Collection: Best Tablets for Students

The best tablets for students in 2025

From all-arounders to niche needs, these are our favorite picks for school this year. Prioritize battery life (10–14 hrs), stylus/keyboard support, USB‑C, and 128GB+ storage if you download a lot.

Quick picks: - All‑around iPad: Refurbished iPad — best mix of price/performance for most students. - Creative/Power users: Refurbished iPad Air · Refurbished iPad Pro - Compact/One‑handed: Refurbished iPad Mini

What we scored: performance → battery → display/pen → build → price/value → warranty/support.

Why you can trust our best tablets for students list

Our picks are grounded in student workflows (notes, LMS/Canvas/Google Docs, research, video classes, and occasional creative work). We weigh long‑term support (OS updates), accessory ecosystems (stylus/keyboards), repairability, and current value in Techable’s refurbished inventory. We also avoid hype: if a cheaper iPad does the job, we’ll say so.

Best student tablet overall

iPad (10th/11th gen) — Balanced performance, huge app library, and broad accessory support.
→ Shop: Refurbished iPad

Why it’s great
- Runs every core student app smoothly (Docs, Notion, Zoom, OneNote).
- Excellent battery life; reliable cameras/mics for online classes.
- Massive accessory market: cases, keyboards, Apple Pencil.

Good to know
- 64GB is okay for cloud‑first students; 128GB+ recommended for media‑heavy majors.
- Add a tempered glass and folio keyboard to create a laptop‑lite setup.

Who it’s for: Most students who want simple, dependable, affordable.

Best Android tablet for students

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE — Water‑resistant, bright display, and S Pen in the box; great for handwritten notes.

Why it’s great
- S Pen included (no extra cost) with low‑latency inking.
- DeX mode for desktop‑style multitasking.

Consider also: Lenovo Tab P12 (budget big screen).
iPad alternative: Refurbished iPad if you prefer iPadOS apps and accessories.

Best iPad for students

iPad Air — Lightweight with strong performance for notes, multitasking, and creative work.
→ Shop: Refurbished iPad Air

Why it’s great
- Faster chip and better screen than base iPad; ideal for split‑screen study.
- Works with Apple Pencil and keyboard accessories for laptop‑like use.

Step up if needed: iPad Pro adds 120Hz display and top‑tier chips for design/video.
→ Shop: Refurbished iPad Pro

Storage tip: 128–256GB sweet spot for campus life; creatives may prefer 512GB.

Best Windows tablet for students

Microsoft Surface Pro (11/9) — Full desktop apps for majors that need Windows software (engineering tools, accounting suites, research apps).

Why it’s great
- True laptop replacement with keyboard/pen.
- Runs desktop software (not just mobile apps).

Good to know: Costs more once you add keyboard/pen; battery life varies by workload.

Best budget tablet for students

Older‑gen iPad or iPad Mini — Solid for reading, online classes, and notes at a lower price.
→ Shop: Refurbished iPad · Refurbished iPad Mini

Why it’s great
- Long OS support and resale value.
- Huge case/keyboard selection even for older models.

Buying tips
- Stick with Excellent/Like New if you care about cosmetics; Good saves more if you always use a case.
- Verify battery health and Pencil compatibility on the product page.

Best student tablet for online classes

iPad (10th gen) or Galaxy Tab S6 Lite — Reliable cameras/mics and split‑screen for video + notes.
→ Shop iPad: Refurbished iPad

Setup to copy
- Use a stand at eye level + Bluetooth keyboard for posture.
- Pair quality earbuds/headset for clearer audio in class.
- Keep a Notes app and calendar pinned for quick capture.

Best 2-in-1 tablet for students

Surface Pro (keyboard bundle) — Laptop‑like typing with pen support for annotation.

Why it’s great
- Best for majors needing Windows‑only software or deep multitasking.
- Desktop‑class browsers and extensions for research.

Alternative: iPad Air/Pro + Magic Keyboard gives a similar feel with better battery life.
→ Shop: Refurbished iPad Air · Refurbished iPad Pro

Best student tablet for reading and media

iPad Mini or iPad Air — Light, long‑lasting, and easy to hold in lectures or on commutes.
→ Shop: Refurbished iPad Mini · Refurbished iPad Air

Why it’s great
- Comfortable one‑handed reading (Mini) and great speakers (Air/Pro).
- Perfect for PDFs, e‑texts, and lecture replays.

Tip: Use a matte screen protector to cut glare in bright classrooms.

The best tablet for students — Specs compared

Create a quick compare table (swap in your live SKUs and links):

Add columns for Storage and Price once SKUs are selected. Link iPad rows to: iPad · iPad Air · iPad Pro · iPad Mini.

Trade in your old tablet for cash

Turn your current device into credit toward an upgrade.

How it works
1) Check value online → Techable Trade‑In
2) Send your device (we’ll guide you through safe data wipe).
3) Get paid or apply credit to your new tablet.

Pro tip: Include the charger/case if you have them—condition can improve value.

How to choose the best tablet for you

Workflows
- Notes & readings: iPad or Galaxy Tab with first‑party stylus.
- Coding & specialized apps: Surface Pro (Windows desktop).
- Creative work: iPad Air/Pro with Pencil.

Size
- 10–11” → portability and comfort.
- 12–13” → split‑screen + keyboard replacement.

Battery & charging
- Aim for a full school day (10–14 hrs). Add a 30W USB‑C charger + 10k mAh power bank for safety.

Accessories
- Pencil/S Pen/Surface Pen latency matters for handwriting.
- Keyboard folios transform tablets for essay writing.

Budget
- Refurbished iPads offer the best value and warranties for most students. Start with Refurbished iPad and step up to iPad Air or iPad Pro as needed.