Here are the best tablet deals right now

Tablets exist in a space between phones and laptops that is becoming increasingly muddled. As phones become more powerful and gain larger displays, laptops continue to get lighter. Tablet manufacturers haven’t been resting on their laurels, though. Many of the more recent tablets we’ve seen are looking to bridge the gap in terms of performance and, in select cases, handle some tasks more efficiently than both phones and laptops.

The tablet spectrum is varied, too. Inexpensive models like the Amazon Fire HD 10 make for excellent media streaming devices, while those in Microsoft’s versatile Surface lineup can easily serve as ad-hoc laptops when paired with an optional folio-style keyboard. Then there’s the ubiquitous iPad, a slate that has become the go-to tablet for anyone searching for something in the Apple ecosystem (and for many outside of it).

Below, we’ve rounded up deals for a number of Android, iPadOS, and Windows tablets. We’ve also broken down the deals by manufacturer to make things easier, and we will continue to update this post as new discounts and sales become available.

Apple tablet deals

2021 iPad Mini

Apple’s latest, 64GB iPad Mini with Wi-Fi usually sells for $499.99 but is currently on sale at Best Buy for $399.99 — the miniature tablet’s best price yet. This model brings a number of welcome changes to the hardware, including a larger display that lacks the home button and USB-C port instead of Apple’s Lightning connector. If you need an option with more storage, you can also find the 256GB version on sale for $549.99 at Amazon or Best Buy (normally $649).

The tablet’s 8.3-inch display features a resolution of 2266 x 1488 and supports Apple’s True Tone technology, which allows you to fine-tune the display based on the lighting in your environment. The Mini also features back- and front-facing 12MP cameras and can capture 4K video at 60 frames per second. All this is powered by Apple’s A15 Bionic CPU, which makes the latest model the one to beat until the inevitable arrival of an M1 or M2 model.

Keep in mind, however, that this version of the iPad Mini lacks a 3.5mm audio jack and won’t work with Apple’s Smart Keyboard or Magic Keyboard Folio, even if it is compatible with the second-gen Apple Pencil. It does, however, work with a number of third-party Bluetooth keyboards if you need a larger typing surface. Read our review.

Apple’s standard iPad remains a solid, popular tablet that’s suitable for just about anyone. Normally $479, the 256GB model with Wi-Fi is on sale right now at Walmart and Best Buy for just $399, one of its best prices to date. The smaller 64GB model with Wi-Fi is also available at Best Buy for $249.99 instead of the usual $329.99.

Apple’s last-gen, entry-level iPad features a 10.2-inch, True Tone Retina display, one with a resolution of 2160 x 1620. It’s worth noting, however, that with the release of the most recent iPad Pro and Air models, the base model has become something of an odd duck with an outdated design. At this point, the standard model is the only Apple tablet that still uses a Lightning connection, as opposed to USB-C, and is only compatible with the first-gen Apple Pencil. Perhaps more importantly though, it’s also one of the only tablets in Apple’s current lineup that doesn’t use an M1 series CPU, opting instead for an A13 processor that will be fast enough for most users.

2021 12.9-inch iPad Pro

In many ways, the iPad Pro is the scaled-up version of the most recent iPad Air. The 12.9-inch Pro features Apple’s M1 chip, the same all-aluminum form factor, and the option for 5G connectivity. The 12-inch iPad Pro includes a larger Mini LED display, though, along with a superior camera array, support for Face ID, and a variable refresh rate.

The 12.9-inch, 256GB iPad Pro is currently discounted to $899.99 at Best Buy in the Wi-Fi-only configuration, down from its original of $1,199.99. You can also find the 128GB configuration at Best Buy for $800.99 (normally $1,099.99) and the 2TB configuration for $1,299.97 at Amazon. Read our review.

2022 11-inch M2 iPad Pro

The M2 iPad Pro is easily the most powerful Apple tablet to date. Currently, you can find the base configuration on sale at B&H Photo and Amazon for around $769 (normally $799). In addition to a more powerful processor, the M2-equipped iPad Pro has access to a vast library of apps optimized for tablets, as well as Wi-Fi 6E support. It’s also compatible with a number of excellent Apple accessories and supports a new hover feature with the second-gen Apple Pencil, which will immediately wake the device when you assume the scribbling position. However, it’s important to note that the 11-inch model lacks the Mini LED screen present on the 12.9-inch model, making it slightly less attractive but still the go-to choice for top-shelf tablet performance. Read our 12.9-inch iPad Pro review.

HP tablet deals

HP Chromebook x2 11

If you can’t decide between a laptop or a tablet, the HP Chromebook x2 11 is a great way to compromise. Usually available for $599.99, Best Buy has discounted this model to just $224.99, its lowest price to date. This 11-inch tablet features a built-in kickstand and comes packaged with a keyboard folio and pen to provide a more laptop-adjacent experience.

The x2 is powered by ChromeOS, lending it similar functionality to the other Android tablets on our list, but features a display resolution of 2160 x 1440, a cut above what’s offered by some of the more expensive tablets here. Some other specs to take note of include the tablet’s Snapdragon 7c Gen 1 processor, 8GB of RAM, and 64GB of expandable memory. In addition to a microphone and 5MP camera, the tablet is also equipped with a pair of USB-C ports and a microSD card slot that can be used for data transfer or storage. The USB-C ports don’t have Thunderbolt 4 support, however, so the x2 won’t play well with an external dock.

Overall, the HP Chromebook x2 11 offers good bang for your buck. We only scored it a 5.5 out of 10 in our review — namely due to its cramped keyboard and occasionally choppy performance — but the tablet is far more appealing now that it’s half the price. If you’re looking for a tablet that’s great for browsing and comes packaged with a stylus for note-taking, the x2 11 is certainly not a bad way to go at this price. Read our review.

Lenovo tablet deals

The Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5 may be a little too large to qualify as a tablet, but its OLED screen and lengthy battery life allow it to serve well enough as a Chromebook when you need it to. Currently, you can get the blue colorway of the Duet 5 with its keyboard cover at Best Buy for $379, or $120 off the regular retail price.

Microsoft tablet deals

Microsoft Surface Pro 8

If you don’t mind a limited port selection and are in need of a tablet that offers plenty of performance in a lightweight chassis, Microsoft’s high-powered Surface Pro 8 might fit the bill. The attractive, modern slate feature a 13-inch touchscreen, along with 2880 x 1920 resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate — a rarity outside of the gaming sphere. It’s also a great teleconferencing device thanks to its far-field studio microphones and 5MP front-facing camera. Best of all, it serves as a competent stand-in laptop when using the integrated kickstand and the optional keyboard cover.

Right now, a 512GB configuration of the Surface Pro 8 is on sale at Microsoft for $899.99, saving you a cool $500 on the regular MSRP of $1,399.99. This particular model comes with an 11th Gen Intel Core i5 CPU, 8GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD. If you need extra room, you can always expand the storage of this tablet down the line with microSD cards. You can also find a 128GB configuration at Best Buy with a keyboard discounted to $999.99. Read our review.

Samsung tablet deals

Samsung Galaxy Tab S8, S8 Plus, and S8 Ultra

We’re likely to see some new additions to Samsung’s tablet lineup at Samsung Unpacked later in February, but for now, we still consider Samsung’s Galaxy tablets to be the default Android slabs for most people. The standard Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 is currently on sale at Best Buy and Amazon for $629.99 ($150 off) in the 128GB, Wi-Fi configuration. The S8 Plus is also discounted at Best Buy and Amazon to $819.99 (normally $899.99). You can find a small discount on the 256GB S8 Ultra as well, which is available at Best Buy and Samsung for $1,079.99 (normally $1,199.99).

While there are some clear upgrades across the S8 line, there are a number of similarities, too. They all use Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor, feature quad-speaker arrays, run on Android 12, and come packaged with a Samsung S Pen stylus. Each model also supports Wi-Fi 6E and comes equipped with a minimum of 8GB of RAM, but the S8 Ultra is available in 12GB and 16GB configurations as well. The S8 and S8 Plus essentially serve as direct replacements for their Tab S7 predecessors, while the S8 Ultra is a more feature-packed model with support for 5G connectivity and a 14.6-inch OLED display that touts a 120Hz refresh rate and 2960 x 1848 resolution.

In our Galaxy Tab S8 and S8 Plus review, we noted how much we enjoyed both displays and the performance provided by the upgraded CPU. Both models are also slim and lightweight, lending them exceptional portability. However, while both play well with other devices in the Samsung ecosystem, many Android apps still struggle due to poor optimization.

The S8 Ultra, on the other hand, impressed us with its mammoth OLED display and snappy performance. Despite its attempts to bring iPad-level productivity to an Android tablet, however, neither the OS nor the optional keyboard case is really up to the task.

Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite

If you’re in the market for a barebones entertainment device — whether for yourself or your kids — the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite is a tablet to consider, one that essentially functions as a smaller and less powerful version of the standard A7. Unlike the A7, however, the Lite is currently available on Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart for $129 instead of its typical list price of $159.99. The 8.7-inch display offers just 1340 x 800 resolution, though the base model also comes equipped with 32GB of storage and 3GB of RAM, just like the larger model. While it is less powerful, it’s also difficult to find a tablet with these specs that’s available at this price point.

Samsung Galaxy Tab A8

The Galaxy Tab A8 is a solid, budget-conscious Android tablet that’s currently available for an all-time low of $149.99 at Walmart. The 10.5-inch tablet features a 1200 x 1080p display and a battery that’s capable of supporting up to nine hours of video streaming, which pairs perfectly with the robust sound quality provided by its speakers. The build quality of the 32GB tablet is also excellent, and it’s compatible with microSD storage if you need a little extra space for apps.

Unless the tablet you’re shopping for needs to double as a workstation or have a high-end camera, the Tab A8 handles the basics at a very approachable price. It’s powered by an eight-core CPU which isn’t particularly well suited for heavy lifting, but it works well for consuming media and entertainment, rendering the tablet more suitable for play than work.