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Amazon officially wrapped up its October Prime Day sale last night, but the deals haven't dried up quite yet. There are still a number of holdover bargains available, including some serious savings on tablets. Most of Amazon's deals on its Fire tablets have expired, but you can still score discounts on a number of iPads, as well as tablets from Google, Samsung and other major brands.
However, these remaining offers are going fast now that the sale is over, so there's no telling how much longer they'll be available. We strongly suggest getting you get your order in as soon as possible if you see a deal you don't want to miss. You can also check out our roundups of the best deals still available at Walmart for even more last-minute bargains.
Don't miss our live, round-the-clock coverage of the Best Prime Day Deals curated by CNET Deals experts.
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Best Prime Day tablet deals
Though it's a previous-gen model, the ninth-generation iPad is a solid tablet -- especially when you can nab one for just $199. If you want a simple tablet for email and browsing, or for a kid or holiday gift, you can't go wrong with Apple's least-expensive iPad.
Google's Pixel Tablet is designed to double as a smart home hub, earning it a spot on our list of the best tablets for 2024. It features a G2 Tensor processor, an 11-inch display, 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. Plus, it has front and rear cameras for video calls.
This 2022 model may sport an older M2 chip, as opposed to the zippier M4 model that came out this year, but it also costs less for all the bells and whistles. The 12.9 inch version on sale here comes equipped with 2TB of storage (up from the base of 256MB) and the option to connect to cellular networks -- a 13-inch M4 iPad Pro with those options costs over $1,000 more. Your purchase also includes three months of Apple TV, Apple Music and iCloud Plus for new or returning subscribers and three months of Apple Fitness Plus free for new subscribers. Trading in an older tablet? Eligible trade-ins can get up to $425 in trade-in credit.
If you're looking for an alternative to the major brands, the OnePlus Pad is a great option. It's our favorite midrange Android tablet of 2024, featuring an 11.6-inch display, 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. It also boasts a sleek and lightweight design at just 552 grams and 6.54mm thick.
Don't necessarily need a full-size tablet? The iPad Mini is could be your jam. It's lightweight and more portable than Apple's other iPads while still offering great features. And it's compatible with the Pencil 2. At almost 25% off, this price is the best offer we've seen at Amazon on this model.
More Prime Day tablet deals available now
Is October Prime Day a good time to buy a tablet?
It depends. Your needs and preferences will affect which tablet you should buy, and some tablet options won't be as competitively priced as others during October Prime Day. Now that the sale has officially ended, most of Amazon's deals on its own Fire tablets are no longer available, but you can still score some serious savings on iPads and models from other brands. If you have an older tablet you can trade in, you might be able to save even more through trade-in programs at retailers like Best Buy and Amazon on eligible models.
Do you need a membership for Prime Day tablet deals?
Plenty of Prime Day tablet deals are available across Amazon, but you will need a Prime membership to access many of the best discounts. Not every deal requires a Prime membership, the best way to know for sure is to browse and look for the "Prime Exclusive Deal" button on the page. If you do not see that button, a Prime membership is not required for that discount.
Are other retailers offering high quality tablet deals?
Yes. In response to Prime Day, many of Amazon's competitors are lowering prices across the board, which includes tablets. Both Best Buy and Walmart had their own massive anti-Prime Day sales this year, and while the deals are disappearing quickly now that the event has come and gone, there are still a few bargains to be had. In addition, you may also spot deals directly at HP, Samsung and Dell.
How do Prime Day deals and anti-Prime sales at other retailers compare with Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals?
Amazon's October Prime Day and competitive sales at other major retailers have many similarities with Black Friday/Cyber Monday. Anecdotally, Black Friday tends to have better deals on large ticket items such as TVs, home appliances and laptops, whereas Prime Day tends to focus on more everyday essentials and items under $50.
Overall, shopping at both events will save you a ton of money over the retail price of a lot of items. For good bargains on everyday essentials and other items, buy during Prime Day. If you are looking for that "once-a-year" bargain, Black Friday is probably your best bet, but supplies tend to be limited. If you want to beat the holiday rush, there are plenty of price cuts on items that make great gifts for loved ones. For more help with choosing the right time to invest in a new tablet, check out our guide on whether or not to buy a cheap tablet during Prime Day events.
How does CNET select the best Prime Day offers?
Our team of expert shoppers and deal hunters has spent years helping buyers understand which major sales and deals are legitimately good and which are more routine. That includes Black Friday, Prime Day, Memorial Day and countless other shopping events. We've gotten very good at weeding out scams and superficial deals on all sorts of tech, so you see only the best offers on items like tablets.
At CNET we look for real discounts, quality reviews and remaining sale time when choosing a deal to show you.
- Real discounts mean exactly that. We look at the price history for that product to make sure no manufacturers are inflating prices to make the discount seem more substantial than it is.
- Quality reviews are important for any product, but especially for deeply discounted items. An appliance is a big investment, and if you don't get enough mileage out of it, the discount wasn't worthwhile.
- Remaining sale time is a huge part of our vetting process. If a deal is likely to be short-lived or limited to remaining stock, we'll let you know upfront -- so you're not disappointed if you check back later and find it's gone.