Finest iPad 2025: Discover out which iPad to purchase in our Apple iPad comparability

Which iPad must you purchase? There are loads of selections and it may be complicated. There are 4 totally different sorts of iPad, listed under, and every is out there with or with out 5G mobile, which prices additional and requires an information plan. That’s earlier than we get into storage capability, colours, and second-hand alternate options.

Our in-depth shopping for information assesses the entire vary of iPads offered by Apple and explores all of the elements that ought to affect your iPad shopping for resolution corresponding to worth for cash, how a lot storage you want, which measurement will likely be finest for you, and whether or not or to not purchase a mobile model. We additionally reveal whether or not an up to date model of every machine is prone to be launched quickly–answering the query of whether or not now is an efficient time to purchase an iPad.

Finest iPad to purchase in 2025

The iPad that’s finest for you’ll rely on what you want from an iPad. In the event you simply need an iPad for studying books, watching motion pictures and TV reveals, electronic mail, and internet looking – or for teenagers who will simply be watching Bluey – then you definately don’t want all of the bells and whistles. An iPad or iPad mini could be finest right here.

If you’re searching for an iPad that can do every part {that a} laptop computer can, then you definately would possibly wish to contemplate a mannequin that’s extra highly effective and helps extra elements, corresponding to certainly one of Apple’s iPad keyboards or the Apple Pencil, the iPad Air would possibly go well with you.

And if you may be utilizing your iPad for gaming, video modifying, photograph modifying, or something high-powered and graphic intensive, then it is best to in all probability have a look at an iPad Professional.

Nevertheless, it isn’t so simple as that, as you will note in case you learn on. Under we’ll run via each iPad you should purchase proper now, so you will discover the one which’s finest on your wants. For every iPad we document the important info, its professionals and cons, which purchaser ought to decide it, and whether or not now is an efficient time to purchase.

Apple iPad Air 11-inch (M3, 2025): Finest iPad for enterprise customers

Value When Reviewed:

$599

Finest Costs Right now:

$449

$542.17

$559

$599

$599

$599.99

Since March 2025 the 11-inch iPad Air has an M3 processor that’s highly effective and energy-efficient (it’s possible you’ll bear in mind it from its extensively praised efficiency within the Mac). The M3 pushes the iPad Air far forward of the iPad mini and normal iPads with their A-series chips. The M3 additionally makes the Air an interesting different to the costlier iPad Professional fashions, with their quicker M4 processors.

Like all latest iPads, the Air options an all-screen design with no House button. As with the usual iPad and the iPad mini, biometric safety is dealt with by a fingerprint sensor within the energy button fairly than Face ID, which is reserved for the Professionals. It has very good cameras (the front-facing 12MP digital camera and Heart Stage), helps a variety of Professional equipment, and now options 5G.

Professionals: Stunning design. Very good processing and graphics energy. Cheaper than the iPad Professional.

Cons: Display screen doesn’t characteristic ProMotion.

Who’s the iPad Air finest for: Pill avid gamers and anybody who desires to have the ability to run essentially the most demanding apps now and sooner or later. Professional customers (enterprise, inventive, design) who can’t afford an iPad Professional.

Is now a very good time to purchase? Completely. It was up to date in March of 2025 and will likely be round for some time. However would the iPad Professional be higher? Learn: iPad Air vs iPad Professional, or look under.

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Apple iPad Air 11-inch (M3, 2025) assessment

Apple iPad mini (A17 Professional, 2024): Finest iPad for teenagers and vacationers

Value When Reviewed:

$499 (128GB; Wi-Fi solely) | $599 (256GB; Wi-Fi solely) | $799 (512GB; Wi-Fi solely)

Finest Costs Right now:

$399

$469.36

$489

$489

$489

$499

$499

$499.99

$719.99

This technology of iPad mini launched in October 2024 and is out there in 4 colours: Blue, Purple, Area Grey, and Starlight.

The most important draw of the iPad mini might be its diminutive stature; with its 8.3-inch show it’s Apple’s smallest iPad. It’s good for carrying round in a bag or handing to youngsters once they want leisure.

It could be small, however it’s truly extra highly effective than the usual iPad because of its A17 Professional processor, which is just a few generations newer than the A14 within the tenth gen iPad and helps Apple Intelligence. You additionally get a Liquid Retina display screen, and 12MP/12MP rear/entrance cameras.

Professionals: Very moveable and respectably highly effective. The most cost effective model now has a good quantity of storage (128GB, beforehand solely 64GB). Helps Apple Pencil (USB-C) or Apple Pencil Professional.

Cons: Small display screen, which might not be nice for many who get eyestrain or who like immersive movies and video games.

Who’s the iPad mini finest for: The portability-conscious. Players on the go. Pill photographers. Book readers. Children.

Is now a very good time to purchase? The iPad mini (A17 Professional) was launched in October 2024 and an replace isn’t anticipated till mid to late 2026. You’ll probably discover it for just a little bit decrease than Apple’s MSRP at third-party retailers.

Learn our full

Apple iPad mini (A17 Professional) assessment

Apple iPad (A16, 2025): Finest for finances acutely aware

Value When Reviewed:

$349

Finest Costs Right now:

$279

$299

$299.99

$349

$349

$349

The 2025 iPad (A16) is the most cost effective iPad at simply $349/£329. It gives loads of options for the value and it’s obtainable in an assortment of enjoyable colours. It has a 11-inch display screen, a USB-C connector, and helps the Apple Pencil 1 or the Apple Pencil (USB). It’s additionally able to 5G.

Professionals: Good worth particularly now it begins with 128GB storage.

Cons: Apple picked an A16 chip for this iPad regardless of the A16 not supporting Apple Intelligence. That is prone to imply it would lacking out on options. Nonetheless feels low-cost as a result of unlaminated display screen (will Apple ever replace this?). Not as skinny and lightweight because the iPad Air, or the iPad Professional for that matter.

Who’s iPad A16 finest for: Anybody who wants a giant display screen (not an enormous display screen; they’ll need the 13-inch iPad Air (or iPad Professional) however is on a finances, and might cope with out the most recent in processing. It’s a very good possibility for anybody who likes the look of the iPad Air, however not the value.

Is now a very good time to purchase? Apple is unlikely to replace this mannequin till mid to late 2026. In the event you can wait till then we advocate you do although, as a result of the A16 iPad doesn’t help Apple Intelligence options. If you would like the most cost effective iPad it’s a very good deal, however it could be higher to pay just a little extra for the iPad Air in case you can afford to.

Learn our full

Apple iPad (A16) assessment

Apple iPad Air 13-inch (M3, 2025): Finest worth huge display screen iPad

Value When Reviewed:

$799

Finest Costs Right now:

$649

$719.47

$749

$799

$799

$799.99

If you would like a bigger display screen, there’s additionally a 13-inch iPad Air with an M3 processor, making it a viable different to the costlier 13-inch iPad Professional with its M4 chip.

Other than the larger display screen this iPad Air is an identical to the 11-inch iPad Air, with the identical all-screen design, fingerprint sensor within the energy button and front-facing 12MP digital camera with Heart Stage.

Professionals: Massive display screen. Cheaper than the iPad Professional.

Cons: Display screen doesn’t characteristic ProMotion.

Who is 13-inch iPad Air finest for? Anybody who need a larger display screen at a lower cost than the iPad Professional. It’s an ideal measurement for watching movies and TV reveals (and gives quad-speaker audio to match). It’s additionally an ideal possibility if you wish to use your iPad as a laptop computer, simply add an iPad keyboard case.

Is now a very good time to purchase? This iPad Air was launched in March 2025 and will likely be round for some time. If you would like a giant display screen and don’t want, or can’t afford, an iPad Professional it’s an ideal selection.

11-inch iPad Professional (M5, 2025): Finest for energy customers

Value When Reviewed:

$999

Finest Costs Right now:

$923

$934

$999

$999

$999

$999.99

• 256GB, $999 / £999
• 512GB, $1,199 / £1,199
• 1TB, $1,599 / £1,599
• 2TB, $1,999 / £1,999

The present technology of iPad Professional fashions launched in October 2025.

The iPad Professional is available in two sizes and quite a lot of capacities all the best way up to an enormous 2TB. The 2025 Professionals characteristic M5 chips and are extremely highly effective–some would possibly say extra highly effective than it has any proper to be.

The 11-inch iPad Professional contains a show it calls Extremely Retina XDR, which is an implementation of OLED know-how that gives deeper blacks, higher particulars in shadows and low mild, and higher response to movement. Apple makes use of two OLED panels in an implementation it calls Tandem OLED to handle the brightness considerations of a single OLED panel. The Tandem OLED generates 1000 nits of SDR/HDR brightness and 1600 nits of peak HDR brightness. The show on the iPad Professional differs from the opposite iPads as a result of it options ProMotion, which implies it will possibly robotically differ its refresh charge from 10Hz to 120Hz, which ensures exceptionally easy on-screen movement.

With the launch of the M4 technology in 2024, the front-facing digital camera moved to the longer aspect of the iPad Professional for higher use in panorama mode. The M5 and M4 iPad Professional additionally lack the rear 10MP ultra-wide digital camera that was on the 4th technology. Apple should have concluded that individuals don’t use the iPad Professional for images – scanning nonetheless, is offered for: the 12MP primary digital camera makes use of some AI tips for scanning.

Professionals: Slim and lightweight (even slimmer than the iPad Air!); twin cameras; Face ID; fast and power-efficient processor.

Cons: Very costly. Its energy could possibly be overkill for a lot of.

Who is iPad Professional finest for? Inventive sorts who don’t want the completely largest display screen. It’s nice for watching movies and TV reveals (and gives quad-speaker audio to match), however there are different screens within the vary which might be an identical measurement and much more inexpensive.

Is now a very good time to purchase? The 11-inch M5 iPad Professional was launched in October 2025 so it’s unlikely to be up to date once more till 2027.

Learn our full

Apple iPad Professional 11-inch (M5, 2025) assessment

13-inch iPad Professional (M5, 2025): Finest iPad laptop computer alternative

Value When Reviewed:

$1,299

Finest Costs Right now:

$1,240

$1247

$1249

$1249

$1249

£1299

$1299

$1299

$1299.99

The iPad Professional 13-inch, up to date in October 2025, squeezes an enormous display screen into a comparatively small and really skinny chassis. The display screen is fractionally bigger than the iPad Air (2,064 pixels throughout in comparison with 2,048 pixels). It’s additionally fractionally larger, however not heavier, than the 13-inch iPad Air.

In different respects it’s largely the identical because the 11-inch Professional (above): with the identical, super-fast processor (the M5), plenty of RAM, ProMotion display screen, and a consumer expertise that appears greater than able to changing a laptop computer.

The 13-inch iPad Professional, just like the 11-inch model, has an Extremely Retina XDR. That is based mostly on OLED know-how, however Apple makes use of two OLED panels–it calls Tandem OLED and it generates 1000 nits of SDR/HDR brightness and 1600 nits of peak HDR brightness.

That is all totally spectacular. However on the draw back, the 13-inch Professional is much much less moveable than the mid-size iPads (it stays admirably slim, however the sheer display screen space makes it a handful) and ruinously costly, significantly at these higher storage tiers.

Professionals: Massive display screen (13-inch); extraordinarily quick processor with plenty of RAM; panorama digital camera with Face ID; 4 audio system; Extremely Retina show.

Cons: Very slim, however not as moveable because the smaller fashions; very costly; processor velocity will likely be overkill for a lot of potential patrons.

Who is 13-inch iPad Professional finest for? : Inventive sorts most of all, however anybody who wants a giant display screen will likely be – that is the right arrange for anybody desirous to use a iPad as a laptop computer. Players and people who take pleasure in consuming media on the go will like the mixture of a luxurious display screen and a quad-speaker audio system.

Is now a very good time to purchase? The present Professionals got here out in October 2025. Apple isn’t anticipated to replace it till 2027.

iPad Shopping for Information: What to search for when shopping for an iPad

As you’ll be able to see from the above there are loads of iPads offered by Apple–that doesn’t even embody the numerous previous-generation iPads which might be nonetheless on sale at numerous resellers and at Apple’s Refurbished Retailer (U.S) or U.Ok.

When confronted with a lot selection what must you contemplate when deciding which iPad to purchase?

For a lot of the selection will likely be based mostly on worth and worth for cash. Some could also be influenced by the display screen measurement, others by the load. The power to get greater than 512GB storage could also be necessary, as could the inclusion of Face ID or Contact ID. Lastly, the choice of whether or not to get a mobile model, which invitations the evaluation of the minefield of community contracts, will little question be an element for some.

We are going to have a look at every of these elements under.

How iPad specs evaluate

The desk under summarizes the principle options of the iPads in Apple’s present lineup and highlights the value for every. We have now extra details about the person iPads and shopping for recommendation under.

Which iPad is the very best worth for cash?

One individual’s worth for cash is one other individual’s extravagance.

You could be searching for the most cost effective iPad. That will be the A16 iPad, launched in March 2025. At simply $349/£329 worth that’s a discount in Apple’s phrases. It has a ten.9-inch display screen, a 12MP rear-facing digital camera, an A14 Bionic processor, and 5G as an possibility. The primary drawback is that it doesn’t help Apple Intelligence, the bunch of AI options Apple has been shouting loudly about. With subsequent variations of iPadOS prone to lean closely on Apple Intelligence you could possibly get FOMO sooner or later in case you purchase this iPad. However in case you solely want an affordable iPad for the youngsters it’ll in all probability do the job, particularly now that it has an inexpensive quantity of storage (no extra scuffling with 64GB).

An older iPad could be a better option in case you do need a discount – particularly if it’s a mannequin that helps AI (any M-series iPad Air will, for instance). If you’re comfortable to purchase an older iPad mannequin then there are many reductions obtainable whereas they’re nonetheless in inventory. There are additionally some nice financial savings available on refurbished fashions. We advocate you test our finest iPad offers spherical up.

You probably have extra to spend, what are you able to get on your cash? The A17 Professional iPad mini greater than justifies its price ticket of $499/£499 with its quicker (Apple Intelligence-capable) A17 Professional processor, True Tone flash, and a totally laminated, higher high quality, show, amongst different issues. However its greatest draw will in all probability be its measurement for many who need a small iPad. The iPad mini just isn’t a lot larger than a hard-backed ebook making it the right measurement to hold round in a bag and an ideal measurement for teenagers. That’s assuming you need a small iPad, if not, then it gained’t be for you.

Subsequent up is the M3 iPad Air, which begins at $599/£599 for the 11-inch mannequin. It could be value each additional penny if you’d like a quicker M3 processor. The iPad Air show continues to be superior to that of the iPad, totally laminated and with an antireflective coating (just like the iPad mini).

The introduction of an 13-inch iPad Air (in 2024) signifies that you now not have to fork out additional for the iPad Professional if you’d like a bigger show in your iPad.

The M5 iPad Professional, final up to date in October 2025 is the last word on this class. Beginning at $999/£999, the Professional has lots to supply, with an unbelievable show and an M5 chip for starters. However we expect these options are in all probability greater than the common individual wants. Then once more, in case you want these options you’ll be able to’t beat it, except you need a larger display screen, through which case get the 13-inch iPad Professional.

These are the costs that Apple sells its iPads for, however you don’t need to pay that a lot. Check out our repeatedly up to date iPad offers web page for the bottom costs and finest reductions on iPads new and previous.

iPad display screen measurement: Which measurement iPad to decide on

Measurement is a query of style fairly than merely going for the most important iPad you may get your palms on. Larger isn’t essentially higher if what you want is small and lightweight.

The obvious facet of this resolution comes all the way down to display screen measurement. All screens are measured diagonally from nook to nook, or from the place the place the corners can be. You’ve obtained 4 choices:

• 8.3-inch iPad mini
• 10.9-inch iPad
• 11-inch iPad Air and iPad Professional
• 13-inch iPad Air and iPad Professional

However how huge a display screen do you really want? You may consider the tablets when it comes to print publications: the mini is roughly the peak and width of a paperback ebook; the mid-size iPads are nearer to a hardback (albeit a lot slimmer); and the 13-inch iPad Professional and iPad Air are like {a magazine} (bear in mind them?)

The display screen on the 13-inch iPad Professional is a tiny bit larger than that on the 13-inch iPad Air, that’s 2,752 x 2,064 pixels vs 2,732 x 2,048 pixels.

The bigger display screen is clearly higher for immersive leisure. Whether or not watching movies or enjoying video games, it’s a extra pleasurable, richer expertise. However actually this can be a query of priorities. Are you extra set on getting most display screen area, or are you prepared to compromise on that entrance so as to get a lower cost tag and improved portability?

• iPad Professional 13-inch (2024): 281.6mm x 215.5mm x 65.1mm; 579g/582g (Wi-Fi/mobile)
• iPad Professional 11-inch (2024): 249.7mm x 177.5mm x 5.3mm; 444g/446g
• iPad Air 13-inch (2025): 280.6mm x 214.9mm x 6.1mm 617g/618g
• iPad Air 11-inch (2025): 247.6mm x 178.5mm x 6.1mm; 462g/462g
• iPad 10.9-inch (2025): 248.6mm x 179.5mm x 7mm; 477g/481g
• iPad mini 8.3-inch (2024): 195.4mm x 134.8mm x 6.3mm; 300.5g/308.2g

Need the lightest iPad? As you’d count on, the iPad mini is lots lighter than the opposite iPads. There’s a giant hole between that machine and even the mid-size iPads. In addition to its markedly decrease weight the mini additionally has a smaller physique, which slips simply right into a rucksack or jacket pocket. In the event you plan to primarily use your iPad out and about, on trip, or commuting, or maybe you’re shopping for an iPad for a kid, the mini is your finest wager.

The iPad, 11-inch iPad Air, and 11-inch Professional are pleasingly moveable, however they nonetheless can’t match the mini for portability. The iPad has an identical size and width to the Air, however is thicker and heavier; the Professionals are slimmer nonetheless.

The 13-inch Professional and Air are significantly much less moveable than their smaller cousins, however we expect Apple has achieved properly to maintain the load down, particularly with the Professional, which is definitely thinner than the iPad Air (go determine): it stays a slender, comparatively light-weight, and moveable different to a laptop computer.

How a lot storage do iPads want?

The 5 iPads supply anyplace from 128GB to 2TB of storage, however in case you are taking a look at an previous, refurbished, or preowned iPad you could possibly be confronted with 64GB and even 32GB storage, which isn’t sufficient. However what storage capability do you really want for an iPad?

Nicely, initially, bear in mind that you may’t improve the storage of an iPad at a later date: that is your restrict from now till you purchase one other iPad, so purpose excessive and purchase as a lot storage as you’ll be able to afford. It’s higher to spend an additional few kilos now than to purchase a whole new iPad in six months.

Storage capability is principally used up by three issues: music, photographs, and movies. If you wish to preserve plenty of movies or TV reveals–or perhaps a few, to be sincere–then you definately want excessive storage: in all probability 256GB or increased for video followers. In the event you’re shopping for an iPad with the youngsters in thoughts, keep in mind that you’ll need cupboard space for a number of episodes of their favourite present on a protracted automotive journey.

The identical applies if in case you have massive photograph or music libraries, though iCloud Photographs and iTunes Match make it attainable to maintain your stuff within the cloud and entry it remotely. The issue with iCloud Photographs is that it’s going to retailer low-res variations of all of your photos, from all of your units, in your iPad. In case your library is big then even these low-res variations of photos can take up loads of area in your iPad. In the event you don’t have loads of storage in your iPad then keep away from utilizing iCloud Photographs.

The opposite factor that can refill your storage is apps, particularly video games which can expend loads of area. For that purpose avid gamers ought to purpose excessive on storage: The iPad, iPad Air and iPad mini begin with 128GB and the Professional has 256GB. We advocate getting what you’ll be able to afford. See: How a lot storage do you want on an iPhone or iPad? for extra recommendation.

Do you have to get essentially the most highly effective iPad?

The iPad Professional fashions are, as you’ll count on, quicker than their smaller and cheaper equivalents, subsequent up is the Air, then the iPad mini and eventually the iPad. You will get an concept of relative velocity by taking a look at just a few related specs:

• iPad Professional 13-inch (2025): M5; 8GB/16GB RAM
• iPad Professional 11-inch (2025): M5; 8GB/16GB RAM
• 13-inch iPad Air (2025): M3; 8GB RAM
• 11-inch iPad Air (2025): M3; 8GB RAM
• iPad mini (2024): A17 Professional; 8GB RAM
• iPad 10.9-inch (2025): A15; 4GB RAM

The M-series chips have gained widespread acclaim within the Mac vary and produce excellent efficiency within the iPads. However that doesn’t imply the A chips are sub-standard or incapable of working fashionable apps; remember the fact that a lot of the software program on the App Retailer was designed with A chips in thoughts, and even now most builders will wish to make their software program accessible for as many iPad house owners as attainable.

There’s a good purpose to decide on the M-series chips over the A-series although. A number of the most spectacular options from iPadOS 26 and iPadOS 18 will solely work with the M-series iPads. These embody options like Stage Supervisor, which is a characteristic for organizing your home windows. There are additionally rumors that in the future Apple could make a cutback model of macOS obtainable on the iPad however this will likely be in all probability be restricted to the M-series chip, if certainly it ever occurs.

However hypothesis apart, how highly effective you want your iPad to be will likely be based mostly in your necessities (and the way lengthy you plan to make use of your iPad for). Probably the most demanding graphic-design, video-editing, and audio apps will see higher efficiency on the M5, M4, M3 and even M2 processor, so in case you’re taking a look at high-level workloads a number of years down the road the M5 and M4 can be a greater possibility.

However for many customers, the A17 Professional will likely be comfortably quick sufficient for the mid- and long-term.

One other necessary issue to contemplate is reminiscence. Apple doesn’t promote the actual fact, however the iPad solely has 4GB. The mini and Air will get a bounce as much as 8GB, whereas the Professionals have both 8GB or a whopping 16GB of RAM, relying in your storage tier: the 1TB and 2TB variations get the upper RAM allocation.

If you wish to run Apple Intelligence, you will need to have an iPad with no less than 8GB of RAM. With the present iPad lineup, Apple Intelligence can run on all iPads count on the iPad. Study extra about Apple Intelligence.

Total, we’d advise those that wish to use extremely demanding apps, corresponding to video and picture editors and graphically superior video games, to decide on an iPad Professional or Air. In the event you’re going to be utilizing your pill for the odd little bit of electronic mail and internet browsing, you’ll discover an iPad or iPad mini completely respectable.

Do you have to get a Mobile iPad?

For most individuals mobile connectivity is a luxurious, even when it’s a pleasant one to have. For an additional $200/£200 or $150/£150 relying on the iPad, you’ll be capable to entry the online and electronic mail, and use related apps, away from a Wi-Fi community. You additionally have to consider the price of an information plan and discover a community supplier.

Take into account rigorously how typically you’re going to do this: with an iPad mini there’s prone to be extra on-the-go use than with a full-size iPad, however it’s nonetheless lots to pay for one thing it’s possible you’ll solely use sometimes. Have you ever obtained a daily (overground) commute the place you’d take pleasure in catching up on information headlines or e-mail? Then it could possibly be value the additional.

We expect the best choice, if you’d like to have the ability to get knowledge in your iPad if you find yourself out and about, is to create a hotspot and share it out of your iPhone. Then you should utilize your iPad as whether it is on the mobile community. Examine how one can create an iPhone hotspot to share your cell internet connection to your iPad.

Simply keep in mind that the mobile possibility additionally brings with it a GPS radio, that means you’ll be capable to enter correct location knowledge when utilizing your machine on the go.

The opposite concern when shopping for a mobile iPad is whether or not to purchase your iPad on a contract. Community suppliers will mean you can pay on your iPad and the info contract over a variety of months – however after that time period is up, and positively not earlier than, it’s possible you’ll not be capable to change to a distinct knowledge supplier. Shopping for on contract may additionally imply that the iPad is locked to the unique contract supplier – which may also be an issue if you wish to promote it sooner or later. Right here’s how one can unlock an iPad from its community, when you’ve fulfilled your contractual obligations.

Do you have to purchase a refurbished iPad?

Apple

We’ll point out this solely briefly as a result of it’s lined intimately right here: Why a refurbished iPad could possibly be the very best pill for you, however one possibility it is best to completely contemplate is Apple’s Refurbished Retailer U.S or U.Ok. It’s a form of midway home between new and second-hand: the units are typically ones which have been returned inside the 28-day interval through which you’re legally allowed to vary your thoughts about a purchase order, or they’ve been returned resulting from a fault that has been rectified, or they have been ex-display or ex-demo models from Apple’s shops or advertising. You may relaxation assured that Apple has checked all of the refurbished iPads that it sells totally, changed any problematic elements, and rated them nearly as good as new (and also you get a full one-year guarantee to show it).

Apple’s not the one place to purchase a refurbished iPad, so beware that every one refurbished iPads usually are not the identical, so do test the small print before you purchase. Search for refurbished fashions which have been totally checked out by Apple-certified engineers, particularly these that include a assure.

Our greatest recommendation is to solely contemplate the present or earlier technology iPads when taking a look at refurbished fashions, then you’re much less prone to be caught out by a sub-par pill.

Shopping for a refurbished iPad from a good firm is unquestionably preferable to purchasing a used iPad from somebody on eBay. It’s too typically the case that secondhand iPads offered that manner find yourself as ineffective bricks as a result of the individual promoting it didn’t correctly log off of their account.

One other manner to economize is to purchase from a reseller who’s promoting discontinued inventory at a reduction. We regularly see resellers considerably dropping the value on older iPad fashions which might be often only one technology outdated—simply beware, they promote out fast!

Do you have to purchase the most recent iPad technology?

Talking of older iPads, even when functioning completely proper now, older fashions will attain the tip of their helpful life prior to the most recent fashions and that could be a good purpose to keep away from shopping for an iPad that’s a couple of or two generations previous. However remember the fact that iPads have a tendency to start out slowing down at round two to a few years of age; on the four- or five-year mark it is best to count on noticeable lack of efficiency and also you gained’t be capable to get all the most recent software program updates. The present iPad vary launched in 2024 and 2025, the newest being the iPad Professional in October 2025 and the oldest being the iPad mini in October 2024.

One more reason to purchase a latest iPad is the working system it runs. Apple solely helps latest variations of iPadOS with safety updates, so that would imply that solely iPadOS 26 and iPad OS 18 get safety updates, though Apple has been identified to replace older iPadOS variations when needed. See How lengthy does Apple help iPads? for extra info.

So, whilst you don’t have to purchase the most recent technology, we’d advocate that you simply purchase one which was launched comparatively just lately to ensure that Apple will help it for so long as you plan to personal it. On that foundation, any of the iPads listed above ought to be a protected wager as a result of they help the iPadOS that Apple will help for the subsequent three years, and for a lot of the help will stretch on for extra years.

Shopping for recommendation: Which iPad must you purchase?

The usual iPad is an efficient possibility for newcomers and people who will largely use their iPad as a media consumption machine with some mild work. The one key factor it nonetheless lacks, regardless of a 2025 replace, is help for Apple Intelligence.

For most individuals, our advice is the iPad Air (2025). The replace in March 2025 introduced it an M3 processor, which is greater than sufficient for an iPad proper now, however even 2024’s M2 iPad Air will likely be greater than ample in case you discover one on sale.

Thoughts you, the iPad Air continues to be costly in comparison with the usual iPad and the iPad mini, and to most rival tablets on the market. However, the addition of the 13-inch mannequin signifies that if you’d like a giant display screen you don’t need to fork out for the iPad Professional.

The iPad mini is principally really useful for many who see portability as their primary precedence. It’s a wonderful little machine, though the smaller display screen makes it much less immersive for video games and leisure choices.

The remaining iPads will likely be too costly for the common purchaser. The 11-inch and 13-inch Professional fashions are amazingly highly effective and well-made, and the M5 is great, however in all probability extra energy than anybody actually wants proper now. However in case you’re a inventive skilled, the Professional is the iPad to get.

Lastly, earlier than taking the plunge, have you ever thought of if a laptop computer would possibly fit your wants higher? See iPad vs MacBook for extra recommendation on that entrance.

In the event you’re pondering of shopping for an iPad for school or college you may also wish to learn our information to the finest iPad for college kids. You might also wish to learn our finest iPad for teenagers information. We even have a Finest iPad for Seniors information.