(Updated September, 2017) Trying to figure out which are the best tablets under 500 dollars this year? There are definitely a ton of top rated and reviewed options to consider. So that’s why we have been checking out the competition, the models and what’s “under the hood”, so to speak, to find our top rated tablets for 2017!
The use of tablets has grown exponentially and today, tablets are being used both for personal use and work related assignments which means trying to find the best tablets under 500 dollars is a question many people ask! Since the creation of the iPad by Apple in 2010, a whole new range of top tablets under 500 dollars have been introduced into the marketplace. However, even though many people are using tablets, laptops and computers are still more popular for some environments and are the go to choice for many of the “heavy lifting” tasks.
The reason why consumers love tablets is because they (generally) cost less and can still effectively perform many tasks that laptops and computers do. Tablets fall in different categories; however, if you have a budget and are searching for the best tablets under 500 (which places your search in the higher end of tablets), there are plenty of options to choose from. Remember that these tablets are popular because they are highly portable, excellent for travel, superb for multitasking, are compatible with different apps as well as being known for enhanced productivity.
Tablets have become predominant in our lives; you can practically do anything using them. They’re cool because they are designed with superior specs and therefore, work much faster. If you intend to look for the best tablets for under 500, you have a good budget because with this price tag, you can consider many of the top notch tablets that are currently on the market. It’s worth mentioning that all of these tablets that we are discussing in this article are super efficient and fast when it comes to internet access. With a budget of $500 for a tablet, you can comfortably look at several options.
The Best Tablets Under 500 Dollars – 2017
Microsoft Surface 3 – Best Tablets Under 400
Microsoft Surface 3 is by far one of the Best Tablets Under 400 Dollars – 2017, and we’re including it in our under 500 rankings as well! It’s a really popular option to consider both for the students as well as those that need a tablet for work.
The Microsoft Surface 3 is one of the finest tablets to be released by Microsoft and one of the few tablets from Microsoft that are under 500 dollars. With a 10-inch Full HD 1080p display that offers gorgeous colors, this tablet is a pleasure to watch video on as well as get some office or college work done.
It has 2GB of Ram and 64 GB of storage which means you can store almost anything you want and have enough memory to run it seamlessly. So if you are looking for a well rounded, affordable tablet that won’t break the bank, check out the Surface Pro options!
Apple iPad Pro 9.7-inch – Best Tablet Under 500
When it comes to making high quality tablets, Apple is second to none. The Apple IPad Pro is one of the best tablets for college students on a budget and has some pretty high end specs making it also one of the Best Tablets Under 500 2017.
Running on IOS 9 means that this tablet has sufficient powerf to handle almost anything you can throw its way. With a long battery life that can last up to 10 hours, this Apple IPad Pro makes full use of all of its design features that it has in just the right way.
With a gorgeous 9.7-inch Retina Display that supports Wide Color and True Tone Display, this tablet is an nice all-rounder that makes it the best tablet for watching movies and browsing the internet.
Samsung Galaxy Tab A – Best Tablets Under 300
If you want to buy the most cost effective tablet then the Samsung Galaxy Tab A is definitely worth your time to check out.
This tablet comes loaded with a 1.6 GHz Exynos 7870 Octa-Core Processor and 2GB ram making it easily one of the best tablets for college students on a budget.
Thanks to the high specs that it has, it can easily run a variety of applications and provide smooth video playback for 1080p videos making it a solid performing tablet for watching movies offline.
Samsung has been working hard improved the quality of their tablets which are now more than just more affordable alternatives to bigger brand names – they are strong contenders in performance and lower pricing as well. The Samsung Galaxy Tab A definitely is the right tablet for you if you’re shopping on a budget.
Apple iPad Air 2 – Tablet
It’s not surprising that Apple’s iPad Air 2 is among a Best Tablets Review. Being a leading pioneer of the tablet technology, Apple’s creativity and mastery of design, specifications and performance of tablets is unmatched.
This sleek and extremely light tablet retails at close to $400 (at last check) and weighs in at 15.4 ounces. For travelers, it’s an incredible tablet since you’ll not even notice you have it on you and you can go anywhere with it. If you’re interested in the latest offerings and tablet specs, iPad 2 Air has the newest iOS 8 installed, 2048 X 1536 HD resolution and a 9.7 inch retina display.
For speed lovers, 1.5GHz and 1GB DDR2 RAM alongside the M8 motion co-processor is all you need to have the guarantee of fast speeds. A good tablet must have an impressive user interface and features to attract consumers. iPad Air 2 is loaded with the coolest and most entertaining apps and work related apps. iTunes is a favorite for many iPad Air 2 users.
No doubt, this tab is at the top when it comes to playing videos, music and gaming. Other notable features of this tablet include an HD Face Time camera, 8MP rear camera, 16GB memory and 10 hours of battery life. If you’re not an Android or Windows tablet fan, Apple’s iPad Air 2 is a good option you should consider.
Apple iPad Mini 3
Apple is definitely a market leader in the tablets industry. Aside from the incredible iPad Air 2, this iPad Mini 3 is another excellent gadget for shoppers looking for the best tablets under 500 dollars.
As expected, the tablet is designed using the latest technologies designed for both professionals and leisure users. With a price tag of well under $500, this amazing tablet is a perfect demonstration of brilliance at its very best especially for its latest iOS 8 and a 64 bit A7 chip M7 Motion co-processor.
The touch screen is dazzling and smooth making it easier for users to navigate through different applications and enjoy the appealing user interface.
You can never run out of games and apps because this contender in the Best Tablet Under 500 has an Apple iTune Store with thousands of entertaining apps to keep you going.
Battery drain issues are non-existent because iPad Mini 3 battery can run comfortably for upto 10 hours. 64GB internal storage ensures you don’t run short of space as well as a 5MP camera ideal for photography and video calling.
Sony Xperia Z SGP312U1/W – Best Tablets
If you love a tablet with a larger screen, the Sony Xperia Z is a 10 inch tablet with a storage capacity of 32GB.
Retailing at under $400 currently, a lot of work has gone into designing this world class tablet that runs on a 1.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 quad core processor and has 2GB RAM that allows for seamless multitasking.
Sony is a well respected name when it comes to manufacturing high tech gadgets and this tablet is no exception. The specs, performance and stellar display are some of the major offerings of Sony Xperia Z. It’s worth mentioning that this tablet also has a 16GB version for users who don’t require a lot of data storage space.
If you love selfies and video conferencing, you can rely on the tablet’s 2MP front and 8MP rear camera to enhance your photography and video sessions. Sony Xperia is both dust proof and waterproof which safeguards your tablet in case of accidental drops in areas with water.
So if you are looking for a Best Tablet Under 500 Dollars, the above list are some examples of top selling tablets, high quality tablets worth considering. So check out the various reviews and comments as well as any prices changes for each of the tablets. We’re willing to bet you find a perfect choice for your needs!
Best Tablets Under 500 – 2015 and 2016 Models
Lenovo Ideapad Tab K3 Lynx
-No Longer Available-
There are several amazing Windows tablets which are available for users interested in purchasing a modern, high performance and budget friendly tablet.
The Lenovo Idea Tab K3 Lynx priced at $459 (at the time of this review) is famous for its impeccable multitasking capabilities thanks to 2GB RAM capacity and a super processor. 64 GB flash memory plus a free drive storage disk ensure you have plenty of space to keep all your crucial data. If you’re keen on a tablet with a good battery, this tablet can comfortably serve you for 8 hours of non-stop charge, eliminating the inconvenience of walking around with battery chargers.
Lenovo Ideapad tablet is designed with Wi-Fi and a wide array of ports to facilitate connection to external devices. It is possible to use this tablet as a laptop for work especially if you connect it with an external keyboard that you need to purchase separately.
Google Nexus 9
-No Longer Available-
A final and past contender is the Google Nexus 7, an excellent and modern Android tablet from Google. Running on Android 5.0 Lollipop and 2.3GHz NVIDIA Tegra K1 Dual Denver processor, the speed is superb and you can multitask comfortably with this 8.9 inch tablet with a top notch disp
lay. If you love gaming, brace yourself for an endless exciting experience since Nexus 7, retailing at $407, is capable of playing all types of games. For memory, this under $500 tablet has 16GB flash memory and a free Google Drive storage to hold bulky games and apps.
Camera lovers are not left behind thanks to 8MP rear and 1.6MP front camera that ensure you’re able to capture clear, bright and high quality images. Furthermore, you can share these photos and videos with your loved ones using Wi-Fi, USB or Bluetooth. The battery can last up to 7 hours; you can travel and move around with the tablet without quickly getting disconnected from internet, games and apps.