Tablets reside in an increasingly tangled space between phones and laptops. As phones get more powerful and get bigger screens, laptops keep getting lighter. Tablet manufacturers aren’t resting on their laurels, though, and many of the more recent tablets we’ve seen attempt to bridge the gap in terms of performance and, in certain cases, handle some tasks more efficiently than both phones and laptops.
The tablet spectrum is also varied. Low-cost 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 paired with an optional folio-style keyboard. Then there’s the ubiquitous iPad, a slate that has become the tablet of choice for anyone looking for something in the Apple ecosystem (and for many beyond).
Below, we’ve rounded up deals on a number of Android, iPadOS, and Windows tablets. We’ve also broken down the deals by manufacturer to make it easier for you, and we’ll keep updating this post regularly as new discounts and sales become available.
Apple Tablet Deals
2020 iPad Air
The recent announcement of a new iPad Air has caused Apple to significantly downgrade its last-generation predecessor, the 2020 iPad Air. The older model may lack Apple’s blazing fast M1 chip, but the A14 Bionic processor can still deliver plenty of power and should be fast enough for the vast majority of apps. The tablet is also compatible with several iPad Air accessories, allowing you to transform it into an ad-hoc laptop using add-ons such as Apple’s Magic Keyboard. The 10.9-inch tablet offers a great Retina display with 2360 x 1640 and a wide color gamut, not to mention a USB-C port for charging. Normally $599, the 64GB, Wi-Fi-equipped iPad Air is now on sale at Amazon and Best Buy for $499.99, which is its best price yet. Read our review.
2020 iPad Air (64GB, Wi-Fi)
The iPad Air 2020 has thinner bezels around the screen and has moved the Touch ID fingerprint sensor to the power button, which is located on the top of the device.
2021 12.9-inch iPad Pro
In many ways, the iPad Pro is the scaled-up model 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. However, the 12-inch iPad Pro has a larger mini LED display, a superior camera array, Face ID support, and a variable refresh rate.
The 128GB model with Wi-Fi normally costs $1099.99, but can currently be found on Amazon and Best Buy for around $999. However, if you’re lucky enough to have a Micro Center within driving distance, you can save an extra $100 by in-store pickup, dropping the price to $899.99. The current discount is attractive, but keep in mind that this particular model has been holding this price for several months now, so we’d recommend paying no more than $1,000 if you plan on buying one. Read our review.
12.9-inch iPad Pro (2021, 128GB, Wi-Fi)
Apple’s latest iPad Pro also comes with the company’s own M1 processor and Thunderbolt, but the 12.9-inch model also has the best display of any tablet available.
Lenovo Tablet Deals
Lenovo Tab P11
The 11-inch Lenovo Tab P11 normally starts at $259.99, but is currently discounted at Best Buy to $199.99, which is its best price yet. This model comes standard with 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of storage, but the microSD card slot allows you to upgrade it after purchase. The low-end Android tablet also has a screen resolution of 2000 x 1000 and features an 8 MP front camera for video chatting, as well as a 13 MP rear camera for taking photos. While the P11 is compatible with an optional keyboard dock, the tablet’s Snapdragon 662 processor and limited RAM prevent the P11 from doing a lot of heavy lifting, making it more suitable for light browsing and media consumption.
Lenovo Tab P11 (64GB, Wi-Fi)
This 11-inch tablet from Lenovo has 64 GB of storage capacity and 4 GB of RAM. The P11 uses the Android 10 OS and has a screen resolution of 2000 x 1200.
Microsoft tablet offers
Microsoft Surface Pro 8
If you don’t mind a limited port selection and need a tablet that packs a lot of performance into a lightweight chassis, then Microsoft’s powerful Surface Pro 8 might be for you. The attractive, modern slate has a 13-inch touchscreen, a resolution of 2880 x 1920 and a refresh rate of 120 Hz – a rarity outside the gaming sphere. It’s also a great device for teleconferencing 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 optional keyboard cover.
Right now, the Surface Pro 8 with Microsoft’s Surface Pro keyboard is on sale at Best Buy for $999.98, a cool $240 off the package’s regular list price. Note that this particular model comes with an 11th Gen Intel Core i5 CPU, 8GB of RAM and a 128GB SSD. Read our review.
Samsung tablet deals
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 series may have just launched, but you can already get a Best Buy gift card for up to $100 when you buy a model in the Tab S8 series at Best Buy. To be specific, if you buy the standard S8 ($699.99) you get a $50 gift card, the S8 Plus ($899.99) a $75 gift card, and the S8 Ultra ($1,099.99) a $100 gift card, all of which are good for a future purchase.
While there are some obvious upgrades over the S8 line, there are also some similarities. They all use Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor, feature quad-speaker arrays, run Android 12 and come with a Samsung S Pen stylus. Each model also supports Wi-Fi 6E and comes with at least 8 GB of RAM, but the S8 Ultra is also available in 12 GB and 16 GB configurations. The S8 and S8 Plus essentially serve as direct replacements for their Tab S7 predecessors, while the S8 Ultra is a feature-packed model with support for 5G connectivity and a 14.6-inch OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a resolution of 2,960 x 1,848.
While we have yet to review the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 series, we were generally pleased with the Tab S7 series (see below). That said, we will have our full impressions on the site shortly.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 (Wi-Fi, 128 GB) + $50 cadeau gift card
The standard model of the Galaxy Tab S8 has an 11-inch LCD display with a resolution of 2560 x 1600. The base model also has 8 GB of RAM and can be configured with 128 GB or 256 GB of storage out of the box.
Samsung Galaxy S8 Ultra (Wi-Fi, 256GB) + $100 . Gift Card
The premium model in the S8 range, the S8 Ultra, shares many of the same specs as its cheaper siblings. In addition to configurations that can offer up to 512 GB of storage, the Ultra can also be upgraded with 12 GB or 16 GB of RAM. It also has a larger 14.6-inch OLED display with a resolution of 2960 x 1848.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 and S7 Plus
The 11- and 12-inch models of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 still hold their own, even with the recent release of the Tab S8 series. Both use Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 865 Plus processor, can run on Android 12, have quad speaker systems and come with Samsung’s S-Pen. The biggest differences between the two models are the screens: the S7 uses an 11-inch LCD screen, while the S7 Plus uses a 12.4-inch OLED screen.
While we’ve seen the standard 128GB S7 with Wi-Fi retail for just $450, it’s currently only available from Best Buy for $584.99, about $65 off its original retail price. The S7 Plus, meanwhile, is also on sale at Best Buy, where you can pick up the 128GB model with Wi-Fi for $725 instead of $849.99. We’ve seen higher discounts on both models in the past, but given the recent introduction of the S8 line, we don’t expect retailers including Samsung to offer both models for much longer. Read our S7 and S7 Plus reviews†
Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 (Wi-Fi, 128GB)
The standard Galaxy Tab S7 has an 11-inch LCD display, and both the S7 and S7 Plus come with a 120Hz panel and 128GB of basic storage. Both models also come with the redesigned S Pen, providing a smoother writing and drawing experience.
Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 and A7 Lite
If you’re looking for a barebones entertainment device – be it for yourself or your kids – the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 and A7 Lite are two tablets to consider. The standard base model Galaxy Tab A7 has a 10.4-inch screen, 32GB of storage and a paltry 3GB of RAM, not to mention a rather dated CPU. While the general specs of the A7 might make some power users crave something with a little more juice, the inexpensive tablet still offers great-sounding speakers, great build quality and a commendable display.
The A7 Lite, on the other hand, is a smaller and less powerful version of the standard A7. The 8.7-inch display offers a resolution of just 1340 x 800 and, like the larger model, the base configuration comes with 32 GB of storage and 3 GB of RAM. While it’s less powerful, it’s also hard to find a tablet with these specs available at this price.
Right now, the 32GB, Wi-Fi-equipped A7 is on sale at Best Buy for $195.99 instead of $229.99, while the budget-friendly A7 Lite is currently available on Amazon for $129 instead of the typical $159.99. Read our Galaxy Tab A7 review.
Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 (Wi-Fi, 32GB)
Samsung’s Galaxy Tab A7 has a vibrant, colorful screen, decent speakers and a solid build quality. This tablet is a great tertiary device for entertainment at an affordable price.
