Best iPad to Buy in 2026
Buy the base iPad unless you know you need more. Get the Air for the Apple Pencil Pro and a bigger screen option, and the Pro only if you want the OLED display.
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How this page was made: this is a research-based guide built from manufacturer spec pages, official prices and published lab measurements from the outlets we name and link. We haven’t tested these products ourselves, and we don’t invent scores. Our methodology.
Quick answer
Buy the base iPad unless you know you need more. Get the Air for the Apple Pencil Pro and a bigger screen option, and the Pro only if you want the OLED display. Best iPad for most people: Apple iPad 11-inch (A16), $449. Best upgrade: Apple iPad Air 11 (M4), from $749.
Last updated Prices checked Nov 2026
Key facts at a glance
| Pick | Product | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best iPad for most people | Apple iPad 11-inch (A16) | most people | $449 ($399 at retailers) |
| Best upgrade | Apple iPad Air 11 (M4) | students and power users | From $749 list |
| Best small iPad | Apple iPad mini (A20 Pro, OLED) | a small iPad | $699 |
If you’re also considering Android, see best tablets.
Which should you buy? Our quick picks
How do they compare?
| iPad | Price | Chip | Note | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| iPad (A16) | $449 ($399 at retailers) | A16 | 11-inch LCD | Most people |
| iPad mini | $699 | A20 Pro | 8.5-inch OLED; nano-texture +$100 | A small iPad |
| iPad Air | From $749 (11") / $949 (13") | M4 | Apple Pencil Pro support | Students and power users |
| iPad Pro | $1,199 (11", 256GB) | M5 | Tandem OLED, ProMotion | Pros |
The picks in detail
1. Apple iPad 11-inch (A16)
Best for: most peopleWirecutter[3] still picks the base iPad. At $449, or $399 at Amazon and Walmart, it’s the cheapest way into iPadOS and it’s fast enough for streaming, school and casual games. It supports the Apple Pencil (USB-C), not the Pencil Pro. See iPad accessories for cases and keyboards.
Price (Nov 2026): $449 ($399 at retailers) Source
Pros
- Cheapest iPad
- Often on sale
Cons
- No Pencil Pro support
- Basic display
2. Apple iPad Air 11 (M4)
Best for: students and power usersThe M4 Air is Wirecutter’s[3] upgrade pick. It starts at $749 for 11 inches and $949 for 13 inches after June’s price increase, but Wirecutter has seen the 11-inch at $559 at Walmart. You get the M4 chip, Pencil Pro support and a 13-inch option. Compare it in iPad Air vs iPad Pro and iPad Air M4 vs Galaxy Tab S11.
Price (Nov 2026): From $749 list Source
Pros
- M4 chip
- Two sizes
- Pencil Pro support
Cons
- List price up $150
- LCD display
3. Apple iPad mini (A20 Pro, OLED)
Best for: a small iPadThe new iPad mini adds an 8.5-inch OLED display, the A20 Pro chip and a 14% thinner design, and costs $699 (nano-texture glass is $100 more). Apple opens pre-orders October 28 and sells it from November 6. It hasn’t been reviewed by Wirecutter[3] yet.
Price (Nov 2026): $699 Source
Pros
- OLED display
- A20 Pro chip
- Pocketable size
Cons
- No reviews yet
- Costs nearly as much as an Air
4. Apple iPad Pro 11 (M5)
Best for: prosThe M5 iPad Pro has a tandem OLED display with ProMotion. It’s $1,199 for the 11-inch 256GB model; the 13-inch is about $200 more than last year’s $1,299, so check Apple. Only buy it if you’ll use the display or the power, for example for drawing or video editing.
Price (Nov 2026): $1,199 (11", 256GB) Source
Pros
- Best iPad display
- M5 chip
Cons
- Very expensive
- Accessories add hundreds
Also considered
Prefer Android? See Galaxy Tab S10 FE vs iPad (A16) or best Android tablets. Students should read best tablets for students.
Which Apple Pencil works with which iPad
The base iPad works with the Apple Pencil (USB-C). The Air and Pro support the Apple Pencil Pro. The new iPad mini (A20 Pro) supports both the Pencil Pro and the Pencil (USB-C), per Apple’s Pencil page. The Pencil Pro doesn’t work with the base iPad.
Frequently asked questions
Which iPad should most people buy?
Is the iPad Air worth it over the base iPad?
When does the new iPad mini come out?
Sources
Pricing and plan details were checked on the official pages below as of Nov 2026. Vendors change prices, credits and plan names often, and some show regional pricing at checkout, so confirm on the vendor’s site before you buy.
- Apple Store: Buy iPad mini (apple.com)
- Apple Store: Buy iPad Air (11-inch and 13-inch prices) (apple.com)
- Wirecutter: The iPad is the best tablet (Oct 2026) (nytimes.com)
- Apple: iPad mini (apple.com)
- Apple: iPad Air (apple.com)
- Apple: iPad Pro (apple.com)
- Apple: Apple Pencil compatibility (apple.com)
Related
iPad mini (A20 Pro) vs iPad Air (M4)
Buy the iPad mini if you hold the tablet in your hands: OLED, IP67 and 255 g. Buy the 11-inch iPad Air if you type on it or want the bigger screen, especially while Amazon has it under the mini's price.
best ofBest Tablets of 2026
The base iPad is still the tablet most people should buy. Apple raised iPad prices in June 2026, so watch for retailer discounts before you pay list.
comparisoniPad Air (M4) vs iPad Pro (M5)
Air is the value multitasker from $749. Pro adds Tandem OLED, ProMotion, Face ID and Thunderbolt — worth it when the display is the product.
best ofThe Best iPad Accessories: Keyboards and Apple Pencil
Buy the Pencil that matches your iPad first. Then choose Magic Keyboard for the laptop-like feel or Combo Touch if you want a kickstand and lower price.
comparisonSamsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE vs Apple iPad (A16)
The Samsung includes a pen, IP68 and microSD. The iPad has the faster chip and the app library.
best ofThe Best Tablets for Drawing in 2026
iPad Pro + Pencil Pro is still the pro art default. iPad Air covers most illustrators for less. Galaxy Tab wins if you want Android and an included S Pen.
comparisoniPad (A16) vs iPad Air (M4)
The base iPad covers streaming, browsing, reading and notes. The iPad Air adds the M4 chip with 12GB of memory, Apple Intelligence, a fully laminated antireflective P3 display, Apple Pencil Pro support, faster USB-C and a 13-inch option. Engadget calls the Air Apple’s best overall tablet.
comparisonGalaxy Tab S11 vs iPad Pro (M5)
The Galaxy Tab S11 is an 11-inch Android tablet with an S Pen in the box, IP68 dust and water resistance and a microSD slot. The iPad Pro (M5) adds a tandem OLED display, the M5 chip, Thunderbolt, Wi-Fi 7, Face ID and a 13-inch option, but the Apple Pencil costs extra.