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The best iPads are among the best tablets money can buy, but with so many models to choose from in 2024, it can be hard to know where to start if you’re looking to invest in an Apple slate.
Right now, the newly released iPad Pro 13 (2024) reigns supreme the biggest and best iPad of them all, but that’s not to say it’s the perfect fit for everyone. The more affordable iPad 10.9 (2022) is our current pick as the best all-round iPad, while students should consider the super lightweight iPad Air 13 (2024).
Whatever your requirements, we’ve tested every iPad model out there, and every option included in the below list is accompanied by a full review, so you can rest assured that our recommendations are based on real-world judgements.
iPad 10.9 (2022) – The best iPad for most people
SPECIFICATIONS
Weight: 477g
Dimensions: 248.6 x 179.5 x 7mm
OS: iPadOS 16
Screen size: 10.9-inch
Resolution: 2360 x 1640 pixels
CPU: Apple A14 Bionic
Storage: 64GB / 256GB
microSD slot: No
Battery: Up to 10 hours
Rear camera: 12MP
Front camera: 12MP Ultra Wide
The basic iPad 10.9 (2022) isn’t the best, most powerful tablet around, but it can handle just about everything that iPads do well, at a much lower price than its Pro-level counterparts. In other words, it’s the best iPad for most people.
With the iPad 10.9 (2022), Apple has successfully migrated the base iPad from its classic, first-gen Air looks to an iPad Pro-influenced design, and the result is a high-quality, versatile tablet that will satisfy the broadest set of users, from fun-lovers and content-consumers to those looking to get some work done (with the addition of a separately-purchased keyboard cover).
While the price hike versus 2021’s iPad 10.2 (2021) is dismaying, and the lack of Pencil 2 support is just plain wrong, the iPad 10.9 more than earns its keep. It’s available in some vibrant color options, too, including a snazzy pink and bright yellow.
iPad Pro 13 (2024) – The best premium iPad
SPECIFICATIONS
Weight: 579g
Dimensions: 281.6 x 215.5 x 5.1 mm
OS: iPadOS 17
Screen size: 13-inch
Resolution: 2420 x 1668 pixels
CPU: Apple M4
Storage: 256GB/512GB/1TB/2TB
microSD slot: No
Battery: Up to 10 hours
Rear camera: 12MP + LiDAR
Front camera: 12MP
The iPad Pro 13 (2024) is unquestionably the most impressive Apple tablet of the lot. If the main selling point of any iPad is its big screen, then the supersized iPad Pro is not only the biggest iPad screen (well, alongside the new iPad Air), it’s also the most advanced, using tandem OLED technology on an Apple XDR-branded display.
The latest iPad Pro also comes equipped with an Apple M4 chip, meaning it’s just as powerful as the very best MacBooks. According to Apple, this new model boasts 20% better thermal performance than the previous iPad Pro, while also offering four times the rendering performance of the previous model. It offers 50% faster CPU performance compared to the M2 chip, too. In other words, the iPad Pro 13 (2024) is by far the most powerful tablet ever made.
For the creatives out there, the latest iPad Pro supports the impressive new Apple Pencil Pro stylus, as well as the redesigned Magic Keyboard. On the cameras front, the iPad Pro’s 12MP rear snapper is definitley capable, though you’ll need to turn to your phone (or proper camera) for any ultra-wide and telephoto shots.
Of course, this is an incredibly expensive tablet, and its four-figure price tag puts it in reserve for serious professionals who need all of that aforementioned power. If you just want to watch movies and video chat with friends, then the iPad Pro 13 (2024) is serious overkill. However, if you need the best of the best, then this is the tablet to buy.
iPad 10.2 (2021) – The best budget iPad
SPECIFICATIONS
Weight: 487g
Dimensions: 250.6 x 174.1 x 7.5mm
OS: iPadOS 15
Screen size: 10.2-inch
Resolution: 1620 x 2160 pixels
CPU: A13 Bionic
RAM: TBC
Storage: 64/256GB
microSD slot: No
Battery: Up to 10 hours
Rear camera: 8MP
Front camera: 12MP
Although no longer on sale at Apple directly, the iPad 10.2 (2021) is still available at almost all major third-party retailers, making it arguably the best value iPad right now.
This tablet isn’t a huge upgrade on the previous model, but the 12MP ultra-wide selfie camera makes it great for video calls, while the True Tone display makes it more pleasant to use in a variety of environments, with the screen automatically adjusting based on the ambient light. This, especially, makes the iPad 10.2 (2021) a joy to use outdoors.
From testing all the iPads on this list, we found that the 10.2 provides the best value-for-money proposition. Sure, it’s not as good for sketching or audio as the iPad Air, and it can’t tackle the same high-performance tasks as the Pro, but it’s also a lot cheaper than both of those devices.
And that’s all relative, too. Compared to lots of non-iPad alternatives you might be considering, we found that the iPad 10.2 feels smooth to use and has enough power for most tasks. So, unless you’re going to need all the bells and whistles of the Air or Pro, this is a great choice.
iPad Air 13 (2024) – The best iPad for students
SPECIFICATIONS
Weight: 617g
Dimensions: 280.6mm x 214.9mm x 6.1mm
OS: iPadOS 17
Screen size: 13-inch
Resolution: 2732 x 2048 pixels
CPU: M2
Storage: 128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB
microSD slot: No
Battery: Up to 10 hours
Rear camera: 12MP
Front camera: 7MP
If you’re a college student who’s looking for a lightweight iPad at a reasonable price, then the 10.9-inch iPad Air (2022) remains an excellent choice. However, if you can afford to stretch your budget a little further, then Apple’s newest iPad Air offers comparable portability alongside vastly superior power credentials, making it the very best iPad for students in 2024.
Available in two sizes, 11 inches and 13 inches, the iPad Air (2024) comes equipped with an M2 chipset (aka the same chipset you’ll find powering many of the best MacBooks), which makes it 50% faster than its M1-equipped predecessor, and three times faster than the A14 Bionic-equipped iPad Air (2021).
Other key upgrades for the iPad Air (2024) include a landscape-oriented front-facing camera, landscape stereo speakers with spatial audio, and up to 1TB of internal storage, where previous models were capped at a measly 64GB.
The iPad Air (2024) isn’t exactly cheap, but at $599 / £599 / AU$999 for the 11-inch model and $799 / £799 / AU$1,299 for the 13-inch model, it’s significantly more affordable than any iPad Pro on the market, and a fantastic option for students and professionals alike.
iPad mini (2021) – The best small iPad
SPECIFICATIONS
Weight: 293g
Dimensions: 195.4 x 134.8 x 6.3mm
OS: iPadOS 15
Screen size: 8.3-inch
Resolution: 1488 x 2266 pixels
CPU: A15 Bionic
Storage: 64GB/256GB
microSD slot: No
Battery: Up to 10 hours
Rear camera: 12MP
Front camera: 12MP
The iPad mini (2021) is arguably a more niche offering than Apple’s other tablets, but it remains a great choice for those who prefer its dinky size.
On paper, the iPad mini is a smaller, lightweight alternative to the other slates, so if you want a device that you can easily slip into your bag (or a big pocket), then this could be the iPad for you. We found it powerful, and really liked its modern design and easy portability, too.
However, at a higher price than the entry-level iPad, and having underwhelmed us in several departments (like battery life and accessory compatibility), this isn’t the slate you should consider first when looking for a new iPad. There’s definitely a market for the iPad Mini, but we imagine it’s a more select one than for the Pro or Air iPads.