The best iPads in 2022 for every need and budget

The 2020 10.2-inch iPad offers the best balance of value, performance, and features, and is the best deal for most people. We're still testing the 2021 iPad, which we expect will replace the older 2020 model as the best iPad overall.

Pros: Incredible price for an iPad, slick aluminum design, Touch ID for security and Apple Pay, gorgeous screen, supports the Apple Pencil

Cons: Low resolution front camera, very little storage at base price, older iPad design

The 2020 10.2-inch iPad is the most affordable model, and it's the best option for those picking up their first iPad or couch . 

The 2,160 x 1,620-pixel resolution on the 10.2-inch model is sharp and clear. The A12 processor is still perfectly capable for most apps and tasks, the battery life is long, and you can buy things on iPad with Apple Pay, thanks to the Touch ID fingerprint sensor.

The standard iPad supports the first-generation Apple Pencil, an incredible stylus with virtually no lag. You will have to pay $100 extra for the Pencil, but if you like to take notes or draw on your iPad, it is well worth it. 

The aluminum build looks and feels premium. Both iPads are quite light, too, so you can happily binge-watch Netflix in bed or take them with you. Tech nerds will say the iPads have a boring old design, but it's tried and true. Plus, the aluminum build is durable.

To note, the base model only comes with 32GB of storage. That means you won't be able to store many apps, videos, and photos on the device and will have to keep most of your content in the cloud unless you upgrade to the $429 model with 128GB of storage.

The newer 2021 iPad comes with a more powerful A13 Bionic processor, which will help with the longevity of the iPad. It also comes with a huge FaceTime camera upgrade from 1.2-megapixels (MP) to 12MP that includes Apple's Center Stage feature, which focuses the camera onto your face without having to reposition the iPad. The 2021 iPad also comes with Apple's True Tone feature that adjusts the screen white balance to make it more comfortable for your eyes.

The 2022 iPad Air has the same power as the iPad Pro for a lower price.

Pros: Sharp screen, unbeatable value for performance, Touch ID, 2nd-gen Apple Pencil support, mouse support 

Cons: Only 64GB of storage for base model

The most noteworthy aspect of the 2022 iPad Air is the fact that it runs on the same computer-grade processor as the 2021 iPad Pro models, 13-inch MacBook Air and MacBook Pro, and the Mac Mini. That means it has serious power for a tablet. Certainly, it has the most power out of any tablet we know about in the $600 range. 

With a $600 price tag, the 2022 iPad Air is more of a budget version of the 2021 iPad Pros than it is a premium version of the standard iPad. I find it difficult to tell a person who uses an iPad on the couch to browse the web and run regular apps like YouTube or social media to splurge $270 more on the 2022 iPad Air. 

Those who seek portable powerhouses for intense workloads that could really use the 2022 iPad Air's M1 processor may also find that the base model's 64GB storage is limiting. If not, great. If so, you may want to consider the 256GB 2022 iPad Air that costs $750. 

If you need more than 64GB of storage, you could justify spending an extra $50 for the 128GB iPad Pro that costs $800. You'd get Apple's super-smooth ProMotion display that runs at 120Hz instead of 60Hz, which means the screen refreshes itself 120 times per second instead of 60. It makes for a smoother and more premium feel that's deeply appreciated. You'd also get better cameras in the iPad Pro, if that's important to you.

Still, the 256GB 2022 iPad Air does have twice as much storage as the base iPad Pro, making it near impossible to beat for value related to performance and storage.

The 2019 iPad Mini is essentially the smaller version of the 10.2-inch iPad, and it's the best option if prefer a smaller tablet. We're still reviewing the 2021 iPad Mini that comes with big upgrades, and it will likely become the new best small iPad.

Pros: Compact, affordable, new processor, sharp screen, works with the Pencil

Cons: Older design with bigger bezels, more expensive than larger 10.2-inch 2020 iPad

With a 7.9-inch display, the 2019 iPad Mini is Apple's smallest tablet. It may not have the newer iPad-Pro style design, but it has all the latest specs we wanted in this update.

It's powered by the same powerful A12 Bionic processor found inside  the 2020 iPad, and it supports the first-generation Apple Pencil. We're thrilled Apple gave the Mini Pencil support, as it's the best stylus we've ever used, and it makes the Mini a great tablet for note taking or drawing.

The Mini's True Tone, 7.9-inch screen has a sharp 2,048 x 1,536 pixel resolution, too, so you can really enjoy watching videos, reading, and creating on the screen.

You can choose between 64GB or 256GB of storage and three color options: Silver, Space Gray, or Gold).

Overall, the iPad Mini is the best choice for those who prioritize portability above all else in a tablet. If you want a screen that's slightly bigger than your phone for reading, watching movies, and checking email, the iPad Mini is worth considering. 

The newer iPad Mini brings a major refresh to its design that makes it look more like a miniaturized iPad Air or iPad Pro than a smaller iPad. It also includes a processor upgrade to Apple's A15 Bionic for more power and longevity, as well as a new 12MP front camera that includes Apple's Center Stage feature. It also comes with a $100 price premium over the previous iPad Mini. 

Apple's 2021 iPad Pro come with fast performance and excellent cameras at a high price, making them best for creative professionals.

Apple's 2021 iPad Pros come equipped with the company's M1 processor, bringing faster processing and better camera performance to an already-powerful tablet. But the iPad Pro's high price and power mean that it's best-suited for creative professionals looking to get work done on their tablet rather than everyday users.

The 11-inch model starts at $800, while the 12.9-inch version begins at $1,100, just like their predecessors. 

The 2021 iPad Pro benefits from the Apple image signal processor in the M1 chip, resulting in better front camera quality for those who plan to take a lot of video calls from their iPad. It can also take high-quality photos or videos for your project, either as a primary camera, or a substitute that happens to be your workstation, too.

The larger12.9-inch model also has a display that uses mini-LED technology, meaning  it has much greater brightness and contrast compared to Apple's other tablets. 

But for that price, the iPad Pros are really best for those who want a tablet for more than just watching videos, browsing the web, and getting light work done. That's especially true since the 2022 iPad Air is compatible with Apple's Magic Keyboard and second-generation Apple Pencil. All told, the iPad Pro's increased storage capacity, faster performance, better cameras, and Thunderbolt connectivity make the iPad Pro best for creatives that want a portable work device.

Apple typically announces new iPads in the fall and spring. 

The iPad, iPad Mini, and iPad Air were all recently updated, so most of the rumor mill's attention is focused on the iPad Pro series. There's a possibility that Apple will launch new iPad Pro models in June during its annual WWDC event, but the general consensus on the 2022 iPad Pro's release is for the fall of 2022.

As is the case with most electronics, Amazon Prime Day and Black Friday are usually the best times to buy a new iPad. We saw deals on the iPad Air and regular iPad on Amazon Prime Day this past June, for example, while discounts were available across most of the iPad lineup on Black Friday.

You can also take advantage of Apple's back-to-school promotion if you're a qualified student, parent of a student, or an educator.