Is it worth it?
In a market flooded with tablets, the Amazon Fire HD 8 (2024) steps in to fulfill the need for an affordable, portable entertainment hub. Geared toward families, students and casual readers who value lightweight design and all-day media consumption, this tablet promises a balance of performance and convenience. In this in-depth review, we’ll walk you through every aspect—from unboxing to everyday use—so you can decide if it’s the right fit for your digital lifestyle.
We spent a week testing the Fire HD 8 (2024) across streaming, gaming, reading and voice commands—and I can already tell you: if you need broad app support or premium specs, this probably isn’t for you. But if you want a budget-friendly, hands-free media companion, read on.
Specifications
| Brand | Amazon |
| Model | Fire HD 8 (2024) |
| Battery | Up to 13 hours |
| Display | 8″ HD IPS (1280×800) reinforced glass |
| RAM | 3 GB |
| Storage | 32 GB (expandable to 1 TB) |
| Weight | 337 grams. |
| User Score | 4.5 ⭐ (3415 reviews) |
| Price | approx. 60$ Check 🛒 |
Key Features
HD IPS Display
The Fire HD 8 sports an 8″ HD IPS screen with a 1280×800 resolution, delivering crisp text and vibrant colors for reading, streaming and gaming. The in-plane switching (IPS) technology ensures consistent image quality at wide viewing angles, perfect for group watching.
All-Day Battery
Amazon rates the Fire HD 8 for up to 13 hours of mixed use, and our real-world test confirmed it. From morning news to evening movies, the tablet stayed alive without reaching for the charger.
Alexa Hands-Free
With built-in far-field microphones, the Fire HD 8 activates Alexa hands-free—no tap needed. Ask for weather updates, manage shopping lists or control smart lights without touching the screen.
Expandable Storage
The tablet includes 32 GB internal storage, of which about 25 GB is user-available, and supports microSD cards up to 1 TB. Choose portable mode for media or adoptable storage to install apps directly on the card.
Durable Design
Built with reinforced alumininosilicate glass and a sturdy plastic back, the Fire HD 8 feels robust yet light. Its rounded edges and modest bezel make one-handed use comfortable for extended periods.
Firsthand Experience
Unboxing the Fire HD 8 felt like a return to basics—Amazon’s simple recyclable packaging opens easily, revealing a slim tablet in matte black with a reassuringly solid feel. Holding it for the first time, I noted the comfortable bezel width that gives your thumbs room without making the device bulky. The included USB-C cable and 5 W charger tucked neatly beneath.
Initial setup took under ten minutes: sign in with your Amazon account, connect to Wi-Fi and choose your ad preferences. I ran into my first friction point when trying to download popular streaming apps—many aren’t on Amazon’s Appstore, so I sideloaded a couple via APK to get YouTube and Disney+, which took extra time and patience.
Watching Prime Video and Netflix through sideloaded apps felt surprisingly smooth. In bright indoor lighting, the 8″ HD screen delivered clear, punchy colors; outdoors on a sunny patio, the display held up well at full brightness, though glare crept in without an anti-glare cover. Audio from the dual speakers was serviceable for dialogue but lacked bass.
Battery life impressed: after three hours of mixed streaming, browsing and Kindle reading, the tablet dipped to 60%. By the end of a full workday—with intermittent Zoom calls and casual gaming—I still had around 20% left. Amazon’s claim of up to 13 hours proved accurate in real-world mixed use.
Gaming performance in titles like Candy Crush, Minecraft and Roblox remained fluid thanks to the hexa-core processor and 3 GB of RAM. Transitioning between apps and menus felt responsive, though loading large games took a few extra seconds compared to flagship devices.
A week in, the Fire HD 8 settled into daily routines: morning news podcasts on Audible, afternoon browsing in Silk and evening reading in Kindle. The occasional ad on the lock screen was a minor annoyance that didn’t outweigh the tablet’s overall reliability and ease of use.
Pros and Cons
Customer Reviews
User feedback largely highlights the Fire HD 8’s unbeatable value, solid battery life and portable form factor, tempered by frustration over the limited Appstore and occasional lock‐screen ads. Here’s a sample of real opinions from verified buyers.
Praises the bezel size and comfortable grip, noting it’s fast enough for basic media and reading tasks
Celebrates the leap in speed and battery life over older Fire tablets, calling it a great value for Prime members
Reaches for this tablet more than heavier premium models for quick browsing and kitchen streaming
Enjoys movies and comics but found setup rough and missing Google Play support
Finds lock-screen ads intrusive and the limited app selection frustrating.
Comparison
Compared to the Fire HD 10, the Fire HD 8 trades raw performance and a larger 10.1″ display for improved portability, lower price and longer device comfort. If you value one-handed use over pixel density, the HD 8 is the better pick.
When stacked against the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8, the Fire HD 8 delivers similar media playback at a lower entry cost but leans heavily on Amazon’s ecosystem. Galaxy Tab A8 users enjoy full Google Play access and slightly better build quality, while the Fire HD 8 scores points for battery life and hands-free Alexa.
In contrast to an iPad Mini, the Fire HD 8 is a budget choice with sufficient performance for reading and streaming but lacks the iOS ecosystem and premium design. The iPad Mini’s higher price nets a richer app catalog, Apple Pencil support and superior cameras, making it the option for power users.
Overall, the Fire HD 8 stands out for its price-to-feature ratio in the sub-$100-to-$150 segment, while competitors either cost more or offer fewer multimedia optimizations.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I install Google Play on Fire HD 8?
- Google Play is not officially supported, but you can sideload APKs at your own risk after adjusting security settings.
- How long does the battery last under mixed use?
- Expect around 13 hours of combined reading, browsing and video streaming, though intense gaming may reduce runtime.
- Is storage expandable on the Fire HD 8?
- Yes, it accepts microSD cards up to 1 TB, and you can configure the card as internal or portable storage.
Conclusion
The Fire HD 8 (2024) excels as an affordable, lightweight tablet for streaming, reading and hands-free Alexa use, thanks to its solid battery, responsive display and durable build. It’s a standout for families, students and commuters who prioritize media consumption and smart home integration over premium performance.
However, if you demand extensive app availability, high-end cameras or Google Play access out of the box, consider looking elsewhere. For those content with Amazon’s ecosystem, the Fire HD 8 delivers exceptional value in the $80–$120 range—especially when on sale—making it a practical and reliable daily driver.
Before you buy, check current deals and bundles; occasional price drops and promo offers can make this already budget-friendly tablet an absolute steal.