Finding the ideal student tablet requires careful consideration of multiple factors, including screen size, portability, and cost-effectiveness. To make your search easier, we’ve compiled a list of our top picks for the best student tablets currently available. Our recommendations cater to a broad range of academic needs, from elementary to college students who require a tablet for both academic and leisure purposes.
When it comes to affordability, we advise you to avoid paying full price by checking out our guides to the best tablet sales and iPad deals. Many of the tablets we recommend are currently discounted, allowing you to save up to $100.
The best student tablets you can buy today
Here is a curated list of top tablets that are highly recommended for students. You may find some older devices in this list, but they have stood the test of time and are still performing exceptionally well, as recommended by fellow students who have been using them.
1. Apple iPad 2021 (The best student tablet overall)
2. Amazon Fire 10 HD (Best affordable Android tablet with longest battery life)
3. Lenovo Duet 3 (The best Chrome tablet for students)
4. Microsoft Surface Go 2 (The best student tablet for Windows 10)
5. iPad Mini 6 2021 (The best iPad for students who read a lot)
6. Samsung Galaxy Tab 8 (The best premium Android tablet for students)
7. ipad Air 2020 (The best iPad for college students)
8. Samsung Galaxy Tab 6 Lite (The best mid-range Android tablet)
1. Apple Ipad 2021:
For students looking for a reliable tablet, the iPad is a top recommendation. Its design caters to the education sector with features such as a headphone jack and Lightning port, which enable it to seamlessly integrate into classrooms and support existing accessories.
Moreover, the 2021 iPad boasts some impressive upgrades, including a 12MP webcam that’s a significant improvement over the 1.2MP camera in the previous model. Apple has also introduced Center Stage, a new feature that ensures you remain in focus during group video calls. Additionally, the updated A13 Bionic chip ensures that the iPad 2021 will remain fast and efficient for an extended period.
For note-taking purposes, the first-generation Apple Pencil is easily accessible, thanks to Scribble-based annotation. The iPad 2021 also features a great screen, long battery life, excellent audio, and all the standard features one would expect from an Apple product.
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2. Amazon Fire 10 HD
The Amazon Fire HD 10 (2021) is an excellent choice for younger students looking for a reliable and affordable tablet. With incremental upgrades from its predecessor, such as a brighter screen, an additional 1GB of RAM, and a smaller and lighter design, it’s among the best tablets offered by Amazon.
If you require faster performance, we recommend upgrading to the Amazon Fire HD 10 Plus for an additional $30, which is arguably the best Amazon tablet to date. However, the Fire HD 10 (2021) still provides a fantastic browsing experience for students who want to access the internet, read e-books, and watch videos. This tablet is one of the best Android tablets available, particularly for those on a tight budget.
It’s worth noting that the Fire HD 10 (2021) comes with a few compromises, such as the absence of the Google Play app store, which limits access to certain apps, including the full YouTube experience. Despite this, the Fire HD 10 (2021) is still an excellent choice for students who prioritize affordability and reliability.
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3. Lenovo Duet 3
The Lenovo Duet 3 (or Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 3, depending on where you purchase it) is a remarkable Chrome tablet available for as low as $359. This device is essentially a bigger and more expensive successor to the Chromebook Duet, which Lenovo released in 2020 as an impressively capable and cost-effective Chrome tablet that still features on this list.
We were highly impressed by the original Duet’s exceptional battery life, dependable performance, and convenient keyboard cover, all of which were available for approximately $250. Lenovo’s latest Duet 3 comes at a slightly higher cost, but it offers a larger and brighter display, more ports, and a more powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 chip. This makes it one of the best Chrome tablets currently available, and the added bonus of Lenovo including the keyboard cover at no additional charge enables it to double as a remarkably effective 2-in-1 Chromebook. Although the original Duet further down the list is an excellent choice for those on a tight budget, those who can afford it will undoubtedly be satisfied with this outstanding Chromebook.
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4. Microsoft Surface Go 2
The Surface Go 2 represents the ideal tablet for budget-conscious students seeking a Windows-powered device. This sequel boasts a plethora of welcomed improvements over its predecessor. Most notably, the tablet sports a larger 10.5-inch screen with sleeker bezels that provide an immersive work experience and a more expansive screen space, which is vital for a tablet.
The most significant upgrade, however, is the tablet’s remarkable 11 hours and 39 minutes of battery life, a five-hour improvement over the original Surface Go. This feature is particularly advantageous for individuals who require a tablet that can last an entire day without needing a recharge. The tablet also boasts a 5-megapixel 1080p camera in its top bezel, which is perfect for remote learning, and an additional front camera sensor that features Windows Hello biometric login.
Finally, for those who desire a more powerful and multitasking-capable device, the Surface Go 2 with the 8th Gen Intel Core m3 upgrade is the ideal option. While it may be slightly more expensive, priced at $629, it is undoubtedly the model that can meet the demands of multitasking students.
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5. iPad Mini 6 2021
If you or a student you know is an avid reader, the 8.3-inch iPad mini 6 may be the perfect device, as it is light enough to be used with a single hand. This tablet is also ideal for taking handwritten notes and supports the 2nd Gen Apple Pencil, which magnetically snaps onto the side for charging. Unlike the 1st Gen Apple Pencil, this newer version feels more intuitive and natural to use. Despite its size, the A15 Bionic processor ensures exceptional performance, and the tablet’s battery life is impressive.
However, if you intend to use the iPad mini 6 for typing, you may need to invest in a Bluetooth keyboard. While Apple does not offer a Magic Keyboard or Smart Keyboard for this tablet, third-party keyboards are excellent alternatives. The new upgraded 12MP webcam with Center Stage technology is perfect for students who attend numerous video calls, as it provides sharp, clear images.
Overall, the iPad mini 6 is an excellent choice for students who prioritize portability, note-taking, and reading. Its powerful processor, long battery life, and improved camera make it a fantastic tablet for any student who needs to stay connected while on the go.
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6. Samsung Galaxy Tab 8
The Galaxy Tab S8 is a highly capable tablet that excels in many areas, but it truly shines as a premium Android device. Whether you are lounging on the couch, gaming, or reading comics, this tablet provides an exceptional experience. It is also an excellent tool for note-taking in class, and at home, you can easily attach an external keyboard to complete light schoolwork or use it as a secondary display for larger projects. The Galaxy ecosystem enhances its functionality, and with DeX compatibility, you can transform your desk into a highly productive workspace.
While the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra may be the largest and most powerful Android tablet available, the Galaxy Tab S8 is the ideal choice for those seeking a top-notch premium Android tablet. It sets a new standard for what we should expect from this category, and it is perfect for anyone who values performance, functionality, and style. So if you are looking for a great Android tablet, the Galaxy Tab S8 is the perfect device for you.
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7. ipad Air 2020
The iPad Air (2020) is a remarkable tablet that incorporates many of the best features from the iPad Pro, but at a more reasonable price point. It’s arguably one of the finest iPads ever made, even though its cost may not be within everyone’s budget. Without a doubt, it is the ultimate tablet for college students.
This iPad boasts the same ultra-thin bezels as the iPad Pro, allowing for a seamless and immersive viewing experience. The Magic Keyboard support transforms it into a laptop competitor, making it highly versatile for both school and entertainment purposes. Apple’s A14 Bionic chip is a powerful component that enables this tablet to handle demanding applications and multitasking with ease, ensuring its longevity in the future. Additionally, Touch ID is seamlessly integrated into the lock button, providing a secure and convenient authentication option.
With approximately 10.5 hours of battery life, this tablet can last an entire school day, and it’s vibrant and bright screen makes it ideal for Netflix binge-watching during leisure time. The iPad Air (2020) also excels in remote learning, thanks to its 7-megapixel webcam, which was tested head-to-head against the Logitech C920 and proved to be superior. Overall, the iPad Air (2020) is an exceptional device that delivers incredible value, making it a must-have for students and anyone seeking a high-quality tablet experience.
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8. Samsung Galaxy Tab 6 Lite
If you’re in the market for an Android tablet that can compete with the iPad, look no further than Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S6 Lite. This impressive tablet boasts a long battery life of over 12 hours, along with a sleek design that features a bright screen and excellent sound quality.
One of the standout features of the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite is the included S Pen, which makes it an ideal choice for students who need to take notes during class. The stylus offers a superb note-taking experience with lightning-fast input recognition and virtually no lag. It’s comparable to the Apple Pencil, but without the additional expense.
The tablet’s slim bezels also help it stand out in the mid-range tablet market, giving it a more premium look that’s reminiscent of the iPad Pro. While the Tab S6 Lite may not be the most powerful device for multitasking, it still offers solid performance for everyday use. One potential drawback to consider is the limited selection of Android tablet apps, which may not be as polished as their iOS counterparts.
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