The best tablet for your pre-K to middle-school kid is usually the one you aren’t using anymore.But if you need to buy one, we recommend Apple’s 11th-generation iPad. After hundreds of hours spent testing tablets, we’ve concluded that it has the best combination of ease of use, performance, kid-appropriate app selection, and price. It can do anything your kid might want, from schoolwork to games. And it’s Wirecutter’s choice for the best all-around tablet as well.If you want to spend less, consider the Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids or Fire HD 8 Kids Pro. They have slower speeds and fewer app and game options than the iPad, but they do come with a childproof case and a generous warranty. We also have advice on buying used and refurbished tablets.