Walmart’s Onn brand has emerged as one of the leading makers of budget consumer electronics. In addition to making solid TV streaming devices, they also make a line of great Android tablets that deliver a ton of value.
In my latest video, I take a look at their new Onn 8.1″ Core Tablet.
The 8.1″ device bears a clear physical resemblance to the iPad Mini but occupies a much different segment of the market. At a price point of $138 (compensated affiliate link), it aims to provide a functional tablet experience for those who prioritize cost over high-end performance.
The build quality is a notable starting point. The tablet features an all-metal aluminum back, giving it a weight of 10 ounces that feels substantial yet portable. The 8.1-inch IPS display operates at a resolution of 1000 x 1524, which is slightly above 720p. While the brightness peaks around 350 nits—noticeably lower than more expensive competitors—the pixel density remains high enough that text appears sharp and readable. One functional improvement I noticed is the display’s ability to ignore unintended inputs; resting a thumb on the edge of the screen does not interfere with scrolling, a common frustration with previous budget tablets.
Under the hood, the device runs on a Snapdragon 685 processor, a chip that has been in circulation for a couple of years. While this means the tablet will not break any speed records, it is supported by a generous 6 GB of RAM and 64 GB of internal storage. For users who need more space for offline media, there is a dedicated microSD card slot on the side. During my testing, web browsing on sites like NASA’s homepage was efficient, and the device handled split-screen multitasking with YouTube and a browser running concurrently without significant lag.
The software experience is a departure from many budget devices that come pre-loaded with third-party applications. This tablet runs a very clean, “vanilla” version of Android. Aside from the Walmart app, there is no bloatware or intrusive advertising. It also integrates Google’s Gemini AI, allowing for hands-free voice commands that can pull up weather reports or transit information, provided the device is unlocked. However, the lack of biometric security is a drawback; there is no fingerprint reader or facial recognition, requiring a PIN for every unlock.
On the hardware side, the tablet includes stereo speakers that work well in landscape mode, though it lacks a traditional 3.5mm headphone jack. Users will need to rely on the USB-C port or Bluetooth for audio. The cameras are functional but basic: the front-facing 720p lens is enough for video calls, while the 1080p rear camera captures acceptable images and video in a pinch, though the quality is much lower than what a premium device would offer.
Gaming performance varies depending on the demand of the title. For casual “instant games” or web-based applications, the tablet is responsive. More intensive games like Genshin Impact are playable on low visual settings, though they require a lengthy initial download and installation process. In benchmarks, the 3DMark Wildlife test returned a score of 646, which aligns with previous Onn Pro models using the same processor and well behind the more expensive iPad Mini. Battery life is rated at up to 15 hours for basic media consumption, though this decreases during heavy gaming or high-stress tasks.
Once again, Walmart delivers a straightforward option for those who need a portable device for reading, streaming, and basic productivity. It avoids the clutter of many affordable tablets while maintaining a build quality that feels more expensive than its price tag suggests. Keeping expectations aligned with the hardware, it offers a predictable and clean Android experience.
I’ll have a review of their new Pro version once I’m able to acquire one. Stay tuned!