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Picking an iPad has gotten more complicated. Long gone are the days when there was only one iPad model. Apple has four separate iPad families, with one to two models in each and a number of options per model. With features and capabilities seeming to blur between product lines, it can be a challenge to find the best iPad for you.
Now you can get an iPad Pro, iPad Air, iPad Mini or plain iPad that’s actually pretty colorful. There are several sizes to choose from and options for storage, processor and cellular capability.
The BestReviews Testing Lab recently tested a model from every iPad line and examined all their features, similarities and differences. Whether you're working on the go or just need a device to unwind with at home, we think the Apple iPad Air 11-Inch with M4 Chip is an excellent choice for most people's needs.
Editors’ Favorite
Display Size: 11” | Processor: M4 | Storage Options: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB and 1TB | Battery Life: 24 hr | Operating System: iPadOS
With an upgraded chipset and a crisp Liquid Retina display, the 11-inch iPad Air with M4 Chip is one of the best tablets for streaming, working and everything in between, whether you’re at home or on the go.
The M4 chip delivers impressive graphics and elite performance while multitasking or running power-intensive applications. The Liquid Retina display features advanced technologies to enhance picture quality, and Apple Intelligence lets you get things done more efficiently. The battery lasts up to 24 hours with moderate use, and you can choose up to 1TB of storage for apps, movies, music and games. It also features 12-megapixel front and rear cameras for crystal-clear video calls and detailed photography.
Lightweight yet powerful, this iPad is a no-brainer for anyone looking for a reliable tablet. With its advanced processor and stunning display, you can stream your favorite content, play games and increase productivity all on one device.
Great Value
Display Size: 11” | Processor: Apple A16 | Storage Options: 128, 256GB | Battery Life: 10 hr | Operating System: iPadOS 18
Freshly updated in 2025, the basic iPad, now called the iPad (A16), is probably the best value in the entire tablet market. For anyone who wants a capable everyday tablet to complement their main computer or their phone, the iPad (A16) is an obvious choice.
The iPad (A16)'s new name comes from its biggest upgrade, the Apple A16 Bionic processor also found in the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 15. It's about 20% faster than the A14 found in the previous 10th-generation iPad and comes with 6GB of RAM instead of 4. This allows the iPad (A16) to run faster and smoother than its immediate predecessor and compare favorably with the sixth-generation iPad mini or non-M series iPad Air models.
Outwardly there's little difference from the 10th-generation iPad. It has a bright 500-nit LCD screen, but one that isn't as antireflective as on other iPads. The front camera's landscape positioning makes videoconferencing more natural, and it retains a standard 10 hours of battery life. It's compatible with the original Apple Pencil and the entry-level Apple Pencil (USB-C).
Notably, it's the one iPad that can't run Apple Intelligence, so you'll have to use ChatGPT or Copilot. The iPad (A16) will be compatible with iPadOS 26 and its multiple-windows feature.
Portable & Powerful
Display Size: 8.3” | Processor: A17 Pro | Storage Options: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | Battery Life: 10 hr | Operating System: iPadOS 18
The seventh-generation iPad mini was introduced late in 2024 with an upgraded processor and specs capable of running Apple Intelligence. It’s priced the same as the sixth-generation iPad mini but is available with more storage and several feature refinements.
The seventh-generation iPad mini runs on the A17 Pro chip, the same chip found on the iPhone 15 Pro series. This chip allows the 7th-gen mini to run Apple Intelligence, which the earlier sixth-gen iPad mini couldn’t. The upgraded chip also makes the seventh-generation iPad mini faster and more capable, especially in taxing scenarios like running multiple browser tabs or gaming.
Storage now starts at 128GB for the cheapest model, double the size from the previous generation, and goes up to 512GB. Connectivity is upgraded as well, with Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3, which is more advanced than the 6th-gen version. Jelly scrolling has been reduced, and the seventh-generation mini supports advanced Apple Pencil capabilities that the older model didn’t.
Best for Creatives
Display Size: 13” | Processor: M4 | Storage Options: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB and 1TB | Battery Life: 24 hr | Operating System: iPadOS
If you want a larger screen for work, gaming or streaming on the go, the 13-inch iPad Air with M4 Chip is one of the best options. It features an advanced chip that delivers stunning graphics and elite performance while multitasking.
The 13-inch Liquid Retina offers advanced technologies that enhance colors and visuals, making it one of the best iPad models for streaming HD content. And the battery life is impressive: It can last up to 24 hours on a full charge. Wi-Fi 7 with Apple N1 delivers fast wireless connectivity, and the 12-megapixel rear- and front-facing cameras allow for detailed photos, selfies and 4K video recording, as well as crystal-clear video calling. Plus, you can use Apple Intelligence for image generation, quick message replies, proofreading and more.
The large 13-inch display makes this iPad one of the best choices for watching movies, gaming and graphic editing. You can choose up to 1TB of internal storage for games, apps and more, and it’s available in four colors, including Purple, Blue, Space Gray and Starlight.
Best Big-Screen iPad
Display Size: 13” | Processor: M5 | Storage Options: 256, GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB | Battery Life: 10 hr | Operating System: iOS 26
Another year, another upgrade: the Apple iPad Pro 13-inch with M5 processor edges out the already-amazing M4 version we tested, with a more advanced processor, future-ready Wi-Fi, and added battery charging enhancements.
The M5 iPad Pro 13-inch’s new processor ups the pro performance expected from this tablet, with wider memory bandwidth (153 Gbps versus 120 Gbps on the M4), neural accelerators for faster AI and machine learning, and 12GB of memory on the “low end” compared to 8GB previously. This translates to faster single-core performance across the board over the M4, as well as improved multi-core performance. For the 13-inch iPad Pro’s use cases, such as video creation and editing, sound production and mixing, and immersive gaming, these are all welcome and useful improvements.
The iPad Pro with M5 also features faster Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 connectivity, and adds fast charging with a 60-watt or higher charger. It retains its four-speaker, four-mic array, ProRes cameras, super-slim profile and dazzling 13-inch tandem OLED display.
We tested four iPad models for this article, one from each product family. We used a mix of specific testing and overall real-world use to evaluate each model’s capabilities.
Choosing an iPad depends on what you need it to do for you and what other devices you already use.
iPads have two types of displays: OLED and LCD.
OLED has individually lit pixels that allows for true blacks, fast response and detailed contrast. It is widely considered to be the top display technology available.
The LCD displays on iPads are high-quality with vivid colors, sharp resolution and detailed LED backlighting.
Screen sizes on iPads range from the 8.3-inch iPad Mini to the iPad Air 13-inch with M4 and iPad Pro 13-inch with M5. A bigger screen gives you more space to work with for immersive video and gaming or detailed creative work in drawing, painting, music creation or photo editing. A bigger screen also lets you take advantage of multitasking with two or more app windows open at the same time. Smaller screens, however, are more portable and easier to hold.
Resolution refers to the number of pixels on a screen. Since 2010, iPads have used what Apple calls Retina displays, high-resolution screens that make images and text smooth and sharp. Resolution goes hand in hand with pixel density, or how many pixels fit in a given measure. The higher the pixel density, the sharper the image. Pixel density can be measured as pixels per inch (ppi).
The faster the processor, the smoother and more enjoyable the iPad experience. All iPads use Apple-designed processors based on ARM architecture for lower power consumption while maintaining or improving performance. The iPad Air and iPad Pro families use the M-series processors also used on Macintosh computers, while the iPad and iPad Mini use previous generations of the A-series processors found on iPhones.
All iPads come with 4 to 16 gigabytes of memory, or RAM, depending on the model. The more memory, the more apps an iPad can have open and the better they run. The iPad (A16) starts with 6GB of memory, good for everyday use, while the iPad Mini (7th Generation) and iPad Air has 8GB for better productivity and performance. The iPad Pro line offers 12GB to 16GB memory for professional-level apps and workflows. iPad memory isn’t upgradeable after purchase. A minimum of 8GB memory is needed to use Apple Intelligence.
You generally use an iPad with an internet connection, but local storage is still important. When you don’t have access to a network, you can watch videos, listen to music, read books and access documents stored on your iPad. Plenty of storage also helps you download a lot of apps, some of which can be pretty big. However, iPad storage can’t be upgraded; consider 128GB a minimum.
Apple promises around 10 hours of battery life for all its iPads, regardless of model. In our experience, we’ve noticed that the iPad Mini, with physically the smallest battery of the lineup, doesn’t last that long, around nine hours. Battery life depends on several factors, including screen brightness, and iPads can change their brightness automatically depending on their surroundings. We recommend keeping this setting on automatic.
All iPads connect to the internet, and many accessories wirelessly, but they can also use their charging ports.
All iPads come with front and rear cameras. On a tablet like an iPad, the front camera can be more important since it’s used for video calls and selfie videos. The iPad front cameras have a feature called Center Stage that keeps a subject centered without having to move the iPad. We found this feature works best on iPads with the front camera centered in landscape orientation.
All iPads have two to four speakers positioned along the shorter edges of the case. Considering how thin iPads are, these speakers provide sound that is surprisingly full, with clear stereo separation. However, their bass isn’t great, so you might still prefer to output audio to headphones or speakers. All iPads have two to four mics as well, not just for recording audio or video but also for video calling and conferencing.
All iPads have aluminum bodies with rounded corners, straight sides and backs and glass displays. They resisted our bend and flex tests with no issues, but we still encourage using iPads with care. Unlike iPhones, iPads have no water or dust resistance. Bigger iPads can also be tiring to hold up all the time and do better on a surface or lap, preferably with a case or stand.
All iPads are ready to go right out of the box, but you’ll enhance their usability with certain accessories.
A. iPads come with Siri, Apple’s digital assistant. Downloading the Alexa app also provides access to Amazon’s Alexa assistant, and getting the Google Assistant app lets you use the Google assistant. However, only Siri is integrated with the iPad and its OS to let you make appointments, access reminders, use your contacts or access your private information. Newer models also offer Apple Intelligence, which can help you perform tasks, such as quick message replies, proofreading and image generation.
A. Yes. While the iPad can offer some extended functionality when paired with other Apple products running the iOS operating system, such as being able to answer an incoming phone call on your Apple Watch, Mac or smartphone, iPads still shine as stand-alone devices.
If you’re an Android or Windows user and unsure if an iPad is the best long-term fit for you, it might be worth investing in a cheaper model to give iOS a trial run before committing to one of Apple’s premium tablets.
A. Modern iPads feature a single USB-C port for charging and connections. In iPad Pro models, this port also carries USB-4/Thunderbolt signals for pro-level data transfer. The last iPad to have a Lightning port and a headphone jack was the iPad (9th generation).
Jmar Gambol has written over 80 articles for BestReviews, including buying guides for the best Macbooks, best iPhones and best tablets. He has used an iPad since the original was introduced in 2009 and has tested several iPad models for the Testing Lab. Lauren Corona contributed to previous versions of this guide.
