It’s a weird time for the iPad. Between the introduction of the MacBook Neo and the iPhone Duo this year, the iPad feels like it’s heading for an identity crisis. It doesn’t help that it’s been a relatively light year for iPad updates overall. It can still be a good time to buy an iPad, though, as the current options are still quite good. We’ve tested every iPad model to help you choose the right one for your needs and budget.

Be sure to check out all our buying guides, including the Best iPad Accessories, Best iPhones, Best iPhone 17 Cases, Best Tablets, Best Android Tablets, and Best MacBooks.

Updated November 2026: I’ve updated this article with testing for the new OLED iPad Mini and the rollout of iPadOS 27.

Which iPad Do You Own?

There are four types of iPads on the market. Knowing which model you own matters if you’re considering selling the iPad or looking for compatible accessories. Further complicating iPad identification is that—unlike with the iPhone—Apple doesn’t name its iPads sequentially.

Nonetheless, finding your iPad model is simple. Here’s how to do it, in two steps:

For accessories, retailers usually indicate which iPad model(s) a given case, folio, or keyboard cover is designed to work with. Sometimes, product descriptions will mention compatibility with a specific generation or processor; here’s the information you need to help decode that information and match it with your iPad:

• A20 Pro, 2026 (eighth generation)
• M4, 2026 (eighth generation)
• M4, 2026 (third generation)
• M5, 2025 (sixth generation)
• M5, 2025 (eighth generation)

Is Now a Good Time to Buy?

Yes, though it depends on the specific iPad model you have in mind. Consider the price, how recently Apple updated the device, and any forthcoming refreshes.

The company introduced a significant (and highly uncommon for the brand) price increase on June 25 that affected every model in both the MacBook and iPad lines. Apple blamed the hikes on memory and storage shortages driven by extremely high demand for AI data centers.

Every iPad model now costs between $100 and $200 more than before. Here’s the price impact on every device in the current lineup:

was last updated in 2025. This is the 11th generation and has the A16 chip. Rumors indicate a refresh will arrive in the first half of 2027, and it may sport an A19 chip with 8 GB of RAM (up from 6 GB) and support Apple Intelligence.

received an update in March 2026 with the M4 chip. Its next refresh will reportedly come sometime in the first half of 2027, likely with an OLED screen to match the recently launched iPad Mini.

got an update in October 2025 to the M5 chip. It may get an update to the M6 chip this fall, but some reports have indicated the M6 may be delayed until 2027, which would also delay the iPad Pro. Fresh reports say this new iPad Pro will get a vapor chamber cooling system similar to the new iPhones.

was just updated in November 2026, now sporting the A20 Pro chip and an OLED screen.

Consider the iPad’s Compatible Operating System

The current version of the iPad operating system is iPadOS 27, announced at Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June 2026. The public beta for iPadOS 27 dropped in July and officially rolled out to compatible devices on September 14.

Much of the update focuses on Siri. iPadOS 27 introduces a dedicated Siri AI app that uses Google Gemini’s world knowledge and context. The update also improves integration with apps including Camera, Mail, Photos, Messages, Calendar, and more. The most interesting AI feature is in Shortcuts, which lets you create an automated task using natural language that can trigger actions across multiple apps.

iPadOS 27 also refines the highly controversial Liquid Glass design from last year’s iPadOS 26, adding a slider in Settings that allows you to change the opacity. Other notable changes include faster, more efficient performance; user-made Custom Extensions you can create through natural language; custom equalizer (EQ) settings with AirPods; dramatically extended parental controls; and much more. These iPads are compatible with iPadOS 27:

• (11-inch, fourth generation, M2, M3, M4)
• (11-inch second gen and later, 12.9-inch fourth gen and later, M4 and later)

The iPad Mini 1 through 6 and iPad 1 through 10 have either low-resolution screens or are simply too old to support the latest software. Forget buying a 2014 iPad Air 1 or a 2015 Air 2, as those are simply too long in the tooth. As a general rule of thumb, avoid buying a device that came out before 2020.

There’s a chance an older iPad could perform decently, but unless someone is giving you one for free, you’re better off hunting for a newer model at a reduced price. Many older iPads no longer receive software updates, and they’ll feel quite slow compared to your phone and computer.

If you are price-conscious, peruse our guides to the Best Tablets and Best Android Tablets for ideas. For those shopping for a child, our Best Kids’ Tablets guide has good options with kid-friendly features and parental controls.

Should You Buy an Older iPad Pro?

Apple has always packed a little extra into its iPad Pro tablets compared to its base, Air, and Mini models. It’s still totally fine to buy the iPad Pro M4, iPad Pro M2, or iPad Pro M1 if you can find them, but make sure you’re not paying close to MSRP. If it’s close to what you would pay for a brand-new M5 iPad Pro, the older model isn’t worth the small savings. If you can snag a good deal on one of the aforementioned slightly dated models, you’ll get a powerful machine that can match the current Pro slates in many ways; these devices also work with the first-generation Magic Keyboard with Trackpad.

Older iPad Pro models, like those from 2018 or 2020, aren’t worth buying (if they’re even available). They’re just too old.

Which iPads Support Apple Intelligence and Siri AI?

Courtesy of Apple

Apple Intelligence is a suite of artificial intelligence features available in select hardware across iPhone, iPad, and Mac devices. We break down many of the new Apple Intelligence features here if you’d like to learn more. Unfortunately, it’s not available on all iPad models. The following iPads support Apple Intelligence:

Apple has also introduced the more advanced Siri AI, as part of iPadOS 27. Some Siri AI features (such as the more expressive Siri voice or live translation) require at least 12 GB of memory to run completely on-device. This limits which iPad models (and configurations) can support all the Siri AI features. The latest iPad Mini and iPad Air support it. Older iPad Pros also support it, but only in the configurations with more storage. Here are the compatible iPads:

• iPad Pro (M1, 1 TB or 2 TB)
• iPad Pro (M2, 1 TB or 2 TB)
• iPad Pro (M4, 1 TB or 2 TB)

Should You Get an iPad or MacBook?

By design, the iPad is primarily for entertainment and content consumption, while the MacBook is for work, school, and content creation. You can use both devices for any of those purposes, but each iPad type shines brightest in its intended uses. That’s why iPads work so well for kids, retired folks, and travelers.

The iPad Pro, however, may be an outlier, as it is truly a pro-level content-creation device. Depending on the task, it could be a laptop replacement. Some power users have a use for its tandem OLED display, faster ports, and M5-level graphics, but it’s a much smaller niche.

Which Apple Pencil Should You Buy?

The Apple Pencil is a must-have for any iPad owner who takes a lot of notes or likes to draw. (You can even use it to sign documents.) iPadOS also supports handwriting in certain search fields and apps (like Notes), so you don’t need to switch to the keyboard every time you want to type. Apple debuted a new Pencil in 2024, so you now have four options to choose from, depending on the iPad you have. Here are the key differences:

The USB-C Apple Pencil is a bit perplexing. It launched in 2023 to support the switch to USB-C across iPads, but it lacks some features. It doesn’t offer pressure sensitivity, so it’s better suited for note-takers than artists. It can attach magnetically to the sides of an iPad, so you don’t need to find a place to store it. However, it doesn’t support wireless charging, so you’ll have to pair and charge it via USB-C. It supports Hover Mode, which allows you to preview what will happen before touching the display. This feature is exclusive to select iPad Pro, iPad Air, and iPad Mini models. The USB-C Apple Pencil is compatible with iPad (10th gen and A16), iPad Air (fourth gen, fifth gen, M2, M3, and M4), iPad Mini (sixth gen and later), iPad Pro 11-inch (first gen and later, including M4), and iPad Pro 12.9-inch (third gen and later, including M4 and M5).

Apple’s Pro Pencil is the most feature-packed. It looks identical to the second-generation model, complete with a matte finish, but it also has a few new tricks. A “squeeze” feature opens up a tool palette, and a new haptic engine gives feedback as you squeeze. A built-in gyroscope lets you change the orientation of the tools as you twist them (for finer control), and it supports Apple’s Find My network to track the stylus if you lose it. It’s only compatible with the iPad Air (M2, M3, and M4), iPad Pro (M4 and M5), and 8th-gen iPad Mini. (C’mon, why isn’t it backward-compatible?)

 The first-generation Pencil is quite old (it came out in 2015!) but still works well—as long as you have an older, compatible iPad. It offers both pressure sensitivity (lines become thicker as you press down harder on the screen) and tilt sensitivity (for shading). It has a glossy finish instead of matte (if that matters), and it is also cylindrical, meaning it will roll off surfaces. It doesn’t feature magnets, so you can’t stick it to the tablet for safekeeping. It has a Lightning connector, so to charge it, you’ll have to remove the cap and plug it into the iPad’s charging port. If your iPad has a USB-C port, you can buy an adapter. However, it’s only compatible with the iPad (sixth gen and later), iPad Air (third gen), iPad Mini (fifth gen), iPad Pro 12.9-inch (first and second gen), iPad Pro 10.5-inch, and iPad Pro 9.7-inch.

The second-generation Apple Pencil has the same capabilities as the first-gen and USB-C versions, plus wireless pairing and charging (it’ll charge when it magnetically sticks to the top edge of supported iPads). It also adds a double-tap feature that lets you quickly switch between tools by tapping on the Apple Pencil twice. It’s compatible with the iPad Air (fourth and fifth gen), iPad Mini (sixth gen), iPad Pro 11-inch (first gen and later), and the 12.9-inch (third gen and later). Unfortunately, Apple officially discontinued it, so newer iPads—including the iPad Air (M2, M3, and M4) or iPad Pro (M4 and M5)—don’t support it.

Great iPad Accessories

Accessories for the iPad are endless. Below, I’ve highlighted some of my favorites to round out your tablet experience. You can find even more options in our Best iPad Accessories guide.

: An iPad can be a great tool to use alongside your MacBook or PC, but it needs a proper stand with plenty of adjustability. The Curve Mini is simple, but it’s stable and attractive, especially in this Dune color that I sampled.

: It’s expensive, yes. But it’s worth every dollar. It really does transform the iPad Air into a capable laptop replacement, with a keyboard and trackpad that’s every bit as good as a high-end laptop. It also adds a secondary USB-C port. The magnetic design does make it quite heavy, but I love how easy it is to pick up the iPad right off the case. There’s also a Magic Keyboard available for both versions of the iPad Pro, though they’re more expensive.

: This is my favorite folio case for the iPad for multiple reasons: It’s durable (with a rigid bumper), has a magnetic cover that stays shut, and has a flap that lets you position the screen at eight angles. The case is magnetic, so you can stick it securely to the fridge. It’s also reasonably priced, comes in an array of colors, and has a spot for your Apple Pencil.

: We’re already big fans of Satechi’s accessories at WIRED, and this mouse didn’t disappoint. It has a comfortable ergonomic design, a sleek aluminum finish, and smooth scrolling. It also has great battery life, thanks to its built-in lithium-ion battery. I’ve been using it for the past four months and have yet to charge it.

Mageasy CoverBuddy Case (iPad Pro) for $70: The CoverBuddy lets you magnetically connect your iPad to Apple’s Magic Keyboard case without removing the case each time. It feels durable and doesn’t add too much bulk to the iPad. There’s also a slot for the Apple Pencil Pro or the USB-C version. The company also offers the CoverBuddy Lite for the iPad Air (M2).

: The Combo Touch (8/10, WIRED Recommends) comes with a built-in keyboard, trackpad, and kickstand, making it ideal for getting work done on your iPad. You can also easily remove the detachable keyboard when you don’t need it. The Combo Touch connects via Apple’s Smart Connector, so you never need to tinker with Bluetooth or charge it. It’s also available for the iPad Pro (M4) and M5 (although these add a bit of weight) and the iPad Air (M2).

: If you’re worried about damaging your iPad screen, I recommend this Casetify protector. It’s super thin, has excellent touch sensitivity, and is fingerprint-resistant (I’ve wiped off some smudges here and there). It’s painless to apply—the company supplies a microfiber cloth, a de-dusting sticker, and wet and dry wipes.

: Paperlike is known for its screen protector, but the company also offers a great case. It’s designed to feel like a sketchbook, complete with a polyester fabric cover that feels lightweight and high-quality. You can also prop up your iPad at two levels. This case doesn’t include an Apple Pencil slot, but a large flap closure keeps it from falling out. I tested the case using the iPad Air, but it’s also available for the iPad Pro (both sizes).

Twelve South HoverBar Duo 2.0 for $80: The HoverBar serves two purposes. You can mount it to the side of your bed, kitchen counter, or shelf (for comfortable, hands-free viewing), or use the included stand at your desk. With the second-gen version, you can now remove the arm from the clamp and attach it directly to the stand, making it easier to swap between the two modes.

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