Knowing what the best iPad for you isn't a simple matter of buying the latest model. Apple has four different iPad lines and each is aimed at different budgets and needs.
The simply-named iPad is the entry-level option. It's the low-cost minimum-feature tablet and it's ideal for families or seniors, still packing in all the core features you could need. Alternatively, there's the iPad Mini which is smaller so it's great for extra portability.
Another option is the iPad Air which is Apple's mid-range tablet. It offers a bigger screen and more processing power, while keeping things at a middle-range price. It's a great choice for students or other workers on the move.
Finally, there's the expensive top-end iPad Pro family. These tablets offer high-end performance on a par with MacBooks, along with high-end screens, and plenty of storage space. These are aimed at creatives or business professionals that need a laptop level of power in tablet form.
To help you figure out what's best for you, we've offered some insight into each model, including pros, cons, a quick overview, and a link to a full review. The list may look similar to our ranking of the best tablets overall, while the best Android tablets is the best place to look if you don't want an iPad.
Remember - Apple devices play well together so the best iPhones are a great thing to have alongside an iPad. Also, whichever iPad you plan on buying, iPadOS 16 is on its way and it's sure to enhance your experience.
Best iPads 2022: which iPad should you buy?
We've picked the iPad Pro 12.9 (2021) as our favorite iPad because it ticks all the boxes you need for a professional tablet.
The slate has a giant 2048 x 2732 Mini LED screen, an incredibly powerful Apple M1 chipset (also found in MacBooks and iMacs), compatibility with Apple's various keyboard folios and the Apple Pencil, and also up to 2TB storage.
What does this mean? Well, it's a versatile and powerful little machine that we found handles video editing, loads of writing, drawing and animation and gaming with aplomb.
You won't find a more powerful tablet (well, apart from other iPads) - it handled everything we threw at it.
So why might you consider something else? Well, it's incredibly expensive - especially if you're considering 5G connectivity, or storage that goes anywhere near the max of 2TB.
Plus, while it's great for professionals and creatives, not everyone will need the extras it provides - if that's you, the other iPads on this list are better for you.
Read the full iPad Pro 12.9 (2021) review
We'd recommend this iPad Air to people who were interested in the iPad Pro, but perhaps don't need all its bells and whistles.
The tablet has the same Apple M1 chipset, so it's just as powerful - plus, it has a similar design, battery life and accessory compatibility.
Its two key differences are that it doesn't have as much storage space and its screen is smaller (and technically uses different technology, though we're not sure most people will notice). When we tested the devices we didn't mind these differences most of the time, and unless you're a power-user, you might find the Air a better device.
That's especially the case for students. Since the thing feels the same as the iPad Pro, but costs less, people on a budget might find it perfect. Although there are lots of devices lower on this list that are even cheaper.
Read the full iPad Air (2022) review
The iPad 10.2 (2021) is Apple’s entry-level tablet for 2021, and arguably also the best value iPad of the year.
Sure, it’s not a huge upgrade on the previous model, but the new 12MP ultra-wide selfie camera makes it much better 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 and audio as the iPad Air, or as useful for high-performance tasks as the Pro, but it's also a lot cheaper.
And that's all relative too - compared to lots of non-iPad alternatives you might be considering, we found 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 the full iPad 10.2 (2021) review
The iPad Pro 11 we've listed here is basically the exact same tablet as the 12.9-inch model listed right at the top of this guide.
The key difference is the screen size - the iPad Pro 11 has an 11-inch screen, while the iPad Pro 12.9 has a... well, you can probably guess. There are a few knock-on effects from this - mainly, that the battery for this tablet is a little smaller, though that doesn't matter since the screen is drawing less charge.
One other downgrade is that it doesn't get a Mini LED screen, sticking with LCD instead - that's why it's here, lower in our list.
In terms of chipset, charging speed and accessory compatibility, though, this is basically the same device, and it'll be great for people who need a powerful slate yet don't want to carry around a massive model.
And, most importantly, it feels exactly the same to use - so creatives and business users won't be disappointed here. It's a little cheaper than the 12.9 too.
Read the full iPad Pro 11 (2021) review
This iPad Air is the predecessor from the one listed higher in this ranking, and it came out two years prior. It's not a massive downgrade though - the two key differences are that it's not got 5G options, and it has a slightly weaker chipset.
For the vast majority of people, those 'downgrades' aren't really considerations, and using that two-year-old tablet now, you'd be forgiven for not knowing it's old. It still runs just fine and supports all the apps you need.
That makes you've got the same chic design, the same good-looking screen and the same decent battery life.
In addition, two years of sales and price cuts makes the iPad Air (2020) a really tempting option for people who need a more affordable mid-range tablet.
Something 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 the full iPad Air 4 (2020) review
The iPad mini (2021) is arguably a more niche offering than Apple's other tablets, and that's why you're finding the first mention of this range so far down on the list.
On paper, the iPad mini is a smaller, lightweight alternative to the other slates, so if you want a device you can easily slip into your bag (or a big pocket), it's useful for you.
We found it powerful, and really liked its modern design and easy portability.
However at a higher price than the entry-level tablet, and underwhelming us in several departments like the battery life and accessory compatibility, this isn't the slate you should consider first when you're 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 the full iPad mini (2021) review
