There will not be as a lot alternative as smartphones in terms of tablets, however there are nonetheless a number of decisions to be made. If you’re studying this, it is probably you’ve already selected Apple, and also you at the moment are making an attempt to determine which iPad is the proper one for you and which mannequin matches into how a lot you need to spend.
Apple presents a variety of iPad choices starting from 8.3-inches to 12.9-inches in display screen measurement. There are additionally some older fashions, which though discontinued by Apple, are nonetheless out there elsewhere, normally at good costs. I’ve reviewed – or seen – all of Apple’s present iPad choices and I’ve used the older fashions too. If you need all of the detailed opinions on every mannequin, in addition to extra in depth options on how the newest iPads evaluate to their predecessors or one another, you possibly can head to our Apple hub to learn all our separate options. Right here although, I’ve complied my finest iPad suggestions primarily based on my expertise with them and what I take advantage of every mannequin for. I’ve picked a finest iPad total, a finest iPad for productiveness and even a finest worth iPad possibility to assist along with your iPad buying resolution.
Our picks for the best iPad
It depends on what you are looking for from your tablet as to which iPad model is best for you. With that in mind, here’s a run down of all the current iPads in Apple’s portfolio and why you might choose them depending on what you are looking for.
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Apple iPad Air (2022)
1. Best iPad overall
A perfect combination of power and portability
$495 $600 Save $105
The Apple iPad Air (2022) opts for Touch ID over Face ID but within the power button at the top like the iPad mini and iPad (10th generation), offering a design in line with the more expensive Pro models. It has an M1 chip under its hood and 5G, plus it is compatible with the second generation Apple Pencil, like the iPad Pro models. It’s my choice for the best iPad overall because it not only delivers plenty of features and excellent portability, but there’s a lot of power here too.
- Storage
- 64 / 256GB
- CPU
- Apple M1 chip
- Battery
- Up to 10 hours, USB-C
- Ports
- USB-C
- Display (Size, Resolution)
- 10.9-inch Liquid Retina, 2360 x 1640 pixels, 264ppi, 500nits
- Measurements
- 247.6 x 178.5 x 6.1mm, 461g
- Colors
- Blue, Purple, Pink, Starlight, Space Grey
- Excellent performance
- Improved front-facing camera
- 2nd Gen Apple Pencil stylus support
- No Face ID
- Storage limited to 256GB
- Rear camera isn’t great
The Apple iPad Air (5th generation) sits between the iPad Professional 11 and the cheaper iPad (tenth technology) within the iPad line-up. Its design is the same as its predecessor and it sees Contact ID positioned inside the energy button on the prime and uniform bezels across the 10.9-inch show. The display screen is identical measurement because the iPad (tenth technology) however with just a few extra options like an anti-reflective coating and a wider color gamut, each of which do make a distinction in on a regular basis use. It misses out on the ProMotion technology discovered within the Professional fashions however this is not one thing you actually discover in observe until you’re utilizing this pill predominantly for gaming. General, there’s a superb show right here and one that’s excellent for working, watching and browsing.
The color choices of the iPad Air (2022) are a bit extra muted compared to the iPad (10th generation) choices making it a bit extra severe total, and there is an M1 chip underneath the hood, which is a large energy enhance over the Air’s predecessor that places it in line with the 2021 iPad Pro models. The iPad Air comes with each Apple Pencil (second gen) and Apple Sensible Keyboard assist, making it a superb productiveness pill. There’s a 12-megapixel rear digital camera just like the iPad Professional, although it does not have the secondary Extremely-Vast lens that the Professional has. You may discover a 12-megapixel entrance digital camera too although, which is a bump from its predecessor, permitting for assist of some options like Centre Stage. There are additionally two audio system, as much as 256GB of storage, and as much as 10 hours of battery, which is charged by way of USB-C. There are additionally 5G capabilities if you need them. General, the iPad Air is a implausible all-rounder pill, providing sufficient energy to make use of it for heavier responsibility duties, however glorious portability too, making it my alternative for the perfect iPad total.
Apple / Pocket-lint
Apple iPad (2022)
2. Greatest iPad for on a regular basis use
Good iPad for households
$399 $449 Save $50
The Apple iPad (tenth technology) has a processor bump in comparison with the iPad (ninth technology), in addition to the identical design because the iPad Air, ditching the house button and transferring Contact ID into the ability button. It stays solely appropriate with the primary technology Apple Pencil, although it has USB-C and a repositioned entrance digital camera. For the on a regular basis pill, it is an ideal possibility.
- Storage
- 64 / 256GB
- CPU
- Apple A14 Bionic
- Battery
- As much as 10 hours, USB-C
- Show (Measurement, Decision)
- 10.9-inch Liquid Retina, 2360 x 1640 pixels, 264ppi, 500nits
- Measurements
- 248.6 x 179.5 x 7mm, 477g
- Colours
- Yellow, Blue, Pink, Silver
- Beautiful design and show
- Stable efficiency
- Logical entrance digital camera place
- No anti-reflective or absolutely laminated show
- No Stage Supervisor assist
- Base storage nonetheless 64GB
The Apple iPad (10th generation) presents a whole redesign compared to the entry-level 9th generation model and its predecessor. Now, virtually similar to the iPad Air, the iPad (tenth technology) has Contact ID constructed into the ability button on the prime of the show, permitting for uniformed bezels across the display screen and a bigger 10.9-inch (2360 x 1640) show inside a really related footprint (248.6 x 179.5 x 7mm, 477g) to the 2021 mannequin. There’s nonetheless no absolutely laminated show or anti-reflective coating like the iPad Air – the latter of which is obvious in use – however the iPad (tenth technology) does function True Tone know-how while additionally making a transfer to USB-C and upgrading the chip underneath its hood to the A15 Bionic. The battery stays the identical because the 2021 mannequin however the color choices are extra putting, with brighter and bolder choices together with Silver, Blue, Pink and Yellow.
Although nonetheless appropriate with solely the primary technology Apple Pencil – you want an adpater to cost now – the iPad (tenth technology) does reposition the entrance digital camera to the proper edge when being held vertically. Except for that, it does not have all of the know-how of the iPad Air, or the iPad Professional fashions, however with as much as 256GB of storage, 5G capabilities if you need them and a very beautiful new design, it is fingers down my decide for the perfect on a regular basis pill inside the iPad portfolio. It is also a superb possibility for these after a household pill.
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Apple iPad Professional 12.9-inch (2022)
3. Greatest iPad for efficiency
An absolute powerhouse of a pill
The Apple iPad Professional 12.9 (2022) is the costliest iPad out there, in addition to probably the most highly effective alongside the 11-inch mannequin. Launched in October 2022, this mannequin is for those who need to deal with their pill extra like a pc. It presents the identical {hardware} because the 11-inch mannequin however in a bigger measurement and with an excellent Mini-LED show. It is the pill you may need for efficiency.
- Storage
- 128 / 256 / 512GB / 1TB / 2TB
- CPU
- Apple M2 chip
- Battery
- As much as 10 hours, USB-C
- Show (Measurement, Decision)
- 12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR, 2732 x 2048 pixels, 264ppi, 1600 nits
- Measurements
- 280.6 x 214.9 x 6.4mm, 682g
- Colours
- House Grey, Silver
- Beautiful Mini-LED show
- Large quantities of energy from M2 chip
- Simple to make use of
- Very costly
- Entrance digital camera ought to have moved
- Battery life not distinctive
In 2018, the iPad Professional 12.9 delivered a whole design overhaul with slimmer bezels, no Contact ID dwelling button and flatter edges. This new design – out there in House Gray and Silver – allowed the 12.9 mannequin to scale back in measurement (280.6 x 214.9 x 6.4mm) in comparison with the outdated 12.9 mannequin, regardless of providing the identical measurement 12.9-inch 2732 x 2048 pixel decision show and the 2022 mannequin continues with this design, as did the 2021 mannequin. An XDR show was launched in 2021 although, which continues on the newest mannequin and it is completely wonderful in use, whether or not watching motion pictures or working.
The 2022 iPad Pro 12.9-inch additionally presents an M2 processor – just like the 11-inch mannequin and the latest MacBook Air models – and it additionally comes with a function known as Apple Pencil hover and support for Wi-Fi 6E so there’s greater than meets the attention. The identical entrance digital camera from the 2021 mannequin is on board, together with as much as 2TB of storage, a alternative of 8GB or 16GB of RAM, Thunderbolt/USB 4 for charging out and in, as much as 10 hours of battery and 5G capabilities within the Wi-Fi and Mobile fashions. The rear digital camera stays the identical because the 2021 mannequin and Face ID is on board once more too.
The iPad Professional 12.9 is appropriate with the second-generation Apple Pencil which attaches magnetically to the iPad Professional 12.9 and fees wirelessly when hooked up. Just like the Magic Keyboard, it is nonetheless offered individually although, making this one dear pill. It is also fairly heavy by itself at 682g, however particularly when the Magic Keyboard is hooked up, weighing just about the identical because the 13-inch MacBook Air. If you’re after the whole lot Apple has to supply within the greatest doable format although, in addition to efficiency in abundance, the iPad Professional 12.9 is the one you may need.
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Apple iPad Mini (2021)
4. Greatest iPad for portability
Very good alternative for leisure on the go
The Apple iPad mini (2021) is principally a mini model of the iPad Air (2022) – while additionally including a variety of upgrades in terms of {hardware}, together with processor and entrance digital camera. It’s appropriate with the second technology of Apple Pencil, just like the iPad Air (2022) and it is implausible for portability. An amazing possibility when you’re out there for a small kind issue pill.
- Storage
- 64 / 256GB
- CPU
- A15 chip
- Battery
- As much as 10 hours, USB-C
- Show (Measurement, Decision)
- 8.3-inch, Liquid Retina, 2266 x 1488 pixels, 326ppi, 500nits
- Measurements
- 195.4 x 134.8 x 6.3mm, 293g
- Colours
- House Gray, Pink, Purple, Starlight
- Small form-factor with large show
- Contact ID in energy button
- 5G connectivity
- No MagSafe charging
- No Face ID facial recognition
- No ProMotion (120Hz display screen refresh fee)
The Apple iPad mini 6 contains a full redesign compared to its predecessor, matching that of the iPad Air (2022) – which sits on the prime of Pocket-lint’s finest iPad listing – with uniform bezels across the show, flat edges and Contact ID positioned within the energy button on the prime. The design is great, whereas the compact and transportable construct means you get a pill powerhouse that’s simply transportable and there are quite a few {hardware} upgrades over the iPad mini 5 too. The iPad mini 6 runs on the A15 Bionic chip, which is a step up from the iPad (ninth gen) that runs on the A13, and whereas it’s a step down from the iPad Air (2022), there aren’t any issues with efficiency right here. There’s additionally round a 10-hour battery life, with charging going down by way of USB-C, as much as 256GB of storage and you will find 5G capabilities as an possibility too.
Elsewhere, just like the iPad Air, the iPad mini 6 presents True Tone technology and Apple Pencil (2nd technology) compatibility. It additionally has the sharpest show of all of the iPads out there with a 326ppi pixel density throughout its 8.3-inch display screen for an excellent viewing expertise. In comparison with the older iPad mini 5, the iPad mini 6 additionally has an upgraded entrance digital camera, transferring from 7-megapixels to 12-megapixels, which is identical because the iPad Air (2022) and it delivers the Center Stage feature. General, it is an distinctive little pill that’s excellent for portability.
Apple iPad (2021)
5. Greatest iPad for worth
$269 $329 Save $60
The Apple iPad (ninth technology) presents a lot the identical design as its predecessor. It has assist for Apple Pencil, Apple’s Sensible Keyboard and it’s considerably cheaper than the iPad Professional fashions, in addition to cheaper than the iPad Air. It is the entry-level iPad and nice for these on a price range.
- Upgraded entrance digital camera
- Sturdy design
- Apple Pencil (1st Gen) assist
- Dated design
- No touch-to-wake display screen
- Nonetheless fees with Lightning
The 2021 standard iPad sticks to a lot the same design as its predecessor with a bigger 10.2-inch 2160 x 1620 pixel show in comparison with the iPad 9.7. It has been succeeded by the tenth technology mannequin – which sits at quantity two on our listing and has a bigger display screen once more – however it stays within the line because the entry-point to iPad, measuring 250.6 x 174.1 x 7.5mm and weighing 487g. Contact ID is on board within the dwelling button beneath the display screen, because it was on the 8th generation model, so it is a barely dated design now and there’s no absolutely laminated show or anti-reflective coating just like the iPad Air, although it does provide True Tone know-how and it nonetheless presents an amazing expertise.
The processor sees a bump to the A13 Bionic chip in comparison with the A12 within the 2020 mannequin, and there’s assist for Apple’s Sensible Keyboard, just like the iPad Air. It’s appropriate with the primary technology of Apple Pencil too, because the older mannequin was, although color choices have diminished to solely Silver and House Gray, ditching the Gold. There may be as much as 256GB of storage and as much as 10 hours of battery life, which is charged by way of Lightning slightly than USB-C like a number of the newer fashions. You may additionally discover an 8-megapixel rear digital camera and 12-megapixel extremely wide-angle entrance snapper on this iPad, with the latter permitting for the Heart Stage function first launched on the iPad Pro (2021) so it’d look dated, however it presents lots of the similar options and consumer expertise. In the event you’re on the lookout for an iPad on a price range and you are not too fearful in regards to the newest design, it is a nice mannequin to think about.
Apple / Pocket-lint
Apple iPad Professional 11-inch (2022)
6. Greatest iPad for light-weight laptop computer alternative
$759 $799 Save $40
The Apple iPad Professional 11 (2022) is without doubt one of the strongest iPads out there. It comes with super-slim bezels, Face ID and glorious specs together with Apple’s M2 processor and 5G. It presents assist for the second-gen Apple Pencil and it presents all the newest options in a extra compact format than the 12.9 mannequin. This mannequin is all about energy in a transportable format.
- Light-weight, slim and transportable
- Nice sound from the 4 speaker system
- Very good efficiency
- No Micro-LED show
- Costly
- Battery life might be higher
The iPad Professional 11 succeeded the iPad Professional 10.5 with a very new design in 2018 that was then refreshed in 2020, in 2021 and once more in 2022. It ditches Contact ID for Face ID and squares off the aluminium edges for a extra refined design, like the iPad Air and iPad mini, although color choices are extra severe with simply Silver and House Gray on provide. The 11-inch mannequin has a 2388 x 1668 pixel decision show with ProMotion inside its tremendous slim 247.6 x 178.5 x 5.9mm construct, which weighs solely barely greater than the iPad Air at 466g. Regardless of providing a beautiful display screen although, it is not Mini-LED just like the bigger 12.9-inch mannequin, which is why this mannequin is barely decrease down our listing.
Below the hood is the M2 processor, which is identical as what you may discover within the MacBook Air (2022), so it is fairly highly effective and a step up from the M1 chip discovered within the 2021 iPad Professional fashions and iPad Air. It additionally is available in a alternative of 8GB or 16GB of RAM and as much as 2TB of storage, and there is 5G connectivity too for those who need it. The entrance digital camera on the iPad Professional 11 is the same as its predecessor, with the Heart Stage that sees the digital camera observe and observe you across the room, amongst different issues and the battery is identical too, at as much as 10 hours, like all iPads. There’s a function known as Apple Pencil hover on the 2022 mannequin although just like the bigger iPad Professional, together with support for Wi-Fi 6E, compatibility with the second-generation of the Apple Pencil and Thunderbolt/USB 4, permitting for sooner information switch. In the event you’re on the lookout for an iPad to function a laptop computer alternative however stay light-weight, the iPad Professional 11-inch is a superb possibility.
How do the iPad fashions differ?
There are 4 ranges inside Apple’s iPad line-up consisting of the iPad mini, the iPad, the iPad Air and the iPad Professional. The iPad mini was first launched in 2012 and it’s now in its sixth technology with the newest iPad mini having launched in 2021. There are a selection of rumours surrounding the iPad mini 7, although it’s presently unclear when it’d seem. The usual iPad first launched in 2010 and it seems to be remarkably completely different now – check out our iPad history feature to see how much it has changed over time. The most recent mannequin is the tenth technology and it launched in 2022, although this mannequin is offered alongside the ninth technology mannequin from 2021.
The iPad Air first launched in 2013 with the newest mannequin being the fifth technology, arriving in 2022. It is also modified fairly a bit because the first system of its class, although it’s now similar to the usual iPad, which received a redesign in 2022.
Lastly, the iPad Professional mannequin first launched in 2015 with Apple launching the 12.9-inch mannequin first. It adopted this up with a 9.7-inch mannequin in 2016. We’re now within the sixth technology of the 12.9-inch iPad Professional mannequin and the iPad 11-inch mannequin, which has seen its display screen measurement develop over time however its footprint stay largely the identical.
How did I select these finest iPad picks?
I’ve used all of the iPad fashions on this listing extensively so I’ve expertise with all of them. The iPad Professional 12.9-inch is my go to pill for when I’m engaged on the transfer and I do not need to convey my laptop computer with me, although it’s large and heavy and the iPad Air is sort of as highly effective, however it’s lighter and cheaper, in order that’s why it made the highest of this finest iPad listing. You may get a really related expertise throughout all iPad fashions because of iPadOS and whereas there are just a few extras options on the iPad Professional fashions and the iPad Air, the usual iPad (tenth technology) is an excellent pill for its value and it is the one we use constantly as a household. All of the iPads on this listing have a spot. They’re all nice in their very own manner and they’ll all be the proper alternative for somebody relying on what it’s you need or want out of your pill.
What must you contemplate when selecting the best iPad for you?
There are some things to think about when selecting the best iPad mannequin for you. Firstly, what’s going to you be doing in your pill? If the reply is predominantly watching movies or looking the web, then the iPad mini, iPad (tenth technology) or iPad (ninth technology) are all greater than able to that. In the event you plan to do work, otherwise you plan to make use of your iPad for gaming, you’ll be higher to think about the iPad Air or iPad Professional fashions. For those who will probably be utilizing their iPad for drawing or doing extra intense graphical work, for instance, it is the iPad Professional you may need. You may additionally want to think about price range, because the iPad Professional fashions are costly – very costly – so it is perhaps that the iPad Air can meet your wants and prevent cash, and the identical would possibly be capable of be stated for the iPad (tenth technology) too. Lastly, keep in mind that not one of the iPads on this listing include equipment. You may due to this fact want to purchase a keyboard case individually for the iPad Professional fashions for instance, or only a case on the whole for the iPad (tenth technology) for instance.
Greatest iPad: The underside line
I picked the iPad Air as the perfect iPad total for this listing as a result of it not solely presents a severe quantity of energy for a pill however it’s light-weight and transportable too, making it an amazing all-rounder. If you need the perfect iPad Apple has to supply although, that is the iPad Professional 12.9-inch, whereas the perfect iPad for these on a price range is by far the iPad (ninth technology), which though it has a dated design, it’s nonetheless greater than succesful.
Apple / Pocket-lint
Apple iPad Air (2022)
$495 $600 Save $105
The Apple iPad Professional 11 (2022) is without doubt one of the strongest iPads out there. It comes with super-slim bezels, Face ID and glorious specs together with Apple’s M2 processor and 5G. It presents assist for the second-gen Apple Pencil and it presents all the newest options in a extra compact format than the 12.9 mannequin. This mannequin is all about energy in a transportable format.
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