Best Tablet For Students 2021: Our Top Picks For November

Published: Nov 18, 2021, 8:46 Updated: Nov 18, 2021, 8:46

If you're a student and after the best tablet to suit your needs, we're here to help you with your search.

From looking closely at reviews, specs, and other additional features, we've put together this list of our top picks.

What makes a great tablet for students? Sure, price is one factor, but to get the most from your budget you'll want to pay close attention to battery life, RAM, processor, and added features like stylus support.

So whether you're on the hunt for a marvellous iPad like the Apple iPad 9 or you're looking for a brilliant budget tablet in the Fire HD 10, we've got you covered right here.

Let's get straight to it!

Best Tablets For Students

Best Tablet For Students Amazon - Fire HD 10 tablet

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When it comes to the best tablets for students, the Fire HD 10 is a very affordable and solid choice, which also makes it one of the best budget tablets available today.

The MediaTek chipset alongside 3GB of RAM is enough to run Fire OS smoothly whether you're accessing emails, researching online or scrolling through social media.

This tablet is also compatible with Microsoft Office, which provides Word, Excel and PowerPoint in a single app, an extremely useful tool for any student.

There are also plenty of entertainment apps available when you're switching off from work such as Netflix, Disney Plus and Prime Video.

As the Fire HD 10 is part of the Amazon universe it is compatible with many of their devices and includes Alexa assistant and kindle capabilities.

Best Tablet For Students Apple - Apple iPad 9

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Apple certainly knows their way around tablets and for students, we think their all-new iPad 9 looks like a brilliant option.

The updated iPad OS 15 should be rather intuitive to use, and with a beefier processor underneath with its A13 Bionic, it'll also be pretty snappy to use.

For storing all those important files too, you'll be pleased to know that the storage capacities have been doubled on this new tablet with options of either 64 or 256GB.

There's also been some notable cameras upgrades on the iPad 9 and you'll find it also has Apple Pencil support which allows you to jot down notes, highlight text or even sketch ideas, which we think could be a useful add-on, especially for students.

Alongside this, the App Store provides over 1 million apps that are optimised specifically for use on the larger screen that comes with the iPad, so you can enjoy work, gaming, entertainment and more.

It's one of the best iPads to date and a solid all-rounder choice for those on a student budget.

Best Tablet For Students Samsung - Samsung Galaxy Tab S7

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While Samsung is well-known for making some of the best phones and best TVs, they also make some great tablets such as their latest, the Galaxy Tab S7.

One of the standout features of this device is the display which boasts a whopping 120Hz refresh rate that should allow you to immerse yourself in your work or entertainment easier.

When it comes to battery life, you're getting an 8,000 mAh power bank and 45W fast-charging which makes this device incredibly portable, without needing to worry about charge.

The Snapdragon 865 Plus is the fastest chip in a Galaxy Tab yet and so when you're switching off from work, you'll be able to enjoy gaming with minimal lag.

The Galaxy Tab S7 is great for those that need long-lasting power, and also want one of the best Samsung tablets available.

Best Tablet For Students Microsoft - Microsoft Surface 7 Pro

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Another outstanding choice is the Microsoft Surface Pro 7.

The 12.3-inch display is the largest on our list and could be what you're looking for if you're wanting to get the most out of your screen real estate.

This tablet uses Windows 10 and supports Microsoft Office and OneDrive which should allow you to create your work and keep your files safe with ease.

In terms of portability, this tablet is incredibly lightweight, starting at just 771 grams and provides up to 10.5 hours of battery life which is a solid combination if you're often on the go.

The Surface Pro 7 also includes a USB-C input which means you'll be able to connect to a larger display when working at a desk.

Best Tablet For Students 2-in-1 - Huawei MatePad Pro

best tablet for students, product image of a blue tablet — Image Credit: Huawei

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If you're wanting a capable 2-in-1 tablet that won't break the bank, then the Huawei MatePad Pro looks to be quite the candidate.

You'll find a compact 10.8 inch screen with a max brightness of 540 nits which should allow for bright and vibrant colours, and with a PPI of 280, this can also be quite a handy tablet for intensive design work.

In addition, there's plenty of storage on offer with options ranging from the base 128GB to 512GB at the top end, giving you a lot of space for those important apps and files.

Where the Huawei MatePad Pro really shines though is its versatility. You can combine this with a keyboard attachment in a similar vein to one of the best iPads, the iPad Pro and also add a stylus in order to make this a properly equipped option for creatives.

By running Android, it's also clever on the software side, although do note it has to utilise the Huawei alternatives to Google apps.

Best Tablet For Students Lenovo - Lenovo Tab P11 Pro

Best Tablet Fo Students Lenovo — Image Credit: Lenovo

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Another one to consider is the feature-rich Lenovo Tab P11 Pro, which is one of the best Lenovo tablets available right now.

The screen is an 11.5-inch OLED display with a 1600 x 2560 pixel resolution and a huge 263ppi, the visuals on this should look seriously sharp, which could be useful if you're an art or design student.

When it comes to enjoying entertainment not only is the screen gorgeous but this tablet also provides powerful quad-speakers.

This tablet also shines when it comes to battery life, with an 8,600mAh battery that should comfortably provide over 10 hours of charge.

The Lenovo Tab P11 Pro also has keyboard attachment capabilities which we think makes this a superb choice for writing.

Frequently asked questions about tablets for students

Is a tablet useful for university students?

Depending upon the use case, of course, they are. Tablets can be ideal for the more creative types who want the true benefits of a touch screen on a bigger display than their phone, for instance.

Or, if you're someone who needs to keep work on the go and don't want to carry around a laptop in your bag, then a tablet is the next best thing. Moreover, if you do want the laptop experience with it, plenty of manufacturers offer fold-over keyboard covers.

Can you do online school on a tablet?

Most certainly. Given how widespread app support is on both Android and iOS, there's plenty supported natively that can be helpful for distance learning. For instance, video conferencing apps such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams can be of major help.

Moreover, others such as Google Classroom can speed up and simplify the process of file sharing. This in turn allows for a more convenient method of marking and returning assignments.

How important is screen size on a tablet?

Larger screens will be better for prolonged usage and can offer more real-estate for working in general. They can therefore be easier to read and work on, especially if you're reading and need to see plenty of text.

However, this soon becomes a simple case of weighing up performance versus convenience. Smaller (e.g. 7 inch) tablets are great for portability and simply slinging in a bag or your pocket, and in turn can also be some of the more affordable options around.

How much should I spend on a tablet?

If you're simply wanting a device that can act as a slightly larger alternative to your phone or an e-reader, then plenty of Android options can clock in between $100-$200.

Of course, if you pay more, you'll end up getting a bit more in terms of features. For students, anything in the $400-$800 range is preferable as you'll be getting a nice blend of features and convenience, without shelling out on a dedicated laptop, with arguably a little bit more versatility.

Do I need accessories for a tablet?

If you're going to be doing a lot of design work, for instance, investing in the likes of a stylus such as the Apple Pencil for iPads like the Apple iPad (2020, 8th Generation) may not be a bad idea.

Likewise, if you're using your tablet as more of a laptop, picking up a clip-on keyboard can definitely increase typing speed, and therefore productivity.

However, if you are just using a tablet in the way that they are primarily designed (e.g. with a touchscreen), then there's not much need to go and find accessories for them.

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