Lenovo Tab P12 and Tab Pen Plus review: this high-performing tablet won't break the bank

Price on writing: £280 Buy now from Amazon | From £350 Buy now from Lenovo

How we tested

My six-year-old and I tested out the Lenovo Tab P12 and Tab Pen Plus over the course of several weeks. Testing included use of a variety of apps and exploring parental controls, as well as investigating battery and storage capability. I also considered whether the tablet represented good value for money and whether I would be prepared to recommend it to other parents.

Our verdict

If you are looking for the best kids’ tablet for your DC, but don’t want to take out a second mortgage to afford it, then you should consider the budget-friendly Lenovo Tab P12 and Tab Pen Plus.

I’ve been using a Lenovo laptop for work since Christmas and I found it easy to set up and use, an experience repeated with the Lenovo Tab P12. The tablet comes with a range of Google Apps including YouTube and easy-to-navigate parental controls to prevent kids from seeing unsuitable content. 

The pad is larger and heavier than similar tablets that we have tested, but the 12.7-inch 3k screen is crystal clear and the audio is excellent. I was also impressed by the battery life, particularly the pen, which held its charge for ages.

Overall, the Lenovo Tab P12 and Tab Pen Plus is a great tablet for older kids, teens and beyond, with a very appealing price tag.

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What age is the Lenovo Tab P12 with matte display for?

The Lenovo Tab P12 is compact and light enough to be carried in a school bag, which makes it perfect for older kids and teens. However its slimline appearance and lack of brightly-coloured bumper cases means it is probably less suited for little (clumsier) hands. 

It is very easy to set content restrictions for Google Play, Google Chrome, Google search and Google Photos. The parental controls can be used to block explicit content on Google search, or only allow access to a selection of parent-approved websites. There is also the option to set content restrictions for films, apps, games,TV and books. And in case you are worried about your little darlings running up your credit card bill, the Google Play Store has an option that requires parental consent for all purchases and downloads.

Read next: Best phone for kids: Apple, Motorola, Nokia and Samsung

How easy is the Lenovo Tab P12 to use?

I found the Lenovo Tab P12 easy to use, and my six-year-old was able to find her way around it without any trouble. The screen is very sensitive, so she found she had to use a lighter touch, but she liked using the pen to play her favourite online games and visit educational websites.

The tablet comes with Google Assistant, which can be activated even when the screen is locked. This came in handy for the relentless stream of questions that my kids fire at me that I don’t always know how to answer.

Read next: The best noise-limiting kids' headphones

How is the battery on the Lenovo Tab P12 with matte display?

The Lenovo Tab P12 has a battery life of ten hours and charges in around three to four hours. The Tab Pen Plus is quick to charge and keeps its charge for absolutely ages.

Read next: Check out our guide to the best dumb phone for kids

Is the Lenovo Tab P12 good value for money?

I would say yes, the Lenovo Tab P12 and Tab Pen Plus is very good value for money. Retailing at just £280 on Amazon at the time of writing (July 22nd, 2024) it compares favourably to the Apple iPad Air 13-inch, which has a similarly-sized screen, the same battery life and the same amount of storage, but will set you back nearly £800. And it doesn’t even come with a fancy pen.

I was very impressed with the speed and performance of the Lenovo Tab P12 and Tab Pen Plus and I would whole-heartedly recommend it as an affordable back-to-school essential.

Related: Don't miss our bespoke guides for kids of all ages: Best toys for 4-year-olds | toys for 5-year-olds | toys for 6-year-olds | toys for 7-year-olds | toys for 8-year-olds | toys for 9-year-olds | toys for 10-year-olds.

About the author

Laura Cooke is a Content Editor at Mumsnet, with a special focus on toddler play, child play and outdoor play. She is a mum of two and lives in Sussex.

Laura is a freelance journalist and has written for a range of publications including The Daily Mirror, the i, Metro, Stylist and Happiful.

About Mumsnet reviews

All Mumsnet product reviews are written by real parents after weeks of research and testing. We work hard to provide honest and independent advice you can trust. Sometimes, we earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links in our articles. However, we never allow this to influence our coverage.