Apple has loads of tablet models on the market right now and no matter which one you have your eye on, you can rest assured that it’s one of the best tablets you can buy. With fantastic displays, plenty of power, and loads of storage space, Apple’s iPads are unparalleled.
There are four main iPad models you can get: the iPad Mini, iPad Air, iPad, and iPad Pro—and more often than not, you’ll find at least one of them on sale. From the budget-friendly iPads to the pricey iPads Pro geared for professionals, there’s something for everyone.
Boasting a stunning 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display and Apple’s A15 Bionic chip, the iPad mini (6th Generation) the iPad mini (6th Generation) earns top marks from PCMag’s expert reviewers, who praise it for its “pro-level power in a smaller size.” If you’re looking for a stylish tablet that allows you to make notes, take photos with the 12MP Ultra Wide front camera, edit photos and videos, and run all your favorite apps, the iPad mini is hard to beat at under $500.Using the Apple Pencil (2nd Generation), it’s easy to make annotations, scribble notes for later, or get started on your next artistic masterpiece. If you’re out and about and have your iPad mini with you (which is entirely possible thanks to its size), you can even use Apple’s built-in Touch ID to make payments with Apple Pay.
While it’s not the latest generation of iPad, the Apple iPad (9th Generation) is still considered a powerful option (see our review) and an incredible value at under $250. A fraction smaller than the iPad Air, the iPad features a 10.2-inch Retina display and is compatible with the Apple Pencil (1st Generation). It may not be as powerful as some other iPad models, but it’s a perfect entry-level option for anyone on a budget.With a decent-sized display and Apple’s A14 Bionic chip, you can easily enjoy a range of popular apps, games, and stream videos. Alongside the iPad’s all-day battery life, this is the ideal companion for those long road trips or family vacations when you need a distraction. You’ve got everything you need in a tablet at a much more palatable price.
The newest iPad Pro model is a superb choice, especially when it’s on sale. In our review of the Apple iPad Pro, we gave it an “Excellent” rating and our Editors’ Choice Award simply because we found it to be “a highly capable tablet with an impressive display, leading performance, and enough storage for a lifetime.”The new iPad Pro features a stunning Retina XDR display with loads of contrast and plenty of brightness, so you won’t have any issues using this tablet anywhere you go, including on the beach.The 13-inch version of the iPad Pro is also on sale right now.
A more reasonably priced tablet is the brand-new Apple iPad Air with an M2 chip. When we reviewed the 2024 Apple iPad Air, our experts gave it an “Excellent” rating and our Editors’ Choice Award. “The iPad Air offers more than enough power for students and creatives to get work done on an appealing tablet that doesn’t break the bank,” our very own Eric Zeman said of this new model. This 13-inch tablet features a superb screen and offers powerful performance. It quickly loads apps, switches between them, and runs games with ease. With over 10 hours of battery life, you’ll enjoy a full day of fun even when you’re away from power outlets.The 11-inch version of the iPad Air M2 is also on sale right now.
Recommended by Our Editors
The 10th generation of the Apple iPad is definitely worth your attention because it’s easily one of the most affordable models out there. We enjoyed reviewing the 10th-generation iPad, giving it an “Excellent” rating and our Editors’ Choice Award. “Apple has improved just about every aspect of the entry-level iPad. The revised design is attractive, the screen is very good, the upgraded processor is faster, and the new camera configuration means better photos and more natural video calls,” our review points out. Running on an A14 Bionic chip, this tablet won’t have the same oomph the models with M-series chips will, but it’s still nothing to scoff at. The 10.9-inch Liquid Retina Display is bright and colorful, while the cameras are well above what most other tablets have.
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FAQ
What is the best time of year to buy a tablet? Tablets are incredibly popular devices; they are portable, yet powerful, and make a great addition to any student, professional, or family setup. Black Friday and the holiday season shopping season are often the best times to get the lowest price. But there are still some competitive deals throughout the year (and it’s our job to find them for you). What time of the year is the cheapest to buy an iPad? It’s cheaper to buy an iPad when a newer model is released. Since the newer model of iPad will likely go on sale at full price, older iPad models often go on sale. Apple tends to release its iPad models in March/April, and September/October. While Apple hasn’t released a new iPad since 2022, we expect to see a new lineup announced in May 2024.How much money should you spend on a tablet? Deciding how much money to spend on a tablet is an important place to start. Once you’ve set a budget, you can gauge a better understanding of what to look for in a tablet, and prioritize what features are most important to you. For example, when we test tablets in our lab, we run the devices through their paces, assessing video stream quality, Wi-Fi performance, camera capability, and battery life.Of course, depending what your priority is will depend on how much money you should spend on a tablet. If you’re a creator that needs a tablet that’s capable of running multiple apps, can support you with all-day battery life, and boasts a stunning display, you’re going to expect to pay more than you would a lightweight portable tablet for everyday use.What’s the best tablet under $500?The iPad mini is one of the best tablets under $500. It’s lightweight, portable, but runs on Apple’s A15 Bionic chip, which is more powerful than the cheaper iPad (9th Generation) model. And, since the iPad mini is often on sale, you can nab it for closer to $450 most of the time.
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About Gabriela Vatu
Contributor
I have been a writer since 2006 when I covered various domains for local publications. In 2012, I started covering technology broadly and I’ve written thousands of articles since then. I’ve written social media and cybersecurity news, software and hardware reviews, streaming guides, how-tos, tech deals, and more. I have bylines in numerous publications, including MakeUseOf, Pocket-Lint, Android Police, How to Geek, XDA, Softpedia, as well as here at PCMag. When I’m not working, I like to spend time with my family, read, game, paint, listen to music, and run around after our many pets asking what it is they’re chewing on this time.
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