Apple’s cheapest iPads are still steeply discounted following Prime Day

There have been plenty of rumors swirling regarding a new iPad Mini for more than a year now, but most indicators point toward a processor bump and little else. We haven’t heard much about a new entry-level iPad, though, which makes it a great time to pick up either the ninth- or 10th-gen model — both of which are still on sale for their best price to date in the wake of Amazon’s October Prime Day sale.

Right now, you can grab Apple’s last-gen iPad at Amazon, Best Buy, and Target with Wi-Fi and 64GB of storage starting at $199 ($130 off). The 10th-gen model, meanwhile, is available from the same three retailers — Amazon, Best Buy, and Target — in the same configuration starting at $299 ($50 off). You can also pick up either with 256GB of storage for $349.99 ($130 off) and $449 ($50 off), respectively.

Both entry-level tablets are well-suited for streaming, browsing the web, and shooting off emails, though the newer model sports a slightly larger 10.9-inch screen and a faster processor in the form of Apple’s A14 Bionic. It also features a USB-C port instead of Apple’s Lightning connector (phew) and cribs some of the modern design language from the pricier iPad Air, resulting in smaller bezels and Touch ID fingerprint scanner in the power button.

I’d argue the 10th-gen model iPad is the better buy given its newer specs and current asking price; however, the ninth-gen model is still great for kids and anyone who wants a basic tablet at an affordable price. Hell, it even offers a 3.5mm headphone jack — a welcome rarity in 2024.

Read our iPad (10th-gen) review.

More deals, discounts, and ways to save

• Google’s Nest Thermostat is once again down to a mere $84.99 ($45 off) at Amazon, which is the lowest price we’ve seen on the base model since July. It’s certainly not as sleek or as advanced as the newer, fourth-gen Nest Learning Thermostat — it lacks the ability to learn your heating and cooling habits, after all — but it does offer Matter support as of last year, meaning you can easily control it using Amazon Alexa, Siri, or Google Assistant.
• If you’re looking for a midrange QLED TV, Hisense’s 65-inch U7N is on sale at Amazon and Best Buy starting at $747.99 ($352 off). It’s an excellent 4K set overall, with punchy contrast, deep black levels, and support for Google’s TV interface, which is great at aggregating and recommending content from across streaming services. It also supports variable refresh rate (VRR) and HDMI 2.1 across two of its four HDMI inputs, allowing for 4K gaming at up to 144Hz.
• The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds are receiving their first notable discount at Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy right now, dropping them to $249 ($50 off) in all four colors. They’re pretty unusual in that they attach to your outer ear instead of slotting inside; however, said design also ensures you remain clued in on your surroundings. Plus, they’re secure enough for long sessions at the gym, making them a solid pick workout pick so long as thumping, four-to-the-floor bass isn’t your No. 1 priority. Read our review.