How to pick the best Apple tablet for you

Determining the very best iPad for you could be difficult. Apple now sells three 11-inch tablets and two 13-inch ones, every with key variations in pricing, specs and accent assist. The iPad mini continues to be hanging round, too. Forward of the massive adjustments coming with the iPadOS 26 replace later this 12 months, we’ve examined every present iPad and damaged down which of them greatest match totally different wants, whether or not you desire a laptop computer substitute or only a large display for streaming.Desk of contentsThe greatest iPads for 2025Nathan Ingraham for EngadgetScreen dimension: 11 inches or 13 inches | Show decision: 2360 x 1640 (11-inch), 2732 x 2048 (13-inch) | Storage: As much as 1TB | RAM: 8GB | Weight: 1.01 kilos (11-inch), 1.36 kilos (13-inch) | Battery life: As much as 10 hours | Entrance digital camera: 12MP | Rear digital camera: 12MP Learn our full Apple iPad Air M3 overview The just lately refreshed iPad Air stays the Apple pill we’d suggest to most individuals. Sure, it prices greater than the entry-level iPad, and sure, there’s nonetheless a gulf between it and the higher-end iPad Professional. However no iPad strikes a greater steadiness between value, efficiency and options. It’s Apple’s “excellent” pill — superior sufficient to be a pleasure on daily basis however not eye-wateringly costly. The most recent iPad Air, launched in March 2025, earned a rating of 89 in our overview. It begins at $599 for an 11-inch mannequin or $799 for a variant with a 13-inch show. Exterior of a better brightness score on the 13-inch mannequin (600 nits versus 500 nits), the 2 are nearly equivalent, so which one is greatest merely will depend on what display dimension you favor. Most will most likely spring for the 11-inch model provided that it’s cheaper and far simpler to carry. However the added display actual property on the 13-inch model is nice in the event you sometimes use your iPad with a keyboard case, or simply need extra room for watching films, taking part in video games or multitasking for work. Each fashions are a lot pricier than the bottom iPad, however the Air’s upgrades principally justify the premium. It now runs on Apple’s M3 system-on-a-chip (SoC), which is identical silicon present in last-gen MacBooks and iMacs. It’s overkill for internet searching, video streaming and different fundamental duties, nevertheless it means efficiency ought to hardly ever, if ever, be a difficulty. It must also make the Air slightly extra futureproof, as quite a lot of iPadOS options are solely accessible with M-series chips or newer A-series silicon. All the Apple Intelligence AI instruments, as an illustration, aren’t obtainable on the most recent entry-level iPad, nor are the ports of demanding video video games like Loss of life Stranding and Resident Evil 4. The Stage Supervisor multitasking mode can also be restricted to extra highly effective iPads as we speak — although that is altering with the upcoming iPadOS 26 replace, which can carry a extra sturdy windowing system usually. (The bottom iPad nonetheless will not have full exterior show assist, nonetheless, and it might not run Stage Supervisor as properly on the entire.) The M3 Air additionally has a wholesome 8GB of RAM and 128GB of base storage; the usual iPad additionally begins with 128GB now however nonetheless has a bit much less reminiscence at 6GB. The iPad Air’s 60Hz LCD show isn’t as vibrant or easy in movement because the 120Hz OLED panel on the most recent iPad Professional, and it’s beginning to present its age in 2025 when some smartphones provide the next refresh price for lots of of {dollars} much less. Nonetheless, it’s brilliant, sharp and comparatively correct. It’s additionally a step up from the entry-level iPad, because it’s totally laminated, which implies there’s no seen hole between the show and the entrance glass. That won’t sound like a lot, nevertheless it’s a kind of issues that’s onerous to disregard when you’ve seen the distinction. The Air’s panel additionally has an antireflective coating to additional decrease glare, plus it helps a wider P3 coloration gamut. The iPad Air has had nearly the identical square-edged design for 4 generations now, nevertheless it stays sturdy, elegant and fairly comfy. It nonetheless gives a stable 10-ish hours of battery life, a USB-C port and a Contact ID fingerprint scanner constructed into its energy button (however no Face ID, annoyingly). Apple moved the front-facing digital camera to the pill’s lengthy edge with the previous-gen mannequin, and that is still a way more pure place for FaceTime calls in panorama mode. In contrast to the entry-level iPad, the Air works with the Pencil Professional, Apple’s most featured stylus. (Although it’s not suitable with the older second-gen Pencil — sure, the stylus scenario is messy.) It doesn’t work with the corporate’s greatest aluminum keyboard case, nevertheless it helps a brand new Magic Keyboard with a few of that mannequin’s upgrades, together with a extra spacious trackpad and a devoted perform row. This model continues to be principally manufactured from plastic, and its lack of backlit keys is tough to excuse when the older Magic Keyboard — which is fortunately nonetheless obtainable — didn’t have that difficulty, nevertheless it stays extremely comfy for typing. All of those equipment add an excellent bit to the Air’s backside line, however for digital artists or frequent typers, they’re there. The M3 iPad Air is a simple spec bump, so there’s no actual must improve in the event you’re coming from the M2 or M1 fashions. In reality, in the event you can nonetheless discover a refurbished model of the M2 Air at a lower cost, that’ll be a greater worth on the entire. But when your iPad is slowing down, you’re shopping for your first Apple pill otherwise you desire a 13-inch iPad with out completely torching your financial savings account, the Air must be the primary mannequin you take into account. ProsPowerful M3 chipBetter show, efficiency and multitasking capabilities than base iPad13-inch mannequin is Apple’s most reasonably priced large-screen iPadSupports Apple Pencil Professional and Magic KeyboardConsBasic 60Hz refresh rateNo Face IDAccessories can drive up value shortly$449 at AmazonJeff Dunn for EngadgetScreen dimension: 11 inches | Show decision: 2360 x 1640 | Storage: As much as 512GB | RAM: 6GB | Weight: 1.05 kilos | Battery life: As much as 10 hours | Entrance digital camera: 12MP | Rear digital camera: 12MP Learn our full Apple iPad (A16) overview The entry-level iPad (A16) isn’t as good because the iPad Air, however the two share the identical design language, and the cheaper mannequin continues to be completely competent on the core iPad Issues. For $349, that makes it a compelling discount for individuals who desire a fashionable iPad for as little money as doable. The bottom iPad seems to be nearly equivalent to the iPad Air from afar. It’s solely marginally thicker and heavier, whereas its 11-inch panel is simply as sharp and brilliant. Battery life is available in on the identical 10-ish hours, and there’s nonetheless a USB-C port and Contact ID sensor. The cameras are practically the identical, too, with the selfie cam positioned alongside its lengthy edge. Most significantly, it will get you almost all the identical conveniences of iPadOS for $250 much less. This mannequin runs on a barely cut-down model of the A16 Bionic chip present in 2022’s iPhone 14 Professional and 2023’s iPhone 15, plus 6GB of RAM. This combo gained’t maintain up in addition to higher-end iPads years down the street, and it may possibly’t run Apple Intelligence or lengthen to an exterior show by way of Stage Supervisor. Plus, the M3 Air is already noticeably sooner for exporting 4K movies or taking part in probably the most taxing iPad video games.  However the A16 is greater than fast sufficient for the duties most individuals truly do with an iPad, be it watching Netflix, sending emails, taking part in informal Apple Arcade video games and even modifying photographs in Lightroom. If something, many individuals will choose to not have their pill push AI on them. And with the iPadOS 26 replace later this 12 months, this iPad could have entry to most of the identical Mac-style productiveness and multitasking options as its pricier siblings. Past that, it begins with the identical wholesome 128GB of storage because the Air. The iPad (A16) does have a worse show than the Air, with no lamination, no assist for the broader P3 coloration area and no antireflective coating. Put the 2 facet by facet and the Air certainly produces barely bolder colours and holds up higher in opposition to glare. The shortage of lamination makes writing with the Apple Pencil really feel extra abstracted on the cheaper mannequin, too. For the worth, although, this display continues to be sharp, comfortably sized and devoid of main coloration accuracy points. The hole right here isn’t practically as dramatic because the one between the Air’s and iPad Professional’s shows. Likewise, whereas the Air’s twin audio system sound fuller and extra rounded, the bottom iPad will get loud and clear sufficient to keep away from critical issues. There are different downgrades. The iPad (A16) is not suitable with the Apple Pencil Professional, simply the lesser USB-C Pencil — which lacks stress sensitivity — and historical first-gen mannequin. It doesn’t work with the identical Magic Keyboards; as an alternative, it makes use of its personal Floor-like accent known as the Magic Keyboard Folio, which has a perform row however isn’t as secure in your lap. It helps Wi-Fi 6 however not Wi-Fi 6E. The USB-C port is technically slower for information transfers, too, maxing out at 480 Mbps as an alternative of 10 Gbps. Like we stated with our prime advice, a refurbished M2 iPad Air is price contemplating over the iPad (A16) if you could find one at an excellent value. It’s been discontinued, so we will’t make it a proper decide, nevertheless it stays a greater piece of {hardware}. But when that’s not an choice, the bottom iPad is a powerful discount. It’s worse than the iPad Air, nevertheless it’s not $250 worse for these on a tighter price range, people upgrading from the Ninth-gen iPad or anybody who simply doesn’t push their iPad to the restrict more often than not. ProsThe most reasonably priced iPadFast sufficient for most typical tasks128GB of storage in base modelSolid battery lifeAvailable in enjoyable colorsConsDisplay is due for some updatesNot as highly effective or futureproof iPads with M-series chipsDoesn’t assist the very best Apple Pencil or Magic Keyboard$299 at AmazonPhoto by Nathan Ingraham / EngadgetScreen dimension: 8.3 inches | Show decision: 2266 x 1488 | Storage: As much as 512GB | RAM: 8GB | Weight: 0.65 kilos | Battery life: As much as 10 hours | Entrance digital camera: 12MP | Rear digital camera: 12MP Learn our full iPad mini 7 overview The iPad mini is strictly what it appears like: the small iPad. Apple up to date it in late 2024 with a brand new chip and assist for the Apple Pencil Professional, and it is nonetheless the shortest and lightest iPad within the present lineup by far. As earlier than, it has an 8.3-inch Liquid Retina show that’s simpler to make use of with one hand. We gave the iPad mini a overview rating of 83. Its design follows intently after that of the iPad Air: squared-off edges, skinny bezels, no House button, a Contact ID sensor within the energy button, stereo audio system, first rate cameras and a USB-C port. Its show is technically sharper, however in any other case provides you an identical max brightness, lamination, antireflective coating and extensive coloration gamut. It doesn’t have a “Good Connector” to hook up Apple-made keyboards, nevertheless it does work with the top-end Apple Pencil Professional and the cheaper USB-C Apple Pencil. The Pencil Professional is a step up over the older second-generation Apple Pencil the prior mini used, with haptic suggestions, a gyroscope and a “squeeze” function for opening up a brush palette. The mini runs on Apple’s A17 Professional chip, the identical because the one in 2023’s iPhone 15 Professional collection. Whereas this chip isn’t fairly as highly effective because the M3 within the iPad Air, it’s greater than succesful sufficient to deal with what most individuals will need to do with this iPad. Notably, it’s additionally highly effective sufficient for Apple Intelligence. That may not be one thing that compels individuals to improve proper now (or possibly ever), however the level is that the brand new mini is extra futureproof than its predecessor. The mini begins at $499 for a 128GB mannequin. Apple lastly noticed match to double the bottom storage, which makes the most affordable mannequin simpler to suggest than earlier than. Should you particularly desire a smaller pill — whether or not it’s to simply stuff in a bag, use with one hand or deal with like a high-end e-reader — that is the one one Apple sells, and the most suitable choice in its dimension vary.  ProsA compact however full-featured iPadSupports the Apple Pencil ProA17 Professional chip is loads powerfulStarts at 128GB of storageApple could have mounted jelly-scrolling show issuesConsDisplay is restricted to 60Hz refresh rateBezels are a bit thickNo Face IDNo M-series chip$399 at AmazonAppleScreen dimension: 11 inches or 13 inches | Show decision: 2420 x 1668 (11-inch), 2752 x 2064 (13-inch) | Storage: As much as 2TB | RAM: As much as 16GB | Weight: 0.98 kilos (11-inch), 1.28 kilos (13-inch) | Battery life: As much as 10 hours | Entrance digital camera: 12MP | Rear digital camera: 12MP Learn our full Apple iPad Professional (M4) overview The newest iPad Professional is the costliest iPad and extra pill than most individuals want, full cease. However you probably have money to burn, are decided to make use of an iPad as your principal cellular pc or simply need probably the most technically spectacular iPad doable, that is it. We gave the brand new iPad Professional a rating of 84 in our overview. Just like the iPad Air, it is available in 11- and 13-inch fashions: The previous begins at $999, whereas the latter begins at $1,299. That’s prohibitively costly for most individuals, however for the cash you get quite a lot of premium, if inessential, upgrades over Apple’s different tablets. Essentially the most vital of those is the Professionals’ “tandem OLED” show. In comparison with the LCD display on the iPad Air, this produces richer colours and deeper, extra uniform black tones. Gaming and scrolling internet pages look extra fluid because of its sooner 120Hz refresh price. It could possibly additionally get considerably brighter, reaching as much as 1,000 nits in SDR and as much as 1,600 nits with HDR highlights. That is the place the “tandem” half is available in. Basically, Apple is stacking two OLED panels on prime of each other to enhance peak brightness, which is usually a (relative) weak point of conventional OLED shows. It’s a breakthrough, however all you really want to know is that this display is an absolute delight — among the best we’ve seen on any client gadget, not to mention a pill. For watching films or modifying media, you actually can’t do higher. This identical show tech is used on each the 11- and 13-inch iPad Professional, not like earlier fashions, so which one is greatest merely comes down to non-public desire. The design right here is broadly just like that of the iPad Air, however barely thinner and lighter. The distinction isn’t big on paper, however the Professionals’ slimmed-down frames make them simply that little bit simpler to carry. That is notably significant with the 13-inch mannequin. The opposite headline improve is Apple’s M4 SoC. If the M3 is overkill for the overwhelming majority of informal and pro-level iPad duties, then the M4 is mega-kill; it simply chewed by way of absolutely anything we threw at it. However it must be much more futureproof, and it will save a number of seconds right here and there in case your work entails high-res media modifying, heavy use of machine studying and the like. Past that, the bottom iPad Professional has 256GB of storage, which is twice as a lot as some other iPad. Just like the M3 Air, it additionally helps superior options like hardware-accelerated ray tracing on its GPU, which might help lighting in video games, plus a sooner neural engine, which may also help with the AI options Apple has been rolling out. Should you actually need to max issues out, observe that the 1TB and 2TB configurations have twice as a lot RAM (16GB) and use a technically extra highly effective model of the M4 with an additional efficiency core unlocked. Leaping to a kind of SKUs prices a minimal of $1,599, although — and that’s earlier than you add equipment. These wanting to make use of the iPad Professional as a (very costly) media consumption gadget don’t want this, however in the event you work with memory-hungry apps or want the best possible, simply observe it’ll price you. The iPad Professional is the one iPad with Face ID, which stays a bit extra handy than reaching for a fingerprint scanner. It’s the one one with a Thunderbolt USB-C port, which is technically sooner for transferring giant information. It sounds extra sturdy than the Air, with 4 built-in audio system as an alternative of two. Its digital camera system is not that totally different, nevertheless it features a flash for extra simply scanning paperwork, and it may possibly file video in Apple’s ProRes format. Its entrance digital camera is on the lengthy edge, too. As for equipment, the Professional alone can use Apple’s greatest Magic Keyboard, which itself is wildly costly however has a extra premium aluminum end, backlit keys and haptic suggestions alongside a bigger trackpad and a row of perform keys. It additionally helps the Pencil Professional stylus (however not the second-gen Pencil). If most of those options sound area of interest to you, properly, yeah, that’s the concept. Except you are keen to pay for that terrific OLED display, the iPad Air will get shut sufficient for a way more palatable value. And although the iPad Professional is a class-leading pill, it’s finally nonetheless an iPad. Sure artistic professionals have used it simply advantageous as a laptop computer substitute, however to this point, iPadOS has made multitasking and different computer-y duties extra convoluted than they’re on a Mac. The iPadOS 26 replace seems to go a great distance in direction of rectifying energy customers’ longstanding complaints, however most of the options coming there may also be obtainable on the cheaper fashions. Regardless, the Professional is a superb iPad — quick, slim and splendid. And costly. ProsOne of the very best shows we’ve ever seenM4 chip is extraordinarily powerfulThinner and lighter than earlier than, making it simpler to holdFront digital camera is now on the panorama edgeMagic Keyboard and Apple Pencil Professional embrace vital new featuresConsProhibitively expensiveNot backwards suitable with previous equipment, and new ones are nonetheless expensive$895 at AmazonHow we check the very best iPadsThe prime fringe of the iPad mini.(Photograph by Nathan Ingraham / Engadget)Very like we do for our information to the very best tablets total, we spend a number of days with every iPad to see how they really feel and carry out with totally different duties: watching movies, internet searching, taking part in each informal and graphically intense video games, modifying 4K photographs and video, working a number of apps side-by-side, making FaceTime calls and the like. To raised measure efficiency particularly, we use benchmarking checks like Geekbench 6, 3DMark and GFXBench Steel, plus we measure how lengthy it takes for every pill as well up and open varied apps. We additionally examine how properly every pill holds up long-term, whether or not it’s with a overview unit supplied by Apple or an iPad mannequin that’s owned by a member of the Engadget employees.To assist evaluate the colour efficiency and brightness of the shows, we play the identical movies on totally different iPads, side-by-side, at equal brightness ranges. We use every pill in direct daylight outdoor to see how properly they maintain as much as glare, and we play a handful of the identical musical tracks to judge speaker efficiency. For battery life, we preserve monitor of how lengthy every pill usually lasts earlier than it wants a recharge, however we additionally play a 1080p film on a loop at roughly 70 % brightness with power-sapping background processes off. We additionally check every gadget with an Apple Pencil and observe how responsive the stylus feels. Lastly, we rigorously pore over spec sheets and software program updates to maintain monitor of which options can be found on sure iPads however not others.iPad FAQsThe iPad (A16) on prime of an 13-inch iPad Air.(Jeff Dunn for Engadget)What are some new options coming to iPadOS 26?Apple first previewed iPadOS 26 throughout its WWDC keynote in June. The replace seems to be to be a serious overhaul, one which brings iPadOS nearer to macOS than ever earlier than. New options embrace the power to open extra home windows concurrently and resize or tile them extra freely; a Mac-style Menu bar; a devoted Preview app; an upgraded Recordsdata app; an improved skill to export or obtain giant information within the background; an Exposé view that exhibits all open home windows; a pointier cursor and the choice so as to add folders to the Dock. It’ll additionally use the brand new “liquid glass” design language Apple is rolling out throughout all of its platforms in 2025. Importantly, Apple says these options might be obtainable throughout its pill lineup, from the iPad Professional to the entry-level iPad. That would make the latter a very engaging worth. Yow will discover the total listing of suitable gadgets on the backside of Apple’s press launch.How lengthy do iPads sometimes final?If historical past is any indication, count on Apple to replace your iPad to the most recent model of iPadOS for at the very least 5 years, if not longer. The present iPadOS 18 replace, for instance, is out there on iPad Professional fashions relationship again to 2018 and different iPads relationship again to 2019. How lengthy your iPad’s {hardware} will final will depend on which mannequin you purchase and the way properly you preserve it. (Should you’re notably clumsy, take into account an iPad case.) A extra highly effective iPad Professional will really feel quick for an extended time than an entry-level iPad, however every mannequin ought to stay at the very least serviceable till Apple stops updating it, at minimal.What’s the distinction between the iPad and the iPad Air?In comparison with the Eleventh-gen iPad, the iPad Air runs on a stronger M3 chip (as an alternative of the A16 Bionic) and has 2GB extra RAM (8GB whole). Each include 128GB of storage by default. The Air can also be obtainable in two sizes, 11 and 13 inches, whereas the Eleventh-gen iPad does not provide the bigger display choice. The M-series SoC provides the Air higher long-term efficiency, plus entry to sure iPadOS options akin to Apple Intelligence and Stage Supervisor. Its show helps a wider P3 coloration gamut, has an antireflective coating and is totally laminated. The latter means there’s no “air hole” between the show and the glass protecting it, so it feels extra such as you’re instantly touching what’s on display as an alternative of interacting with a picture under the glass. The Air additionally works with the newer Pencil Professional stylus and extra comfy Magic Keyboards, and its USB-C port helps sooner information switch speeds. It technically helps sooner Wi-Fi 6E, too, whereas the lower-cost iPad makes use of Wi-Fi 6.Beginning at $349, the Eleventh-gen iPad is $250 cheaper than the iPad Air. It has a equally elegant design with flat edges, skinny bezels, USB-C port, and a Contact ID reader. Battery life is rated on the identical 10 hours, and each gadgets have their front-facing digital camera on their lengthy edge, which is a extra pure place for video calls. The cheaper iPad works with the first-gen and USB-C Apple Pencils – that are extra convoluted to cost – and a novel keyboard accent known as the Magic Keyboard Folio.What’s the distinction between iPads and Android tablets?The working system, duh. However to offer a number of extra specifics: Android gadgets can be found from extra producers and canopy a wider value vary. You gained’t see an $80 iPad anytime quickly. Android can also be extra malleable in that you may simply sideload apps from locations past Google’s official app retailer and extra extensively customise the look of the OS. A number of Android tablets nonetheless have options like a headphone jack or a microSD slot for including storage, too, although these are getting rarer.However we are inclined to suggest Apple tablets to those that haven’t any allegiance both approach. iPad apps are nonetheless a bit extra prone to be designed particularly for bigger screens, slightly than wanting like blown-up cellphone software program, and Apple is nearly peerless relating to long-term software program assist. Each new iPad hits a sure baseline of {hardware} high quality and efficiency — none of them really feel low cost, and all of them are quick sufficient for many wants. Plus, you’ll get probably the most out of an iPad in the event you use different Apple gadgets.Can an iPad exchange a laptop computer?This can be a loaded query, since laptop computer workflows differ from individual to individual. Should you principally use a pocket book for searching the net, watching movies or writing emails and phrase docs, then certain, you may get alongside simply advantageous with an iPad and the suitable iPad equipment. It’ll be simpler to hold round, the battery life is nice and having the touchscreen and stylus assist is helpful (although many Home windows customers have that regardless). Even past the fundamentals, loads of media editors, graphic designers and digital artists have proven they’ll get issues executed on an iPad.Broadly talking, although, a laptop computer OS tends to be extra versatile relating to file administration, multitasking, coding or different “heavy” duties. Safari on the iPad isn’t fairly on par with desktop browsers both. So the reply actually will depend on you. That stated, the iPadOS 26 replace may shut the hole, so examine again on this in a few months.How do I take a screenshot on an iPad?As we observe in our screenshot how-to information, you’ll be able to take a screenshot in your iPad by urgent the highest button and both quantity button on the identical time. You probably have an older iPad with a House button, concurrently press the highest button and the House button as an alternative.Current updatesAugust 2025: We have taken one other sweep to make sure our picks are nonetheless correct and added a number of extra notes to our FAQ part.June 2025: We’ve made a number of minor edits to replicate the announcement of Apple’s newest iPadOS replace, which we element above.Might 2025: We’ve flippantly edited this information to make sure all particulars and hyperlinks are nonetheless appropriate. We’re additionally keeping track of how the Trump administration’s tariff coverage impacts the pricing and inventory of the iPad lineup (and each different tech class). All of our picks are nonetheless obtainable at regular costs as we speak, however we’ll replace this information if that adjustments.March 2025: We have reviewed the iPad (A16) and named it our new price range decide, eradicating the discontinued Tenth-gen iPad within the course of.March 2025: The recently-launched iPad Air M3 has changed its predecessor as our prime total advice. We’ve additionally made a observe relating to the brand new iPad (A16), which we plan to check within the close to future and count on to change into our new price range decide. We’ve made a handful of edits elsewhere within the information to replicate Apple’s newest {hardware}.January 2025: We’ve flippantly edited this information for readability. Our suggestions stay the identical.October 2024: We have up to date our information to incorporate the brand new iPad mini 7.June 2024: We’ve touched up this information to replicate a number of the new iPadOS options Apple introduced at WWDC, although our picks stay the identical.Nathan Ingraham contributed to this report.