Once upon a time, if you desired an Apple tablet, you purchased the iPad in any color and storage capacity you desired. That is no longer true. Because Apple has introduced so many versions in the previous several years, it isn’t easy to pick the ideal iPad for your needs.
Apple sells many iPad models, ranging from the large, elegant iPad Pro to the sleek iPad Air. And while the iPad Pro (2021) and iPad Air (2022) both use Apple silicon, there are significant changes in performance and pricing depending on which size iPad Pro you choose.
We’ve compiled an easy-to-read overview of each iPad to help you determine which one is best for you. This is based on our lab research and hands-on reviews to prevent you from making a purchase you may later regret.
With that in mind, here’s our list of the finest iPads available right now. We also fully analyze the many kinds of iPad in our Which iPad Should You Buy?
What will you see here?
iPad Air (2022)
The iPad Air 4 has been superseded by the iPad Air 5. The new iPad Air 2022 is excellent for both reading and generating the content, and its $599 starting price puts it within many people’s budgets. It strikes a balance between mobility and power.
The inclusion of the M1 puts the iPad Air 2022 on par with the iPad Pro. That isn’t to argue the Air is a Pro alternative, but the power difference is much less. This, combined with its lower starting price, may make the new iPad Air more appealing than the iPad Pro for budget-conscious buyers who want the best iPad money can buy.
Overall, the new iPad Air is a near-perfect tablet. While there is space for development, dismissing this sleek, powerful tablet is difficult. This is perhaps the greatest tablet for the vast majority of people.
iPad Pro 2021 (12.9-inch)
The best got even better when Apple slipped its super-powerful M1 processor inside the already-mighty iPad Pro 2021. That CPU established a new tablet record continuing Apple’s practice of cramming a lot of power into its slim tablets. This 12.9-inch model is also the only one with Apple’s Liquid Retina XDR display, which has a substantially more excellent brightness – up to 1588 nits! In addition, Apple has built it to do a unique video conferencing trick known as Center Stage, in which the camera tracks and tracks you as you move during conversations.
Oh, and the fundamentals remain excellent. The 12.9-inch iPad Pro 2021’s quad-speaker configuration is loud and clear. Its optional Magic Keyboard provides a pleasant typing experience. Its 10+ hours of battery life is sufficient for a full day of use. However, the super-bright XDR display requires HDR material to thrive, which isn’t always accessible. For example, Hulu and HBO Max have yet to adopt it. Also, the 12.9-inch iPad Pro 2021 costs more than the MacBook Air and is heavier, at least when docked with its Magic Keyboard. However, the iPad Pro 2021 is still worthwhile for creative professionals looking for the greatest tablet for their next creation.
iPad Mini 6
We like the flat-edged iPads described above, but none of them is as portable or light as the new iPad mini. It boasts the small bezels and flat sides of the iPad Air and compatibility with the second-generation Apple Pencil and USB-C. Furthermore, its A15 Bionic CPU is lightning quick, and its battery capacity is astonishingly long for a tablet this compact.
But, considering its size, we prefer the iPad mini 6. Other iPads aren’t as simple to operate with just one hand. This model ditches the antiquated typical iPad appearance in favor of a more current one, so you’re not sacrificing size. This means you have a better iPad for reading novels and comic books, and it can share a tiny desk with your other belongings. The only thing it lacks is a proprietary, Apple-made keyboard, such as the Magic Keyboard, but it wouldn’t be practical at this size.
iPad Pro 2021 (11-inch)
Although the 12.9-inch iPad Pro has a larger, brighter screen, the 11-inch iPad Pro is undoubtedly preferable for most people. It has a remarkable battery life of more than 13 hours battery test, making it the longest-lasting iPad on our list. However, it’s also lighter and more compatible with last year’s Magic Keyboard. It’s also $300 less expensive than its larger brother. You also get the incredible speed of the Apple M1 processor, which is tough enough to carry even the most demanding video and picture editing software.
The 11-inch iPad Pro 2021 is fantastic for productivity, but it works well as an Apple entertainment device. Its bright and colorful display is brilliant. Its four speakers produce far bigger sound than you’d expect from such a little gadget. If you’re willing to spend the money, its fantastic Magic Keyboard provides the easiest and fastest tablet typing experience.
Apple iPad 2021
We enjoy the new 9th Generation iPad since it accomplishes everything you expect from a standard iPad. Excellent screen, audio, battery life, and even quicker speed than before. If you make any video calls, you’ll notice how much clearer this iPad looks compared to previous generations, thanks to Apple’s increase of the 1.2MP front-facing camera to a 12MP sensor. And that lens is smarter now, thanks to Center Stage. Yes, even if it looks identical to previous generations, the iPad 2021 is still worth considering.
The A13 Bionic chip is an excellent performance boost as iPadOS 15 becomes smarter, and services like LiveText benefit from a quicker CPU. The new iPad is fairly identical to the previous model, which is terrific if you use wired headphones and prefer Lightning connections over USB-C, but not so excellent if you want the superb second-generation Apple Pencil or wish Apple would shrink down the bezels.
iPad Air 4 (2020)
The iPad Air 4 (2020) is practically an iPad Pro. Still, it’s far less expensive than any prior Pro model, making it a highly appealing purchase for all but the most demanding consumers.
With its all-screen front, it resembles the iPad Pro, and like the iPad Pro, it supports both the second-generation Apple Pencil and the Smart Keyboard.
It also boasts a lot of power owing to its A14 Bionic chipset, which is the same as the one found in the iPhone 12 series and is newer than the one found in the iPad Pro (2020) line. There are also four loudspeakers, an excellent 10.9-inch screen, and long battery life.
The iPad Air 4 also comes in various hues, which isn’t true of other recent Apple tablets.
Conclusion
Apple offers a wide range of iPad models, from the enormous, beautiful iPad Pro to the sleek iPad Air. Furthermore, while both the iPad Pro and iPad Air employ Apple silicon, there are substantial differences in performance and cost depending on the size of the iPad Pro you pick. This article will be an easy-to-read summary of each iPad’s features and downsides to help you decide which one is right for you. To prevent you from making a purchase, you may later regret it.
