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Reuse an old Android phone if it can load your Home Assistant dashboard smoothly and its screen is comfortable to read and tap from where you plan to use it. Choose a cheap tablet if you need more screen space or the phone fails either check. Home Assistant supports mobile-first dashboards and offers Android Companion app settings for launching Home Assistant and keeping the screen on—but it does not certify every older phone or budget tablet.
How to choose between a phone and a tablet
There is no universal winner: the right device is the one that works with your actual dashboard in its intended location. Check these factors before buying a tablet or mounting a phone.
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- Screen comfort: Can you read the text and tap controls easily from the normal viewing position? A tablet can provide a larger display, but judge the specific screen and dashboard layout rather than assuming every tablet will be an improvement.
- Browser and WebView support: Can the candidate load the current Home Assistant frontend in its browser or Android WebView? Home Assistant’s frontend documentation describes browser compatibility builds, but that page was last updated May 27, 2020; it is context, not a guarantee for a particular device. Check the candidate’s software directly in Home Assistant’s frontend documentation.
- Responsiveness: Try the dashboard with the cards and camera views you intend to use. Home Assistant notes that processor performance and limited memory can matter on budget Android phones, even when a device runs modern technology. The documentation does not establish how any specific phone or tablet will perform.
- Fixed panel or personal device: A phone may be a sensible reuse choice for occasional checks or a device you still carry around. A tablet may better suit a shared, fixed panel if the larger display makes the controls more usable.
- Mounting and power: For a permanent setup, verify that a mount fits the exact device and orientation, and plan a suitable cable and charging arrangement. Check the device’s battery condition and charging specifications before leaving it powered in a fixed location.
Make the Android Companion app work like a dashboard
A separate kiosk browser is not required for a basic dedicated Home Assistant display. The Android Companion app can be selected as the device’s home app, set to open after restart, and configured to keep the screen on. Home Assistant documents the setup in Android Home App (launcher).
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- In the Home Assistant Companion app, enable its home-app launcher option in the app settings.
- When Android offers a home-app chooser, select Home Assistant as the default home app.
- To stop the display from turning off, enable Keep screen on in Companion app settings.
With the launcher selected, the device opens Home Assistant after a restart, and pressing Home returns to Home Assistant. The app drawer is no longer available in the usual way, so consider whether you want this device restricted to a dashboard before enabling the launcher.
#1 Best Overall
Lenovo Idea Tab - College Tablet - 11″ 2.5K IPS Touchscreen Display - 90Hz - MediaTek Dimensity 6300-8 GB Memory - 256 GB Storage - Integrated Arm Mali-G57 MC2 - Tab Pen and Folio Case
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Give a fixed dashboard its own default
For a wall-mounted or shared panel, create a dashboard containing only the controls that device needs, then set that dashboard as the default for its Home Assistant user. Home Assistant recommends a separate user for each kiosk when devices need different default dashboards. Its multiple dashboards documentation explains that defaults are associated with user profiles, helping prevent one device’s choice from overriding another’s.
When to consider Fully Kiosk Browser
Fully Kiosk Browser is an optional Android kiosk-browser route, not a prerequisite for displaying Home Assistant. Its integration documentation lists controls and sensors for items such as device status, battery, RAM, storage, screen and brightness, plus motion detection, screensaver and kiosk controls.
Rank #2
Lenovo Tab One - Lightweight Tablet - up to 12.5 Hours of YouTube Streaming - 8.7" HD Display - 4 GB Memory - 64 GB Storage - MediaTek Helio G85 - Includes Folio Case
- COMPACT SIZE, COMPACT FUN – The Lenovo Tab One is compact, efficient, and provides non-stop entertainment everywhere you go. It’s lightweight and has a long-lasting battery life so the fun never stops.
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Remote administration requires enabling Fully Remote Admin, which Home Assistant says requires the paid Fully Plus license. The free trial displays a watermark. Consider this path when you need its kiosk-specific controls; for a straightforward dashboard, the Companion app’s launcher and screen-on settings may be enough.
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Quick Recap
Best Value
Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet, built for relaxation, 10.1" vibrant Full HD screen, octa-core processor, 4 GB RAM, 32 GB, Black
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Rank #4
Android 16 Tablet 10 Inch, 24GB RAM 64GB ROM 1TB,HD IPS,Fast WiFi 6, BT 5.4
- 【Android 16 OS & High-Performance CPU】 Evermyth GMS-certified tablet runs on the Android 16 operating system, allowing direct downloads of popular apps from the Play Store. Powered by a robust 5-core processor that hits speeds up to 1.8GHz, the android tablet is engineered to boost multitasking performance. Whether you’re working, watching videos, or gaming, this 5-core tablet pc operates seamlessly, delivering a fast, professional-grade experience.
- 【24GB RAM + 64GB ROM + 1TB Expandable Storage】 Our 10 inch electronics tablets comes with 24GB RAM (3GB physical + 21GB virtual), 64GB ROM, and supports up to 1TB of expandable storage via a TF card (not included). This ensures quick app launches and smooth gameplay.
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- 【Wi-Fi 6 & Bluetooth 5.4】 Evermyth Android 16 tablet features the latest Wi-Fi 6 and upgraded Bluetooth 5.4. It supports dual-band (5GHz/2.4GHz) Wi-Fi connectivity for stable, high-speed transfers. Bluetooth 5.4 ensures seamless compatibility with all your favorite accessories.
Rank #3
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Urao Tablet,11" Android 16 Tablet Octa-core 36GB+128GB Gemini AI
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Test before you commit to a permanent installation
- Open the dashboard you intend to use on the exact phone or tablet candidate.
- Check that the browser or WebView loads it, then try the real cards, camera views and controls for legibility and responsiveness.
- View it from the intended mounting position and confirm the screen is comfortable to use there.
- For a fixed panel, confirm the mount, orientation, battery condition and charging arrangement for that specific device.
- If the Companion app’s home-app behavior and screen-on setting meet your needs, try those before adding a separate kiosk browser.
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