6 Best iPads of 2024: Which One Is Right For You?

The newest iPad tablets measure between 8.3 and 13 inches and work on Apple’s iOS system. The first iPad came out in 2010, and several such product lines have been released over the years, including the original iPad, iPad Pro, iPad Air, and iPad Mini. These portable gadgets work like a small PC and can be used for a wide range of tasks. People often use them for work, gaming, watching movies, creating art, taking notes, editing photos, and browsing social media, etc. Each iPad model has unique features that make it more or less suitable for a specific purpose.

Because Apple has such a large selection of iPad OS tablets for sale, it can be challenging to choose your own, especially if you want it for a particular activity. This guide will present different tablet models, their features, and what they’re best used for, so let’s get started.

What Are The Best iPads of 2024?

Apple iPad Pro 13-inch M4 – Best Overall
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch M4 – Runner Up
Apple iPad Air 13-inch M2 – Band For Buck
Apple iPad Air 11-inch M2 – Best Value For Money
Apple iPad 10th gen– Most Affordable iPad
Apple iPad Mini 6 – Smallest

Apple iPad Pro 13

OS: iPadOS
Release Date: May 2024
Screen Size: Large (13”)
Processor: Apple M4
Price: ~$1299

9.9

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Apple iPad Pro 13 was released in 2024, featuring a 38.99-watt-hour rechargeable lithium‑polymer battery with up to 10 hours of life, a 13-inch screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, and a 2064 x 2752 screen resolution and ~86.9% screen-to-body ratio. This iPad runs on iPadOS.

The iPad model can be purchased with 4 different storage options. 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB. There’s no memory card slot, though. Also, the RAM changes with each storage alternative. You get 8GB RAM for all storage versions below 1TB. Meanwhile, for 1TB and 2TB, you get 16GB RAM. Cellular connectivity is also available, but you have to pay extra for that.

There are 4 stereo speakers in total, but no 3.5mm sound jack. Furthermore, the device has a main camera and a selfie camera. The main one has a 12 MP wide lens. As for the selfie one, it’s a 12 MP ultrawide camera. Biometrical authentication is a feature available with this tablet, as it lets you turn on Face ID to unlock the screen.

The tablet is compatible with the Apple Pencil as well. It works with Apple Pencil Pro, as well as Apple Pencil USB-C.

The Apple iPad Pro 13 has an aluminum back and frame, as well as a glass front. Also, you can purchase it in Silver or Space Black shades. The Apple iPad Pro 13-inch 7th gen is the most powerful iPad, with the biggest screen and the brightest. It's perfect for power users.

Pros

Large screen
Long battery life
It has good speakers
A lot of storage options
It has cellular connectivity

Cons

Quite heavy
It is pretty expensive
There’s no 3.5mm jack
It’s only available in 2 colors

Apple iPad Pro 11

OS: iPadOS
Release Date: May 2024
Screen Size: Medium (11”)
Processor: Apple M4
Price: ~$1099

9.9

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Apple iPad Pro 11 was released in 2024, featuring a 31.29-watt-hour rechargeable lithium‑polymer battery with up to 10 hours of life, a 11-inch screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, and a 1668 x 2420 screen resolution and ~84.2% screen-to-body ratio. This iPad runs on iPadOS.

There are 4 stereo speakers in total but no 3.5mm sound jack. Furthermore, the device has a main camera and a selfie camera. The main one has a 12 MP wide lens. As for the selfie one, it’s a 12 MP ultrawide camera. Biometrical authentication is a feature available with this tablet, as it lets you turn on Face ID to unlock the screen.

The tablet is compatible with the Apple Pencil as well. It works with Apple Pencil Pro, as well as Apple Pencil USB-C.

The Apple iPad Pro 11 has an aluminum back and frame, as well as a glass front. Also, you can purchase it in Silver or Space Black shades. The Apple iPad Pro 11-inch 5th gen is one of the best tablets you can buy.

Pros

Good speakers
Long battery life
A lot of storage options
It has cellular connectivity

Cons

It is pretty expensive
There’s no 3.5mm jack
It’s only available in 2 colors
No accessories are included

Apple iPad Air 13

OS: iPadOS
Release Date: May 2024
Screen Size: Large (13”)
Processor: Apple M2
Price: ~$799

9.4

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Apple iPad Air 13 was released in 2024. It features a 36.59-watt-hour rechargeable lithium‑polymer battery. That can last up to 10 hours of usage. a 13-inch screen with a 60Hz refresh rate. (iPad Pro models have 120Hz) and a 2048 x 2732(~265 PPI) screen resolution and ~86.1% screen-to-body ratio.

New iPad Air has upgraded storage options: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB. Still has no memory slot and no 3.5mm headphone jack. All storage options have the same RAM: 8GB. It comes with WiFi and WiFi+LTE.

It has good 4 built-in speakers. Furthermore, the device has a main camera and a selfie camera. The main one has a 12 MP wide lens. As for the selfie one, it’s a 12 MP ultrawide camera. Biometrical authentication is a feature available with this tablet, as it lets you unlock th device with Touch ID.

The tablet is compatible with the Apple Pencil and iPad Magic Keyboard.

The Apple iPad Air 13 has an aluminum back and frame, as well as a glass front. Also, you can purchase it in Space Gray, Starlight, Purple, Blue. The Apple iPad Air 13-inch is the first of it's kind. In comparison to the iPad Air 11 model it has brighter and bigger screen.

Pros

Good price
Long battery life
A lot of storage options
Wi-Fi+LTE connectivity

Cons

No Face-ID
There’s no 3.5mm jack
No accessories are included
Expensive accessories

Apple iPad Air 11

OS: iPadOS
Release Date: May 2024
Screen Size: Medium (11”)
Processor: Apple M2
Price: ~$599

9.4

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Apple iPad Air 11 was released in 2024. It features a 28.93-watt-hour rechargeable lithium‑polymer battery. That can last up to 10 hours of usage. a 11-inch screen with a 60Hz refresh rate. (iPad Pro models have 120Hz) and a 1640 x 2360(~265 PPI) screen resolution and ~80.9% screen-to-body ratio.

New iPad Air has upgraded storage options: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB. Still has no memory slot and no 3.5mm headphone jack. All storage options have the same RAM: 8GB. It comes with WiFi and WiFi+LTE.

The tablet is compatible with the Apple Pencil and iPad Magic Keyboard.

The Apple iPad Air 11 has an aluminum back and frame, as well as a glass front. Also, you can purchase it in Space Gray, Starlight, Purple, Blue. The Apple iPad Air 11-inch 6th gen is one of the most popular iPad choices.

Pros

Good price
Long battery life
A lot of storage options
It has cellular connectivity

Cons

No Face-ID
There’s no 3.5mm jack
No accessories are included
Expensive accessories

Apple iPad 10

OS: iPadOS
Release Date: October 2022
Screen Size: Medium (10.9”)
Processor: Apple A14 Bionic
Price: ~$449

8.8

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The Apple iPad 10^th Gen is a good budget tablet for people who like Apple products. It's starting price is $449 and you can buy it in pink, silver, yellow, and blue. You can choose between 64GB or 256GB internal storage with 4GB RAM, no memory card slot, a 12MP wide main and a 12MP ultrawide selfie camera. The device was released in 2022 and runs on iPadOS 16.1, but it’s upgradeable to iPad OS 17.4.

Built from aluminum and having a glass front, this unit has an excellent display. It measures only 10.9 inches but has a 1640 x 2360-pixel resolution and can reach 500 nits. The screen is a liquid retina IPS LCD with a ~264 ppi density and a 60Hz refresh rate. Makes it a great choice for Netflix and YouTube watching. The glass is scratch-resistant and has an oleophobic coating. It has a non-laminated display, meaning there's a small gap between the screen and the display. It's compatible with Apple Pencil gen 1 and Apple Pencil USB-C if you want to draw and take-notes.

This gadget runs on an Apple A14 Bionic chipset and comes with stylus support. You can also insert an eSIM or nano-SIM into it for cellular connectivity. The USB ports include a USB Type-C 2.0, a Display Port, and a magnetic connector. It also has a 7606 mAh battery lasting up to 10 hours.

This iPad can be useful for casual Internet use or even for work. Great for families that share the tablet.

Pros

It's affordable
Apps open quickly and smoothly
It’s available in many fun colors

Cons

The processor is not the best
It has non-laminated screen
You can't charge Apple Pencil magnetically

Apple iPad Mini

OS: iPadOS
Release Date: Sep 2021
Screen Size: Small (8.3”)
Processor: Apple A15 Bionic
Price: ~$499

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The Apple iPad Mini 6 is one of the best 8-inch tablets. This device was released in 2021 and runs on iPadOS 15 but can be upgraded to iPadOS 17. On average iPad are supported for 7-years. It also runs on an Apple A15 Bionic chipset and has eSIM and nano-SIM support. The unit has 4GB RAM and comes with 64GB or 256GB internal storage. Still, it has no memory card slot, but you can get cloud storage if you run out of storage space.

The screen is a Liquid Retina IPS LCD with 500 nits, a ~77.4% screen-to-body ratio, and a 60Hz refresh rate. Also, the resolution is 1488 x 2266 pixels, with a ~327 ppi density and a 3:2 ratio. What’s great is that the tablet is built from aluminum and has a glass front. The display uses scratch-resistant glass and has an oleophobic coating too. Making it great for Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, etc. It's also compatible with Apple Pencil Gen 2 and USB-C and you can create art, draw, take-notes or just navigate your device with Stylus pen.

There are two cameras, a 12MP wide main and a 12MP ultrawide selfie. Making it a great choice for Zoom and Skype calls. It has a USB-C port. Which is mainly for charging, but you can add other accessories using that port, like keyboards, external cameras, printers, hard drives, etc.

This tablet can be bought in Pink, Starlight, Purple, and Space Gray, and it’s only $595 on average. The 6000 mAh battery can run up to 10 hours. Due to its light design, it’s great for people on the go due to it's lightweight and small size.

Pros

It has great speakers for it's size
It's compact and portable
It works with Apple Pencil 2

Cons

The refresh rate is only 60Hz
It has no headphone jack
There’s no memory card slot
There's jelly screen

How To Choose The Best Option For Yourself

It can be challenging to choose your own iPad if this is the first time you’re about to buy one. We’ve compiled a list of the best iPads you can get at the moment. Here are the criteria we took into account when choosing these models:

Screen Size – The size of the screen will directly influence your visibility when performing certain tasks. Having a bigger screen means you can see more details and in better quality, particularly when watching films, playing games, creating games, or even working.
Refresh Rate – Your iPad’s refresh rate impacts how smooth and realistic the image will be, and how good the performance will be. It’s a crucial element when you’re playing games on your tablet or watching films.
Display Quality – The better the screen is, the more details you can see when using the tablet. A qualitative display will enable you to see everything in better resolution.
Processing Power – We also looked at how easy and quick it is for the tablet to process information. This can influence the performance of your device.
Battery Life – More battery life means you will not rely on a charger whenever you want to perform the simplest tasks on your device. A powerful battery will allow you to use the tablet on the go, regardless of your tasks.
Storage Capacity – We looked into tablets with different storage capacity options so you can choose the one that suits your needs the most. Whether you want to store photos, art, music, or download the newest episodes of your favorite show, you want a unit that can store everything without running out of space.
Camera – A good camera lets you capture important moments of your life. We looked for iPads with high-quality cameras so you can take pictures of places you visit or some good selfies.
Biometrical Authentication – Apple’s biometrical authentication feature provides more security for your tablet, requiring your fingerprint or face to unlock your screen. It’s an added safety measure when storing important files and data.
Speakers – If you love watching movies or playing video games, having good speakers is a requirement, and that’s why we couldn’t ignore this aspect when making our iPad selection.
Apple Pencil Compatibility – We searched for iPads compatible with Apple Pencil. This feature is necessary for artists and people who use their tablets for work or to take notes.

Comparison of iPads

iPad Model	Apple iPad Pro 13	Apple iPad Pro 11	Apple iPad Air 13	Apple iPad Air 11	Apple iPad Mini	Apple iPad
Release Year	2024	2024	2024	2024	2021	2022
Screen Size	13 inches	11.0 inches	13 inches	11 inches	8.3 inches	10.9 inches
Display Quality	2064×2752 pixels	1668×2420 pixels	2048×2732 pixels	1640x2360pixels	1488×2266 pixels	1640×2360 pixels
Refresh Rate	120Hz	120 Hz	60Hz	60Hz	60Hz	60 Hz
Processor	Apple M4	Apple M4	Apple M2	Apple M2	Apple A15 Bionic	Apple A14 Bionic
Battery Life	Up to 10 hours	Up to 10 hours	Up to 10 hours	Up to 10 hours	Up to 10 hours	Up to 10 hours
Max Storage	2TB	2TB	1TB	1TB	256GB	256 GB
Cellular Connectivity	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Price	High-end	High-end	Mid-range	Mid-range	Mid-range	Mid-range
Speakers	4 stereo speakers	4 stereo speakers	4 stereo speakers	4 stereo speakers speakers	2 stereo speakers	2 stereo speakers
Biometrical Authentication	Face ID	Face ID	Fingerprint	Fingerprint	Fingerprint	Fingerprint
Pencil Compatibility	Compatible Apple Pencil Gen 2 and Apple Pencil Pro	Compatible Apple Pencil Gen 2 and Apple Pencil Pro	Compatible Apple Pencil Gen 2 and Apple Pencil Pro	Compatible Apple Pencil Gen 2 and Apple Pencil Pro	Compatible Apple Pencil Gen 2 and Apple Pencil USB-C	Compatible Apple Pencil Gen 1 and Apple Pencil USB-C

What Is an iPad?

iPads are touchscreen tablet-sized devices running on iPadOS, Apple’s operating system. These units were introduced for the very first time on January 27, 2010.

At first, iPads ran on iOS, just like iPhones. However, in 2019, when iOS 13 was launched, Apple also released iPadOS 13 for its tablets. The new operating system was customized for the larger iPad screens and offered better support for the tablets’ hardware.

iPads became popular due to their multitasking features and things like drag and drop, file management, and picture-in-picture.

Nowadays, there are 4 different product lines for the iPads: the iPad Pro, iPad Air, iPad Mini, and the original iPad. They are available in various storage space options and different colors.

Things You Can Do On iPad

iPads are useful for a wide range of activities. Depending on your preferences, you can choose an iPad that suits your goals and hobbies.

Games
Reading
Drawing
Video-Calls
Presentations
Editing Photos
Editing Videos
Watching Movies
Watching TV Shows
Taking Online Lectures
Taking Handwritten Notes
Control Your Smart Gadgets

Which iPad Should You Buy? (Tips)

Before you purchase an iPad, you should know which one is the most suitable for you. Here are the main models and their uses:

iPad Pro – This is the best for artists, power users, or professionals. For instance, students can use it to take notes or store books or academic materials. The tablet is also great for people who create digital art, as it has a large screen and stylus support. Moreover, it has journaling options that make writing easier for professional writers.
iPad Air – If you’re a mainstream user who wants something more portable and affordable while looking for balance and performance, this is the unit for you. It can be suitable for students who simply want to take notes but also for families who wish to take photos or communicate through WhatsApp or other apps.
iPad Mini – This model is great for people seeking portability. For instance, its 8.3-inch screen makes it easy for kids to handle and for professional drivers and pilots to use it for its GPS capabilities.
iPad – This is your best gadget if you’re a new or cautious user. Seniors or teachers who don’t know how to operate such a tablet can purchase this thanks to its lower price. It’s also good for families who want a basic unit that can be used for photos and social media.

Best For Students

The iPad Pro 13 M4 is the best option overall, but it may offer more power than most students need. For many, the iPad Air 11-inch stands out as one of the best iPads for students. It’s more affordable while still being compatible with the Apple Pencil and iPad Magic Keyboard, making note-taking a breeze. Plus, it offers ample storage space, perfect for holding all your academic materials.

Best Value iPad

Apple iPad Air 11

OS: iPadOS
Released: 2024, May
Chipset: Apple M2
Storage: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
RAM: 8GB
Camera: 12 MP Front & Back
Screen Size: 11-inches
Resolution: 1640 x 2360 pixels
PPI: ~264
Port: USB-C
Battery Life in Hours: 10 hours
LTE: Yes
Compatible with Keyboards: Yes
Compatible with Stylus: Yes

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Most Affordable

The classic iPad – the 10^th Generation Apple iPad – is the cheapest tablet. The price point starts at $349 now, making it a more affordable option.

Cheapest iPad

Apple iPad

OS: iPadOS
Released: 2022, October
Chipset: Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm)
Storage: 64GB, 256GB
RAM: 4GB
Camera: 12 MP Front & Back
Screen Size: 10.9-inches
Resolution: 1640 x 2360
PPI: ~264
Port: USB-C
Battery Life in Hours: 10 hours
LTE: Yes
Compatible with Keyboards: Yes
Compatible with Stylus: Yes

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Best For Artists

The iPad Pro 13 with M4 is the best tablet for creatives because it has a large 13-inch OLED display, as well as Apple Pencil Gen 2 and Pro connectivity, making it easier to create digital illustrations and edit videos.

Best For Gaming

The iPad Mini is the best gaming tablet from Apple. However, the iPad Pro 13 and 11 are also great for connecting a controller. Not only do they have Bluetooth connection, but they also have larger screens of 13 inches and 11.0 inches, respectively, as well as a 120Hz refresh rate and a strong Apple M4 processor. As such, they can offer a much smoother gaming experience.

Best For Movies

The iPad Pro models are the best tablets for watching movies. This is because they have larger displays of 13 inches and 11 inches and 120Hz displays, providing a smoother image motion and, thus, a better experience.

Best For Note-Taking

The iPad Pro 13 is the best tablet for note-taking due to its large 13-inch screen, 120Hz refresh rate, and compatibility with Apple Pencil Gen 2 & Apple Pencil Pro. This allows you to easily write and store content.

Best For Elderly

The classic Apple iPad is the best tablet for seniors due to its lower price. However, iPad Air can also be recommended because it’s not expensive, it has the same 10.9-inch screen and the same 265GB storage capacity, with 8GB RAM instead of 4GB.

Which iPads Have The Best Features

iPad Model	Release Year	120Hz Display	USB-C Port	3.5mm Jack	eSIM	Touch ID	Face ID
iPad 10th gen	2022	No	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No
iPad Mini 6th gen	2021	No	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No
iPad Air 11-inch M2	2024	No	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No
iPad Air 13-inch M2	2024	No	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No
iPad Pro 11-inch M4	2024	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	No	Yes
iPad Pro 13-inch M4	2024	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	No	Yes

The first iPad Pro 12.9-inch (1^st gen) featured only a 60Hz display, and after the release of the iPad Pro 12.9 inch 2nd gen, many considered that a worthy improvement and updated to a newer model.

Every iPad Pro model launched in and after 2017 boasts a high-refresh-rate 120Hz display.

What Is 120Hz Promotion Display and How Does It Work

Instead of your iPad showing 60 images per second, it will show 120 images per second.

Refresh Rate: The standard refresh rate of a display is measured in Hertz (Hz), indicating how many frames per second the screen can refresh. The newest iPad Pro models have a 120Hz Promotion Display, which means the display refreshes 120 times per second.
Adaptive Refresh Rate: The ProMotion display is adaptive, meaning it can dynamically adjust its refresh rate based on the displayed content. If you are going to view photos, the refresh rate will automatically drop to save battery life, and it will automatically ramp up when you watch videos or use Apple Pencil.

120Hz Promotion display means that everything on your iPad will look and feel smoother and more responsive. Whether you’re scrolling through web pages, playing games, or drawing with an Apple Pencil, a ProMotion display will reduce motion blur and latency, making everything feel more natural and faster.

60Hz vs 120Hz

60Hz screen:

Will be more power-efficient and less expensive. It’s more adequate for general use, like web browsing, reading, emails, light gaming, etc.

But it will appear less smooth during fast movement, like gaming or scrolling.

120Hz screen

You will have a smoother and more responsive display. It’s great for tasks that require precision – drawing, art, note-taking, competitive gaming, and video editing. You can also see the difference when watching videos or movies.

The 120Hz screens also have drawbacks. Your device will consume more power and make your iPad more expensive.

If you plan to buy an iPad for general use, I recommend saving money and going for a 60Hz screen, like iPad Air or iPad 10, or if you are in smaller screens, iPad Mini 6.

Alternatives

If an iPad isn’t the right fit for you or feels too expensive, there are several alternatives available. You can explore different tablet operating systems like Android, Amazon Fire, Chrome, or Windows. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular models from each OS, including some of the best Android tablets, that could be great substitutes for an iPad.

Android – Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra
Windows – Microsoft Surface Pro 9
Chrome OS – Lenovo Ideapad 5
Amazon Fire OS – Amazon Fire Max 11

FAQ’s

Can I connect an iPad with an iPhone?

You can connect your iPad to an iPhone via iCloud by linking both devices to the same account.

Can I connect an iPad with an Android Phone?

You cannot directly connect an iPad with an Android phone, but you can use Bluetooth or services like Google or Dropbox to send files between the 2 devices.

Can I connect an iPad with a MacBook?

You can connect an iPad with a MacBook via the USB cable provided with your iPad.

Can I connect an iPad with a Windows Laptop?

Yes, you can connect an iPad with a Windows Laptop with a USB cable.

Which Is the newest iPad?

The Apple iPad 10^th Generation is the newest tablet from Apple. It was released in October 2022.

Are there other tablet brands with iPad OS?

No, there are no other tablet brands with iPad OS. Apple created this operating system for its own devices, made specifically for its tablet’s hardware.

What is the most popular operating system for tablets?

The 2 most popular OS for tablets are iPad OS and Android OS.

Can I use Microsoft apps on iPad?

Yes, Microsoft apps like Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and others work on an iPad.

Do iPads go on sale?

Yes, iPads go on sale. More often than not, they go on sale during Black Friday but may also go on sale at the end of the year. Apple usually offers very small discounts in comparison to Android tablets.

Ernests Embutnieks

Founder & Chief Editor | ernests@wolfoftablet.com

I'm a writer and editor in iPads & Android Tablets, Windows Tablet section. I'm passionate about technology, especially about tablets. I'm on a mission to assist people in discovering their ideal tablets. In addition, I'm dedicated to producing helpful how-to guides and sharing top-notch tips and tricks. In my early carrier I founded and became and editor at worldoftablet and have been a guest author at many other tech blogs. In wolfoftablet I'm focusing on iPads, Tablets, Apple Pencil, Apps, Reviews, Buyers Guides and Tablet Accessories. In free time I like to play games on my PS5 or iOS.