There are fewer selections in terms of tablets in comparison with smartphones, however there are nonetheless a number of decisions to be made. In case you are studying this, it is possible you could have already selected Apple, and also you are actually making an attempt to determine which iPad is the suitable one for you and which mannequin suits into how a lot you need to spend and what you’ll predominantly love to do with it.
Apple affords a lot of iPad choices starting from 8.3-inches to 12.9-inches in display dimension and I’ve reviewed all of Apple’s present iPad choices and used the older fashions too. Among the older fashions are nonetheless obtainable at a lot of retailers, regardless of being discontinued by Apple itself, and you may usually get them for an honest worth too. In order for you all of the detailed evaluations on every mannequin, in addition to extra in depth options on how the most recent iPads evaluate to their predecessors or one another, you may head to our Apple hub to learn all our separate options. Right here although, I’ve complied my finest iPad suggestions based mostly on my expertise with them, and what I take advantage of every mannequin for. I’ve picked the very best iPad total, the very best iPad for productiveness and even the very best worth iPad possibility to assist along with your iPad buying choice.
Best iPad: Our top picks
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.
Pocket-lint
Apple iPad Air (2022)
1. Best iPad overall
A perfect combination of power and portability
$560 $600 Save $40
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 and USB-C Apple Pencils, 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
- Measurements
- 247.6 x 178.5 x 6.1mm, 461g
- Colors
- Blue, Purple, Pink, Starlight, Space Grey
- Excellent performance
- Improved front-facing camera
- Apple Pencil support (2nd Gen and USB-C)
- 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 throughout the energy button on the prime and uniform bezels across the 10.9-inch show. The display is identical dimension 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 except you’re utilizing this pill predominantly for gaming. General, there’s a wonderful show right here and one that’s excellent for working, watching and browsing.
The color choices of the iPad Air (2022) are slightly extra muted compared to the iPad (10th generation) choices making it a bit extra critical total, and there is an M1 chip below the hood, which is a big energy enhance over the Air’s predecessor that places it in line with the 2021 iPad Pro models. The iPad Air comes with Apple Pencil (second gen), Apple Pencil (USB-C) and Apple Good Keyboard assist, making it an excellent productiveness pill. There’s a 12-megapixel rear digital camera just like the iPad Professional, although it does not have the secondary ultrawide 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 ‘Center Stage’. There are additionally two audio system, as much as 256GB of storage, and as much as 10 hours of battery, which is charged through USB-C. There are additionally 5G capabilities in order for you them. General, the iPad Air is a incredible all-rounder pill, providing sufficient energy to make use of it for heavier responsibility duties, however wonderful portability too, making it my alternative for the very best iPad total.
Pocket-lint
Apple iPad (2022)
2. Greatest iPad for on a regular basis use
Excellent 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’s suitable with the primary technology Apple Pencil and the Apple Pencil (USB-C), and there’s 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
- 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 totally laminated show
- No Stage Supervisor assist
- Base storage nonetheless 64GB
The Apple iPad (10th generation) affords an entire 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 and a bigger 10.9-inch (2360 x 1640) show inside a really comparable footprint (248.6 x 179.5 x 7mm, 477g) to the 2021 mannequin. There’s nonetheless no totally 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 expertise while additionally making a transfer to USB-C and upgrading the chip below its hood to the A15 Bionic. The battery stays the identical because the 2021 mannequin, however the color choices are extra placing, with brighter and bolder choices together with Silver, Blue, Pink and Yellow.
It’s suitable with the primary technology Apple Pencil – which you want an adapter to cost now – however it is usually suitable with the newer Apple Pencil (USB-C), which some will discover a higher possibility. The iPad (tenth technology) additionally repositions the entrance digital camera to the suitable edge when being held vertically. Other than that, it does not have all of the expertise of the iPad Air, or the iPad Professional fashions, however with as much as 256GB of storage, 5G capabilities in order for you them, and a extremely pretty new design, it is arms down my choose for the very best on a regular basis pill throughout the iPad portfolio. It is also an excellent possibility for these after a household pill.
Pocket-lint
Apple iPad Professional 12.9-inch (2022)
3. Greatest iPad for show
An absolute powerhouse of a pill with a surprising show
$1049 $1099 Save $50
The Apple iPad Professional 12.9 (2022) is the most costly iPad obtainable, in addition to essentially the most highly effective alongside the 11-inch mannequin. Launched in October 2022, this mannequin is for people who need to deal with their pill extra like a pc. It affords the identical {hardware} because the 11-inch mannequin however in a bigger dimension and with an excellent Mini-LED show. It is the pill you may need in the event you’re after the largest and finest show on the market, with loads of energy as well.
- Storage
- 128GB / 256GB / 512GB / 1TB / 2TB
- CPU
- Apple M2 chip
- Battery
- As much as 10 hours, USB-C
- Measurements
- 280.6 x 214.9 x 6.4mm, 682g
- Colours
- Area Grey, Silver
- Beautiful Mini-LED show
- Large quantities of energy from M2 chip
- Straightforward 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 an entire design overhaul with slimmer bezels, no Contact ID dwelling button and flatter edges. This new design – obtainable in Area Gray and Silver – allowed the 12.9 mannequin to scale back in dimension (280.6 x 214.9 x 6.4mm) in comparison with the outdated 12.9 mannequin, regardless of providing the identical dimension 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 most recent mannequin, and it is completely superb in use, whether or not watching films or working. The 2022 iPad Pro 12.9-inch additionally affords an M2 processor – just like the 11-inch mannequin and the latest MacBook Air models – and it additionally comes with a function referred to 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 suitable with the second-generation Apple Pencil that attaches magnetically to the iPad Professional 12.9 and costs wirelessly when connected, and it is usually suitable with the Apple Pencil (USB-C) which works into sleep mode when connected to the facet of the iPad Professional 12.9. Just like the Magic Keyboard, the Apple Pencil continues to be bought individually, making this one dear pill. It is also fairly heavy by itself at 682g, however particularly when the Magic Keyboard is connected, weighing just about the identical because the 13-inch MacBook Air. In case you are after all the things Apple has to supply within the largest doable format, in addition to efficiency in abundance and a surprising show, the iPad Professional 12.9 is the one you may need.
Pocket-lint
Apple iPad Mini (2021)
4. Greatest iPad for portability
Very good alternative for leisure on the go
$400 $499 Save $99
The Apple iPad mini (2021) is principally a mini model of the iPad Air (2022) – whereas additionally including a lot of upgrades in terms of {hardware}, together with processor and entrance digital camera. It’s suitable with the second technology of Apple Pencil, just like the iPad Air (2022) and it is incredible for portability. An ideal possibility in the event you’re out there for a small kind issue pill.
- Storage
- 64 / 256GB
- CPU
- A15 chip
- Battery
- As much as 10 hours, USB-C
- Measurements
- 195.4 x 134.8 x 6.3mm, 293g
- Colours
- Area 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 refresh fee)
The Apple iPad mini 6 includes 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 record – 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 moveable 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 are not any issues with efficiency right here. There’s additionally round a 10-hour battery life, with charging happening through 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 affords True Tone technology and Apple Pencil (2nd technology) compatibility. It additionally has the sharpest show of all of the iPads obtainable with a 326ppi pixel density throughout its 8.3-inch display 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 ‘Middle Stage’ function. General, it is an distinctive little pill that’s excellent for portability.
Pocket-lint
Apple iPad (2021)
5. Greatest iPad for worth
Nice funds possibility for stable user-experience
$249 $329 Save $80
The Apple iPad (ninth technology) affords a lot the identical design as its predecessor. It has assist for Apple Pencil (first technology solely), Apple’s Good 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 funds.
- Storage
- 64 / 256GB
- CPU
- A13 Bionic
- Battery
- As much as 10 hours
- Measurements
- 250.6 x 174.1 x 7.5mm, 487g
- Colours
- Area Gray, Silver
- Upgraded entrance digital camera
- Sturdy design
- Apple Pencil (1st Gen) assist
- Dated design
- No touch-to-wake display
- Nonetheless costs 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 decision show in comparison with the iPad 9.7. It has been succeeded by the tenth technology mannequin – which sits at quantity two on our record and has a bigger display 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, because it was on the 8th generation model, so it is a barely dated design now and there’s no totally laminated show or anti-reflective coating just like the iPad Air, although it does supply True Tone expertise and it nonetheless affords a fantastic 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 Good Keyboard, just like the iPad Air. It’s suitable with the primary technology of Apple Pencil too, because the older mannequin was, although not the brand new Apple Pencil (USB-C). Color choices have diminished to solely Silver and Area Gray too, ditching the Gold. There’s as much as 256GB of storage and as much as 10 hours of battery life, which is charged through Lightning somewhat than USB-C like among 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 ‘Middle Stage’ function first launched on the iPad Pro (2021) – so it would look dated, however it affords lots of the similar options and person expertise. In case you’re in search of an iPad on a funds, and you are not too nervous concerning the newest design, it is a nice mannequin to contemplate.
Apple iPad Professional 11-inch (2022)
6. Greatest iPad for light-weight laptop computer substitute
Transportable and mighty highly effective
The Apple iPad Professional 11 (2022) is among the strongest iPads obtainable. It comes with super-slim bezels, Face ID and wonderful specs together with Apple’s M2 processor and 5G. It affords assist for the second-gen Apple Pencil – and the Apple Pencil (USB-C) and it affords all the most recent options in a extra compact format than the 12.9 mannequin. This mannequin is all about energy in a transportable format.
- Storage
- 128GB / 256GB / 512G / 1TB / 2TB
- CPU
- Apple M2
- Battery
- As much as 10 hours
- Measurements
- 247.6 x 178.5 x 5.9mm , 466g
- Colours
- Area Gray, Silver
- Light-weight, slim and moveable
- Nice sound from the 4 speaker system
- Very good efficiency
- No Mini-LED show
- Costly
- Battery life might be higher
The iPad Pro 11 succeeded the iPad Professional 10.5 with a totally 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 critical with simply Silver and Area Gray on supply. 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 nevertheless, it is not Mini-LED just like the bigger 12.9-inch mannequin, which is why this mannequin is barely decrease down our record. It’s nonetheless a wonderful show although, so do not be too put-off by that single specification.
Underneath 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 people who need it. The entrance digital camera on the iPad Professional 11 is the same as its predecessor, with the ‘Middle Stage’ function that sees the digital camera observe and comply with you across the room, amongst different issues. The battery is identical too, at as much as 10 hours, like all iPads. There’s a function referred to 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, Apple Pencil (USB-C) and Thunderbolt/USB 4, permitting for sooner knowledge switch. In case you’re in search of an iPad to function a laptop computer substitute however stay light-weight, the iPad Professional 11-inch is a good possibility.
The underside line: Which mannequin is the very best iPad?
I picked the iPad Air as the very best iPad total for this record as a result of it not solely affords a critical quantity of energy for a pill, however it’s light-weight and moveable too, making it a fantastic all-rounder. In order for you the very best iPad Apple has to supply although, that is the iPad Professional 12.9-inch, whereas the very best iPad for these on a funds 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)
Editor’s Alternative
$560 $600 Save $40
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 most recent iPad mini having launched in 2021. There are a variety of rumours surrounding the iPad mini 7, although it’s presently unclear when it would seem. The usual iPad first launched in 2010, and it appears to be like remarkably totally different now – check out our iPad history feature to see how much it has changed through the years. The most recent mannequin is the tenth technology, and it launched in 2022, although this mannequin is bought alongside the ninth technology mannequin from 2021.
The iPad Air first launched in 2013 with the most recent mannequin being the fifth technology, arriving in 2022. It is also modified fairly a bit because the first gadget of its class, although it’s now similar to the usual iPad, which bought 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 dimension increase through the years, however its footprint stays largely the identical.
How did I select these finest iPad picks?
I’ve used all of the iPad fashions on this record 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 carry my laptop computer with me, although it’s large and heavy and the iPad Air is nearly as highly effective, however it’s lighter and cheaper, in order that’s why it made the highest of this finest iPad record. You may get a really comparable expertise throughout all iPad fashions because of iPadOS and whereas there are just a few further options on the iPad Professional fashions and the iPad Air, the usual iPad (tenth technology) is an excellent pill for its worth, and it is the one we use persistently as a household. All of the iPads on this record have a spot. They’re all nice in their very own means, and they’ll all be the proper alternative for somebody relying on what you need or want out of your pill.
What must you contemplate when choosing the proper iPad for you?
There are some things to contemplate when choosing the proper iPad mannequin for you. Firstly, what is going to you be doing in your pill? If the reply is predominantly watching movies or shopping the web, then the iPad mini, iPad (tenth technology) or iPad (ninth technology) are all greater than able to that. In case you plan to do work, otherwise you plan to make use of your iPad for gaming, you’ll be higher to contemplate the iPad Air or iPad Professional fashions. For people who can 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 contemplate funds, 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 have the ability to be mentioned for the iPad (tenth technology) too. Lastly, do not forget that not one of the iPads on this record include equipment. You may subsequently want to purchase a keyboard case individually for the iPad Professional fashions for instance, or only a case generally for the iPad (tenth technology) for instance.
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