Not quite smartphone, not quite laptop – yes, it’s the humble tablet. Globally popularised by the iPad in 2010, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a household without one or two knocking about. But tablets can be expensive, even though their capabilities rarely match those of a fully-fledged Mac or PC.
Some are cheaper though, and tablets are an ideal media consumption device, especially on-the-go.
The good news is there are often cheap tablet deals about and retailers can give big discounts to big brands; from Apple to Google, Acer to Huawei. If it runs iOS or Android (as most do), you’ve got thousands of awesome apps at your disposal.
It’s important to make sure the tablet you’re buying isn’t a dud – while you’re safe with just about any recent iPad, not all Android tablets are created equal. Check out our rankings of the best tablets and best cheap tablets for inspiration and some detailed buying advice, so that you know what to look for.
Best tablet deals right now
1. Apple iPad Air (2020, 64GB)
Now: £521 (£58 off)
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2. Lenovo Tab P11 Pro (128GB) w/ keyboard + stylus
From: Amazon
Was: £599.99
Now: £499.99 (£100 off)
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Lenovo’s Tab P11 Pro is a promising multimedia slate with a premium design and a stunning display. This model comes complete with both the Keyboard Pack and Precision Pen to expand its capabilities. Check out our Tab P11 Pro review to see how we found the whole kit and to decide whether this discount Amazon price is right for you.
3. Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (64GB)
Now: £309 (£40 off)
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The capable Galaxy Tab S6 Lite boasts a 10.4in display, AKG-tuned audio, S Pen support and right now, you can nab the WiFi-only model with £40 off on Amazon.
4. Apple iPad 10.2in (2020, 128GB, Wi-Fi + Cellular)
Now: £522.91 (£36.09 off)
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The 2020 10.2in iPad gets a notable performance upgrade over its predecessor and retains Apple Pencil support too. This WiFi-capable model benefits from a discount on Amazon.
5. Apple 12.9in iPad Pro (2020, 256GB)
From: Amazon
Was: £1,069
Now: £893.38 (£202.62 off)
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Get over £200 off the iPad Pro 12.9in from 2020. This isn’t a Prime-only deal so all Amazon customers can buy it, but we don’t know how long it’ll be available at this price. See our full review for more info.
6. Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 (128GB, cellular)
Now: £522 (£167 off)
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Shave over £165 off the 4G LTE version of Samsung’s best and brightest tablet of 2019 – the Galaxy Tab S6 – thanks to this Amazon offer.
7. Apple iPad Pro 11in (2020, 128GB)
Now: £735.78 (£33.22 off)
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Apple has discontinued the 2020 iPad Pro (there’s a new 2021 model to think about) but the tablet is still available from other retailers if you can manage without the M1 chip. This saving from Amazon is worth consideration.
If the 128GB model is sold out there are still some great savings to be had on the other models.
8. Apple iPad mini (2019, 64GB)
Now: £369.97 (£29 off)
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The fifth-gen iPad mini has been around a while, but it’s still the best compact tablet money can buy – and this handy discount from Amazon means you don’t need to part with quite as much.
9. Samsung Galaxy Tab S5e (64GB)
Now: £297.62 (£142.38 off)
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Samsung’s well-rounded Galaxy Tab S5e enjoys a price reduction of over £140 on Amazon, right now.
10. Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 (2019, 32GB)
Now: £99 (£40 off)
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If you’re after an iPad Mini alternative, Samsung’s 8in Galaxy Tab A makes for a good fit. At 8mm thick and just 345 grams, this lightweight slate is great for carrying around in a bag and for use on-the-go. Pair that with an Amazon discount and it’s a solid buy for the price.
What tablet deals are available?
You occasionally see the odd bit of money off an iPad, so look at retailers like Currys PC World and Argos for those, as Apple itself doesn’t often discount its iPads. There are always iPads on its Refurbished Store all year round though. Official resellers like KRCS can sometimes offer more competitive prices too.
Android tablets are far more likely to be sold at more competitive prices, given their generally lower RRPs in the first place – though even high-ticket Samsung and Google tablets can also get a good price cut – so keep your eyes peeled on this page.
There are, of course, 2-in-1 tablet computer hybrids, such as the Microsoft Surface Pro and the Surface Go, which run Windows. Though slightly pricey, we have an entire article dedicated to Microsoft Surface deals, which goes through the new models, accessories, usual prices, and, of course, where to find the best deals – including how to spot deals on refurbished devices and student discounts.
Amazon’s Fire tablets all have low prices to start with and are criminally low when they go on sale – which is surprisingly frequently. They tend to drop from ‘affordable’ to ‘essential’ with offers across the Fire tablet range.
If you find that you’re missing out on Amazon’s Lightning deals, which run for just a few hours and offer limited stock, we’d recommend signing up for Amazon’s 30-day free trial of Prime, which will get you access to deals 30 minutes before everyone else. Plus, you’ll get free next-day delivery with the Prime trial, as well as access to Prime Instant Video and more.
Sign up for Prime now to take advantage.
See our guide on the best Amazon tablet, which includes comparisons, reviews and buying advice. Tech Advisor also has a range of articles on tablets, tablet cases and related gadgets and accessories which should also help you decide.
Tablet deals for students
Another great resource to help you snag deals is Tech Advisor’s Student Beans page. The Tech and Mobile section can help you save up to 25% on big brands such as Apple (10% off for students), Asus, HP, Lenovo, Logitech and many more. See all tech student deals here.
Here are a few of the best places to check for tablet bargains:
