Best tablet and iPad deals for 2021

Whether you're set on an iPad or hunting for a great tablet from one of Apple's rivals, our experts have scrutinised what's on offer to bring you the best deals we've found this month. 

We've identified deals on mid-range models that should hit the mark for most people and high-end big-screen tablets to replace your laptop.

Like all tech products, tablets are constantly being updated and refreshed with new versions. That means there are plenty of deals to be found on last-generation models, as well as the occasional discount on the very latest tablets. We'll update this page monthly with the best deals, as found by our computing experts. 

We also run through some top tips on how to find the latest deals yourself on iPads, Android tablets and Microsoft Surface tablets.

Spotted what you think is a great deal on a new tablet? Check our full tablet reviews to make sure the tablet itself is as good as the discount. 

The best tablet deals in April 2021

Here are the top deals we've found as of 1st April 2021.

1. Microsoft Surface Pro 7, now £679

• Cheapest deal from Microsoft Store
• £120 off standard price
• Intel Core i3 Processor, 4GB RAM, 128GB SSD

We like: Familiarity of Windows 10

We didn’t like: Pricey accessories

The current cheapest deal for the lowest specification Surface Pro 7 Platinum 7 is for £679 from Currys PC World, Amazon or from Microsoft itself via the Microsoft Store.

(A 2020 Which? investigation into Currys PC World suggests the firm has an issue with how it handles complaints about faulty products. So do consider this before making a purchase.) 

Read the full Microsoft Surface Pro 7 review to find out how it performed in our tests.

2. iPad Pro 11-inch (2020), now £779

• £90 off the standard price of £869
• A high-end tablet that could replace your laptop if bought with a keyboard
• Stylus and keyboard cost extra

We like: Fast, Lovely design

We didn’t like: No headphone jack, expensive

The 256GB version of this iPad is currently on offer in Currys. Buy the space grey version for £779.

Read our full iPad Pro 11 review to see how it did in our tests.

3. Apple iPad Mini (2019), now £370

• £31 off original price
• Also known as the '5th-gen' iPad Mini
• A compact and portable tablet 

We like: Great software

We didn’t like: Only supports older Apple pencil

The iPad Mini 64GB model is currently available for £370. The space grey version can be found at Amazon, or it’s also available at this price in space grey, gold and silver at Currys PC World.

Read our full iPad Mini review.

4. Samsung Galaxy Tab S5e £329

• £50 off original price
• Facial recognition camera and a fingerprint scanner
• 64GB of built-in storage

We like: Compact and portable design, Long battery life

We didn’t like: No headphone jack

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S5e is currently available for a discounted price of £329. Buy the black version at Currys PC World, or the silver version at John Lewis and Amazon. 

Read our full Galaxy Tab S5e review to see how it did in our tests.

How to find a good deal on a tablet

We've picked out a selection of good offers on decent tablets, but if these aren't quite right for you there are ample opportunities to find yourself a great tablet deal.

Finding an iPad deal

Apple’s own website provides you with a good baseline of how much an iPad costs, because Apple never discounts new models on its own website. Knowing the full, true value makes it easier to work out how good discounts on other sites really are.

When you're shopping around for deals, be mindful of the fact that there are multiple generations of iPads on sale at the same time, so make sure you know which generation you're buying; our guide on which iPad to buy shows you which models are the latest generation. 

There’s nothing wrong with buying an older-generation iPad (in fact, it’s  a great way to save money), but just make sure you’re comparing like-for-like products instead of a newer, more expensive model with an older, cheaper version.

Another way to keep costs down is to consider a refurbished iPad. While Apple's website never has deals on new tablets, it has a section for refurbished iPads that come with a one-year warranty. What’s available varies day-by-day, but you should be able to save at least 20% on a refurbished model over a new one. 

If you’re a student, you may also qualify for Apple’s student discount programme, which will net you discounts on iPads, among other products. 

See all our reviews of Apple iPads.

Finding a Microsoft Surface tablet deal

It’s sensible to start your search for a Surface tablet on the Microsoft Store website. 

Not only is this the place to find the true RRP of the model and specification you’re after, but you might even find a handy discount while you’re there. It might be a simple discount on a specification, or it could be a discounted or free accessory when you buy a full-price tablet.

If you don’t find a discount on the Microsoft website, it’s highly likely you’ll find one from a different retailer. Make sure you check all the specifications and colour options, as discounts may only be on one or two of these at any time. 

See all our reviews of Microsoft Surface tablets.

Finding an Amazon Fire tablet deal

Amazon Fires are hardly expensive to start with, but deals on these tablets come along fairly regularly. Amazon.co.uk itself often has the best prices, but you can sometimes find decent discounts from the likes of Currys and Argos. 

If there's nothing available on the day you search, you probably won't have to wait for long for a discount to materialise, so if you don’t need to buy right now it could pay to wait until a deal comes up.

See all our reviews of Amazon Fire tablets.