In 2025 , there are many splendid iPads to choose from , but finding the well one for your motive can be challenging . Should you hold open money and go for the most affordable option ? Is it deserving spending a flake more to get theiPad Air ? Or do you need to invest in the agiotage iPad Pro ? With so many factors to believe , the selection process can quickly become consuming , especially with some of thebest tabletsavailable on the market place .
The good news is that we ’re here to avail . The Mobile squad at Digital Trends on a regular basis test new iPad releases to evaluate their carrying out , strengths , and helplessness , helping you identify which ones merit a place on your shopping list . Without further delay , here are our top pick for the better iPads in 2025 — including two models that were release this year .
Best overall iPad
iPad Air (2025)
The iPad Air ( 2025 ) represents a significant sweetening in Apple ’s pad lineup , useable in both 11 - inch and 13 - in sizes , with starting prices of $ 599 for the smaller model and $ 799 for the larger one . This makes it a compelling pick for user looking for high - quality functioning without breaking the bank , especially since it is priced $ 400 less than the iPad Pro good example .
At the affection of the iPad Air ( 2025 ) is the brawny M3 chip , a notable acclivity from the premature yr ’s M2 crisp . The M3 ’s advanced 3 - nm manufacturing process not only boost carrying out but also enhance business leader efficiency , allowing users to enjoy longer bombardment life — even during demanding project like video redaction and graphic design . This improvement makes the iPad Air an attractive option for both professional and everyday consumption , capable of manage multitasking and resource - intensive diligence with ease .
On the design front , the iPad Air ( 2025 ) stays true to Apple ’s timeless aesthetic , but with advanced pinch that refresh its appeal . It now sports a sleeker look , overlook the " iPad Air " stigmatisation on the back for a more minimalist appearance . The machine is available in four vibrant colors : Blue , Purple , Starlight , and Space Grey , commit users the ability to pick out a style that befit their personality .
In addition to the iPad itself , Apple has also vamp the Magic Keyboard accessory , which now comes at a lower cost point—$269 for the 11 - inch version and $ 319 for the 13 - inch version . One of the standout feature article of the update keyboard is the cellular inclusion of a 14 - key routine row . This increase allows users to easily adjust various options on the fly , such as luminosity , volume , and media playback controller , ready it a more various pecker for both productiveness and leisure .
Overall , the iPad Air ( 2025 ) not only put up impressive ironware raise but also institute refinements in design and functionality , set it as a firm contender in the pad market . It ply to a extensive range of users , from students and artist to professionals seeking a reliable yet affordable gimmick .
Best value iPad
iPad (2025)
The 2025 iPad ( eleventh multiplication ) retain the same Mary Leontyne Price of $ 349 as its predecessor , while offering improved specifications , including increased storage on the base modelling and a new processor . It has a 100 % recycle Al chassis available in four colors and maintain its premium build up lineament along with an 11 - column inch liquid crystal display video display featuring a 60Hz refresh rate .
The iPad ’s strengths admit its comfortable one - Syrian pound free weight , balanced plan , and an integrated Touch ID detector in the tycoon release for warm authentication . It also retains the 12 - megapixel television camera on both the front and back , with the front camera conveniently positioned along the equipment ’s long edge to enhance video calls .
While this iPad is n’t a revolutionary upgrade , it continues to see the needs of most user , even though it lack some sophisticated Apple feature article . The display is n’t laminate , which creates a seeable melody gap , and it lacks an anti - reflective coating , realize it more meditative than high - end models . However , the upgrade to 128 GB of stand storage is seen as a substantial melioration , defecate the canonic iPad " perfect again " for workaday users who need blank space for apps , game , and culture medium .
Nadeem Sarwar / Digital Trends
Best premium iPad
iPad Pro (2024)
TheiPad Pro ( 2024)isn’t for everyone . It ’s big , expensive , and belike overkill for what you require in an iPad . But if money is n’t an object and you just worry about getting the most capable iPad possible , you ’ve found your compeer .
Digital Trends contributorNadeem Sarwarreviewed the iPad Pro ( 2024 ) for us in 2024 , call it " the best tablet I ’ve ever used . " What makes it so full ? It ’s a combination of the iPad Pro ’s OLED display , unbelievable computer hardware , farseeing battery spirit , and top - notch performance .
The iPad Pro is the only iPad on this list with an OLED concealment , and the only iPad with a 120Hz refresh charge per unit . It ’s exquisite in every sentiency of the word , and one of the main reasons to grease one’s palms the iPad Pro . The other reason is the M4 chip , which is the chip you want if you plan on playing graphically intense games , edit out 4 KiB video , or doing serious app multitasking .
Nadeem Sarwar / Digital Trends
Alone , the iPad Pro is dandy . But it bugger off even better when you pair off it with the Apple Pencil and — most importantly — theMagic Keyboard . The iPad Pro is n’t the only iPad with accessory like this , but it for certain take a leak the skilful use of them .
Of naturally , all of this comes at averypretty centime . The 11 - inch iPad Pro starts at $ 999 , and the 13 - column inch model we look back starting line at $ 1,299 . Add another $ 129 for the Apple Pencil Pro and $ 299 for the Magic Keyboard , and you ’re looking at a Brobdingnagian note . However , if you have a job or hobby that demands a tablet like the iPad Pro — such as a video editor program or an artist — it ’s well deserving the investment .
Best small iPad
iPad mini 2024
heavy things sometimes hail in pocket-sized packages , and theiPad mini 2024is the small tablet you ’ll want to get this class . It ’s summary enough to gibe in the pocket of your load pants , coat , or your Loungefly cup of tea . It can be shore up against even lightweight target that would otherwise tip over , like a plushie . And it appropriate you to do more of what you want to do on it while on the go than other iPads .
The latest mannikin of the iPad mini planetary house the A17 Pro chip , render it much mellow execution than its predecessor , especially when it come to playing mobile games . Geekbench trial run show its processing speeds outdo those of the iPad mini 2021 , as it move 36 % quicker on undivided - core tests and 32 % quicker on multi - core tests . That makes it sinewy enough for users to playGenshin Impact , Zenless Zone Zero , Hades , and other mobile game at 60 frames per second ( fps ) at gamy graphics mise en scene without any issues . you could play games for 20 transactions or longer , and it wo n’t overheat to the point where it blacks out thanks to the all - metal form and 20,000 RPM cooling fan that handles estrus licentiousness intimately than current - gen iPhones and most other iPads .
The 8.3 - inch Liquid Retina display makes the iPad miniskirt 2024 look cute and wizard to the great unwashed of any age . The 1.52:1 aspect proportion , along with the 2266 x 1488 resoluteness and luminousness of 500 nits , makes it great for rain buckets moving-picture show and interpretation books . By " books , " we mean light fabric like amusing books and novels , not schoolhouse - issued textbooks . While it does deal productiveness project like picture editing and writing on WordPress , it ’s not the best when it comes to study for test , no matter what stage of your academic vocation you ’re in . It ’s simply not quite big enough . you may take government note on it with theApple Pencil , but that ’s about it .
You may want to be careful with Apple Intelligence , though . While it ’s a great addition to Apple ’s current coevals of electronic devices , it ’s not as honest on the iPad miniskirt 2024 as it would be on theiPhone 16 , especially whenSiri is paired with ChatGPT .
The iPad mini 2024 is great for kids who do n’t need an iPhone anytime soon , but require a twist that ’s a close instant in size and function . The display is even better for their eyes since the luminosity levels are n’t as gamy as they are on other iPads .
What to consider
How much iPad storage do you need?
No matter which iPad you adjudicate to corrupt , you ’ll be meet with an important thing to resolve : how much storage do you need ? That ’s a personal question you ’ll need to decide for yourself , but here ’s some advice to get you on the proper track .
The iPad ( 2022 ) , iPad mini ( 2021 ) , and iPad ( 2021 ) all total with 64 GB of storage by default . That ’s probablyfineif you do n’t contrive on download too many games or movies , but if you’re able to give it , upgrading to the 256 GB mannequin is money well spent . The 128 GB of initiate computer memory for the iPad Air ( 2024 ) is much more sane and probably enough for most family line , and if you get the iPad Pro ( 2024 ) , you ’re cover to 256 GB by default .
Which iPads have Apple Intelligence?
Apple Intelligenceis the red-hot fresh feature for iPads justly now . Of the iPads mentioned here , the iPad Air ( 2024 ) and iPad Pro ( 2024 ) both tolerate Apple Intelligence feature . The iPad ( 2022 ) , iPad mini ( 2021 ) , and iPad ( 2021 ) donotwork with Apple Intelligence .
Which iPads are compatible with the Apple Pencil?
If you ’re interested in using your future iPad with an Apple Pencil , there ’s good word and bad news . The good news is that all of the iPads here work with the Apple Pencil . The big news is that it can be a little tricky to know which Apple Pencil model works with each iPad . Here ’s a tare flat solid to keep in mind :
Which iPad is best for drawing?
If you want an iPad specifically for drawing , you want an iPad that ’s compatible with the Apple Pencil Pro . As such , your best alternative are the iPad Air ( 2024 ) and iPad Pro ( 2024 ) . The Apple Pencil Pro has all of the same feature on both tablets , so the primal difference comes down to the display . The Tandem AMOLED control panel on the iPad Pro is one of the best usable on a tablet today , and the 120Hz refresh rate mean you get a more fluid and natural drawing off experience . Casual doodlers and sketcher will be more than well - suit with the iPad Air , but if you ’re a more professional artist , you should seriously deal going for the iPad Pro .
How we chose
All of the iPads recommended here were used , test , and review by Digital Trends . From analyzing display timbre , track down various apps and games to test performance , evaluating battery living , etc . , we spent time with all of the iPads here to verify we give you the proficient passport possible . To get an even close look at our review summons , see our guide explaininghow we prove productsat Digital Trends , plus a more specific guide abouthow we examine tablets .
