No matter what kind of OS you like, there are so many great tablets on the market. Apple has new iPads out, meaning price drops on older models, and Microsoft Surface two-in-ones are dropping as well. Need a big-screen machine with tons of power that you can make videos, create art, or perform music on? Apple, Google and others have you covered. Need something a bit more budget-friendly for watching movies and TV shows on your favorite streaming platform and reading websites and social media? Then Lenovo might be the answer.
Our PC Labs experts test tablets in incredible depth. Those reviewers are looking at the same things you should consider before buying, like the power of the processor and the amount of on-board memory. Additional considerations include weight, storage, camera quality, battery life, and connectivity. If you’re going to be using your tablet mostly for text, you might consider opting for an ebook reader instead.
The main difference between tablets is going to be the operating systems. Android, iPadOS, and Windows are the three big choices, and they all have strengths and weaknesses. If you’re looking for a tablet that does everything a laptop can, some models can connect to a removable keyboard. But, you could also opt for a 2-in-1 device that combines a built-in keyboard with the versatility of a touch screen thanks to a full 360-degree hinge. No matter what you’re looking for, there’s a tablet that can do it. We’ve found some dramatic price drops, and here are some of the best tablet deals we’ve found at the beginning of April.
For an absolute powerhouse of a portable, you’re not going to do better than the fourth-generation iPad Pro, outfitted with Apple’s mighty M2 processor for speed and stability. We gave this slate an “Excellent” rating in our review, raving about its crystalline display, spectacular cameras, tons of storage and customary top-notch Apple design and build quality. This is absolutely capable of acting as a laptop replacement, and with 2TB of internal storage it’s more spacious than almost any other tablet on the market. At $700 off, it’s an absolute steal.
Here’s a massive 29% discount on an all-purpose tablet that thrives on creative tasks thanks to a speedy processor, plenty of storage space and the included S Pen for precise input. See how it stacks up with our other Samsung tablet reviews. The Galaxy Tab 9 FE is a reliable performer with good battery life, up to 18 hours on a single charge and full charge in 90 minutes, and support for Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 for fast connections to smart speakers and other accessories.
Google Pixel Tablet
Tensor G2 CPU, 11″ screen, 256GB storage
$359.00
at Amazon
$499.00
Save $140.00
Naturally, the inventors of the Android OS would make hardware to use it, and the Google Pixel tablet is a strong effort. In our review, we had a lot of good things to say about its ability to double as a smart display with the optional speaker dock, as well as its well-balanced design, durable aluminum construction and 24-bit color screen with 500 nits of peak brightness. It benchmarked reasonably well and integrates easily with multiple smart home systems. Our major caveat was that we felt the sticker price was too high, so being able to subtract $140 from that makes it an actual bargain.
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Is it a tablet? Is it a laptop? Absolutely. The Surface Pro 2-In-1 is a versatile machine with a detachable keyboard and stand so you can use it in a variety of configurations, and under the hood it’s probably the most powerful machine in this roundup. We reviewed this unit and praised its exceptional OLED display, Wi-Fi 7 compatibility and Flex Pro wireless keyboard. This model has been designed to work with Microsoft’s new Copilot AI features, which give you a ton of time-saving tools for photo editing, transcription, note-taking and more. This $700 discount is the best one we’ve seen since it was released.
Lenovo Tab M11
Helio G88 CPU, 11″ screen, 64GB storage
$129.99
at Best Buy
$179.99
Save $50.00
Need a slate to meet a lower budget? The Lenovo Tab M11 is a decently-priced Android portable that can handle Web browsing, media streaming and productivity for just $130. We consistently rate Lenovo’s build quality highly, and this tablet is no exception, with all-aluminum construction, a sleek and subtle design and a clear, bright 1920 by 100 LCD display with good viewing angles. Quad Dolby Atmos speakers complement it with clean, distortion-free audio, and the 7040 mAh battery lasts a long time. See how it compares on our list of the best budget tablets out there.
Recommended by Our Editors
Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+
Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 CPU, 11″ screen, 64GB storage
$159.99
at Amazon
$219.99
Save $60.00
Here’s a nice price on an Editors’ Choice-winning Android tablet. In our review of the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+, we said that the budget slate “proficiently handles advanced productivity tasks as well as entertainment such as streaming and gaming.” With a relatively large screen for the price and a quartet of speakers plus a headphone jack for audio, it’s a good pick for media streaming on the go, especially with battery life up to seven hours. This configuration comes with 64GB of internal storage, but a convenient microSD slot lets you expand that easily.
What we consider “the best tablet for most people” got an Editors’ Choice award in our review, with the base model iPad winning raves for its affordable price, exceptional build quality and reliable performance. Built around the Apple A14 Bionic processor, it handles media consumption, casual gaming and other everyday tablet tasks with ease, and the 10.9″ Liquid Retina display is bright and sharp. A pair of 12Mp cameras, front and back, capture photos and video with clarity. This configuration ships with Wi-Fi connectivity and 64GB of onboard storage.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra
One of the biggest tablet screens out there and silicon to match
$899.99
at Best Buy
$1,199.99
Save $300.00
A 14.6″ screen is monolithic for a tablet, but the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra manages to still feel good in your hands despite essentially being half a laptop. In our review, expert Iyaz Akhtar said that it delivers “a top-notch processor, lengthy battery life, and tight integration with Samsung smartphones to keep you productive on the go.” If you’re worried about exposure to the elements, both the tablet and the Samsung S Pen are IP68 certified against dust and moisture, and the screen is covered with Corning Gorilla Glass 5. This is definitely a luxury purchase, but cutting $300 off the ticket price makes it a lot more attainable.
The Best Tablet Deals for January 2025
*Deals are selected by our commerce team
How Much Money Should You Spend on a Tablet?
The answer to this, of course, depends on what you’re planning to use it for. In our guide to the best tablets, we feature models that range from $74.99 to over a thousand dollars. If all you’re looking for is a lightweight portable for media consumption and gaming, you can get a capable Android tablet for a few hundred bucks. For more resource-intensive content creation and other needs, expect to spend a little bit more. Evaluate what your needs are before you start shopping, and you’ll be able to find the right slate for you. Most people will find they can get a powerful device between $400 and $600.
What Is the Best Time of Year to Buy a Tablet?
Shopping for tech can be a little irksome because prices rise and fall based on chip supply, market demand, and hundreds of other factors. Tablet prices generally remain pretty stable, but if you’re looking to save, Black Friday is probably your best bet. The biggest shopping holiday of the year happens the day after Thanksgiving. It typically extends into the weekend, when you’re guaranteed to see record-low prices on tablets from Apple, Amazon, Samsung, Google, and more.
What Time of the Year is the Cheapest to Buy an iPad?
According to our extensive iPad buying guide, there are several hot dates for purchasing an Apple tablet. One of the best times is after a new model of the iPad is released. In 2025, we saw the release of the new iPad and iPad Air in March, which followed the iPad mini last October. Other good times to find iPad deals include Black Friday, Amazon’s twice-yearly Prime Day sales, and the back-to-school season.
What Are the Top Tablet Discounts Available During Amazon Prime Day or Cyber Week?
Retailers often discount Apple iPads during seasonal sales. For example, Amazon and Best Buy might each take $100 off the main iPad models. Similarly, Amazon is prone to offering heavy discounts on its own Kindle and Fire products during Prime Day and Cyber Week.
What’s the Best Tablet Under $500?
You don’t have to spend a fortune to get a great tablet computing experience. In our rundown of the best cheap tablets, we spotlight numerous Android and Apple devices that are great bargains. Our top choice for affordable tablets is the Amazon Fire HD 10, which is great for media streaming, casual gaming, and web surfing. Read our review here. For Apple tablets, the 11th generation iPad costs $349 and performs exceptionally well. You can read our review of that model here.
Are There Any Bundle Deals That Include Tablet Accessories?
The answer to this depends on the manufacturer. Some tablets ship with a stylus in the box. These include devices like e-readers meant for note-taking and Android slates from Lenovo and Samsung. Samsung sometimes bundles its keyboard accessories with its tablets, but not consistently. Apple does not bundle the Apple Pencil or Magic Keyboard with its iPad. It would be up to an individual retailer to bundle Apple products together.
About K. Thor Jensen
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