College-bound? Discover the best tablets for students in 2025

The best tablets for students in 2025 

✨From power to portability, these student tablets cover every need. The iPad (2022) is the best all-rounder, while the Galaxy Tab S9 FE shines for Android users. The iPad Air M2 is a strong laptop alternative, and the Surface Pro 11 and Pro 9 offer full Windows flexibility. For value, the Lenovo Tab P12 and Galaxy Tab S6 Lite include styluses, and the Amazon Fire HD 10 is perfect for basic tasks on a budget. When choosing the best tablet for college students, prioritize key features like performance, battery life, screen quality, storage, and stylus support.  

Why you can trust our best tablets for students list 

At Back Market, our mission is clear: make tech reliable, sustainable, and affordable. We understand how important it is for students to have reliable, high-performing tablets that meet their needs and budgets, so we’ve curated this list for you. Our best student tablets list has been created based on our expert tech knowledge, focusing on devices that deliver performance and value. After careful research, we’ve created a student tablets list based on key factors, including performance, portability, software, battery life, durability, and affordability. Whether you need a tablet for research, note-taking, or casual use, this list has you covered with the best options to help you succeed.   

Which is the best tablet for students?

Apple iPad (2022) — Best student tablet overall

The best tablet for students is the iPad (2022), also known as the iPad 10th generation. It’s an affordable but powerful tablet capable of note-taking, writing, tackling assignments, and media consumption. The iPad (2022)’s 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display brings sharp resolution and vibrant color to everything from notes to Netflix. Under the hood is the A14 Bionic chip, allowing smooth multitasking and running educational apps. With over 10 hours of battery life, this tablet can get you through a full day of classes and then some. You will have access to Apple’s App Store, where you can access productivity software such as Microsoft Word and Google Docs. The iPad (2022) offers up to 256 GB of storage, which is plenty of space for your documents, files, and media. For photos and video, you’ll get a 12MP sensor for both the front and rear cameras, and the tablet also supports Wi-Fi 6 for fast and reliable connectivity.  

✨The iPad (2022) is the best students’ tablet overall as it packs the powerful A14 Bionic chip, a vibrant 10.9-inch display, up to 256GB of storage, over 10 hours of battery life, and is surprisingly affordable.    

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE — Best Android tablet for students

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE is the best Android tablet for students. Even though it’s the fan edition, it doesn’t feel like it’s living in the flagship device’s shadow. It shares the same lightweight, sleek design and boasts solid specs as expected from Samsung. The Galaxy Tab S9 FE has a bright 10.9-inch display with a 90 Hz refresh rate, perfect for lectures, reading, and scrolling. It also includes a comfortable S Pen with a 0.7mm tip for seamless note-taking, and boasts an impressive IP68 rating. The tablet is powered by the Exynos 1380 chip, which is not a powerhouse, but still a great performer for everyday tasks. It could last up to 18 hours on a single charge, which is more than enough to last a full day of work and play. You get a choice between 128GB and 256GB of storage with this tablet, as well as a microSD slot supporting up to an additional 1TB.  

✨The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE’s large display, powerful chip, exceptional battery life, and extensive storage options make it the best Android companion for entertainment, productivity, and creative tasks.  

Apple iPad Air (M2, 2024) — Best iPad for students

The iPad Air M2 (2024) is the best iPad for students. It isn’t the cheapest tablet out there, but it strikes the best balance between performance and price. It’s powered by the M2 chip, which isn’t new, but it’s still a mighty capable processor able to efficiently multitask and handle creative tasks. The iPad is available in two screen sizes: 11-inch and 13-inch. Internally, the two devices are identical; whichever you settle on depends on your preferred screen size. The 13-inch is the best option for students as the extra screen real estate is essential when in laptop mode with a Magic Keyboard. That said, the 11-inch device is more portable and easier to handle, and you won’t need a bigger screen if you’ve already got a laptop. Storage options start from 128GB to 1TB with 8GB RAM on all models. The M2 iPad Air also supports Apple Pencil Pro, making it perfect for note-taking, drawing, and other creative tasks.  

✨The iPad Air M2 (2024) perfectly balances performance, portability, and affordability, making it a fantastic laptop alternative for students.   

Microsoft Surface Pro 11 — Best Windows tablet for students 

The Microsoft Surface Pro 11 is the best Windows tablet for students. The device runs Windows 11 and delivers incredible speed and battery life thanks to Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Plus/Snapdragon X Elite chip. We recommend this tablet because it’s powerful and highly portable. Under the hood, the Snapdragon chip churns enough juice to make this the fastest tablet on this list. It’s efficient, too, as this slate could last up to 14 hours on a single charge, meaning you can use it for a full day without worrying about plugging in. The 13-inch display is available as an LCD or OLED panel, with the latter costing more, but the additional vividness and brightness make working, studying, or watching media a joy. The tablet supports the detachable Surface Pro Flex keyboard and Surface Slim Pen stylus, but accessorizing your tablet to unlock its full potential will cost you more.   

✨Fast, powerful, and lightweight, the Microsoft Surface Pro 11 is a flexible 2-in-1 with all-day battery life, making it the best Windows tablet for students.  

Lenovo Tab P12 — Best budget tablet for students 

The best tablet for the budget student is the Lenovo Tab P12, made for both work and play. The device boasts a large 12.7-inch LCD display with Dolby Vision, delivering bright and crisp visuals. Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7050, it outperforms most competitors within its price point, smoothly running every task, whether you’re using it for schoolwork or media consumption. Its large battery will last well over 10 hours on a full charge, serving you for more than a full school day. You will have an option between 128GB and 256GB of storage, with the former available with 4GB and 8GB RAM, and the latter with 8GB RAM only. And the best part? The Lenovo Tab P12 has a stylus, making it great for note-taking and creative work, and an unbeatable deal for a budget tablet.  

✨For students needing an affordable and reliable tablet, the Lenovo Tab P12 offers excellent value with its 12.7-inch display, long battery life, and included stylus.  

Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite — Best student tablet for online classes

The best tablet for online classes is the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite. You won’t need an ultra-performer to join online classes, so this light, impressive tablet should suffice. The tablet can easily handle note-taking and streaming, and thanks to the 8MP rear and 5MP front cameras, joining online classes or collaborating online is easy. The tablet supports Bluetooth headsets for more privacy and includes a 3.5mm audio jack for wired headphones. Under the hood is an Exynos 9611 processor, which packs plenty of power and is generally fast. The tablet has an S Pen stylus, and the large 10.4-inch display provides plenty of real estate for note-taking, sketching, and graphic design. The only downside to this tablet is battery life. While you can squeeze out a whole day with some battery optimization, the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite is best plugged in, which makes sense for a student tablet for online classes.  

✨The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite offers power, speed, and versatility along with excellent value for money and an included S Pen stylus.  

Microsoft Surface Pro 9 — Best 2-in-1 tablet for students

The Surface Pro line from Microsoft has some of the best 2-in-1 devices on the market, and the Microsoft Surface Pro 9 is the best 2-in-1 tablet for students. It’s a tablet that can quickly turn into a laptop, and unlike other devices running mobile operating systems like iPadOS and Android, it runs Windows 11 out of the box. What does this mean? This means it’s a multitasking powerhouse, and you don’t have to struggle finding apps or workarounds for productivity software like Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. The tablet is powered by a potent 12th-gen Intel processor with 8- or 16GB RAM and up to 1TB of storage, specs that should handle any demands and last for years. Its large 13-inch PixelSense touchscreen display is bright and crisp, and its 15.5 hours of battery life ensure your study sessions remain uninterrupted. The device supports the Surface Pro stylus and keyboard, but you will have to purchase these separately.  

✨The Microsoft Surface Pro 9 is a Windows tablet that doubles as a full-fledged laptop, with support for desktop apps like Microsoft Office and Adobe Creative Suite.  

Amazon Fire HD 10 — Best student tablet for reading and media

The best student tablet for reading and media consumption is the Amazon Fire HD 10. This affordable tablet was designed with entertainment and practicality in mind. Its 10.1-inch display with a 1920 x 1200 resolution delivers sharp and colorful visuals. Its sleek, all-metal backing gives it a premium feel, and at just 15 oz, it’s light enough to carry around campus. The tablet is powered by a 2GHz octa-core processor with 3GB RAM, enough power for note-taking, streaming, and browsing. You can choose between the 32GB and 64GB storage variants, with more storage available via the microSD slot. The Amazon Fire HD 10 can last up to 10 hours on a full charge, making it ideal for a full day of studying and entertainment. One of its best features is its integration with Amazon’s ecosystem. It gives you access to Prime Video, Amazon E-Books, and other exclusive services, making it the perfect companion for students who enjoy reading and binge-watching.  

✨The Amazon Fire HD 10 is the best tablet for students seeking a budget-friendly tablet for light academic tasks, reading, and media consumption.  

The best tablet for students — Specs compared 

Trade in your old tablet for cash  

Got an old tablet collecting dust? Turn it into cash with Back Market’s easy Trade-in program. We’ll give your device a second life, and you get paid. The process is quick and involves only three steps. Just answer a few questions about your tablet’s condition, get an instant quote, and ship it to us for free. Once everything is verified, you get paid. It’s the smartest way to clear out space or upgrade, while doing something good for the planet.   

How to choose the best tablet for you 

When choosing the best tablet for college, you want to focus on features that promote productivity and convenience. Here are some of the most important factors to consider when buying a student tablet.  

Screen size and resolution. A good tablet screen size is at least 10 inches, as it will help with reading and taking notes easily. At the same time, you don’t want an extra-large screen as it affects portability. The resolution of the screen also matters. A higher resolution screen means a sharper display, which helps with reading small text.  

Battery life. A good tablet for college students should last at least 8 hours, with the best options lasting over 10 hours. Why? You want a tablet that will get you through a full day of classes without needing a boost.  

Processing power. Performance or processing power is another crucial factor when choosing a student tablet. You want a tablet that can multitask smoothly; at the very least, it should simultaneously handle research, note-taking, and video-conferencing apps.  

Operating system. The operating system is the software that runs the tablet, and the two most popular are iPadOS and Android. However, other operating systems, including Windows and ChromeOS, are also available. Android is known for being flexible, while iPadOS is known for its smooth performance and security. You’ll need to choose the OS that best meets your needs.  

Storage. A student tablet needs ample storage space for apps, documents, and media files. Choose tablets with larger storage or at least expandable storage, as they provide more flexibility without worrying about running out of storage space.  

Stylus compatibility. While not all tablets offer stylus support, those that do allow you to take notes, sketch diagrams, and interact with educational apps in a more hands-on way, enhancing the learning experience.  

Affordability. Undoubtedly, high-end features are great, but affordability is just as important. The best student tablet strikes the perfect balance between performance and price, providing excellent value without compromising on essential features.  

✨When choosing the best student tablet, focus on essential features like screen size and resolution, battery life, processing power, operating system, storage, stylus compatibility, and affordability.