The Lenovo Idea Tab 11-inch, 8GB/128GB is our first choice for screen resolution and memory at the prices below. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A11+, 6GB/128GB is the alternative to consider if you prefer Samsung’s tablet software and Smart Switch transfer tools. Both selections are complete tablets, with exact configurations and sellers identified below.
Prices checked October 12, 2026: $219.99 for the Lenovo and $269 for the Samsung, each in new condition and shown available for shipping at the time checked. These are US dollar item prices before taxes and shipping. Prices, sellers and availability can change with location and time; recheck the exact offer before buying. A listing at $300 or more no longer qualifies for this guide.
Our choices compare manufacturer specifications and the named retail offers. We have not run battery, gaming or speed tests. The shortlist stays focused on verified offers below the limit rather than assuming a model’s old sale price is still available.
Best Android tablets under $300 at a glance
| Exact tablet and configuration | Observed item price and seller | Why consider it | Main limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lenovo Idea Tab 11-inch; 8GB RAM, 128GB storage; Luna Grey; ZAFR0912US; one tablet | $219.99; new; Electronic Express on Walmart | 2560 × 1600 display, up to 90Hz; 8GB RAM | Marketplace seller; confirm any pen, case and charger bundle |
| Samsung Galaxy Tab A11+; 6GB RAM, 128GB storage; Silver; SM-X230NZSIXAR; one tablet | $269; new; Walmart.com | 11-inch display, up to 90Hz; Samsung Smart Switch | 1920 × 1200 resolution; no S Pen compatibility |
Lenovo Idea Tab: best for display resolution and memory
The selected Luna Grey Idea Tab, ZAFR0912US, has 8GB RAM and 128GB storage. At the observed $219.99, it costs $49.01 less than the Samsung selection while offering more RAM and a higher-resolution screen. That combination makes it the more compelling starting point for reading, browsing and viewing documents, based on the specifications rather than measured speed.
Lenovo specifies an 11-inch 2560 × 1600 IPS display with a 90Hz refresh rate for the Idea Tab family. Its MediaTek Dimensity 6300 processor and four speakers are also documented. The extra pixels are a practical reason to favor it for detailed pages, but resolution alone does not prove better brightness, color accuracy or outdoor visibility.
This offer’s 8GB is RAM, while 128GB is storage for apps and files. Lenovo lists soldered, non-upgradable memory and microSD support up to 2TB for the family. Choose the RAM configuration you need when buying; adding a memory card does not turn the tablet into a higher-RAM model.
The seller is Electronic Express, a third-party seller on Walmart. Match ZAFR0912US before ordering: other Idea Tab listings have different model codes and bundles. Lenovo’s family specification lists pen, case, keyboard and power-adapter variations, so this recommendation does not count an unverified pen or folio as included, or promise the optional paper-like display finish. Confirm the exact box contents if those extras determine your budget.
Check the Lenovo Idea Tab ZAFR0912US offer at Walmart. Confirm Electronic Express is still the seller and the new 8GB/128GB Luna Grey configuration is still below $300.
Samsung Galaxy Tab A11+: best for buyers who prefer Samsung
The selected Silver Galaxy Tab A11+, SM-X230NZSIXAR, pairs 6GB RAM with 128GB storage and was $269 new, sold and shipped by Walmart.com. Samsung’s Smart Switch tools provide a documented route for transferring supported content from an older device, which is a useful reason to consider it if moving into Samsung’s software is part of the purchase.
Samsung specifies an 11-inch display, 1920 × 1200 resolution and up to 90Hz refresh rate. The display has fewer pixels than Lenovo’s 2560 × 1600 panel, and the selected configuration has 6GB rather than 8GB RAM. Paying more here buys a different device and software experience; those numbers alone do not establish that it is faster.
Samsung lists microSD expansion up to 2TB, with the card sold separately. Its box-content guidance lists a USB-C data cable, tray-ejection pin and quick-start guide, while a wall charger is sold separately. Include a compatible charger in your total if you need one.
Galaxy Tab A11+ does not support S Pen, according to Samsung’s comparison chart. Do not buy it expecting Samsung’s active-pen note-taking experience. If handwritten notes or drawing are your main purpose, verify an appropriate pen-compatible tablet and the complete tablet-plus-pen price before spending your budget.
Check the Samsung Galaxy Tab A11+ Silver 128GB offer at Walmart. Match SM-X230NZSIXAR, choose the new condition, and check the seller. The cheaper open-box option is a different offer.
How to choose without going over budget
Set an item budget and a checkout budget
If $300 is your absolute total, leave room for sales tax, shipping and any needed case, charger or pen. The two item prices here do not guarantee a checkout total under $300. Skip optional protection plans or subscription trials unless you actually want their terms, and compare the one-time item price rather than a monthly financing amount.
Match the configuration and seller
Compare model code, RAM, storage, color, condition and quantity together. A lower price for an open-box tablet or a different storage tier is not the same offer. Walmart’s Lenovo selection is sold by Electronic Express; the Samsung selection is sold by Walmart.com. Check the current returns and warranty arrangements for the seller you choose.
Check the work you need the tablet to do
Before ordering, check your required school, work, streaming and drawing apps on the exact tablet. Do not use a refresh-rate number as a promise of game frame rates, or a manufacturer’s maximum battery figure as a guarantee for your routine. For pen use, confirm both the supported pen model and whether it is included. Lenovo lists multiple pen bundles; Samsung explicitly excludes S Pen support on A11+.
Check software support for the exact model
Review the maker’s current update information for the exact model and region. Lenovo’s specification directs buyers to its Android update matrix. A tablet’s original Android version does not by itself tell you how many updates remain, so treat support length as a separate buying check.
Frequently asked questions
Which of these gives the most for the money?
At the observed prices, the Lenovo Idea Tab is our feature-value pick: 8GB RAM and a 2560 × 1600 display for $219.99, versus 6GB RAM and 1920 × 1200 for the $269 Samsung. This is a comparison of listed features and prices, not a claim that Lenovo wins every performance test.
Are the prices guaranteed to stay under $300?
No. They are snapshots from October 12, 2026, before taxes and shipping. If the selected seller’s item price rises to $300 or more, choose another qualifying offer or wait; do not assume an older sale price still applies.
Can I add a pen later?
The Idea Tab family supports named Lenovo Tab Pen options, with bundle availability varying by model and region. Confirm the correct pen and add its price if it is not included in your chosen offer. Galaxy Tab A11+ is not S Pen-compatible.
Does more storage mean more RAM?
No. These are separate specifications: the Lenovo offer has 8GB RAM and 128GB storage, while the Samsung offer has 6GB RAM and 128GB storage. A microSD card expands storage; it does not upgrade the listed RAM.
