The very best iPad to purchase in 2023

Editor’s word: Amazon’s fall Prime Day event is going on now, October Tenth and eleventh. If you happen to’re searching for offers on a spread classes, we’ve got them all covered.

Apple’s iPad lineup has gone from a single simple 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 the most effective iPad to your wants difficult — particularly if you take a look at how comparable so lots of the fashions are.

However with a bit of steerage and a few consideration of why you’re planning to purchase an iPad and what you plan to make use of it for, you’ll be able to navigate Apple’s lineup with ease. I’ve spent years utilizing varied iPads for each leisure and work and have examined the entire present and up to date fashions to know what they’re finest suited to. 

Out of the field, any iPad gives a superb transportable video or movie-watching expertise; entry to a big selection of apps and video games by the App Retailer; the flexibility to learn ebooks, paperwork, and internet articles on a vibrant comfortably sized display screen; and talk through e mail, messaging providers, or video calls. With equipment like Apple’s Smart or Magic Keyboard or the Apple Pencil, an iPad can function a drawing pill or a productiveness system, maybe even changing a laptop computer for some folks.

The large secret right here is that, with just a few minor exceptions, any present or recent-model iPad you purchase is able to doing every thing every other iPad within the lineup can do. The whole lot from the lowly ninth-gen base mannequin iPad to the iPad Mini and all the best way as much as the biggest iPad Professional 12.9 runs the identical software program and the identical apps. iPadOS 16, the newest model of Apple’s iPad software program, is obtainable on units courting again to 2015 and runs on any iPad you’re seemingly to purchase at this level. Apple will be releasing iPadOS 17 later this fall and might be obtainable for many fashions launched in 2017 or later, save for the fifth-gen base iPad.

Nonetheless, there are nuances between the fashions that make them higher suited to totally different wants. On this information, I’ve suggestions for the most effective iPad for almost all of individuals, the best choice when you’re shopping for an iPad for youths, the most effective mannequin for getting work finished or creating digital artwork, and the most effective iPad in case your fundamental purpose is to make use of it for studying. However once more, these dividing traces 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 the case of pricing. Apple doesn’t make loads of adjustments between iPad generations, and the processing energy in any latest iPad has a lot overhead that it could actually 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’ll be able to usually discover glorious choices on secondhand, open-box, and refurbished iPads that save some huge cash and nonetheless provide an up-to-date, performant expertise. So when you’re debating between, say, an iPad Air and an 11-inch iPad Professional, a refurbished prior mannequin yr Professional would possibly find yourself costing lower than the present Air whereas offering just a few additional perks that aren’t obtainable on the lesser mannequin. There are additionally frequent gross sales on brand-new variations of last year’s iPad models, usually round when new iPads are introduced within the spring and fall.

You should use this logic throughout the lineup, so it’s value exploring the obtainable 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 biggest mannequin.

Display screen: 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 (non-compulsory) / Audio system: stereo / Appropriate equipment: Apple Magic Keyboard, Apple Smart Keyboard Folio, Apple Pencil (second-generation) 

For most individuals, the most effective iPad to purchase is the midrange iPad Air, which begins at $599. Launched in 2022, the fifth-generation iPad Air presents 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 could actually work properly as a small laptop-like system 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 a darkish grey.

If you happen to’re shopping for an iPad with the intention to make use of it for 5 or extra years between upgrades, the Air is right. Its processor is newer and extra highly effective than what comes within the base ninth-gen iPad, which implies it would maintain its efficiency longer and can seemingly have a bit of bit longer software program assist. The Air’s display screen can be nicer to take 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 patrons will need to follow the price range choice under.

The Air’s middle-of-the-pack dimension is what most individuals consider in the case 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 gives a greater video-watching, studying, and multitasking expertise, but it surely’s not almost as massive 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 shade gamut with correct replica, has no air hole between the glass and the panel, comes with an antireflective coating, and helps Apple’s computerized True Tone shade adjustment. 

You possibly can equip the Air with 64 or 256GB of storage. The leap to 256GB prices $150 (at Apple’s common retail value), but it surely’s worthwhile when you plan to hold on to this iPad for a number of years. Extra storage gives extra room for apps, video, video games, or no matter different paperwork you need to retailer on it. You too can go for 5G connectivity so you might have 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 digital camera is on the brief edge, which makes portrait-orientation FaceTime calls nice. However if you’re holding the iPad Air in panorama orientation, the digital camera feels prefer it’s within the flawed spot, and Apple’s software program methods to appropriate it will not be all the time essentially the most convincing. (Apple has addressed this downside with its lower-tier Tenth-gen iPad by transferring the digital camera to the longer edge, but it surely has not but finished 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 simple 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’ll be able to plug headphones into the USB-C port utilizing an adapter (not included) or pair Bluetooth headphones for a extra personal listening expertise.

The Air’s versatility is aided by the truth that it helps each Apple’s Smart 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 attainable to get actual work finished, particularly when on the go. The Air additionally helps Apple’s latest Pencil ($129 retail, generally on sale for much less) for writing and drawing, and it could actually magnetically snap to the aspect of the pill for charging and storage.

There are some concessions with the Air in comparison with the dearer 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 clean. The twin stereo audio system are glorious, however the Professional has 4 audio system which might be even higher. The non-compulsory 5G connectivity doesn’t assist 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 restricted to slower information switch speeds in comparison with the Professional’s. However these variations are minor. Nearly all of folks shopping for an Air won’t miss them and are higher off saving the $200 or so distinction between the fashions.

Read my review of the iPad Air.

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

For these seeking to spend a bit much less, the most effective price range iPad is the ninth-gen iPad mannequin. The most affordable iPad Apple at the moment sells, the ninth-gen iPad begins at $329, although it may be ceaselessly discovered on sale for about $250. Due to its lower cost and some different options, this mannequin can be a great iPad for youths.

I’ll allow you to in on a bit of secret: a child might 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 affordable choice (plus a rugged case) is all the time the most effective guess. You, as a mum or dad, will nonetheless need it to be up to date to present software program and safety patches, so it’s necessary 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 return.

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 system and may run the identical software program and video games because the dearer fashions. The A13 processor inside remains to be very quick, regardless of having first been launched in 2019, and the ninth-gen presents the identical 64 and 256GB storage choices because the Air.

The ten.2-inch display screen is a bit of smaller than the ten.9-inch show on the Air or Tenth-gen iPad, but it surely’s nonetheless spacious sufficient for split-screening apps and is sharp and vibrant. There’s an air hole between the glass and the show, and it lacks the antireflective coating discovered on pricier fashions. Pickier patrons will discover this stuff, however at this value, it’s onerous to complain about. The display screen remains to be simply as aware of faucets and swipes as every other iPad show.

The ninth-gen iPad excels at the entire traditional iPad use {cases}: watching movies, taking part in video games, studying books or articles, and entertaining youngsters. It will probably, in fact, run productiveness apps, and it helps Apple’s split-screen and multitasking options (apart from the brand new Stage Supervisor windowing choice), but it surely’s not the iPad I’d select if I had been planning to make use of it every single day for work because 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’ll be able to pair a separate trackpad to it simply effective) however as a substitute works with the older fabric-covered Smart Keyboard that folds. The Sensible Keyboard is okay for infrequent use, but it surely’s very costly relative to the price of the iPad itself ($159), and when you’re planning on doing loads of typing and productiveness work, it’s most likely value 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. It really works effective as a stylus for writing and drawing on the display screen, however there’s nowhere to retailer it if you’re not utilizing it except 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 youths 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 sort port.

Regardless of its older design and equipment, the ninth-gen iPad presents an incredibly 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 screen: 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 (non-compulsory) / Audio system: quad / Appropriate equipment: Apple Magic Keyboard, Apple Smart Keyboard Folio, Apple Pencil (second-generation)

In case you are a capital-S Critical iPad Person and need the most effective iPad for getting work finished and even to switch a laptop computer, then it is best to simply purchase the top-of-the-line iPad Professional 12.9. That is additionally the most effective iPad for digital artists, because it has the biggest canvas to attract on and helps Apple’s latest Pencil with additional options not discovered on different iPads.

The largest iPad Apple sells, the 12.9-inch mannequin can be the most costly, beginning at $1,099 new. Mix it with the Magic Keyboard ($349) — a should when 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 common person.

The 12.9-inch Professional rewards you with a extra expansive show for juggling a number of apps, particularly when you use the new Stage Manager windowing feature. It additionally has the most effective display screen on any iPad, with its Mini LED expertise, offering searing brightness, deep blacks, and wealthy colours. Consequently, it’s the most effective 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 searching. 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. Consequently, many iPad Professional 12.9 homeowners 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 geared up with 16GB of RAM. If you happen to’re a photographer or video editor searching for one thing light-weight to do on-the-go modifying with, the iPad Professional actually has the {hardware} chops for it. However you’ll need to ensure that the software program you need to use is obtainable — most desktop modifying software program is just not obtainable for the iPad or lacks options in comparison with its desktop counterparts.

For normal productiveness, reminiscent of writing, e mail, spreadsheets, searching the online, and extra, the iPad Professional is superb. However once more, you’ll need to ensure 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 all the time assured that they may have the identical options as their desktop counterparts. iPadOS additionally requires doing issues in another way than you is likely to be used to on a desktop working system, particularly in the case of managing and sharing information.

Digital artists will admire the 12.9-inch mannequin’s bigger show. A brand new characteristic launched with the 2022 mannequin permits you to 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 must scan your fingerprint or sort in a PIN to unlock the iPad Professional; you simply have to take a look at it. As with the iPhone, it really works extraordinarily properly, and it’s onerous 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 general 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 sort of equivalent 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 version of the iPad Pro, which has a lot of the similar options however lacks the Mini LED show. (It has a extra normal LCD panel.) At full costs, the iPad Air is a greater choice than the 11-inch Professional, however when you’re capable of finding a prior-year mannequin refurbished or on sale, then it is likely to be the one to go together with.

Read my review of the iPad Pro.

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

If you wish to purchase the most effective 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 concerning the iPad Mini. It has the identical normal 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 p.c much less.

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

You possibly can, in fact, run the entire similar apps and use the iPad Mini for watching video, however its smaller dimension is healthier suited 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 actually be snug to sort 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 screen protector, and the iPad Mini would possibly simply change a pen and paper pocket book for you.

Apple launched the present iPad Mini in late 2021, and it usually 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 properly over a yr already, there are sometimes gross sales and reductions to be discovered.

Read our review of the iPad Mini.