Best iPads You Can Buy: Real Amazon User Reviews
- reviewers central
- Jul 28, 2024
- 14 min read
Are you shopping for a new iPad but feeling stuck with all the options? We've got you covered! We've taken a close look at and compared the best iPads you can buy, taking into account what customers say and how they work in real life. Whether you're a pro, a student, or just use it for fun, our in-depth guide will help you pick the iPad that's right for you.
In this article:
To pick the top iPads, we looked at each model's screen quality, speed, battery duration, ease of carrying, and overall value. We read through tons of user comments, expert views, and tech specs to give you a complete and interesting breakdown of each iPad. Here's what we focused on:
Display Technology: We looked at each iPad's screen quality checking things like resolution, color accuracy, and brightness.
Performance: We tested the processing power of each iPad seeing how well they handle different tasks and apps.
Battery Life: We checked how long each iPad's battery lasts in various situations.
Portability: We weighed each iPad and measured its size to see how easy it is to carry around and use while moving.
Value for Money: We compared what each iPad offers against its price to figure out which one gives you the most bang for your buck.
Let's jump into our top choices for the best iPads you can buy today!
Best Overall
$559.00 (Was $599.00, Now 7% off)
Notable Features: Liquid Retina display with 2360x1640 resolution | M2 chip with 8-core CPU and 9-core GPU | 12MP Ultra Wide front camera | 12MP Wide back camera | Wi-Fi 6E | USB-C connectivity | Compatible with Apple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard | 10-hour battery life | Available in various colors
The Apple iPad Air 11-inch (M2) stands out as our top iPad pick offering a great mix of speed, ease of carrying, and good value. This tablet packs a punch with its eye-catching Liquid Retina screen that shows your stuff in bright colors and clear detail. With the new M2 chip inside, it handles everything from web browsing to tough creative jobs without breaking a sweat. People love the iPad Air's graphics often talking about its "beautiful colors" and "sharp display." The device's quickness is another highlight, with users noting fast charging and smooth running of different apps. One happy buyer said, "The screen responds very fast and the picture quality is just right for what I need." The iPad Air's portability is a big selling point weighing 1.03 pounds. This light design makes it perfect for people always moving around. As one user put it, "It's so light and nice." The battery life also impresses, with many customers saying it lasts well over 8 hours on one charge. Getting the iPad Air ready to use is simple, with one user sharing, "With help on the phone from a friend, it set itself up in about 20 minutes." This ease carries over to everyday use, with the tablet handling many tasks at once without trouble. While most feedback is very good, some users said the camera could be better. But this small issue doesn't outweigh the device's overall great performance and flexibility. The iPad Air 11-inch (M2) fits the bill for many different users, from students and working folks to creative types and casual users. Its strong performance, along with being easy to carry and having long battery life, makes it a great tool for work, study, and fun.
Pros | Cons |
Powerful M2 chip for seamless performance | Camera quality could be improved |
Stunning Liquid Retina display | No Face ID (uses Touch ID instead) |
Lightweight and portable design | |
Excellent battery life | |
Easy setup and use | |
Compatible with Apple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard |
Best Pro Model
$1,199.00 (Was $1,299.00, Now 8% off)
Notable Features: 13-inch Ultra Retina XDR display with 2752x2064 resolution | M4 chip with 10-core CPU and GPU | 12MP Ultra Wide front camera | 12MP Wide back camera with LiDAR Scanner | Wi-Fi 6E | Face ID | All-day battery life | Compatible with Apple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard | Up to 2TB storage
The Apple iPad Pro 13-Inch (M4) stands out as the top performer in the iPad family. Apple designed this tablet for professionals and heavy users who need the best speed and screen quality. The Ultra Retina XDR screen gives amazing brightness, contrast, and color precision making it ideal to create and enjoy media.
Customers can't stop talking about how good the iPad Pro's screen looks. One person said, "The 13-inch screen gives you super clear pictures with bright, contrasting, and true-to-life colors." The strong M4 chip means this iPad can do even the hardest jobs without breaking a sweat. People say they can do many things at once and the iPad responds . One customer pointed out, "This has made me get more done making sure my online work goes without stopping." The iPad Pro's battery is another thing that stands out, with lots of users saying they can use it all day without plugging it in. One customer shared, "The battery lasts as long as I thought it would. It reacts fast just like I expected."
Despite its big screen, people like how thin and light the iPad Pro is. One customer said, "Even with all its power, the iPad Pro is much thinner than older models and light, which makes it easy to carry around." While most folks love the iPad Pro, some point out it costs a lot. But many think its great performance and features make it worth the money. The iPad Pro 13-Inch (M4) works well for creative pros people who need top-notch performance, and anyone who wants a big high-quality screen. Its mix of processing power, screen quality, and flexibility makes it a top pick for those after the best iPad experience out there.
Pros | Cons |
Exceptional Ultra Retina XDR display | Premium price point |
Powerful M4 chip for top-tier performance | May be too large for some users preferring more portability |
All-day battery life | |
Thin and lightweight design despite large screen | |
Advanced camera system with LiDAR Scanner | |
Compatible with Apple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard |
Best for Multitasking
$919.00 (Was $999.00, Now 8% off)
Notable Features: 11-inch Ultra Retina XDR display with 2420x1668 resolution | M4 chip with 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU | 12MP Ultra Wide front camera | 12MP Wide back camera with LiDAR Scanner | Wi-Fi 6E | Face ID | All-day battery life | Compatible with Apple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard | Up to 2TB storage
The Apple iPad Pro 11-Inch (M4) strikes a sweet spot between power and portability making it a top pick for folks who need pro-level performance in a smaller package. This iPad shines when it comes to juggling multiple tasks, thanks to its beefy M4 chip and iPadOS features like Split View and Stage Manager. Users can't stop raving about the iPad Pro's screen quality. One happy customer said, "It hits the mark in every way: screen quality, speed, looks, and ease of use." The ProMotion tech, with its 120Hz refresh rate, ensures everything feels smooth and snappy, which comes in handy for multitasking and creative work. The M4 chip's performance blows users away across the board. A satisfied buyer shared, "This thing is lightning-fast with an amazing screen that's super bright with rich colors and deep blacks." This raw power lets users run several apps at once without breaking a sweat. Many users love the iPad Pro's sleek design and how easy it is to carry around. One customer noted, "The aluminum body feels high-end and tough, and the thin bezels around the screen give it a modern classy look." Even with all its power, the iPad Pro stays slim and light making it a breeze to take along for work or travel. The iPad Pro's flexibility is another big selling point. It works with the Apple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard, so it can turn into a creative tool or stand in for a laptop. Users find the interface easy to use and smooth allowing them to navigate and multitask without any hiccups. While the iPad Pro 11-Inch (M4) gets tons of praise, some users point out that it comes with a hefty price tag. But most feel that what the device can do and how well it performs make it worth the cost. This iPad is perfect for pros who need a powerful portable device for work creative types who want a flexible tool for their projects, and power users who value top-notch performance in a compact package.
Pros | Cons |
Powerful M4 chip for seamless multitasking | Premium price point |
Stunning Ultra Retina XDR display with ProMotion | Some apps may not be fully optimized for the M4 chip |
Compact and portable design | |
Versatile with Apple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard support | |
Advanced camera system with LiDAR Scanner | |
All-day battery life |
Best Value
$738.00 (Was $799.00, Now 8% off)
Notable Features: 13-inch Liquid Retina display | M2 chip | 12MP Ultra Wide front camera | 12MP Wide back camera | Wi-Fi 6E | Touch ID | All-day battery life | Compatible with Apple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard | Up to 1TB storage
The Apple iPad Air 13-inch (M2) strikes a great balance between performance, features, and cost making it our top choice for the best value iPad. This gadget brings many high-end features to a more affordable price range, without cutting corners on quality or speed.
Customers always love the iPad Air's screen quality. One user wrote, "The picture looks very good for not being OLED, the display is fantastic, and the picture is crystal clear." The 13-inch screen gives plenty of room to work and play making it great for many uses. The M2 chip lets this iPad handle tough tasks . Users say it's "blazing fast" and "fluid for 60Hz." One customer said, "It runs Genshin great, I can play call of duty on it and it's a real workhorse." The iPad Air also has great battery life, with many users saying it lasts over 8 hours on one charge. This makes it perfect for people who need a reliable device all day. Many users like the iPad Air's size those upgrading from smaller tablets. One customer said, "Very pleased with this iPad Air. Nice big size replaces my 6-year-old 12.9 inch unit. I use it for my work at home." While most feedback is good, some users have had charging problems now and then. But these seem to be rare cases and don't show the overall quality of the device. The iPad Air 13-inch (M2) is great for users who want a big-screen iPad with strong performance but don't need all the pro-level features of the iPad Pro. It works well for students, professionals who need a reliable work device, and anyone who likes a bigger screen for watching media.
Pros | Cons |
Large 13-inch Liquid Retina display | Some users reported occasional charging issues |
Powerful M2 chip for smooth performance | Not as powerful as the iPad Pro models |
Excellent battery life | |
Good value for the features offered | |
Compatible with Apple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard |
Best Compact Option
$469.00 (Was $499.00, Now 6% off)
Notable Features: 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display | A15 Bionic chip | 12MP Ultra Wide front camera with Center Stage | 12MP back camera | Wi-Fi 6 | Touch ID | Up to 10 hours battery life | Compatible with Apple Pencil (2nd generation) | Available in various colors
The Apple iPad mini (6th Generation) stands out as the top pick for users who want a portable device that doesn't skimp on power. This small but mighty tablet impresses with its A15 Bionic chip and bright 8.3-inch Liquid Retina screen making it great to use while moving around. Buyers love how small and easy to carry the iPad mini is. One customer said, "I love so many things about this product: it looks sleek, it's light, which makes it easy to hold when I read, and its size. I love the mini-size of this iPad." You can easily put the compact tablet in a bag or even a big pocket, which works well for people who commute or travel a lot.
Even though it's small, the iPad mini packs a punch. Users say it "works well" and has "great functionality." One customer wrote, "I am so glad that I did. It is super fast. Great feel, quality and awesome camera. The picture quality is unreal." The iPad mini's display quality wows many users. Customers call it a "super vivid display" with "crisp resolution." One user pointed out, "Pros: Higher resolution: One of the main things that made me buy this tiny beast was the screen resolution (319 ppi), which is higher." The iPad mini's battery life stands out, with many users saying it lasts all day on a single charge. Users also like how fast it charges. While most feedback glows, some users think the price is a bit steep for a small tablet. Still, many believe its performance and easy-to-carry design make up for the cost. The iPad mini (6th Generation) fits users who want something they can take anywhere. It's great for people who commute, students who need a light device to take notes, or anyone after a strong tablet they can use with one hand.
Pros | Cons |
Ultra-portable and lightweight design | Higher price point for its size |
Powerful A15 Bionic chip | 64GB base storage might be limiting for some users |
High-resolution Liquid Retina display | |
Excellent battery life | |
Compatible with Apple Pencil (2nd generation) |
Wrapping Up
After looking at these top iPads, we can see that Apple still leads the tablet market. They offer a range of powerful, versatile, and easy-to-use devices. Each iPad on our list meets different needs and likes, so every user can find the right one for them.
The Apple iPad Air 11-inch (M2) is our top pick overall. It strikes a great balance between performance, portability, and value. Its strong M2 chip beautiful Liquid Retina display, and ability to work with extras like the Apple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard make it a great choice for many users.
For people who want the best in power and screen quality, the Apple iPad Pro 13-Inch (M4) is the top choice. Its big Ultra Retina XDR screen and M4 chip make it great for experts and heavy users who need high-end performance.
The Apple iPad Pro 11-Inch (M4) gives a smaller pro-level experience perfect for users who need high performance in a more portable form. Its skill in handling many tasks at once makes it popular among professionals and creative types.
If you want a bigger screen without paying pro-level prices, the Apple iPad Air 13-inch (M2) gives you great value. It packs many top-end features at a more affordable price making it a solid pick for both students and working professionals.
For those who put mobility first, you can't beat the Apple iPad mini (6th Generation). Its small size and strong performance make it ideal for use while traveling, without giving up on functionality.
When picking your perfect iPad, think about how you'll use it:
To get overall good performance: iPad Air 11-inch (M2)
To enjoy pro-level power and a big screen: iPad Pro 13-Inch (M4)
To experience top performance in a smaller package: iPad Pro 11-Inch (M4)
To have a bigger display without breaking the bank: iPad Air 13-inch (M2)
To carry the most compact option: iPad mini (6th Generation)
Keep in mind, the iPad that's right for you comes down to what you need how much you can spend, and what you'll use it for. No matter if you're studying, working, creating, or just browsing, you'll find an iPad in this range that'll make your digital life better.
We'd love to hear about your time with these iPads or any questions you might have. What you share can help other people choose and get the most from their devices.
FAQ Section: Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between the iPad Air and iPad Pro?
The iPad Pro and iPad Air have key distinctions in their processors, screens, and cameras. iPad Pro models come with stronger M4 chips, ProMotion screens that refresh faster, and better cameras with LiDAR scanners. The iPad Air, though still robust with its M2 chip, strikes a good mix of features at a lower price.
Is the iPad mini powerful enough to handle daily tasks?
Yeah, the iPad mini packs a punch despite its compact size. The A15 Bionic chip gives it the muscle to tackle most day-to-day stuff like surfing the web checking emails, scrolling through social media, playing casual games, and even dabbling in photo and video edits.
Can I use an iPad as a laptop replacement?
Quite a few people swap their laptops for iPads the Air and Pro models. Add a keyboard case and Apple Pencil to the mix, and iPads can handle most jobs you'd do on a laptop. That said, some specialized software might still need a traditional computer.
How long do iPads last?
With the right care, iPads can keep going for 4-5 years or even more. Apple offers software updates for iPads for about 5-6 years after they hit the market.
Do I need cellular connectivity on my iPad?
This comes down to how you use it. If you often use your iPad away from Wi-Fi spots and need to stay online all the time, you might want to think about a cellular model. If not, the Wi-Fi-only model works fine for most people.
Can I use an Apple Pencil with all iPad models?
The Apple Pencil isn't compatible with all iPads. iPad Pro and iPad Air models work with the 2nd generation Apple Pencil. The standard iPad and iPad mini support the 1st generation Apple Pencil.
What's the advantage of the M4 chip in the latest iPad Pros?
The M4 chip delivers a big boost in performance compared to older versions. It speeds up processing, improves graphics, and saves more energy. This makes it great for tough jobs like editing videos creating 3D models, and playing high-end games.
Is 64GB storage enough for an iPad?
For people who don't use their device much and surf the web run simple apps, and watch videos, 64GB might be enough. But if you want to keep lots of pictures, videos, or big apps, think about getting a model with more storage space.
Can I hook up extra storage to an iPad?
Yes newer iPad models that have USB-C ports work with external storage devices. You can plug in USB drives, SD card readers, and even external hard drives to add more storage space.
How does the iPad mini stack up against big smartphones when it comes to ease of use?
The iPad mini has a much bigger screen than even the largest smartphones. This makes it better for reading, drawing, and watching videos. It also uses iPadOS, which gives you more ways to get work done than iOS on iPhones.
Are iPads good for gaming?
Yes, iPads are great for gaming. They have strong processors nice screens, and lots of games to choose from in the App Store. This makes many mobile gamers like them. The iPad Pro models, with their M4 chips, can even run games that look as good as those on game consoles.
Can I use my iPad for video editing?
Sure thing. All the newest iPad models can handle video editing. You can get iMovie for free. For more serious work, apps like LumaFusion give you advanced options. The iPad Pro models, with their strong M4 chips, work great for tough video editing jobs.
How does the Apple Pencil make the iPad better?
The Apple Pencil turns your iPad into a flexible tool to draw, take notes, and input . It responds to pressure and tilt, so it feels natural to use. It's helpful for artists, designers, and anyone who often writes notes by hand or marks up documents.
What makes the bigger 13-inch iPad models good?
The 13-inch models give you more screen space, which helps with doing multiple tasks looking at big documents, and doing creative work. They're also great for watching stuff making videos and games feel more real.
How does Face ID stack up against Touch ID on iPads?
Face ID, which you'll find on iPad Pro models, lets you unlock your device without using your hands. It works no matter how you hold it and is quicker and easier to use than Touch ID. But Touch ID, which other iPad models have, is still safe and some people like it better.
Keep in mind when deciding think about what you need how much you can spend, and how you'll use your iPad. Each version has its own perks, and the right pick depends on what works best for you.
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