility and ease-of-use features such as Screen Magnifier and Narrator. These features are ideal for seniors suffering from visual impairments. While it doesn’t offer the same range of accessibility features as iOS tablets, it is still enough for most users. Furthermore, you can activate Cortana so as to navigate the tablet via voice commands.

Furthermore, the Ultra HD resolution and large display size ensure that you don’t have to squint to see the display. Despite being so large, it still manages to remain extremely slim and lightweight at only 1.73 pounds. It also has the most advanced storage space available compared to all other tablets. The lowest version has a storage space of 128GB and the most advanced version has 1TB of internal storage. As such, you can store whatever you want, without worrying about the space running out. The battery life is also undefeated, giving you around 14 hours of usage.

Pros

  • Can double as a PC.
  • Similar user-interface as Windows computers.
  • Comes with lots of additional accessories.
  • Large screen size.
  • Incredibly large storage space.
  • Perfect for heavy usage and multitasking.
  • Long battery life.
  • Accessibility features available.
  • Ultra HD resolution.
  • Ideal for seniors who want advanced functionality, comfort, and ease-of-use.

Cons

  • Doesn’t have the same range of accessibility features as iOS tablets.
  • Extremely expensive.
  • Features may be overkill for most seniors who require simple use.

9. 10-inch Windows 10 Fusion5 Ultra Slim Tablet PC

Fusion5 is marketed as a user-friendly tablet PC. The mid-range price and excellent specs make this tablet PC suitable for both everyday casual use and for moderate office work. The 10.1-inch graphic display screen is also excellent for viewing videos and playing games. One common complaint amongst Fusion5 users, though, is that the volume needs to be dialed high for videos to be audible.

Pros:

  • Excellent specs for the price
  • Ultra-slim with a 10.1-inch screen
  • Windows 10 S OS
  • 128 GB internal storage

Cons:

  • Noticeably low sound output

Fusion5 Ultra-Slim features include 4 GB RAM, 128 GB internal storage, Quad-core Intel processor with a relatively powerful GPU, Windows 10 S, Bluetooth 4.0, USB 3.0 port, 10.1 inches screen, 5 MP back and 2 MP front cameras. Please note that the Windows 10 S OS won’t allow the installation of apps from outside the Windows Store. Though a few tweaks can fix the restriction, you’ll need to take into consideration all the setting up and tweaking needed for the tablet PC to serve your purpose.

Best FireOS Tablets for Seniors

FireOS is an Android-based operating system that is developed by Amazon and used primarily for their devices. This operating system is ideal for those who enjoy the Amazon experience. Do you shop online through Amazon often? Do you watch movies and TV shows on Amazon Prime? If so, the FireOS tablets will give you easy access to all Amazon shopping outlets, video stores, etc.

10. Fire HD 10

In recent years, Amazon has really branched out as one of the prime superpowers in a variety of tech-related fields, including operating systems and tablets. Fire HD 10 is one of the best tablets for seniors that runs on Amazon FireOS.

This tablet comes with the full range of Amazon’s accessibility features. As such, you can customize things like screen size, text size, icons, spacing, etc. You can also enable Screen Reader so you receive narration of all the options and icons available on the screen, a feature meant for visually-impaired seniors. This tablet is also equipped with Alexa, which can be used for voice activation so you can navigate the tablet using voice commands.

Fire HD 10 has a fairly large 10-inch IPS display screen with full HD 1080p resolution. Despite having such a large screen, it is still highly portable since it only weighs 1.1 pounds. It is also equipped with a 1.8 GHz quad-core processor and a 2 GB RAM, both of which ensure that this tablet is perfectly suitable for multi-functionality.

One of the greatest advantages of using Fire HD 10 — or any Amazon device — is that it is completely synchronized with the entire Amazon ecosystem. As such, the main screen will also come equipped with options for Amazon Prime Videos, Amazon Store, etc. As such, you can simply enter the name of any movie or music in the search option to start viewing it. If you want to shop for anything, you can’t simply enter its name in the main search bar. These features make it perfect for seniors who want to enjoy streaming and online shopping without the hassle of accessing a range of different apps or websites.

This tablet is only suitable, however, for people who enjoy being forced into the Amazon ecosystem. Every feature and navigational aspect of this tablet will be primed towards encouraging you to access Amazon’s library of eBooks, products, videos, etc. If you want to access media outside the Amazon system, you might find their heavy guiding hand to be a nuisance.

Pros

  • Compatible with the entire Amazon ecosystem.
  • Large display.
  • Full HD resolution.
  • Strong processor.
  • Alexa voice assistance.

Cons

  • Not as durable as other tablets.
  • Every aspect of the device forces the user deeper into the Amazon ecosystem.

11. Fire HD 8

Fire HD 8 is a slightly older version of the Fire HD series of tablets. It still has some of the prime advantages (and drawbacks) of Amazon tablets, but its specifications aren’t as advanced as the Fire HD 10. If you want a FireOS tablet but want it to be more reasonable, Fire HD 8 is a great choice.

This tablet has an 8” 1280 x 800 IPS LCD display, making it sharp and also minimizing glares and reflections. It is equipped with a 1.3 GHz quad-core processor and has 1.5GB of RAM. This isn’t enough for highly intensive tasks like photo editing, streaming Full HD videos, etc, but it’s enough for most ordinary day-to-day tasks. It is, however, capable of getting stuck if you keep too many windows open so you should avoid using it for multiple apps and functions together.

It has an extremely limited storage space of just 16GB, which is not nearly enough to hold videos and audio files. However, it can be expanded by up to 256GB via a microSD card. One of the greatest disappointments, however, is the presence of a rear-end camera of only 2MPs. As such, the videos you take with it are hazy and blurred. Furthermore, the front-end VGA camera is good enough for video chatting with family, but it can’t take clear selfies or record sharp videos. Fire HD 8 does, however, have excellent battery life and can last over 12 hours under moderate usage.

All things considered, Fire HD 8 is a great option for seniors who don’t need high-end usage and just want an affordable tablet. Furthermore, like all Fire tablets, it is perfectly compatible with all Alexa devices and the Amazon ecosystem, so you can access a wide range of products, movies, shows, and eBooks from the main display itself.

Pros

  • Cheapest tablet on the market.
  • Compatible with the entire Amazon ecosystem.
  • Alexa voice assistance.
  • Excellent battery life.
  • Storage can be increased to 256 GB.

Cons

  • Every aspect of the device forces the user deeper into the Amazon ecosystem.
  • Internal storage is weak.
  • Camera quality is poor.

12. Fire HD 8 Tablet (8″ HD Display, 16 GB)

This previous generation Fire HD 8 Tablet has up to 10 hours of battery life and other features that are excellent for casual tablet users. Fire HD 8 has an 8-inch vibrant HD display with a 2 MP front-facing camera and a 2 MP rear-facing HD camera. Internal storage is either 16 or 32 GB with support of up to 400 GB of external storage through microSD. The RAM is only 1.5 GB, making it unsuitable for many games. Finally, the dual-band WiFi feature enables the table to achieve faster internet speeds with minimal interference, perfect for streaming videos and video calls.

Pros:

  • Hands-free feature with Alexa
  • Tested extensively for durability against everyday use
  • Vibrant HD display

Cons:

  • More complicated than previous Fire models

Fire HD 8 is faster and more responsive than the Fire 7 model. It has a 1.3 GHz quad-core processor and more than half of Fire 7’s ram at 1.5 GB. But its best selling point against its predecessor is its vibrant 1280 x 800 HD display. This display offers crisper colors and clearer resolutions that produce more brightness with minimal glare, making it quite suitable for seniors since they don’t need to tweak the brightness levels constantly to reduce glare while watching movies.

Designed for entertainment media consumption, Fire HD 8 comes with an amazing external storage expansion of up to 400 GB. And as this is a Fire tablet, the Fire HD 8 comes with Alexa capabilities including hands-free features like on/off toggle, quick access to entertainment apps, check traffic and your calendar, set alarms and timers, access to news and sports scores, Show Mode, calling and messaging, and voice control for smart homes.

Which Factors to Consider when Buying Tablets for Seniors?

When buying tablets for seniors, you should take the following factors into consideration.

Display Size

Tablets are basically magnified versions of smartphones. As such, tablets for seniors should focus on larger displays, larger icons, larger font size, etc. They should be easy to view without having to squint.

Ergonomic Design

Tablets for seniors should be designed with blunted edges and grooves that make them easier to hold on to. They should have an ergonomic design that enhances comfort for extended periods of use.

Weight

Tablets are preferable to laptops because they are more compact and lighter. As such, tablets for seniors should be extremely lightweight, generally around 1-2 pounds.

Portability

In addition to being lightweight, the tablet should also be relatively small in size so they can easily be carried around in tote bags.

Speaker Volume Levels

Tablets don’t always focus on loud speakers. However, a tablet for seniors should have considerably loud speakers because some seniors suffer from hearing problems. As such, a loud tablet (that doesn’t get distorted at higher volumes) is necessary so they can listen to people during calls or watch movies comfortably without having to strain themselves.

Operating System

As previously mentioned, tablets are available in a range of operating systems, the most popular ones being Android, Apple iOS, Windows, and FireOS. You should get the tablet that most suits your specific needs, be it versatility, user-friendliness and simplicity, familiarity to desktop Windows, or compatibility with the Amazon ecosystem.

Battery Life

Tablets for seniors should come with long battery life so that they don’t have to charge them too often.

How to Access Important Accessibility Features for Seniors?

Tablets for seniors are equipped with important accessibility features that can make tablets easier to use. The following are some features you should focus on.

Display Magnification to Increase the Tablet’s Visibility

This feature can magnify everything on the screen. It can increase the font size, increase the icon sizes, etc. This will make it even easier for seniors to use tablets.

  • For Android Tablets: Go to Settings > Accessibility> Magnification.
  • For Apple iOS Tablets: Go to Settings > General > Accessibility > Magnification.
  • For Windows Tablets: Go to Start > Settings > Ease of Access > Magnifier.
  • For FireOS Tablets: Go to Quick Actions > Settings > Accessibility > Screen Magnifier.

Voice Activation for Dictation of Notes

Seniors may not always be highly adept at typing, especially on a touchscreen. This feature allows seniors to simply dictate notes or messages so they don’t have to type long texts, thus saving a lot of time. Additionally, it also allows seniors to navigate and use additional features like surfing the internet, calling people, etc, using voice commands

  • For Android Tablets (Google): Go to Google App > Settings > Voice > Voice Match. You will have to follow some onscreen instructions to match your voice and you’ll be set.
  • For Apple iOS Tablets (Siri): Go to Settings > General > Siri > Allow “Hey Siri”.
  • For Windows Tablets (Cortana): Go to Windows > All Apps > Cortana > Click Use Cortana > Yes.
  • For FireOS Tablets (Alexa): Go to Settings > Alexa > Hands-Free Mode.

Narration for the Visually-Impaired

This is a feature meant for visually-impaired seniors. Whenever a new window or screen is accessed, the tablet reads out all of the options on the screen. This allows the user to access the tablet and all its features even if they can’t clearly see the screen.

  • For Android Tablets (TalkBack): Go to Settings > Accessibility > Talk Back.
  • For Apple iOS Tablets (VoiceOver): Go to Settings > General > Accessibility > Voice Over.
  • For Windows Tablets (Narrator): Go to Start > Settings > Ease of Access > Narrator > Start Narrator.
  • For FireOS Tablets (Screen Reader): Go to Quick Actions > Settings > Accessibility > Screen Reader.

Important Accessories for Tablets

Accessories for tablets aren’t really “essentials”. However, some of these tablet accessories can really enhance their functionality, durability, and usability. Some of these accessories may also help seniors use tablets with greater efficiency.

Tablet Covers

Tablets covers and cases encase the entire tablet with a protective layer. As such, even if you drop your tablet, it will remain safe. Some tablet covers also come with a stand that can be used to prop up the tablet on a flat surface so you can view movies without constantly holding it.

Screen Protectors

Tablets are touchscreen devices so their screens sustain a lot of damage and wear. Furthermore, if the screen cracks, the tablet is essentially rendered useless. Tablet screen protectors are basically tampered glass screens that are placed over the screen. As such, if the tablet falls, the tampered screen protector will be damaged and the actual touchscreen will remain safe.

Battery Packs

If you travel around a lot, a battery pack will prove to be useful as you can simply connect the tablet to the battery pack if you need a quick recharge.

Tablet Pens

Some people don’t like to use their fingers to handle the touchscreen because it leaves fingerprints and smudges behind. That’s where tablet pens come in. You can use these to effectively handle the touchscreen without leaving behind smudges and fingerprints. Furthermore, if you are interested in art and sketches, these tablet pens can be used to draw on the tablets.

Tablet Folio Keyboard

Not everyone is comfortable with touchscreen functionality. Some people simply prefer the good old days of separate keyboards. If that’s the case with you, go ahead and get a separate folio keyboard you can attach to your tablet.

Tablet Stand

Tablet stands are devices you can use to prop up the tablet on some surface. This makes it easier for you to read or view media for long stretches of time since you don’t have to keep holding the tablet.

Tablet Headrest

Do you need the tablet to access GPS navigation when you’re going on long drives? If so, you can get a tablet headrest to attach the tablet to your car’s dashboard to easily drive while keeping an eye on the GPS.