Best Tablets Under $500

Last Updated on January 14, 2023 by Ernests Embutnieks

We rank and suggest tablets based on a specific user budget ($400-$499) and also let you know what kind of features you can expect. We rank them based on our subjective opinion. We review these tablets individually. We use them on a daily basis; we know their pros, cons, and what’s inside. 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 performance and features, irrespective of whether they are based on iOS, Android, or Windows.

Without further ado, let’s get to the list and talk a bit about each tablet and highlight the most important features.

Top $500 Tablets:

At this price point, we can definitely rank Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 at the top. Its original price was $699, but not it’s available for $459. 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. Often picked by students and artists due to the 120Hz screen.

The performance of the tab is also top-class and is great for multitasking purposes. 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(included in the price), to write, take notes and draw. 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.

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

Pros & Cons

It’s definitely the best 8-inch tablet available in the market and also one of the best tablets under the $500 mark. We think it’s great to take a quick note and a quick sketch, which makes it ideal for students, artists, and even in corporate. Yes, the size is a deal breaker for some, but for some, it’s an advantage.

The compact size, display, and brightness make it great for watching YouTube, Netflix, Disney+, etc. It’s also equipped with a really great front camera, 12MP, which makes it the best tablet for video calls. A great option for students attending online courses/classes.

If you’re not a fan of big-screen tablets, this 8-inch compact device is a great option. Perfect for people that like the functionality but don’t like the big screens. It’s powerful, jammed with a lot of cool features, and can outperform most tablets.

Full iPad Mini 6 Review

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

Pros & Cons

The newest iPad 10th gen deserves to be on the list for the best tablets under $500. It’s the base model of all iPad’s and years later it’s still the most popular iPad. It’s great for multi-use, you can watch movies on it, you can use it for school, you can use it for work, you can take notes on it, you can even edit photos on it, but the display is non-laminated so there would be noticeable differences if we would compare it to premium tablets or other premium iPads.

It’s the best budget iPad you can get and it can provide a lot of value. It’s also great for kids. In case of a cracked screen, it’s much cheaper to replace than iPad Air or Pro or even Mini.

Additional Features:

• The camera is in the middle, not in the front, which makes it great for video-calls

• USB-C instead of lightning port
• Touch-ID at the top of the iPad

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 such a big 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 12MP rear camera with an ultra-wide angle capability. The front camera is good enough for video calls. 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. A good alternative if you don’t want to buy a laptop.

Additional features:

• S-Pen included
• microSD slot
• Bluetooth 5.0 for wireless audio
• Speakers tuned by AKG and support Dolby Atmos

Pros & Cons

This device has a 13.3” AMOLED display that can be conveniently used as a 2-in-1 laptop 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 the 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. 

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

Pros & Cons

FAQ

Verdict: Which Is The Best Tablet Under $500?

You can get some really great tablets for $500. You can find one based on your favorite operating system (Android, iOS, Chrome OS), as well as you can choose one based on your preferred specifications. While we find Samsung Tab S7 and iPad Mini 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 & creating art on your tablet, we definitely recommend getting a 120Hz tablet. Objectively speaking, Samsung S7 is better than any other tablet on the list. But if I had a budget under $500, I would choose the iPad 10th, Gen. That’s my editor pick.

Tablet	Score	Rated
Samsung Galaxy Tab S7	8.8	Best Overall
iPad Mini 6	8.9	Best Compact
iPad	8	Editors Pick

If none of these really fit your needs, we recommend checking out some refurbished tablets. You can get iPad Air for under $500 if you are going to check renewed models.

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