Greatest iPad for college kids 2025

The 11-inch iPad Air (M3), with its 11-inch show, fashionable design, low weight (462g), nice cameras, massively highly effective processor, and loads of colours to select from, is a superb alternative for college kids.

Sadly, it’s a bit on the expensive facet for a pill, with the present costs beginning at $599/£599 ($549/£549 for college kids). Nonetheless, it’s cheaper than a laptop computer and it’s the right mixture of energy, storage and options, for a worth that isn’t unreasonable. This is the reason we are able to heartily suggest for these beginning out on their research.  

The most important function of the mannequin launched in 2025 is the inclusion of the M3 processor. This is similar chip that has powered a number of Macs. In an iPad Air, it makes the system fly. 

The digicam is a 12MP Extensive lens (additionally like on the iPad Professional), which might report video as much as 4K/60fps, and as with different iPads on this checklist, the front-facing digicam is a 12MP Extremely-Extensive that permits for Middle Stage and is sensibly positioned on the longer facet of the chassis to permit panorama views for FaceTime calls.

Whereas the 2025 iPad Air is lacking a few of the flagship options of the iPad Professional, such because the 120Hz ProMotion display screen, TrueDepth digicam, 4 audio system, and the highly effective M4 chip, it provides greater than sufficient for the common person.

If you wish to flip your iPad right into a laptop computer you possibly can crew it with a Magic Keyboard ($299/£299), or one of many different iPad keyboards we’ve checked out.

In the event you favor a bigger show, there may be additionally the 13-inch iPad Air (M2) that comes with all the identical specs and options. It begins at $799/£799 (or $749/£749 for college kids).

We extremely suggest the 11-inch iPad Air (M2) for college kids who want premium efficiency and the very best iPad you should purchase with out the Professional title.

Learn iPad Air vs iPad Professional to learn the way the iPad Air compares to the iPad Professional.

How a lot can college students save on the iPad Air?

MSRP: $599 / £599 / AU$999 / CA$799
Scholar: $549 / £549 / AU$919 / CA$729

College students save: $50 / £50 / AU$80 / CA$70

Get the finest deal on a brand new iPad Air.

If a very powerful issue to you is portability there’s one iPad specifically that you just may wish to think about.

The iPad mini, up to date in October 2024 with the Apple Intelligence-capable A17 Professional, is the smallest and lightest iPad you should purchase, weighing in at 293g. In fact, the low weight is a results of the iPad itself being smaller, because of the 8.3-inch show (which is larger than it was since Apple removed the Dwelling button and relocated Contact ID to the ability button on the highest edge a couple of generations in the past). The result’s a compact however highly effective system that doesn’t really feel too small. We predict this display screen measurement is ideal for studying books or taking notes (particularly with an Apple Pencil), so it might be splendid if that’s how you plan to make use of your iPad.

And don’t let the diminutive kind idiot you: the A17 Professional chip is similar as that discovered within the iPhone 15 Professional, so there’s no scarcity of energy on faucet. Connectivity is top-notch too, with assist for Wi-Fi 6E and 5G networks accessible, relying on the mannequin you select. 

The front-facing digicam is an Extremely-Extensive lens, so it might probably observe you and hold you within the heart of the body on video calls because of Middle Stage, whereas the 12MP Extensive digicam on the again can seize nice images and movies that might be utilized in shows or for media-based assignments. 

There are three storage choices accessible (128GB, 256GB and 512GB). We’re glad Apple has stopped promoting the 64GB mannequin as we didn’t suppose that was sufficient storage. 128GB must be sufficient so that you can retailer your apps, music, motion pictures, images, and movies, and if you happen to want extra space we suggest iCloud’s numerous storage choices. 

One drawback is that the mini solely works with Bluetooth keyboards, moderately than Apple’s vary of iPad-specific keyboard, however whether or not that’s a major drawback is debatable–at this measurement, a inbuilt keyboard could be too small to kind on comfortably.

Costs begin at $499/£499 ($449 for college kids) for the 128GB mannequin (which is what the 64GB mannequin used to value). The 256GB possibility elevating the associated fee to $599/£599 (down from $649/£649 beforehand), and the 512GB mannequin costing $799/£799. In Australia the worth of the iPad mini dropped with the arrival of the brand new mannequin from $829 to $799.

How a lot can college students save on the iPad mini?

MSRP: $499 / £499 / AU$799 / CA$679
College students: $449 / £449 / AU$719 / CA $609

College students save: $50 / £50 / AU$80 / CA$70

Get the finest deal on a brand new iPad mini.

The iPad (A16) mannequin that arrived in March 2025 is the most cost effective iPad accessible from Apple.

It options the identical design strategy because the iPad mini and iPad Air, with Contact ID sensor built-in within the energy button on the highest edge. This makes room for a bigger show that’s nearly equivalent in measurement to the 11-inch iPad Air.

Nevertheless, by way of the display screen expertise the 2 iPads aren’t equal. The iPad Air sports activities a totally laminated show, whereas the iPad’s show has a slight air hole between the glass and the digitizer beneath. You most likely gained’t discover it in any respect, however if you happen to intend to make use of the Apple Pencil for notes (1st-gen 1 and USB-C Apple Pencils are supported) then chances are you’ll expertise slight delays within the monitoring.

Just like the iPad Professional and iPad Air there’s a front-facing digicam positioned on the longer finish of the panel, which means it provides a real panorama view that’s centrally positioned. That is a lot better suited to FaceTime and different video calling apps. The panorama 12MP Extremely Extensive digicam has a f/2.4 aperture that delivers a 122-degree view; it’s additionally suitable with the Middle Stage function that retains you within the heart of the body even if you happen to transfer about whereas on video calls.

Apple bestows this iPad with a 12MP f/1.8 rear digicam so you may get some nice pictures and shoot video 4K video at 60fps. In case your course requires any sort of video content material, then both the entrance or again optics of the iPad A16 ought to show greater than adequate. Plus you possibly can name residence and look good doing so.

An A16 Bionic processor is on the coronary heart of this iPad, which is similar chip that powered the iPhone 14 Professional and iPhone 15. So there’s greater than sufficient energy for phrase processing, note-taking, coding, and most different training apps, to not point out gaming and leisure duties. There’s a USB-C on the base, so you should utilize numerous peripherals and even energy an exterior show if you’d like the iPad to grow to be extra like a fully-fledged laptop.

Nevertheless, the A16 is just not highly effective sufficient for Apple Intelligence, Apple’s AI options which can be accessible on the opposite iPads on sale proper now. Whether or not that issues relies on your wants, however the enhancing help that is likely one of the Apple Intelligence options could also be helpful for a scholar. (This might be precisely why Apple hasn’t included it on the iPad that’s the alternative of many colleges and training establishments). Examine what’s in Apple Intelligence.

The most effective information in regards to the 2025 replace is that Apple has stopped transport a 64GB model. Even higher, the 128GB iPad is similar worth that Apple used to promote the 64GB iPad for. If 128GB isn’t sufficient area for all of your film downloads, music, video games, images and movies, you may get 256GB or 512GB, or there’s the choice of increasing your iCloud storage so that you could hold stuff secure within the cloud as a substitute.

There are 4 colours to select from (Blue, Yellow, Silver, and Pink) so you need to be capable to discover one which fits your character, and for further performance, you can spend money on the brand new two-piece Magic Keyboard Folio, though the $249/£249 price ticket does appear very excessive. In fact, a normal Bluetooth keyboard will get you an identical outcomes for lots much less cash.

The brand new iPad helps the first-generation Apple Pencil, however because the charging port is now USB-C you’ll want an adaptor from Apple if you happen to’ve already purchased the Pencil. In any other case, the dongle is now included within the field whenever you purchase a brand new Apple Pencil (1st gen). In fact, there’s additionally the suitable Apple Pencil (USB-C) which will get across the dongle insanity however lacks the presure sensitivity that artists will crave. See: Apple Pencils in contrast: Which Apple Pencil works along with your iPad?

As you possibly can see, there are a couple of caveats, however with its fashionable design, stable processor, and bigger show, the iPad (A16) is a superb all-rounder that might show a smart funding for these heading off to pursue their research.

How a lot can college students save on the iPad (A16)?

MSRP: $349 / £329 / AU$599 / CA$499
College students; $329 / £309 / AU$559 / CA$469

College students save: $20 / £20 / AU$40 / CA$30

The Professional iPads are the head of Apple’s pill vary, and as such they really feel like the ability and worth are most likely overkill in your common scholar. That being mentioned, if you’d like the very best, then that is the place you’ll discover it.

The 11-inch iPad Professional (M4), was launched in Could 2024, boasting extremely mild and skinny building, however with a silly quantity of energy inside. In an unprecedented step, Apple launched the brand new M4 processor within the iPad earlier than the Mac, making the 11-inch iPad Professional and 13-inch iPad Professional essentially the most up-to-date units within the Apple catalog.

The query actually, is do you want all that grunt? In the event you’re after an iPad for taking notes, writing essays, watching Netflix, enjoying some video games and utilizing it for video calls residence, then the iPad Air is a greater stability of energy and worth. However, for these with cash burning a gap of their pockets, and people planning on doing plenty of gaming when they need to be finding out, the 11-inch iPad Professional comes with a brand new Extremely Retina XDR OLED show that has two layers (Apple calls this Tandem OLED) to provide the brightest panel they’re ever made, kicking out as much as 1600 nits. It’s additionally ProMotion, with an ultra-smooth 120Hz refresh fee.

Cameras are 12Mp sensors, with the rear unit a Extensive lens that may report video as much as 4K/60fps, plus ProRes capabilities which might be of curiosity to video content material creators. The front-facing lens additionally has the TrueDepth array, permitting Face ID, which stays a Professional-only options on iPads. You get Centre Stage for video calls, and the position of the digicam on the longer edge means you get panorama view.

The 2 measurement variants supply the identical capabilities, with 256GB of storage the baseline, and costs beginning at $999/£999 ($899 for college kids) for the 11-inch mannequin and $1,299/£1,299 for the 13-inch variant.

As we’ve mentioned, the iPad Execs are most likely an excessive amount of in your typical scholar, however that doesn’t imply they aren’t glorious merchandise for many who can afford them and reap the benefits of all the ability on supply.

How a lot can college students save on the 11-inch iPad Professional?

MSRP: $999 / £999 / AU$1,699 / CA$1,399
College students: $899 / £899 / AU$1,529 / CA$1,249

College students save: $100 / £100 / AU$170 / CA$150

Get the finest deal on a brand new iPad Professional.