Best iPad for 2024
Our picks for the iPad models worth getting right now.
Our Experts
- Nearly 20 years writing about tech, and over a decade reviewing wearable tech, VR, and AR products and apps
What to consider
Price
Apple’s iPad lineup ranges from about $300 to over $1,000. Expect to spend between $400 and $600 for a great experience.
Display
Processor
Pencil support
Camera
Our Picks
What to consider
Price
Apple’s iPad lineup ranges from about $300 to over $1,000. Expect to spend between $400 and $600 for a great experience.
Display
Processor
Pencil support
Camera
What’s the best iPad overall?
Apple finally released new iPads in 2024, but the iPad Pro and iPad Air are more expensive models that, while boasting impressive processors, better camera placement for video chats, improved Pencil Pro stylus support and an OLED display on the Pro models, are likely more expensive than most people want or need. For years, we've recommended the lower-end iPads as great family and kid picks, and that's why the 10th-gen iPad is our top choice: it has a good balance of features, a front camera that's in a better location for video chat, USB-C and an overhauled design at a price that's lower than it was last year. The only thing the entry-level iPad lacks is support for Pencil 2 and Pencil Pro styluses. If that matters to you, go with an Air or Pro model for more advanced creative art apps.
CNET has been testing and reviewing iPads since the original version, and we’ve tried every model since then. We’ve also compared their performance against both Macs and competing Android tablets to judge their relative value.
Best iPads of 2024
The 10th-gen entry-level iPad got a refreshed design in 2022, adding USB-C, a faster A14 chip and a larger display. Its best feature is a repositioned front-facing camera that finally centers video chats properly in landscape mode, which is how most people use their iPads when they're connected to keyboard cases. The downside is the bizarre lack of support for the Pencil 2, requiring you to use a first-gen Pencil and a USB-C charge dongle (not included) for sketches and note-taking. Apple does have a new USB-C Pencil that's meant to help, but it's still weird. Still, this is the best family pick by far right now, although you may also want to wait until the fall and see if Apple upgrades this older iPad again.
The best midrange iPad for creatives
iPad Air (2024)
The newest iPad Pro has a fantastic OLED display and M4 processor inside, but we're impressed with the value of the less-expensive iPad Air line. The M2 chip, plus support for the new Pencil Pro with its squeeze and rotational controls, makes this feel just like an iPad Pro in nearly every way except for the price. The only downside is that the still-good display lacks the extra vividness and faster screen refresh rates of the Pro line's OLED screens. There's also a 13-inch model Air for the first time, which is considerably less expensive than the Pro 13. (The Magic Keyboard case and Apple Pencil Pro are sold separately.)
Stellar splurge iPad for those with no budget concerns
iPad Pro (2024)
If money were no object, Apple’s latest iPad Pros would clearly be the best iPads for anyone: they’re incredibly fast with new M4 processors, they have vivid OLED displays with excellent contrast and brightness, and they have improved but Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard accessories (though still sold separately). The new Pro is a thinner tablet, too. The downside to the iPad Pro is its price: at $999 for the 11-inch or $1,299 for the 13-inch, it’s laptop-level pricing despite not running MacOS. Add in the storage you want and accessories, which won’t be cheap. For anyone who craves the best Apple tablet for creating and entertainment -- and doesn’t care about a budget -- this is your pick.
The best smaller iPad, but there may be an upgrade soon
iPad Mini
The iPad Mini got a big redesign a couple of years ago, and it's still a great pick for anyone who wants a small tablet. Its A15 processor is still capable, and this model supports Pencil 2 and a more bezel-free display, but it's tough to swallow the fact that this smaller 8.3-inch model has a relatively high price for its size. Some folks love this model as a smaller, lighter mobile device option that's well-sized as an upscale ebook reader. It feels due for an upgrade; you may want to wait to see if Apple announces a new one in September before purchasing.
How we test iPads
We run benchmarks on iPads similar to how we test both iPhones and laptops, looking for single and multicore performance and graphics performance indicators that can help show relative speed gains across models. That’s only part of the story. We also use iPads as everyday devices, playing games, running lots of apps, and looking at multitasking performance in split-screen mode. We look at how camera quality feels, especially for the front-facing camera in FaceTime and Zooms.
We also look at accessories and which ones are available for a particular model: Apple’s own keyboards and Pencils, and notable third-party options, too.
Factors to consider when buying an iPad
As we said above, the best iPad features right now are distributed across models, making it hard to single out a go-to “perfect” iPad right now. Price, performance, front camera quality, accessory support and display quality vary across models. 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 sales of iPads that can change the equation, too. The iPad as a product line is great overall. Models tend to have long lives, and all models on sale now are solid at running apps and games and even multitasking. The good news is all current models are good at doing a lot of things via iPadOS.
All the current iPads, with the exception of the iPad Mini, have landscape-oriented front-facing cameras now which are much better for video chats with a keyboard attached, or standing a case up on a table.
Keep in mind that iPad Air and Pro models have M-series processors (M2 and M4), while the 10th-gen iPad and iPad Mini have processors based more on what iPhone chips have. That will affect what software runs on them in the future, to some degree: Apple Intelligence, Apple's upcoming generative AI suite of services, needs M-series chips to work. Stage Manager's external monitor support needs M-series chips, which offer a little more multiscreen multitasking by running an extra four apps on another screen. Apple's subscription-based Final Cut Pro for iPad also needs an M-series chip. These extras won't matter for everyday casual iPad use, but they could be downsides if you're planning to power-use your iPad like a full computer.
Pencil compatibility is also something to consider. Apple's stylus lineup is more confusing than ever, but what you need to know most is that the 10th-gen iPad only works with more basic, feature-limited Pencil 1 and USB Pencil accessories. The newer iPad Air and Pro models from 2024 work with a new Pencil Pro stylus that not only has double-tap, side magnetic charging and hover-over-the-screen preview features, but adds haptic feedback, squeeze gestures, and a gyro to recognize rotational brush moves. Anyone who's deeply into art will likely want an Air or Pro iPad model for these reasons alone.
Read more: Best iPad Deals Right Now
Whichever model or screen size you choose, all the current iPads support the latest version of iPadOS (a version of iOS specifically for iPads). iPadOS 18, coming in the fall, includes a clever new feature called Math Notes that allows handwritten math equations, something that could be great for kids. That feature works on all existing iPad models, even those without M1 chips.
No matter what iPad you buy, there are ways of connecting keyboard cases, Bluetooth and otherwise, although your options will vary. That's good news for anyone who wants to do more than stream videos and music, browse websites and play Apple Arcade games. Plus, all the current iPad models support mouse and trackpad use for a more MacBook-like experience. The Apple Magic Keyboard is compatible with the iPad Pro and iPad Air, but the Pro works with an improved model that has a larger clickable trackpad and extra function keys. The 10th-gen iPad has a different Magic Keyboard Folio case instead, which is less lap-friendly but has a more flexibly angled design.