NOVOJOY 10" ZB10 Navy 2025

The NOVOJOY ZB10 is a budget tablet that nails connectivity with Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0, includes a case and stylus, and costs as little as USD 55 in the US. But the quad-core processor is slow, the 32GB storage is cramped, and user sentiment is lukewarm at 65/100. It's a decent pick for kids or casual browsing, especially at the US price. European buyers should shop carefully, since prices range from EUR 144 to EUR 189 for the same hardware.

Let's talk about that quad-core processor. It's clocked at 1.5GHz per core, and in our database it lands in the 36th percentile for CPU performance. That means about two-thirds of tablets we've tested are faster. In practice, this translates to a tablet that handles web browsing, e-books, and video streaming okay, but starts to wheeze when you open multiple apps or try anything demanding. Users consistently mention slow performance as a recurring gripe, and that matches what we'd expect from this silicon.

The 8GB of RAM is actually a bright spot here, sitting at the 67th percentile. That's more memory than you'd typically find at this price, and it helps smooth over some of the CPU's limitations. You'll still feel the lag when switching between heavier apps, but basic multitasking is more tolerable than the processor alone would suggest. The 6000mAh battery is middle of the pack at the 64th percentile, and real-world reports suggest 6 to 8 hours of continuous use, which is fine for a day of casual use but not much more.

The obvious comparison is the Apple iPad 9.7, which costs significantly more but delivers a dramatically better experience. The iPad's processor, display, and app ecosystem are in a completely different league. But that's not really a fair fight. The ZB10 is competing with other budget Android tablets like the MENTUME K70, Relndoo P80, SKYEGG K15, and QDDQ TB02 TAB9. Against those, the ZB10's Wi-Fi 6 and 8GB of RAM are genuine differentiators.

The trade-off is storage and raw speed. Several competitors in this price bracket offer 64GB or 128GB of internal storage, which matters more than you'd think once Android and a handful of apps eat into that 32GB. The ZB10 counters with the microSD expansion, but that only helps for media and files, not apps. If you plan to install more than a few applications, the storage limitation will bite. The MENTUME K70 and Relndoo P80 both offer more internal storage at similar prices, though they lack the ZB10's connectivity chops.

Here's where things get interesting. The ZB10 sells for USD 55 in the US, which is frankly absurd for a tablet with a case and stylus included. But European buyers are looking at a different picture. Prices across DE, ES, FR, and IT range from EUR 144 to EUR 189, a spread of EUR 45 depending on where you shop. That's a significant difference for the exact same hardware.

At USD 55, this is a no-brainer for a kid's first tablet or a kitchen recipe device. At EUR 144 to EUR 189, the value proposition gets murkier. You're now in territory where spending a bit more gets you meaningfully better performance and storage. If you're in Europe, shop around. The lower end of that EUR range makes it a reasonable buy, but at EUR 189 you're paying a premium for what is fundamentally a budget device.

The NOVOJOY ZB10 is one of those tablets that makes you do a double take at the price tag. For the cost of a nice dinner, you get a 10-inch Android tablet with a case, a stylus, and Android 15 out of the box. That's a compelling pitch for parents buying a first device for a kid, or anyone who just wants a couch tablet for reading and light browsing without sweating the cost.

But here's the thing. The spec sheet tells a story of compromise. A quad-core processor that sits in the 36th percentile of our database, 32GB of storage that lands in the bottom 10 percent, and a 1280x800 display that's fine but not going to win any awards. The connectivity is genuinely impressive for this price, with Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 putting it in the 96th percentile. That's a weird mix of modern and budget.

What makes this tablet interesting is the honesty of its positioning. It's not pretending to be an iPad killer. It's a basic tablet with a stylus and a case included, aimed squarely at people who want something functional without spending real money. And for that audience, it mostly works, with some caveats we'll get into.

If you need a tablet for work, school, or anything involving multitasking, skip this one. The slow processor and 32GB of storage will have you pulling your hair out within a month. Students who want to take handwritten notes should also look elsewhere. The stylus is a nice inclusion, but the 1280x800 display and sluggish response make it frustrating for serious note-taking. Look at something like a used iPad or a mid-range Samsung Galaxy Tab instead.

Also skip this if you rely on 5GHz Wi-Fi. The ZB10 only connects to 2.4GHz networks, which is a real limitation in modern homes where 5GHz is often the default. And if you're in Europe looking at the EUR 189 end of the price range, don't do it. At that price, you're paying nearly four times the US price for the same hardware, and there are better options available for the money.

For parents buying a first tablet for a child, the ZB10 makes a lot of sense, especially at the US price. The included case and stylus mean it's ready to go out of the box, the screen is decent for cartoons and simple games, and you won't cry if it gets dropped. The expandable storage means you can load up a big microSD card with movies for road trips.

For anyone who wants to do actual work, run multiple apps, or play anything beyond casual games, look elsewhere. The slow processor and cramped 32GB of storage will frustrate you within weeks. Students who need a note-taking device should also be cautious. The stylus is fine for basic input, but the 1280x800 display and sluggish performance make serious note-taking a chore. If you're in Europe and paying EUR 144 or more, I'd strongly consider saving up for something with better internals.