The best tablets for college students are among the foremost helpful tools you’ll have for studying, regardless of your subject. the ability and flexibility of contemporary tablets not to mention their super compact movableness makes them ideal for reading, researching, taking notes and even writing and piece of writing assignments once you’re often moving from place to place. Their compact size makes them good for slippery in a very bag to be used each in and out of doors of the room or lecture theatre when the new year starts.
whereas tablets aren’t precisely snug for typewriting out long essays on their touchscreens, many may be paired with a keyboard. Most of the most effective pills for college students also supply stylus support for notetaking while not having to kind at all, additionally as for sketching. you’ll also use them to photograph sections from texts or to record lectures.
There are a great deal of tablets available, from super economical choices that are good for student budgets to powerful however high-ticket options designed for skilled use. to assist you discover the best tablet for students for you, we’ve designated our own choose of the best, with options on either aspect of that spectrum, we tend toll as|together with} from Apple, Microsoft and Samsung.
We’ve primarily based our decisions on our own reviewers’ experiences, recommendations from contacts, expressed specs and client reviews (see however we check for a lot of 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 wish to run out of juice within the middle of an important lecture).
We’ve conjointly taken value into consideration. Some students would require the sort of high-end specs offered by the iPad professional 12.9 or the Surface professional 8, particularly those studying for inventive disciplines, however we’ve conjointly enclosed cheaper choices for those on a budget or who merely don’t want that level of performance. We’ve also included some older models that deliver sensible performance at a a lot of enticing price; for example, the 2020 iPad Air instead of the quicker 2022 model since it’ typically discounted at the moment.
If you’re when more essential student tech, see the way to get an Apple student discount, and verify our picks of the most effective student laptops and also the best drawing tablets. And if you’re searching for a true bargain, see our guide to the way to purchase refurbished school as most pills accompany new warranties, ANd you may get an Apple device for abundant 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 hyperbolic power makes it appropriate for near to any work or study tasks that you simply care to throw at it, and currently that it conjointly boasts Apple Pencil 2 compatibility it’ an almost good platform for drawing, sketching and note-taking, and it’ll near to match 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 pissed off by solely 4GB of RAM, realistically this could be enough for any of the tasks you’d wish to try to to on a screen this small. the planning could be as beautiful as ever, and also the compact size makes the pill straightforward to hold to categories – it’ about the scale of a softback and weighs simply 300g. a awfully welcome addition is a USB-C port, which exposes a great deal 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 supposing the general body is smaller, with a 3:2 side ratio. The brightness is extremely 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 half dozen review for additional of} details.
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 massive charm of the iPad mini is its portability, however if you’re more centered on power and don’t mind outlay big, the easiest pill you’ll get without delay is that the iPad professional 12.9 (2021). As Apple’ flagship tablet it’ faraway from cheap, but you get an entire lot of performance for your money, with Apple’ own M1 processor delivering MacBook-level power, and if you combine it with a keyboard and mouse you’ll have a top-quality, super-portable portable computer alternative that’ll see you thru your degree and possibly well into a master’, too.
The HDR show is that the best example of its kind that you simply 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’ a lot of pleasant to appear at for long periods. Darker areas have more refinement and depth to them, creating for a stronger and more correct image that’ glorious for image and video editing.
The performance, as mentioned, is blisteringly fast. the planning of the pill is premium aluminium. Plus, like the mini iPad, you get support for the Apple Pencil two stylus, one among the most effective styluses around right now, particularly for artists and designers.
Of course, we have a tendency to hesitate to suggest this tablet for college students due to the price. it’s hugely high-ticket and it’ solely definitely worth the tag if you actually need the ability it offers. If you do, for example, if you wish to run power-hungry piece of writing apps as a part of your studies, then this tablet won’t queer you. See our iPad professional 12.9 (2021) review for a lot of information.
If you like an golem pill and wish lots of power, the new Galaxy Tab S8 immoderate delivers that, and for a awfully cheap value given its specs. You get a very huge screen for a tablet – 14.6 in, that dwarves the biggest iPad Pro. This makes it a decent selection for those wanting to require notes or sketch mistreatment the S Pen stylus, which refreshfully comes enclosed as standard, creating this even higher price for a premium tablet.
you’ll 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 most effective tablets for students, and not therefore handily portable. however we fair-haired the slim, sleek style after we reviewed the tablet, and located the punchy screen fantastic for look media and even piece of writing photos. If you don’t want the specs of the immoderate version, you may take into account the cheaper commonplace Tab S8.
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
Note that there are convenience problems in the U.S.A. thanks to high demand, however the Samsung store will currently have stock out there. There also are foreign choices available on Amazon.
See our full Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 immoderate review for a lot of 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 a great deal of cash to pay on a pill, don’t despair. whereas you’re ne’er progressing to get iPad Pro-level performance out of an inexpensive tablet for students, if you choose for the terribly reasonably-priced Amazon hearth HD eight (2020) you must a minimum of be pleasantly shocked by what it will do. Despite its low-end price it still packs some good features, and it’ a major upgrade from its predecessor.
If you look on Amazon a great deal and you’ve got a major membership, you’ll realize 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’ conjointly a decent entertainer once it involves entertainment. There’ Amazon Prime, of course, beside Netflix and film maker Plus, and that they all run well and appearance good on the 8-inch screen. If you wish a tablet but don’t wish to pay much, then this is often an excellent budget choice.
Note that with Amazon hearth pills, the quantity refers to the scale of the tablet (as hostile Samsung, Microsoft ANd Apple tablets within which the number refers to the generation). If you wish a bigger tablet, there’ the fireplace HD 10, however we have a tendency 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 golem tablet then you’ll in all probability be able to realize all the apps you need in their individual stores. However, if your coursework needs the employment of full inventive 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 run correct desktop apps (such as full-fat Adobe Photoshop and different inventive Cloud packages), while not having to stress regarding them not having all the options you may need.
The Surface Go three below can do this for a reasonable price, creating it a decent student choice, however if you wish a pill that basically runs desktop apps without having to pause for breath each currently and then, and if you’ve got the allow it, the Surface professional {could be|might be|can be|may be|may we have a tendency toll be} your new best friend.
The Surface professional eight is that the latest in Microsoft’ high-end hybrid pill range. And it’ definitely worth the investment if you’ll afford it since. In our review, we found the enhancements over the older Surface professional seven to be way more notable, each in terms of style and performance.
The Surface professional 8 is meant to showcase Windows eleven and it will that with composure due to a beautiful screen and powerful processor. combine it with {a type|a kind|a thereforert} Cover, and you actually do have an expertise that may arise to a portable computer whereas being agent and lighter than any laptop you may buy. Battery life is nice as well.
There are many configurations, so you’ll decide on lower RAM and space for storing to save lots of money however this is often perpetually progressing to be a dear pill for students.
See our full Surface professional eight review for a lot of 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 money to splash and if you wish that abundant power. however if you’ll solely be mistreatment your tablet for taking notes and writing up essays, it’ extremely way more than you need. in this case, you may be higher choosing the Surface Go three.
The Surface Go 3 isn’t progressing to be able to deal with serious inventive apps and image rendering like its professional relative mat, but it’s the foremost reasonable Surface tablet, and it offers a stylish, light-weight style and low price. Invest within the kind Cover, and you’ll shield the screen and switch the Surface Go three into an excellent very little Windows portable computer for writing up essays.
The Surface professional 3 offers {a newer|a a lot of moderen|a more recent} processor and slightly higher performance over its predecessor, though its show is slightly rheostat and battery life isn’t great, therefore you may conjointly take into account 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 immoderate on top of because the best pill for college students searching for a premium golem device with an affordable value tag. however if you don’t want those specs (or you don’t wish such an outsized tablet), you may economize by going for an older, a lot of budget Galaxy Tab.
The Galaxy Tab half dozen nonfat has long been superseded, but you’ll 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 vie with a number of the a lot of 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 progressing to lie, we have a tendency to completely love the innovative iPad Air with its M1 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 nearly 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 may be better, but the arrival of the 2022 iPad Air means you’ll devour this earlier pill at a sweet discount if you look around.
like Apple’ different iPads, it’s an incredible style and a shocking screen, and App Store incorporates 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 selection for you. Power-wise it’ got constant chip because the iPhone 12, so it’ no slouch, and whereas it can’t vie with the iPad Pro, it doesn’t got to.
after we reviewed it, we found it offered over enough power for pretty much each iPad app out there. attach a sensible Keyboard, and you’ve got a superb pill that may even be used as a laptop, that is nice for once you want to write out long essays. It supports Apple Pencil two as well.
One issue to note, however, is that the most affordable model comes with simply 64GB of storage, and in contrast to some golem 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 selection once searching for the most effective tablets for students. Nevertheless, there are lots of reasons why you might decide on one. With Google Chrome as your OS, you get speed and easy use, additionally as Google’ own security, cloud storage and free connected apps. and also the Lenovo IdeaPad Duet Chromebook 10.1 could be a fine option; not solely will it return at an excellent price, it’ completely good 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 ability 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 lots of desktop apps have mobile editions that may prove even as helpful and are typically way cheaper.
The Lenovo Duet is a well-designed pill. It’ a bit chunky compared to Apple devices however that conjointly suggests that it’ a durable device. the actual 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 good 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 planning of the Lenovo Yoga Smart Tab is unique. One finish incorporates a bulky, rounded cylinder that tapers away to make a swish and incurved design. This ensures it a natural typewriting 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 of atomic number 13 and lined with a soft-touch acrylic finish, the Lenovo Yoga good Tab could be a lightweight and agile tablet. This device has a heap going for it, however it’ conjointly light on power and uses an older version of Android, which might limit its app use. That said, if you’re writing and organising, researching and browsing the web, or absorbing video calls and remote lectures, it’ really terribly handy; a decent backup pill.
however ought to i select the most effective tablet for college students for me?
that possibility is that the best student tablet for you’ll depend upon your requirements. We’d recommend considering size and weight: you’ll need a tablet that may simply match into your bag. Even with the biggest tablets, just like the 14in Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra, they’re still lighter and a lot of moveable than a laptop, but one among the explanations we have a tendency to rate the iPad mini therefore extremely is that it offers sensible specs however conjointly a awfully convenient size.
Some students can want high-level specs, particularly those on inventive courses who got 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’ll be able to get AN Apple student discount.
Otherwise, if you’re finding out a course that doesn’t entail use of a lot of hard to please creative software, then you may be just fine with a less expensive pill like AN older Galaxy Tab S or the 2020 iPad Air, or the super economical Amazon Fire.
