Last Updated on September 15, 2023 by Ernests Embutnieks
Searching for the ideal iPad to elevate your Procreate experience? Look no further! In the ever-evolving world of digital artistry, drawing on an iPad has transcended into a serious profession. Let’s embark on the journey to find your perfect creative companion.
Many creatives nowadays prefer a high-end iPad and Apple Pencil over a drawing or graphic tablet, and for good reason. The primary advantage is one’s ability to use Procreate on an Apple device. Procreate is an exclusive app only available for Apple users.
So let’s explore the best iPads for Procreate and let’s talk about the one you should probably avoid.
Best iPads For Procreate
| Image | Product | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
Best iPad For Procreate  |
| 9.9 | Check Price on Amazon |
Editor’s Pick  |
| 9.7 | Check Price on Amazon |
Best Budget Pick  |
| 8.8 | Check Price on Amazon |
Small Size Tablet  |
| 8.9 | Check Price on Amazon |
In a nutshell, iPad Pro 12.9 is the best iPad for Procreate and creating digital art. It is the most powerful iPad with an incredible display to facilitate the drawing process. However, budget and size constraints can push artists to pursue other iPads for using Procreate. iPad Air and Mini are good options if the Pro version seems out of reach.
🛠️ Specifications
| Display | 12.9-inch retina (2732 x 2048) |
| Processor | Apple M2 |
| RAM | Up to 16 GB |
| Storage | Up to 2TB |
| Battery Life | Up to 10 Hours |
| Weight | 1.50 pounds |
| OS | iPadOS 16 |
| Brightness | 1600 nits |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz |
Undoubtedly, the 12.9-inch iPad Pro stands as the ultimate choice for Procreate and digital artistry. While it boasts exceptional capabilities, it’s worth noting that it falls on the higher end of the price spectrum. If your creative pursuits lean more towards professional sketching and drawing, this iPad provides an abundance of computing and display power.
Plus, it pairs seamlessly with the Apple Pencil 2. The Apple Pencil 2 delivers outstanding performance on this device, and the inclusion of a 120Hz screen ensures unparalleled responsiveness. If you’re aiming for a top-notch Procreate experience, this iPad Pro won’t disappoint.
The iPad Pro 12.9-inch is the artist’s ultimate canvas. There is no better option in the market. It’s also capable of other things besides creating art – watching movies, note-taking, studies, planning, photo-edits, video-edits, etc.
🛠️ Specifications
| Display | 11-inch Retina (2388 x 1668) |
| Processor | Apple M2 |
| RAM | Up to 16GB |
| Storage | Up to 2TB |
| Battery Life | Up to 10 Hours |
| Weight | 1.03 pounds |
| OS | iPadOS 16 |
| Brightness | 600 nits |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz |
The 11-inch iPad Pro offers the same technology as a 12.9 but in a smaller package and at a cheaper price, making it an exceedingly good bargain. In essence, it offers the best value for money. While it employs much of the same technology as the 12.9, the 11-inch model provides additional flexibility with compatibility for Apple’s Smart Folio and Magic Keyboard, which is ideal for folks who want to write as well as draw. Of course, like 12.9, it also supports Apple Pencil 2.
The iPad Pro 11 is comparable to a desktop PC-level performance. However, similar to the 12.9 version, unless you are a professional artist engaging in heavy-duty artwork and 3D modeling, I wouldn’t recommend investing in this device as it is usually unrealistic for an intermediate or beginner artist to use the iPad to its full potential. An iPad Air or Mini might be a better fit for you in this case.
🛠️ Specifications
| Display | 10.9-inch Retina (2360 x 1640) |
| Processor | Apple M1 chip with Neural Engine |
| RAM | 8GB |
| Storage | Up to 256GB |
| Battery Life | Up to 10 Hours |
| Weight | 1.02 pounds |
| OS | iPadOS 16 |
| Brightness | 500 nits |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz |
If you’re searching for an iPad that can be used for more than simply Procreate, such as editing and collaging, the iPad Air 5th Gen is a good option as it has double the storage space and is speedier than the 4th Gen.
The iPad Air 5th generation supports Procreate in any and every way. It makes use of advanced technology, including True Tone and P3 broad color. I found the illumination to be very even, color correct, and contrast to be excellent, making it an excellent iPad for all types of creative visual work, including sketching. Simply put, it offers a bright, clear, and colorful display that enhances the drawing experience, be it in Procreate or any other drawing app.
For a lesser budget, the screen resolution is comparable to that of the iPad Pro devices, which is great news! It is the best iPad for Procreate with advanced features at a lesser price than the Pro 12.9. The exceptional 8-core GPU provides quicker visuals and double the graphics performance, allowing you to sketch and filter in Procreate or even construct 3D models.
However, note that the iPad Air 5th Gen can’t compete with the Pro 12.9’s brightness levels. The 60Hz refresh rate also means your drawing takes somewhat longer to display on the screen. However, if you want to find a middle ground between the iPad Mini and the iPad Pro, this is your best bet.
🛠️ Specifications
| Display | 8.3-inch Retina (2266 x 1488) |
| Processor | 2.9GHz Apple A15 Bionic |
| RAM | 4GB |
| Storage | Upto 256 GB |
| Battery Life | Up to 10 Hours |
| Weight | 0.65 pounds |
| OS | iPadOS 16 |
| Brightness | 500 nits |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz |
Artists may also enjoy the iPad Mini in terms of its size(8.3 inches), and some even claim that the sketching experience is completely different. The iPad Mini is an excellent pick for any newbie who is just getting into Procreate. The latest iPad mini has more than enough computing power to run any Procreate design you can think of.
The iPad Mini is an excellent alternative for artists who frequently travel, as the larger iPad Pros aren’t the most portable option while working on the go. As an artist, I can understand the need to make art in public places, especially if you like to draw from live references. The new iPad mini is small and portable, but it still has enough power for drawing compared to the normal iPad.
However, as an artist who might be fond of using too many layers, you must note that RAM limitations can limit the number of layers being used in Procreate. Similarly, canvas size can also be limited based on the device. Larger the RAM, the greater the number of layers and canvas size. For more details on these restrictions, click here.
With compatibility with the 2nd generation Apple Pencil, the overall size of the iPad will have no bearing on the ease with which creations will flow. As with most other iPads, 10 hours of battery life can help you draw for many hours before needing to charge again. The True Tone display has a high resolution which only adds to the color fidelity and as an artist, you can’t help but think of it as a plus point.
The A15 Bionic chip ensures that everything, including Procreate, runs smoothly, and there’s up to 256GB of native storage space, which is more than enough for an average user. Hence, running Procreate won’t be an issue on this device. I think it is the best beginner iPad for Procreate.
I want to emphasize that it’s 8.3-inches big, and the iPad Pro is 12.9 inches. There’s quite a difference if you compare their sizes side by side, so it’s not for everyone to draw on such a small device.
The iPad You Should Avoid For Procreate
Note that most regular iPads do not support Apple Pencil 2. You will be able to download Procreate on your iPad and create unique art on it.
The reason why we don’t recommend it is: The display isn’t completely laminated. There’s a small gap between the glass and the screen. Using it with Apple Pencil feels laggy due to this and it’s only compatible with Apple Pencil Gen 1, so it’s easier to recommend any other iPad over this.
If you buy iPad specifically for Procreate, I would recommend iPad Pro, if you want to play around with Procreate here and there, this is a decent option.
Why iPad Pro 12.9 is the best iPad for Procreate?
The iPad Pro 12.9-inch is the best iPad on the market. With a 12.9-inch display, the artwork will simply seem stunning because of the iPad’s contrast and sharpness. The iPad Pro 12.9 is powered by Apple’s M2 CPU chip which means that its total performance is capable of handling Procreate without question. Additionally, the display’s refresh rate of 120Hz ensures excellent responsiveness so you can see your drawing in sync even if you draw really fast.
Why We Ranked iPad Pro 12.9 Above iPad Pro 11
While the 11-inch may be adequate for most people, there are some limitations for a professional artist. If you frequently work with high-brightness and high-contrast HDR material, the 12.9-inch iPad Pro is the ideal iPad for you. 11-inch may not provide such a detailed view and this can be troublesome for artists who like working on the finest details.
The new Liquid Retina XDR display of the iPad Pro 12.9 is designed to provide high brightness, deep blacks, and all of the tiny details that might otherwise be lost in the iPad Pro 11. 12.9 is great for viewing and editing anything with high brightness and contrast, such as HDR images. Furthermore, iPad Pro 12.9 also provides a larger canvas that complements fine-detailed drawing on Procreate. Once again, the comfort of a large screen may not be found in the 11-inch.
iPad Gets Hot When Using Procreate
It’s not unusual for your iPad to get hot when you are using Procreate or any other high-demanding app that requires high CPU usage. Particularly those that relate to graphics and gaming.
In these situations I recommend removing the iPad from the case, so it’s easier for the device to cool down. You can also lower your screen brightness to cool it down. High brightness will generate more heat.
Make sure your surroundings aren’t excessively warm, as high temperatures can hinder the iPad’s natural cooling process.
In case your iPad becomes too hot to hold in your hands(which is very unusual) you should visit the local Apple technician.
FAQ
How much does Procreate cost?
Procreate costs $9.99 as a one-time purchase. The price may vary slightly based on your region.
What’s the best way to learn Procreate?
If you’re just getting into the world of Procreate, things may seem a little overwhelming. There is a vast variety of resources you could use to learn Procreate. However, I have compiled a short and comprehensive list of my favorite resources to help you out:
Procreate Masterclass (Paid)
Beginners Series by Procreate Education (Free)
Resource Discussion Forum (Free)
YouTube Tutorial – STEP BY STEP Illustration Process (Free)
YouTube Playlist – Procreate Tutorials for Beginners (Free)
YouTube Channel – Procreate (Free)
iPad Art Created on Procreate
I went to Twitter and see what art people are creating using their iPad & Procreate app, and we found some amazing artwork inspiring.
Beginner Guide – How To Get Started With Procreate
Verdict
The world of iPads can be intimidating for many Procreate users. With the latest features and excellent Apple Pencils, there is far too much to choose from. Nearly all iPads are powerful creative tools so picking the right one can be tricky. If you plan to take your drawing seriously, the best option is the iPad Pro 12.9-inches 6th gen (2022). There’s no question about it.
However, as long as you consider budget, drawing preferences, need, and utility, you should be able to find the best fit for yourself. Just take a look at the list above.
