The main places to buy tablets are electronics retailers, online marketplaces, and directly from manufacturers
You can buy a tablet from a handful of reliable sources, each with different strengths. Big-box electronics stores like Best Buy carry multiple brands and let you handle devices before buying. Online marketplaces like Amazon offer the widest selection and often the lowest prices, but you cannot test the device first. Manufacturer websites—Apple, Samsung, Lenovo—let you customize your order and sometimes offer trade-in deals. Warehouse clubs like Costco and Sam's Club stock a smaller selection but often at lower prices if you have a membership. Mobile carriers like Verizon and AT&T sell tablets if you want cellular connectivity built in.
Each source has trade-offs. Retailers give you when ready pickup and in-person support; online stores save you time and often money. Manufacturer sites may provide authenticity but may have higher prices than third-party sellers. Knowing what matters to you—price, speed, selection, or the ability to touch the device first—narrows down where to look.
Key Takeaways
- Best Buy, Costco, and Walmart carry tablets in stock and let you see them in person before buying.
- Amazon and other online marketplaces have the largest selection and often lower prices, but you cannot test the device.
- Buying directly from Apple, Samsung, or Lenovo guarantees authenticity and sometimes includes trade-in or customization options.
- Mobile carriers sell tablets with cellular plans, which costs more upfront but includes data service.
- Refurbished tablets from manufacturer websites or certified resellers cost less and come with warranties, though they are not new.
Electronics retailers: Best Buy, Walmart, and Target
Best Buy stocks tablets from Apple, Samsung, Amazon, and Lenovo on the sales floor. You can hold them, test the screen responsiveness, and ask staff questions. Best Buy also offers Geek Squad setup and support if you need help getting the device running. Prices are usually standard retail, though Best Buy runs sales throughout the year and price-matches online retailers if you find a lower price elsewhere.
Walmart and Target carry a smaller selection—usually the most popular models from Apple and Samsung—but prices are often lower than Best Buy. Both offer in-store pickup if you order online, which saves shipping time. Neither has the same level of in-store support as Best Buy, but both accept returns within 14 to 30 days if the tablet does not work for you.
Online marketplaces: Amazon, eBay, and Newegg
Amazon has the largest tablet selection of any single retailer. You can compare models side by side, read customer reviews, and often find lower prices than in-store. Amazon Prime members get free two-day shipping on many tablets. The downside is you cannot touch the device before it arrives, and if you receive a damaged unit, you have to return it and wait for a replacement.
eBay and Newegg also sell new and refurbished tablets, often at discounts. eBay lets individual sellers list devices, so prices vary widely and you need to check seller ratings carefully. Newegg focuses on new electronics and has a clear return policy, but selection is smaller than Amazon. All three marketplaces hold seller funds in escrow, so you have some protection if the device arrives damaged or not as described.
Manufacturer websites: Apple, Samsung, and Lenovo
Buying directly from Apple, Samsung, or Lenovo guarantees the device is new and authentic. Apple's website lets you configure a tablet with extra storage or cellular connectivity before you buy. Samsung and Lenovo offer similar customization and sometimes include trade-in credit if you send in an old device. Prices on manufacturer sites are usually the same as retail, but you may find exclusive bundles or discounts during sales events.
Manufacturer websites also sell refurbished tablets at a discount—usually 10 to 20 percent off the new price. These devices have been returned, tested, and restored to like-new condition, and they come with the same warranty as new tablets. If budget is your main concern, a refurbished tablet from the manufacturer is often the best value.
Warehouse clubs: Costco and Sam's Club
Costco and Sam's Club carry a limited selection of tablets—usually the top-selling iPad and Samsung models—but at prices lower than most retailers. Both require a membership to shop, though the savings on a tablet can pay for a year's membership. Costco's return policy is generous: you can return a tablet within 90 days for any reason, no questions asked. Sam's Club allows returns within 90 days as well, though electronics may have a shorter window depending on the item.
The trade-off is selection. You will not find every model or brand at a warehouse club, and inventory changes. If you know exactly which tablet you want and it is in stock, warehouse clubs are worth checking first.
Mobile carriers: Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile
Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile sell tablets with cellular plans built in. These devices have a SIM card slot and connect to the carrier's network, so you can use them anywhere without Wi-Fi. The upfront cost is higher than a Wi-Fi-only tablet, and you pay a monthly data fee—usually $10 to $30 depending on how much data you use. Carriers often offer discounts if you bundle the tablet with a phone plan or add it to an existing account.
Carrier stores also offer in-person support and can set up the device on the spot. If you travel frequently or need internet away from home, a cellular tablet may be worth the extra cost. If you mostly use Wi-Fi, a Wi-Fi-only tablet from another retailer is usually cheaper.
Refurbished and secondhand options
Refurbished tablets cost 10 to 30 percent less than new ones and come from manufacturer websites, Best Buy, or certified resellers. These devices have been returned, tested, and restored to working condition. They come with a warranty—usually one year from the manufacturer—so you have recourse if something fails. Refurbished is a safe middle ground between new and used.
Secondhand tablets from private sellers (Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, OfferUp) cost even less, but you have no warranty and no protection if the device fails after you buy it. If you go this route, meet the seller in person, test the device thoroughly, and ask for proof of purchase. Avoid devices with cracked screens or signs of water damage, as repairs are expensive.
What to compare before you buy
Price is only one factor. Before you decide where to buy, think about what else matters: Do you want to see the device in person? How fast do you need it? Do you want a warranty? Will you need support setting it up? The answer to each question points to a different retailer.
If you want the lowest price and do not mind waiting a few days, online marketplaces like Amazon win. If you want to see the device and get support, Best Buy is worth the extra cost. If you want a warranty and customization options, buy from the manufacturer. If you want the fastest checkout and do not care about selection, a warehouse club works. Match the retailer to what you actually need, not just the price tag.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to buy a tablet from Amazon or eBay?
Yes, if you buy from a seller with good ratings and use the platform's buyer protection. Amazon and eBay hold your payment until you confirm the device arrived in good condition. If it does not, you can return it for a refund. Check the seller's return policy before you buy, especially on eBay where policies vary by seller.
Should I buy a refurbished tablet or a new one?
Refurbished tablets are safe and cost less. They have been tested and come with a warranty, usually one year. If budget matters more than having a brand-new box, refurbished is a smart choice. New tablets are worth it only if you want the longest possible warranty or plan to keep the device for many years.
Can I negotiate the price at a physical store?
Best Buy price-matches online retailers, so if you find a lower price elsewhere, bring proof and they will match it. Walmart and Target also price-match. Warehouse clubs and manufacturer websites do not negotiate, but their prices are often already competitive. Always ask about current sales or promotions before you check out.
What is the difference between Wi-Fi and cellular tablets?
Wi-Fi tablets connect to the internet only through wireless networks. Cellular tablets have a SIM card slot and can connect to a mobile carrier's network anywhere. Cellular tablets cost more upfront and require a monthly data plan. Choose Wi-Fi if you mostly use the tablet at home or in places with free Wi-Fi; choose cellular if you need internet on the go.
Do I need to buy a tablet from the same brand as my phone?
No. Tablets work with phones from any brand. An iPad works fine with an Android phone, and a Samsung tablet works with an iPhone. The only advantage to matching brands is that some features—like file sharing or screen mirroring—work more smoothly between devices from the same maker. It is not required, just convenient.