If you’re a student or a teacher in 2025, trying to get things done on a tight budget with rising expectations and ever-distracting digital noise, I respect you. Because buying a tablet is overwhelming. After all, it’s not just about PDFs and Zoom calls anymore. It’s about juggling a dozen things at once, planning for your lessons, content creation, self-study, class projects, live feedback, online assessments, and doing it all with a smile while your tech keeps pace. Or doesn’t.
So this guide is coming from a place of listening, learning, and watching closely as education continues to be both underappreciated and overburdened. This list is about helping you find tools that don’t get in the way of the real work: showing up, staying curious, and doing your best for yourself, or for a generation that’s trying to find its footing.
So if you’re looking for tablet recommendations that’s not just benchmark bragging or marketing fluff, let’s talk human-to-human.
I wish I had this back in college when I was typing notes at 2x speed because the professor thought he was Eminem. It’s under Rs 18,000, has 5G (yes, that’s rare at this price), and even gives you a 90Hz display, which basically means scrolling through PDFs won’t feel like flipping through stone tablets. Plus, Samsung DeX mode gives you a desktop experience when you plug in a keyboard. No S Pen support though, so if you’re an artsy type or note-taker who likes doodling, this one’s not for you.
Would I buy it for Netflix and online classes? The answer is yes. Would I use it for design school or handwritten notes? No, you’ll miss the pen.
This one’s a classic OnePlus move. Looks premium, runs clean, and doesn’t pretend to be something it’s not. For Rs 17,999, it’s an Android tablet that feels like it belongs in 2025. You don’t get stylus support or 5G, and it’s more chill than powerful. But the battery holds well, and the speakers? Way better than I expected. If you’re someone who just wants a big screen for Zoom classes, Netflix, reading notes, and the occasional Instagram doomscroll, this is the one you’ll want to buy.
I’d take a moment and be honest: the iPad 11 isn’t revolutionary. In fact, if you’ve seen the iPad 10, this one looks like a slightly polished sequel. Still has the wide bezels, a 60Hz IPS display, and doesn’t get as bright or vibrant as some Android competitors. But, and this is a big one, it’s still an iPad. You get top-notch software, long-term support (5+ years), and the A-series chip inside keeps things smooth without getting hot or cranky.
For a teacher needing reliability or a student upgrading from an iPad 9 or earlier, this can be your choice. But if you’re comparing specs rupee-to-rupee, devices like the Xiaomi Pad 7 make it feel a little outdated for the price.
This one’s genuinely impressive. The Xiaomi Pad 7 has a gorgeous 3:2 display, beastly Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3, 8192 pressure-level pen support, and the battery lasts forever. It doesn’t have LTE, and the cameras are mid, but for students studying design, architecture, animation, or just multitasking freaks, this is your canvas. Add the keyboard and Focus Pen, and you’re set for under Rs 35,000.
Also, shoutout to the nano-texture screen version, it actually helps in outdoor use.
If you are ready to spend some moolah, this is the best tablet on this list, hands down. It’s got the M3 chip, amazing accessories, stellar battery life, and just enough Pro-level features without being overkill. My designer friend uses this instead of her laptop 80% of the time. But unless you’re doing serious content creation or are all-in on the Apple ecosystem, you probably don’t need to spend ₹59,900.
However, if “Spotlight” on the Apple Pencil excites you and you want a buttery smooth UI with long-term software support, go for it.
Great display, massive battery, and actually decent sketching experience if you get the stylus. Kind of a hidden gem.
Slightly older chipset, but the 144Hz display still makes it feel modern and responsive. A solid all-rounder with a premium vibe.
Looks fancy, feels great, includes the S Pen, but a bit sluggish under pressure. Good for teachers and casual multitaskers.
This one’s got that JBL audio, stylus support, and solid multitasking chops. Bit on the heavier side, but very teacher-friendly.
If you’re still confused, here’s my extremely non-scientific, totally-human cheat sheet:
| You are… | Get this |
| A school/college student with a tight budget | Galaxy Tab A9+ or OnePlus Pad Go |
| An art/design/architecture student | Xiaomi Pad 7 |
| A teacher who loves tech | iPad 11th Gen or Galaxy Tab S9 FE |
| A heavy multitasker, YouTube binge watcher, and productivity nerd | Xiaomi Pad 6 or Pad 7 |
| Someone who wants the best, no questions asked | iPad Air (M3) |
| A teacher who draws or explains on screen | Motorola Pad 60 Pro |
Before You Go…
If you’re a student, your tablet shouldn’t be smarter than you; it should just let you be smarter. And if you’re a teacher…thank you. You deserve better tools.
