The cheapest tablets come from Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy, but the lowest price is not always at the same store
Price varies by model and by week, so checking three or four stores takes ten minutes and often saves $30 to $80. Amazon usually has the widest selection of budget tablets and runs frequent sales on older models. Walmart and Best Buy match Amazon prices on most items, so if you prefer to buy in person or want same-day pickup, you can often get the same deal without waiting for shipping.
The real savings come from buying last year's model instead of the newest one. A tablet from two years ago does the same things — email, video, reading, light gaming — at half the price. Retailers clear old stock when new models arrive, usually in spring and fall, which is when you will find the deepest discounts.
Key Takeaways
- Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy all sell budget tablets under $200, and prices shift weekly, so comparing all three takes minutes and often saves $30 or more.
- Tablets from the previous generation cost half as much as the newest model and handle everyday tasks just as well.
- Costco and Sam's Club sell tablets at lower per-unit prices if you have a membership, but selection is smaller and inventory changes fast.
- Refurbished tablets from the manufacturer's official store carry a warranty and cost 20 to 30 percent less than new ones.
- Open-box and returned items at Best Buy are marked down 10 to 20 percent and come with the store's return policy.
Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy price matching
All three stores match each other's advertised prices on tablets in stock, which means you can shop whichever one is most convenient. Amazon has the most models available at any given time, including budget brands like Lenovo, Samsung Galaxy Tab A, and Amazon's own Fire tablets. Walmart's website shows local inventory, so you can see which tablets are in your nearest store and pick them up the same day.
Best Buy's website lets you filter by price range and shows which models are in stock nearby. The store also runs weekly sales on tablets, and Best Buy members get early access to sales and occasional extra discounts. If you do not have a membership, the regular prices are still competitive with Amazon and Walmart.
Price tracking tools like CamelCamelCamel (for Amazon) and Honey (for all three stores) show you the price history of a specific tablet model, so you can see whether the current price is actually a sale or just the regular cost. This takes the guesswork out of whether to buy now or wait.
Costco and Sam's Club for bulk and membership discounts
If you have a Costco or Sam's Club membership, both warehouses sell tablets at lower prices than regular retailers, usually $20 to $50 below the same model at Amazon or Walmart. Costco's selection changes frequently — they might have a Samsung tablet one month and a Lenovo the next — so inventory is smaller but prices are better. Sam's Club has a similar model rotation and sometimes offers bundle deals, like a tablet plus a case or stylus at a discount.
The catch is that warehouse clubs do not hold stock long. If you see a tablet you want, buy it that week, because it may not come back. Both stores offer a return window of 90 days, which is longer than most retailers, so you have time to test it out.
Refurbished tablets from manufacturer stores
Apple, Samsung, and Amazon all sell refurbished tablets directly from their own websites at 20 to 30 percent off the new price. Refurbished means the tablet was returned, tested, cleaned, and repackaged by the manufacturer — not a third party — so the quality is the same as new. All three companies include a one-year warranty, which is the same warranty a new tablet gets.
Apple's refurbished iPad models are usually available within a few weeks of a new release, and the selection includes older iPad Air and iPad Pro models at steep discounts. Samsung's refurbished Galaxy Tab section updates regularly and includes both current and older models. Amazon's refurbished Fire tablets are often cheaper than new ones at other retailers.
The only downside is that refurbished stock is limited and sells quickly. If you see the model you want, buy it the same day, because it may be gone by the next week.
Open-box and returned items at Best Buy
Best Buy marks down open-box and customer returns 10 to 20 percent, and these items come with the full Best Buy return policy, so you can bring it back within 15 days if something is wrong. Open-box means the box was opened but the tablet was never used. Returned items are tablets that a customer bought and sent back within the return window, usually because they changed their mind or wanted a different model.
Both categories are tested by Best Buy before they go back on the shelf, so they work like new. The discount is smaller than refurbished tablets from the manufacturer, but you can see the item in person and take it home the same day. Best Buy's website shows which open-box items are in your local store, so you can check before you go.
Timing your purchase around new releases
New tablet models usually launch in spring (March to May) and fall (September to November). When a new model arrives, retailers discount the previous year's version to clear inventory. This is the best time to buy a budget tablet, because older models drop $50 to $150 in price within two to four weeks of the new release.
If you are not in a hurry, waiting for a new release announcement is worth it. Tech news sites like The Verge and CNET publish release dates months in advance, so you can plan ahead. If you need a tablet right now, buying the previous generation is the fastest way to save money.
Budget tablet brands that hold their value
Samsung Galaxy Tab A, Lenovo Tab M, and Amazon Fire tablets are the most common budget options under $200. Samsung tablets hold their resale value better than other brands, so if you ever want to sell it, you will recover more of what you paid. Lenovo tablets are reliable and cheap, but resale value is lower. Amazon Fire tablets are the cheapest option and work well if you use Amazon services, but they are locked into Amazon's ecosystem.
iPad is more expensive upfront, but older iPad models stay affordable and hold value longer than Android tablets. If you can stretch to $300 to $350, a refurbished iPad Air or an older iPad Pro is a better long-term buy than a budget Android tablet, because it will still work well in three to five years.
Where not to buy tablets
Avoid third-party marketplace sellers on Amazon unless they have thousands of reviews and a 4.5-star rating or higher. Some sellers list tablets at suspiciously low prices and ship counterfeit or damaged items. Stick to Amazon's own inventory or sellers with established track records.
eBay and Facebook Marketplace have deals, but you are buying from individuals with no return policy. If the tablet does not work, you have no recourse. If you do use these platforms, meet in person, test the tablet before you hand over money, and ask for a receipt.
Avoid electronics liquidation sites and flash-sale apps unless you recognize the retailer. Many of these sites advertise tablets at 50 to 70 percent off, but the tablets are often refurbished, damaged, or missing parts. Stick with established retailers where you can return items if something is wrong.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a refurbished tablet as good as a new one?
Yes, if it comes from the manufacturer. Manufacturer refurbished tablets are tested, cleaned, and repackaged by the company that made them, so they work like new. They come with the same one-year warranty as a new tablet. Third-party refurbished tablets are riskier because the seller may not have tested them thoroughly.
Should I wait for Black Friday or Cyber Monday to buy a tablet?
Black Friday and Cyber Monday do have sales, but they are not always the lowest prices of the year. New release seasons (spring and fall) often have bigger discounts because retailers are clearing old stock. Check price history before Black Friday to see whether the sale price is actually a deal.
What is the difference between a Fire tablet and an iPad?
Fire tablets run Amazon's software and are designed to work with Amazon services like Prime Video and Kindle. iPads run Apple's software and work with Apple services. Fire tablets are cheaper, but iPads have more apps and better performance. Choose based on which services you use most.
Can I return a tablet if I buy it on sale?
Yes. Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy all allow returns on sale items within their standard return window (usually 15 to 30 days). Refurbished tablets from manufacturers have a 30-day return window. Check the return policy before you buy, because it varies by retailer.
Are warehouse club tablets a good deal if I do not have a membership?
No. A Costco or Sam's Club membership costs $60 to $120 per year, so you would need to save that much on a single purchase to break even. If you only plan to buy one tablet, Amazon, Walmart, or Best Buy will have a better price without a membership fee.