Amazon Fire HD 10 review
A big, cheap screen for a session that runs long, and the reasons a Kindle may still be the better buy.
A 10.1 inch Full HD tablet with an octa-core processor, 32 GB of storage and a 13 hour battery.
Check price on AmazonSpecifications
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Display | 10.1 inch, 1080p Full HD |
| Battery | Up to 13 hours |
| Memory and storage | 3 or 4 GB RAM, 32 or 64 GB storage depending on configuration |
| Performance | 25 percent faster than the previous generation, octa-core processor |
| Build | Strengthened aluminosilicate glass |
| Camera | 5 MP front-facing |
Specifications above come from Amazon's published product specifications. Treat pricing as approximate, since Amazon pricing moves.
What it does well
- A 10.1 inch 1080p screen is genuinely comfortable propped on your lap or against your knees for an hour, in a way a phone is not.
- Thirteen hours of battery covers several visits between charges, so it is not a device you have to manage.
- Downloading video at home before you leave removes any dependence on centre wifi, which is frequently slow and shared by everyone on the floor.
- At about $75 it is the cheapest way to get a large screen, and it is far easier to justify against donation income than a premium tablet.
Where it falls short
- The screen is glossy, and donation floors are lit from directly overhead. Reflections are a real problem in a reclined chair, and a matte electronic ink reader does not have this issue at all.
- It is heavy to hold in one hand for an hour. Realistically it lives on your lap or your chest, which limits your viewing angle when reclined.
- It runs Amazon's Fire OS, not standard Android. Some apps you use daily may simply not be available, and that is worth checking before you buy rather than after.
- The lower-priced listings carry lock screen advertisements. Removing them is a separate charge, so compare the price of the version you actually want.
What owners report
Published owner reviews are consistent that this is a good tablet for the money and a mediocre tablet in absolute terms. Video playback, battery and build quality are praised. The recurring frustrations are the app store, where people find a familiar app missing, and general responsiveness under load compared with more expensive tablets.
Reports about the advertisements on the lock screen are frequent, and they are a pricing question rather than a hardware fault. Buyers who did not notice the distinction are the ones who complain.
Who it suits
- Donors who want to watch downloaded shows or films during a session.
- Anyone who wants a large screen and is unwilling to spend more than about $75 on it.
- People who share a household device and want something of their own for appointments.
Who should skip it
- Readers. A Kindle is lighter, glare-free and lasts weeks rather than hours.
- Anyone who depends on a specific Android app, since Fire OS may not have it.
- Donors who want to hold the device up one handed for an hour, which this is too heavy for.
Alternatives worth considering
Half the price and noticeably lighter, which makes it easier to hold one handed in a reclined chair. The screen is smaller and lower resolution, so it is a straight trade of picture size for weight and cost.
Check price on AmazonIf you read rather than watch, this is the better device by a wide margin: one-handed page turns, no glare under overhead lights and a battery measured in weeks instead of hours.
Check price on AmazonThirteen hours is plenty for one visit but not for a week of them, and centre power outlets are not something to count on. A pocket power bank with a built-in cable removes the question entirely.
Check price on AmazonCommon questions
Is a tablet or an e-reader better for donating plasma?
It depends on whether you watch or read. A tablet is the only one of the two that plays video, and an e-reader is lighter, glare-free and lasts weeks. Our comparison at /compare/e-reader-vs-tablet covers weight, glare, battery and price side by side.
Will I need the centre's wifi?
Not if you download before you leave. Centre wifi is shared across a busy floor and is often slow, so downloading episodes or films at home is the reliable approach and it also avoids using your own mobile data.
Fire HD 10 vs Fire HD 8: which should I buy?
The HD 10 has a bigger, sharper screen. The HD 8 is half the price and lighter, which matters more than it sounds when you are holding it reclined with one arm out of action. If you prop the tablet on your lap, buy the 10. If you hold it, buy the 8.
Does it run normal Android apps?
It runs Fire OS with Amazon's own app store. Many popular apps are there and some are not. Check for the specific apps you rely on before buying, because this is the most common source of buyer regret with these tablets.
How long does the battery last during a donation?
Amazon publishes up to 13 hours of mixed use. A typical donation appointment including screening and the donation itself is well within that, so battery is not the constraint for a single visit.
Keep reading
- E-reader vs tablet for the donation chair
- Power bank vs wall charger
- Kindle review
- Anker 10,000mAh power bank review
- Best comfort items for plasma donation
This review draws on published specifications, manufacturer figures and the consensus of verified owner reviews. We have not tested this product ourselves, and we say so rather than implying otherwise. This site tracks plasma centre pay rates and does not provide medical advice. Questions about supplements, diet, aftercare or your fitness to donate belong with the staff at your donation centre and with your own doctor. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.