The best iPads for 2026

Wondering which is the best iPad for you? There are four: the iPad, iPad Mini, iPad Air and iPad Pro. Each has a different user (and budget) in mind.

Here, we take you through the similarities and differences between the latest iPads, based on their specs and how well they did in our tests  –  so you can pick the best iPad for your needs and budget. We'll also show you which retailers have the best prices.

Want to see how iPads measure up against Amazon Fire, Android, Samsung and Windows tablets? Take a look at our expert pick of the best tablets 

Which iPad should I buy? iPad specs and prices compared

Our table below shows all the current iPads and their key specs. After the table, you'll see our quick guide to help you identify the right iPad for your needs and budget. Plus more information on the latest 2026, 2025 and 2024 iPads, plus our in-depth verdict on which is the best iPad for you. 

Which one is for you?

• Best for most people: iPad (2025) – great for browsing and Netflix, but lacks the latest AI features.
  
• Best for professionals with £600-£800 to spend: iPad Air 11-inch (2026) and iPad Air 13-inch (2026) – pro-level power (M4 chip) without the Pro price tag.
• Best for portability: iPad Mini (2024) – portable power for readers and travellers.
• Best for professionals and creatives: iPad Pro 11-inch (2025) and iPad Pro 13-inch (2025) – the ultimate creative tool with a stunning OLED screen.

iPad Air (2026)

On 2 March 2026, Apple refreshed its lineup with the 8th-generation iPad Air. This latest model sees a major performance jump by adopting the M4 processor, the same high-end chip previously exclusive to the iPad Pro. Crucially, it also features a boost to 12GB of Ram, making it significantly more capable of running more demanding apps and multitasking.

The Airs sit between the iPad Pros and the standard iPad in terms of power and price. They are available in two sizes: 11 and 13 inches. These are the same sizes as the latest iPad Pros.

• iPad Air 11-inch (2026) review
• iPad Air 13-inch (2026) review

iPad (2025)

The iPad (2025) is an upgrade from the popular 2022 version. It has an updated processor and screen, as well as more storage. It might be Apple's cheapest iPad but it has some appealing specs and an even-more appealing price.

See our verdict on the cheapest iPad below. We buy every device we test and never take freebies, so you can trust our reviews.

• iPad (2025) review

iPad Air (2025)

The 2025 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Airs were released in March 2025, less than a year after the 2024 version. They really have just one upgrade - Apple's M3 processor instead of the M2. This is meant to be faster, more efficient and better capable of handling Apple Intelligence software.

They launched for the same price as the 2024 models - the 11-inch one started at £599 and the 13-inch at £799. 

See what we thought of the 2025 iPad Airs and find out where to buy them. 

• 11-inch iPad Air (2025) review
• 13-inch iPad Air (2025) review

iPad Pro (2025)

Apple has stuck with its two-size strategy for the eighth-generation Pro, offering both 11-inch and 13-inch models. While the 2026 Air has narrowed the gap, the Pro remains in a league of its own for raw power and screen quality. The 2025 models are powered by the M5 chip, whereas the 2026 Airs have the M4. 

The 11-inch model starts at £999 and the 13-inch at £1,299.

See our full test results for the flagship models:

• iPad Pro 11-inch (2025) review
• iPad Pro 13-inch (2025) review

2024 releases

iPad Mini 2024

The latest iPad Mini was announced on 15 October 2024. It has an 8.3-inch screen, like its predecessor.

The main upgrade from the 2021 model is the A17 Pro chip with faster CPU and GPU and, most importantly, support for Apple Intelligence. This is Apple's latest AI technology and includes features such as 'Writing Tools' (where the iPad will rewrite, proofread and summarise texts), Siri will have more capabilities, and you can edit people out of photos and have it fill in the gaps.

Unlike previous Minis, it supports Apple's stylus: the Pencil Pro.

See our verdict on this popular iPad in our review and compare retailer prices:

• iPad Mini 2024 review

iPad Air 2024

The 2024 iPad Airs were available in two sizes: 11 and 13-inch. They have the M2 processor – the same chip that powers the 2022 iPad Pros. 

They are designed for landscape use, as the front-facing camera moved from the shorter top edge in portrait mode to the longer side edge. The speakers were moved to better support landscape use, too.

The 11-inch one launched at £599 and the 13-inch model at £799. This model is now only available to buy second-hand. With the release of the 2026 versions, you might be able to find a deal.

• iPad Air 11-inch (2024) review
• iPad Air 13-inch (2024) review

iPad Pro 2024

There are 11 and 13-inch iPad Pro 2024 to choose from. They both have the M4 chip, which is four times faster than the M2, according to Apple. The very latest 2025 Pros have the M5 chip.

They are about as high-end as tablets get and had prices to match. But, despite all the upgrades, they didn't cost much more than the 2022 Pros at launch. The 11-inch model started at £999 at launch and the 13-inch one at £1,299 – an increase of £100 and £50 respectively.  

• iPad Pro 7th generation 11-inch review
• iPad Pro 7th generation 13-inch review
  

Best iPads compared: iPad vs iPad Mini, iPad Air and iPad Pro

The standard iPad is an iconic tablet – and where the market begins and ends for some people. This – or the Mini variant – is the cheapest way to get an iPad.

The standard iPad is the least powerful of the bunch – it uses the A16 chip and isn't equipped for Apple Intelligence (AI) software, while the Air and Pro use the same processors you'll find in MacBooks. The iPad Mini 2024 has the A17 Pro chip, which is the same as the one in the iPhone 15 Pro series. A tablet's processor primarily dictates speed and its ability to cope with demanding apps. 

Ram is the other side of that coin and an iPad with more of it should feel quicker and more responsive, with faster load times. The latest iPad has 6GB, but the most recent Mini, Air and Pro see this figure jump to 8GB – or even 16GB, if you choose a Pro with a larger hard drive. 

The standard iPad matches more expensive models with its screen, though – it uses the same Retina Display technology as other iPads, displaying lustrous colours and precise images that are rich in detail.

None of the iPads should feel underpowered or look drab, so your choice will largely come down to the screen size. The standard iPad has enough power to cope with most people's needs and the iPad Mini is a good option for anyone who wants something more portable.

The Air and 11-inch Pro are for people who demand more from their tablet. If you use editing software for photos or videos, or create 3D art, the extra power from the M4 and M5 chips will help. The 13-inch Pro is more like a laptop and you should consider a keyboard if you want to get the most out of it – or a stylus, if your interests are more art-focused.

If you're a Which? member, you can log in to find out how the different iPads compared in our lab tests. Not yet a member? Join Which? to unlock our exclusive iPad test results, plus all of our online reviews – from tablets and laptops to electric cars.

You will also be able to access our full expert Apple iPad reviews.

iPad prices compared

iPads – and Apple products, generally – don't tend to get many discounts, but keeping an eye on prices from retailers other than Apple is the best way to find reductions. Here, you'll find the best prices we could find at the major retailers for the latest models.

You can buy the latest iPad and iPad Airs through the links below. Their release might mean the previous generations drop in price. For the majority of people, the iPad or iPad Mini will do the trick, so there's no real need to spend hundreds more on an Air or Pro.

iPad Air (2026)

The release of the latest iPad Air doesn't come with too many upgrades, which isn't surprising since it has been released less than a year after the last one. It has the faster M3 processor and is being released with Apple Intelligence. 

The 11-inch model starts from £599 at launch, and the 13-inch from £799. It's available in space grey, blue, purple and 'starlight'. 

Looking to see how iPad prices measure up against other worthy tablets? Our experts have tracked down the best iPad and tablet deals. 

iPad 11th gen (2025)

The latest standard iPad came out on 12 March 2025. Prices at launch started from £329, and it comes in silver, blue, pink and yellow.

Compared it to the 2022 version, it has an updated processor, an option for more storage (up to 512GB), and a higher-resolution screen.

iPad Air (2025)

The 2025 iPad Air didn't come with too many upgrades, which wasn't surprising since it had been released less than a year after the last one. It added a faster M3 processor (the 2026 version comes with the M4) and was released with Apple Intelligence. 

The 11-inch model started at £599 at launch, and the 13-inch model at £799. It's available in space grey, blue, purple and 'starlight'. 

Looking to see how iPad prices measure up against other worthy tablets? Our experts have tracked down the best iPad and tablet deals. 

iPad Pro (2025)

It's thinner than any device Apple has ever made (iPhones included) and has the cutting-edge M5 processor. It's a powerhouse and more than most people need, but if you think this tablet is for you, there are 11-inch and 13-inch options to choose from.

iPad Air (2024)

The 2024 iPad Air has an M2 processor, which also powered the 2022 iPad Pros. It's available in two sizes for the first time – there's an 11-inch and a 13-inch model. It's likely to be discontinued.

iPad Mini (2024)

Apple announced this model in October 2024. It's the smallest iPad with an 8.3-inch screen, but it has powerful specs, Apple's AI (Apple Intelligence) and an upgraded chipset.

The tablet is widely available, but you can get it engraved for free if you buy directly from Apple - prices start from £499. Compare prices below:

iPad (2022)

It's an older tablet, but worth considering if you can get a good deal. It's a slick tablet with enough Ram processing power to play games and not be sat waiting for apps to load.

The best iPad for drawing

As styluses have improved, tablets have become better tools for drawing, and many an iPad advert features a budding young Hayao Miyazaki scribbling away with an Apple Pencil (it's called 'Pencil', but it's still a stylus).

A lot of art, particularly that used in films and video games, is drawn on specialist illustration tablets – such as Wacom tablets and Xencelabs slates – but iPads make for fantastic canvases, too.

Which iPad you go for really depends on what size screen you want to draw on. The 13-inch iPad Pro or 13-inch iPad Air is your best bet if you want the maximum space for your masterpiece. But the bright, high-resolution 11-inch screen on the far cheaper standard iPad is a great shout, too. You can see the best prices we can find for these models below.

The best iPad for kids

Unless you've got a budding Banksy on your hands, you probably don't need a big-screen, art-focused tablet with a stylus. A more basic version will work just fine.

An iPad Mini makes sense for smaller hands, but the cheaper and bigger iPad from 2025 (or the older 2022 model) is probably your best bet. It's unlikely the lucky recipient will be running any advanced software, and the bigger screen is a bonus for games and videos. Plus, it's the cheapest of all the iPads currently available, and Apple's generous support periods mean you've probably got software support for two to three more years.

If you need a tablet with a bit more oomph, then we'd go for the iPad Air. Its M4 processor will be better for design-focused apps as well as photo and video editing. 

Still, for most kids, we reckon the iPad will be ideal – you can see where to buy it cheapest in the following table.

How much storage do I need on an iPad?

Because iPads can’t have extra storage added post-purchase – unlike Android tablets with microSD card slots – it’s important to pick the right amount. 

This is what we would recommend for different uses:

• 64GB This is the lowest amount you can get on newer iPads, and it's likely enough for most people. There's enough room for you to download books, a few series on Netflix and hundreds of images before you need to resort to iCloud storage. 
• 128GB If you have lots of apps and games, and also plan on downloading lots of TV and films, it's worth getting more storage.
• 256GB If you're planning to use your iPad Pro like a laptop – with multimedia projects such as music, video and photos – it's sensible to invest in this amount. 
• 1TB and 2TB These enormous hard drives (1,000GB and 2,000GB respectively) are only available on the iPad Pro range. Most people won't need this much, but if you're editing raw 4K footage, it might be wise to go with the most storage you can.

It’s still possible to pick up a new version of a previous-generation iPad, plus you can save money by buying refurbished – find out more about buying a refurbished iPad. 

What is the lifespan of an Apple tablet?

If you're looking at an iPad, you're probably hunting for a tablet that will stand the test of time. In the table below, we've locked up our full results and expert analysis. This exclusive content, which reveals how Apple and its iPads performed in our survey, is reserved for Which? members. They can use it to help them buy a brand that will last. 

They'll discover which tablet brands have as few as one in ten devices developing faults within seven years, which brands have over a third becoming faulty, and which surprising brand is rated just as reliable as the big names. 

Which? members can log in to see the scores and star ratings each brand earned in our latest tablet owners' survey. Not yet a member? Join Which? now to get instant access to all of our reviews.

Do you need an Apple Pencil?

You can draw with your finger, but if you really want to take your art to the next level – or you'd prefer not to have greasy fingerprints all over the screen – then a stylus is a good option.

The Apple Pencil is an expensive stylus, designed with iPads in mind. The standard USB-C model costs £79 direct from Apple, but it's more than just point and press – it actually behaves like a pencil with built-in pressure and tilt sensors, so you can really finesse your shading. However, these features aren't as useful if you're just using them to select links on a website or cells on a spreadsheet.

The latest model is the Pencil Pro. It adds more haptic feedback and gyroscopic sensors, so it should feel more like you're using a real pencil or paintbrush as you use it. It costs £129 directly from Apple.

You don't need to buy an Apple-branded stylus, either – there are plenty of cheaper ones available from other brands. These are worth a look if you don't need all the extra illustration-focused features of the Apple Pencil. 

An Apple Pencil is only really worth the hefty price if you're actually going to draw with it. And if you do want it, you can usually get it cheaper from retailers other than Apple.

Apple Pencil compatibility

There are four different versions of the pencil: the 1st gen model, the 2nd gen model, a USB-C charging version and the Apple Pencil Pro. They are all compatible with different iPads, so check to see if yours will work.

Apple Pencil Pro

• iPad Pro 11-inch and 13-inch: M4 models
• iPad Air 11-inch and 13-inch: M2, M3, and M4 models
• iPad mini: A17 Pro (7th Gen)

Apple Pencil (USB-C) 

• iPad Pro 13-inch: M4 and M5 models
• iPad Pro 11-inch: M4 and M5 models
• iPad Pro 12.9-inch: 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th generation
• iPad Pro 11-inch: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th generation
• iPad Air 13-inch: M4, M3, and M2 models
• iPad Air 11-inch: M4, M3, and M2 models
• iPad Air: 4th and 5th generation
• iPad: 10th and 11th generation
• iPad mini: 6th generation and A17 Pro (7th Gen)

Apple Pencil 2nd generation

• iPad Pro 12.9-inch: 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th generation
• iPad Pro 11-inch: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th generation
• iPad Air: 4th and 5th generation
• iPad mini: 6th generation

Apple Pencil 1st generation

• iPad Pro 12.9-inch: 1st and 2nd generation
• iPad Pro 10.5-inch
• iPad Pro 9.7-inch
• iPad Air: 3rd generation
• iPad mini: 5th generation
• iPad: 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th*, and 11th generation* (* Note: Requires a USB-C to Apple Pencil Adapter to pair and charge with these models.)

Your top 5 iPad queries answered

iPads are basically big phones and our tests find them to be intuitive to use, but there are still intricacies and functions that aren't immediately apparent.

How to take a screenshot on an iPad

Press the power and either volume button quickly – there's no need to hold them down. When you release the buttons, your screenshot will be taken and you'll see a small thumbnail of it in the corner of the screen for a few seconds. If you have an iPad with a power button, then the process is the same, but you press the home and power button instead. 

How to reset an iPad 

This is an important operation if you're planning on selling or giving away your iPad, since it removes all your data. Go to Settings then General and scroll down until you see Reset. Press it then select Erase All Content and Settings. Enter your password and your iPad will be as free from personal data as the day you bought it. You may also need to remove your Apple ID account.

How to clear the cache on an iPad

This is more to do with your browser than your iPad but, since this is Apple, you're more than likely using its Safari browser. Open Settings and scroll all the way to Safari (it's quite far down). Press it, then select Clear History and Website Data – all selected website data will be cleared, so you'll need to log in to websites again.

How to get rid of split screen on an iPad 

Seeing two apps at once on-screen is useful, until you can't figure out how to get back to seeing just one. You'll see a black divider between the two windows and you can drag this around to resize the two boxes. Drag the slider left or right to make one of the windows smaller and, if you drag it all the way to the side of the screen, then the window you've been making smaller will disappear.

How to rotate the screen on an iPad 

This should happen automatically when you hold the tablet upright (portrait mode) or horizontally (landscape mode). If it doesn't, then either the app doesn't support landscape or portrait mode, or the auto screen rotate is turned off. To turn it on again, swipe down from the top-right of the screen to open the Control Centre, then find Rotation Lock and make sure it's turned off.

Wondering how Apple iPads compare to their rivals? Check out all of our independent tablet reviews.