Best iPads 2024: big and small, budget to premium, all reviewed by experts

Best iPads: quick menu

Apple may not have invented the tablet but it was the iPad that made them famous.

First unveiled in 2010, Apple's iPad family has grown significantly since the original 9.7-inch model first appeared on the scene and changed the way we thought about portable computing. There are now four models to choose from – the standard iPad, iPad Air, iPad Pro, and iPad Mini – each with its own set of strengths (and a few minor weaknesses), so whether you're after a great screen for watching films and TV on the go, or something super-powerful with more creative potential, then Apple has you covered.

We'd consider all four models to be among the best tablets around, so deciding which to buy is a particularly tough job – and that's where we come in.

We've subjected all of the below to our thorough testing process, analysing every element to see how they perform. We've been reviewing products for nearly 50 years, and together have over 100 years' experience, so we know a thing or two about what makes a good device. For more information, check out our how we test iPads section below.

Joe Svetlik
Joe Svetlik

I'm old enough to remember when everyone used to hold an iPad up to their ear and pretend it was a big phone, just like on Trigger Happy TV (oh how we laughed). The iPad has evolved and diversified a great deal since its launch in 2010, and I've documented it every step of the way. It's a great device, but before you buy, you could save yourself some heartache (and money) by working out which model is right for you.

The quick list

The best iPads we recommend in 2024

Why you can trust What Hi-Fi? Our expert team reviews products in dedicated test rooms, to help you make the best choice for your budget. Find out more about how we test.

The best iPad overall

What Hi-Fi? Awards winner. Apple's 10th Generation iPad strikes a great balance between performance and value.

Specifications

Display: 10.9in
Resolution: 2360 x 1640 (264ppi)
Processor: A14 Bionic
Front camera: 12MP
Rear camera: 12MP
RAM: 4GB
OS: iPadOS 16
Storage: 64GB, 256GB
Dimensions (WHD): 25 x 18 x 0.7cm
Weight: 477g

Reasons to buy

+
Sharp and detailed display
+
Excellent sound
+
Lovely design

Reasons to avoid

-
More expensive than predecessor
-
No 3.5mm headphone socket
-
No HDR

This is the 10th generation of iPad, which makes us feel a bit old. To see its trusty tablet into double digits, Apple has given it its biggest makeover yet. Gone is the monochromatic shell in favour of bright hues and squared-off edges.

It's a success. The 'all-screen' design brings it in line with the classy-looking iPad Air, with smoothed-off flat edges and narrow bezels. The new colours (among them yellow and pink) add a sense of fun without cheapening the device, and the screen has been enlarged, from 10.2 inches to 10.9. The front-facing camera is now better positioned for video calls in landscape, too.

Other improvements include the adoption of USB-C for charging and data transfers, and a higher screen resolution (to go with the larger size).

Performance is as reliable as ever, with richer, bolder colours than the previous generation iPad, with plenty of dark detail to enjoy. The sound is a big improvement too, with clear vocals and ample bass weight. It's a little pricier than previous models, but still worth every penny.

Read the full Apple iPad (2022) review

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Test results
AttributesNotesRating
PictureSharp edges, impressive details, and all on a larger screen★★★★★
SoundThe speakers are a big improvement on its predecessor★★★★★
FeaturesFinally gets USB-C for more accessories★★★★★

The best premium iPad

What Hi-Fi? Awards winner. Apple's iPad Pro is the pinnacle of portable cinema.

Specifications

Display: 12.9in
Resolution: 2732 x 2048 (264ppi)
Processor: M2
Front camera: 12MP
Rear camera: 12MP + 10MP ultra wide
RAM: 8GB / 16GB
Storage: 128GB / 256GB / 512GB / 1TB / 2TB
Dimensions (WHD): 28 x 21 x 0.6cm
Weight: 682g

Reasons to buy

+
Superb all-round picture quality
+
Detailed, dynamic headphone sound
+
Hugely powerful

Reasons to avoid

-
Expensive for a tablet
-
Front-facing camera is in the ‘wrong’ place

Apple’s biggest and most expensive iPad is also its most impressive. It’s certainly not for everyone, but if you’re looking for the best picture quality it’s definitely the one for you. 

Its 12.9-inch Mini LED display has a resolution of 2732 x 2048, which works out at 264 pixels per inch, and a full-screen brightness of 1000 nits. On paper that means it’s a bit like having a flagship TV that’ll fit in your bag – and the reality isn’t far off either.

The iPad Pro’s picture is exceptionally sharp and detailed, colours are supremely well-judged and delicately shaded, contrast is superb and blacks are both super-deep and insightful. Motion is also expertly handled, colours are luscious, and while highlights aren’t quite as bright as they could be, there’s plenty of detail within them.

Audio isn’t quite as impressive – we’d always recommend using a pair of headphones rather than the built-in speakers – but they project clearly with a decent level of detail and easily decipherable dialogue. 

If you’re willing to fork out for the latest top-end tech, Apple’s iPad Pro 12.9 is in a class of its own.

Read the full Apple iPad Pro 12.9 review

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Test results
AttributesNotesRating
PictureThe huge screen has a real cinematic quality★★★★★
SoundSurprisingly spacious and atmospheric★★★★★
FeaturesThe M2 processor makes it very capable indeed★★★★★

The best mid-range iPad

A powerful tablet with fantastic picture and sound.

Specifications

Display: 10.9in
Resolution: 2360 x 1640 (264ppi)
Processor: Apple M1
Front camera: 12MP
Rear camera: 12MP
RAM: 8GB
Storage: 64GB / 256GB
Dimensions (WHD): 24.8 x 17.9 x 0.6cm
Weight: 461g

Reasons to buy

+
Still a lovely design
+
Extraordinarily powerful
+
The same great picture and sound

Reasons to avoid

-
Poor placement of front camera
-
Nearly no change to AV performance

The latest iPad Air was the first Apple tablet to feature the firm's own M1 processor. That's a big deal, as the chip is also found in some of Apple's blazingly fast laptops. The intention is clearly to make the Air a sort of iPad Pro Lite that will satisfy the creative types for whom the full-fat Pro models are expensive overkill. But what about us AV nerds?

Nothing has changed in terms of audio visual specs, but that's no bad thing. The fourth-gen iPad Air that came before it scored a perfect five out of five in our review, so we're more than happy for this model to perform the same. 

The image is supremely authentic and natural, with an unquestionable colour balance, oodles of detail and crisp definition. Motion is handled adeptly without any hint of active processing and blacks, while not OLED-inky, are plenty deep enough and packed with detail. There’s a satisfying HDR punch too, and plenty of dramatic contrast.

There are some improvements with SDR and standard HDR, the new model's picture is notably better looking though.

In the sound department, it's more of the same. Though again, you won't hear any complaints from us.

Read the full Apple iPad Air (2022) review

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Test results
AttributesNotesRating
PictureVery authentic and natural★★★★★
SoundNot massively better than its predecessor, but the bar is already pretty high★★★★★
FeaturesUSB-C and the M1 processor make it a force to be reckoned with★★★★★

The best small iPad

The littlest iPad has come on leaps and bounds.

Specifications

Display: 8.3in
Resolution: 2266 x 1488px (326ppi)
Processor: A15 Bionic
Front camera: 12MP
Rear camera: 12MP
RAM: 4GB
OS: iPadOS 15
Storage: 64GB / 256GB
Dimensions (WHD): 20 x 14 x 0.6cm
Weight: 293g / 297g (wi-fi / cellular)

Reasons to buy

+
Much improved build
+
Engaging audio
+
Punchy picture

Reasons to avoid

-
No headphones socket
-
Some compromised tonal detail

Be honest: do you really need all that screen space? If you're gaming, or only ever using your tablet at home, then fair enough. But for most people, who want to a device a little bigger than their phone but without taking up too much space in their bag, the iPad Mini is the ideal companion.

The 2021 iPad Mini has a slightly bigger screen than its predecessor, yet manages to stay nicely portable. In fact, it will fit in some jacket pockets, thanks to its shrunken bezel, allowing more screen real estate in a miniature footprint. But not only is the screen bigger, it's better too – the 500 nit LCD panel is less prone to light leakage than its predecessor, giving images more pop and punch.

And it sounds better as well. The dynamic expression has really come on – partnered with the great sense of timing, it makes for quite a listen. Apple has put speakers on both ends of the tablet – a first for the Mini – which gives films a suitably cinematic scale when watching without headphones.

Talking of headphones, it lacks a 3.5mm jack, so you'll have to use either wireless headphones, those that connect via USB-C, or you'll need an adapter. But that's the case with most portable devices, and not many pack such impressive abilities into such a small package.

Read the full Apple iPad Mini 6 (2021) review

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Test results
AttributesNotesRating
PictureLess light leakage makes it great for movies★★★★★
SoundExcellent, and much better than its predecessor★★★★★
FeaturesTypically excellent thanks to the superb operating system★★★★★

Also consider

The best iPad alternatives we've tested:

Amazon Fire HD 8 (2022): an Award-winner for very good reason, delivering clean, consistent sound and balanced picture quality for a very reasonable price.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra: subtle it isn't, but this tablet is big and bold with a cinematic screen and very good speakers. It wants to be the ultimate media machine and very nearly succeeds.

Google Pixel Tablet: with a dock bundled in the box, a sharp picture and impressive speakers, the Pixel Tablet is a compelling proposition. But the colours could be bolder and audio is a little underwhelming through headphones.

How to choose the best iPad for you

Do you go for the standard iPad? The thinner, lighter iPad Air? The big pocket-sized iPad Mini? Or do you spend big on an iPad Pro 12.9 with all the bells and whistles, and stunning cinematic potential?

Before you start browsing, think about what you want to do with an iPad. If you'll be taking it out and about, the Mini might be the best iPad for you, as it's smaller and more portable than its siblings.

Of course, you'll find bigger screens on other iPads, so the Mini might not be the best option for watching films and playing games for long periods. In that case, maybe the standard iPad or iPad Air might be preferable.

And, closely related to this is battery life. If children will be using them while you're out and about, you might need an iPad with enough juice to last a long-haul flight.

If you want to use your iPad for creative work (such as illustration, design, animation or music-making), the more powerful iPad Pro might be right for you. It also comes with the Apple Pencil, a stylus that's great for drawing and annotating (though you can use this with the latest versions of the iPad, Air and Mini too).

And when you eventually decide to take the plunge, why not consider partnering your new iPad with a pair of wireless headphones? Come to think of it, the Apple AirPods Max might be a particularly impressive match.

How we test the best iPads

There might only be four products in Apple's iPad range but deciding which ones we'd recommend is harder than it sounds. Thankfully, here at What Hi-Fi? we have years of expertise and plenty of resources to ensure that we can rigorously test these options so we can recommend them to you with confidence. 

Thanks to our dedicated testing rooms in Bath and Reading, alongside our knowledgeable and experienced team, we can conduct thorough tests to explore what these devices can do. We also use these tablets on trains and buses, in crowded restaurants, in the park on a sunny day... basically we use them as if we had bought them, to work out how they will perform for you.

Our main area of focus is picture and sound, meaning that these tablets all must excel at delivering a quality AV experience; but features, cameras, battery life and software are all also key factors when it comes to testing these tablets.

In order to combat any personal preference or bias, each product is given a group consensus before any verdict is made. This also ensures that we haven't missed anything, as well as approaching the performance from different viewpoints to get a more holistic view of the device overall.

Our Best Buys are a collection of products that we believe provide the best experience at their price points. You can buy them with peace of mind, knowing they have the What Hi-Fi? seal of approval.

You can check out our full range of Best Buys if you're looking of more approved tech recommendations. And for more information about our testing process, check out our dedicated how we test page.

F.A.Q.

What is the difference between an iPad Air and an iPad?

The iPad Air is slightly lighter and thinner than the standard iPad, but it has a couple of upgrades as well: an anti-reflective coating makes the screen easier to see in bright light, and the M1 processor and 8-core GPU is faster than the standard model's A14 Bionic and 4-core GPU. 

What is the up to date iPad?

The latest models are: iPad (10th Generation), iPad Air (5th Generation), iPad Mini (6th Generation), iPad Pro 11in (4th Generation) and iPad Pro 12.9in (6th Generation).

What are disadvantages of iPad Air?

The iPad Air is a very strong device – a past Award winner – but it's not perfect. It's quite expensive, and the rear camera is awkwardly placed. Its AV performance also lacks any upgrades on its predecessor, but considering the quality, maybe that's being picky.

Recent updates

11th March 2024: Added 'Also consider', 'F.A.Q.' and 'Recent updates' sections, plus galleries of images for each entry.

30th January 2024: Edited copy for iPad Mini entry and added alt texts for images.

24th October 2023: Converted to new Best Buy format.

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Joe Svetlik

Joe has been writing about tech for 17 years, first on staff at T3 magazine, then in a freelance capacity for Stuff, The Sunday Times Travel Magazine, Men's Health, GQ, The Mirror, Trusted Reviews, TechRadar and many more (including What Hi-Fi?). His specialities include all things mobile, headphones and speakers that he can't justifying spending money on.

With contributions from