Before you buy a children’s tablet, Consumer Reports says you want to keep in mind how many kids are going to be sharing it, the ages of the kids, what kind of screen size you want. Consumer Reports tested 6, ranging from phone-size to full 10-inch tablet size and from $70 to more than $200.
All the tablets Consumer Reports tested include pre-loaded, kid-appropriate content, a Wi-Fi connection, and a camera. Most have a grippable frame that makes them extra kid-friendly.
All have parental controls, but these vary. Parental controls can let you determine how long your kid can play on the tablet. You can also set access to the Internet, whether you want them to be able to go to the web or not, and if so which sites they can access.
Consumer Reports says the $230 KD Interactive Kurio 10 with its large 10-inch screen and wide viewing angle is good for two kids to watch at a time. And it has a healthy battery life that averages more than seven hours.
The Ematic FunTab Mini 2, for $70, allows parents to set up individual profiles, so different kids can have age-appropriate experiences. But one drawback is its battery averages just 41/2 hours.
Consumer Reports also tested a tablet from Toys R Us. The $150 Tabeo e2 has nearly eight hours of battery life, and comes loaded with 30 child-oriented games and apps.
Complete Ratings and recommendations on all kinds of products, including appliances, cars & trucks, and electronic gear, are available on Consumer Reports’ website.
