1. The list in brief
2. Best for most people
3. Best overall
4. Best budget
5. Best for students
6. Best for productivity
7. Best small
8. FAQs
9. How we test
It's no secret that the best iPads are among the best tablets money can buy, but that doesn't make the task of choosing between iPad models any easier. Nowadays, newer iPads are powerful enough to complete demanding tasks like video editing and graphic design, but older devices will still let you stream movies and browse online content with ease.
In 2023, there are more iPads to choose from than ever, meaning there’s almost certainly a model – perhaps even multiple models – to suit your budget and needs. And although the price of iPads has increased in recent years, Apple continues to sell older models at a discount, long after they’ve been replaced.
Whatever your requirements, we've tested almost every iPad model out there, and every option included in the below list is accompanied by a full review. We've also included some older-generation models if you prefer a refurbished buy, so scroll on to see which is the best iPad for you.
Incidentally, we were expecting an iPad Air 6 to land sometime before the end of the year, but that device now looks likely to arrive in March 2024. That iPad's arrival will invariably shake up the below rankings, but for now, these are the best iPads money can buy. Oh, and once you're set on a model, head over to our breakdown of the best iPad accessories and cases, or best iPad Pro cases.
Quick List
Powerful, portable, stylish and less expensive than the Pro models, the iPad 10.9 (2022) is the best choice for most people.
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Apple's biggest and best iPad offers mini-LED display technology, a MacBook-grade chipset, and the best range of tablet apps.
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Despite its (relatively) low price, the iPad 10.2 (2021) boasts an impressive True Tone display, a capable Apple chipset and a selfie camera that will please casual users.
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The iPad Air (2020) remains an excellent mid-range tablet that offers plenty of power but limited storage. It's regularly on sale, too, making it a great pick for students.
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Apple's 11-inch iPad Pro doesn't offer the same mini-LED display technology as its larger Pro sibling, but this tablet's power and portability remains best-in-class.
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The iPad mini (2021) trades strong battery life and accessory compatibility for a stylish, compact design and plenty of power.
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The best iPad in 2023
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Below, you'll find full write-ups for each of the best iPads in our list. We've tested each model extensively, so you can be sure that our recommendations can be trusted.
The best iPad for most people
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.
Read our full iPad 10.9 (2022) review
The best iPad overall
The iPad Pro 12.9 (2022) 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, it's also the most advanced, using mini-LED technology on an Apple XDR-branded display.
The latest iPad Pro also comes equipped with an Apple M2 chip, meaning it's just as powerful as Apple's Macbook laptop range. The M2 gives you more capable graphics, plus faster memory access for high-end apps. This iPad gets advanced hovering capabilities in the Pencil, too, and even a camera setup that can record Apple ProRes video. But even with all these features, you still get a super-thin and light design.
Of course, this is an incredibly expensive tablet, and its four-figure price puts it in reserve for serious professionals who need all of that mutimedia power. If you just want to watch movies and video chat with friends, then the iPad Pro 12.9 is serious overkill. However, if you need the best of the best, then this is the one to buy.
Read our full iPad Pro 12.9 (2022) review
The best budget iPad
The iPad 10.2 (2021) is arguably the best value iPad right now. It’s not 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.
Read our full iPad 10.2 (2021) review
The best iPad for students
The iPad Air (2020) was the last upgrade to the Air family before the latest iPad Air (2022), and it's still a great pick, especially if you're a student and can find a great deal. Apple iPad devices tend to be quite powerful, especially stacked against the competition, and this 2020 model is no different.
In fact, the iPad Air (2020) uses the same Apple A14 Bionic chip as the much newer iPad 10.9 (2022), so it feels up-to-date playing games, running apps, or carrying out whatever other tasks you need it to perform. Unlike the latest base model iPad, this iPad Air also supports the Apple Pencil 2nd generation stylus.
A few years of sales and price cuts make the iPad Air (2020) a really tempting option for people who need a more affordable mid-range tablet. Another thing we really like about this tablet is that it comes in a broad range of colors – you've got more options than most the other devices on this list.
Read our full iPad Air 4 (2020) review
The best iPad for productivity
The iPad Pro 11 (2022) is a stunning pro tablet, but it doesn't quite reach the same dizzy heights as the iPad Pro 12.9 (2022). This 11-inch slate lacks the better, brighter screen of the 12.9-inch iPad, and it doesn't use mini-LED for dimming. Still, it's a mightily powerful (and, crucially, portable) device, with a laptop-class Apple M2 chip inside and Pro-level cameras. It's cheaper than its larger sibling, too.
So, while most at-home graphics professionals (and others who want a pro tablet as a desktop replacement) will be better served by the iPad Pro 12.9 (2022), the iPad Pro 11 (2022) remains an excellent option for on-the-go creatives. This tablet looks and feels like Apple's best, just a bit smaller.
Read our full iPad Pro 11 (2022) review
The best small iPad
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.
Read our full iPad mini (2021) review
FAQs
What is the best iPad in 2023?
Objectively speaking, the best iPad in 2023 is the iPad Pro 12.9 (2022), but it's definitely not the best iPad for most people. The iPad 10.9 (2022), for instance, is cheaper and more portable, making it an excellent choice for all but the most well-heeled creatives, while the iPad Air (2020) will likely suit the needs of students better than other models.
How to choose the best iPad for you
When thinking about buying an iPad, first consider your needs – do you need a big screen and lots of power for productivity tasks? If so, an iPad Pro could be a good fit. Something portable? Take a look at the iPad mini range. A basic slate? The iPad 10.2 (2021) is the top choice there.
For students, the iPad Air range remains the best pick. These tablets strike a balance between price and performance, and offer everything you need to work and study. Depending on your course and budget, you might want to consider the newer, more powerful models, or an older iPad Air that's available at a discount. There might be a few exceptions – some courses might require apps that will run best on an iPad Pro, for instance. And certain courses won't require much word processing at all, in which case the entry-level model will do.
For creatives, it's worth noting that all iPads are compatible with the Apple Pencil, but there are actually two different versions of the stylus.
The original – available for entry-level and older iPads – gives you basic functionality, but it's quite a pain to charge. The second-gen version charges wirelessly and gives you control over what you write with improved pressure sensitivity. People who need to draw, write notes or sketch might prefer a tablet that works with the Apple Pencil 2.
Depending on your creative profession, you might also need lots of processing power, in which case an iPad Pro will be great for you. If not, a lightweight option will let you go around coffee shops or parks to work.
How we test
Every iPad on this list was subjected to a full TechRadar review, and therefore our entire testing process. The core part of this process involves using the tablet as our own for one week or more. We sign into our personal accounts, and begin using the iPad for social media, entertainment, photography and other normal tasks.
This is so we can emulate how you'll use the device if you buy it. It helps us understand all the quirks of an iPad that you don't notice if you just leave the device in a lab and test it. Of course, we do some lab tests, too, for some direct comparison.
So, we'll game and we'll do benchmark tests to work out how powerful an iPad is; we'll time an iPad when it's charging but also just work out how powering fits into our routine; we'll test how long an iPad takes to run down, but also just handle it day-to-day for a long period of time.
In our iPad reviews, the main areas of focus are design, display, cameras, performance, software and battery life, though of course price is also important for our final judgement.
Ready to buy an iPad?
You're at the end of our best iPad guide, but that doesn't mean we can't help you further. If you've decided on a model and are ready to commit to buying it, head over to our dedicated iPad deals page for the latest and greatest iPad offers.
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