Tablets in 2026 offer powerful performance, portability, and versatility. Whether for work, entertainment, or travel, this guide compares the best iPads with detailed specs, pros, cons, and real value insights.
What is the Best Tablet?
The best tablet depends on how you plan to use it:
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For portability: iPad Mini series
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For performance & productivity: iPad Air M2
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For budget users: older iPad Mini models
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For casual media use: iPad Air 2 or Mini 5
Below is a detailed breakdown of the best iPads you can buy in 2026.
Apple iPad Mini 6 Tablet
Price: ~$499
Specs & Configurations
| Category | Details |
| Release Year | 2021 |
| Display | 8.3-inch Liquid Retina (IPS), 2266 × 1488 resolution, 326 ppi |
| Brightness | Up to 500 nits |
| Processor | Apple A15 Bionic chip |
| RAM | 4GB |
| Storage Options | 64GB / 256GB |
| Rear Camera | 12MP wide camera (ƒ/1.8), 4K video recording |
| Front Camera | 12MP ultra-wide with Center Stage |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6 / Optional 5G (cellular models) |
| Port | USB-C |
| Security | Touch ID (top button) |
| Battery Life | Up to 10 hours (web browsing/video playback) |
| Audio | Stereo speakers (landscape orientation) |
| Apple Pencil Support | Apple Pencil (2nd generation) |
| Dimensions | 195.4 × 134.8 × 6.3 mm |
| Weight | Approx. 293g (Wi-Fi version) |
| Colors | Space Gray, Pink, Purple, Starlight |
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Ultra-portable design – lightweight and easy to use one-handed | 60Hz display only – lacks ProMotion smoothness |
| Powerful A15 chip – handles multitasking and demanding apps well | Base 64GB storage is limited for modern usage |
| Supports Apple Pencil (2nd gen) – excellent for note-taking and drawing | No Face ID, relies on Touch ID |
| USB-C port – better compatibility with accessories and storage | Average speakers compared to iPad Pro |
| Center Stage camera – great for video calls and meetings | “Jelly scrolling” issue noticeable to some users |
| Solid battery life (~10 hours) | Not ideal for heavy productivity tasks |
| Premium build & Apple ecosystem integration | Price less competitive vs newer models |
Why We Picked It
The Apple iPad Mini 6 strikes a perfect balance between portability and performance, making it ideal for travel, reading, and light productivity.
Apple iPad Mini A17 Pro Tablet
Price: ~$599–$699
Specs & Configurations
| Category | Details |
| Release Year | 2024 |
| Display | 8.3-inch Liquid Retina (IPS), 2266 × 1488 resolution, 326 ppi |
| Brightness | Up to 500 nits |
| Processor | Apple A17 Pro chip (3nm architecture) |
| GPU | 6-core GPU with hardware-accelerated ray tracing |
| RAM | 8GB |
| Storage Options | 128GB / 256GB / 512GB |
| Rear Camera | 12MP wide camera (ƒ/1.8), Smart HDR, 4K video |
| Front Camera | 12MP ultra-wide with Center Stage |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6E / Optional 5G |
| Port | USB-C (faster transfer speeds vs previous gen) |
| Security | Touch ID (top button) |
| Battery Life | Up to 10 hours (web/video usage) |
| Audio | Stereo speakers (landscape) |
| Apple Pencil Support | Apple Pencil Pro + Apple Pencil (USB-C) |
| Dimensions | ~195 × 135 × 6.3 mm |
| Weight | ~293g |
| Colors | Space Gray, Starlight, Purple, Blue |
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Massive performance upgrade (A17 Pro) – near laptop-level power | Still 60Hz display – no ProMotion |
| Improved GPU with ray tracing – better for gaming & 3D apps | Screen size unchanged – still small for multitasking |
| More RAM (8GB) – smoother multitasking & longevity | No Face ID – relies on Touch ID |
| Higher base storage (128GB) – more practical for modern users | No OLED / mini-LED display |
| Supports Apple Pencil Pro – enhanced creative features | Speakers still average vs iPad Pro |
| Wi-Fi 6E + faster USB-C – better connectivity & data transfer | Premium pricing for a small tablet |
| Compact & lightweight design – unmatched portability | Not ideal as a laptop replacement |
Why We Picked It
The Apple iPad Mini A17 Pro is the most powerful compact tablet, ideal for users who want top-tier performance in a small form factor.
Apple iPad Mini 4 Tablets
Price: ~$199
Specs & Configurations
| Category | Details |
| Release Year | 2015 |
| Display | 7.9-inch Retina (IPS), 2048 × 1536 resolution, 326 ppi |
| Processor | Apple A8 chip (64-bit) |
| GPU | PowerVR GX6450 |
| RAM | 2GB |
| Storage Options | 16GB / 32GB / 64GB / 128GB |
| Rear Camera | 8MP iSight camera (ƒ/2.4), 1080p video |
| Front Camera | 1.2MP FaceTime HD (720p) |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi / Optional 4G LTE |
| Port | Lightning |
| Security | Touch ID (Home button) |
| Battery Capacity | ~5124 mAh |
| Battery Life | Up to 10 hours (web/video) |
| Audio | Dual speakers |
| Headphone Jack | Yes (3.5mm) |
| Dimensions | 203.2 × 134.8 × 6.1 mm |
| Weight | ~299g |
| Colors | Space Gray, Silver, Gold |
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Very affordable (used market) | Severely outdated performance (A8 chip) |
| Lightweight & compact design | Only 2GB RAM → frequent app reloads |
| Sharp Retina display (still decent for reading) | No longer supports latest iPadOS |
| Has headphone jack (rare today) | Many modern apps no longer compatible |
| Good for basic media (offline use) | Very slow for multitasking or modern apps |
| Long standby battery (if battery health is good) | Aging battery issues likely (10+ years old) |
| Touch ID still usable | No Apple Pencil support |
Why We Picked It
The Apple iPad Mini 4 is a budget-friendly option for simple tasks like reading and browsing.
Apple iPad Mini 2 Tablet
Price: ~$150
Specs & Configurations
| Category | Details |
| Release Year | 2013 |
| Display | 7.9-inch Retina (IPS), 2048 × 1536 resolution, 326 ppi |
| Processor | Apple A7 chip (64-bit) |
| GPU | PowerVR G6430 |
| RAM | 1GB |
| Storage Options | 16GB / 32GB / 64GB / 128GB |
| Rear Camera | 5MP iSight camera, 1080p video |
| Front Camera | 1.2MP FaceTime HD (720p) |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi / Optional 4G LTE |
| Port | Lightning |
| Security | No Touch ID (passcode only) |
| Battery Life | Up to 10 hours (web/video) |
| Audio | Mono speaker |
| Headphone Jack | Yes (3.5mm) |
| Dimensions | 200 × 134.7 × 7.5 mm |
| Weight | ~331g |
| Colors | Space Gray, Silver |
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Very low cost (used market) | Extremely outdated performance (A7 + 1GB RAM) |
| Sharp Retina display (still decent for reading) | No longer supports modern iPadOS versions |
| Compact and durable design | Most apps are incompatible or outdated |
| Has headphone jack | No Touch ID or Face ID |
| Good for offline media playback | Slow web browsing and frequent crashes |
| Simple UI for basic users | Very limited multitasking capability |
| Solid aluminum build quality | Battery degradation likely after 10+ years |
Why We Picked It
The Apple iPad Mini 2 is only suitable for very basic usage and users with tight budgets.
Apple iPad Mini 5 Tablet
Price: ~$299
Specs & Configurations
| Category | Details |
| Release Year | 2019 |
| Display | 7.9-inch Retina (IPS), 2048 × 1536 resolution, 326 ppi |
| Brightness | 500 nits |
| Display Features | True Tone, P3 wide color, laminated display, anti-reflective coating |
| Processor | Apple A12 Bionic chip (with Neural Engine) |
| RAM | 3GB |
| Storage Options | 64GB / 256GB |
| Rear Camera | 8MP (ƒ/2.4), 1080p video |
| Front Camera | 7MP FaceTime HD |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 5 / Optional 4G LTE |
| Port | Lightning |
| Security | Touch ID (Home button) |
| Battery Life | Up to 10 hours |
| Audio | Stereo speakers |
| Apple Pencil Support | Apple Pencil (1st gen) |
| Headphone Jack | Yes (3.5mm) |
| Dimensions | 203.2 × 134.8 × 6.1 mm |
| Weight | ~300g |
| Colors | Space Gray, Silver, Gold |
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Still decent performance (A12 chip) for daily tasks | Only 3GB RAM – limits multitasking |
| Supports Apple Pencil (1st gen) – great for notes | Outdated design (thick bezels + Home button) |
| Compact and lightweight – excellent portability | Lightning port (no USB-C) |
| High-quality display (P3 + True Tone) | Base 64GB storage is tight |
| Has headphone jack | No Face ID / modern features |
| Good for media consumption & reading | Aging battery on used units |
| Much cheaper than newer iPads | Approaching end of software support |
Why We Picked It
The Apple iPad Mini 5 offers excellent value for users who want performance without paying premium prices.
Apple iPad Mini 3 Tablet
Price: ~$180
Specs & Configurations
| Category | Details |
| Release Year | 2014 |
| Display | 7.9-inch Retina (IPS), 2048 × 1536 resolution, 326 ppi |
| Processor | Apple A7 chip (64-bit) |
| GPU | PowerVR G6430 |
| RAM | 1GB |
| Storage Options | 16GB / 64GB / 128GB |
| Rear Camera | 5MP iSight camera, 1080p video |
| Front Camera | 1.2MP FaceTime HD (720p) |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi / Optional 4G LTE |
| Port | Lightning |
| Security | Touch ID (Home button) |
| Battery Life | Up to 10 hours |
| Audio | Mono speaker |
| Headphone Jack | Yes (3.5mm) |
| Dimensions | 200 × 134.7 × 7.5 mm |
| Weight | ~331g |
| Colors | Space Gray, Silver, Gold |
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Very low price (used market) | Extremely outdated hardware (A7 + 1GB RAM) |
| Sharp Retina display (still acceptable for reading) | No longer supports modern iPadOS |
| Touch ID adds basic convenience | Most apps are incompatible or outdated |
| Compact and durable aluminum design | Very slow performance and frequent lag |
| Has headphone jack | Limited multitasking capability |
| Decent for offline media playback | Battery likely degraded after 10+ years |
| Simple interface for basic users | Not supported by Apple (obsolete status) |
Why We Picked It
The Apple iPad Mini 3 is only recommended for minimal tasks or as a backup device.
Apple iPad Mini 1st Tablet
Price: ~$120
Specs & Configurations
| Category | Details |
| Release Year | 2012 |
| Display | 7.9-inch IPS (non-Retina), 1024 × 768 resolution, 163 ppi |
| Processor | Apple A5 chip |
| GPU | PowerVR SGX543MP2 |
| RAM | 512MB |
| Storage Options | 16GB / 32GB / 64GB |
| Rear Camera | 5MP iSight camera, 1080p video |
| Front Camera | 1.2MP FaceTime HD (720p) |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi / Optional 4G LTE |
| Port | Lightning |
| Security | No Touch ID (passcode only) |
| Battery Life | Up to 10 hours |
| Audio | Mono speaker |
| Headphone Jack | Yes (3.5mm) |
| Dimensions | 200 × 134.7 × 7.2 mm |
| Weight | ~308g |
| Colors | Slate (black), Silver (white) |
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Extremely cheap (used market) | Very low performance (A5 + 512MB RAM) |
| Lightweight and compact | Non-Retina display (blurry by modern standards) |
| Simple interface for basic tasks | No longer supports modern apps or iOS versions |
| Has headphone jack | Frequent lag, crashes, and slow response |
| Solid aluminum build quality | No Touch ID or modern security features |
| Can play offline media | Very limited storage (base 16GB) |
| Long standby time (if battery still functional) | Severely degraded battery likely |
Why We Picked It
The Apple iPad Mini 1st Gen is only useful for extremely basic tasks or legacy use.
Apple iPad Air 2 Tablet
Price: ~$249
Specs & Configurations
| Category | Details |
| Display | 9.7-inch Retina display, 2048 × 1536 resolution (264 ppi), IPS panel |
| Screen Features | Fully laminated display, anti-reflective coating, oleophobic coating |
| Processor (Chipset) | Apple A8X chip (64-bit, triple-core) + M8 motion coprocessor |
| RAM | 2GB |
| Storage Options | 16GB / 32GB / 64GB / 128GB |
| Operating System | Originally iOS 8 (upgradable to iPadOS, now unsupported latest versions) |
| Rear Camera | 8MP iSight camera, ƒ/2.4 aperture, autofocus, HDR, panorama (up to 43MP) |
| Front Camera | 1.2MP FaceTime HD camera |
| Video Recording | 1080p HD (30fps), slow-motion (120fps), time-lapse |
| Audio | Dual speakers, dual microphones |
| Biometrics | Touch ID fingerprint sensor |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n/ac), optional 4G LTE (cellular models), Bluetooth 4.0 |
| Ports | Lightning port, 3.5mm headphone jack |
| Battery Life | Up to 10 hours (web browsing/video playback) |
| Dimensions | 240 × 169.5 × 6.1 mm |
| Weight | 437g (Wi-Fi), 444g (Cellular) |
| Build | Aluminum unibody |
| Colors | Silver, Gold, Space Gray |
| Other Features | AirPlay support, dual microphones, stereo speakers |
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Extremely thin and lightweight design (6.1mm) | Outdated hardware by modern standards |
| High-quality laminated Retina display with low reflection | Only 2GB RAM limits multitasking |
| Solid build quality (aluminum body) | No Apple Pencil support |
| Reliable Touch ID fingerprint security | Storage starts at low 16GB (not expandable) |
| Good battery life (up to 10 hours) | No longer receives latest iPadOS updates |
| Smooth performance for basic tasks (web, video, reading) | Camera performance is basic by today’s standards |
| Wide app ecosystem (App Store) | Aging chipset struggles with newer apps |
| Affordable on second-hand/refurb market | No USB-C (uses Lightning port) |
Why We Picked It
The Apple iPad Air 2 is a decent low-cost option for media consumption.
Apple iPad Air M2 Tablet
Price: ~$599–$799
Specs & Configurations
| Category | Details |
| Display (11-inch) | 11-inch Liquid Retina display, 2360 × 1640 resolution, 264 ppi |
| Display (13-inch) | 13-inch Liquid Retina display, 2732 × 2048 resolution, 264 ppi |
| Screen Features | True Tone, P3 wide color, fully laminated, anti-reflective coating |
| Processor (Chipset) | Apple M2 chip (8-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine) |
| RAM | 8GB |
| Storage Options | 128GB / 256GB / 512GB / 1TB |
| Operating System | iPadOS (ships with iPadOS 17, supports future updates) |
| Rear Camera | 12MP Wide camera, ƒ/1.8, Smart HDR, 4K video |
| Front Camera | 12MP Ultra Wide (landscape), Center Stage support |
| Video Recording | 4K (24/25/30/60fps), slow-motion 1080p (120/240fps) |
| Audio | Landscape stereo speakers, dual microphones |
| Biometrics | Touch ID (integrated in top button) |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6E, optional 5G (cellular models), Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Ports | USB-C (supports charging, DisplayPort, accessories) |
| Battery Life | Up to 10 hours (Wi-Fi browsing/video) |
| Dimensions (11") | ~247.6 × 178.5 × 6.1 mm |
| Dimensions (13") | ~280.6 × 214.9 × 6.1 mm |
| Weight | ~462g (11"), ~617g (13") |
| Build | 100% recycled aluminum enclosure |
| Colors | Space Gray, Starlight, Purple, Blue |
| Apple Pencil Support | Apple Pencil Pro & Apple Pencil (USB-C) |
| Keyboard Support | Magic Keyboard (new generation for Air) |
| Other Features | Apple Intelligence-ready (future AI features), Stage Manager support |
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Powerful M2 chip (near laptop-level performance) | 60Hz refresh rate (no ProMotion) |
| Two size options (11" and 13") for flexibility | No Face ID (only Touch ID) |
| Excellent display with P3 color and lamination | Display not mini-LED (less contrast vs Pro) |
| Supports Apple Pencil Pro (advanced creative tools) | Accessories (Pencil + Keyboard) are expensive |
| USB-C with external display support | Still limited compared to macOS for pro workflows |
| Improved front camera (landscape + Center Stage) | Base model still starts at 128GB (ok but not huge for pros) |
| Thin, lightweight, premium build | No major design change vs previous Air |
| Strong battery life (all-day usage) | Price close to iPad Pro in higher configs |
Why We Picked It
The Apple iPad Air M2 is the best all-around tablet for productivity, creativity, and long-term use.
Conclusion
The best tablet in 2026 depends on your needs and budget. From compact iPad Mini models to powerful iPad Air M2, there’s a perfect option for every user and use case.