If you're looking for a new iPad, there are plenty to pick from. But how do you choose? In some ways, an iPad is an iPad is an iPad, in that they all have a similar form-factor and run the same apps, but there are also key differences that make some iPads better suited for different use cases. With that in mind, we’re going to take a look at which iPad is best for who.
In this guide:
- The best iPad for most
- The best iPad for serious creatives
- The best iPad if you really want a big screen
- The best iPad if you’re on a budget
- The best iPad if you’re sick of how big devices are getting
The best iPad for most: iPad Air
The iPad Air is the Goldilocks iPad; for most, it will be just right. It has the same modern design as the iPad Pro, a beefy A14 processor, a USB-C port for charging and accessories, and supports the latest Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard.
When compared to the base level iPad, you get a nicer display, better connectivity, and wider accessory support. When compared to the iPad Pro, you miss out on the higher refresh rate display, the chip inside is a tad slower, and you'll use a fingerprint reader to unlock your tablet instead of facial recognition. The iPad Air also only has one rear-facing camera, rather than the two (and LiDAR sensor) you’ll find on the iPad Pro.
For most, the performance difference between the iPad Air and iPad Pro won't even be noticeable. Facial recognition is a little faster than a fingerprint reader, but is much of a muchness. The 120Hz high refresh rate display is lovely on the Pro - and a boon for artists working with the Apple Pencil - but it's not crucial for anyone else. LiDAR can help make augmented reality apps more accurate, but that’s still a niche field, and we’d argue you shouldn’t really be taking photos with an iPad anyway, so the ultra-wide camera omission isn’t critical.
For reference, the iPad Pro starts at $1,199 and the iPad Air at $899. If you go with an iPad Air, you're essentially getting 90% of an iPad Pro for 75% of the price. That's a compelling proposition.
And hey, it comes in colours other than grey and silver!
The best iPad for serious creatives: iPad Pro
All iPads run the same app, many of which are great for creative types. Procreate is wonderful for illustrating, LumaFusion is a powerful video editing tool, and the iPad version of Lightroom is surprisingly capable. While you’ll get great performance out of these on any iPad, the iPad Pro is still worth considering for a couple of reasons.
Firstly, there’s a little bit of extra horsepower under the hood. If you’re trying to edit high resolution video on an iPad, the iPad Pro’s M1 processor will definitely make it a smoother experience. It can also help speed up more demanding filters and effects in Photoshop.
If you’re a drawer or illustrator, the 120Hz screen can make a pronounced difference in how responsive the Apple Pencil feels. It makes the experience a little more like putting pen to paper, thanks to some bonus fluidity.
And lastly, the iPad Pro also supports Thunderbolt 4 accessories over USB-C, which could be helpful for those with external drives that support the lightning fast connection standard.
An iPad Pro certainly isn’t the best pick for everyone, but many of the improvements it makes over the iPad Air will be welcome by creative professionals.
The 11-inch iPad Pro starts at $1,199, while the 12.9-inch model will set you back at least $1,649.
The best iPad if you really want a big screen: iPad Pro 12.9-inch
Tablets tend to be on the smaller side of the device spectrum. The majority tend to measure in under 11-inch. However, if you’re looking for a larger display, you’ve still got an option: the top-end iPad Pro has a massive 12.9-inch display. It’s a treat to watch video on, great if you need extra screen real estate for creative work, better for multitasking, and could help if you’re hoping to use a tablet as a laptop replacement.
Of course, the 12.9-inch iPad Pro is also the most expensive tablet in Apple’s family, starting at $1,649 outright for a WiFi-only model or $1,899 if you’re after mobile connectivity (4G and 5G).
The best iPad if you're on a budget: iPad
The 8th generation iPad is the quintessential iPad. It harkens back to the original iPad, featuring a reasonable amount of bezel and a fingerprint reader touting home button. It's not as flash as the iPad Pro or iPad Air, but it's still an iPad.
As such, it's still great for doing iPad things. It runs all the same apps as the iPad Air and iPad Pro. All you're really missing out on is a bit of extra grunt and a more modern design. The grunt won't matter if you're just using it to send emails, write documents, browse the web, and stream video, and the design doesn't really change how you use your iPad.
Better yet, it starts at $499, although given that model only has 32GB of storage, you may want to consider the $649 128GB model.
It's worth noting that the 8th generation iPad isn't compatible with Apple's higher-end accessories: the 2nd generation Apple Pencil and the Magic Keyboard. If you're looking to expand your iPad's functionality, you'll need to opt for the 1st generation Apple Pencil or the Smart Keyboard.
If you're looking to save further, you could always consider a refurbished iPad instead.
The best iPad if you're sick of how big devices are getting: iPad mini
With a comparatively diminutive 7.9-inch display and weighing in under 350g, The iPad mini is the ideal choice if you’re just after a basic tablet for reading, browsing, and video. It’s not trying to replace your laptop, it’s much more of a companion device.
The iPad mini starts at $599 with 64GB of storage.
Other things you should consider when buying an iPad
If you're thinking about picking up a new iPad, there are a few other decisions you'll need to make after you pick your model.
The first is storage size. Every iPad is available in multiple storage variants, but this will differ depending on what model you pick. The 8th generation iPad only comes in a choice of 32GB or 128GB, while the iPad Pro is available in five different storage sizes that reach as large as 2TB.
How much storage you need on your iPad will depend on what you use it for. If you're predominantly using a cloud based workflow, or just using the iPad as a consumption device to stream your favourite shows, you can probably get away with a smaller model. On the other hand, if you want to download heaps of games, expect to be editing large video files, or have a sizable photo library you want to store on the device, you're better off going for a minimum of 128GB. Be aware that the iPad operating system will take up about 9GB out of the box.
If you have an existing iPad, it's worth checking how much storage you're using on it before you make a purchasing decision. You can do this by following these steps:
- Open the Settings app
- Tap General
- Tap iPad Storage
You'll also need to decide whether you want an iPad with cellular connectivity. Every iPad is available in a choice of a WiFi-only model or 4G model that can connect to mobile networks. Popping a SIM card in your iPad means you can use it on the go without having to tether to your phone, but will make it a more expensive purchase. You'll also need to factor in the monthly cost of a data-only mobile plan. Of course, if you're thinking about buying a 4G-ready iPad, you can always buy it on a plan from Telstra, Optus, or Vodafone and pay it off in instalments. That way you're not dropping a whole lot of cash in one go.
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