You can install playstore on fire tablets, takes like 5 minutes. You can even root most of them...
Praise
Tablets
Amazon Fire HD 8
Best Budget Tablet for Tinkerers
An affordable 8-inch tablet built for streaming, gaming, and family entertainment. Works exceptionally well when rooted or customized; stock performance is sluggish but acceptable for casual use and kids.
9 mentions · 1 threadslast mention Jun 2020ClearPick Score
7.8 / 10
Decent
Score informed by 9 owner mentions across 1 Reddit threads · see every quote ↓
6 positive2 mixed1 negative
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Best Budget Tablet for Tinkerers
Amazon Fire HD 8
$106.10 CAD est. on Amazon.ca
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✅ Prime eligible (most orders)
✅ 30-day Amazon returns
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Every mention, sourced
Real comments from Reddit, linked to the original thread. Nothing paraphrased.
It's a bit complicated to do a good root. Need to open the device and use Linux. But once you have done it once it takes about 30 minutes for each additional.
Mention
Nice tablets, but id rather spend $40 more on an Asus or Lenovo and get something a tiny bit faster, along with Android UI and Play Store.
Comparison
I actually very much like these for my kids so they can use amazon free time. Curated content, and tons of educational things to do and games to play.
Praise
I lasted exactly one day before the unresponsiveness drove me to an iPad. A buttery smooth iPad. The difference is surreal.
Complaint
Cheap, minimal bloatware, very close to a basic android experience. Bought one when my daughter turned 5, added silicon case, hasnt destroyed it yet, so I got her another one at 7.
Praise
I didn't think it was, and I've got no tech experience beyond being a user. Followed the simple steps in one of many different YouTube videos on the subject.
Praise
This is what I did. After putting on google play just add a different home screen launcher.
Praise
Amazon fire toolbox. It doesn't insteall a clean version of Android though. More like just hides everything Amazon on the tablet and let's you use launchers. Though in sure you can actually root it and install regular Android om it.
Praise
✅ What Works
- Highly customizable via rooting, sideloading, and launcher customization
- Exceptional value at $106 CAD with minimal bloatware
- Excellent for kids with Amazon FreeTime and proven durability
- 13-hour battery life handles all-day use
- Technically accessible rooting even for beginners
⚠️ Worth Knowing
- Stock performance is noticeably sluggish compared to iPad and premium Android tablets
- No Google Play Store access without sideloading or advanced customization
- Rooting requires opening the device and using Linux, adding friction
- Some owners choose competitors like Asus or Lenovo for faster out-of-the-box experience
ClearPick Verdict
Owners who root or sideload this device consistently praise its customization potential, minimal bloatware, and exceptional value. It's a favorite for kids thanks to Amazon FreeTime, durability, and low financial risk of drops. However, the stock experience carries a significant caveat: users report sluggish performance that drove some to pricier alternatives like iPad or Asus tablets. Rooting is technically accessible (YouTube guides help beginners), but still requires patience and comfort with Linux. Buy this if you're willing to spend 30 minutes customizing it, or if you're buying for kids who don't need stock Android; skip it if you want a fast, hassle-free tablet out of the box.