Best Tablet to Buy—Budget-Friendly Choice in 2025

When it comes to finding the best tablet to buy in 2025, it’s important to consider the overall value a tablet offers. For this, we’ll focus on options that balance price with performance, meaning they’re not the cheapest on the market, but they also don’t come with the premium price tag of high-end models.

Choosing the best tablet to buy this year comes down to your specific needs and budget. If you’re looking for a reliable all-around tablet, look for one that stands out with its features, excellent performance, and value. Let’s take a look at some great contenders:

The 8 Best Tablet to Buy in 2025

1. Apple iPad (10th Generation)

Price Range: Mid-range
Best For: Users who prefer iPadOS and a well-rounded tablet experience for work and play.

Apple’s iPad (10th generation) is a fantastic option for those who want the iPad experience without paying for the high-end Pro models. With a great balance of performance and price, it’s widely considered one of the best tablets to buy this year.

Pros:

Fluid Performance: Powered by the A14 Bionic chip, it handles multitasking and everyday apps effortlessly.
Beautiful Display: A 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display that offers vivid colors and clarity for movies, games, or productivity apps.
Great App Ecosystem: Access to millions of apps through iPadOS makes it perfect for both work and entertainment.
Battery Life: Lasts up to 10 hours on a single charge, providing all-day use.

Cons:

Limited Storage: The base model starts at 64GB, which may be too small for some users.
Accessory Costs: The Apple Pencil and keyboard are sold separately.

2. Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE

Price Range: Mid-range
Best For: Android users who want a premium experience without the high cost of the Tab S8.

Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S7 FE offers excellent features for a mid-range price. It’s a fantastic alternative for those looking for a top-tier Android tablet.

Pros:

Large, Gorgeous Display: The 12.4-inch TFT screen offers an immersive viewing experience, perfect for watching content or editing documents.
Good Performance: Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G processor, it runs smoothly for day-to-day tasks and moderate gaming.
Expandable Storage: Comes with a microSD slot to expand storage, which is great for those who need more space.
Battery Life: Offers up to 13 hours of use, ensuring you can use it throughout the day.

Cons:

Plastic Build: The tablet’s body is made of plastic, which feels less premium compared to metal-bodied models.
S Pen Not Magnetic: The S Pen is included but doesn’t have a designated storage slot on the tablet itself.

3. Microsoft Surface Go 3

Price Range: Mid-range
Best For: Those who want a tablet that can double as a laptop for work or study.

For those who need a tablet that functions like a laptop, the Microsoft Surface Go 3 is a great choice. It’s affordable, compact, and comes with full Windows 11 functionality, making it an excellent productivity tool.

Pros:

Versatile Performance: Powered by Intel’s Pentium Gold or Core i3 processors, it’s ideal for basic tasks like word processing, web browsing, and video conferencing.
Full Windows OS: Runs Windows 11, so you can use all your desktop apps and get a true laptop experience in tablet form.
Portable: At just 1.2 pounds, it’s incredibly easy to carry around for on-the-go work.
Good Keyboard Option: With the Surface Type Cover (sold separately), it transforms into a mini laptop.

Cons:

Storage Limits: The base model offers 64GB, which may be too small for heavy users.
Small Display: At 10.5 inches, the screen might feel a bit cramped compared to larger tablets.

4. Lenovo Tab P11 Plus

Price Range: Budget to mid-range
Best For: Budget-conscious users who want a decent Android tablet.

The Lenovo Tab P11 Plus is a well-priced tablet that offers excellent value for money. It has a great display, decent performance, and good battery life for its price.

Pros:

Good Display: A sharp 11-inch 2K display that’s perfect for watching movies, reading, or browsing the web.
Solid Performance: Powered by the MediaTek Helio G90T chipset, it handles everyday tasks with ease.
Affordable: It provides a good balance of features at a reasonable price.
Long Battery Life: Lasts up to 12 hours, perfect for day-long use.

Cons:

No 5G Support: It lacks 5G connectivity, so you’ll need Wi-Fi to access the internet.
App Compatibility Issues: Some apps aren’t fully optimized for Android tablets, which could affect the experience.

5. Amazon Fire HD 10 (2025 Model)

Price Range: Budget
Best For: Those on a budget who just need a tablet for basic tasks.

Amazon’s Fire HD 10 has been updated for 2025, providing a solid option for those who don’t need all the bells and whistles but still want a reliable device for streaming, browsing, and reading.

Pros:

Great Value: Offers an affordable price while still delivering solid performance for everyday use.
10.1-inch Display: A good-size display for reading, streaming, and general tasks.
Alexa Integration: Easily control your smart home devices and access Alexa’s voice assistant features.
Impressive Battery: Lasts up to 12 hours on a single charge.

Cons:

Limited App Selection: The Amazon Appstore has fewer apps compared to Google Play or Apple’s App Store.
Basic Performance: The Fire HD 10 is great for basic tasks, but it struggles with heavy multitasking or gaming.

6. Samsung Galaxy Tab A8

Price Range: Budget
Best For: Those who want a reliable Android tablet on a budget.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 is an entry-level tablet that still offers a solid experience. It’s perfect for casual users who don’t need all the premium features but want a functional device.

Pros:

Affordable: One of the best budget-friendly tablets on the market.
Decent Display: The 10.5-inch screen offers good color and sharpness for the price.
Expandable Storage: Has a microSD slot for expanding storage, which is perfect for users who store a lot of content.
Samsung’s Ecosystem: Access to Samsung’s suite of apps and services.

Cons:

Mediocre Performance: The Unisoc Tiger T618 chipset is good for light tasks but struggles with heavy apps.
Plastic Build: Feels a bit cheap compared to higher-end models.

7. Huawei MatePad 11

Price Range: Mid-range
Best For: Users who want a well-rounded tablet with a good display and performance.

The Huawei MatePad 11 is one of the top tablets you can buy in the mid-range segment, offering a stunning display and great value.

Pros:

Beautiful Display: 11-inch 120Hz LCD display that makes content look smooth and vibrant.
Good Performance: Powered by the Snapdragon 865 chipset, it delivers strong performance for most tasks.
HarmonyOS: Huawei’s own operating system provides a unique experience, although it lacks Google services.
Long Battery Life: Offers up to 12 hours of usage on a single charge.

Cons:

No Google Play Store: Lacks access to Google services, which may be a dealbreaker for some.
Limited App Selection: Huawei’s app store isn’t as robust as Google Play or Apple’s App Store.

8. Lenovo Yoga Tab 13

Price Range: Mid-range
Best For: Users looking for a large-screen tablet with an excellent display and solid performance.

The Lenovo Yoga Tab 13 is a unique tablet designed for multimedia consumption, thanks to its large screen and immersive sound system.

Pros:

Massive Display: The 13-inch display is perfect for watching movies, gaming, and working on larger documents.
Impressive Sound: Features Dolby Atmos speakers for immersive audio.
Decent Performance: Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 processor, it handles multitasking and media consumption smoothly.
Flexible Stand: A built-in kickstand allows you to adjust the tablet’s angle for comfortable viewing.

Cons:

Heavy: At 1.3 pounds, it’s heavier than most tablets.
Expensive: While not outrageously priced, it’s still on the higher end for mid-range tablets.

Why You Should Own a Tablet: The Pros and Cons of Tablet Ownership

Tablets have evolved from simple e-readers to powerful devices capable of handling a wide range of tasks. But is owning a tablet the right choice for you? Let’s break down the pros and cons of tablet ownership to help you decide if it’s worth the investment.

Pros of Owning a Tablet

Portability: Tablets are lightweight and slim, making them easy to carry around. Whether you’re traveling, commuting, or simply moving from room to room, tablets are convenient and easy to store.
Versatility: Whether you need a device for work, study, or entertainment, tablets can handle it all. You can use it for reading, watching movies, taking notes, browsing the web, or even drawing and creating digital artwork.
Long Battery Life: Tablets are known for their impressive battery life, often lasting longer than laptops or smartphones. Many models can last an entire day on a single charge, making them reliable for long trips or work sessions.
Touchscreen Interface: The intuitive touchscreen interface makes tablets incredibly easy to use. Whether you’re tapping to open apps or using a stylus for precision, it’s a more interactive experience compared to laptops or desktops.

Cons of Owning a Tablet

Limited Functionality: While tablets are powerful, they may not be suitable for all tasks. Advanced video editing, programming, or running complex software may require the power of a laptop or desktop.
Storage Limitations: While many tablets offer expandable storage via microSD cards, they typically don’t have the same amount of built-in storage as laptops. For heavy media users, this could be a limitation.
Accessory Costs: Tablets often need accessories like cases, keyboards, or styluses to be fully functional. These are usually sold separately, adding to the overall cost of ownership.
Size Limitations: While tablets are portable, their smaller screen size compared to laptops or desktops can be limiting, especially for multitasking or working on detailed projects.

Why a Tablet Could Be the Right Choice for You

If you’re trying to decide on the best tablet to buy in 2025, it ultimately depends on your needs and budget. For those seeking an affordable yet powerful device, tablets like the iPad (10th Generation) or Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE stand out for their impressive balance of performance and price. Each model offers its own set of advantages depending on whether you’re an Android or Apple fan, or whether you prefer Windows or Android operating systems.

Owning a tablet can be a game-changer for your daily life, offering the perfect blend of portability, functionality, and convenience. Whether it’s for work, school, or entertainment, a tablet serves as a handy device that can streamline your digital experience. While there are some trade-offs, especially around storage and performance, the right tablet can elevate your productivity and enjoyment without emptying your wallet. So, take your time, consider your needs, and get the best tablet to buy in 2025 that works for you.