There are a lot of iPad models nowadays, and it can be hard to figure out which one's right for you—and considering the price, it's a pricey mistake if you don't choose the model that best suits your needs. We'll guide you in the right direction!

UPDATE: 11/21/2023

We've reviewed our recommendations and are confident these are still the best iPads you can buy.

What to Look For in an iPad in 2023

iPad is Apple's line of tablet computers. They're powered by iPadOS, a modified version of the iOS operating system that runs on the iPhone. Using an iPad, you can run both tablet-optimized "universal" apps and standard iOS apps designed for iPhones.

Apple has introduced several different iPad models since the original came to market in 2010. This includes the "mini" range of smaller iPads, preimium "Pro" models, and the "Air" range that offers a step up over the base model.

Depending on which model you opt for, you can expand your tablet's capabilities with a range of first-party accessories like snap-on keyboards and the Apple Pencil stylus. The iPad's status as a premium tablet also means many third parties produce accessories like cases, flash storage, charging docks, and even game controllers.

To pick the right iPad, you must first figure out what you'll be using it for. Generally speaking, the more you spend, the more you can do. Less expensive models can handle basic tasks like checking social media, sending emails, and playing games.

Higher-end models have more powerful hardware that is better at multitasking and easily running creative or professional software. These models have color-accurate, higher-quality displays for drawing, photo editing, and video production. The inclusion of USB-C and Thunderbolt further expands their usefulness since you can connect to high-speed external devices.

Let's look at how the iPad range stacks up for some of the most common usage scenarios.

How Did We Research
Models Evaluated	Hours Researched	Reviews Analyzed
8	17	15

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Best iPad Overall: iPad Air (5th Gen)

The iPad Air is in the middle of the iPad range, starting at $599 for the Wi-Fi-only model or $729 for the cellular option. With a screen size of 10.9 inches, the Air carefully treads the line between portability and usefulness.

The iPad Air range uses the Apple M1 desktop chip, as seen in the MacBook Air and iMac. This chip features an 8-core GPU for a silky smooth gaming and graphics-intensive workflow, ideal for drawing, video editing, or 3D modeling. It also features a 16-core Neural Engine for machine learning workflows, boosting performance in optimized apps.

The iPad Air also features Center Stage, which uses the ultrawide 12MP front-facing camera to follow you around the room intelligently. This makes it ideal for video calling, conferencing, and streaming. The tablet also features the same thin bezels, Touch ID power button, and modern form factor introduced in the previous iPad Air refresh.

You can also use Apple's latest and greatest accessories with the iPad Air, including the second-generation Apple Pencil and Apple's flagship Magic Keyboard with its integrated trackpad and USB-C pass-through charging. This makes the Air as versatile as the Pro range in terms of accessories while still being a few hundred dollars cheaper.

A single 12MP wide camera can be found on the back, which takes advantage of the improved image signal processor on the M1 chip to enable Smart HDR and cleaner stills and video. This is a considerable step up from the base iPad model, but if taking photos or shooting video is important to you on a tablet, you should consider the iPad Pro 11-inch instead.

The iPad Air is ideal if you want a fast, modern tablet with excellent accessory support. It provides a much more modern iPad experience than the base model, and it will last longer in terms of software support and raw performance.

Best Budget iPad: iPad (9th Gen)

The entry-level iPad is the cheapest tablet Apple makes at just $329 for the Wi-Fi model, or $459 for the cellular version. With a 10.2-inch Retina display (plus Apple's True Tone technology to match the white balance to your surroundings) and an A13 Bionic chip at the helm, the no-frills iPad is perfect for work and play on a budget.

The slightly older Bionic chip, first introduced with the iPhone 11 in 2019, lacks the faster hardware seen in the iPad Pro and iPad Air, but still provides enough power to handle common tasks. It's perfect for schoolwork, web browsing, casual gaming, and streaming video.

The base iPad uses Apple's older design, which retains a physical Home button (also doubling as a fingerprint scanner) and thicker bezels than those seen on the Air and Pro line. On the back of the unit is an 8MP wide camera, while the front-facing camera has been boosted to a 12MP ultra-wide version.

That wider front-facing camera enables Apple's Center Stage feature, allowing the iPad to follow you around the room while on FaceTime. Battery life is passable but nothing to write home about, with Apple quoting around 10 hours of wireless web or video playback.

You can expand the iPad with accessories like a first-generation Apple Pencil, the iPad Smart Keyboard, or your own choice of wireless Bluetooth keyboard. This model has no USB-C support, so you'll have to make do with Lightning peripherals and charging.

If you want to save even more and you're happy to settle for an older model, consider buying an Apple-refurbished iPad instead.

Best iPad for Drawing: iPad Pro 12.9‑inch (6th Gen) with Apple Pencil 2

The large, bright, and detailed display on the iPad Pro 12.9-inch makes it the perfect choice for digital artists, graphic designers, and amateur doodlers alike. And when combined with the Apple Pencil stylus, the artistic possibilities are greatly expanded.

That huge Liquid Retina XDR display features ProMotion and True Tone. These produce a refresh rate of 120Hz, double that of other iPad models, and colors that adapt to ambient lighting. And just like the previous iPad Pro, it uses mini-LED technology to generate darker blacks and improve contrast.

The computing power behind that impressive display, and everything else the iPad Pro offers, is provided by Apple's latest M2 chip. Up to 18% faster than the previous M1 chip, this 8-core powerhouse can easily handle professional graphics apps, 4K video editing, and any game the App Store has to offer.

The 6th generation iPad Pro supports the Apple Pencil 2, which features tilt and pressure sensitivity, almost zero lag, excellent palm rejection, and wireless pairing. The pencil can be magnetically attached to the edge of the iPad to charge it and to keep it close at hand.

If you are looking for a tablet that can be used for, and even enhance, your artistic creations, the iPad Pro 12.9-inch should definitely be at the top of the list.

Best iPad for Kids: iPad (9th Gen)

The entry-level iPad is perfect for what most kids will use their tablets for, and it won't break the bank starting at just $329 for the Wi-Fi model. This makes it the cheapest iPad to repair or replace should an accident occur.

The A13 Bionic chip inside the ninth-generation iPad debuted in 2019 and still packs plenty of punch. It can easily handle most things that kids use their tablets for, including word processing for school work, watching and listening to streaming video and music, browsing the web, and social media.

The iPad can also handle most App Store games without breaking a sweat, including 3D titles like Minecraft, online experiences like Roblox, and Apple's own Swift Playgrounds which introduces tablet owners of all ages to programming basics. There's a simple 8MP camera on the back and a better 12MP front-facing camera on the front.

Be aware that the base iPad only ships with 64GB of internal memory, which can disappear quickly if you install a lot of apps and games. For 2021 Apple has upped the next storage tier to 256GB which starts at $479.

Best iPad for Travel: iPad mini (6th Gen)

If you're looking for an iPad for travel, the portable form factor of the iPad mini (from $499 for the Wi-Fi model) is a solid choice. The design has been revised for this latest generation, released in late 2021, with a new 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display.

The new design does away with the Home button in favor of the thin bezel design of the latest iPad Air and Pro models. There's no Face ID for unlocking your device with facial recognition, but the power button on the side of the unit doubles up as a fingerprint reader.

At the heart of the iPad mini is the same A15 Bionic in the iPhone 13, albeit slightly down-clocked compared with the chip on Apple's flagship smartphone. There are brand new cameras too, with a 12MP wide on the rear and 12MP ultra-wide on the front, enabling Apple's intelligent Center Stage subject tracking on FaceTime calls.

For the first time, the iPad mini has a USB-C port plus support for the second-generation Apple Pencil which snaps to the side of the unit for charging. If you splash out for the cellular version (from $649) you'll also get 5G connectivity, perfect if you're traveling in a country with good 5G coverage.

Battery life and storage capacity mirror the base iPad, with 10 hours of wireless web or video playback and a paltry 64GB capacity on the base model.

Best Laptop Replacement: iPad Pro 11‑inch (4th Gen) with Magic Keyboard

For laptop-class performance, the iPad Pro range can't be beat. While the 12.9-inch model is perfect for drawing and videography, the 11-inch model delivers the same great performance in a more compact form factor. It's also a bit cheaper, starting at $799 for the Wi-Fi version or $999 for cellular.

At the heart of the iPad Pro 11-inch is Apple's desktop-class M2 system-on-chip. This is the same silicon that Apple puts in computers like the MacBook Air and iMac. It allows the iPad Pro to run professional applications like video editors, digital audio workstations, and the most demanding 3D applications.

As a laptop replacement, the iPad Pro 11-inch has just about everything you need. It's compatible with the latest accessories, including Apple's Magic Keyboard and features an integrated trackpad. In addition, you can have up to 2TB of internal storage and connect external devices like storage via the USB-C connector (with support for Thunderbolt and USB 4 speeds).

There are 12MP wide and 10MP ultra-wide cameras on the rear, with a high-quality 12MP front-facing FaceTime HD camera for amazing selfies, video calls, and live streams. There's also Face ID support for unlocking and authorizing your device using your likeness, just like on the latest iPhones. If you opt for the cellular version, you'll get 5G support too.

FAQ

How do I do split-screen on my iPad?

Open the first app and then slide your finger up from the bottom of the screen. When the dock appears, tap and hold on the second app you want to open and drag it up and to the left or right. The apps will snap into split-screen mode.

How do I connect my Apple Pencil to my iPad?

Place the Apple Pencil on the magnetic connector on your iPad, remove the end cap and tap the Pair button when it appears on screen. You can also remove the end cap, plug the Apple Pencil into the Lightning port, and tap Pair when it appears on screen.

How do I factory reset my iPad?

Open the iPad Settings and go to General > Transfer or Reset iPad. You can then choose to reset the iPad or erase all content and settings. You will need to confirm the action by entering your passcode or Apple ID password.

How do I take a screenshot on my iPad?

Taking a screenshot is easy. Press and release both the top button and either the up or down volume button at the same time. The screenshot will appear briefly as a thumbnail at the corner of the screen.

How do I turn off my iPad?

Press and hold the top button and either volume button until the slider appears on screen. You can then use the slider to turn off your iPad.

What are the current generation iPads?

The iPad Pro 12.9-inch is in its 6th generation, and the 11-inch Pro is 4th generation. The current iPad Air is the 5th generation, and the standard iPad is in its 10th generation. The iPad Mini, which wasn't updated in 2022, is on its 5th generation.