{"id":17038,"date":"2026-10-07T20:44:25","date_gmt":"2026-10-08T01:44:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/swappa.com\/blog\/?p=17038"},"modified":"2026-10-09T19:11:19","modified_gmt":"2026-10-10T00:11:19","slug":"best-tablet-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swappa.com\/blog\/best-tablet-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Best Tablets for Every Budget in 2026: iPad and Android"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_81 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #0a0a0a;color:#0a0a0a\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #0a0a0a;color:#0a0a0a\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/blog\/best-tablet-guide\/#Quick-Answer\" >Quick Answer<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/blog\/best-tablet-guide\/#Best-Tablets-by-Budget-at-a-Glance\" >Best Tablets by Budget at a Glance<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/blog\/best-tablet-guide\/#Best-Budget-Tablet-iPad-9th-Generation\" >Best Budget Tablet: iPad (9th Generation)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/blog\/best-tablet-guide\/#Best-Overall-iPad-10th-Generation-and-iPad-A16\" >Best Overall: iPad (10th Generation) and iPad (A16)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/blog\/best-tablet-guide\/#Best-Small-Tablet-iPad-mini\" >Best Small Tablet: iPad mini<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/blog\/best-tablet-guide\/#Best-for-Students-and-Creatives-iPad-Air\" >Best for Students and Creatives: iPad Air<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/blog\/best-tablet-guide\/#Best-Premium-Tablet-iPad-Pro-M4\" >Best Premium Tablet: iPad Pro (M4)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/blog\/best-tablet-guide\/#Best-Android-Tablets-Samsung-Galaxy-Tab\" >Best Android Tablets: Samsung Galaxy Tab<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/blog\/best-tablet-guide\/#Cheapest-Tablets-Galaxy-Tab-A9-and-Amazon-Fire\" >Cheapest Tablets: Galaxy Tab A9+ and Amazon Fire<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/blog\/best-tablet-guide\/#Tablets-to-Skip-in-2026\" >Tablets to Skip in 2026<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/blog\/best-tablet-guide\/#What-to-Check-Before-You-Buy-a-Used-Tablet\" >What to Check Before You Buy a Used Tablet<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/blog\/best-tablet-guide\/#Frequently-Asked-Questions\" >Frequently Asked Questions<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/blog\/best-tablet-guide\/#What-is-the-best-tablet-for-the-money-in-2026\" >What is the best tablet for the money in 2026?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/blog\/best-tablet-guide\/#Is-the-iPad-9th-generation-still-worth-buying-in-2026\" >Is the iPad (9th generation) still worth buying in 2026?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/blog\/best-tablet-guide\/#Should-I-buy-an-iPad-or-an-Android-tablet\" >Should I buy an iPad or an Android tablet?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/blog\/best-tablet-guide\/#Which-iPads-are-no-longer-supported\" >Which iPads are no longer supported?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/blog\/best-tablet-guide\/#What-is-the-best-cheap-tablet-for-kids\" >What is the best cheap tablet for kids?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/blog\/best-tablet-guide\/#The-Bottom-Line\" >The Bottom Line<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Quick-Answer\"><\/span>Quick Answer<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>For most buyers, the best tablet in 2026 is a used <strong>iPad (10th generation)<\/strong> or <strong>iPad (A16)<\/strong>, starting around <strong>$272 to $315<\/strong> on Swappa. On a tight budget, the <strong>iPad (9th generation)<\/strong> starts around <strong>$155<\/strong> and still runs iPadOS 27. The <strong>iPad mini (A17 Pro)<\/strong> is the best small tablet, the <strong>iPad Air (M2)<\/strong> is the best for creative work, and the <strong>Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE<\/strong>, from about $215, is the best-value Android tablet. Skip the iPad (8th generation) and older. <a href=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/buy\/tablets\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Shop used tablets on Swappa<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/buy\/tablets\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Shop Used Tablets on Swappa<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Best-Tablets-by-Budget-at-a-Glance\"><\/span>Best Tablets by Budget at a Glance<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Pick<\/th><th>Tablet<\/th><th>Starts Around<\/th><th>Typical Sale Price<\/th><th>Chip<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Cheapest usable<\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/listings\/samsung-galaxy-tab-a9-plus\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+<\/a><\/td><td>$128<\/td><td>About $129<\/td><td>Snapdragon 695<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Best budget iPad<\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/listings\/apple-ipad-9th-gen\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">iPad (9th gen)<\/a><\/td><td>$155<\/td><td>About $162 (64GB)<\/td><td>A13 Bionic<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Best value Android<\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/listings\/samsung-galaxy-tab-s9-fe\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Galaxy Tab S9 FE<\/a><\/td><td>$215<\/td><td>About $206 (128GB)<\/td><td>Exynos 1380<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Best overall<\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/listings\/apple-ipad-10th-gen\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">iPad (10th gen)<\/a><\/td><td>$272<\/td><td>About $299 (64GB)<\/td><td>A14 Bionic<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Best overall, more storage<\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/listings\/apple-ipad-11th-gen\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">iPad (A16)<\/a><\/td><td>$315<\/td><td>About $340 (128GB)<\/td><td>A16<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Best small<\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/listings\/apple-ipad-mini-7\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">iPad mini (A17 Pro)<\/a><\/td><td>$366<\/td><td>About $411 (128GB)<\/td><td>A17 Pro<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Best for creatives<\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/listings\/apple-ipad-air-11-2024\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">iPad Air 11&#8243; (M2)<\/a><\/td><td>$399<\/td><td>About $462 (128GB)<\/td><td>M2<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Best premium<\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/listings\/apple-ipad-pro-11-2024\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">iPad Pro 11&#8243; (M4)<\/a><\/td><td>$679<\/td><td>About $760 (256GB)<\/td><td>M4<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Best-Budget-Tablet-iPad-9th-Generation\"><\/span>Best Budget Tablet: iPad (9th Generation)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The iPad (9th generation) is the cheapest iPad still on Apple&#8217;s iPadOS 27 list, starting around <strong>$155<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>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&#8217;s first tablet, as long as you treat it as a two to three year device.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Best-Overall-iPad-10th-Generation-and-iPad-A16\"><\/span>Best Overall: iPad (10th Generation) and iPad (A16)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>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 <strong>$272<\/strong>, with 64GB models typically selling near $299.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The iPad (A16), sometimes listed as the 11th generation, keeps that design with a faster chip and <strong>128GB of base storage<\/strong>, starting around <strong>$315<\/strong>. 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Best-Small-Tablet-iPad-mini\"><\/span>Best Small Tablet: iPad mini<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The <strong>iPad mini (A17 Pro)<\/strong> is the best small tablet you can buy, starting around <strong>$366<\/strong>. Its 8.3-inch screen fits in a jacket pocket, it supports the Apple Pencil Pro, and its A17 Pro chip runs Apple Intelligence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The <strong>iPad mini (6th generation)<\/strong> has the same design with an A15 chip and Apple Pencil (2nd generation) support, starting around <strong>$270<\/strong>. It is a great reader and travel tablet if you do not need the newest features.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Best-for-Students-and-Creatives-iPad-Air\"><\/span>Best for Students and Creatives: iPad Air<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The <strong>iPad Air 11-inch (M2)<\/strong> starts around <strong>$399<\/strong> and the <strong>iPad Air (M3)<\/strong> around <strong>$479<\/strong>. Both run Apple Intelligence, support the Apple Pencil Pro, and have enough power for drawing apps, photo editing, and heavy multitasking with a keyboard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Buying used matters more than usual here. Apple raised the new iPad Air&#8217;s starting price from $599 to <strong>$749<\/strong> in June 2026, which widened the gap between new and used. For more on which Pencil and keyboard work with each model, see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.swappa.com\/blog\/ipad-vs-ipad-air-vs-pro-vs-mini\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">iPad vs. iPad Air vs. iPad Pro vs. iPad mini<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.swappa.com\/blog\/best-used-tablets-for-students\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Best Used Tablets for Students and Note-Taking (2026)<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Best-Premium-Tablet-iPad-Pro-M4\"><\/span>Best Premium Tablet: iPad Pro (M4)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The iPad Pro (M4) has a tandem OLED display, an ultra-thin design, and laptop-class performance. Used 11-inch models start around <strong>$679<\/strong> and 13-inch models around <strong>$773<\/strong>, compared with a new starting price that rose to <strong>$1,199<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/buy\/tablets\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Shop Used iPads on Swappa<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Best-Android-Tablets-Samsung-Galaxy-Tab\"><\/span>Best Android Tablets: Samsung Galaxy Tab<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Galaxy Tab S9 FE<\/strong>, from about <strong>$215<\/strong>: the best-value Android tablet, with a 10.9-inch screen, an included S Pen, and water resistance.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Galaxy Tab S10 FE<\/strong>, from about <strong>$340<\/strong>: the newer FE with a faster chip.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Galaxy Tab S9<\/strong>: a premium AMOLED tablet that typically sells for about $362 (128GB) when listings appear.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Check how many years of updates a Galaxy Tab has left before you buy. See <a href=\"https:\/\/www.swappa.com\/blog\/used-samsung-galaxy-tab-buyers-guide\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Used Samsung Galaxy Tab Buyer&#8217;s Guide<\/a> for the details by model.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Cheapest-Tablets-Galaxy-Tab-A9-and-Amazon-Fire\"><\/span>Cheapest Tablets: Galaxy Tab A9+ and Amazon Fire<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you just need a screen for streaming, reading, and simple games, the <strong>Galaxy Tab A9+<\/strong> starts around <strong>$128<\/strong> and runs full Android with the Google Play Store. <strong>Amazon Fire<\/strong> tablets cost even less, but they run Amazon&#8217;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&#8217; tablets. For family picks, see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.swappa.com\/blog\/best-used-tablets-for-kids\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Best Used Tablets for Kids<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Tablets-to-Skip-in-2026\"><\/span>Tablets to Skip in 2026<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>iPadOS 27 dropped five iPad models. They are cheap for that reason, and they will not get new features or full security support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Skip<\/th><th>Why<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>iPad (8th gen) and older<\/td><td>Not supported by iPadOS 27<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>iPad mini (5th gen)<\/td><td>Not supported by iPadOS 27<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>iPad Air (3rd gen)<\/td><td>Not supported by iPadOS 27<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>iPad Pro 11-inch (1st gen) and 12.9-inch (3rd gen)<\/td><td>Not supported by iPadOS 27<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>For how long each supported iPad has left, see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.swappa.com\/blog\/how-long-are-ipads-supported\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">How Long Are iPads Supported With Updates? (2026)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What-to-Check-Before-You-Buy-a-Used-Tablet\"><\/span>What to Check Before You Buy a Used Tablet<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Activation Lock.<\/strong> An iPad signed in to someone else&#8217;s Apple Account cannot be set up. Swappa listings must be free of Activation Lock. See <a href=\"https:\/\/www.swappa.com\/blog\/ipad-activation-lock\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Activation Lock on a Used iPad: How to Avoid It<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Wi-Fi or cellular.<\/strong> Cellular iPads cost a little more and need a data plan to use mobile data. See <a href=\"https:\/\/www.swappa.com\/blog\/cellular-vs-wifi-ipad\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Cellular vs. Wi-Fi iPad: Which Should You Buy Used?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Battery health.<\/strong> Check battery performance in the listing and factor in a possible replacement on older tablets. See <a href=\"https:\/\/www.swappa.com\/blog\/battery-health-used-electronics\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Battery Health in Used Electronics: What to Know<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Pencil compatibility.<\/strong> Each iPad works with specific Apple Pencil models, so confirm yours before buying accessories.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>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 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.swappa.com\/blog\/used-tablets-guide\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Buying and Selling Used Tablets: The Complete Guide<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.swappa.com\/blog\/used-ipad-buyers-guide\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Used iPad Buyer&#8217;s Guide: Every Generation Ranked (2026)<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Upgrading?<\/strong> Sell your old tablet on Swappa before it loses more value. See <a href=\"https:\/\/www.swappa.com\/blog\/how-to-sell-used-ipad-tablet\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">How to Sell a Used iPad or Tablet for the Most Money<\/a>, or <a href=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/sell\/tablet\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">start a listing<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Frequently-Asked-Questions\"><\/span>Frequently Asked Questions<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What-is-the-best-tablet-for-the-money-in-2026\"><\/span>What is the best tablet for the money in 2026?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is-the-iPad-9th-generation-still-worth-buying-in-2026\"><\/span>Is the iPad (9th generation) still worth buying in 2026?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Should-I-buy-an-iPad-or-an-Android-tablet\"><\/span>Should I buy an iPad or an Android tablet?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Which-iPads-are-no-longer-supported\"><\/span>Which iPads are no longer supported?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What-is-the-best-cheap-tablet-for-kids\"><\/span>What is the best cheap tablet for kids?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The-Bottom-Line\"><\/span>The Bottom Line<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/buy\/tablets\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Shop Used Tablets on Swappa<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Find the best tablet for your budget in 2026, from the iPad 9th gen and iPad mini to the iPad Air, iPad Pro and Galaxy Tab, plus which old iPads to skip.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":42,"featured_media":17243,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-parts\/wpb-single-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_swappa_custom_jsonld":"{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"FAQPage\",\"mainEntity\":[{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"What is the best tablet for the money in 2026?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"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.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Is the iPad (9th generation) still worth buying in 2026?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"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.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Should I buy an iPad or an Android tablet?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"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.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Which iPads are no longer supported?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"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.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"What is the best cheap tablet for kids?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"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.\"}}]}","_swappa_updated_date":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2027],"tags":[],"products":[851,845,848,861,850,854],"class_list":["post-17038","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tablets","products-amazon-fire-8-hd-2020","products-apple-ipad-7th-gen","products-apple-ipad-air-4th-gen","products-apple-ipad-pro-129-4th-gen-2020","products-samsung-galaxy-tab-s5e","products-samsung-galaxy-tab-s6"],"lang":"en","translations":{"en":17038},"pll_sync_post":{},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/swappa.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17038","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/swappa.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/swappa.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swappa.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/42"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swappa.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17038"}],"version-history":[{"count":14,"href":"https:\/\/swappa.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17038\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":31617,"href":"https:\/\/swappa.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17038\/revisions\/31617"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swappa.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/17243"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/swappa.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17038"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swappa.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17038"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swappa.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17038"},{"taxonomy":"products","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swappa.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/products?post=17038"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}