Below are the best tablet options for students in 2025, organized by typical student needs (best overall, budget, note-taking, Windows/PC apps, Android power). Each pick includes why it’s good for school, what to watch for, rough US price range, and a citation for the core recommendation.

Top picks (short list)

• Apple iPad Air 11" (M3) — Best overall for most students

  • Why: Strong M3 performance for multitasking, long battery life, great display and Apple Pencil / keyboard ecosystem for note-taking and typing. Lightweight and portable for carrying between classes. Good balance of price vs capability.
  • Price: ~$599 (base). (tomsguide.com)

• Apple iPad (A16 / 10.9") — Best budget iPad for students

  • Why: Much of iPadOS app ecosystem and Apple Pencil support at a lower price; solid battery life and USB‑C. Best value if you want iPad apps (Notability, GoodNotes, iWork) without paying Air/Pro prices.
  • Price: ~$349 (base). (tomsguide.com)

• Apple iPad mini (A17 Pro) — Best ultra-portable (reading/annotating)

  • Why: Very compact, powerful chip, excellent for reading PDFs, annotating, and single‑hand portability between classes. Ideal if you want a small tablet for notes and e‑textbooks.
  • Price: $499+ depending on config. (tomsguide.com)

• Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 / S9 FE+ (Android) — Best Android option for students

  • Why: Large AMOLED/bright displays on premium models, S Pen support (included on many SKUs) for handwriting, strong multitasking with DeX and split-screen apps. Good if you prefer Android / Google ecosystem.
  • Price: varies widely — $400 (FE/budget S) to $900+ (Ultra). (tomsguide.com)

• Microsoft Surface Pro 11 / Surface Pro (current gen) — Best if you need full Windows apps

  • Why: Runs full Windows (Office desktop, specialized software like MATLAB, Visual Studio, SPSS), detachable keyboard turns tablet into a laptop replacement. Choose if you must run desktop apps.
  • Price: tablet only $700+; keyboard sold separately; factor accessories into budget. (tomsguide.com)

• OnePlus Pad 3 / large Android tablets — Best for battery life and large-screen students

  • Why: Excellent battery life, big 11–13" displays for split-screen study, and competitive performance for creative tasks and media. Good middle ground between Android and iPad.
  • Price: ~$500–$700. (tomsguide.com)

Best budget/student bargains

• Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ — Solid, inexpensive Android tablet with S Pen option; good for note-taking and media. Price: ~$200–$250. (TechGadgetRadar.com)
• Amazon Fire Max 11 / Fire HD 10 — Cheapest way to read, stream, and do light note-taking (works best with Kindle/Office web apps). Limited Google Play apps unless you sideload. Price: $150–$300. (TechGadgetRadar.com)
• Lenovo Tab P11 / Tab P11 Gen 2 — Affordable 11" options with solid screens and price-performance for students. Price: ~$200–$350. (TechGadgetRadar.com)

Which one to pick (by student need)

• Note-taking & handwritten work: iPad Air or iPad + Apple Pencil (best writing feel + apps). For Android preference: Samsung Tab S series or Tab S9 FE+ with S Pen. (tomsguide.com)
• Runs desktop apps / programming / engineering software: Surface Pro family (full Windows). (tomsguide.com)
• Tight budget / mostly reading, streaming, light productivity: Amazon Fire HD series, Galaxy Tab A9+, or entry Lenovo models. (TechGadgetRadar.com)
• If you want the most future‑proof Apple experience with small form factor: iPad mini (A17 Pro). (tomsguide.com)

Key buying tips for students

• Accessory costs: keyboards and styluses often cost extra (e.g., Apple Pencil, Magic Keyboard, Surface Type Cover). Add these into your total budget. (tomsguide.com)
• Storage: choose 128GB or higher if you’ll store lots of files, textbooks, offline videos, or apps; many Android tablets offer microSD expansion which helps. (TechGadgetRadar.com)
• Software ecosystem: prefer the ecosystem you already use (Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, or Apple iCloud/iWork) — that affects app availability and syncing. (tomsguide.com)
• Sales and student discounts: check student pricing (Apple/Vendors), seasonal sales (Back to School, Black Friday) and campus stores for savings. (Macworld.com)

If you want, I can:

• Recommend 3 specific models under $300 and 3 between $300–800 with direct links to current US prices, or
• Compare two models you’re choosing between (performance, battery, accessories, and real cost).

Sources: Tom’s Guide (2025 tablet/iPad roundups), Macworld/TechRadar iPad buyer guides, TechGadgetRadar budget list and product pages for Samsung and Amazon models. (tomsguide.com)

Which of the above fits your budget or platform preference (Apple / Android / Windows)? I can narrow recommendations to 2–3 best buys and current price checks in the US.