Learn how to choose the most effective Apple pill for you

Display screen dimension: 11 inches or 13 inches | Show decision: 2360 x 1640 (11-inch), 2732 x 2048 (13-inch) | Storage: As much as 1TB | RAM: 8GB | Weight: 1.01 kilos (11-inch), 1.36 kilos (13-inch) | Battery life: As much as 10 hours | Entrance digital camera: 12MP | Rear digital camera: 12MP

Learn our full Apple iPad Air M3 evaluate

The just lately refreshed iPad Air stays the Apple pill we’d suggest to most individuals. Sure, it prices greater than the entry-level iPad, and sure, there’s nonetheless a gulf between it and the higher-end iPad Professional. However no iPad strikes a greater steadiness between worth, efficiency and options. It’s Apple’s “good” pill — superior sufficient to be a pleasure each day however not eye-wateringly costly.

The most recent iPad Air, launched in March 2025, earned a rating of 89 in our evaluate. It begins at $599 for an 11-inch mannequin or $799 for a variant with a 13-inch show. Exterior of a better brightness ranking on the 13-inch mannequin (600 nits versus 500 nits), the 2 are just about similar, so which one is finest merely depends upon what display screen dimension you like. Most will in all probability spring for the 11-inch model provided that it’s cheaper and far simpler to carry. However the added display screen actual property on the 13-inch model is nice when you sometimes use your iPad with a keyboard case, or simply need extra room for watching motion pictures, taking part in video games or multitasking for work.

Each fashions are a lot pricier than the bottom iPad, however the Air’s upgrades principally justify the premium. It now runs on Apple’s M3 system-on-a-chip (SoC), which is identical silicon present in last-gen MacBooks and iMacs. It’s overkill for net shopping, video streaming and different fundamental duties, however it means efficiency ought to hardly ever, if ever, be a difficulty.

It also needs to make the Air somewhat extra futureproof, as quite a lot of iPadOS options are solely accessible with M-series chips or newer A-series silicon. The entire Apple Intelligence AI instruments, as an example, aren’t accessible on the most recent entry-level iPad, nor are the ports of demanding video video games like Dying Stranding and Resident Evil 4. The Stage Supervisor multitasking mode can be restricted to extra highly effective iPads at this time — although that is altering with the upcoming iPadOS 26 replace, which is able to deliver a extra strong windowing system normally. (The bottom iPad nonetheless will not have full exterior show assist, nevertheless, and it could not run Stage Supervisor as effectively on the entire.) The M3 Air additionally has a wholesome 8GB of RAM and 128GB of base storage; the usual iPad additionally begins with 128GB now however nonetheless has a bit much less reminiscence at 6GB.

The iPad Air’s 60Hz LCD show isn’t as vibrant or clean in movement because the 120Hz OLED panel on the newest iPad Professional, and it’s beginning to present its age in 2025 when some smartphones supply a better refresh fee for lots of of {dollars} much less. Nonetheless, it’s vivid, sharp and comparatively correct. It’s additionally a step up from the entry-level iPad, because it’s totally laminated, which implies there’s no seen hole between the show and the entrance glass. That won’t sound like a lot, however it’s a kind of issues that’s exhausting to disregard when you’ve seen the distinction. The Air’s panel additionally has an antireflective coating to additional decrease glare, plus it helps a wider P3 coloration gamut.

The iPad Air has had just about the identical square-edged design for 4 generations now, however it stays sturdy, elegant and fairly comfy. It nonetheless affords a stable 10-ish hours of battery life, a USB-C port and a Contact ID fingerprint scanner constructed into its energy button (however no Face ID, annoyingly). Apple moved the front-facing digital camera to the pill’s lengthy edge with the previous-gen mannequin, and that is still a way more pure place for FaceTime calls in panorama mode.

Not like the entry-level iPad, the Air works with the Pencil Professional, Apple’s most featured stylus. (Although it’s not appropriate with the older second-gen Pencil — sure, the stylus state of affairs is messy.) It doesn’t work with the corporate’s finest aluminum keyboard case, however it helps a new Magic Keyboard with a few of that mannequin’s upgrades, together with a extra spacious trackpad and a devoted perform row. This model remains to be principally made from plastic, and its lack of backlit keys is difficult to excuse when the older Magic Keyboard — which is fortunately nonetheless accessible — didn’t have that concern, however it stays extremely comfy for typing. All of those equipment add a great bit to the Air’s backside line, however for digital artists or frequent typers, they’re there.

The M3 iPad Air is an easy spec bump, so there’s no actual have to improve when you’re coming from the M2 or M1 fashions. In truth, when you can nonetheless discover a refurbished model of the M2 Air at a cheaper price, that’ll be a greater worth on the entire. But when your iPad is slowing down, you’re shopping for your first Apple pill otherwise you need a 13-inch iPad with out completely torching your financial savings account, the Air needs to be the primary mannequin you think about.

Display screen dimension: 11 inches | Show decision: 2360 x 1640 | Storage: As much as 512GB | RAM: 6GB | Weight: 1.05 kilos | Battery life: As much as 10 hours | Entrance digital camera: 12MP | Rear digital camera: 12MP

Learn our full Apple iPad (A16) evaluate

The entry-level iPad (A16) isn’t as good because the iPad Air, however the two share the identical design language, and the cheaper mannequin remains to be completely competent on the core iPad Issues. For $349, that makes it a compelling cut price for individuals who need a trendy iPad for as little money as potential.

The bottom iPad appears just about similar to the iPad Air from afar. It’s solely marginally thicker and heavier, whereas its 11-inch panel is simply as sharp and vivid. Battery life is available in on the similar 10-ish hours, and there’s nonetheless a USB-C port and Contact ID sensor. The cameras are almost the identical, too, with the selfie cam situated alongside its lengthy edge. Most significantly, it will get you almost all the identical conveniences of iPadOS for $250 much less.

This mannequin runs on a barely cut-down model of the A16 Bionic chip present in 2022’s iPhone 14 Professional and 2023’s iPhone 15, plus 6GB of RAM. This combo gained’t maintain up in addition to higher-end iPads years down the highway, and it could actually’t run Apple Intelligence or prolong to an exterior show through Stage Supervisor. Plus, the M3 Air is already noticeably sooner for exporting 4K movies or taking part in probably the most taxing iPad video games. 

However the A16 is greater than fast sufficient for the duties most individuals truly do with an iPad, be it watching Netflix, sending emails, taking part in informal Apple Arcade video games and even enhancing pictures in Lightroom. If something, many individuals will desire to not have their pill push AI on them. And with the iPadOS 26 replace later this yr, this iPad may have entry to most of the similar Mac-style productiveness and multitasking options as its pricier siblings. Past that, it begins with the identical wholesome 128GB of storage because the Air.

The iPad (A16) does have a worse show than the Air, with no lamination, no assist for the broader P3 coloration area and no antireflective coating. Put the 2 facet by facet and the Air certainly produces barely bolder colours and holds up higher towards glare. The dearth of lamination makes writing with the Apple Pencil really feel extra abstracted on the cheaper mannequin, too.

For the worth, although, this display screen remains to be sharp, comfortably sized and devoid of main coloration accuracy points. The hole right here isn’t almost as dramatic because the one between the Air’s and iPad Professional’s shows. Likewise, whereas the Air’s twin audio system sound fuller and extra rounded, the bottom iPad will get loud and clear sufficient to keep away from severe issues.

There are different downgrades. The iPad (A16) is not appropriate with the Apple Pencil Professional, simply the lesser USB-C Pencil — which lacks strain sensitivity — and historic first-gen mannequin. It doesn’t work with the identical Magic Keyboards; as an alternative, it makes use of its personal Floor-like accent referred to as the Magic Keyboard Folio, which has a perform row however isn’t as secure in your lap. It helps Wi-Fi 6 however not Wi-Fi 6E. The USB-C port is technically slower for knowledge transfers, too, maxing out at 480 Mbps as an alternative of 10 Gbps.

Like we stated with our prime advice, a refurbished M2 iPad Air is value contemplating over the iPad (A16) if yow will discover one at a great worth. It’s been discontinued, so we are able to’t make it a proper choose, however it stays a greater piece of {hardware}. But when that’s not an possibility, the bottom iPad is a powerful cut price. It’s worse than the iPad Air, however it’s not $250 worse for these on a tighter finances, people upgrading from the Ninth-gen iPad or anybody who simply doesn’t push their iPad to the restrict more often than not.

Display screen dimension: 8.3 inches | Show decision: 2266 x 1488 | Storage: As much as 512GB | RAM: 8GB | Weight: 0.65 kilos | Battery life: As much as 10 hours | Entrance digital camera: 12MP | Rear digital camera: 12MP

Learn our full iPad mini 7 evaluate

The iPad mini is precisely what it feels like: the small iPad. Apple up to date it in late 2024 with a brand new chip and assist for the Apple Pencil Professional, and it is nonetheless the shortest and lightest iPad within the present lineup by a long way. As earlier than, it has an 8.3-inch Liquid Retina show that’s simpler to make use of with one hand.

We gave the iPad mini a evaluate rating of 83. Its design follows intently after that of the iPad Air: squared-off edges, skinny bezels, no Dwelling button, a Contact ID sensor within the energy button, stereo audio system, first rate cameras and a USB-C port. Its show is technically sharper, however in any other case offers you an identical max brightness, lamination, antireflective coating and huge coloration gamut. It doesn’t have a “Good Connector” to hook up Apple-made keyboards, however it does work with the top-end Apple Pencil Professional and the inexpensive USB-C Apple Pencil. The Pencil Professional is a step up over the older second-generation Apple Pencil the prior mini used, with haptic suggestions, a gyroscope and a “squeeze” characteristic for opening up a brush palette.

The mini runs on Apple’s A17 Professional chip, the identical because the one in 2023’s iPhone 15 Professional sequence. Whereas this chip isn’t fairly as highly effective because the M3 within the iPad Air, it’s greater than succesful sufficient to deal with what most individuals will need to do with this iPad. Notably, it’s additionally highly effective sufficient for Apple Intelligence. That may not be one thing that compels individuals to improve proper now (or perhaps ever), however the level is that the brand new mini is extra futureproof than its predecessor.

The mini begins at $499 for a 128GB mannequin. Apple lastly noticed match to double the bottom storage, which makes the most affordable mannequin simpler to suggest than earlier than. When you particularly need a smaller pill — whether or not it’s to simply stuff in a bag, use with one hand or deal with like a high-end e-reader — that is the one one Apple sells, and the most suitable choice in its dimension vary. 

Display screen dimension: 11 inches or 13 inches | Show decision: 2420 x 1668 (11-inch), 2752 x 2064 (13-inch) | Storage: As much as 2TB | RAM: As much as 16GB | Weight: 0.98 kilos (11-inch), 1.28 kilos (13-inch) | Battery life: As much as 10 hours | Entrance digital camera: 12MP | Rear digital camera: 12MP

Learn our full Apple iPad Professional (M4) evaluate

The newest iPad Professional is the most costly iPad and extra pill than most individuals want, full cease. However you probably have money to burn, are decided to make use of an iPad as your foremost cell pc or simply need probably the most technically spectacular iPad potential, that is it.

We gave the brand new iPad Professional a rating of 84 in our evaluate. Just like the iPad Air, it is available in 11- and 13-inch fashions: The previous begins at $999, whereas the latter begins at $1,299. That’s prohibitively costly for most individuals, however for the cash you get quite a lot of premium, if inessential, upgrades over Apple’s different tablets.

Probably the most important of those is the Execs’ “tandem OLED” show. In comparison with the LCD display screen on the iPad Air, this produces richer colours and deeper, extra uniform black tones. Gaming and scrolling net pages look extra fluid due to its sooner 120Hz refresh fee. It could possibly additionally get considerably brighter, reaching as much as 1,000 nits in SDR and as much as 1,600 nits with HDR highlights.

That is the place the “tandem” half is available in. Basically, Apple is stacking two OLED panels on prime of each other to enhance peak brightness, which is commonly a (relative) weak point of conventional OLED shows. It’s a breakthrough, however all you actually need to know is that this display screen is an absolute delight — among the best we’ve seen on any shopper system, not to mention a pill. For watching motion pictures or enhancing media, you actually can’t do higher. This similar show tech is used on each the 11- and 13-inch iPad Professional, not like earlier fashions, so which one is finest merely comes down to non-public choice.

The design right here is broadly just like that of the iPad Air, however barely thinner and lighter. The distinction isn’t enormous on paper, however the Execs’ slimmed-down frames make them simply that little bit simpler to carry. That is significantly significant with the 13-inch mannequin.

The opposite headline improve is Apple’s M4 SoC. If the M3 is overkill for the overwhelming majority of informal and pro-level iPad duties, then the M4 is mega-kill; it simply chewed via absolutely anything we threw at it. But it surely needs to be much more futureproof, and it will save a couple of seconds right here and there in case your work entails high-res media enhancing, heavy use of machine studying and the like.

Past that, the bottom iPad Professional has 256GB of storage, which is twice as a lot as another iPad. Just like the M3 Air, it additionally helps superior options like hardware-accelerated ray tracing on its GPU, which might support lighting in video games, plus a sooner neural engine, which might help with the AI options Apple has been rolling out.

When you actually need to max issues out, observe that the 1TB and 2TB configurations have twice as a lot RAM (16GB) and use a technically extra highly effective model of the M4 with an additional efficiency core unlocked. Leaping to a kind of SKUs prices a minimal of $1,599, although — and that’s earlier than you add equipment. These trying to make use of the iPad Professional as a (very costly) media consumption system don’t want this, however when you work with memory-hungry apps or want the best possible, simply observe it’ll value you.

The iPad Professional is the one iPad with Face ID, which stays a bit extra handy than reaching for a fingerprint scanner. It’s the one one with a Thunderbolt USB-C port, which is technically sooner for transferring massive recordsdata. It sounds extra strong than the Air, with 4 built-in audio system as an alternative of two. Its digital camera system is not that totally different, however it features a flash for extra simply scanning paperwork, and it could actually file video in Apple’s ProRes format. Its entrance digital camera is on the lengthy edge, too. As for equipment, the Professional alone can use Apple’s finest Magic Keyboard, which itself is wildly costly however has a extra premium aluminum end, backlit keys and haptic suggestions alongside a bigger trackpad and a row of perform keys. It additionally helps the Pencil Professional stylus (however not the second-gen Pencil).

If most of those options sound area of interest to you, effectively, yeah, that’s the concept. Until you are prepared to pay for that terrific OLED display screen, the iPad Air will get shut sufficient for a way more palatable worth. And although the iPad Professional is a class-leading pill, it’s in the end nonetheless an iPad. Sure inventive professionals have used it simply effective as a laptop computer alternative, however to this point, iPadOS has made multitasking and different computer-y duties extra convoluted than they’re on a Mac. The iPadOS 26 replace seems to go a great distance in direction of rectifying energy customers’ longstanding complaints, however most of the options coming there may even be accessible on the cheaper fashions. Regardless, the Professional is a superb iPad — quick, slim and opulent. And costly.