Our lives revolve around screens. Most of us switch between laptops, desktops and smartphones throughout the day. Others choose tablets as alternative or supplemental devices. (I have two iMacs, a MacBook, an iPad and an iPhone.)
Best Tablet: The iPad is great, but have you tried anything else?
While it’s not necessary, a tablet makes it easier to work or watch shows or movies on the go — and it’s a lot more convenient to pull out a tablet than a laptop on the subway.
If you’re in the market for a new tablet, we’ve rounded up the best deals right now on Amazon.
Here are our recommendations:
Best iPad Deals
Why we like it
The Apple iPad (9th generation) is Mashable’s pick as the best tablet “for most people,” meaning you don’t have to be a power user or have high expectations from a tablet to get a lot of value out of the standard iPad.
This model has a 10.2-inch Retina display, 64GB storage, and all-day battery life that’s great for long commutes and late-night scrolling. The A13 Bionic chip helps you handle everyday tasks and light gaming without crashing, and iPadOS software lets you run multiple apps at the same time.
The iPad (9th generation) is compatible with the Apple Pencil (1st generation) and Smart Keyboard, making it a viable alternative to a laptop in a pinch, but we don’t recommend it for serious work.
If you’re looking for a tablet for light web browsing, streaming, e-reading, and casual gaming, this iPad is a solid choice.
See more iPad deals
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Apple iPad 10th generation 10.9-inch (A14, 64GB, WiFi) — $319.99
$349(Save $29.01) -
Apple iPad Air 13-inch (M2, 256GB, WiFi) — $839
$899(Save $60) -
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4, 256GB, WiFi) — $919
$999(Save $80) -
Apple iPad Pro 13-inch (M4, 1TB, WiFi) — $1,749
$1,899(Save $150)
Best Deals for Samsung Galaxy Tab
Why we like it
If you prefer Android, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 11-inch tablet is on sale for $179. It’s a great deal for an entertainment-focused tablet with a large, high-resolution display.
The Galaxy Tab A9+ has an 11″ screen that’s great for streaming movies and playing mobile games. It also has Dolby Atmos speakers so you can immerse yourself in the content you’re watching. If this tablet is for young children, it comes with the built-in Samsung Kids app, providing a curated space for them to play safely.
Mashable Deals
This tablet is slim, durable and lightweight enough to hold comfortably for hours, and the Quick Share feature makes it easy to send and receive files between devices when you’re on the go.
More Samsung Galaxy Tab deals
Best budget plan
Why we like it
Sure, we know that Lenovo isn’t a huge powerhouse when it comes to tablets. but If you want a super cheap tablet for performing basic tasks, the Lenovo Tab M8 (4th Gen) is a great choice, currently on sale for just $77.71.
The tablet only has 32GB of storage, but unless you have a ton of apps and games stored on it, it should be enough for occasional web browsing, streaming, and reading. It has an 8-inch HD display, so the screen quality isn’t amazing, but it’s good enough for everyday use. And the 16-hour battery life should be enough for a long flight or a quiet night at home.
Given the price, this is a good option if you want an affordable tablet that can handle basic tasks.