If you’ve seen the latest Apple product event, you might think that a decent tablet costs the same as a weekend getaway to the Bahamas. The new iPad Air costs at least $700, and is Apple’s second most expensive tablet. An equipped iPad Pro can cost as little as $1,300, before upgrading storage and adding other extras.
Make no mistake: iPads are usually high-end devices. The iPad Air uses the same chip as Apple’s 2020 laptops. You may need such a powerful tablet if you do complex tasks (such as video editing), or a $ tablet may be enough. from Amazon.
In the end, the cost of a tablet totally depends on how you are going to use it. If you just want another screen to read the news or keep the kids busy on a road trip, you could buy a really good tablet for less than you’d spend on a new pair of sneakers.
Here is a summary of what tablets cost, taking into account their advantages and disadvantages.
The best budget tablet
When one thinks of all that a tablet can do, $50 seems little, but the tablet Amazon Fire 7 (50GB) could change that idea for us. The model doesn’t score high enough in our tests to earn an official CR recommendation. However, it’s worth keeping in mind.
Imagine unboxing your new tablet and throwing yourself on the couch. what are you going to do with her?
With the Amazon Fire 7 tablet you’ll be able to manage TikTok, emails, e-books, control your smart lights and much more with ease.
Want a tablet this powerful? like a computer? Find a different one, because the Fire 7 is slow. Do you need a pretty screen? This 6.9-inch tablet doesn’t. But many people only want a second screen for simple tasks, to leave it on the coffee table and have it close at hand when they are too lazy to look for a laptop; this tablet will do for that.
The biggest obstacle could be downloading applications. Amazon devices don’t have access to some popular apps, so you’ll be able to check your email, for example, but not use the Gmail app to do so. Still, that’s fine for a tablet that costs so little. Also, you can add an SD card for more storage space.
The best tablet under $300
The year 2019 was great for tablets, if the Samsung Galaxy Tab A is any example.
The model has a screen of 10.1 inches, above average , with a reduction of reflections and a brightness that facilitates its use outdoors. Probably not as powerful for professional photo editing, but it handles everyday tasks very well. Battery lasts 11.1 hours, based on our Internet browsing battery life test (on compared to 8.8 hours on the previous Amazon tablet). Storage can be expanded with an SD card, and the model has features to restrict profiles to help keep children safe.
Cameras are mediocre, but probably fine for calls or take photos of purchase receipts. The tablet also runs Android, which means you’ll have access to a wide variety of apps.
The Galaxy Tab A costs around $230 and is a great machine. If you spend $50 more, you can buy a 4G model that works with a wireless plan. Or, for $400, you can get a basic iPad. This is an extraordinary tablet. Also, it looks great. But you don’t need to spend that much to get a tablet you love.
The best tablet of 500 for $1,10
When your tablet budget comes into the territory of a pretty piece of jewelry, there are plenty of options. If you have $500 in your pocket, you can get an iPad Mini. This powerful 8.3-inch machine has a gorgeous screen and is our top pick for a small tablet.
If you spend $100 more, you can buy the new iPad Air of 10.9 inches . Apple promises outstanding performance, and while we haven’t finished testing the model yet, iPads tend to do well in our reviews.
For those who want a larger screen or prefer an Android device, the $650 Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 is a fantastic option. It far exceeds our performance tests and although the screen of 11 inches is not the best, it is high quality. Our testers say it has bright, clean, and clear colors, although they lack a bit of saturation.
For big spenders, the Apple iPad Pro 10 is the best you can get. Its 11 inch screen uses a technology called Mini LED, also present in some high-end televisions, and the very fast processor it has is very likely to be more powerful than your computer. The standard option of 200 GB costs $800. 5G compatible models start at $1,10.
The best tablet money can buy
I know what you’re thinking. You looked at the iPad 11 Pro for $800 and you laughed. “Just a 11 inch screen? Please”. Of course, a true power user will only be satisfied with the roomy 12.9-inch iPad Pro, of $1,100. You may also need more storage, and since iPads don’t support SD cards, you’ll want to max it out with the 2 terabyte for $2 model,128. And while you’re at it, you can go for a 5G capability. That brings you to a total of $2,400.
Android users also have high-end options. We are testing the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra. We’ll have the results soon, but the specifications promise outstanding performance. The model costs between $900 and $1,200.
Jokes aside, they are really impressive devices. The screens are big and beautiful, and it’s hard to imagine a task that any normal user needs that these options can’t handle. They are also much more powerful than they could possibly need 99 of each 100 people. For some users, they could be something indispensable. For others, just an opportunity to say that they have the best device on the market. But for everyone else, a tablet doesn’t have to cost a fortune.
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Consumer Reports has no financial relationship with advertisers on this site . Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization that works with consumers to create a fair, safe, and healthy world. CR does not endorse products or services and does not accept advertising. Copyright © 2022, Consumer Reports, Inc.