We use, review, rank, and suggest tablets based on a specific user budget, and also guide what kind of features they can expect. In the same series here is another article where we will be recommending the most suitable tablets under $500. We also keep updating the list based on the price change of the devices and new devices making it to our list. The shortlisted tablets are reviewed on performances and features, irrespective of whether they are based on iOS, Android, or Microsoft Surface.
What to look for in a $500 tablet:
- Display Technology and Quality: It holds a high level of importance for most users. The display should undoubtedly be good in terms of quality (sharpness, color regeneration, etc.). The technology used for display not only defines the quality of the graphics displayed but it also defines how friendly it is for the users’ eyes.
- Storage Capacity: It is another important consideration for a tablet. For a $500 tab, you can expect storage of 128 GB on most tablets.
- Sound Quality: A tablet with a budget of around $500 should have good quality Dolby speakers.
- Battery Capacity: A $500 tablet should last for at least 10-12 hours of constant use.
- Design, Finish and Build Quality: A $500 tablet falls in a mid-range, so you can expect it to be decent in terms of design, finish and build quality. And sometimes you can also get good deals on a higher range of tablets available within $500.
- Overall Performance of a $500 tablet: On a $500 tablet you will be easily able to play games with minimal lag, and they are great for the purpose of entertainment, education, and doing office work that doesn’t require a lot of RAM.
- Connectivity: In most tablets available within a budget of $500 you will get only WiFi connectivity. Please do not expect an LTE connectivity option
Top $500 Tablets:
| Image | Product | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Samsung Tablet S7 |
| Check Price on Amazon |
 | iPad Air 4th gen |
| Check Price on Amazon |
 | Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE |
| Check Price on Amazon |
 | Microsoft Surface Go 3 |
| Check Price on Amazon |
 | CHUWI UBook X Tablet |
| Check Price on Amazon |
1. Samsung Tablet S7 11-inch
Specifications:
- OS: Android 10
- Screen Size: 11 inch
- Resolution: 2560 x 1600
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon M865 (Octa-Core)
- RAM: 8 GB
- Storage: 128 GB. A 256 GB variant is also available at a higher price.
- Camera: Front: 5 MP | Rear: 13 MP with HDR and 1080p HD video
- Refresh Rate: 120 Hz
- Ports: USB-C port
- Dimensions: 253.8 x 165.3 x 6.3 mm
- Weight: 1.10 lbs
- Battery Life: Up to 15 hours
- Additional features:
- Redesigned S Pen included
- 4 months of Ad-free Youtube included
- SD memory card reader
- Extendable memory: microSD up to 1TB
- Audio: Quad + AKG + Dolby Atmos
- Compatible with Bluetooth enabled game controller (example XBox)
- Dex Mode for PC like experience
- 45W super-fast charging support
- One UI 3.1 – Lets you copy and paste from your phone to tablet or vice-versa
- 8000 mAh battery capacity
At this price point, we can definitely rank Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 at the top. Its original price is $699, but it is available at a discounted price of $499, and hence the best tablet in your budget. Samsung often comes up with such great deals which you can keep an eye on and try to avail yourself. It is a durable product made of machined aluminum chassis with a frameless design due to thinner bezels. The best part of this highly acclaimed tablet is its really high-quality display with an 11-inch screen and a TFT panel. It has a high resolution of 2560×1600 paired with a 120 Hz refresh rate, and a peak brightness of 500 nits.
The performance of the tab is also top class and is great for multitasking purposes. Samsung Galaxy Tab 7 also has a super-fast in-screen fingerprint. The Samsung Notes app syncs well among multiple devices, where you can attach the audio recordings as well. You can very conveniently use the S-pen which comes with the device to write, and the notes app will convert the handwriting into text notes very fast. The battery of this device is immensely powerful, with more than 13 hours of video playback. This is a real value for money tablet that you don’t want to miss, as it is packed with features and high-performance.
Pros:
- Great battery backup
- S-Pen included
- Sleek, lightweight, and great finish
- Amazing display and audio quality
Cons:
- WIde-angle camera mode needs improvement
- Facial recognition struggles in low-light conditions
2. iPad Air 4th gen (2021)
Specifications:
- OS: iPadOS 14
- Screen Size: 10.9 inch
- Resolution: 2360 x 1640
- Processor: A14 Bionic chip with Neural Engine
- RAM: 4 GB
- Storage: 64 GB. You can purchase a 256 GB variant at an extra cost
- Camera: Front: 7 MP | Rear: 12 MP
- Refresh Rate: 60 Hz
- Ports: USB-C port
- Dimensions: 247.6mm x 178.5mm x 6.1mm
- Weight: 1 lb
- Battery Life: Up to 10 hours
- Additional features:
- Fully laminated display
- Two speakers audio landscape mode
- Fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating
- Wide color display
- 64-bit desktop-class architecture
- 4K video recording at 24 fps, 25 fps, 30 fps, or 60 fps
This mid-range iPad from Apple brings many features to compete with any other higher-budget tablets. In terms of performance, the tab is equipped with a Super-fast A14 Bionic processor, which makes it a great choice for everyday personal use and professional usage. You can use the split-screen monitor for multitasking usage. On this iPad, we were able to easily run racing games very smoothly, without any frame drops. The gaming experience is further enhanced by its top-of-the-line fully laminated and anti-reflective coated display that produces colors pretty accurately. IPad Air 4th Gen has a USB-C port for charging.
The iPad boasts of highly secured login using Touch ID fingerprint scanning, which acts very fast and makes your phone and Apple Pay secure. This iPad can be used with a 2nd Gen Apple Pencil, and with iPad OS 14 you can just write in your handwriting, which will be converted into text format. And it can also be used with the iPad Magic keyboard that provides an optimal typing experience and makes this iPad used as a 2-in-1 machine. The front cam is great for online meetings and clicking selfies.
iPad Air sometimes goes on discount and it’s under $500, if not there’s always an option to pick a refurbished one.
Pros:
- Great performance owing to a superfast Bionic processor
- Lightweight
- Excellent camera quality
Cons:
- No headphone jack
- Face ID (facial recognition login) is not available
3. Galaxy Tab S7 FE 2021 Android Tablet 12.4”
Specifications:
- OS: Android 11.0
- Screen Size: 12.4 inch
- Resolution: 2560 x 1600
- Processor: Qualcomm SM 7225 Octa-core Processor
- RAM: 4 GB
- Storage: 64 GB. You can purchase a 256 GB variant at an extra cost
- Camera: Front: 5 MP | Rear: 8 MP
- Refresh Rate: 60 Hz
- Ports: USB-C port
- Dimensions: 247.6mm x 178.5mm x 6.1mm
- Weight: 1.34 lbs
- Battery Life: Up to 14 hours
- Additional features:
- 10,900 mAh
- S-Pen included
- microSD slot
- Bluetooth 5.0 for wireless audio
- Speakers tuned by AKG and support Dolby Atmos
This Fan Edition tablet is a toned-down version of the Samsung Tab S7. The tablet boasts a massive screen of 12.4”, and even with a larger screen, the battery runs for up to 14 hours. The tablet comes with an S-Pen which lets you easily draw and write in your handwriting which works with apps like AR Doodle and Screen Write. The tablet is equipped with 2 speakers, one at the top and the other at the bottom, tuned by AKG to produce good quality sound. As it is a toned-down version, there are some performance limitations, but able to deliver decent performance for daily usage.
The camera performance of this device is also pretty good with a 12 MP rear camera with an ultra-wide angle capability. The front camera is good enough to be compared to the one on laptops. The Samsung OS on this Samsung Galaxy S7 FE tablet also includes DEX, which equips this tab with a desktop interface, which gets activated as soon as you plug in a keyboard to the device. We used this extensively and were impressed with the DEX performance, but still, we don’t recommend you replace it with your laptop.
Pros:
- Long-lasting battery
- Brilliant color output in indoors as well as outdoors
- Galaxy connectivity – multi-device setup
- Large display
Cons:
- Slow charging
- A fingerprint sensor could have been a good addition
4. Microsoft Surface Go 3
Specifications:
- OS: Windows 11
- Screen Size: 10.51-inch
- Resolution: 1920×1280 px
- Processor: 1.1 GHz Intel Pentium Gold. Another variant with Intel Core i3 processor is also available at a higher price.
- RAM: 8 GB. A 4 GB variant is available at an even lower price.
- Storage: 128 GB SSD. A 64GB eMMC storage option is also available at a lower price.
- Camera: 5 MP Front and 8 MP rear-facing 1080p HD
- Refresh Rate: 60 Hz
- Ports: USB-C port | Headphone Jack | MicroSDXC Card Reader
- Dimensions: 245 mm x 175 mm x 8.3 mm
- Weight: 1.2 lbs
- Battery Life: Up to 11 hours
- Additional features:
- Dual Studio Mics
- 2W stereo speakers with Dolby® Audio™
- Bluetooth 5.0
- Compatible with a digital pen along with finger touch
- Built-in kickstand
- Windows Hello face authentication
We listed this product in the Under $400 tablets article as well, but by increasing your budget to $500 you can get 8GB RAM and 128 GB SSD storage, as opposed to 4GB and 64GB eMMC storage. If you can increase the budget further by about $150 you can get an Intel Core i3 processor. Here we are reviewing this tablet with an Intel Platinum Gold processor, which comes under $500.
With SSD storage and Intel Platinum Gold, this is a really fast tablet running on Windows 11 OS. It works best with the Windows apps like Skype, Edge, Office tools, etc. It also has a Micro SD slot so you can add more storage to the device. It has improved wireless connectivity with Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0. The design is very sleek, attractive, and has narrow bezels to offer more screen space.
The Surface Go 3 tablet is equipped with PixelSense Display, which allows for 10-point multi-touch and also recognizes hand gestures. The tablet is also highly secured, yet convenient to access for the authorized person with its Windows Hello face authentication camera. This is a very good device to be given to Kids as you can easily enable a kid-friendly environment using built-in guardrails and set screen time limits option. This tablet comes in handy with advanced defenses against malware and viruses at no additional cost.
Pros:
- A secured tablet with Windows Hello
- Long-lasting battery
- Sleek, light, and portable design
- Works great with all Microsoft Apps
Cons:
- Battery and speakers could have been better
- Single USB port
- Not much different from the previous version
5. CHUWI UBook X 12 inch Touchscreen Tablet
Specifications:
- OS: Windows 10
- Screen Size: 12-inch
- Resolution: 2160×1440
- Processor: Intel N4120 Quad-Core Processor (Celeron)
- RAM: 8 GB
- Storage: 256 GB SSD
- Camera: 5 MP rear | 2 MP front
- Refresh Rate: 60 Hz
- Ports: USB Type-C; USB-A 3.0 port; microHD slot, 3.5mm audio jack
- Dimensions: 292.19 x 207.89 x 9 mm
- Weight: 1.71 lbs
- Battery Life: 6 hours of video playback
- Additional features:
- Bundled with Keyboard and Stylus Pen HiPen H6
- Integrated UHD 600 graphic card
- 3:2 screen aspect ratios
- 5 seconds fast boot-up
- U-shaped kickstand
- 5000 mAh battery
Chuwi Ubook is a very suitable 2-in-1 tablet for students, as it has a decent screen size, very easy to use Windows 10 operating system, and it comes with a keyboard and HiPen H6. It is very convenient to use for children and teenage students with a 3.5 MM jack, faster bootup, expandable memory slot, and USB 3 and USB type C ports. It is made of aluminum and has a tiltable stand (up to 145°) to attached to the body of the tablet. It has dual speakers, on either side of the device, and also has two microphones.
The display quality is also decent with 2K resolution and a 3:2 aspect ratio, which makes it very convenient to use in horizontal as well as vertical orientation. The Chuwi Ubook is equipped with a 14nm quad-core Celeron processor, which gives decent performance for the purpose of studies, and other basic tasks. It has 256 SSD storage which makes it faster to access data stored locally on the device and makes the device boots faster. It can be attached to the keyboard to be used as a laptop, though we don’t suggest you expect an actual laptop-like performance.
Pros:
- Good balance of features and performance within a mid-range budget
- IPS display
- Bundled with keyboard and stylus pen
Cons:
- Slow charging – takes 3 hours to fully charge
- Heavier
6. Apple iPad Air 3rd Gen (10.5-inch, Wi-Fi, 64GB)
Specifications:
- OS: iPadOS
- Screen Size: 10.5”
- Resolution: 2224×1668 px
- Processor: A12 Bionic chip with 64‑bit architecture
- RAM: 3 GB
- Storage: 64 GB | A 256 GB version is also available at higher price
- Camera: 7 MP front | 8 MP Rear
- Refresh Rate: 120 Hz
- Ports: Smart Connector | 3.5 mm jack
- Dimensions: 250.6 x 174.1 x 6.1 mm
- Weight: 1.02 lbs
- Battery Life: Up to 10 hours
- Additional features:
- Multi-touch display
- Ambient light sensor
- Embedded M12 coprocessor
- Supports Apple Pencil
- Dual microphones
- Oleophobic coating
- Apple GPU, 4-core graphics
- Siri natural language commands
This is a budget-friendly Apple device with a power-packed performance. iPad Air 3rd Gen is very well suited for entertainment, learning, and professional usage. Of course, at this price point, you cannot expect performance at par with other latest and upgraded Apple gadgets, but this is a good choice for fulfilling basic needs and performing basic tasks. iPad Air 3rd Gen is compatible work with an Apple pencil as well as Apple’s keyboard for improved convenience and usability. It has dual speakers and a 10.5 inches screen equipped with TrueTone which makes it a great device for the purpose of entertainment.
The iPad is dust-proof and water-resistant with all its keys sealed for protection. We were able to use this iPad for up to 8 hours 20 minutes on a single charge with multiple applications running like music, chatting, browsing, and email with about 75% brightness. The camera quality is decent and can record videos at 1080p video with an FPS of 30. The iPad Air 3rd Gen possesses TrueTone technology, which offers comfortable viewing for eyes by adjusting the color based on the surrounding light.
Pros:
- Very well optimized for decent performance
- Compatible with the Apple Smart Keyboard
- Great display quality with IPS LED-backlit
- Comfortable and stressfree viewing
Cons:
- Battery can not be self replaced
- No memory card slot, hence memory cannot be extended
- The camera could have been better
7. Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook – 13.3″ Display 2-in1 Device
Specifications:
- OS: Chrome OS
- Screen Size: 13.3”
- Resolution: 1920 x 1080 px
- Processor: Snapdragon SC7180
- RAM: 4 GB | An 8 GB variant is also available
- Storage: 64 GB
- Camera: 5 MP Front | 8 MP Rear
- Refresh Rate: 60 Hz
- Ports: 2 USB-C ports, 5-point pogo pins
- Dimensions: 305.86 x 186.74 x 7.23mm
- Weight: 1.5 lbs
- Battery Life: Up to 15 hours
- Additional features:
- Dual microphones
- 4 speakers with smart amplifier technology
- 400 nits peak brightness
- Detachable fabric folio keyboard, stylus support
- Eye Care Display certified by SGS
- Titan C Security Chip
- 16:9 aspect ratio
- 42 Watt rapid charger
Probably the largest screen a tablet can have, this device has a 13.3” AMOLED display that can be conveniently used as a 2-in-1 display with Chrome OS. The tablet is equipped with Snapdragon SC 7180, which is an octa-core processor and is also loaded with a Qualcomm Adreno graphics processor. The tablet is made for long working hours with a battery that can last for up to 15 hours. Though it is on a heavier side, its build quality, size, and features justify it. It has an Aluminum metal soft coated back, and the narrow bezels provide for better viewing.
As it is a Chrome OS you can seamlessly use all the Google apps and tools conveniently. It can be easily attached to a keyboard to be used as a laptop. The kickstand attached with the Lenovo Duet 5 is very sturdy and can be adjusted to achieve the best viewing angle based on an individual user. It has got 4 speakers, which is parallel to none other. Slow charging is the only problem that you could face in your day-to-day usage. Also, we advise you to use it with your cover to protect it from any damages, as it is heavier.
Pros:
- Ultra-light slim chassis
- 2-in-1 device – can be switched to the laptop using a keyboard
- Impressive battery
- 70% less blue light
Cons:
- Bit on a heavier side at 1.5 lbs
- No 3.5 mm audio jack
- Slow charging
You might be interested: Best Chrome OS Tablets
8. Samsung Galaxy Tab Active 3
Specifications:
- OS: Android 10
- Screen Size: 8-inch
- Resolution: 1200 x 1920 px
- Processor: Exynos 9810
- RAM: 4GB
- Storage: 64GB. 128GB variant is also available at a higher price
- Camera: 13MP rear camera | 5MP front camera
- Refresh Rate: 60 Hz
- Ports: Pogo Pin
- Dimensions: 213.8 x 126.8 x 9.9 mm
- Weight: 0.93 lbs
- Battery Life: 11 hours
- Additional features:
- IP 681 rated – makes it dust, dirt, sand, and water-resistant
- 1.5m anti-shock protection
- Extendable memory to up to 1TB
- LTE and WiFi 6 connectivity
- Optimized for camera-based barcode scanning
- No battery mode when switched to a power source
- Samsung wireless Dex
- Programmable key
We can call it a mini-monster tablet. This is a smaller tab with an 8-inch screen but is of great use for enterprise use. It can be used in industries like medical, travel, healthcare, and manufacturing environment among others, as it is made out of military-grade design. It can go through dust, dirt, water, and shocks pretty nicely as it is IP 681 certified. It has a strong battery that can run for up to 11 hours. It has got enhanced touch capability, that is you can use the touch even with your gloves on.
One of the other features that make this product stand out is its battery optimization. You can use it on No Battery mode while it is plugged into a power source. The battery is fast charging, and it can be easily replaced with another battery by opening the back flap. This Samsung Galaxy Tab Active3 can be used with the Dex desktop interface to use as a mini-laptop. In terms of connectivity, this is probably one of the very few devices in this price range that offer LGE connectivity along with Wi-Fi 6 and Dual Antenna MIMO. The rear camera can be conveniently used as a barcode scanner. We highly recommend this product if you are using it for any professional use, not just for office use, but specifically to be used in the field and high-intensity work environments like factories, medical facilities, shipping, etc.
Full Samsung Galaxy Tab Active 3 Review with Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Fast and effective Wi-Fi connectivity
- Very well suited for professional use, especially for doctors, healthcare, manufacturing facilities, offices, etc.
- It is an Android Enterprise Recommended device
- It has enhanced touch capabilities
Cons:
- Smaller screen size
- Thick bezels
- Looks bulky
9. Lenovo Tab P11 Pro Tablet
Specifications:
- OS: Android 10
- Screen Size: 11.5”
- Resolution: 2560 x 1600
- Processor: Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 730G Octa-Core Processor
- RAM: 6GB
- Storage: 128 GB
- Camera: Rear: 13MP autofocus; Front: 8MP
- Refresh Rate:
- Ports: 4-point Pogo pin; USB 3.2 Type-C; Micro SD Slot
- Dimensions: 264.28 x 171.4 x 5.8 mm
- Weight: 1.06 lbs
- Battery Life: Up to 15 hours video playback
- Additional features:
- 4 x JBL® speakers with Dolby Atmos®
- Dual mic array
- Compatible with Lenovo Precision Pen 2
- Optimized for PC-level productivity UI
- Facial recognition
- Auto-blur video call backgrounds
You can easily bet on durability and reliability of any Lenovo product, and this is no different. The Lenovo P11 pro is an Android tablet that can help you perform tasks on the run, with some of the pre-loaded Google and Microsoft apps. You can use it in a multi-windows mode for multitasking and enhanced productivity. It is built lightweight with an aluminum alloy unibody frame with very narrow bezels around the screen. Its 8400mAH is optimized to run for up to 15 hours.
This device is also great for the purpose of entertainment and gaming with an immersive audio experience as it is equipped with 4 JBL speakers with Dolby Atmos. The dual-microphone setup sends your voice clearly to the person on the other end of your important video call. The Lenovo Tab P11 pro tablet is compatible with Lenovo Precision Pen 2, which can be used with the preloaded Bamboo Paper or Squid Apps. Or pair it with the optional keyboard to use it as a laptop, made possible due to the optimized PC-level productivity UI.
Pros:
- Great for entertainment, equipped with 4 JBL speakers, enhanced graphics and brilliant display
- Lightweight aluminum-alloy unibody frame
- TÜV Rheinland eye comfort certification
Cons:
- Software is not very well optimized, hence some apps don’t work well
Quick Comparison Tablet
| Screen Size | Storage/RAM/Processor | Battery Score | Camera Score | Overall Score | |
| Samsung Tablet S7 11-inch | 11 inch | 8GB/128GB/ Snapdragon M865 (9/10) | 9/10 | 9/10 | 9/10 |
| iPad Air 4th gen (2021) | 10.9 inch | 4GB/64GB/ A14 Bionic chip (9/10) | 7/10 | 9/10 | 8/10 |
| Galaxy Tab S7 FE 2021 | 12.4 inch | 4GB/64GB/ Qualcomm 7225 Octa-core (8/10) | 8.5/10 | 8/10 | 8/10 |
| Microsoft Surface Go 3 | 10.51 inch | 8GB/128GB/ Intel Pentium Gold (7/10) | 8/10 | 7/10 | 7/10 |
| CHUWI UBook X Tablet | 12 inch | 8GB/256GB/ Intel N4120 Quad Core (8/10) | 6/10 | 6/10 | 7/10 |
| Apple iPad Air 3rd Gen | 10.5 inch | 3GB/64GB/ A12 Bionic (6/10) | 7/10 | 7/10 | 7/10 |
| Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 | 13.3 inch | 4GB/64GB/ Snapdragon 7180 (6/10) | 8/10 | 7/10 | 7/10 |
| Samsung Galaxy Tab Active 3 | 8 inch | 4GB/64GB/ Exynos 9810 (7/10) | 8/10 | 7/10 | 7/10 |
| Lenovo Tab P11 Pro Tablet | 11.5 inch | 6GB/128GB/ Snapdragon 730G Octa-Core (7/10) | 8/10 | 8/10 | 8/10 |
FAQ
Which tablet under $500 offers the best connectivity?
Samsung Galaxy Tab Active 3 is the clear winner in terms of connectivity, as it offers LGE connectivity and Wi-Fi 6, and is also equipped with Dual MI-MO Antenna, which means it will be effective even in areas with weak signals.
Which tablet you will recommend for professional use?
We will highly recommend Samsung Galaxy Tab Active 3 for professional use due to multiple reasons, as follows:
- Handy, portable, and easy to carry
- Military grade design
- Android Enterprise Recommended – Refers to the device hardware and software optimized for enterprise applications
- Can be used in any type of environment as it is resistant to dirt, dust, water, etc.
- Enhanced touch functionality, which means it can be used even with gloves, which makes it suitable to be used by doctors, factory supervisors, etc.
- Good battery backup, to support you all day long
Conclusion: Which is the best tablet under $500?
You can get some really great tablets within $500. You can find one based on your favorite operating system (Android, iOS, Windows, Chrome OS), as well as you can choose one based on your preferred specifications. Some tabs are considered better for entertainment, like Lenovo Tab P11 Pro, while if you are looking for a tablet on the run in the workplace then you can find Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 as your best option. While we find Samsung Tab S7 and iPad Air 4th gen topping our list of recommendations due to their overall specifications and features.
Our top pick is definitely the S7 due to its great screen – 120Hz. If you plan on taking notes on your tablet we definitely recommend getting a 120Hz tablet.
Related Articles:
Best Tablets under $300
Best Tablets under $400
I love tech and all about it. I’m interested in finding ways how they can make my lives more productive and I share my knowledge with my blog readers. I’m an iPad Pro, iPhone, MacBook, Apple Watch user, so I know a thing or two about these devices.