Tablets are synonymous with the iPad, but they’re not your only option. Samsung and Microsoft have been making slates to rival Apple for a few years now, and plenty more Android phone makers are also getting on board .
That means there’s loads of choice in 2022, ranging from basic entertainment devices to full-blown laptop replacements. You’ll also notice plenty of variation in price, from under £100/$100 to well over 10 times that.
As well as having more options, the other benefit to consumers are the range of tablet deals on offer. Prime Day deals have now expired, but there are plenty of other great offers available in the US and UK right now. Here are the best we’ve found.
What are the best tablets?
Since their entry onto the market, Apple’s iPads have served as the metre stick by which almost all other tablets are measured. From design to functionality and beyond, Apple’s high prices are often justified by a lack of competition, something that only a handful of brands (namely Samsung and Microsoft) ever seem to challenge.
That’s reflected in our current top five tablets:
- Apple iPad Air (2022)
- Apple iPad Air (2020)
- Apple iPad Mini (2021)
- Apple iPad 10.2in (2021)
- Apple iPad Pro 12.9in (2021)
However, an iPad won’t be the best option for everyone. Check out our rankings of the best tablets and best cheap tablets for great alternatives, while the best 2-in-1 laptops includes some slates with detachable keyboards.
Where to find the best deals on tablets (including iPads)
You occasionally see the odd bit of money off an iPad, so look at retailers like Currys and Argos in the UK or brands like Best Buy and Walmart in the US. Official Apple discounts on its products are extremely rare, although you will find cheaper iPads on its Refurbished Store all year round. It’s also worth considering official resellers such KRCS, which typically offer good value for money.
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 tablets can also get a good price cut – so keep your eyes peeled to this page.
There are, of course, 2-in-1 tablets that run on more robust hardware and software, such as Microsoft’s Surface line, which runs Windows. Though slightly pricey, we have an entire article dedicated to Microsoft Surface deals, which goes through the newest models, accessories, usual prices, and, of course, where to find the best deals – including how to spot deals on refurbished devices and find student discounts.
Amazon’s Fire tablets all have low prices to begin with, but still get frequent discounts. They’re only usually good for the basics, but they deliver excellent value for money.
Here are a few of the best places to check for US tablet bargains:
In the UK, check out the following:
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 and exclusive access to Prime Day savings. Plus, you’ll get free next-day delivery, access to the Prime Video streaming service and more.
Sign up for Prime now to take advantage.
Best tablet deals in the US
Microsoft Surface Pro 8

Best Buy has an excellent deal on the Surface Pro 8, offering $450 off the 256GB model. If you don’t mind not having the latest model, this is a great choice.
Best tablet deals in the UK
Apple iPad mini (2021)

Currys has 23% off the RRP of the latest iPad mini with 256GB of storage. That cheapest price only applies to the Silver Grey model, but Grey only costs £4 more.
Tablet deals for students
Another great resource to help you snag UK deals is the 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), Huawei, Dell, Lenovo and many more. See all tech student deals here.
Want more deals? We have a rundown of the best worth checking out across all of tech too.