Best iPads of 2026

The Air 11 is where the iPad lineup starts to feel quick in a creative app. The M4 chip has far more headroom than the A16, and the 11-inch Liquid Retina display with P3 wide color and True Tone is a lovely surface for drawing, photo editing, and split-screen notes. At 1.02 pounds, it is easy to hold in one hand while reading or sketching.

We like the 128GB starting storage and Wi-Fi 7, both of which make the Air feel current rather than merely upgraded. The 12MP front and back cameras are fine for video calls and quick scans. The Pro models add an Ultra Retina XDR panel, ProMotion, Face ID, and LiDAR; those are the real reasons to spend more, not the chip alone.

The 128GB floor is the detail we keep coming back to; it makes the Air feel like a long-term purchase rather than a stopgap. We prefer its screen and chip for long note-taking sessions, and the 1.02-pound body is easy to live with. If your work is mostly streaming and email, the base iPad remains the smarter spend.

The 11-inch Pro is the one that makes the case for paying for a tablet instead of a laptop. The Ultra Retina XDR display is a genuine step up: extreme brightness, precise contrast, and ProMotion make scrolling and drawing feel smoother, and the M5 chip has more headroom than most people need today.

We appreciate the 256GB starting storage and the 15.7-ounce body, which makes the Pro 11 easier to carry than the 13-inch models while keeping the pro display and Face ID. The LiDAR scanner is there for scanning and augmented-reality apps, though most buyers will notice the screen and speed first. Wi-Fi 7 and the M5 chip give it more headroom as your work gets heavier.

The Pro earns its premium when the display, Face ID, LiDAR, or M5 speed changes your workflow. The Air 11 is the better fit if you mostly watch video and answer email. The display is the feature that keeps this model feeling special.

A 13-inch iPad changes how much you can keep in view at once. The Air 13 gives you that big canvas with the M4 chip and a 13-inch Liquid Retina display, and at 1.36 pounds it is still light enough to move between desk, couch, and kitchen table.

The 256GB storage is a comfortable starting point for a tablet this size, and Wi-Fi 7 keeps it current. We think it is a good fit for split-screen research, sheet music, and drawing apps where the extra inches do real work. Touch ID is included, and the 12MP front and back cameras are fine for video calls.

The Pro models add the Ultra Retina XDR panel and ProMotion; the Air keeps the standard Liquid Retina. For most reading, writing, and streaming, that is a difference you can live with, especially when the price gap is large.

Where the Air 13 earns our recommendation is the balance: a big screen, modern chip, and enough storage without the Pro's weight or cost. The canvas is the point, and this model delivers it without asking you to buy the whole Pro package.

Thirteen inches is the line between a tablet you carry and a tablet you work at. The Pro 13 leans hard into the second job: the Ultra Retina XDR display is huge and bright, the M5 chip is the fastest in this group, and the 1.28-pound body is remarkably light for the screen size. We think of it as a portable drafting table for photo editing, video review, and illustration.

The 256GB storage, Wi-Fi 7, Face ID, and LiDAR scanner make it feel like a complete pro tool rather than a big tablet. We appreciate Face ID on a device this size; unlocking it feels natural when it is propped up on a stand. The 13-inch Air gets you a large canvas for less, but the Pro adds the XDR panel and M5 speed that make the size worthwhile for demanding work.

This is not the iPad for casual reading or a kid's backpack. The screen is the reason to choose it; if that canvas is your workspace, the size stops feeling excessive.

The 10th-gen iPad is the cheapest way in this group to get USB-C and the modern flat-edge design. The 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display and A14 Bionic chip are a pleasant combination for streaming, browsing, and school apps, and the USB-C port makes it feel current.

It suits a first tablet or a secondary screen for someone who does not need M-series power. The 12MP front and back cameras are more than enough for video calls.

The renewed part is the real story. Condition varies, so check the screen and battery during the return window, and treat the 90-day warranty as your testing period. We prefer buying renewed from a listing that states the warranty and included cable, because a missing charger can erase the savings.

The USB-C port is the detail that makes it feel current; the rest is a reminder to buy the condition, not just the model. We like that this renewed iPad still feels like a modern tablet rather than a compromise.

The renewed Air 5 is the performance bargain of the refurbished options. You get the M1 chip, a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display, USB-C, and support for the second-generation Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard, all in a 10.4-ounce body. For drawing, note-taking, and multitasking, the M1 still has more headroom than the base iPad's A16.

The Air 5 suits someone who wants a lighter creative tablet without paying new-Air prices. The renewed condition adds a variable, so test the battery and charging during the 90-day warranty window. The M1 chip is the reason to choose this over the cheaper 10th-gen iPad.

The 64GB storage is the catch: it is fine for notes and streaming, but not for a large drawing library or downloaded video. The new Air 11 M4 is faster and has newer connectivity, but the Air 5 covers the basics for a fraction of the cost. We prefer it for a first Apple Pencil tablet or a secondary device for drawing and notes.

For a kid's first tablet or a kitchen-counter streaming device, the renewed 9th-gen iPad makes a strong case. The 10.2-inch Retina display is big enough for shows and homework, the A13 chip handles the basics, and 64GB gives you room for a reasonable app library. We think the low entry point is the point.

The renewed condition is the variable to manage. Battery health, charging, and cosmetic wear are the things to check during the return window, and the 90-day warranty gives you time to do it. We prefer buying this model for a child or a secondary room, where a tired battery or a scuff is less of a problem than on a primary work tablet.

The 10.2-inch screen is the sweet spot for a shared family tablet; the rest of the package is about keeping the cost down. It is a smart buy when the tablet will be passed around and handled less carefully than a work device.