Buying guide
Which iPad Should You Buy in 2026? 7 Picks for Every Budget
Best for most people: iPad Air 11-inch (M3). Best basic: iPad (A16). Best budget: iPad (10th gen). Every pick, specs side by side, with live prices.
For most people, the best iPad to buy is the iPad Air 11-inch (M3). For simple use, get the iPad (A16). For kids and streaming on a budget, get the iPad (10th gen), and for the best screen, the iPad Pro 11-inch (M4).
Find your iPad in 3 taps
What's your budget?
What will you use it for most?
Do you want Apple Intelligence?
Our picks
- M3chip
- 11"screen
- 460 gweight
Buy it if you want a fast iPad for school or work that handles Apple Pencil Pro and a keyboard.
Skip it if you want a 120Hz screen. That is iPad Pro only.
Why we picked it
It has the M3 chip, Apple Intelligence, an 11-inch Liquid Retina screen, Apple Pencil Pro support and the Magic Keyboard for iPad Air, with up to 10 hours of battery.
- A16chip
- 11"screen
- 128GBbase storage
Buy it if you want a simple iPad for video, browsing and schoolwork.
Skip it if you want Apple Intelligence or Apple Pencil Pro.
Why we picked it
Released in 2025, it has the A16 chip, an 11-inch screen, USB-C, Touch ID and 128GB of storage to start. It supports Apple Pencil (USB-C).
- 10.9"screen
- USB-Cport
- A14chip
Buy it if you want a simple iPad for kids, streaming and reading.
Skip it if you need lots of storage. It starts at 64GB.
Why we picked it
It has a 10.9-inch screen, the A14 Bionic chip, USB-C, Touch ID and a landscape front camera for video calls.
- 8.3"screen
- 293 gweight
- A17 Prochip
Buy it if you want an iPad you can hold in one hand for reading, notes and travel.
Skip it if you want to type on it like a laptop. It has no Smart Connector.
Why we picked it
It has an 8.3-inch screen, the A17 Pro chip with Apple Intelligence, Apple Pencil Pro support and weighs 293 g.
- 13"screen
- M3chip
- 600 nitsbrightness
Buy it if you want a big screen for drawing, split-screen work or movies.
Skip it if you carry it all day. It weighs 616 g.
Why we picked it
It has the same M3 chip as the 11-inch Air on a 13-inch screen with 600 nits of brightness, plus Apple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard support.
- OLEDtandem screen
- 120HzProMotion
- M4chip
Buy it if you edit photos or video, draw a lot, or want the best screen on any iPad.
Skip it if you just browse and stream. An Air handles that fine.
Why we picked it
It has an Ultra Retina XDR tandem OLED screen with 120Hz ProMotion and up to 1600 nits HDR, the M4 chip, Face ID and a Thunderbolt port, at 444 g.
- M2chip
- 11"screen
- Pencil Prosupport
Buy it if you want the Air experience and can live with last year's chip.
Skip it if you want the newest chip. Get the M3 Air.
Why we picked it
It has the M2 chip, Apple Intelligence, an 11-inch screen, Apple Pencil Pro support and the Magic Keyboard for iPad Air.
Every pick side by side
| iPad | Screen | Chip | Display | Weight | Apple Pencil | Apple Intelligence | Released | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iPad Air 11-inch (M3) | 11-inch, 60Hz | M3 | Liquid Retina (LED-backlit LCD) | 460g | Apple Pencil Pro, Apple Pencil (USB-C) | Yes | 2025 | $779.99 |
| iPad (A16) | 11-inch, 60Hz | A16 | Liquid Retina (LED-backlit LCD) | 477g | Apple Pencil (1st gen, with adapter), Apple Pencil (USB-C) | No | 2025 | $529.99 |
| iPad (10th gen) | 10.9-inch, 60Hz | A14 Bionic | Liquid Retina (LED-backlit LCD) | 477g | Apple Pencil (1st gen, with adapter), Apple Pencil (USB-C) | No | 2022 | $395.99 |
| iPad mini (A17 Pro) | 8.3-inch, 60Hz | A17 Pro | Liquid Retina (LED-backlit LCD) | 293g | Apple Pencil Pro, Apple Pencil (USB-C) | Yes | 2024 | $709.99 |
| iPad Air 13-inch (M3) | 13-inch, 60Hz | M3 | Liquid Retina (LED-backlit LCD) | 616g | Apple Pencil Pro, Apple Pencil (USB-C) | Yes | 2025 | $1,009.99 |
| iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) | 11-inch, 120Hz | M4 | Ultra Retina XDR (tandem OLED) | 444g | Apple Pencil Pro, Apple Pencil (USB-C) | Yes | 2024 | $1,309.99 |
| iPad Air 11-inch (M2) | 11-inch, 60Hz | M2 | Liquid Retina (LED-backlit LCD) | 462g | Apple Pencil Pro, Apple Pencil (USB-C) | Yes | 2024 | $669.99 |
How to pick an iPad
- Start with the use. Video, browsing and kids: the basic iPad. School, notes and work: the Air. Pro photo and video work: the Pro.
- Check the Pencil. Apple Pencil Pro works with the iPad Air (M2) and newer, the iPad Pro (M4) and newer, and the iPad mini (A17 Pro). The basic iPads use Apple Pencil (USB-C).
- Want Apple Intelligence? It needs an M1 chip or newer, or the A17 Pro in the iPad mini. The iPad (A16) and 10th gen do not have it.
Storage tip: 128GB is enough for most people. Skip 64GB if you download shows or keep big apps and games.
Questions people ask
Which iPad is best for most people?
The iPad Air 11-inch (M3). It is fast, supports Apple Pencil Pro and the Magic Keyboard, and has Apple Intelligence.
Which iPad is best for students?
The iPad Air 11-inch (M3) or (M2) for notes and essays with a keyboard. On a tighter budget, the iPad (A16) handles schoolwork fine. See iPad vs Galaxy Tab for students.
Which iPad is best for kids?
The iPad (10th gen). It has a 10.9-inch screen, USB-C and Touch ID, and covers videos, games and learning apps.
iPad or iPad Air?
The Air adds an M-series chip, Apple Intelligence, Apple Pencil Pro and a better keyboard. Read iPad vs iPad Air.
iPad Air or iPad Pro?
The Pro adds a 120Hz OLED screen, Face ID and a Thunderbolt port. For notes, school and streaming, the Air is enough. See iPad Air vs iPad Pro.
Which iPads support Apple Intelligence?
Every iPad with an M1 chip or newer, and the iPad mini (A17 Pro). Of the iPads on this page, the iPad (A16) and iPad (10th gen) do not.
Wi-Fi or Cellular?
Wi-Fi is enough if you use it at home, school or with your phone's hotspot. Cellular lets it connect on its own with a data plan.
Is a pre-owned iPad a safe buy?
Every iPad we sell is inspected and tested, and has at least 80% battery health. You get up to a 1-year warranty and 14-day returns. Grades describe looks only.
How did we pick?
We compared Apple's published specs for every iPad we sell (chip, screen, Pencil and keyboard support, Apple Intelligence) and weighed them against price and release date. Prices on this page are live from our store.
Want more detail? Compare iPad mini vs iPad Air, or shop all iPads. Trading in your old iPad? See what it's worth.
Skip the new-phone price
Get the iPad Air 11-inch (M3) pre-owned from $779.99, tested by real technicians with up to a 1-year warranty and 14-day returns.
