The best tablets for college students are among the foremost helpful tools you’ll be able to have for studying, regardless of your subject. the facility and flexibility of contemporary tablets in addition to their super compact movableness makes them ideal for reading, researching, taking notes and even writing and redaction assignments once you’re frequently moving from place to place. Their compact size makes them excellent for slippery during a bag to be used each in and outdoors of the schoolroom or lecture theatre when the new school year starts.
whereas tablets aren’t precisely comfy for writing out long essays on their touchscreens, many are often paired with a keyboard. Most of the simplest pills for college students also provide stylus support for notetaking while not having to sort at all, likewise as for sketching. you’ll be able to also use them to photograph sections from texts or to record lectures.
There are plenty of tablets available, from super economical choices that are excellent for student budgets to powerful however pricey options designed for skilled use. to assist you discover the best tablet for students for you, we’ve elite our own choose of the best, with options on either aspect of that spectrum, as {well as|together with} from Apple, Microsoft and Samsung. We’ve based mostly our decisions on our own reviewers’ experiences, recommendations from contacts,
declared specs and client reviews (see however we take a look at for additional on that). We’ve weighed up the professionals of cons of every pill for student use, considering build, movableness and battery life (after all, you don’t need to run out of juice within the middle of a significant lecture).
We’ve additionally taken value into consideration. Some students would force the type of high-end specs offered by the iPad professional 12.9 or the Surface professional 8, particularly those studying for artistic disciplines, however we’ve additionally enclosed cheaper choices for those on a budget or who merely don’t would like that level of performance. We’ve also included some older models that deliver sensible performance at a additional enticing price; for example, the 2020 iPad Air instead of the quicker 2022 model since it’ usually discounted at the moment.
If you’re once more essential student tech, see the way to get an Apple student discount, and scrutinize our picks of the simplest student laptops and therefore the best drawing tablets. And if you’re trying to find a true bargain, see our guide to the way to obtain refurbished school as most pills go with new warranties, associated you’ll get an Apple device for a lot of less.
The best tablets for students available now
01.iPad Mini (6th Gen, 2021)
The best student tablet overall
SPECIFICATIONS
Weight: 293gDimensions: 195.4×134.8×6.3mmScreen size: 8.3-inch IPS LCDStorage: 64GB/256GB
TODAY’S BEST DEALS
REASONS TO BUY
+Highly portable
+Apple Pencil 2 compatible
+Great cameras
REASONS TO AVOID
-No 3.5mm jack
Ever since it received Apple Pencil support the iPad mini has been a firm favorite of ours, and its Gregorian calendar month two021 update has boosted its standing because the best tablet for students. Its inflated power makes it appropriate for almost about any work or study tasks that you just care to throw at it, and currently that it additionally boasts Apple Pencil 2 compatibility it’ an almost excellent platform for drawing, sketching and note-taking, and it’ll almost about work into a coat pocket, too.
This iteration uses a reworked version of the A15 Bionic chip for powerful processing, and whereas some users might feel annoyed by solely 4GB of RAM, realistically this could be enough for any of the tasks you’d need to try and do on a screen this small. the look could be as attractive as ever, and therefore the compact size makes the pill simple to hold to categories – it’ about the scale of a book and weighs simply 300g. a awfully welcome addition is a USB-C port, which parades plenty of possibilities. In our review, we used it with a USB DAC to pay attention to Apple’ lossless Hi-Res music, and with a USB mic to record a voiceover.
The show could be a very little larger than that of the last iPad mini, even if the general body is smaller, with a 3:2 side ratio. The brightness is incredibly even, creating it pleasant to use for long periods, and that we were very affected with the color accuracy. whereas you’re still paying a reasonably premium Apple price, we reckon the iPad Mini 2021 offers solid value for money.
See our full iPad mini vi review for ton of} details.
the massive charm of the iPad mini is its portability, however if you’re more centered on power and don’t mind payment big, the best possible pill you’ll be able to get immediately is that the iPad professional 12.9 (2021). As Apple’ flagship tablet it’ aloof from cheap, but you get a full lot of performance for your money, with Apple’ own money supply processor delivering MacBook-level power, and if you try it with a keyboard and mouse you’ll have a top-quality, super-portable laptop computer alternative that’ll see you thru your degree and possibly well into a master’, too.
02. iPad Pro 12.9 (2021)
The best high-end student tablet
SPECIFICATIONS
Weight: 682g
Dimensions: 280.6 x 214.9 x 6.4mm
Storage: 128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB/2TB
Screen size: 12.9-inch
TODAY’S BEST DEALS
REASONS TO BUY
+
Very powerful+
Excellent screen
REASONS TO AVOID
–
Incredibly expensive
The HDR show is that the best example of its sort that you just will get on a tablet, with a 120Hz refresh rate and a resolution of 2048 x 2732. Its peak brightness is 1,600 nits, and with better management of native dimming, it’ additional pleasant to appear at for long periods. Darker areas have more signification and depth to them, creating for a much better and more correct image that’ glorious for picture and video editing.
The performance, as mentioned, is blisteringly fast. the look of the pill is premium aluminium. Plus, like the mini iPad, you get support for the Apple Pencil two stylus, one amongst the simplest styluses around right now, particularly for artists and designers.
Of course, we tend to hesitate to advocate this tablet for college students thanks to the price. it’s enormously pricey and it’ solely well worth the tag if you actually need the facility it offers. If you do, for example, if you wish to run power-hungry redaction apps as a part of your studies, then this tablet won’t bilk you. See our iPad professional 12.9 (2021) review for additional information.
03. Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra
The best premium large-screen Android tablet for students
SPECIFICATIONS
Weight: 726g
Dimensions: 326.4 x 208.6 x 5.5mm
Screen size: 14.6-inch
Storage: 128GB – 512GB
TODAY’S BEST DEALS
REASONS TO BUY
+
Large screen +
S Pen stylus included+
Premium specs for a good price
REASONS TO AVOID
–
Availability issues in the US
If you like an humanoid pill and want lots of power, the new Galaxy Tab S8 extremist delivers that, and for a awfully affordable value given its specs. You get a very massive screen for a tablet – 14.6 in, that dwarves the most important iPad Pro. This makes it a decent alternative for those wanting to require notes or sketch mistreatment the S Pen stylus, which refreshfully comes enclosed as standard, creating this even higher worth for a premium tablet.
you’ll be able to take the specs up to pretty powerful configurations too, with up to 16GB in RAM and 512GB storage. Of course, the scale makes this heavier than several of the choices on our list of the simplest tablets for students, and not therefore handily portable. however we wanted the slim, sleek style once we reviewed the tablet, and located the punchy screen fantastic for looking at media and even redaction photos. If you don’t would like the specs of the extremist version, you may think about the cheaper customary Tab S8.
Note that there are handiness problems in the United States of America because of high demand, however the Samsung store will currently have stock obtainable. There are foreign choices available on Amazon.
See our full Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 extremist review for additional details.
04. Amazon Fire HD 8 (2020)
The best budget tablet for students
SPECIFICATIONS
Weight: 355g
Dimensions: 202 x 137 x 9.7mm
Screen size: 8-inch
Storage: 32GB/64GB
TODAY’S BEST DEALS
REASONS TO BUY
+
Super-low price+
Great front camera placement
REASONS TO AVOID
–
Poor screen quality-
Locked to Amazon’s ecosystem
If you don’t have plenty of cash to pay on a pill, don’t despair. whereas you’re ne’er about to get iPad Pro-level performance out of an inexpensive tablet for students, if you decide for the terribly reasonably-priced Amazon hearth HD eight (2020) you must a minimum of be pleasantly stunned by what it will do. Despite its low-end price it still packs some tight features, and it’ a big upgrade from its predecessor.
If you search on Amazon plenty and you’ve got a main membership, you’ll notice a lot to love with this pill, and it’ll run lots of apps that may assist you along with your studies and may be used for data processing and spreadsheets. It’ additionally a decent entertainer once it involves entertainment. There’ Amazon Prime, of course, together with Netflix and Walter Elias Disney Plus, and that they all run well and appearance good on the 8-inch screen. If you would like a tablet but don’t need to pay much, then this is often a good budget choice.
Note that with Amazon hearth pills, the quantity refers to the scale of the tablet (as against Samsung, Microsoft associated Apple tablets during which the number refers to the generation). If you wish a bigger tablet, there’ the hearth HD 10, however we tend to like this 8in version for its compact size.
05. Microsoft Surface Pro 8
The best high-end Windows tablet for students
SPECIFICATIONS
Weight: 890g
Dimensions: 28.7 x 20.8 x 0.93cm
Screen size: 13-inch
Storage: 128GB – 1TB
TODAY’S BEST DEALS
REASONS TO BUY
+
Great hybrid design+
Improved performance
REASONS TO AVOID
–
Expensive
If you decide on an iPad or humanoid tablet then you’ll in all probability be able to notice all the apps you need in their various stores. However, if your coursework needs the utilization of full artistic apps instead of mobile versions, then a Microsoft Surface is that the thanks to go, as a result of it’ basically a slimline Windows PC. this suggests you’ll be able to run correct desktop apps (such as full-fat Adobe Photoshop and alternative artistic Cloud packages), while not having to fret concerning them not having all the options you may need.
The Surface Go three below can do this for an inexpensive price, creating it a decent student choice, however if you wish a pill that actually runs desktop apps without having to pause for breath each currently and then, and if you’ve got the take into account it, the Surface professional {could be|might be|can be|may be|may we tend toll be} your new best friend.
The Surface professional eight is that the latest in Microsoft’ high-end hybrid pill range. And it’ well worth the investment if you’ll be able to afford it since. In our review, we found the enhancements over the older Surface professional seven to be far more notable, each in terms of style and performance.
The Surface professional 8 is meant to showcase Windows eleven and it will that with calmness due to a stunning screen and powerful processor. try it with {a type|a kind|a thereforert} Cover, and you actually do have an expertise that may get up to a laptop computer whereas being dilutant and lighter than any laptop you’ll buy. Battery life is nice as well. There are many configurations, so you’ll be able to elect lower RAM and cupboard space to save lots of money however this is often continually about to be an expensive pill for students.
See our full Surface professional eight review for additional details.
06. Microsoft Surface Go 3
The best budget Windows tablet for students
SPECIFICATIONS
Weight: 544g
Dimensions: 245 x 175 x 8.3mm
Screen size: 10.5-inch
Storage: 64GB eMMC – 128GB SSD
TODAY’S BEST DEALS
REASONS TO BUY
+
Premium design+
Affordable+
Can run full Windows 11
REASONS TO AVOID
–
No Touch Cover or stylus included-
Base model’s specs are weak
The Surface Pro eight on top of is that the best Windows pill for college students overall, if you’ve got the cash to splash and if you wish that a lot of power. however if you’ll solely be mistreatment your tablet for taking notes and writing up essays, it’ very far more than you need. in this case, you may be higher choosing the Surface Go three.
The Surface Go 3 isn’t about to be able to agitate significant artistic apps and image rendering like its professional first cousin mat, but it’s the foremost cheap Surface tablet, and it offers a stylish, light-weight style and low price. Invest within the sort Cover, and you’ll be able to shield the screen and switch the Surface Go three into a good very little Windows laptop computer for writing up essays.
The Surface professional 3 offers {a newer|a additional moderen|a more recent} processor and slightly higher performance over its predecessor, though its show is slightly variable resistor and battery life isn’t great, therefore you may additionally think about the older model if you see a decent deal.
See our full Surface Go 3 review for more details.
07. Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite
The best cheaper Android tablet for students
SPECIFICATIONS
Weight: 476g
Dimensions: 244.5 x 159.5 x 5.7 mm
Screen size: 10.4-inch
Storage: 64GB/128GB
TODAY’S BEST DEALS
REASONS TO BUY
+
Nice design+
S Pen stylus included
REASONS TO AVOID
–
Not the most powerful
We’ve already suggested the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 extremist on top of because the best pill for college students trying to find a premium humanoid device with an affordable value tag. however if you don’t would like those specs (or you don’t need such an oversized tablet), you’ll economize by going for an older, additional budget Galaxy Tab.
The Galaxy Tab vi light has long been superseded, but you’ll be able to still choose it up online, and sometimes at a awfully tempting price. It still provides respectable performance and build quality, and again, it comes with the S-Pen included. whereas it can’t contend with a number of the additional advanced styluses out there, it’ fine for note-taking and doodles.
08. iPad Air 4 (2020)
Another great Apple tablet for students
SPECIFICATIONS
Weight: 458g
Dimensions: 247.6 x 178.5 x 6.1mm
Screen size: 10.9-inch
Storage: 64GB/256GB
TODAY’S BEST DEALS
REASONS TO BUY
+
Great build quality+
Thin and light
REASONS TO AVOID
–
Pricey-
64GB option lacks space
We’re not about to lie, we tend to fully love the novel iPad Air with its money supply processor; simply a fast scan through our Apple iPad Air (5th Gen, 2022) review can tell you that this an excellent and powerful pill that’ nearly pretty much as good because the mighty iPad Pro. however as a tablet for students, we’re recommending the previous 2020 model. It doesn’t have the raw power of the the most recent version, and battery life might be better, but the arrival of the 2022 iPad Air implies that you’ll be able to devour this earlier pill at a sweet discount if you search around.
like Apple’ alternative iPads, it’s an incredible style and a surprising screen, and App Store features a sensible array of apps and games, therefore regardless of what course you’re taking, or what reasonably games you prefer playing, the iPad Air four can have a alternative for you. Power-wise it’ got constant chip because the iPhone 12, so it’ no slouch, and whereas it can’t contend with the iPad Pro, it doesn’t have to be compelled to. once we reviewed it, we found it offered over enough power for nearly each iPad app out there.
attach a wise Keyboard, and you’ve got a wonderful pill that may even be used as a laptop, that is nice for once you would like to write out long essays. It supports Apple Pencil two as well.
One factor to note, however, is that the most cost effective model comes with simply 64GB of storage, and in contrast to some humanoid tablets, there’ no memory card slot for adding further space. you may find that storage isn’t enough to store everything you wish for your studies which you need a cloud storage option.
See our full iPad Air 2020 review for more details.
09. Lenovo IdeaPad Duet Chromebook 10.1
The best tablet for students who don’t need the full range of apps
SPECIFICATIONS
Weight: 430g (tablet only), 920g (with full cover & keyboard)
Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.7 x 0.7 inches
Screen size: 10.1 inches
Storage: 64 GB / 128 GB
TODAY’S BEST DEALS
REASONS TO BUY
+
Good 13-hour battery life+
Stand and keyboard included+
Neat and portable design
REASONS TO AVOID
–
Lack of power for high-demanding tasks
A Chromebook might not be your 1st alternative once trying to find the simplest tablets for students. Nevertheless, there are lots of reasons why you might elect one. With Google Chrome as your OS, you get speed and simple use, likewise as Google’ own security, cloud storage and free connected apps. and therefore the Lenovo IdeaPad Duet Chromebook 10.1 could be a fine option; not solely will it come back at a good price, it’ fully excellent for things like research, writing and organisational tasks, and it’ ideal for video conferencing too.
The draw back to employing a Chrome OS is that the pill lacks the facility of an Apple or Windows device, and won’t run desktop or intensive software. That aside, the Lenovo IdeaPad Duet Chromebook 10.1 performs most tasks, and plenty of desktop apps have mobile editions that may prove even as helpful and are usually way cheaper.
The Lenovo Duet is a well-designed pill. It’ a touch chunky compared to Apple devices however that additionally means that it’ a durable device. the very fact it comes packaged with a keyboard and stand could be a bonus, and solely serves to strengthen the value-for-money this budget tablet offers.
10. Lenovo Yoga Smart Tab
Another good budget student tablet
SPECIFICATIONS
Weight: 770g
Dimensions: 29.9 x 17.5 x 3.4 cm
Screen size: 10.1 Inches
Storage: 64GB Storage
TODAY’S BEST DEALS
REASONS TO BUY
+
Good display and quality audio+
Versatile and unique design
REASONS TO AVOID
–
Underpowered performance
a little short on power, but it’s a great-looking screen and tight integral speakers, and it has Google Assist built in. As a result, what you’ve got here is a well-priced and practical tablet for any student who doesn’t have cash to burn.
the look of the Lenovo Yoga Smart Tab is unique. One finish features a bulky, rounded cylinder that tapers away to create a sleek and semicircular design. This ensures it a natural writing position and may be stood upright at an angle for viewing – it’ an ideal device for written work and video calls (and nice for films).
made up of metal and coated with a soft-touch acrylic finish, the Lenovo Yoga good Tab could be a light-weight and agile tablet. This device has a ton going for it, however it’ additionally light on power and uses an older version of Android, which may limit its app use. That said, if you’re writing and organising, researching and browsing the web, or taking up video calls and remote lectures, it’ really terribly handy; a decent backup pill.
however ought to i select the simplest tablet for college students for me?
that possibility is that the best student tablet for you’ll depend upon your requirements. We’d counsel considering size and weight: you’ll need a tablet that may simply work into your bag. Even with the most important tablets, just like the 14in Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra, they’re still lighter and additional moveable than a laptop, but one amongst the explanations we tend to rate the iPad mini therefore extremely is that it offers sensible specs however additionally a awfully convenient size.
Some students can would like high-level specs, particularly those on artistic courses who have to be compelled to edit pictures or video. this is often why we’ve enclosed many of the foremost premium tablets around on our list. Unfortunately, these don’t have such student-friendly prices, but you will be able to get associate Apple student discount.
Otherwise, if you’re learning a course that doesn’t entail use of additional tight creative software, then you may be just fine with a less expensive pill like associate older Galaxy Tab S or the 2020 iPad Air, or the super economical Amazon Fire.
