The perfect iPad to purchase

Apple’s iPad lineup has gone from a single easy choice to a sprawling array of various sizes, costs, choices, and generations. Proper now, Apple sells six distinct iPads in 4 classes. That may make selecting one of the best iPad in your wants difficult — particularly if you have a look at how comparable so lots of the fashions are.

However with just a little steering and a few consideration of why you’re planning to purchase an iPad and what you plan to make use of it for, you may navigate Apple’s lineup with ease. I’ve spent years utilizing numerous iPads for each leisure and work and have examined the entire present and up to date fashions to know what they’re finest fitted to. 

Out of the field, any iPad offers a wonderful moveable video or movie-watching expertise; entry to a big selection of apps and video games via the App Retailer; the power to learn ebooks, paperwork, and internet articles on a vibrant comfortably sized display screen; and talk through e-mail, messaging companies, or video calls. With equipment like Apple’s Sensible or Magic Keyboard or the Apple Pencil, an iPad can function a drawing pill or a productiveness machine, maybe even changing a laptop computer for some individuals.

The large secret right here is that, with a couple of minor exceptions, any present or recent-model iPad you purchase is able to doing every thing every other iPad within the lineup can do. All the pieces from the lowly ninth-gen base mannequin iPad to the iPad Mini and all the best way as much as the most important iPad Professional 12.9 runs the identical software program and the identical apps. iPadOS 17, the newest replace for the iPad, is out there on gadgets relationship again to 2017 and runs on any iPad you’re seemingly to purchase at this level, save for the fifth-gen base iPad.

Nonetheless, there are nuances between the fashions that make them higher fitted to completely different wants. On this information, I’ve suggestions for one of the best iPad for almost all of individuals, the best choice should you’re shopping for an iPad for teenagers, one of the best mannequin for getting work carried out or creating digital artwork, and one of the best iPad in case your most important objective is to make use of it for studying. However once more, these dividing strains will not be partitions, and you should use any of the iPad fashions to perform the identical issues as every other. (Although I personally wouldn’t need to write a novel on an iPad Mini.)

Earlier than I get into the suggestions, there are some issues to concentrate on in terms of pricing. Apple doesn’t make numerous adjustments between iPad generations, and the processing energy in any latest iPad has a lot overhead that it may simply work for years with out feeling gradual or sluggish. Apple additionally has a robust observe report of supporting the iPad for a few years with software program updates, so even older fashions can profit from nearly all of new options. Meaning you may typically discover glorious choices on secondhand, open-box, and refurbished iPads that save some huge cash and nonetheless supply an up-to-date, performant expertise. So should you’re debating between, say, an iPad Air and an 11-inch iPad Professional, a refurbished prior mannequin yr Professional may find yourself costing lower than the present Air whereas offering a couple of additional perks that aren’t accessible on the lesser mannequin. There are additionally frequent gross sales on new variations of the newest iPad fashions, usually round when new iPads are introduced within the spring and fall.

You need to use this logic throughout the lineup, so it’s price exploring the accessible choices. The refurbished market adjustments too ceaselessly for me to make particular suggestions on this information, so every thing right here is predicated on the brand new, full retail value. However I’ve personally purchased a number of refurbished iPads through the years and have by no means regretted not having the newest and best mannequin.

Within the curiosity of full transparency, it’s price stating that Apple is prone to revamp its whole iPad lineup on the finish of March. In line with the newest rumors, we’d see the launch of an M2-powered iPad Mini and an 11- and 12.9-inch iPad Air, in addition to a brand new OLED iPad Professional outfitted with Apple’s newer M3 processor. These are rumors, after all, however they’re price contemplating given Apple hasn’t revamped the newest iPad Air, iPad Professional, and iPad Mini in fairly a while.

Display: 10.9-inch, 2360 x 1640 decision 60Hz LCD, totally laminated / Processor: Apple M1 with 8GB RAM / Storage: 64 or 256GB / Port: USB-C / Mobile: 5G (optionally available) / Audio system: stereo / Appropriate equipment: Apple Magic Keyboard, Apple Sensible Keyboard Folio, Apple Pencil (second-generation), Apple Pencil (USB-C)

For most individuals, one of the best iPad to purchase is the midrange iPad Air, which begins at $599. Launched in 2022, the fifth-generation iPad Air affords a vibrant 10.9-inch high-resolution show, extraordinarily quick efficiency because of its M1 processor, a contemporary design with even bezels across the display screen, and glorious audio system. It’s appropriate with the identical keyboard and stylus equipment because the iPad Professional, so it may work properly as a small laptop-like machine or digital notepad / drawing pill. The Air is available in quite a lot of colours, together with blue, pink, purple, gold (which Apple calls “Starlight”), and darkish grey.

For those who’re shopping for an iPad with the intention to make use of it for 5 or extra years between upgrades, the Air is good. Its processor is newer and extra highly effective than what comes within the base ninth-gen iPad, which implies it’s going to maintain its efficiency longer and can seemingly have just a little bit longer software program help. The Air’s display screen can also be nicer to have a look at and use than the usual iPad’s, and the accent scenario is significantly better. It’s well worth the added value — if you intend on utilizing the iPad rather a lot and for a very long time. Extra informal consumers will need to persist with the funds choice under.

The Air’s middle-of-the-pack dimension is what most individuals consider in terms of iPads as a result of it’s near what the unique iPad was when it got here out means again in 2010. It’s considerably bigger than a cellphone and offers a greater video-watching, studying, and multitasking expertise, nevertheless it’s not practically as giant as a laptop computer show, so it’s simpler to hold round or maintain when lounging on the sofa. The dimensions makes it straightforward to transition from studying in portrait orientation to knocking out an e-mail in panorama mode. The display screen is vibrant sufficient to make use of open air. It additionally covers a large coloration gamut with correct copy, has no air hole between the glass and the panel, comes with an antireflective coating, and helps Apple’s computerized True Tone coloration adjustment. 

You possibly can equip the Air with 64 or 256GB of storage. The soar to 256GB prices $150 (at Apple’s common retail value), nevertheless it’s worthwhile should you plan to hold on to this iPad for a number of years. Extra storage offers extra room for apps, video, video games, or no matter different paperwork you need to retailer on it. You may also go for 5G connectivity so you’ve got an always-on connection for $150 (plus service prices).

The Air’s design is similar as that of the iPad Professional, with a squared-off aluminum again and sides and evenly proportioned bezels round its complete show. The front-facing digicam is on the quick edge, which makes portrait-orientation FaceTime calls nice. However if you’re holding the iPad Air in panorama orientation, the digicam feels prefer it’s within the unsuitable spot, and Apple’s software program tips to right it will not be at all times essentially the most convincing. (Apple has addressed this drawback with its lower-tier Tenth-gen iPad by shifting the digicam to the longer edge, nevertheless it has not but carried out so for the remainder of the lineup.)

It doesn’t have a house button, so that you navigate iPadOS utilizing gestures, like on a contemporary iPhone. It doesn’t have Face ID; as a substitute, its Contact ID fingerprint scanner is constructed into the sleep / wake button for straightforward login and buy authentication. The Air’s stereo audio system (one on the left and proper aspect, when held in panorama orientation) are loud and clear and work nice for film or video watching. There’s no headphone jack, however you may plug headphones into the USB-C port utilizing an adapter (not included) or pair Bluetooth headphones for a extra non-public listening expertise.

The Air’s versatility is aided by the truth that it helps each Apple’s Sensible Keyboard Folio and the trackpad-equipped Magic Keyboard — the identical keyboards that work with the iPad Professional. The keyboard equipment are costly (the common retail value of the Magic Keyboard is $299, half the price of the iPad itself), however they do make it doable to get actual work carried out, particularly when on the go. The Air additionally helps Apple’s second-generation Pencil ($129 retail, typically on sale for much less) and the brand new Apple Pencil with USB-C ($79 retail) for writing and drawing, each of which might magnetically snap to the aspect of your pill for storage. That stated, solely the second-gen Pencil helps wi-fi charging.

There are some concessions with the Air in comparison with the costlier 11-inch iPad Professional. It doesn’t have Apple’s 120Hz ProMotion expertise within the display screen, so scrolling on it isn’t fairly as easy. The twin stereo audio system are glorious, however the Professional has 4 audio system which can be even higher. The optionally available 5G connectivity doesn’t help the ultrafast (and ultra-rare) mmWave networks that the Professional does. The Air’s M1 processor is nice; the Professional’s M2 processor is even sooner (although you’re unlikely to note a distinction between them in follow). And the Air’s USB-C port is proscribed to slower knowledge switch speeds in comparison with the Professional’s. However these variations are minor. Nearly all of individuals shopping for an Air is not going to miss them and are higher off saving the $200 or so distinction between the fashions.

Learn my overview of the iPad Air.

Display: 10.2-inch, 2160 x 1620 decision 60Hz LCD / Processor: Apple A13 / Storage: 64 or 256GB / Ports: Lightning, 3.5mm audio / Mobile: LTE (optionally available) / Audio system: stereo / Appropriate equipment: Apple Sensible Keyboard, Apple Pencil (first-generation)

For these trying to spend a bit much less, one of the best funds iPad is the ninth-gen iPad mannequin. The most cost effective iPad Apple at the moment sells, the ninth-gen iPad begins at $329, although it may be ceaselessly discovered on sale for about $250. Because of its cheaper price and some different options, this mannequin can also be an excellent iPad for teenagers.

I’ll allow you to in on just a little secret: a child will likely be pleased with actually any iPad you hand them. And since youngsters are likely to not be essentially the most delicate with issues, the most cost effective choice (plus a rugged case) is at all times one of the best guess. You, as a dad or mum, will nonetheless need it to be up to date to present software program and safety patches, so it’s vital to keep away from one thing that isn’t supported anymore. The ninth-gen iPad ought to nonetheless obtain updates from Apple for years to come back.

The ninth-gen mannequin has the normal iPad look, with bigger bezels across the display screen and a house button (with Contact ID biometric authentication). Although it seems to be a bit dated at this level, it’s nonetheless a really succesful machine and might run the identical software program and video games because the costlier fashions. The A13 processor inside continues to be very quick, regardless of having first been launched in 2019, and the ninth-gen affords the identical 64 and 256GB storage choices because the Air.

The ten.2-inch display screen is just a little smaller than the ten.9-inch show on the Air or Tenth-gen iPad, nevertheless it’s nonetheless spacious sufficient for split-screening apps and is sharp and vibrant. There may be an air hole between the glass and the show, and it lacks the antireflective coating discovered on pricier fashions. Pickier consumers will discover these items, however at this value, it’s laborious to complain about. The display screen continues to be simply as conscious of faucets and swipes as every other iPad show.

The ninth-gen iPad excels at the entire basic iPad use instances: watching movies, taking part in video games, studying books or articles, and entertaining youngsters. It might probably, after all, run productiveness apps, and it helps Apple’s split-screen and multitasking options (apart from the brand new Stage Supervisor windowing choice), nevertheless it’s not the iPad I’d select if I have been planning to make use of it daily for work as a result of its smaller, much less featured display screen and weaker accent choices. 

It isn’t appropriate with Apple’s trackpad-equipped Magic Keyboard (although you may pair a separate trackpad to it simply fantastic) however as a substitute works with the older fabric-covered Sensible Keyboard that folds. The Sensible Keyboard is okay for infrequent use, nevertheless it’s very costly relative to the price of the iPad itself ($159), and should you’re planning on doing numerous typing and productiveness work, it’s in all probability price stepping as much as one of many higher-end iPad fashions that has higher accent choices.

Equally, the ninth-gen iPad works with Apple’s older first-generation Pencil as a substitute of the second-generation one which was launched in 2018 (or the Apple Pencil with USB-C). It really works fantastic as a stylus for writing and drawing on the display screen, however there’s nowhere to retailer it if you’re not utilizing it until you purchase a third-party case, and charging it requires plugging it into the iPad’s Lightning port, which is awkward and clumsy.

That is the one present iPad that also has a 3.5mm headphone jack, which makes it straightforward for teenagers to plug in wired headphones. It’s additionally the one iPad that also makes use of a Lightning port for charging as a substitute of the newer USB-C kind port.

Regardless of its older design and equipment, the ninth-gen iPad affords a surprisingly good expertise for its value. In my testing, it by no means lagged or slowed down after I was utilizing it, the display screen is sharp and colourful, and it’s snug to carry for lengthy stretches of time.

Display: 12.9-inch, 2732 x 2048 decision 120Hz Mini LED / Processor: Apple M2 with as much as 16GB RAM / Storage: as much as 2TB / Port: USB-C Thunderbolt 4 / Mobile: 5G mmWave (optionally available) / Audio system: quad / Appropriate equipment: Apple Magic Keyboard, Apple Sensible Keyboard Folio, Apple Pencil (second-generation), Apple Pencil (USB-C)

In case you are a capital-S Severe iPad Consumer and wish one of the best iPad for getting work carried out and even to switch a laptop computer, then you need to simply purchase the top-of-the-line iPad Professional 12.9. That is additionally one of the best iPad for digital artists, because it has the most important canvas to attract on and helps Apple’s second-gen Pencil with additional options not discovered on different iPads.

The most important iPad Apple sells, the 12.9-inch mannequin can also be the costliest, beginning at $1,099 new. Mix it with the Magic Keyboard ($349) — a should should you plan to be productive on it — improve the storage to one thing roomier than the bottom 128GB (I like at the very least 256GB), and maybe add mobile connectivity, and also you’re at $1,748, properly above the price of a MacBook Air with the identical quantity of storage. Shopping for the 12.9-inch iPad Professional is a dedication to getting extra from an iPad than the typical consumer.

The 12.9-inch Professional rewards you with a extra expansive show for juggling a number of apps, particularly should you use the Stage Supervisor windowing characteristic. It additionally has one of the best display screen on any iPad, with its Mini LED expertise, offering searing brightness, deep blacks, and wealthy colours. In consequence, it’s one of the best iPad for watching motion pictures on, although I wouldn’t purchase it only for that.

As fantastic as that 12.9-inch display screen is, it holds this mannequin again if you need to simply use it as a pill for laid-back studying or looking. It’s a lot clumsier to carry in a single hand than the smaller iPad fashions, and its 1.5-pound weight will get tiring after some time. In consequence, many iPad Professional 12.9 house owners discover they don’t find yourself taking it out of the Magic Keyboard case fairly often.

The M2 processor contained in the iPad Professional is similar one you’d get in a MacBook Air, and it’s extraordinarily succesful. Fashions with 128 to 512GB of storage include 8GB of RAM; the 1TB and 2TB fashions are outfitted with 16GB of RAM. For those who’re a photographer or video editor on the lookout for one thing light-weight to do on-the-go enhancing with, the iPad Professional actually has the {hardware} chops for it. However you’ll need to make sure that the software program you need to use is out there — most desktop enhancing software program just isn’t accessible for the iPad or lacks options in comparison with its desktop counterparts.

For common productiveness, similar to writing, e-mail, spreadsheets, looking the online, and extra, the iPad Professional is superb. However once more, you’ll need to make sure that it helps the apps you need to use and that the iPad variations of the apps have the options you need. It’s not at all times assured that they are going to have the identical options as their desktop counterparts. iPadOS additionally requires doing issues otherwise than you may be used to on a desktop working system, particularly in terms of managing and sharing information.

Digital artists will respect the 12.9-inch mannequin’s bigger show. A brand new characteristic launched with the 2022 mannequin lets you preview line strokes or picks with the Apple Pencil earlier than you set them onto the display screen. (Apple calls this “hover.”) There are all kinds of drawing and portray apps for the iPad as properly.

Lastly, there are some quality-of-life issues that Apple reserves for the Professional fashions. Essentially the most important one is Face ID. You don’t have to scan your fingerprint or kind in a PIN to unlock the iPad Professional; you simply have to have a look at it. As with the iPhone, it really works extraordinarily properly, and it’s laborious to surrender when you’ve gotten used to it. One other is the iPad Professional’s quad-speaker system. It’s louder, fuller, and simply total better-sounding than the dual-speaker techniques on different iPads. 

Most individuals don’t want the entire options of the newest iPad Professional, which makes shopping for an older model a compelling choice. The 2021 mannequin is nearly an identical to the 2022 model, save for its processor (the M1 as a substitute of the M2) and lack of hover characteristic with the Apple Pencil. There’s additionally an 11-inch model of the iPad Professional, which has a lot of the identical options however lacks the Mini LED show. (It has a extra commonplace LCD panel.) At full costs, the iPad Air is a greater choice than the 11-inch Professional, however should you’re capable of finding a prior-year mannequin refurbished or on sale, then it may be the one to go along with.

Learn my overview of the iPad Professional.

Display: 8.3-inch, 2266 x 1488 decision 60Hz LCD, totally laminated / Processor: Apple A15 / Storage: 64 or 256GB / Port: USB-C / Mobile: 5G (optionally available) / Audio system: stereo / Appropriate equipment: Apple Pencil (second-generation), Apple Pencil (USB-C)

If you wish to purchase one of the best iPad for studying, whether or not that’s ebooks, comics, or articles, then you can purchase the iPad Mini. The smallest iPad Apple sells, the $499 Mini is successfully an iPad Air with a smaller display screen that’s simpler to carry in a single hand.

Actually, “it’s a smaller iPad Air” sums up most every thing in regards to the iPad Mini. It has the identical common look and design, the identical compatibility with the second-generation Apple Pencil, and the identical cameras. It simply has a smaller show and weighs about 36 % much less.

That makes the iPad Mini far more snug to make use of as a private studying machine. It’s additionally simpler to slide right into a jacket pocket or bag for some studying on the go. The Mini offers entry to many extra studying sources than a Kindle, although it may’t match the battery lifetime of Amazon’s e-reader. You may be tempted to get a Mini for a child as a result of its smaller dimension, however I’d nonetheless suggest the ninth-gen iPad as a substitute as a result of it’s a lot inexpensive, and youngsters could have extra enjoyable with the bigger display screen anyway.

You possibly can, after all, run the entire identical apps and use the iPad Mini for watching video, however its smaller dimension is best fitted to watching TikTok or YouTube movies than feature-length motion pictures. That is the one iPad that Apple doesn’t make a keyboard accent for, and it’s apparent why: it’s simply too small to essentially be snug to kind something of size on.

However it’s appropriate with the second-generation Apple Pencil, and its dimension is sweet for digital note-taking. Pair it with a paper-type display screen protector, and the iPad Mini may simply change a pen and paper pocket book for you.

Apple launched the present iPad Mini in late 2021, and it typically goes a very long time between updates on this mannequin. That does make it tougher to purchase an older model of the Mini than different iPads, however since this has been out for fairly a while, there are sometimes gross sales and reductions to be discovered.

Learn our overview of the iPad Mini.

Replace February twenty second, 6:04PM ET: Up to date to mirror the launch of the Apple Pencil (USB-C) in addition to the newest iPad rumors. Sheena Vasani additionally contributed to this put up.