By Mashable | Created at 2025-03-08 10:45:35 | Updated at 2025-03-09 14:45:07
1 day ago
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At this point, anything your computer can do, your tablet can do too, and that’s especially true with Apple’s iPads. Whether you want to stream, browse the internet, illustrate, or edit videos, you can do it on the iPad’s HDR display. Recent developments in the Pro and Air models also set them up as gaming devices.
But Apple introduces new models at lightning speed. New iPhones and MacBooks arrive every year, the brand’s iPads follow suit. In 2024, Apple introduced the M4 iPad Pro and M2 iPad Air and less than a year later, the iPad Air is already getting an M3 chip upgrade.
So with the quick pace of iPad updates, it makes shopping for a tablet all the more difficult. On March 4, 2025, Apple introduced the iPad Air with M3 chip and iPad 11th generation. While we’ve yet to test these models, our team has hands-on experience with the best iPads, and we've gathered the top contenders for you.
Which iPad model should I buy?
The right iPad for you depends purely on your needs. Do you want something that has enough storage and speed for streaming? Do you want to use it to read? Do you want to use a tablet as your primary workstation? Your answers should factor into your decision.
To get you started, we believe the best iPad for most people is the new M2 iPad Air (2024). It has exceptional performance but is also in the middle of the range for both price and capability. Since it's in the midrange of iPads, there are also models available that are either more advanced or pared down.
Read on for Mashable's guide to the best iPads for 2025.
Our Pick
Read our full review of the iPad Air 2024.
Who it's for:
The iPad Air is for everyone. (Okay, everyone except creative professionals who need to do advanced editing.) It will be your new go-to device for streaming, reading, or creative projects. And if you plan on using your tablet as a substitute for a laptop, it'll work for that, too. According to former Mashable tech editor Kimberly Gedeon, the iPad Air loaded with the M2 chip "delivers impressive performance and noteworthy battery life that will keep creatives, students, and on-the-go busy bees away from the imprisonment of charging cables and wall outlets."
For all the power this tablet provides, it's an exceptional value. The iPad Air starts at $599 for the 11-inch model and $799 for the 13-inch model.
Why we picked this:
The iPad Air 2024, while no longer the lightest or thinnest, still stands as a testament to Apple's commitment to value. Equipped with the M2 chip, first introduced in the MacBook Air, it delivers the same processing power as a laptop. In our Geekbench 6 tests, it scored on par with the M2 MacBook Air, offering a high-performance experience at a fraction of the cost.
It also has an impressive battery life: It ran over 13 hours in our tests, and it has crisp displays for brilliant graphics. In fact, while testing the most recent iPads, Gedeon noted that it was hard to tell the difference between the iPad Air and iPad Pro displays.
While Apple is desperate to tout the iPad as a gaming device, we wouldn't say it's your best bet with only 8GB RAM. However, it has plenty of power to handle illustration and design work. Essentially, it gives you everything you'd want in a starter MacBook, but it costs you just $599 and has a touchscreen.
As of March 4, 2025, Apple has released a new iPad Air with M3 chip and is phasing out this 2024 model, however, it's still available to shop at some retailers including Best Buy, Target, and Walmart.
Read our full review of the Apple iPad Pro 2024.
Who it's for:
Professionals planning on using an iPad as their tablet and laptop should go for the iPad Pro. This 2024 release is loaded with Apple's fastest processing power thanks to the M4 processor. Graphic designers can store all of their creative work on the device, which has up to 2TB of storage. It's also a smart choice for video editors, as the 1TB and 2 TB models feature texturized nano-glass, which prevents glare while working in any environment — even full sun. Plus, the XDR Retina display lets you play back HDR video and use this tablet as a reference monitor.
For creative professionals, the Apple iPad Pro 2024 is a dream come true. It's also compatible with the Apple Pencil Pro, a tool that features a unique squeezable design and a barrel roll feature, enhancing precision and control in design work.
Why we picked this:
The 2024 iPad Pro isn't just a great tablet but also an outstanding laptop. Loaded with Apple's latest M4 processing chip, it's the most advanced option from the brand — or any brand. When running the Geekbench 6 tests, Gedeon did a double take at the results.
It got a score of 14,586, making it more powerful than most laptops we've tested. Even better, that peak performance doesn't drain the battery life, as this beast ran for over 16 hours in our tests. And it does all of this in a razor-thin package. As Gedeon says, it feels like "cradling the whispers of technology."
You can often find 1TB storage in computers, but 2TB is rare in a laptop and nearly unheard of with a tablet, so it can store large files without a problem. Plus, the 1TB and 2TB models come with nano-glass, a texturized glass front that prevents glare no matter the environment.
Who it's for:
If you prefer saving money over splurging on the latest tech, the Apple iPad (10th generation) is perfectly suitable. It's the base model, meaning it won't have the fastest processor or the latest features like Apple Intelligence. However, it's also the most affordable Apple tablet. With the 2024 release of the iPad Air and iPad Pro models, this iPad's price dropped to $349 — a real steal for Apple.
Even though its tech is basic compared to the advanced iPad Air and Pro, it's perfect for someone who wants a portable screen for streaming, playing games, and reading. It's also a nice choice if you're interested in using your tablet as a laptop but don't want to spend a ton of money. It's compatible with the Magic Keyboard Folio and together costs $598 — the same price as the iPad Air.
Plus, it's especially great for kids, if you want to get them a tablet but don't want to spend a fortune on it.
Why we picked this:
The iPad (10th generation) doesn't possess the flair of the Pro or Air, but it's a testament that Apple can still produce good entry-level tech. It's currently the lowest-priced iPad, even defeating the Mini. PCMag, our sibling site owned by Mashable publisher Ziff Davis, reviewed the iPad 10th generation, stating that it's the best tablet at its price point.
The new landscape camera layout makes video calls look better, and upgraded stereo speakers deliver better sound. It's loaded with the Apple A14 chip, which isn't as impressive as the M-series of chips but is still quick and powerful. It has a decent-sized screen at 10.9 inches, providing plenty of room for those who want to use it as a drawing pad or journal since it is compatible with the Apple USB-C and Apple Pencil 1st generation.
In March 2025, Apple announced the base iPad is finally getting its first upgrade since 2022. We've yet to test it, but plan to do so as soon as possible.
Read our full review of the iPad Mini.
Who it's for:
Tablets are an incredibly versatile device, but we all have our go-to use. If you, like me, use your iPad to read, you gotta go for the iPad Mini. The other iPad models start at 10.9 inches, which is a lot of screen when you just want to flip through your e-book.
But the iPad Mini isn't just a glorified e-reader, it's still a versatile tablet. Like any iPad, you can read on it, but you can also stream your favorite shows — a level of flexibility that a standard e-reader simply can't match.
So when should you avoid the iPad Mini? If you're after a tablet that can double as a laptop, this won't be for you. Eight inches might be plenty of room for reading or watching, but it's going to feel tight when you want to flip between email and Slack. As Mashable's Stan Schroeder noted in his review, when up against his M1 MacBook Pro, the iPad Mini 7th generation didn't stand a chance. Plus, it's not compatible with Apple's Magic Keyboard, but you can connect a Bluetooth keyboard in a pinch.
Why we picked this:
The iPad Mini got a 2024 upgrade, and is now equipped with the A17 chip but with the same 5-core GPU and 6-core CPU. Along with the chip upgrade comes Apple Intelligence, an especially helpful feature if you plan to use it for reading as it can summarize articles.
It's more advanced in some ways than the iPad 10th generation. But on the flip side, it's missing key features like a landscape view camera and Magic Keyboard compatibility. When we calculate all that, it's clear that the iPad Mini is a great tablet, while the rest of the iPads in Apple's line-ups are capable of being great tablets and laptops.
Above all, I love the iPad Mini for reading. Previously, I read with my iPad 9th Generation, which works great but is just too big. When I'm in bed reading, my wrist feels strained with a standard-sized iPad. So when I switched to using the iPad Mini, I was delighted by its light weight; it weighs just over half a pound. At 8.3 inches it's about an inch and a half bigger than a Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition, but having used both, the hand feel is negligible.
Plus, unlike the iPad 10th generation, it has an anti-reflective coating to help you read in any lighting. The iPad Mini, while great for reading, doesn't have the matte screen of other e-readers, which at night leads to some eye strain. If you want to give your iPad Mini the Kindle treatment, these Paperlike screen protectors add some nice friction to the screen so you feel like you're reading and writing on paper.
The iPad Mini's smaller size also makes it a better option for traveling. It will take up less space and weight in your bag than any other iPad on this list. Despite being smaller than the iPad 10th generation, it costs more. So what are you paying for? Slightly more advanced tech, the convenience of portability, and a better reading experience.
Mashable staff has tested and reviewed all of the iPads in this guide. We assessed each model for performance, usability, and special features.
Performance: We looked at the specs of each product and how that measured up. Sure, the iPad Pro has the M4 chip, but does it outperform the iPad Air with the M2 chip? (Yes, and incredibly so.) We assessed its speed and processing through hands-on testing and Geekbench tests.
Displays: iPad displays are essential — they are a portable touchscreen. We watched videos to test displays and run creativity apps like ProCreate for accuracy and detail.
Usability: Through daily use, we inspected the usability of these iPads. We assessed things like screen size, placement of front-facing cameras, and how useful special features were.
Special features: With the release of the iPad Pro, we're assessing the special features available on these models, like the nano-texture glass and XDR display, to see if it's just added flair or actually valuable.
As of March 2025, Apple released the iPad Air with M3 chip and iPad 11th generation. Our team has yet to test these models, but plans to do so as soon as the devices become available.
Frequently Asked Questions
2024 and now 2025, have ushered massive changes to the iPad line-up. In May 2024, the iPad Pro and iPad Air, got upgrades. The 2024 iPad Pro features Apple's M4 chip, the most advanced processor among both iPads and MacBooks (not to mention all other devices). Meanwhile, the iPad Air has the older M2 chip, the same as the MacBook Air M2.
The iPad Mini also got an upgrade in 2024. Now in its 7th generation, the newest iPad Mini comes with the A17 chip.
As of March 4, 2025, Apple released the iPad Air with M3 chip as well as the iPad 11th generation. The latter finally revamped the base iPad model, which hadn't seen an update since 2022.
All the iPads in this guide can be illustration tools if you have an Apple pencil. If we were to eliminate any options from this list, it would be the iPad Mini because it has the smallest surface area for designing.
For drawing we recommend any iPad compatible with the Apple Pencil Pro, which now features a squeezable grip and a barrel roll, expanding your creative possibilities.
Yes, you can read on your iPad — no need for an additional e-reader. In fact, reading on your iPad makes traveling far more convenient. You can read and stream on one device rather than pack an e-reader that just lets you read.
All iPads come pre-downloaded with Apple Books and Apple News to read books, magazines, and more. However, you can rely on something besides Apple's apps to read. If you're a Kindle convert or just want to use both, the Kindle app is available on iOS. And don't forget to support your local library and use Libby to gain access to endless audio and e-books.
Boston-based Shopping Reporter, Samantha Mangino, covers all things tech at Mashable, rounding up the best products and deals. She’s covered commerce for three years, spending extensive time testing and reviewing all things home, including couches, steam irons, and washing machines. She thoroughly vets products and internet trends, finding out if those cozy gamer chairs are really as comfortable as TikTok claims.
