With the holiday season fast approaching, many of you are probably wondering where and how to find the best Black Friday tablet deals.

Checking the regularly updated list of the best Black Friday sales is a good start.

But beyond the best sales, if you want to get the most bang for your buck on a new or used tablet, we've compiled this list of tablet-specific tips for holiday shopping. Not every tip on this list may be the best fit for you, but we think there's something for everyone in our list of seven tips for getting the best deals on tablets this holiday season.

As the saying goes, "Timing is everything," and that holds true when it comes to buying tech gear. In the case of tablets, many experts say November and December are the best months to buy, but February and August are also very good times.

Once you know what kind of tablet you're looking to buy (if you don't, the latest lists of best tablets and best tablets for kids are helpful), start looking for the best deals.

But don't just search the big retailers, both online and brick-and-mortar, like Amazon, Walmart, B&H, and Best Buy; you should also consider membership stores like Costco, Sam's Clubs, etc.

To give you an idea of what's available, here are some of our favorite tablet deals we've seen so far during the 2023 shopping season.

For example, if you don't need cellular connectivity, you may opt for the Wi-Fi version of a particular tablet instead of the cellular version, as cellular models not only cost more but also have additional monthly fees.

Even if you don't mind not having 5G connectivity or a fancy display, all you need to do is compare your options and see how much you can save. A good place to help you choose is the comparison sections of retailers' and manufacturers' websites. For example, if you are buying an iPad, start at Apple's comparison page and include three iPads to compare, such as iPad Pro, iPad Air, and entry-level iPad.

As you can see, a larger, more technically complex slate with more features and a higher-resolution screen will cost more than its smaller, simpler counterpart: number of CPU and GPU cores, camera and video capabilities, connector type, audio capabilities, Wi-Fi speed, etc, Scroll through these comparison pages to see exactly what features you're paying for.

Apple is not alone in offering comparison tools on its website. For example, Samsung has one for Galaxy tablets. Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, Target, B&H, Newegg, Adorama, and other sites also offer a variety of ways to compare products. Use these comparison tools to make sure you are only choosing certain features you want (such as 5G connectivity on the iPad or the free stylus that comes with the Samsung Galaxy tablet) and not paying a cent more for features you don't.

When buying tablets and other items online, always look for free shipping options to save money.

For example, if you are an Amazon Prime member, you can save money on your tablet by getting free shipping with your membership benefits. Other stores, websites, and memberships also offer free shipping: for example, Best Buy's membership program offers free shipping. So does Sam's Club.

Note, however, that many of these policies have less visible caveats, such as free shipping only on most items or only on orders over a certain price.

So be sure to check the details and don't fall into the trap of spending more than you save just to get free shipping.

If you are a teacher or student, you can buy tablets at a discount from many retailers and manufacturers. However, you will likely need to prove that you are an enrolled student or work for an academic institution.

For example, Apple has an Apple Education Pricing section on its online site for iPads for teachers, school support staff, and students. Samsung also offers discounts for teachers, students, and administrators. Like Apple, Samsung's website says that "additional verification of student or education status may be required," so be prepared to show ID if you want to save some money on a new slate for your school.

Many retailers will try to upsell you into buying an extended warranty on a new tablet. While it may make sense to purchase an extended warranty on a very expensive product like a car, in most cases it really does not make sense to purchase an extended warranty when purchasing a consumer electronics product like a tablet.

However, if you are tempted, be sure to read the fine print on what the warranty covers for that product. Be sure to check out Consumer Reports' Extended Warranty Buying Guide before signing up for a service plan.

If money is tight, consider purchasing a refurbished tablet. The key is to buy from the most reputable source, preferably the manufacturer itself.

For example, Apple's refurbished iPad page states, "All refurbished iPad models come with a new battery, new exterior, and a one-year warranty: includes a full functional test, replacement of genuine Apple parts (if required), and a thorough cleaning. " The company states. Furthermore, since refurbished iPads come with "the original operating system or a newer version," you can be confident that you are getting a good deal when you purchase a refurbished iPad.

Therefore, before purchasing a refurbished tablet during the holiday season, keep an eye out for similar warranties. For example, Acer's FAQ page has information about refurbished tablets. Please note that if you do not find detailed information on refurbished tablets from various companies.

Finally, whatever tablet you purchase, don't be afraid to haggle.

Truth be told, I never liked to haggle. But you don't have to. In fact, when negotiating with any retailer, you will do better if you are polite and respectful. Also, a smile never hurts. So, whenever possible, it is worth haggling over any item you buy.

There are many ways to haggle, and it can be done casually when trying to persuade a retailer to offer a product at a discount. For example, you can say that you have been a loyal customer but have seen the tablet sold at a much lower price in other stores or websites. You can then tell them that you would very much like to remain a loyal customer and ask if they can offer you a price that will meet or beat that price.

One thing you always want to do before haggling is to know what a fair price is for a particular tablet. A quick way to do this is to search for a specific tablet in Google's shopping tool. However, you will need to know the fair price for that product.

And while you can haggle anywhere (because large retailers like Best Buy and Target have the ability to price match), you will probably have the best chance of success with independent retailers.

Below is a short list of other helpful bargaining tips:

Also, check out our Black Friday Coupons page for more tips and savings.