5 Affordable Tablets You Should Consider Buying Refurbished

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If you're looking to save money and don't mind a secondhand device, refurbished tablets can be a good alternative. They work just as well as a new one in good condition, so you can watch TV shows, read or study without having to pay more for something fresh out of the box.

Depending on where you buy, the seller might even conduct various tests and repairs on the tablet to ensure it works fine. That helps make the purchase more appealing, especially if the store offers extras like a short warranty after purchase. Even so, it's worth inspecting the device before buying, since there may be wear or scratches on the tablet's body, along with a battery that doesn't last as long.

To find a deal that's worth it, you also need to compare the price with a new model and see whether it makes sense. For that reason, we gathered some affordable tablets to keep on your radar when shopping for refurbished devices.

The FE line from Samsung always brings some flagship features on a budget, and while it's a little older, a refurbished Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE is still worth your money. On Amazon, an option is listed for $299, which is a great price for an affordable tablet for studying, watching TV shows, or taking notes. For that price, you get a 10.9-inch tablet with 128 GB of storage, Wi-Fi connectivity, and S Pen support.

A new Galaxy Tab S10 Lite costs around $100 more, but both options will have the same Exynos 1380 processor and come with 6 GB of RAM in their 128 GB models. There's also an 8 GB/256 GB variant, but it costs $490. Even then, you end up paying more for a device that would deliver similar performance across both generations, while the S9 FE also has a higher screen resolution, at 2304 × 1440 pixels compared with the Lite's 2112 × 1320.

Although the battery capacity is the same on both devices, a seal-packed Tab S10 Lite will give you a new battery and more time left for updates, but the refurbished option still makes sense if you want to save, as long as it's in good condition. Before buying, check whether the available model you're getting comes with an S Pen and its battery's health as well.

Apple has some good deals on its own refurbished store too, since you can find a tenth-generation iPad for $319. It's the more basic model with just 64 GB of storage but does come with a few nice perks including a new battery, a new outer shell, a one-year warranty, and a 14-day return policy.

It's an older model, so you can't expect much, but the A14 Bionic chip and 10.9-inch screen are still good enough for watching videos, attending classes and using lighter apps. The 10th-generation iPad supports the USB-C variant of the Apple Pencil, so you might want to add it to your cart as well if you're into writing and drawing.

Storage can be an issue, since 64 GB isn't great, as a few large games and files can quickly clog the storage. For more space, it's better to get a new iPad A16 with 128 GB of storage by paying $130 more, but if storage isn't a concern, this refurbished model can still be worth it.

If you want a tablet primarily for editing photos or drawing, a 5th-generation iPad Air is well worth a look. Since it has the M1 chip and 8 GB of RAM, you can use apps like Final Cut Pro for iPad, which older models with the A14 Bionic can't run. This gives users who need a device for creative work more flexibility.

The refurbished iPad Air is available on Amazon for around $310, depending on what version you want, such as the Wi-Fi + Cellular model, which is handy when you don't have Wi-Fi. The device must also pass supplier inspections and testing as part of Amazon Renewed, and while you won't get a fresh battery, Amazon requires its refurbished products to hold at least 80% of their original battery capacity.

Amazon's option is $140 less than the new $449 iPad A16. If you're willing to live with the trade-offs of buying an older refurbished model, this M1 iPad Air is one of Apple's older devices that's still worth buying under those conditions.

A large screen and four speakers make the Samsung Galaxy Tab A11+ an excellent buy, especially if you can snag it refurbished at a good price. At some stores, like Back Market, you can find the model for around $200 in Fair condition — a category that includes some scratches and signs of use without affecting how the device works.

The 11-inch panel has a resolution of 1920x1200 pixels and a refresh rate of up to 90 Hz, so games and videos can look a little smoother. The $200 configuration comes with 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage, which you can expand with an SD Card. Moreover, its Dolby Atmos speakers put it among the affordable tablets with a good sound system.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab A11+ still has plenty of life left in it, since Samsung promises up to seven generations of updates from the device's launch, and considering it came out in late 2025, you can expect a good stretch of support. On the other hand, it doesn't support an S Pen, so it might not be the best option for drawing.

The iPad mini A15 Bionic is a good tablet to have, especially if you want to carry it in your bag. It has a smaller 8.3-inch screen and weighs approximately 0.66 lbs, so it's easy to take from place to place and hold without much discomfort. On Amazon, for example, you can find the Wi-Fi + Cellular model for $339.00 with 64 GB of storage.

It comes with an A15 Bionic, which can be a good chip, particularly for browsing, streaming, and studying. Moreover, the processor is also capable of handling some moderate gaming. You can also use a second-generation Apple Pencil or the USB-C variant, but that accessory is sold separately.

The 12-megapixel front camera supports Center Stage that adjusts the framing during video calls, helping you stay in focus. However, the smaller screen can make it feel a little cramped in meetings with several people, but it works well for reading and watching videos.

To choose these refurbished tablets, we looked for models that offered the best specs at affordable prices. We prioritized configurations that balanced those two things, including screens of at least eight inches and 6 GB of RAM for Android models. We didn't limit the selection to that operating system, since there are also good options from Apple, where we considered iPad chips that offered suitable capabilities for browsing, streaming, and studying.

We also compared prices with newer versions of the tablets available in stores, looking at whether the differences between the devices justified the savings from buying something older and used. That helped us find models for different needs. Each store's conditions also factored into the selection, especially warranty coverage, return windows, included accessories, and battery capacity requirements.