Best iPad of 2026: How to choose, and should you wait?

As we said above, the best iPad features are currently distributed across models, making it difficult to pinpoint the “perfect” iPad at the moment. Most people tend to buy iPads for family or personal use, and you’ll need to decide how much you want to spend. There are also frequent iPad sales that could change the equation as well. The iPad as a product line is generally great. The models tend to have a long lifespan, and all the models on sale now are powerful at running apps, games, and even multitasking. The good news is that all current models are good at doing a lot of things via iPadOS.

The only area where the basic iPad has been left out is Apple intelligenceApple’s AI toolset is spreading across iPadOS. Sometimes these features can be useful (message summaries, new Siri interface, writing tools, transcription services, photo editing tools, and more), and other times they feel like gimmicks. But it’s possible that Apple will soon extensively revamp the AI ​​chips on the iPad with features Powered by Google Geminiwhich may make choosing a more powerful iPad worth it.

All current iPads, except the iPad Mini, have front-facing landscape cameras, which are much better for video chats with a keyboard attached, or placing a bag on a table.

Also consider Apple’s iPad release timeline, which is less predictable than iPhones. The iPad Air got an update this spring, while the iPad Pro got the update last fall. The entry-level iPad may not see an update until later this year, and the Mini hasn’t been updated since 2024.

iPad, iPad Air, iPad Pro, and iPad Mini: What’s the difference?

Think of the iPad line as a gradual set of increases in features and prices, starting with the 11th generation iPad and continuing through the iPad Pro. The Mini sits alone, a sort of smaller (but newer) twin of the 11th generation model.

The eleventh generation model is considered the most affordable. It has an A16 processor, but this iPad also costs less overall. The Air adds an M4 processor and more storage options, as well as support for the Pencil Pro. The Pro is lighter and thinner than the Air, has a newer and faster M5 chip, a higher-quality OLED display and a faster refresh rate unique to the iPad family, Face ID sensors and a rear Lidar camera.

The Air and Pro feel like two versions of the same product, one prettier than the other. They both have 11- and 13-inch screen sizes, and support Apple Magic Keyboard cases. The base 11th generation iPad is a little different, with the option of a different Apple Keyboard case.

The new Mini also supports the Pencil Pro, but it only has the A17 chip instead of the M series like the Air/Pro line.

All iPads currently sold can use Apple Intelligence, Apple’s initial AI revamp for iPadOS, except for the 11th generation iPad.

What is an M1/M2/M3/M4/M5 chip and do I need it?

Short answer: You don’t need an M-series chip in your iPad, but having one gives you some benefits. Apple’s M-series chips started making a comeback in the fall of 2020, bringing significant gains in battery life and performance to Macs. On iPads, the M1 series chips and later often provide boosts in graphics and processing power, but to a more gradual degree than the jump felt on Macs. Older iPads use different types of iPhone-based chips, but the M-series processors technically push iPads into Mac performance territory.

I say “technically” because iPads and Macs are still different operating systems, even if the features seem to blend. Macs still feel like better multitasking machines, though iPadOS enables more Mac-like multi-app experiences than ever before. iPad OS 26 It has a revamped set of windowed multitasking layouts that work across all iPad models, even the entry-level iPad without the M-series chip.

The need for an M-series chip may not be as great in the future. Apple’s MacBook Neo runs on the A18 chip, which also shows how much performance Apple is offering on “phone-level” chips now. Expect future iPads, and perhaps even future iPad Air models, to make similar moves for the chips.

Current iPad Air and Pro models have M-series processors (M4 and M5), while the 11th-generation iPad and iPad Mini have processors more based on iPhone chips. This will affect the software that runs on them in the future, to some extent: Apple Intelligence, Apple’s upcoming suite of generative AI services, is working with the new Air, Pro, and Mini. Stage manager Support external monitor It needs an M-series chipset, which means only the Air and Pro can benefit: it provides more multi-screen multitasking by running four additional apps on another screen. These additions won’t be important for casual, everyday use of the iPad, but they may have downsides if you plan to use your iPad as a full-fledged computer.

However, at this point, if you’re considering an M-series chip for your next iPad and are shopping for older models, I would go with the M2 chip and later.

Is the Apple Pencil worth it?

The Apple Pencil is an excellent tool for creating artwork and handwriting on the iPad, and it’s well worth it for anyone interested in art on a tablet. It’s something I don’t use very often, but Apple’s Pencil technology is great, and the latest version of the Pencil Pro adds more useful extras like a rotating brush and pressure controls with haptic feedback. You need a new iPad Pro, Air, or Mini from 2024 onwards to use the Pencil Pro, but the older Pencil 2 and USB-C styluses (or the original Pen) work fine, albeit with reduced feature sets, on older iPad models.

Apple’s Pencil lineup is more confusing than ever, but what you need to know is that the 11th generation iPad only works with the more basic and feature-limited Pencil 1 and USB Pencil accessories. Newer iPad Air, Pro, and Mini models from 2024 are powered by the new Pencil Pro, which not only has double-tap features, side magnetic charging, and swipe preview, but adds haptic feedback, tap gestures, and a gyroscope to recognize rotational brush movements. Anyone interested in art will likely want a newer iPad model for these reasons alone.

Read more: The best iPad deals now

What is the ideal iPad screen size?

iPads range in size from 8 inches (Mini) to 12.9 inches (the larger iPad Pro and Air). The Mini looks like a luxury Kindle, while the larger iPad models look almost like the top covers of laptops.

Minis fans appreciate them as e-readers and almost phone-like travel devices, but they’re not so great for deeper, laptop-like work. The 12.9-inch iPads have a different aspect ratio that favors side-by-side multitasking of apps and working on large documents, but they can feel heavy with a keyboard case attached. Our favorites are the 11-inch (or 10.9-inch) models (11th generation iPad, 11-inch iPad Air, and 11-inch iPad Pro), which split the difference between compact size and a keyboard fit in a computer case. Apple has been right about this size from the beginning, and it’s almost always the size I prefer.

Whichever model or screen size you choose, all current iPads support the latest version of iPadOS (a version of iOS specifically for iPads). iPadOS 18 includes a smart new feature called… Math notes Which allows handwritten mathematical equations, which can be great for kids. This feature works on all current iPad models, even those without the M1 chipset.

No matter which iPad you buy, there are ways to connect keyboard cases, Bluetooth, and more, though your options will vary. This is good news for anyone who wants to do more than just stream videos and music, browse websites, and play Apple Arcade games. Additionally, all current iPad models support the use of a mouse and trackpad for a MacBook-like experience. the Apple Magic Keyboard It’s compatible with the iPad Pro and iPad Air, but the Pro works with an improved model that has a larger, clickable trackpad and additional function keys. The 11th generation iPad has a different Magic Keyboard Folio instead, which is less edge-fitting but has a more flexible design.

Are all iPad cameras the same?

The iPad cameras aren’t that different, but there are fewer differences. All recent iPads have 12-megapixel front-facing cameras that can also automatically track head movement during video chats (called Center Stage), but the Pro models also have Face ID-enabled TrueDepth cameras that use infrared to scan your face and are capable of some 3D scanning tricks and augmented reality additions. All rear cameras are 12MP across models and can record 4K video, but the Pro adds ProRes video recording support. iPads are generally equipped with very good cameras for tablets, but not as good as iPhones.