The best tablets for college students are ideal study companions, depending on whether you’re studying at university, college or school. Some are even powerful enough to take over your laptop providing a convenient approach to studying on the mobile. Their touchscreens and stylus support are ideal to sketch notes and take notes, and with an attachable keyboard, then you can also use one the top student tablets for writing assignments.
There are many possibilities of the best tablets for students based on the amount of power required. Students who study creative subjects and need to use graphically demanding software, may be looking for powerful tablets such as an iPad Pro or Surface Pro. For those who take programs that don’t require for software with a large amount of resources, there are many more affordable options.
Below we’ve compiled a list of the top tablets for students from both sides of the band, including choices available from Apple, Microsoft and Samsung in addition to Chromebooks.Read about suntrics At website We’ve evaluated the pros and the various tablets in light of student usage, paying close consideration to the design capacity, portability, and battery life. Our choices our based on the reviews of our readers’ experiences with the devices as well feedback from contacts, specifications, and customer reviews (see how we assess for more details on how we test).
If you are certain that you do not need an iPad then you may want to go through our list of the best iPad alternatives. You can also look for refurbished versions of the tablets on the list below, before purchasing, take a look at our guide to buying refurbished technology.
The top tablets for students are available today
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01. Apple iPad Air (5th Gen, 2022)
SPECIFICATIONS
Weight: 462g
Dimensions 9.74 by 7.02 0.24 inches. 0.24 inches
Storage: 64GB, 256GB
Screen size: 10.9-inch
We had been huge fans of the 2020 iPad Air, and we were able to rate it as the top tablet for school students since the time it came out. It’s now the latest Apple iPad Air (5th Gen 2022) has stolen its predecessor’s crown , adding a level of power which is close to creating an iPad Pro. It’s a slim, powerful and lightweight device, now using Apple’s own M1 processor which is the main upgrade over the previous model.
When we looked at it, we saw that this processor update makes the iPad Air capable of handling every task that’s put before it, including the most popular applications for art, such as Procreate and the best application for video editing. With the price being lower than an iPad Pro, for us this makes it the ideal tablet for students overall.
The screen we tested proved as sharp and vibrant as well as the front camera and USB C have been improved in comparison to previous models (there’s also now the option of 5G connectivity). In addition, the redesigned iPadOS introduces desktop workflows including multiple work windows which accelerate work.
02. iPad Mini (6th Gen, 2021)
SPECIFICATIONS
Weight: 293g
Dimensions: 195.4×134.8×6.3mm
Screen size: 8.3-inch IPS LCD
Storage: 64GB/256GB
Since the day it was introduced with Apple Pencil support the iPad Mini has been a long-time beloved of ours. the update in September 2021 added a new alternative, with the addition of Apple Pencil 2 compatibility. The iPad Mini also received an enhancement to its processor, making it a very powerful little device.
This is the latest variant of the A15 Bionic chip that is capable of delivering powerful processing, and while some people may be frustrated due to the fact that it only has 4GB of RAM though, in reality it’s adequate for the tasks you’d require with this size of screen. The small size and lightweight (less than 300g) make the tablet ideal to use while on the move like on a bus or train.
There’s a genuinely welcome USB-C port that gives you a multitude of possibilities. For instance, when we reviewed the tablet, we tested it using an USB DAC to play the Apple Lossless Hi-Res music, and with a USB microphone to record a voiceover. The display is larger than the last iPad Mini, even though the overall size is less, with a 3:2 aspect ratio. We found the brightness to be extremely uniform making it enjoyable to use over long durations, and we were very satisfied with the accuracy of the colours. Even though you’ll be paying an incredibly high Apple cost, we’re of the opinion that the iPad Mini 2021 is solid value for money.
03. iPad Pro 12.9 (2021)
Specifications
Weight: 682g
Dimensions: 280.6 * 214.9 x 6.4mm
Storage: 128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB/2TB
Screen size: 12.9-inch
The big appeal of the iPad Mini is its portability however, if the area of study requires a lot of power (and there’s an bigger budget) then we suggest that you consider the iPad Pro 12.9 (2021) as the best tablet designed for students studying creative subjects. The most powerful tablet from Apple and laptop, it’s not offered at low prices for students however you’ll be getting a device that can handle all of the demanding visual designs with almost MacBook power. You can pair it with an input device and keyboard, and it could could even be used as a portable laptop.
Its HDR display is one of the most impressive I’ve experienced on a tablet, with 120Hz of refresh and resolution of 2048x 2732. Its maximum intensity is 1600nits, and with better control over local dimming, it’s more pleasant to look at for longer periods. We discovered that darker areas possess more nuance and depth to them. This results in an accurate and higher quality image , which is ideal for photo and video editing.
Naturally, we’re reluctant to recommend this as the top tablet for students because of the price. In fact, it’s probably only worth spending money on if you truly need the specs you need to run the most powerful editing apps. In that respect, it shouldn’t disappoint.
04. Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra
Specifications
Weight: 726g
Dimensions 326.4 x 208.6 x 5.5mm
Screen size: 14.6-inch
Storage: 128GB – 512GB
If you’re in the market for an Android tablet with ample power, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra delivers it, and for quite a reasonable cost considering its specs. It has a huge screen , which is 14.6 in. This is a dwarf of the largest iPad Pro. This makes it a good option for people who want to take notes or sketch with the S Pen stylus, which will be included with the as well, which is a good value for the price of a premium tablet.
It’s possible to build all the way to quite powerful configurations too, with up to 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. Of of course, its size makes it heavier than many of the options in our pick of the best tablets for students, and not very portable. However, we loved the sleek, slim design as we examined the tablet, and found the punchy screen amazing for watching video and even editing photos. If you’ren’t looking for all the features of the Ultra model, you could take a look at the standard Tab S8.
It is important to note that there are problems with availability in the US due to the high demand, but Samsung’s Samsung store does now have availability. Also, imported models are available on Amazon.
05. Microsoft Surface Pro 8
Specifications
Weight: 890g
Dimensions 28.7 1 x 20.8 x 0.93cm
Screen size: 13-inch
Storage: 128GB – 1TB
If you’re looking to buy the iPad or Android tablet, you’ll have access to all the apps you need on their respective store. However, if your curriculum requires the use of desktop software , not mobile-friendly versions, the Microsoft Surface Pro could be the best student tablet for you. This Surface Pro is a Windows PC with tablet-like capabilities that means you are able to employ desktop-based software like high-quality Adobe Photoshop and other Creative Cloud applications, without worrying about not having all features you require.
Its Surface Go 3 below is significantly less costly and is a great student tablet for general use however, if what you are looking for is a tablet with the capability to run desktop apps and does not have to breathe every now and again or else, the Surface Pro could be your new ideal companion. In our review, we noticed that the improvements over the previous Surface Pro 7 to be quite noticeable as well as in design and performance.
Its Surface Pro 8 is designed to display Windows 11 and it does excellently thanks to the stunning screen and powerful processor. It is paired with the Type Cover and you’ll get an experience that could stand above a laptop despite having a lighter and thinner battery performance is also excellent. There are a variety of configurations available with the Surface Pro 9, so you can pick for a less powerful RAM or storage space to save cash. This will always be a pricey tablet for students However, it’s a great time to grab this 2021 model as it’s starting to get regular discounts after it’s the Surface Pro 9 is coming out.
06. HP Chromebook x2 11
SPECIFICATIONS
Its weight: 0.56 kg (1.99 kg with keyboard and stand)
Dimensions 25.25 in x 17.66 Size: 0.75 x 0.75 cm
Screen size: 11-inch
Storage: 128GB
Its HP Chromebook x2 11 is a stylish Chromebook, which gives you the best of both worlds: it’s a tablet to record notes, web browsing, streaming video, and digital art however it can also be an adequate laptop for writing and productive work when its sleek keyboard is put on.
As we reviewed in our HP Chromebook x2 11 review we found this tablet to be extremely versatile. We were also able to carry it around for a tablet or an office desk to function as an actual laptop. Its stunning 2K QLED screen and cloud-focused layout performed well in gaming and streaming video. Any student with an Xbox Game Pass account will find this helpful between the writing and class.
Of course, this is a Chrome OS device and has the disadvantage that it will run apps that are available through the Google Play Store rather than full software as with the Surface Go from Microsoft. However Google’s very own suite of apps – Sheets, Docs, etc . – make excellent substitutes for Word and Excel. Everything is saved and can be accessed via the cloud. You can access your work from anywhere you have an internet connection.
07. Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite
Specifications
Weight: 476g
Dimensions 244.5 x 159.5 x 5.7 millimeters
Screen size: 10.4-inch
Storage: 64GB/128GB
We’ve previously mentioned to you the Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra above as the best tablet to students who are looking for the highest quality Android device with a low cost. But if you’re not in need of the specs (or you don’t really need a large tablet), you could save money by going for an older, more budget Galaxy Tab.
The Galaxy Tab 6 Lite has been out of production for some time, but you are able to purchase it online, and often at it’s price, which is very appealing. It’s still quite good in terms of performance and design quality, and, as always, it comes with the S-Pen in the box. While it can’t compete with some of the more sophisticated styluses in the market, it’s suitable for note-taking and drawing.
08. Amazon Fire HD 8 (2020)
SPECIFICATIONS
Weight: 355g
Dimensions: 202 x 137 and 9.7mm
Screen size: 8-inch
Storage: 32GB/64GB
If you’re not blessed with a large amount of money to buy an tablet, don’t give up hope. Although you won’t enjoy the same performance as an iPad Pro out an inexpensive tablet suitable for kids, in the event that you decide to buy the surprisingly affordable Amazon Fire HD 8 (2020) you should at least be amazed by what it can do. Although it’s not the most expensive, it still packs some decent functions, and it’s also significant improvement from the previous model.
If you frequent Amazon often and are a member of Prime, there’s a lot you’ll enjoy using this tablet, and it’ll run plenty of apps to assist you with your studies and can be used for word processing and spreadsheets. It’s also an excellent performer in the realm of entertainment. It has Amazon Prime, of course but also Netflix and Disney Plus, and they all function well and look fantastic on the 8-inch screen. If you’re looking for a tablet but don’t want to spend much, then this is an excellent option for a budget.
Please note that with Amazon Fire tablets, the number refers only to the size that the tablet is (as contrast in Samsung, Microsoft and Apple tablets where this number refers to generation). If you require a larger tablet, then there’s one called Fire HD 10, but we like the 8-inch version due to its small dimensions.