Everything you need for your kid
As with its Echo Dots, Amazon offers Kids editions of its Fire Tablets for a more premium price. However, these kid tablets offer some intriguing extras like enhanced parental controls, tons of kid-friendly content, and kid-proof cases.
For
Kid-proof case includedIndustry-leading parental controlsOne year of Amazon Kids+ includedExpandable microSD storage
Against
Not HD resolutionMore expensive than the standard Fire 7 Tablet
The best value
The Fire 7 Tablet is a great entry point into the Amazon ecosystem. It starts cheap and is often on discount, and gives you access to all the great tablet-y content you’d want (minus Google Play), hands-free Alexa, and expandable storage.
For
Unbeatable entry priceExpandable microSD storage
Against
Not HD resolutionLower-quality mono speaker
You want to get your youngsters an Amazon Fire Tablet, but which of these options is the best one for you? Should you go for what is one of the best tablet values in the Fire 7, or one of the most affordable Fire tablets for kids? There are several different size options in the Fire Tablet lineup, and some are made specifically for kids. We’re taking a look specifically at the Fire Tablet 7 vs. the Kids Edition at that size. Let’s see what makes these tablets different, and which is the right fit for you and your family.
Fire Tablet 7 vs. Kids Edition: Adult-focused vs. kid-proof
The Amazon Fire 7 Tablet is one of the best Fire tablets and an all-around great buy for just about anyone looking for an inexpensive, entertainment-focused tablet — and it picked up a nice set of updates in 2022. It’s capable enough to keep the kids entertained while not costing enough to pull your hair out if it gets accidentally destroyed.
You can also get all the (non-Google) major content services, along with a dedicated kids mode to keep those little fingers from buying a new dollhouse on your Amazon account. While there is now a parallel line of Fire Kids Pro tablets for older children, the Fire 7 Kids Edition is the one to get for children under six years old.
However, you may notice that when hovering your mouse or your finger over that Buy Now button that there’s both a regular Fire 7 Tablet and a Fire 7 Kids Edition, so what gives?
Fire Tablet 7 vs. Kids Edition: Spec comparison
(Image credit: Chris Wedel/Android Central)
Spec-for-spec, there isn’t much difference between these Fire Tablets. In fact, under the hood, they’re basically the same device. However, it all comes down to the extras.
Fire 7 TabletFire 7 Kids Edition TabletWeight9.9 oz15.1 ozDimensions7.11” x 4.63” x 0.38”7.9” x 6.4” x 1.1”Storage16 or 32GB16 or 32GBExpandable StorageUp to 1TBUp to 1TBScreen Resolution1024x600 (171 ppi)1024×600 (171 ppi)Battery lifeUp to 10 hours of multimediaUp to 10 hours of multimediaCamera2MP front and rear-facing cameras with 720p video recording2MP front and rear-facing cameras with 720p video recordingAlexa enabledYes – hands-freeOff by defaultColorsBlack, Denim, RoseBlue, Purple, and RedAudioMono speaker, Headphone JackMono speaker, Headphone JackCaseNot includedKid-safe case includedParental ControlsYesYesAmazon Kids+Not includedOne year includedWarranty90-day2-year
Price is one of the main differences. During my colleague Andrew Myrick’s review of the Amazon Fire 7 tablet, that even with the slight price hike it is still a fantastic deal. I resonated with the same in my review of the Fire 7 Kids tablet. Depending on what deals Amazon is promoting, the Fire 7 Kids Edition is anywhere from $10 more to double the price of the regular Fire 7 Tablet.
So what do you get for that price difference? Well, you get a few features that may be very important to parents, particularly parents of younger children. For starters, the Fire 7 Kids Edition comes with a free year of Amazon Kids+, ordinarily $5 per month for Amazon Prime members or up to $48 per year for a family plan (prices are higher for non-Prime members).
(Image credit: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)
Amazon Kids+ provides enhanced parental controls and puts the device in a kid-friendly mode with a different user interface and tons of content that is specifically geared toward younger children. With this Amazon Kids+ content, you won’t have to continually buy new games or shows to entertain your little ones. Amazon Kids+ also prohibits children from accessing social media apps and prevents them from using Alexa. Amazon does acknowledge that you know your kids best, so you, as a parent, do have the ability to exit Amazon Kids+ mode with a passcode. Because of this kid-specific setting, the Fire 7 Kids is one of the best tablets for kids — period.
The Fire 7 Kids Edition also comes with a durable kid-proof case that will protect the tablet from all kinds of mishaps. That case alone would cost you around $25 if you were to purchase it separately. Additionally, the Fire 7 Kids Edition includes a two-year worry-free guarantee. The regular Fire 7 Tablet only comes with a 90-day limited warranty, and if you wanted to extend it to two years, it would cost you an extra $10 or so. With the way kids treat their toys and, well, everything else, you can easily see the value in this included service.
Fire Tablet 7 vs. Kids Edition: Just in case
(Image credit: Chris Wedel/Android Central)
The kid-proof case that is included with the Fire 7 Kids Edition Tablet certainly offers excellent protection, is friendly to small hands, and still allows easy access to all the ports and buttons.
However, you don’t have to get Amazon’s kid-proof case to protect your Fire 7 Tablet from the kids. There are a number of other cases available at various prices though that will also do the trick. So if you wanted to save a bit of money, buy the regular Fire 7 Tablet and pick up another protective case for less than the one that is included with the Kids Edition.
Fire Tablet 7 vs. Kids Edition: Which should you buy?
If you’re purely buying a tablet for your kids, spend the extra money and get the Kids Edition. It’s worth the investment, not least for that worry-free two-year warranty. It’s also a single purchase that comes 100% child-equipped, with that tough-as-hell case and the included one-year subscription to kids content.
You can provide the same experience by buying a regular Fire Tablet at $60, but you should only get one of those if you’re going to be buying for an older child, teenager, or yourself. If that sounds more like your scenario, then this option is for you. Buy a more grown-up case and slap in a microSD card and use it as a grown-up would!
Fire 7 Kids Edition Tablet
Peace of mind in a 7-inch tablet
The Fire 7 Kids Edition Tablet is more expensive than its regular sibling, but what you get for that price is a whole lot of peace of mind and security.
The cheapest decent tablet experience
With hands-free Alexa, multiple fun colors, and great content access, the Fire 7 Tablet is a great little entertainment gadget to have around.