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The best iPad for 2024: Should you choose Air, Mini, Pro or something else?
Apple has four tablets in its iPad lineup. Which is best for work, travel, entertainment and more?
For many people, it's not a question of which tablet to buy, but which iPad. Apple's screen machines come in four flavors: Air, Mini, Pro and, er, "iPad." (That's the least expensive model; Apple charges more if you want a surname.) And I get it: These slates are varying degrees of excellent, thanks to the friendly, robust iPad operating system and unmatched assortment of apps and accessories. I'm not sure there are better tablets for entertaining yourself and creating content, full stop. But back to the bigger question: Which is the best iPad for you?
Table of contents
Spoiler alert: I think there's one model that will satisfy nearly every tablet shopper. Others have their merits, but they're a little more niche. If you want a great all-purpose screen that's suitable for everything from games and movies to web browsing and video calls, Apple has you covered — and it'll cost less than you might expect.
Speaking of cost, there's an important consideration to weigh before adding an iPad to your cart: storage. The 10th-generation iPad, for example, comes with just 64GB in its base configuration; the same goes for the iPad Mini. That's enough for a decent selection of apps and a handful of movie downloads, but you'd be surprised how quickly it can fill up. And if you run low on space (which isn't expandable), you might have trouble installing future iPadOS updates. Consider spending extra to get an iPad with 128GB or 256GB. It's an investment that'll pay off in the long run, but know that Apple charges a premium for those storage step-ups.
Want to expand your tablet search beyond Apple? Check out our list of the best tablets you can buy for all kinds of users and situations.
The best iPad overall
Screen size: 10.9 inches | Storage: Starting at 64GB | Rated battery life: 10 hours | Connectivity: Wi-Fi (cellular 4G/5G optional) | Warranty: 1 year
Apple's best iPad is, thankfully, Apple's most affordable iPad. Sometimes referred to as "the 10.9" in reference to its screen size, this incredibly capable model starts at a very reasonable $349.
If you're upgrading from an earlier iPad, you'll be glad to note that the bump to 10.9 inches didn't come with a corresponding bump in overall size, weight or thickness. However, to make room for that extra screen real estate, Apple dismissed the Home button; now you lightly graze the power button to unlock the tablet using Touch ID.
Other improvements from earlier models include a faster processor, more RAM (4GB, up from 3GB), Bluetooth 5.0 (up from 4.2) and a USB-C charging port. (So long, Lightning!)
I especially like the expansion in color options: In addition to comparatively bland silver and space gray, you can now choose blue, pink or yellow.
Photography fans, take note: This iPad's rear camera can capture 12-megapixel images and be used for some pretty sweet augmented reality (AR) games and apps. That partners with a wide-angle front camera that's great for selfies and FaceTime calls. That camera supports Apple's Center Stage feature as well, automatically adjusting to keep you in the frame even if you move around. Like all current iPad models except the Mini, the iPad's front camera is now mounted on the longer axis, so it's better situated for widescreen landscape use.
Like more expensive iPads, this one is available with a 5G cellular option, meaning you could use it out in the world where Wi-Fi isn't available. (Just be prepared to pay for another data plan.)
The only real letdown here is storage: You get just 64GB on the base model, which fills up quickly with apps and movie downloads. Apple offers a 256GB model, but it adds a hefty $150 to the price.
That said, the iPad 10.9 delivers nearly all the versatility of more expensive iPads. Unless you specifically want something more travel-friendly (the iPad Mini) or laptop-like (the iPad Pro 13 with Magic Keyboard), this is the iPad to get.
- Extremely versatile
- Available in several cheerful colors
- Numerous improvements over previous-generation model
- Unrivaled selection of apps and accessories
- Cellular option available
- Only 64GB of storage in base model, and it's not expandable
- Older processor doesn't support Apple Intelligence
Other iPads we recommend for 2024
Rebecca Carhart/Yahoo
Screen size: 8.3 inches | Storage: Starting at 64GB | Rated battery life: 10 hours | Connectivity: Wi-Fi (cellular 4G/5G optional) | Warranty: 1 year
You'd think that a smaller iPad with an 8-inch screen would cost less than one with a 10.9-inch screen. You'd be wrong. It's hard to understand Apple's thinking about the iPad Mini's pricing, which starts at $150 more than the larger model.
That said, this is such a splendid little tablet that you might be willing to overlook the disparity. The main appeals: portability and comfort. The Mini slips more easily into your favorite bag and feels more comfortable to hold for long periods, like when reading a book. It weighs just over 10 ounces, while the iPad 10.9 tips the scales at just over a pound.
The Mini boasts a glorious Liquid Retina screen, great front and rear cameras, a fast processor and support for first- and second-gen Apple Pencils (in case you want to jot notes or create art on the go).
It does, however, come with only 64GB of storage in the base model, the same as the base 10.9. Similarly, the jump to 256GB will cost you an extra $150.
- Smaller, lighter design makes it easier to hold for long periods
- Cellular option available
- Inexplicably high price
- Older processor doesn't support Apple Intelligence
Rick Broida/Yahoo
Screen size: 11 or 13 inches | Storage: Starting at 128GB | Rated battery life: 10 hours | Connectivity: Wi-Fi (cellular 4G/5G optional) | Warranty: 1 year
You know how a Corvette will get you where you're going, fast and in style, the same way a Lamborghini will? That's my take on the new-for-2024 iPad Air, a fast, stylish tablet with nearly all the same amenities as the iPad Pro — but a much lower starting price: $599 versus $999.
Like the Pro, the Air comes in 11- and 13-inch sizes, both of them compatible with optional (and excellent) Magic Keyboards for productivity and optional Apple Pencils for notes, sketches, art and the like. (One bummer: If you already own an Apple Pencil 2, it won't work here. For shame, Apple.)
Size differences between the Air and Pro are negligible: Both weigh 1 pound (give or take a few grams), both measure less than a quarter-inch thick.
As for performance, the Air will more than satisfy the vast majority of users. Only if you're capturing and editing a lot of video should you consider going Pro, which is slightly faster and can more easily offload recordings to an external Thunderbolt drive.
I think the tougher decision is between the Air and the iPad 10.9. If you're thinking about buying the latter with 256GB of storage, that brings your price up to $499. The iPad Air with 128GB runs $599. That's half the storage for $100 more, but you're also getting a more powerful tablet.
Ultimately, the Air makes a good choice for anyone seeking a pro-level iPad without the Pro's price.
- Now available in two sizes
- Excellent keyboard and stylus accessories available
- Front camera now centered along the landscape edge
- Not thinner or lighter than other iPads, despite the name
- Supports Touch ID but not Face ID
- Accessories are expensive
- Not compatible with Apple Pencil 2
How we tested
I've owned and used iPads since the first model dropped back in 2010, so it's safe to say I know my way around Apple's tablets. I'd argue that the company pretty much perfected the devices several generations ago, so there wasn't a ton of testing required here. It's like evaluating a chocolate chip cookie with and without a sprinkle of sea salt; they're both great, just more a matter of personal preference.
More to the point, every iPad model is fast; the higher-end models might shave a few milliseconds here and there, but that's about it. So there's no point in benchmark-testing performance. Similarly, I found all the iPad screens to be razor-sharp and dazzlingly colorful; only art professionals are likely to prefer (or even notice) the iPad Pro's OLED.
Ultimately, my tests came down to usability, and even then, there was little differentiation: The iPad 10.9, iPad Air 11 and iPad Pro 11 are all roughly the same size and weight. Only the Mini offers a usability advantage by being smaller and lighter.
Other iPads we tested
Apple's flagship tablet, the iPad Pro M4, which is available in 11- and 13-inch sizes, is overkill for most users. Sure, it has the fastest processor of any iPad, but you're unlikely to notice any performance difference in most apps. Meanwhile, I found the OLED screen all but indistinguishable from other iPads' LCDs. And do you really need LiDAR scanning — that is, light detection and ranging, a sophisticated method of measurement that can help create 3D models — from a tablet? Unless you have a specific use case for maximum iPad horsepower, there's no reason to choose the Pro over, say, the Air.
FAQs
Should I consider buying an older iPad?
Maybe! Just because an iPad is a generation behind doesn't mean it's not a powerful, useful device. And you'll save money as well. As of this writing, for example, you could still buy the iPad 10.2 (9th generation) for $249, $100 less than the baseline iPad 10.9. It has a slightly smaller screen and less powerful processor, but you also get a dedicated Home button and curved (rather than squared) outer casing — features prized by some users. Just take note that older iPads like this one have a Lightning port rather than USB-C.
How much iPad storage do I need?
As much as you can afford. Unfortunately, because iPads don't have memory card slots, you can't add more storage if you run out of space. Whether that will happen depends on how you use the device. If you mostly browse the web, check email, play a few games and stream video, you can probably get by on 64GB, the amount offered in the baseline iPad 10.9 and iPad Mini. But if you like higher-end games or want to download a lot of movies for offline viewing, I recommend choosing a model with at least 128GB.
Which iPads work with the Apple Pencil?
All modern iPads are compatible with at least one Apple Pencil, but there are four different versions of that plastic stylus, each with slightly different features and compatibility. For example, the iPad 10.9 (10th generation) works with the Apple Pencil (1st generation) and Apple Pencil (USB-C). The iPad Air works with the Apple Pencil and Apple Pencil Pro, but not the Apple Pencil 2. Needless to say, do your research on the different Pencil models and make sure the one you want is compatible with the iPad you want.
What are the best iPad alternatives?
If your budget won't accommodate an iPad or you're an Android user who wants something with a similar interface, check out our list of the best tablets you can buy. There's something there for everyone.