Amazon's Fire HD 8 and Fire HD 10 tablets are back on sale, starting at $60 - CNET

As I've said countless times before, Amazon gear goes on sale like clockwork. For example, in late June the new Fire HD 8 tablet was discounted for the first time. Then again in July. Now, just a few weeks later, here we are again.

For a limited time, and while supplies last, the Amazon Fire HD 8 (32GB) is $59.99, a savings of $30. You can also get the Fire HD 8 Plus (32GB) for $79.99, another savings of $30.

The previous-gen Fire HD 8 was a good tablet at a great price, but the new model ups the ante with a faster processor, USB-C charging, a bit more RAM, better battery life and smarter front-camera placement. Read David Carnoy's Fire HD 8 review to learn more. (For what it's worth, I disagree that an Amazon Prime membership is "a must." Yes, it includes a ton of media goodies, but you can still do a lot with the tablet -- play games, use apps, read ebooks, watch Netflix and so on -- without Prime.)

Meanwhile, there's the Fire HD 8 Plus, which adds even more RAM and supports wireless charging. Read Carnoy's Fire HD 8 Plus review for the scoop on this setup.

Feel like 32GB isn't enough storage? To my thinking there's no point in paying extra up front for the 64GB models. You can easily and cheaply add more, just by popping in a microSD card. 

Also on sale right now: The 2019 Fire HD 10 tablet for $99.99, which ties its all-time low. Like the newly upgraded HD 8, it features an upgraded processor, USB-C and so on. (Alas, wireless charging isn't in the mix.)

Needless to say, if you miss this sale, there will be another one. (Definitely on Prime Day, whenever that turns out to be, but probably before as well.) My take: If you want a smallish tablet for books, movies, games and the like, the new Fire HD 8 for $60 is a stupendous deal. But the HD 10 for $100 is pretty great as well.

Your thoughts?

Originally published earlier this year. Updated to reflect availability. Removed expired bonus deal.

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