Mashable reviewed the new Kindle Fire HDX 8.9 and concluded that it is a superb, affordable alternative to Apple's top-shelf iPad Air 2.

What makes the Kindle Fire HDX 8.9 desirable? The answer lies in the device features.

Amazon Kindle Fire HDX 8.9 Features

Here are 10 reasons why the affordable Kindle Fire HDX 8.9 is a great tablet choice:

1. Weight. The magnesium-alloy-bodied Kindle Fire HDX 8.9 is light weight at 13.2 ounces, making it a nicer carry than the just-under-one-pound iPad Air 2.

2. Size. The Kindle Fire HDX is a smaller tablet than the Air 2. The iPad does have a larger screen.

3. Thickness. The Kindle Fire HDX 8.9 is 0.3 inches thick, helping its durability.

4. Two control buttons. The Kindle Fire HDX has only two buttons: Power/Sleep and a volume rocker. They're both located on the back edge; one on the left and one on the right. The home "button" is software-based, so you can access it on the screen's right edge with a sweep of your finger.

5. Dolby Atmos stereo speakers. The speakers are on the back, but since the device back is not flat, setting the tablet on a table doesn't block the sound. The speakers offer a higher quality sound than those on the iPad Air 2.

6. Two cameras. The Kindle Fire HDX 8.9 has a 720p selfie camera on the front and an 8-megapixel rear-facing camera. Images are sharp and more color-correct than past generations.

7. Performance. The fourth-generation Kindle Fire HDX 8.9 has a 2.5GHz quad-core Snapdragon CPU. The device offers excellent performance whether you are console-level gaming, watching movies or photo editing.

8. Improved screen. The Kindle Fire HDX screen now has 2,560 x 1,600 resolution, or 339 pixels per inch (ppi).

9. Parental Controls. The Kindle Fire HDX has actual parental control accounts, unlike its rival iPad Air 2.

10. Cost. It costs 75 percent less than the Apple iPad.

The Kindle Fire HDX 8.9 16GB Wi-Fi-only model has a sticker price of $379, costing $120 less than an iPad Air 2 with the same features.

If you are looking for a budget-friendly tablet chock full of quality, performance and features, the Amazon Kindle Fire HDX 8.9 is a winner.