Top iPad Models for 2025: Which to Buy?

Apple's iPad has long been the benchmark for tablets, setting the standard that others strive to meet. With an expansive range of models, from compact and portable to powerful and feature-rich, the iPad lineup caters to a wide array of needs and budgets. The recent releases of the new iPad (A16) and the M3 iPad Air models have added even more options, along with price reductions on older models, making the choice more challenging yet exciting.

TL;DR – These Are the Best Apple iPad Models:

Best Overall### Apple iPad (10th Gen)

2See it at Amazon### Apple iPad (9th Gen)

0See it at Amazon### Apple iPad Pro (2024 M4)

0See it at AmazonSee it at Apple### Apple iPad Mini (7th Gen)

3See it at AmazonSee it at AppleSee it at Best Buy### OnePlus Pad 2

0See it at AmazonSee it at OnePlusWe've tested numerous Apple tablets and understand what makes each unique. The latest iPad Pro models boast advanced displays and powerful M-series chipsets, ideal for those needing top performance. For portability, the iPad Mini packs impressive features into a compact form, offering a larger iPhone-like experience at a more affordable price. Meanwhile, the base iPads are perfect for simpler tasks like e-reading, delivering excellent value and performance.

Apple isn't the only player in the tablet market. If you're not tied to the Apple ecosystem, exploring alternatives could offer quality upgrades at a better price. For those committed to iPads, consider enhancing your experience with accessories like keyboards.

Additional contributions by Mark Knapp and Danielle Abraham

1. Apple iPad (10th Gen)

Best Overall iPad

Best Overall### Apple iPad (10th Gen)

2The 10th Gen iPad stands out with its repositioned 12-megapixel front-facing camera, sleek design, faster A14 Bionic processor, and a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display. It's a versatile choice for most users, offering a more approachable price point compared to the higher-end Pro models.

See it at Amazon

Product Specifications

• Screen size: 10.9-inch, 2360 x 1640 Liquid Retina display
• Processor: Apple A14 Bionic chip with 6-core CPU + 4-core GPU
• Storage: 64GB
• Cameras: 12MP (rear), 12MP (front)

PROS

• Varied colorways
• Better display than 9th gen

CONS

• Still using the A14 Bionic, rather than the M1

Apple excels in making its base-level iPad an exceptional option for most users. The 10th Gen iPad, with its approachable price, is ideal for a broad audience. While it doesn't feature the most advanced display, its 10.9-inch Liquid Retina panel delivers sharp visuals at a 2360x1640 resolution. It supports the 1st generation Apple Pencil, enhancing its utility for creative tasks.

The design of the 10th Gen model is refreshed, featuring thinner bezels and a lighter build. The front-facing camera's new landscape orientation, coupled with Center Stage, ensures you stay framed during video calls. Powered by the A14 Bionic chip with 4GB of memory, this iPad offers a performance boost over its predecessor. It also adopts USB-C charging, aligning with modern standards and enhancing future-proofing.

The 11th-generation iPad, now available, features an A16 processor and double the starting storage of previous models, offering even more value.

2. Apple iPad (9th Gen)

Best Budget iPad

### Apple iPad (9th Gen)

0The 9th Gen iPad delivers solid performance and a crisp 10.2-inch Retina display at a budget-friendly price, often available for under $300, especially during sales like Amazon Prime Day or Black Friday.

See it at Amazon

Product Specifications

• Screen size: 10.2-inch Retina
• Processor: A13 Bionic
• Storage: 64GB, 256GB
• Cameras: 8-megapixel rear, 12-megapixel front-facing

PROS

• The jack-of-all-trades iPad
• Reasonable price

CONS

• Can lag behind other tablets

For those seeking a budget-friendly yet capable tablet, the 9th Gen iPad is a solid choice. Despite its 2021 release, it runs the latest iPadOS, ensuring optimized performance. While it lacks some of the advanced features of the iPad Air, Mini, or Pro, it still provides access to all the same apps, albeit with less intensive performance for demanding tasks.

Ideal for media consumption, news, basic gaming, and e-reading, the 9th Gen iPad is also a great option for kids, especially when paired with a durable case to protect against wear and tear.

iPad Pro 2024 – Photos

7 Images3. Apple iPad Pro (2024, M4)

Best Premium iPad

### Apple iPad Pro (2024 M4)

0The latest iPad Pro, featuring an M4 processor and an OLED display, is the epitome of premium tablet technology, perfect for creative professionals and those seeking top-tier performance.

See it at AmazonSee it at Apple

Product Specifications

• Screen size: 11-inch, 12.9-inch
• Processor: Apple M4
• Storage: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB
• Cameras: 12MP wide camera (rear), Landscape 12MP ultra-wide camera (front)

PROS

• Awesome for artists and video editors
• FaceID works wonders
• An actually decent camera

CONS

• You'll need to buy a lot of accessories to make it a true workstation

The iPad Pro has always been a marvel of technology, and the 2024 model is no exception. With its slim profile, it's the thinnest iPad yet, yet it houses the powerful M4 chip, outpacing even the latest MacBook Air. This makes it an exceptional choice for creative professionals.

The introduction of an OLED display marks a significant upgrade, offering vibrant colors and high contrast, making it ideal for viewing content. The M4 chip ensures smooth performance, whether gaming or handling creative tasks. With the new Apple Pencil Pro, the iPad Pro is an excellent tool for artists and editors, though additional accessories like the Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil come at a cost.

Read the review: Apple iPad Pro (7th Generation)

4. Apple iPad Mini (7th Gen)

Best for Reading and Portability

### Apple iPad Mini (7th Gen)

3The iPad Mini offers a compact and lightweight design with an 8.3-inch display, making it an ideal choice for reading and portability.

See it at AmazonSee it at AppleSee it at Best Buy

Product Specifications

• Screen size: 8.3-inch Liquid Retina
• Processor: A17 Pro
• Storage: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB
• Cameras: 12-megapixel rear, 12-megapixel front-facing

PROS

• Compact and lightweight
• Excellent performance

CONS

• No major design changes with new model

For those seeking a tablet that's more portable than larger iPads but bigger than the best iPhones, the iPad Mini is the perfect middle ground, especially for reading. Its 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display and lightweight build make it easy to carry and use one-handed. The App Store offers numerous reading apps, enhancing its appeal as a reading device.

The iPad Mini also supports the Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil (USB-C), making it suitable for note-taking and sketching. Its sturdy build and recycled aluminum body ensure durability. The A17 Pro processor provides ample performance for everyday tasks and gaming, compatible with many of the best phone controllers.

OnePlus Pad 2 – Photos

4 Images5. OnePlus Pad 2

Best iPad Alternative

### OnePlus Pad 2

0The OnePlus Pad 2 offers excellent performance, a smooth display, and great quality at a more affordable price than the iPad Pro, making it an excellent alternative for Android users.

See it at AmazonSee it at OnePlus

Product Specifications

• Screen size: 12.1-inch, IPS, 2120 x 3000
• Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
• Storage: 128GB
• Cameras: 13-megapixel rear, 8-megapixel front-facing

PROS

• Large, smooth display
• Solid performance

CONS

• Shorter-term OS support than Apple

The OnePlus Pad 2 stands out as a compelling alternative to the iPad Pro in the Android tablet market. Its 12.1-inch IPS display with 10-bit color depth, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and a 144Hz refresh rate offers a smooth and vibrant viewing experience. The OnePlus Stylo 2 stylus enhances its utility for creative tasks, and the six-speaker setup delivers impressive audio.

Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, the OnePlus Pad 2 matches the performance of flagship Android smartphones, ensuring it can handle the latest apps and games. Its 9,510mAh battery provides about 12 hours of heavy use, and 80W charging allows for quick recharges. OnePlus commits to three years of OS updates and four years of security updates, ensuring longevity.

Read the full review: OnePlus Pad 2

Upcoming iPad Models

Exciting new releases include the 11th-Gen iPad with an A16 processor and new 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Air models running on an M3 chip. The iPad Mini has also been updated with an A17 Pro processor, offering even more options for consumers.

Which Apple iPad Is Right for Me?

Since its debut in 2010, the iPad has bridged the gap between smartphones and laptops. Whether you need a portable device for casual use or a powerful tool for professional tasks, there's an iPad for every need.

If you're buying your first iPad or upgrading from an older model, consider the following factors in 2025:

Tablet Sizes

Apple offers six iPad models with five different screen sizes. The iPad Mini, with its 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display, is perfect for reading and portability. The 9th and 10th Gen iPads feature 10.2-inch and 10.9-inch displays, respectively, while the 11th Gen model has an 11-inch screen. The M3 iPad Air offers 11-inch or 13-inch displays, powered by the M-series chip. The iPad Pro comes in 11-inch and 13-inch variants, with the larger model featuring an Ultra Retina XDR OLED display, ideal for creatives and professionals.

Storage Capacity Differences

Most iPads start at 64GB, with the iPad Pro offering up to 2TB. For general use, 64GB is sufficient, but creatives may need at least 1TB. For storage beyond 2TB, an external hard drive connected via USB-C is necessary.

Peripherals to Consider

All iPads, except the 9th Gen, feature USB-C ports for charging and peripherals. Bluetooth is the preferred method for connecting accessories like the Apple Pencil, keyboards, and AirPods, ensuring seamless integration and functionality.

Connectivity

iPads come in Wi-Fi-only and Wi-Fi + cellular versions. The latter, which includes GPS, is ideal for use on the go but is more expensive due to additional hardware.

Price Comparison

The 10th Gen iPad starts at $269, often available at a lower price during sales. At the top end, a fully-equipped iPad Pro can exceed $2,000, offering the best of Apple's technology.

Which iPad Is Best for Kids and Teens in 2025?

The iPad Air M2 is our top pick for kids and teens, as highlighted in our list of the best iPads for kids. For students, our guide to the best iPads for students provides comprehensive recommendations.