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The best iPads for 2026
A certified smartphones, tablets and wearables whizz, Adam's been hands-on with tech for more than six years, sharing expert knowledge and buying advice.
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.
Best iPad for you: 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.
Apple hiked its prices in June 2026. So if you're in the market for an iPad and see it at its older, cheaper price, snap it up while stocks last.
| iPad specs | iPad (2025) | iPad Air 11-inch (2026) | iPad Air 13-inch (2026) | iPad Pro 11-inch (2025) | iPad Mini (2024) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Typical lowest price | SQUIRREL_TEXT_50019912 | SQUIRREL_TEXT_50027143 | SQUIRREL_TEXT_50027144 | SQUIRREL_TEXT_50022859 | SQUIRREL_TEXT_50017674 |
| Typical price at Apple | £429 | £749 | £949 | £1,199 | £1,499 |
| Processor | Apple A16 Bionic | Apple M4 | Apple M4 | Apple M5 | Apple A17 Pro |
| Ram | 6GB | 12GB | 12GB | 12GB - 16GB | 8GB |
| Storage | 128GB - 512GB | 128GB - 1TB | 128GB - 1TB | 256GB - 2TB | 128GB - 512GB |
| Screen | 11-inch; 2,360 x 1,640 resolution | 2,360 x 1,640 resolution | 2,732 x 2,048 resolution | 2,420 x 1,668 resolution | 8.3-inch; 2,266 x 1,488 resolution |
| Weight | 477g | 464g | 616g | 444g | 293g |
Which iPad is best for you? At a glance
This is a quick summary so you can see who each iPad is aimed at. Click through to see our expert, independent reviews.
- Best for most people: iPad (2025) – great for browsing and Netflix, but lacks the latest AI features.
- Best for professionals with £700-£1,000 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.
Looking for a discount on a tablet? We've rounded them all up in our best iPad and tablet deals.
Which iPad is best for you? More details
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 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 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 M5 chip powers the 2025 models, 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 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:
Happy to not buy new? We've put together a guide on where to buy and what you need to know about refurbished iPads
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 compare 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.
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.
| Brand | Reliability rating | Proportion of faults in the first 6-7 years | Proportion of faulty products that resulted in a repair | Proportion of faulty products that resulted in a replacement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Sign up to reveal Get instant access to this and all our scores and recommendations Unlock tableGet Digital access £9.99 per month, cancel at any time. Already a member? | 10% | 26% | 4% | |
| 7% | 100% | n/a | ||
| 10% | 28% | 6% | ||
| 17% | 29% | 9% | ||
| 17% | 72% | 25% | ||
| 14% | 26% | 9% | ||
| 17% | 64% | 0% | ||
| 20% | 53% | 0% | ||
| 23% | 21% | 0% | ||
| 32% | 50% | 13% |
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Online survey: March 2025, of 15,644 people who own tech products, of which 8,659 were tablets.
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