Best Portability for Tablets
If your day away from your desk, the last thing you need is a bulky laptop slowing you down or one you need to plug everywhere you go. You might also be looking to lighten up your mobile toolkit, maybe even eliminate the need to carry a bag for a tablet or netbook altogether.
This list is all about lightweight, compact tablets with long battery life without consideration for cost-effectiveness. If you're strapped for cash, scroll down to the budget section for options at below-average prices.
Easiest to Carry US$190 - US$640
Here are the smallest, lightest and longest-lasting tablets I have on file with absolutely no regards for price:
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#7, Tablets ($350 - $650)
Apple iPod touch (7th Generation) from US$180;
~$364 with accessoriesSpecsDevice Ratings
Bang for the Buck Versatility for the Price Power Storage Portability Autonomy by All Smart Devices standards
Bang for the Buck Versatility for the Price Power Storage Portability Autonomy Bang for the Buck Versatility for the Price Power Storage Portability Autonomy Processor: Apple A10 (ipod touch edition)Graphics: Apple A10 Graphics (iPod Touch Edition)Memory: 2.00 GBStorage: 32.00 GBScreen Size: 4"Screen Resolution: 1136×640Dimensions: 12.34 x 5.86 x 0.61 cmWeight: 0.088 kgdetailed info from US$175.31 - US$175.31 from Apple (New)as of 2020-04-06 04:23:41, EDT
- US$176.01 from Staples (New)as of 2020-04-05 05:46:30, EDT
- US$176.01 from Best Buy (New)as of 2020-04-03 14:32:34, EDT
- US$176.01 from The Source (New)as of 2020-04-03 14:46:30, EDT
Pricing Accuracy
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on the retailer's site at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. × -
#1, Tablets ($350 - $650)
Apple iPad mini (2019) from US$380;
~$619 with accessoriesSpecsDevice Ratings
Bang for the Buck Versatility for the Price Power Storage Portability Autonomy by All Smart Devices standards
Bang for the Buck Versatility for the Price Power Storage Portability Autonomy Bang for the Buck Versatility for the Price Power Storage Portability Autonomy Processor: Apple A12 BionicGraphics: Apple A12 GraphicsMemory: 3.00 GBStorage: 64.00 GBScreen Size: 7.9"Screen Resolution: 2048×1536Dimensions: 20.32 x 13.48 x 0.61 cmWeight: 0.301 kgdetailed info from US$372.44 - US$372.44 from Apple (New)as of 2020-04-06 04:32:02, EDT
- US$372.44 from Walmart (New)as of 2020-04-04 06:48:51, EDT
- US$373.14 from Best Buy (New)as of 2020-04-03 14:31:05, EDT
- US$373.14 from London Drugs (New)as of 2020-04-03 14:32:38, EDT
- US$373.14 from Staples (New)as of 2020-04-06 06:02:07, EDT
Pricing Accuracy
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on the retailer's site at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. × -
#3, Tablets (under $350)
Nintendo Switch Lite from US$190;
~$350 with accessoriesSpecsDevice Ratings
Bang for the Buck Versatility for the Price Power Storage Portability Autonomy by All Smart Devices standards
Bang for the Buck Versatility for the Price Power Storage Portability Autonomy Bang for the Buck Versatility for the Price Power Storage Portability Autonomy Processor: Nvidia Tegra X1Graphics: Nvidia Maxwell 256Memory: 4.00 GBStorage: 32.00 GBScreen Size: 5.5"Screen Resolution: 1280×720Dimensions: 9.14 x 20.83 x 1.40 cmWeight: 0.277 kgdetailed info from US$183.05 - US$183.05 from Toys R Us Canada (New)as of 2020-04-05 13:38:19, EDT
- US$183.05 from Amazon (New)as of 2020-04-04 04:31:21, EDT
Pricing Accuracy
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on the retailer's site at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. × -
#5, Tablets (under $350)
Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8-inch from US$1205% cheaper than usual
~$260 with accessoriesSpecsDevice Ratings
Bang for the Buck Versatility for the Price Power Storage Portability Autonomy by All Smart Devices standards
Bang for the Buck Versatility for the Price Power Storage Portability Autonomy Bang for the Buck Versatility for the Price Power Storage Portability Autonomy Processor: Qualcom Snapdragon 429Graphics: Qualcom Adreno 504Memory: 2.00 GBStorage: 32.00 GBScreen Size: 8"Screen Resolution: 1280×800Dimensions: 21.00 x 12.44 x 0.80 cmWeight: 0.345 kgdetailed info from US$119.82 - US$119.82 from Amazon (New)as of 2020-03-31 03:36:27, EDT
- US$126.72 from Best Buy (New)as of 2020-04-06 07:17:26, EDT
- US$140.8 from Staples (New)as of 2020-04-06 06:37:44, EDT
- US$166.15 from Mike's Computer Shop (New)as of 2020-04-06 04:32:30, EDT
Pricing Accuracy
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on the retailer's site at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. × -
#6, Tablets (under $350)
Amazon Fire HD 8 from US$80;
~$190 with accessoriesSpecsDevice Ratings
Bang for the Buck Versatility for the Price Power Storage Portability Autonomy by All Smart Devices standards
Bang for the Buck Versatility for the Price Power Storage Portability Autonomy Bang for the Buck Versatility for the Price Power Storage Portability Autonomy Processor: ARM MT8163Graphics: ARM Mali T730MP3Memory: 1.50 GBStorage: 16.00 GBScreen Size: 8"Screen Resolution: 1280×800Dimensions: 21.40 x 12.80 x 0.97 cmWeight: 0.370 kgdetailed info from US$70.4 - US$70.4 from Amazon (New)as of 2020-04-06 04:16:24, EDT
- US$70.4 from The Source (New)as of 2020-04-03 16:11:16, EDT
- US$91.52 from Best Buy (New)as of 2020-04-03 14:58:38, EDT
Pricing Accuracy
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on the retailer's site at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. × -
#8, Tablets ($350 - $650)
Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 9.7" from US$390;
~$640 with accessoriesSpecsDevice Ratings
Bang for the Buck Versatility for the Price Power Storage Portability Autonomy by All Smart Devices standards
Bang for the Buck Versatility for the Price Power Storage Portability Autonomy Bang for the Buck Versatility for the Price Power Storage Portability Autonomy Processor: Samsung Exynos 5433Graphics: Qualcom Adreno 420Memory: 3.00 GBStorage: 32.00 GBScreen Size: 9.7"Screen Resolution: 2048×1536Dimensions: 23.73 x 16.90 x 0.56 cmWeight: 0.390 kgdetailed info US$387.22 from The Source (New)as of 2020-04-03 14:40:26, EDTPricing Accuracy
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on the The Source site at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. ×
Easiest to Carry under $400
Need something cheaper? No worries; here are the most portable tablets priced below average.
There might be some overlap with the list above, but everything down here is considered a budget-friendly tablet.
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#7, Tablets ($350 - $650)
Apple iPod touch (7th Generation) from US$180;
~$364 with accessoriesSpecsDevice Ratings
Bang for the Buck Versatility for the Price Power Storage Portability Autonomy by All Smart Devices standards
Bang for the Buck Versatility for the Price Power Storage Portability Autonomy Bang for the Buck Versatility for the Price Power Storage Portability Autonomy Processor: Apple A10 (ipod touch edition)Graphics: Apple A10 Graphics (iPod Touch Edition)Memory: 2.00 GBStorage: 32.00 GBScreen Size: 4"Screen Resolution: 1136×640Dimensions: 12.34 x 5.86 x 0.61 cmWeight: 0.088 kgdetailed info from US$175.31 - US$175.31 from Apple (New)as of 2020-04-06 04:23:41, EDT
- US$176.01 from Staples (New)as of 2020-04-05 05:46:30, EDT
- US$176.01 from Best Buy (New)as of 2020-04-03 14:32:34, EDT
- US$176.01 from The Source (New)as of 2020-04-03 14:46:30, EDT
Pricing Accuracy
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on the retailer's site at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. × -
#3, Tablets (under $350)
Nintendo Switch Lite from US$190;
~$350 with accessoriesSpecsDevice Ratings
Bang for the Buck Versatility for the Price Power Storage Portability Autonomy by All Smart Devices standards
Bang for the Buck Versatility for the Price Power Storage Portability Autonomy Bang for the Buck Versatility for the Price Power Storage Portability Autonomy Processor: Nvidia Tegra X1Graphics: Nvidia Maxwell 256Memory: 4.00 GBStorage: 32.00 GBScreen Size: 5.5"Screen Resolution: 1280×720Dimensions: 9.14 x 20.83 x 1.40 cmWeight: 0.277 kgdetailed info from US$183.05 - US$183.05 from Toys R Us Canada (New)as of 2020-04-05 13:38:19, EDT
- US$183.05 from Amazon (New)as of 2020-04-04 04:31:21, EDT
Pricing Accuracy
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on the retailer's site at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. × -
#5, Tablets (under $350)
Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8-inch from US$1205% cheaper than usual
~$260 with accessoriesSpecsDevice Ratings
Bang for the Buck Versatility for the Price Power Storage Portability Autonomy by All Smart Devices standards
Bang for the Buck Versatility for the Price Power Storage Portability Autonomy Bang for the Buck Versatility for the Price Power Storage Portability Autonomy Processor: Qualcom Snapdragon 429Graphics: Qualcom Adreno 504Memory: 2.00 GBStorage: 32.00 GBScreen Size: 8"Screen Resolution: 1280×800Dimensions: 21.00 x 12.44 x 0.80 cmWeight: 0.345 kgdetailed info from US$119.82 - US$119.82 from Amazon (New)as of 2020-03-31 03:36:27, EDT
- US$126.72 from Best Buy (New)as of 2020-04-06 07:17:26, EDT
- US$140.8 from Staples (New)as of 2020-04-06 06:37:44, EDT
- US$166.15 from Mike's Computer Shop (New)as of 2020-04-06 04:32:30, EDT
Pricing Accuracy
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on the retailer's site at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. × -
#6, Tablets (under $350)
Amazon Fire HD 8 from US$80;
~$190 with accessoriesSpecsDevice Ratings
Bang for the Buck Versatility for the Price Power Storage Portability Autonomy by All Smart Devices standards
Bang for the Buck Versatility for the Price Power Storage Portability Autonomy Bang for the Buck Versatility for the Price Power Storage Portability Autonomy Processor: ARM MT8163Graphics: ARM Mali T730MP3Memory: 1.50 GBStorage: 16.00 GBScreen Size: 8"Screen Resolution: 1280×800Dimensions: 21.40 x 12.80 x 0.97 cmWeight: 0.370 kgdetailed info from US$70.4 - US$70.4 from Amazon (New)as of 2020-04-06 04:16:24, EDT
- US$70.4 from The Source (New)as of 2020-04-03 16:11:16, EDT
- US$91.52 from Best Buy (New)as of 2020-04-03 14:58:38, EDT
Pricing Accuracy
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on the retailer's site at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. × -
#4, Tablets ($350 - $650)
Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.1 (2019, 32GB) from US$2009% cheaper than usual
~$360 with accessoriesSpecsDevice Ratings
Bang for the Buck Versatility for the Price Power Storage Portability Autonomy by All Smart Devices standards
Bang for the Buck Versatility for the Price Power Storage Portability Autonomy Bang for the Buck Versatility for the Price Power Storage Portability Autonomy Processor: Samsung Exynos 7904Graphics: ARM Mali-G71Memory: 2.00 GBStorage: 32.00 GBScreen Size: 10.1"Screen Resolution: 1920×1200Dimensions: 24.52 x 14.94 x 0.75 cmWeight: 0.469 kgdetailed info from US$190.09 - US$190.09 from Best Buy (New)as of 2020-04-06 06:47:14, EDT
- US$190.09 from Samsung (New)as of 2020-04-05 12:46:26, EDT
- US$190.09 from Best Buy (New)as of 2020-04-06 06:49:42, EDT
- US$190.09 from Amazon (New)as of 2020-04-06 04:29:24, EDT
- US$190.09 from The Source (New)as of 2020-04-06 03:57:19, EDT
- US$211.21 from Walmart (New)as of 2020-04-06 04:53:55, EDT
- US$211.21 from Staples (New)as of 2020-04-06 06:35:03, EDT
- US$215.91 from Amazon (New)as of 2020-04-06 04:29:33, EDT
Pricing Accuracy
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on the retailer's site at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. × -
#4, Tablets (under $350)
Amazon Fire HD 10 Tablet (2017) from US$150;
~$290 with accessoriesSpecsDevice Ratings
Bang for the Buck Versatility for the Price Power Storage Portability Autonomy by All Smart Devices standards
Bang for the Buck Versatility for the Price Power Storage Portability Autonomy Bang for the Buck Versatility for the Price Power Storage Portability Autonomy Processor: MediaTek MT8173Graphics: ARM PowerVR GX6250Memory: 2.00 GBStorage: 32.00 GBScreen Size: 10.1"Screen Resolution: 1920×1200Dimensions: 26.20 x 15.90 x 0.98 cmWeight: 0.500 kgdetailed info US$140.8 from Amazon (New)as of 2020-04-06 04:22:09, EDTPricing Accuracy
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on the Amazon site at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. ×
Had a specific budget in mind?
The typical price for tablets is $549.99 but you can set a budget below:
Looking for something else?
Tablets can also be compared based on the following characteristics:
- Bang for the Buck
- Versatility for the Price
- per Price Range
- Deals
- Discounts
- Computing Power
- Gaming Power
- Personal Recommendations
- Battery Autonomy
I also have portability ranking for:
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All Smart Devices
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Laptops
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Laptops: Netbooks
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Laptops: Portable Laptops
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Laptops: Large Laptops
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Tablets: Small Tablets
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Tablets: Large Tablets
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Stationary Computers
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Stationary Computers: Tower Computers
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Stationary Computers: Compact Towers
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Stationary Computers: Ultra-Compacts
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Stationary Computers: All-in-Ones
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Laptop Bags
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Input Devices
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Input Devices: Keyboards
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Input Devices: Mice and Pointers
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Input Devices: Game Controllers
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Input Devices: Mouse and Keyboard Combo
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Input Devices: Numeric Keypad
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Monitors
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Speakers
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Webcams
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External Optical Drives
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Consoles
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External Storage
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Other Accessories
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Chairs
This list fluctuates constantly as I add new devices, retire old ones or when they go on sale so go ahead: bookmark this page and come back often.
