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 a mostly regular annual update cycle, 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.
iPad Air (2024)The best iPad overall
Why should you buy this? The iPad Air (2024) 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 (2024). This is the sweet spot in the iPad lineup that perfectly balances power, features, and price. 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.
Though the iPad Air (2024) has the same overall look and design of the 2022 version, it got a big internal upgrade from Apple. Plus, it now comes in two sizes: an 11-inch model, as well as a larger 13-inch version if a larger screen is needed. Both sizes come with Apple’s M2 chip, which offers blazing-fast performance and power. The iPad Air also comes in four gorgeous colors, including blue and purple.
The iPad Air has a gorgeous Liquid Retina screen that offers vibrant colors and rich blacks. However, it still only has a 60Hz refresh rate. But for most people, this may not be a big deal, because your apps will still run smoothly and it’s still very fast.
For those who want to be productive with the iPad Air, it can be done. The iPad Air supports the Magic Keyboard, and you can choose between the regular Apple Pencil and the Apple Pencil Pro, making this tablet a great choice for those who need to work or just get creative on-the-go.
On the camera front, the iPad Air comes with a single 12MP camera on the back, which allows you to shoot video up to 4K quality at 60fps. There is another 12MP camera on the front, which is perfect for video calls with Center Stage.
The iPad Air should get you through a typical day on a single charge. But charging it will take about two hours to go from zero to full at 20W charging speeds, so it’s lacking here.
With all of this in mind, the iPad Air is the best iPad for most people. It offers a lot of power and great performance for a reasonable price. You do make some sacrifices for the lesser price than the iPad Pro, such as the 60Hz refresh rate display, but otherwise, it’s still a great tablet.
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. Though it is officially discontinued by Apple, you can still find it from select retailers, and it could be even more discounted at this point.
iPad (2021) has a spacious 10.2-inch Retina LCD display that isn’t an OLED like some of the more expensive iPads, but it still looks beautiful. 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 totals 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 too.
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 the price, 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-sized tablet.
Apple’s iPad mini has traditionally gone a few years between updates. The latest model came out in 2021, so it has been about three years since it was last updated. We’re due for a refresh of Apple’s smallest iPad, but it’s unclear when that will happen.
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.
The iPad mini (2021) packs in an A15 Bionic chip, which is the same processor that powers the iPhone 13 lineup, as well as the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus.
