We have long considered Apple's iPad the best tablet on the market, but it's not always straightforward to be sure exactly what model you should buy. Do you just want a big screen for streaming and web browsing? Do you want to use it like a pseudo-laptop? Do you care about Apple Intelligence at all? If you are unsure, please allow us to help. We have tested all the iPads available today and broken down which iPads are best for your needs.
Table of contents
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Best iPads of 2025
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How we test the best iPad
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iPad FAQ
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Latest updates
Best iPads of 2025
How we test the best iPad
The top edge of the iPad mini.
Photos of Nathan Ingraham/Engadget
Just like our guide for the best tablet guide overall, we spent a few days on each iPad to see how they feel and perform different tasks: watching videos, browsing web, playing casual and graphic-intensity games, editing 4K photos and videos, and running multiple apps in series and listing multiple apps. To better measure performance, we use benchmarks such as Geekbench 6, 3DMARK, and GFXBENCH METIAL, and in addition, we measured the time it takes for each tablet to start and open various applications. We also checked the long-term effects of each tablet, whether it was an audit unit provided by Apple or an iPad model owned by Engadget employees.
To help compare the color performance and brightness of the monitor, we play the same video side by side on different iPads and play at equal brightness levels. We used each tablet in direct sunlight outdoors to see how they retained the glare, and we played some of the same music tracks to evaluate the performance of the speaker. For battery life, we track how long it usually takes for each tablet to charge, but we also play 1080p movies at about 70% brightness and play the highlight background process. We also tested each device with an apple pencil and paid attention to the responsiveness of the stylus. Finally, we carefully browsed the specification sheet and software updates to keep track of features on some iPads, not others.
iPad FAQ
iPad (A16) is on the 13-inch iPad Air.
Jeff Dunn
How long does iPad usually last?
If the history shows any signs, expect Apple to update your iPad to the latest version of iPados for at least five years (even if not longer). For example, the iPados 18 Update dates back to the iPad Pro model in 2018 and others dating back to the 2019 iPad. How long your iPad hardware will last depends on the model you purchased and how well you maintain it. (If you're particularly clumsy, consider the iPad case.) The more powerful iPad Pro will feel faster than the entry-level iPad, but each model should at least remain in service until Apple stops updating it.
What is the difference between iPad and iPad Air?
Compared to the 11th generation iPad, the iPad Air runs on a stronger M3 chip (rather than the A16 Bionic) and has 2GB of RAM (8GB in total). By default, both have 128GB of storage. Air also comes in two sizes, 11-inch and 13-inch sizes, while the 11th-generation iPad does not offer a larger screen option. The M-series SOC provides better long-term performance in the air and accesses certain iPados features such as Apple Intelligence and Stage Manager. Its display supports a wider P3 color range, has an anti-reflective coating, and is fully laminated. The latter means there is no “air gap” between the display and the glass covering the glass, so it feels more like you are touching directly on the screen rather than interacting with the image below the glass. Air can also work with the updated Pencil Professional stylus and a more comfortable magic keyboard, with its USB-C port supporting faster data transfer speeds. Technically, it also supports faster Wi-Fi 6e, while lower-cost iPads use Wi-Fi 6.
Starting from $349, the 11th-generation iPad costs $250 less than the iPad Air. It has a similarly elegant design with flat edges, thin bezels, USB-C ports and a touch ID reader. Battery life is rated at the same 10 hours, and both devices place their front cameras on their long edges, which is a more natural location for video calls. The cheap iPad works with the first-generation and USB-C Apple Pencil (more puzzling charging) as well as a unique keyboard accessory called the Magic Keyboard portfolio.
How to take screenshots on iPad?
As we noticed in the Screenshot Operation Guide, you can press the top button and any volume button to take a screenshot on your iPad at the same time. If you have an older iPad with a home button, press the top button and the home button at the same time.
Latest updates
April 2025: We have made a slight edit to this guide to make sure all details and links are still correct. We are also paying close attention to how the Trump administration’s tariff policy affects pricing and inventory for the iPad series (and all other technology categories). All of our picks are still available today at normal prices, but if this situation changes, we will update this guide.
March 2025: We have reviewed the iPad (A16) and named it our new budget option and removed the discontinued 10th generation iPad in the process.
March 2025: The recently launched iPad Air M3 replaces its predecessor as our top overall recommendation. We also documented notes about the new iPad (A16), which we plan to test in the near future and hopefully become our new budget option. We've done some edits elsewhere in the guide to reflect Apple's latest hardware.
January 2025: We have edited this guide slightly to ensure clarity. Our advice remains the same.
October 2024: We have updated our guide to include the new iPad mini 7.
June 2024: We have revised this guide to reflect some of the new iPados features Apple announced at WWDC, although our picks are still the same.
Nathan Ingraham contributed to the report.
This article originally appeared on Engadget
