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Picking the Best iPad to Buy in 2025

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In March 2025, Apple updated the iPad Air and entry-level iPad, delivering unspectacular but solid spec upgrades for those looking at Apple's cheaper tablets. Those updates came on the heals of an October 2024 update for the iPad mini, leaving the iPad Pro from May 2024 as the least updated iPad in the lineup.

In this guide, we're taking a look at how the various models compare to help potential buyers choose which one is right for them.

iPad Comparison

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Click for larger​


Which iPad Is Right for You?

If price is your biggest consideration, you'll want to look at the standard 11th-generation iPad, knowing that it contains some older technologies and limitations but is still plenty good enough for many users, especially given its recent update. If you're looking for portability, check out the iPad mini, and if you want a mid-sized iPad with more to offer than the entry-level iPad, check out the iPad Air, which as of 2024 is available in two sizes.

What about the iPad Pro? Apple's high-end iPads are in a class of their own, and it shows in their higher prices. Unless you're a pro-level user or price is no object, you'll probably want to look to cheaper options, but the iPad Pro models deliver cutting-edge technology for those who need it.

With that quick overview out of the way, let's take a look at what each model has to offer.

iPad Models

11-inch iPad

Apple's 11th-generation version of the iPad has an 11-inch display and the A16 chip, and it starts at $349 for the Wi-Fi only model. This is the cheapest iPad currently sold by Apple, and it offers a good mix of features, although it does not support Apple Intelligence features given its lower-end specs.

Apple gave the iPad an entirely updated design with the 10th-generation model in 2022 and that carries over to the 2025 model, ditching the Home button and adopting the slim bezel design of the iPad Air and iPad Pro. It does still have Touch ID, but it's been moved to the power button on the top edge of the device. It also features USB-C instead of Lightning, and it has an improved 12MP Wide rear-facing camera.

10th-Gen-iPad-Feature-Fanned-Gray.jpg

This is still on the low end of the iPad family lineup, however, so you won't get support for the Apple Pencil 2 (only the first-generation model or the USB-C model). Thankfully, Apple saw fit to boost storage options with the latest model, and it now starts at 128GB with the ability to upgrade to 256GB or, for the first time in an entry-level iPad, 512GB.

Key specifications include:
  • An 11-inch Liquid Retina display with True Tone
  • Side button with Touch ID
  • A16 chip
  • 12MP Wide back camera and 12MP Landscape Ultra Wide front camera
  • First-generation Apple Pencil and Apple Pencil with USB-C compatibility
  • Magic Keyboard Folio compatibility
  • USB-C port
  • Available in Blue, Pink, Silver, and Yellow

iPad mini

Next up is the iPad mini, which was updated in October 2024 and starts at $499 for Wi-Fi only models. Apple similarly doubled the base storage to 128GB with this update, offering a better value for buyers at the low end, while also offering up to 512GB of storage at the high end.

With a display size of 8.3 inches, you can't quite call it pocketable, but the iPad mini is definitely great for having something small on the go that still offers a much larger screen size than even Apple's largest iPhones.

ipad-mini-7-purple-hands.jpg

Looking beyond the display size, this is a capable device using an A17 Pro chip to deliver support for Apple Intelligence features, so it's a fairly speedy tablet. You'll get an improved display compared to the entry-level iPad, a 12-megapixel rear camera with LED flash, and support for the most advanced Apple Pencil Pro.

Key specifications include:
  • Fully laminated 8.3‑inch Liquid Retina display with True Tone
  • Touch ID in the power button
  • A17 Pro chip with 5-core graphics and 16-core Neural Engine
  • 12MP Wide back camera with Smart HDR 4 and 4K video
  • 12MP Ultra Wide front camera with Smart HDR 4 and 1080p HD video
  • Landscape stereo-speaker audio
  • Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil (USB-C) compatibility
  • Bluetooth keyboard compatibility
  • 10Gbps USB-C port
  • Available in Space Gray, Blue, Purple, and Starlight
iPad Air

Moving toward the higher end of the iPad family is the iPad Air, which was updated with the M3 chip in March 2025. As of 2024, the iPad Air is available in 11-inch and 13-inch sizes, with the smaller model starting at $599 for Wi-Fi only connectivity and the larger model starting at $799. The iPad Air is the perfect mid-tier option that offers many of the same features as the top-of-the-line iPad Pro but at a lower price point, and it's a great option for many users.

m2-iPad-Air-Horizontal-Feature-Teal.jpg

Apple also released a new Magic Keyboard accessory specifically for the iPad Air, offering much of the same experience as the version for the iPad Pro with a cantilever design, function keys and, a large trackpad, but stripped down a bit to hit a lower price point.

Key specifications of the iPad Air include:
  • Fully laminated 11‑inch or 13-inch Liquid Retina display with True Tone
  • Touch ID in the power button
  • M3 chip
  • 12MP Wide rear camera with Smart HDR 4 for photos and 4K video at up to 60 fps
  • Landscape 12MP FaceTime HD front camera with Smart HDR 4
  • Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil with USB-C compatibility
  • Magic Keyboard and Bluetooth keyboard compatibility
  • USB-C port
  • Available in Space Gray, Blue, Purple, and Starlight

iPad Pro

If you're looking for true portable workstation power, then the last two iPads in the lineup, the iPad Pro models, could be what you're interested in. These tablets were updated in May 2024 with the M4 chip, OLED displays, thinner designs, higher starting storage capacities, and more. Pricing starts at $999 for the 11-inch model and $1,299 for the 13-inch model.

While these are now the oldest iPad's in Apple's lineup, they are still a step up from the iPad Air in almost every way, from the crisp OLED displays with 1... Click here to read rest of article

Article Link: Picking the Best iPad to Buy in 2025
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/guide/best-ipad-to-buy/
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I’m glad Apple didn’t increase the price of the iPad Mini. Here, the Pricing make a lot more sense than its Mac Laptop counterparts.
Why the MacBook is still more expensive than the MBA is questionable since it’s obvious the ‘Air’ (Air and Mini for iPad) name is the middle tier.
[doublepost=1553873043][/doublepost]
KawaiiAurora said:
The 2017 iPad Pro 10.5" should've also been mentioned as it's more premium with features such as a 120Hz and Quad Speakers, has very similar performance, and costs around the same (or less if refurb) as the iPad Air 3
Click to expand...
The 2017 iPad Pro 10.5 is discontinued.
 
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TMRJIJ said:
I’m glad Apple didn’t increase the price of the iPad Mini. Here, the Pricing make a lot more sense than its Mac Laptop counterparts.
Why the MacBook is still more expensive than the MBA is questionable since it’s obvious the ‘Air’ name is the middle tier.
[doublepost=1553873043][/doublepost]
The 2017 iPad Pro 10.5 is discontinued.
Click to expand...

I'm aware but I think it's a viable contender since it's better in almost every way and costs the same/less. If one gets an Air 3 without knowing that 2017 Pro 10.5" is a viable contender, they might regret their purchase
 
I think it’s time to retire my air - the new mini is calling my name. While I’ve been slowly deviating away from some of Apple’s offerings , their tablets are still best-in-class for my use case.
 
KawaiiAurora said:
I'm aware but I think it's a viable contender since it's better in almost every way and costs the same/less. If one gets an Air 3 without knowing that 2017 Pro 10.5" is a viable contender, they might regret their purchase
Click to expand...
Ah okay. I didn’t really think of the Air 3 and 2017 Pro 10.5” as comparable but in terms of just price for features, that does make sense.
 
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KawaiiAurora said:
The 2017 iPad Pro 10.5" should've also been mentioned as it's more premium with features such as a 120Hz and Quad Speakers, has very similar performance, and costs around the same (or less if refurb) as the iPad Air 3
Click to expand...

I'd be curious what the longevity differences are between the 2. The Air 3 seems to be faster in most (all?) ways, but also has a little less ram. Might be a toss up.
 
TMRJIJ said:
Ah okay. I didn’t really think of the Air 3 and 2017 Pro 10.5” as comparable but in terms of just price for features, that does make sense.
Click to expand...
Mad Mac Maniac said:
I'd be curious what the longevity differences are between the 2. The Air 3 seems to be faster in most (all?) ways, but also has a little less ram. Might be a toss up.
Click to expand...

The list of differences between the Air 3 and 2017 Pro 10.5", which in my opinion are so significant that I'm leaning towards the latter when I replace my Air later this year, are as follows:
* The Air 3's CPU (A12) is 20% faster than that of the Pro 10.5" (A10X) as per Geekbench 4 scores
* The Pro 10.5" has 1GB more RAM which may mean that Apple might give it some features it doesn't the Air 3 in future versions of iOS
* The Pro 10.5" has a 120Hz ProMotion display while the Air 3 has a 60Hz display. This, in my opinion, is a major feature as it makes the overall experience much smoother
* The Pro 10.5" has quad speakers as opposed to stereo ones on the Air 3
* The Pro 10.5" has a 12MP camera w/ flash; the Air 3 has an 8MP one
 
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KawaiiAurora said:
The list of differences between the Air 3 and 2017 Pro 10.5", which in my opinion are so significant that I'm leaning towards the latter when I replace my Air later this year, are as follows:
* The Air 3's CPU (A12) is 20% faster than that of the Pro 10.5" (A10X) as per Geekbench 4 scores
* The Pro 10.5" has 1GB more RAM which may mean that Apple might give it some features it doesn't the Air 3 in future versions of iOS
* The Pro 10.5" has a 120Hz ProMotion display while the Air 3 has a 60Hz display. This, in my opinion, is a major feature as it makes the overall experience much smoother
* The Pro 10.5" has quad speakers as opposed to stereo ones on the Air 3
* The Pro 10.5" has a 12MP camera w/ flash; the Air 3 has an 8MP one
Click to expand...
Air also has a flush camera (no bump), which for me is a bigger deal than most of the other things you mentioned.
 
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I’d love to have an iPad mini pro. Or an iPad Pro mini. Something mini size, with no bezel and full screen, with a second gen pencil on the side, and a keyboard case.

Currently have an iPad mini 2 that is sluggish. A Zagg keyboard case I can use. Finger for a pencil.

Teach twice a week at church with people looking at a screen. Having my lesson manuscript on the left (using Logos) and the keynote remote always open on the right with the current slide and next slide, and being able to use a pencil to draw or underline a word or phrase on the screen then snap it back on the iPad when done... all in the size of an iPad mini would be a ‘perfect’ setup.

I know I can use slide over on my iPad mini2 but it is sluggish and can only interact with one app at a time. Would love for the next update to iPad Pro to add a smaller size but I guess if that was the case rumors would trickle out.
 
KawaiiAurora said:
The list of differences between the Air 3 and 2017 Pro 10.5", which in my opinion are so significant that I'm leaning towards the latter when I replace my Air later this year, are as follows:
* The Air 3's CPU (A12) is 20% faster than that of the Pro 10.5" (A10X) as per Geekbench 4 scores
* The Pro 10.5" has 1GB more RAM which may mean that Apple might give it some features it doesn't the Air 3 in future versions of iOS
* The Pro 10.5" has a 120Hz ProMotion display while the Air 3 has a 60Hz display. This, in my opinion, is a major feature as it makes the overall experience much smoother
* The Pro 10.5" has quad speakers as opposed to stereo ones on the Air 3
* The Pro 10.5" has a 12MP camera w/ flash; the Air 3 has an 8MP one
Click to expand...
I’m definitely considering these differences when I’m finally willing to put my Air 2 to rest.
 
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I think Logitech Crayon should’ve been mentioned for those looking to do non-artist stuff like editing/redlining and want to save on the cost. It’s the route I’m going.

Are all iPads now Crayon capable? (The Pros, that is, as the non-Pros already are.) What happened with that?
 
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Probably depends on what you're going to be using the iPad for, but my choice is going to be the new Air. For me a good middle range iPad and all I would need.
 
I’ve never owned a cellular iPad so I’m ignorant of how it works. Does the mini 5 have an a la cart option for data?

I don’t need a constant LTE connection but I will have times when I’ll need it.
 
Rorosbutt said:
I’ve never owned a cellular iPad so I’m ignorant of how it works. Does the mini 5 have an a la cart option for data?

I don’t need a constant LTE connection but I will have times when I’ll need it.
Click to expand...

I think it depends on how you buy it, direct from a carrier or a carrier through Best Buy, or direct from somewhere like Apple. Used to be, you could just turn it on for a month at a time. Don’t know if that’s true anymore.

Anyway, the point I’m trying to make is that I’ve switched to getting WiFi-only iPads and tethering (damned auto-correct!) to my iPhone, which works perfect and saves me in the cost of the iPad itself and the data plan. But, apparently, according to this article, it depends on if your phone carrier allows this, I guess. AT&T does and it works with both my MBA & iPad great.
 
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Joniz said:
I think Logitech Crayon should’ve been mentioned for those looking to do non-artist stuff like editing/redlining and want to save on the cost. It’s the route I’m going.

Are all iPads now Crayon capable? (The Pros, that is, as the non-Pros already are.) What happened with that?
Click to expand...
From what I understand, only the currently sold Pros now support the Crayon. I haven't heard anything about the 1st gen (9.7, 12.9) and 2nd gen (10.5, 12.9) Pros.
 
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