You’ve decided you want to buy an iPad, but do you know which is the iPad for you? We run through the best iPads available right now in different categories.
Apple’s iPad is undoubtedly one of the most popular tablets on the market right now. There are several different models to choose from, but no matter which one you go with, you’ll be getting one of the best tablets out there. Still, Apple provides an abundance of choice here, and with so many different versions — and almost annual updates — it can be tricky to know which one is the best to get.
All of Apple’s iPads are pretty great, and they’re each designed with a slightly different audience in mind, so it’s hard to pick a single one as “the best.” That’s why we’ve broken this list down by categories; after all, there’s an ideal iPad for nearly every situation. Whether you’re looking for the best overall iPad, the best iPad on a budget, something in the middle of the pack, or even the best small iPad, we’ve got you covered.
Do keep in mind that it has been a while since Apple has updated any of the iPad lineup. There were no new iPads in 2023, but rumors are suggesting that there will be some big updates coming for the iPad lineup this year. While all of the iPads we mention here still have great performance and should be able to handle whatever you need, unless you need it right now, it may pay off to wait until Apple announces any new iPads this year.
iPad Air (2022)The best iPad overall
Why should you buy this? The iPad Air (2022) offers pro performance for less.
Who’s it for? Anyone who is looking for the best all-around tablet from Apple at a reasonable price.
The honor for best overall iPad goes to the iPad Air (2022). This is the sweet spot in the iPad lineup. It’s a fantastic choice that should satisfy the needs of most people, with a wealth of performance and features at a surprisingly affordable price.
Firstly, the iPad Air (2022) packs in Apple’s powerful M1 chip — the same one that debuted in the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro in 2020. Though Apple has moved on to the M2 now for the higher-end iPad Pro (2022), the M1 is still blazing fast in terms of performance, with an eight-core CPU split up into four performance cores and four efficiency cores. That means you get crazy power while also being power efficient. The eight-core GPU delivers incredible graphics, and the 16-core Neural Engine and 8GB of RAM equate to fast processing and rendering, which is noticeable when performing tasks like photo and video editing. It’s already arguably more power than most people need on a tablet, but it also means you’ll be able to enjoy top performance for years to come.
Though the iPad Air lacks Face ID, you still have a gorgeous 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display that takes up the majority of the front due to thin bezels. Visually, it’s nearly indistinguishable from the more expensive iPad Pro. For biometric authentication, the iPad Air (2022) continues the trend of using a Touch ID sensor in the side button. The iPad Air also has the same Smart Connector and magnetic side charger as the iPad Pro, allowing for compatibility with the same accessories, such as the Magic Keyboard to turn your iPad into a pseudo-laptop, and the second-generation Apple Pencil to provide a fantastic digital canvas for artists.
While no iPad will ever hold a candle to the iPhone for taking pictures, the iPad Air (2022) is equipped with a high-quality 12MP main camera that gets the job done. More significantly, the front-facing 12MP camera provides great quality for video calls and also includes Apple’s Center Stage feature that keeps the focus on you when you’re moving around, and automatically expands the view when friends and family gather around.
The iPad Air uses USB-C for charging, which is also now on the entire iPhone 15 lineup. A full charge should last around 10 hours using Wi-Fi, or nine hours if using cellular data on the Wi-Fi + Cellular model. It’s not the best battery life ever, but it should last through a full workday.
The iPad Air (2022) starts at $600 for 64GB on the Wi-Fi model, but you’re likely better off taking the next step up to the 256GB version, which sells for $749. The iPad Air (2022) delivers great value since it offers all the performance features that most iPad users will ever need at a significantly lower price than the more premium — and power-user-focused — iPad Pro.
iPad (2021)The best iPad on a budget
Why you should buy this? The iPad (2021) may be the previous generation, but it still offers great performance with a very affordable price tag.
Who’s it for? Someone who wants one of the best tablets on the market from Apple without spending a lot of money.
If you’re on a budget, the ninth-generation iPad (2021) is a great pick. While it’s the previous generation of the base model iPad, it’s still a very reliable and solid choice — and you get a lot of bang for your buck.
iPad (2021) has a spacious 10.2-inch Retina display that still looks beautiful when you use it. And if you still prefer having a home button for Touch ID, you get it with the classic design of the iPad (2021). It comes with the A13 Bionic chip, so though it’s a little dated (the A13 launched in the iPhone 11 in 2019), it’s still quite fast and capable when it comes to performance for the average user, thanks to iPadOS 17. It starts at 64GB of storage, which should be enough for most people who just want a basic iPad for doing things like checking email, sending messages, FaceTime calls, and perhaps some games.
While the rear camera is just a mere 8MP, the front-facing camera did get some upgrades over the previous iteration. It’s now 12MP instead of the paltry 1.2MP of its 2020 predecessor, and it also has Center Stage, so you’ll always be in the frame on video calls and look good doing so.
This is the last iPad that uses Apple’s Lightning connector, as all other iPad models — and even the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro — use USB-C. Once fully charged, the iPad (2021) should last around 10 hours on the Wi-Fi model or nine hours with the Wi-Fi + Cellular version. Still, for just $329, the iPad (2021) offers good power and performance for those who don’t need anything too fancy.
iPad mini (2021)The best small iPad
Why you should buy this? You want an iPad, but in a smaller, compact size.
Who’s it for? Anyone who prefers a smaller size tablet.
Apple’s iPad mini has traditionally gone a few years between updates. The latest 2021 refresh brought it back into line with iPad Air, which led the way with a big redesign in 2020.
The iPad mini (2021) gains a larger 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display and eliminates the home button found in its predecessor. Like its larger sibling, the iPad Air, it skips Face ID in favor of a Touch ID sensor in the side button. The Lightning connector has been replaced with USB-C for charging, and a full charge should last around 10 hours.
