It’s been 14 years since Apple sent its first iPad out to shelves and it’s safe to say the tablet market was never quite the same.
The iPad range is still widely popular today and there’s good reason for that. We’ve reviewed a huge variety of Apple and Android tablets and the iPad continues to be a high performer, with the iPad Air 5 currently topping our list of the best tablets.
However, between the iPad, iPad Mini, iPad Air and iPad Pro, it can be tough to decide which model is right for you. The good news is that we’ve reviewed all of Apple’s current offerings and ranked them based on their strengths and who should buy them.
In this guide, you’ll find the best cheap iPad, the best small iPad, the best iPad for students, the best high-end iPad and, of course, the best overall iPad. If you’re searching for an iPad to fit your budget and lifestyle look no further.
Each iPad has its own specs, features and compatible accessories, such as the Apple Pencil and the Apple Keyboard. However, there’s also plenty of crossover between the four ranges – the biggest, of course, being Apple’s iPadOS software. This means that they all have access to the same well-stocked App Store and play nice with Apple’s other devices, including the iPhone and Mac series’.
It’s the differences, however, that set these four iPad lines apart. When we review a tablet, we inspect every aspect of the device, from the design and display to the camera and battery life. We also perform benchmarking tests to measure the performance of each iPad and share graphs comparing the results with key rivals, making it easy to see how different tablets measure up.
If you’re looking for the best iPad, scroll down to find our top picks along with links to our full, in-depth reviews. If you’re not set on Apple, we’d also recommend reading through our guides to the best tablets, best Android tablets and best tablets for kids before making your decision.
Best iPads at a glance
How we test
How we test all the iPads we review Every tablet in this list has been properly tested and used for an extended period of time by one of our product experts. We will never recommend a tablet to you that we haven’t personally used and put through a set series of tests.These tests can include colourimeter checks to gauge screen accuracy and brightness levels, various benchmarks to evaluate performance, and battery drains to judge endurance.Our reviewer will also always judge performance for everyday use. This will see them use it as their primary tablet conducting typical tasks like gaming, web browsing and video calling. If the device is targeted at a specific market such as digital artists, they’ll also consider areas such as digital stylus support and whether it can effectively run relevant applications.
iPad Air 5
The best iPad for most people
Pros
Great displaySupport for excellent accessoriesSeriously powerful internalsAttractive design and array of colours
Cons
Annoying front camera placementNo 128GB storage optionCreaky body
After using all the current and previous iPads, it’s clear to us that the iPad Air 5 (often called the iPad Air 2022) is the best pick for most people. It’s far more modern and stylish than the cheaper iPad 9 and just as powerful as the pricier iPad Pro.
It’s worth noting straight away that all these iPads, whether you choose the priciest or the cheapest, run just about the same version of iPadOS. There are some very minor differences between the software on the biggest and smallest slates and some graphically intensive games might not run on older iPads, but really you don’t need to worry about some apps or features being exclusive to a specific iPad.
What makes the iPad Air 5 the best iPad is that it ticks all the boxes we want and ditches features that are far more niche. Inside the tablet, you’ll find the M1 chip, an Apple-designed SoC (system on chip) that’s the same silicon that powers the iPad Pro. We can say with confidence this is the fastest chip you’ll find on any tablet, impressing us both in benchmark tests in a lab setting and in general use.
Apple’s tablet app ecosystem is strong too, meaning there is a smattering of apps that take advantage of the tablet’s great power. LumaFusion, for example, makes 4K video editing on a tablet a pleasure and Procreate remains an excellent choice for drawing on the go. We would like to see Apple port some of its more Pro-level software – Final Cut Pro, we’re looking at you – but for now, the app choices are great for a consumer tablet like this.
The iPad Air 5 has a 10.8-inch display. This is slightly smaller than the iPad Pro 11-inch due to marginally thicker bezels around the screen. We feel this is a good-sized screen – big enough to comfortably watch a film and small enough to slide into a smaller bag without too much rearranging. Of course, there are options if your needs differ and we’ll cover those below with the iPad Mini and the larger 12.9-inch iPad Pro.
Screen quality is good too. The IPS LCD is sharp enough to avoid any visible pixels unless you get really close and we found the colour reproduction and brightness levels were excellent. Whip this out on a bright day and you’ll be able to make the basics out. One notable feature missing here is ProMotion, Apple’s term for a display that alters its refresh rate depending on what you’re doing. In the most basic of terms, this allows a screen to look smoother and we think it does make a visible difference. We can understand Apple leaving the feature off this tablet, as it still deems it a Pro addition.
The battery life matches other iPads on this list at around 10 hours, it charges via USB-C and will be supported via plenty of software updates over the next few years. It’s also available in a range of tasteful colours and there’s a wide accessory ecosystem, including the Apple Pencil 2 and Magic Keyboard.
Reviewer: Max Parker
Full Review: iPad Air 2022 review
Apple iPad 9
The best budget iPad
Pros
Wide selection of optimised appsVery good front cameraSharp screen
Cons
Design feels a little tiredDoesn’t work with newer Apple accesories
iPads can be expensive and for many, the bountiful features on both the iPad Air 5 and iPad Pro will be overkill. If you want an iPad for the kids or one that’ll mainly be used for watching Netflix, checking emails or playing basic games then you’re best off going with the iPad 9.
This is the basic iPad and it eschews high-end features you’ll find in the other models on this list. It uses Lightning for charging, rather than USB-C, retains the home button and larger display bezels while the internal chip is a little older and a little slower. We still found it very speedy and capable though, with one member of the Trusted Reviews team regularly using this very tablet to edit video and upload them to a YouTube channel.
There’s even support for a few Apple accessories. You can pair up the original Apple Pencil for notes or sketching and there’s a nice folio keyboard for turning into a more laptop-like device.
There really is nothing better for the price of this iPad and it still has a great 10.5-inch display for videos and enough power for just about anything on the App Store. It lacks the modern looks, but if you’re happy with that then you’ll love this.
Rumours have suggested Apple could be upgrading this iPad in the near future, so it’s worth keeping an eye out if you’re planning to upgrade soon.
Reviewer: Max Parker
Full Review: Apple iPad 9 review
iPad Mini 6
The best small iPad
Pros
Great new designWorks with the second-gen Apple PencilSuper-speedy thanks to the A15 Bionic chipset5G option makes for great portability
Cons
Odd storage sizesExpensiveSome iOS elements are too small
The iPad Mini 6 won’t be everyone. It’s expensive, lacks the Magic Keyboard support of the Air and Pro and suffers from slightly inferior battery life. However, if you’re after a small iPad for watching videos, reading or note-taking then this is still an option we’re happy to recommend,
Most of the features here are stripped from the iPad Air series. It mirrors that slate’s design, colour choices and screen tech. However the performance isn’t quite as high-end, so it scores lower in benchmark tests. In real-world use though, it’s still very snappy in all ways.
The smaller 8.3-inch display makes this a different proposition from the iPad Air. It’s less of a laptop replacement and more of a companion; a media-centric device that fits in smaller bags.
Pair it with the Apple Pencil (2nd gen) and you’ve got a fantastic mini notebook and sketchpad. The smaller display also makes it great for gaming, especially if you pair up a Bluetooth controller.
We found that the battery life is a little shorter than the iPad Air, but at least there’s a USB-C port on the bottom for quicker charging than the iPad 9.
Reviewer: Max Parker
Full Review: iPad Mini 6 review
Apple iPad 10th gen
The best iPad for students
Pros
The design is a massive upgradeUSB-C is far more convenient than LightningSmart front camera placementUnbeatable tablet apps and software
Cons
Huge price jump, especially in Europe makes its position in Apple’s iPad range confusingOdd Apple Pencil integration64GB isn’t enough (256GB probably too much)
The iPad 10 is a bit of a baffling proposition due to a mixed bag of specifications and a significant price hike, but one area in which it truly impressed us was it’s design. Similar in looks to the iPad Air, but feeling more robust in the hand, the looks got a big upgrade from the previous generation thanks to its flat back and sides, lack of a home button, and a much slimmer bezel around the edges. It’s 10g lighter too, and packs the more convenient USB-C charging port.
However, aside from these positive changes to the appearance, it’s quite difficult to know how to position the iPad within Apple’s range. The screen is certainly the least high-end iPad display going out of the recently-launched models, lacking the P3 colour gamut and without lamination to guard from glare.
The performance met our expectations and was certainly an improvement over its predecessor as far as gaming was concerned, but we were underwhelmed by the 64GB base storage capacity which is too small for most people.
Battery life is very strong, easily delivering 10 hours of use, and it supports handy optional extras such as the Apple Pencil and the Magic Keyboard Folio.
Reviewer: Max Parker
Full Review: Apple iPad (10th gen)
iPad Pro M2
The best high-end iPad
Pros
Stunning display on the 12.9-inch versionFantastic design and finishLots of tablet appsSo much power
Cons
Only the 12.9-inch model gets the best screenVery few upgrades over previous modelM2 chip feels a little wasted
Most users will find that the iPad Air 5, or many of the other tablets on this list, will work perfectly for all the tasks they need to do. However, if you are a true power user and need your device to output some serious muscle then the iPad Pro M2 is the right one for you.
Sporting an M2 chip – the same one that’s used in the MacBook Pro – this tablet has processing power in spades, to the extent that we even felt it was a bit wasted since there aren’t even any apps or games available that could give it any trouble whatsoever. We’d hoped that this processor could be leveraged more in day-to-day use, but its inclusion still means you’ve got plenty of heft to spare.
There’s more to this iPad than just the chip of course. It has fantastic design and finish that really feel premium, along with a stunning and large display that (only on the 12.9-inch edition) offers a ProMotion adaptive refresh rate that gets things looking super smooth. This bigger version also has Mini LED screen tech which we felt combined the very best traits of OLED and LCD displays, delivering magnificent contrast that combines with searingly high brightness of up to 1,600 nits to bring the best out of your content. However, it isn’t perfect as there are occasional instances of blooming.
The battery should give you around ten hours of use, and there’s an 18W charger included in the box which will get the iPad fully charged up in a rather tardy 160 minutes.
Reviewer: Max Parker
Full Review: iPad Pro M2
We also considered…
FAQs
Can an M2 iPad run M2 Mac apps? No, no iPad can natively run Mac apps – even if you have an M1 iPad and the app is built for an M1 Mac. Instead, all apps for an iPad must come from the App Store. What’s the difference between the two Apple Pencil versions? The original Apple Pencil has a glossy finish and charges by plugging directly into an iPad’s Lightning port. In this list, the only model to support this Pencil is the iPad 9. The Apple Pencil 2nd Gen charges wirelessly and has a matte finish. Any iPad with a USB-C port will support this Pencil.
Trusted Reviews test data
The two M1-toting iPads have the best performance stats, comfortably beating out the other models in both benchmark tests and day-to-day use.
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Geekbench 5 single core
Geekbench 5 multi core
sRGB
Adobe RGB
DCI-P3
Max brightness
1 hour video playback (Netflix, HDR)
30 minute gaming (intensive)
30 minute gaming (light)
1 hour music streaming (online)
1 hour music streaming (offline)
Time from 0-100% charge
Time from 0-50% charge
3D Mark – Wild Life
iPad Air 5
1712
7296
94.1 %
66.2 %
68.6 %
513 nits
–
–
–
–
–
140 min
55 Min
5011
Apple iPad 9
–
3330
–
–
–
–
6 %
7 %
5 %
–
1 %
155 min
–
–
iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2021)
1715
7281
–
–
–
1600 nits
8 %
–
–
2 %
2 %
162 min
65 Min
18312
iPad Mini 6
1594
4687
90 %
62.8 %
64 %
439 nits
6 %
9 %
8 %
1 %
1 %
–
–
–
Apple iPad 10th gen
1557
3190
–
–
–
467 nits
6 %
7 %
5 %
–
1 %
120 min
–
–
iPad Pro M2
–
–
–
–
–
598 nits
8 %
–
–
1 %
1 %
160 min
60 Min
–
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UK RRP
USA RRP
EU RRP
CA RRP
AUD RRP
Manufacturer
Screen Size
Storage Capacity
Rear Camera
Front Camera
Video Recording
IP rating
Battery
Fast Charging
Size (Dimensions)
Weight
ASIN
Operating System
Release Date
First Reviewed Date
Resolution
HDR
Refresh Rate
Ports
Chipset
RAM
Colours
iPad Air 5
£569
$599
€699
CA$749
AU$929
Apple
10.9 inches
256GB, 64GB
12 megapixels
7 megapixels
Yes
No
28.6 Whr
Yes
178.5 x 6.1 x 247.6 MM
461 G
B09V4CXNGQ
iPad OS 15
2022
29/03/2022
2360 x 1640
–
60 Hz
USB-C
Apple M1
4GB
Space Grey, Starlight, Pink, Purple, Blue
Apple iPad 9
£319
$329
€389
CA$429
AU$499
Apple
10.2 inches
256GB, 64GB
8MP
12MP
Yes
No
–
Yes
174 x 7.5 x 250 MM
487 G
B09G97RDQ3
iPadOS
2021
11/11/2021
2160 x 1620
–
60 Hz
Lightning
A13 Bionic
3GB
Grey and Silver
iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2021)
£999
$1099
€1219
CA$1399
AU$1649
Apple
12.9 inches
128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB
12MP and 10MP
12MP
Yes
No
40.88 Whr
Yes
214.9 x 6.4 x 280.6 INCHES
682 G
B0932RX2DH
iOS 15
May2021
03/06/2021
2732 x 2048
Yes
120 Hz
Thunderbolt
Apple M1
16GB, 8GB
Grey, Silver
iPad Mini 6
£479
$499
€559
CA$649
AU$749
Apple
8.2 inches
256GB, 64GB
12MP
12MP
Yes
No
19.3 Whr
Yes
5.3 x 7.69 x 0.25 INCHES
293 G
B09G9LDWYQ
iPadOS 15
2021
08/10/2021
2266 x 1488
Yes
60 Hz
USB-C
A15
12GB
Space Gray, Pink, Purple, Starlight
Apple iPad 10th gen
£499
$449
€589
CA$599
AU$749
Apple
10.9 inches
64GB
12MP
12MP
Yes
IP57
–
–
179.5 x 248.6 x 7 MM
477 G
B0BJLG85NS
iPadOS 16.1
2022
–
1640 x 2360
Yes
60 Hz
USB-C
Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm)
4GB
Silver, Blue, Pink, White
iPad Pro M2
£899
$799
€1049
CA$1099
AU$1399
Apple
12.9 inches
128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 64GB, 2TB
12MP
1080p
Yes
Not Disclosed
40.88 Whr
–
8.46 x 11.04 x 0.25 INCHES
682 G
B0BJLDMTM3
iPad OS 16
2021
–
2732 x 2048
Yes
120 Hz
USB-C Thunderbolt 4
M2
16GB, 8GB
Space Grey, Silver
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