Without a question, one of the most well-liked tablets available today is Apple’s iPad. Whichever model you select, you’ll be receiving one of the greatest tablets available. There are a several to pick from. Even still, Apple offers a wide range of options, and it can be challenging to decide which version is ideal to purchase given the multitude of variations and yearly update cycle.
It’s difficult to choose just one iPad as “the best” because they’re all rather good and have somewhat different designs for each target market. We’ve categorized this list because, well, there’s an iPad that’s perfect for almost any circumstance. We have the best iPad for you whether you’re searching for the greatest all-around iPad, the best iPad on a budget, something in the middle of the pack, or even the best little iPad.
What makes this product worth purchasing? For less, the iPad Air (2024) provides professional performance.
For whom is it intended? Anyone seeking the most affordable, all-around Apple tablet available.
iPad Air (2024)
The best iPad overall
The Air version of the iPad (2024) is the winner of the best iPad overall award. This is the iPad lineup’s sweet spot, offering the ideal ratio of power, features, and affordability. It’s a great option with a ton of features and performance at a fairly low cost that should meet the demands of most users.
Despite sharing the same general appearance and design as the 2022 model, Apple gave the iPad Air (2024) a significant internal improvement. Additionally, it now comes in two sizes: an 11-inch model and a bigger 13-inch model for those who want a larger screen. Apple’s M2 processor, which provides lightning-fast speed and power, is included with both sizes. In addition, the iPad Air is available in four stunning hues, including blue and purple.
The stunning Liquid Retina screen of the iPad Air provides deep blacks and brilliant colors. Its refresh rate is still limited to 60Hz, though. The majority of users, however, might not find this to be a huge concern because their apps will continue to function flawlessly and quickly.
It is possible for individuals who wish to use the iPad Air for productivity. The iPad Air is a fantastic tablet for people who need to work or just want to express themselves creatively while on the road because it supports the Magic Keyboard and gives you the option between the standard and Pro versions of the Apple Pencil.
The iPad Air has a single 12MP camera on the rear that can capture footage at 60 frames per second in 4K resolution. An additional 12MP camera on the front is ideal for Center Stage video conversations.
You should be able to use the iPad Air for an entire day on a single charge. However, at 20W charging speeds, charging it will take almost two hours to get from zero to full, thus here is where it falls short.
In light of everything, the iPad Air is the greatest iPad for the majority of users. For a fair price, it provides excellent performance and a lot of power. The 60Hz refresh rate display is one of the compromises you make for the lower cost compared to the iPad Pro, but other than that, it’s still a fantastic tablet.
iPad (2021)
The best iPad on a budget
Why should you purchase this? Even though it is from an older generation, the iPad (2021) still has excellent performance at a very reasonable price.
For whom is it intended? Someone looking for an affordable way to get one of the greatest Apple tablets available.
The ninth-generation iPad (2021) is a fantastic choice if money is tight. Despite being the base model iPad from a prior generation, it’s still a very good option that offers great value for the money. Even though Apple has formally discontinued it, some merchants still carry it, and the price may have dropped even more by now.
The iPad (2021) boasts a roomy 10.2-inch Retina LCD display that looks stunning despite not being an OLED like some of the more costly iPads. If you still think that having a home button for Touch ID is preferable, the iPad (2021) with its traditional design has one. It has the A13 Bionic chip, which is a little out of date (the A13 was first introduced in the 2019 iPhone 11), but owing to iPadOS 17, it is still rather quick and powerful for the typical user.
For most folks who only want a basic iPad for doing things like reading email, sending messages, making FaceTime calls, and maybe playing some games, the 64GB of storage that it starts at should be plenty.
Although the back camera only has 8MP, there have been improvements made to the front-facing camera compared to the previous version. Its 2020 predecessor only had 1.2MP; now, it has 12MP, and with Center Stage, you’ll always be in the frame and look fantastic during video conversations.
The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro, as well as all previous iPad models, use USB-C, making this the final iPad to use Apple’s Lightning port. The iPad (2021) should last around ten hours on the Wi-Fi model or nine hours on the Wi-Fi & Cellular variant if completely charged. However, for those who don’t want anything too sophisticated, the iPad (2021) delivers adequate power and performance for the price.
iPad mini (2021)
The best small iPad
Why should you purchase this? You’re looking for an iPad that’s more manageable and little.
For whom is it intended? Whoever is partial to a smaller tablet.
There has usually been a gap of many years between revisions for Apple’s iPad mini. It has been almost three years since the most recent model was upgraded, which was released in 2021. It’s not obvious when Apple will update its smallest iPad, but it’s definitely time for one.
The A15 Bionic chip, which powers the iPhone 13 series, the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus, is also included in the iPad mini (2021). The iPad mini can handle whatever you throw at it, including graphic-intensive games and picture and video editing, thanks to the A15’s powerful and quick performance.
However, the iPad mini (2021)’s greatest feature is its compact size. Being the smallest iPad that Apple sells, it is far more portable and tiny than its siblings. It’s little, yet it’s still really powerful. The iPad mini (2021) can be used with the second-generation Apple Pencil, and it can be converted into a portable workhorse by pairing it with a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse.
The iPad mini (2021) is an excellent option if you’re looking for a smaller tablet, even though it costs $500.
If you can wait for it, the iPad mini 7 may arrive soon, even if the iPad mini is still a fantastic device. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo stated in December 2022 that Apple was developing a new iPad mini, which may be introduced in 2024. According to the reports, the next-generation iPad mini will have a speedier chip but will nonetheless have the same design as the present device. The A16 Bionic chip, which debuted with the iPhone 14 Pro and is presently in the iPad mini 7, is probably going to be used in the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus models.