Best iPad in 2025 reviewed and ranked | Stuff

The iPad changed personal tech when it launched in 2010. It proved a tablet could be more than a gimmick, slipping neatly between phones and laptops with a design that put touch first. Steve Jobs famously called it “magical,” and while plenty of people doubted it at the time, it quickly turned into a worldwide hit.

Since then, Apple has steadily evolved the iPad. Faster chips, sharper screens and clever accessories like the Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard have turned it into far more than a media slate. With each update, the iPad has edged closer to being a genuine laptop replacement. Once upon a time, buying an Apple tablet meant buying the iPad. Apple made one model, in one size. You just had to pick a colour, a storage capacity and a connectivity option. Things are different now – so which is the best iPad for you?

Apple offers four different iPad variants in four different sizes, each with its own components, perks and wildly varying prices. And each model ticks different boxes. One promises powerful creative performance, while another delivers a satchel-friendly form factor. The latest models, the iPad Air (M3) and base iPad, were announced at the company’s event in March 2025.

If you’re planning to spend a lot of money on a tablet, you’ll want to make sure you end up with a device that’s perfectly suited to your needs. Not sure which Apple tablet is best for you? Are you shopping for a simple second screen, or do you need a slate to upgrade your digital doodling?

Why you can trust Stuff: Our team of experts rigorously test each product and provide honest, unbiased reviews to help you make informed decisions. For more details, read how we test and rate products.

Quick list: what’s the best iPad?

The best iPad models you can buy today:

1. iPad Air (M3)

In 2020, the iPad Air evolved from a lightweight tablet into a serious workhorse – and it hasn’t slowed down since. Now, in 2025, the seventh-generation iPad Air has arrived, bringing bigger screens, even better performance, and more versatility than ever. After living with it, we can say it confidently: Apple has once again nailed the balance between power and price.

Starting at $599/£599, the 2025 Air comes in two sizes: the familiar 11-inch and the much-welcome 13-inch model. The 13-inch version feels like a smart alternative to the iPad Pro, offering that extra screen space without paying for a ProMotion display or shelling out even more for the Pro’s OLED panel. The Liquid Retina display is still sharp, bright and easy on the eyes for everything from drawing to gaming. Sure, it sticks to 60Hz, so scrolling isn’t as silky as on the Pro, but it’s a trade-off most people can live with.

The biggest upgrade is inside: the M3 chip. Compared to the last Air’s M2, it’s a noticeable jump in multitasking, gaming, and creative work. It’s properly future-proof, even if you’ll rarely push it to its limits.

Design tweaks like the landscape camera placement make video calls far more natural, and with Wi-Fi 6E, faster USB-C, and Pencil Pro support, this is easily the most versatile Air yet.

Where does the 2025 iPad Air sit? Right where it always should – the best iPad for almost everyone. It’s fast, light, and powerful enough to handle pretty much anything without tipping into overkill.

Read more: iPad Air M3 review

2. iPad Pro M4 (2024)

When the iPad Pro first launched, it delivered on Apple’s promise of an all-screen slate that transforms into whatever app you’re using – canvas, workstation, or entertainment hub. With the 2024 iPad Pro (M4, 7th gen), that transformation reaches new heights, powered by Apple’s latest silicon and a stunning OLED Ultra Retina XDR display. After putting it through its paces, we can say with confidence that this isn’t just another spec bump – it’s a serious redefinition of what an iPad can do.

Let’s start with the design. The iPad Pro is now Apple’s thinnest device ever – just 5.1mm for the 13in model – and it feels almost impossibly sleek. Put the new iPad Pro beside the old M2 version and the changes jump out. The weight drop is obvious the second you pick it up, especially if you’re holding it freehand instead of clipping it into a Magic Keyboard. If you ever thought it might be too bulky to carry around, this redesign settles that. And despite being slimmer, it still feels rock solid – no creaks or flex when you put it to work.

Inside, the M4 chip is on another level. It’s not just a spec bump; you can see it in action. Scrubbing through 4K video in DaVinci Resolve is effortless, photo edits in Affinity Photo apply instantly, and rendering 3D models in Nomad Sculpt is quicker than before. Even gaming steps up – big titles like Resident Evil Village run with smooth, console-like performance. Compared with the M2 iPad Pro, the gains are most obvious in pro apps, while everyday stuff feels much the same.

The display, though, is where this iPad truly shines. Apple’s tandem OLED technology delivers inky blacks and vibrant colours, and the peak 1600-nit brightness makes HDR content pop. Watching movies feels cinematic, but where we really noticed the improvement was in creative work. Colour grading videos and fine-tuning illustrations now feel more precise, with greater depth and accuracy. If you’re upgrading from a previous iPad Pro, the difference between the OLED and mini-LED display is striking – blacks are true black, with no blooming effect in dark scenes.

The new Apple Pencil Pro adds another layer of refinement, especially for creatives. The squeeze gesture for quick tool changes is surprisingly intuitive, and the subtle haptic feedback makes interactions feel more tactile. Find My support is another practical touch – we’ve all misplaced a stylus at some point, and this should make lost Pencils less of a headache.

Connectivity has also stepped up. Wi-Fi 6E and 5G ensure blazing-fast downloads, and Apple has finally moved the front camera to a more natural landscape position. This makes video calls much less awkward when using a keyboard dock – something we appreciated when hopping on work calls. The quad speakers remain best-in-class, delivering punchy, immersive audio that feels almost unnatural coming from such a thin device.

Of course, all this power comes at a price. Starting at £999/$999 – before adding the Pencil Pro or Magic Keyboard – the iPad Pro M4 is firmly in “pro” territory. And while iPadOS has improved in multitasking and productivity, it still doesn’t quite replace macOS for serious workflows. There were moments when we wished for full-fledged macOS apps rather than iPad-optimised versions, especially when working with external storage or multitasking in Stage Manager.

That said, if you want the most advanced, capable tablet on the market, the iPad Pro M4 is in a league of its own. Whether it’s a worthy upgrade depends on your workflow. If you’re coming from an M1 or older model, the performance and display improvements are substantial. But if you already have the M2 iPad Pro, the upgrade is less essential unless you need the absolute best in display tech and raw power.

3. iPad Mini (A17 Pro)

The iPad mini might be small in stature, but the 7th-generation model packs a mighty punch. Apple’s pint-sized powerhouse returns with refreshed internals and a design that makes it as pocketable as it is practical. And after putting it through its paces, we can confidently say this isn’t just a fun-sized tablet – it’s a seriously capable device that refuses to compromise on performance.

The iPad mini 7 gets a serious upgrade under the hood with Apple’s A17 Pro chip – the same one powering the iPhone 15 Pro. It’s a big leap from the older A15, and you can feel it right away. Everyday stuff like juggling Safari tabs, hopping between apps, or firing off emails is quicker, but the real difference shows up in heavier tasks. Games like Genshin Impact and Resident Evil Village run more steadily, Procreate and Affinity Designer respond instantly, and even 4K video editing in LumaFusion feels surprisingly smooth for such a compact tablet. A few years ago, this level of performance in a mini-sized iPad would’ve been unthinkable.

The screen also gets a notable boost. The 8.3in Liquid Retina display was already solid, but now it packs 120Hz ProMotion. That change makes a world of difference – scrolling feels fluid, fast games play more cleanly, and using the Apple Pencil is sharper and more responsive than before. It’s one of those upgrades you notice straight away. Speaking of which, the iPad mini 7 now supports the new Apple Pencil Pro, bringing squeeze gestures and haptic feedback to a device that’s practically made for note-taking and sketching. Jotting down ideas in GoodNotes feels more natural, and thanks to Find My support, misplaced Pencils should become less of a headache.

Design-wise, Apple hasn’t messed with the winning formula. The iPad mini 7 retains the sleek, Air-inspired aesthetic – an all-screen front, flat edges, and Touch ID integrated into the power button. At just 293g (Wi-Fi model), it’s absurdly light and compact, slipping easily into a jacket pocket or a small bag. It’s still the best iPad for one-handed use, whether reading in bed, annotating PDFs on the go, or using it as a high-tech clipboard in meetings.

The repositioned front-facing 12MP camera is a small but meaningful upgrade. Placing it on the landscape edge makes video calls feel much more natural – something we immediately appreciated during FaceTime and Zoom calls. No more awkwardly looking off to the side when the iPad is docked. The 12MP rear camera also gets a boost with Smart HDR 4, capturing better detail and improved dynamic range in photos. While most of us will still reach for our phones for serious photography, the iPad mini remains handy for quick snaps, scanning documents, or augmented reality apps.

Connectivity has stepped up as well. Wi-Fi 6E ensures blazing-fast browsing and streaming, while the optional 5G model is great for those who need ultra-portable internet. The USB-C port remains, offering fast charging and seamless accessory compatibility, making the iPad mini even more versatile.

Starting at £569/$499, the iPad mini 7 isn’t cheap, and it still lacks a dedicated Magic Keyboard – something that would have made it a more viable laptop alternative. But in our experience, that’s not really the point of the mini. It’s a device that thrives on portability and power, a companion rather than a workstation. Whether used as a digital notebook, an e-reader, a gaming device, or a travel-friendly workhorse, it fits into more situations than any other iPad.

If you’re upgrading from an iPad mini 6, the jump isn’t as dramatic as it was from earlier models, but ProMotion alone makes a noticeable difference in everyday use. If you’re coming from an older iPad mini or want an ultra-portable iPad that doesn’t skimp on power, this is hands down the best one yet. It’s proof that small doesn’t mean limited – in fact, the iPad mini 7 might just be the most fun iPad of them all.

4. iPad (2025)

Since the redesign in 2022, the base iPad has slowly turned from “cheap and cheerful” into a genuinely capable everyday machine. The 2025 iPad (12th generation) sticks to that path – it’s not flashy, but it’s smarter, faster and just a bit more grown up.

Starting at $349/£349, it keeps the 10.9in Liquid Retina display, flat-edge design and Touch ID button we already know. It’s powered by the A16 Bionic chip – the same one from the iPhone 14 Pro – which means it easily handles browsing, streaming, note-taking, and even some light creative work without getting bogged down.

No, it doesn’t have ProMotion or the blistering M3 chip from the Air. No, it won’t run Apple Intelligence features either. But it doesn’t need to. For students, casual users, or anyone who just wants a solid, no-fuss tablet for a bit of everything, it absolutely gets the job done.

The front camera stays in the right place (on the landscape edge), it supports the cheaper Apple Pencil USB-C, and the battery still lasts all day. In short, the 2025 iPad isn’t exciting, but it’s the easiest, most reliable choice for most people who just want an iPad without the extras.

⸻

What to consider when buying an iPad

Picking the right iPad isn’t as simple as grabbing the newest one – it’s about finding the right mix of performance, features, and price for what you actually need. If this is your first iPad or you’re trading up from an older model, it’s worth weighing a few key points before you buy.

Start with how you’ll use it. For browsing, streaming, and everyday apps, the regular iPad does the job well without costing a fortune. If you want more power for heavier work – like video editing, digital art, or 3D projects – the iPad Air or iPad Pro are the better fit. Their M-series chips bring desktop-style performance that can handle pro apps with ease.

Displays are another big consideration. The 12.9in iPad Pro has a gorgeous mini-LED Liquid Retina XDR screen, perfect for anyone who needs true-to-life colours. On the other hand, the iPad mini’s 8.3in panel trades size for portability, making it a go-to choice if you want something lightweight but still capable.

Storage is easy to underestimate. Since iPads don’t allow external drives like laptops, you’ll want to think ahead. The 64GB entry model may be fine for casual users, but if you’re storing lots of apps, photos, or video projects, 256GB or more is a smarter investment.

Accessories can also transform the experience. Add an Apple Pencil for note-taking and sketching, or a Magic Keyboard to turn your iPad into more of a laptop replacement. A few well-chosen extras can make your tablet far more versatile.

Get the model, storage, and accessories right, and your iPad won’t just be a handy device – it’ll feel like an essential part of your daily setup.

If you’re not tied to Apple’s ecosystem, you might want to check out the best tablets from any brand.