(PCMag/Amazon)
We've been reviewing tablets since the very first iPad debuted 15 years ago, so we know which features to look for and what a deal looks like. A few tablets are always discounted after Thanksgiving, but you don't have to wait to get a bargain, either, as these Early Black Friday Deals prove. Here are my personal top Black Friday picks for tablets, ones that I already liked at full price to begin with. I chose one from Samsung, one from Apple, and one from Amazon. Apple's iPad range remains consistently excellent, but Samsung also holds its own, producing a range of top-notch tablets for Android fans. And you'll find the deepest discounts on Amazon's own Fire range of tablets, although they're more restrictive and less powerful. At this price, though, one of those is an easy buy as well.
What to Look for in a Tablet Deal
This week is an excellent time to look for Early Black Friday Tablet Deals, with many top brands offering devices from their lineups at a discount of at least 20%, if not more. You'll often find devices from a generation or two back receiving the steepest discounts, but the updates between iterations may be minor, with little to no functional differences.
The two key things to consider when picking a tablet are its operating system and screen size. If most of your existing devices are from Amazon, Apple, or Samsung, you'll get the best interoperability from a tablet that is, too. If you're looking for something ultraportable that you can hold with one hand, consider a device with a 6-inch or 7-inch display. However, if you plan to watch videos or view documents, a 10-inch or 11-inch screen will be more practical.
Lastly, consider whether you need a stylus. Samsung includes one with some of its tablets, but Apple tends to sell its Apple Pencil separately. If you're planning to doodle, markup documents, or you like handwriting notes, a stylus can turn a tablet from a consumption device to a powerful creative tool.
Samsung Galaxy Deal
Samsung's Galaxy Tab line features prominently in our roundup of the best tablets, thanks to its combination of features and value pricing. With its 10.4-inch screen and included S Pen, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (2024) is one of the most affordable productivity devices available. It supports multiple profiles—which is rare on a tablet—making it easy to share with family members while keeping your respective content separate. Although at its current discount, you may want to consider getting more than one. Right now, it's available for $159.99, which is a massive 52% off its original price of $329.99.
Whether you're looking for a tablet to use around the house or one to take with you when you need something lighter than a laptop on the road, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (2024) and its included S Pen is a combination that's hard to beat.
Apple iPad Deal
Despite its modest cost, the base 11-inch Apple iPad is no slouch when it comes to multitasking, and it's the best iPad for most people. This 2025 model marks the first time Apple has updated its entry-level full-size tablet in three years, and the processor has leapfrogged from the A14 of the 2022 model to the more potent A16. If you're looking to use accessories, the iPad is compatible with the first-generation Apple Pencil and the Apple Pencil (USB-C), just like the 2022 model. It handles everyday tasks like browsing the web, making FaceTime calls, and streaming media better than anything else in its price range, plus it can manage playing games, all of which makes the iPad our Editors' Choice winner for affordable tablets.
At full price, the Apple iPad is an attractive product. But when discounted by 20% it's an absolute steal—especially if you're using an older tablet and are looking to upgrade to something that can handle everyday tasks with ease.
Amazon Deal
If you're looking for a budget tablet with expandable storage, the Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet is a brilliant option. It features a 10.1-inch HD display, ideal for streaming, reading, and web browsing. Although there's only 32GB of storage built in, this is expandable by up to 1TB via microSD. The tablet also features dual Dolby Atmos speakers, a 13-hour battery life, USB-C charging, and 5MP cameras on both the front and back. Although it has 3GB of RAM, this isn't a powerhouse tablet designed for graphics-intensive gaming, and you're largely locked into Amazon's ecosystem of software and services. But for media consumption, there's no better tablet under $100, which is why it's an Editors' Choice winner for cheap tablets.
Check out our in-depth coverage of all the Early Black Friday deals, steals, sales, and discounts that we've found so far!
FAQs
Which Tablet Is the Best for Its Price?
The best tablet for you depends on what you want to do with it, the size of the screen you prefer, and which ecosystem you like best. Apple's base iPad remains an excellent value for fans of Cupertino's hardware. Samsung offers a wide range of tablets at every price point for Android fans, while Amazon provides extremely affordable devices, best suited for media consumption due to its lock-in to the retailer's apps and services.
Do Tablets Go on Sale During Black Friday?
Most manufacturers offer at least some of the tablets at a discount on Black Friday, and not only older models. This year, we've seen several 2025 tablets receive steep discounts, such as the iPad and Amazon Fire shown above. However, we'll be keeping an eye out for discounts throughout the week, so check our Black Friday coverage regularly, as some of them won't last long.