The best tablet for most people is still an iPad, but which iPad depends entirely on your budget, and some bargain iPads just lost software support. This guide ranks the best iPad and Android tablets at every price, with current Swappa prices, the models that dropped off iPadOS 27, and the right pick for kids, students, readers, and creatives.
Quick Answer
For most buyers, the best tablet in 2026 is a used iPad (10th generation) or iPad (A16), starting around $272 to $315 on Swappa. On a tight budget, the iPad (9th generation) starts around $155 and still runs iPadOS 27. The iPad mini (A17 Pro) is the best small tablet, the iPad Air (M2) is the best for creative work, and the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE, from about $215, is the best-value Android tablet. Skip the iPad (8th generation) and older. Shop used tablets on Swappa.
Best Tablets by Budget at a Glance
Prices are Swappa starting prices and typical sale prices for the base storage tier as of September 23, 2026. They vary with condition, storage, and Wi-Fi or cellular models.
| Pick | Tablet | Starts Around | Typical Sale Price | Chip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cheapest usable | Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ | $128 | About $129 | Snapdragon 695 |
| Best budget iPad | iPad (9th gen) | $155 | About $162 (64GB) | A13 Bionic |
| Best value Android | Galaxy Tab S9 FE | $215 | About $206 (128GB) | Exynos 1380 |
| Best overall | iPad (10th gen) | $272 | About $299 (64GB) | A14 Bionic |
| Best overall, more storage | iPad (A16) | $315 | About $340 (128GB) | A16 |
| Best small | iPad mini (A17 Pro) | $366 | About $411 (128GB) | A17 Pro |
| Best for creatives | iPad Air 11″ (M2) | $399 | About $462 (128GB) | M2 |
| Best premium | iPad Pro 11″ (M4) | $679 | About $760 (256GB) | M4 |
Best Budget Tablet: iPad (9th Generation)
The iPad (9th generation) is the cheapest iPad still on Apple’s iPadOS 27 list, starting around $155 on Swappa. It has a 10.2-inch display, the A13 Bionic chip, a home button with Touch ID, and support for the first-generation Apple Pencil.
It is the last base iPad with a Lightning port and the older design, and its 64GB base storage fills quickly. Because the iPad (8th generation) just lost support, the 9th generation is now the oldest supported base iPad. It is a smart buy for streaming, reading, video calls, and a child’s first tablet, as long as you treat it as a two to three year device.
Best Overall: iPad (10th Generation) and iPad (A16)
The iPad (10th generation) brought the modern design to the base iPad: a 10.9-inch edge-to-edge screen, USB-C, Touch ID in the top button, and a landscape front camera that works better for video calls. It starts around $272, with 64GB models typically selling near $299.
The iPad (A16), sometimes listed as the 11th generation, keeps that design with a faster chip and 128GB of base storage, starting around $315. If you would otherwise buy a 256GB 10th generation, the A16 model is usually the better deal. Neither supports Apple Intelligence, which requires an iPad with an M-series chip or the A17 Pro.
Best Small Tablet: iPad mini
The iPad mini (A17 Pro) is the best small tablet you can buy, starting around $366. Its 8.3-inch screen fits in a jacket pocket, it supports the Apple Pencil Pro, and its A17 Pro chip runs Apple Intelligence.
The iPad mini (6th generation) has the same design with an A15 chip and Apple Pencil (2nd generation) support, starting around $270. It is a great reader and travel tablet if you do not need the newest features.
Best for Students and Creatives: iPad Air
The iPad Air 11-inch (M2) starts around $399 and the iPad Air (M3) around $479. Both run Apple Intelligence, support the Apple Pencil Pro, and have enough power for drawing apps, photo editing, and heavy multitasking with a keyboard.
Buying used matters more than usual here. Apple raised the new iPad Air’s starting price from $599 to $749 in June 2026, which widened the gap between new and used. For more on which Pencil and keyboard work with each model, see iPad vs. iPad Air vs. iPad Pro vs. iPad mini and Best Used Tablets for Students and Note-Taking (2026).
Best Premium Tablet: iPad Pro (M4)
The iPad Pro (M4) has a tandem OLED display, an ultra-thin design, and laptop-class performance. Used 11-inch models start around $679 and 13-inch models around $773, compared with a new starting price that rose to $1,199 in June 2026. It is worth it for professional illustration, video editing, and anyone replacing a laptop. For everyone else, an iPad Air does the same everyday jobs for much less.
Best Android Tablets: Samsung Galaxy Tab
Samsung makes the best Android tablets, and they are the right choice if you use a Galaxy phone or want expandable storage and an included S Pen.
- Galaxy Tab S9 FE, from about $215: the best-value Android tablet, with a 10.9-inch screen, an included S Pen, and water resistance.
- Galaxy Tab S10 FE, from about $340: the newer FE with a faster chip.
- Galaxy Tab S9: a premium AMOLED tablet that typically sells for about $362 (128GB) when listings appear.
Check how many years of updates a Galaxy Tab has left before you buy. See Used Samsung Galaxy Tab Buyer’s Guide for the details by model.
Cheapest Tablets: Galaxy Tab A9+ and Amazon Fire
If you just need a screen for streaming, reading, and simple games, the Galaxy Tab A9+ starts around $128 and runs full Android with the Google Play Store. Amazon Fire tablets cost even less, but they run Amazon’s Fire OS with the Amazon Appstore instead of Google Play, which limits the apps you can install. They work best as media and kids’ tablets. For family picks, see Best Used Tablets for Kids.
Tablets to Skip in 2026
iPadOS 27 dropped five iPad models. They are cheap for that reason, and they will not get new features or full security support.
| Skip | Why |
|---|---|
| iPad (8th gen) and older | Not supported by iPadOS 27 |
| iPad mini (5th gen) | Not supported by iPadOS 27 |
| iPad Air (3rd gen) | Not supported by iPadOS 27 |
| iPad Pro 11-inch (1st gen) and 12.9-inch (3rd gen) | Not supported by iPadOS 27 |
For how long each supported iPad has left, see How Long Are iPads Supported With Updates? (2026)
What to Check Before You Buy a Used Tablet
- Activation Lock. An iPad signed in to someone else’s Apple Account cannot be set up. Swappa listings must be free of Activation Lock. See Activation Lock on a Used iPad: How to Avoid It.
- Wi-Fi or cellular. Cellular iPads cost a little more and need a data plan to use mobile data. See Cellular vs. Wi-Fi iPad: Which Should You Buy Used?
- Battery health. Check battery performance in the listing and factor in a possible replacement on older tablets. See Battery Health in Used Electronics: What to Know.
- Pencil compatibility. Each iPad works with specific Apple Pencil models, so confirm yours before buying accessories.
Real people approve Swappa listings before they go live, payments run through PayPal with buyer protection, and if a tablet is not as described you are entitled to a return and refund. For the complete buying process, see Buying and Selling Used Tablets: The Complete Guide and Used iPad Buyer’s Guide: Every Generation Ranked (2026).
Upgrading? Sell your old tablet on Swappa before it loses more value. See How to Sell a Used iPad or Tablet for the Most Money, or start a listing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best tablet for the money in 2026?
A used iPad (10th generation) is the best tablet for the money for most people, starting around $272 on Swappa with USB-C, a modern design, and iPadOS 27 support. The iPad (A16), from about $315, is worth the extra if you want 128GB of storage.
Is the iPad (9th generation) still worth buying in 2026?
Yes, on a budget. The iPad (9th generation) is still supported by iPadOS 27 and starts around $155 on Swappa. It is now the oldest supported base iPad, so it makes the most sense for streaming, reading, and kids rather than as a five-year purchase.
Should I buy an iPad or an Android tablet?
Buy an iPad if you want the widest selection of tablet apps, long software support, and resale value. Buy a Samsung Galaxy Tab if you use a Galaxy phone, want an S Pen included, or prefer Android. The Galaxy Tab S9 FE is the best-value Android pick.
Which iPads are no longer supported?
iPadOS 27 dropped the iPad (8th generation), iPad mini (5th generation), iPad Air (3rd generation), iPad Pro 11-inch (1st generation), and iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation). Older iPads were already off the list. Avoid these models unless you only need a basic media screen.
What is the best cheap tablet for kids?
The iPad (9th generation), from about $155 on Swappa, is the best cheap tablet for kids because it still gets updates and has strong parental controls. For the lowest price, a Galaxy Tab A9+ or an Amazon Fire tablet works well for videos and games.
The Bottom Line
The best tablet for your budget in 2026 is an iPad (10th generation) or iPad (A16) for most people, an iPad (9th generation) if every dollar counts, an iPad mini for portability, an iPad Air for creative work, and a Galaxy Tab S9 FE if you want Android. Buying used saves the most on the models Apple just made more expensive, and every pick here still gets current software.
