The Best iPad for 2025: How to Choose Your Perfect Apple Tablet
Choosing the right iPad in 2025 isn’t as simple as it used to be. Apple now offers three 11-inch models and two 13-inch options, each with its own mix of price, performance, and accessory support. The iPad mini is still around for fans of compact devices, too. With iPadOS 26 on the horizon later this year, we’ve put every current iPad through its paces to figure out which models suit different lifestyles — whether you want a laptop replacement, a powerhouse for creative work, or just a big screen for streaming.
Quick Picks
Best iPad for Most People:
Apple iPad Air (M3)
Best Budget iPad:
Apple iPad (A16)
Best Compact iPad:
Apple iPad mini (A17 Pro)
Best iPad for Power Users:
Apple iPad Pro (M4)
The Best iPads for 2025
Apple iPad Air (M3) – Best for Most People
Expert Score: 89/100
Screen: 11″ or 13″ | Resolution: 2360×1640 (11″), 2732×2048 (13″)
Storage: Up to 1TB | RAM: 8GB | Weight: 1.01–1.36 lbs | Battery: ~10 hours
Cameras: 12MP front and rear
The iPad Air is the “just right” iPad — powerful enough for nearly anything, yet not outrageously expensive. Starting at $599 for the 11-inch model and $799 for the 13-inch, it hits a sweet spot between performance and value. The Air runs Apple’s M3 chip, the same powerhouse found in recent MacBooks, so you won’t run into performance hiccups anytime soon.
Both sizes are nearly identical, apart from the extra screen real estate and higher brightness on the 13-inch model. Most will gravitate toward the 11-inch for portability, but the larger model is perfect for multitasking, creative work, or media consumption.
The display is sharp and bright, fully laminated, with an anti-reflective coating and P3 wide color support. Though it lacks the 120Hz refresh of the iPad Pro, it’s more than enough for everyday use. Accessories like the Apple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard elevate productivity, though they add to the total cost.
Pros:
- Powerful M3 chip
- Excellent performance and multitasking
- Supports Apple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard
- 13-inch model is the most affordable large-screen iPad
Cons:
- Basic 60Hz refresh rate
- No Face ID
- Accessories can get pricey
Price: $599–$799
Apple iPad (A16) – Best Budget Pick
Expert Score: 84/100
Screen: 11″ | Resolution: 2360×1640 | Storage: Up to 512GB
RAM: 6GB | Weight: 1.05 lbs | Battery: ~10 hours
Cameras: 12MP front and rear
The entry-level iPad is a surprisingly capable device for its $349 price. It shares the sleek design language of the Air and handles all the core iPad tasks with ease: browsing, streaming, gaming, and light productivity.
Powered by the A16 Bionic chip and 6GB of RAM, it isn’t as futureproof as the M3 Air, but it’s fast enough for most users. The display isn’t laminated, so writing with a stylus feels slightly less natural, and the colors aren’t as vibrant. Still, it’s sharp, bright, and functional, making it an excellent value for students, casual users, or anyone upgrading from older iPads.
Pros:
- Affordable and capable
- Solid battery life
- 128GB base storage
- Available in fun colors
Cons:
- Display lacks lamination and wide color support
- Less futureproof than M-series iPads
- Limited accessory compatibility
Price: $299–$349
Apple iPad mini (A17 Pro) – Best Compact iPad
Expert Score: 83/100
Screen: 8.3″ | Resolution: 2266×1488 | Storage: Up to 512GB
RAM: 8GB | Weight: 0.65 lbs | Battery: ~10 hours
Cameras: 12MP front and rear
The iPad mini remains the only true small iPad in Apple’s lineup. Updated in late 2024 with the A17 Pro chip, it’s light, portable, and surprisingly powerful. Perfect for one-handed use, reading, note-taking, or as a high-end e-reader, it supports the Apple Pencil Pro and maintains a gorgeous Liquid Retina display.
Pros:
- Ultra-portable yet full-featured
- Supports Apple Pencil Pro
- Powerful A17 Pro chip
- 128GB base storage
Cons:
- Limited 60Hz refresh rate
- Thick bezels
- No Face ID
Price: $399–$500
Apple iPad Pro (M4) – Best for Power Users
Expert Score: 84/100
Screen: 11″ or 13″ | Resolution: 2420×1668 (11″), 2752×2064 (13″)
Storage: Up to 2TB | RAM: Up to 16GB | Weight: 0.98–1.28 lbs | Battery: ~10 hours
Cameras: 12MP front and rear
The iPad Pro is Apple’s ultimate tablet — overkill for most, but a dream for creators, media editors, and anyone who wants the best display, speed, and accessory ecosystem. Its tandem OLED screen is breathtaking, offering deep blacks, vivid colors, and a buttery-smooth 120Hz refresh rate. The M4 chip ensures lightning-fast performance, and optional 16GB RAM models can handle the most demanding workloads.
Pros:
- Best display on any iPad
- Extremely powerful M4 chip
- Front camera optimized for landscape use
- Premium Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil Pro support
Cons:
- Expensive
- Accessories are costly
- Not backward compatible with older peripherals
Price: $895–$1,299+
How We Test iPads
We put every iPad through daily life tests: streaming, gaming, multitasking, video calls, and content creation. We benchmark performance with Geekbench 6, 3DMark, and GFXBench, measure battery life under realistic conditions, and test displays for brightness, color, and glare resistance. We also check stylus responsiveness, accessory compatibility, and long-term usability to help you pick the iPad that fits your lifestyle.
iPad FAQs
What’s new in iPadOS 26?
iPadOS 26 brings Mac-style windowing, a menu bar, a Preview app, improved file management, and the “liquid glass” design language. Most of these features will be available across all iPads, even budget models, making them even more versatile.
Can an iPad replace a laptop?
For basic tasks — browsing, streaming, writing — yes. With iPadOS 26, advanced multitasking and productivity features bring it closer to a laptop experience, but heavy workflows like coding or complex file management may still favor a traditional laptop.
How long do iPads last?
Apple typically supports iPads with updates for 5+ years. The M-series and A17 chips ensure longevity, while even entry-level models remain serviceable for years.
This rewrite keeps your technical accuracy while making the text smoother, more engaging, and easier to skim — perfect for a 2025 iPad guide.