iPads are super versatile. They can tackle pretty much anything – from gaming and graphic design to uni coursework and video editing. The iPad Pro, iPad Air and iPad mini are all great in their own right. But if you’re looking at all the different versions and thinking “which iPad should I buy?”, don’t worry. We’ve got all the answers. Whether you need the best iPad for kids, the best iPad for drawing, or the best iPad for students, we’ve picked out some of our favourites…
The best iPad for students
When you’re going off to uni, you want an iPad that works hard and plays hard. The iPad Air (2022) comes with a hefty 256GB of space, giving you plenty of room for all your essays and projects. And if you’re not a fan of normal note-taking, just use the 2nd gen Apple Pencil instead. Jot down all the important bits from your lecture and then slot it on the side when you head back to halls.
When it’s time to chill out, your favourite shows and films will look epic on the 10.9” Liquid Retina display. Colours are more vibrant and lifelike, so everything from Spider-Man’s suit to alien planets really pops. And with around 10 hours of battery life, that’s plenty of time for a good box set binge on a Sunday after a night out.
Need to ask mum how to use the washing machine? Give her a quick call on FaceTime. The new 12MP Ultra-Wide front camera with Centre Stage auto-pans and zooms so you’re always in focus. Even when you’re scrabbling around trying to push the right buttons.
The best iPad for work
If you need an iPad for the office, we’d go for the 10.9” iPad Air (2022). It’s small enough that it’s nice and portable for the commute, while still having more than enough oomph to get the job done.
The M1 chip has loads of power to help you whizz through tasks at work. You’ll be able to run multiple apps at the same time without a problem. So, when you’re doing research for that important work presentation – and have a gazillion tabs open - it won’t slow you down. The same goes for the superfast Wi-Fi 6. Access all your files and docs at lightning speed and get prepped for your next meeting in a flash. All without any lag!
If you want to use it more like a traditional laptop, you can do that too. Just clip on the Smart Keyboard Folio or connect the Magic Keyboard and Bob’s your uncle. Now you’ll be able to reply to all those emails you left to the end of the week nice and fast. Phew.
You can leave the charger at home as well. 10 hours of battery life is more than enough to get you through the day. You’ll even have a couple hours spare to catch up on some Netflix when you’re on the train back home.
The best iPad for kids
With a lightweight, portable design, the iPad mini (2021) is pretty much made for tiny hands. If you’re heading off on holiday – or just going on a long car journey to see the grandparents – they’ll be able to hold it easily for the whole journey.
They can watch videos and TV shows or read a book or comic. Keeping them entertained and stopping those constant shouts of “are we there yet” from the backseat. Then, when you get there, they can pop it in their backpack and carry it about. It weighs barely anything, so they won’t be complaining that their bag’s suddenly too heavy!
It's great if your kid loves drawing too. They can scribble away with the 2nd gen Apple Pencil straight onto the screen. So, you won’t have to pack a huge stack of paper and crayons for every single trip. And when they’re done, it just magnetically snaps to the side of the iPad – ready for their next doodling session. We all know what kids are like at losing stuff, but with this, you won’t have to worry. Nice.
The best iPad for art
When it comes to art and graphic design you want something big. We’re talking something with a large screen - and a chunky hard drive to store all of your creative projects. Luckily the 12.9” 2TB iPad Pro (2022) has both.
With this screen, you’ve got a big canvas for all your artwork. You’ll be able to easily edit those family wedding snaps. And have plenty of space to paint or sketch the view from your balcony when you’re on holiday. All your scribbles and strokes with the Apple Pencil will pop up on the screen straight away too. That’s all down to the 120Hz display, which makes it feel like you’re using a standard bit of paper. So, you won’t have to wait about for the tech to catch up to your creativity!
When you’re ready to show off your masterpiece, it’ll be worthy of a spot in the Tate Modern. The Liquid Retina XDR display is super accurate when it comes to colours. Making blacks and dark tones deep and moody. While vibrant reds and yellows look even more lifelike. You could say that this iPad is a work of art…
The best iPad for gamers
Want to game while you’re on the go? The iPad Pro (2022) is easily the best iPad for gaming. Packing a beefy M2 chip, every game you play will get a massive performance boost. All your favourite titles will load up even faster – so you won’t be sat there staring at a loading screen. And you’ll spend more time actually playing, and less time waiting!
Plus, you won’t run into any lag either. Which can be the difference between victory and defeat during those intense online battles. Instead, everything is super smooth. The 120Hz refresh rate makes gameplay incredibly slick, especially when you’re in the middle of a fast-paced shootout. You’ll be nailing headshots quickly and accurately just like a real special force’s operator.
Graphics just keep on getting more realistic. And these shiny graphics put a lot of demand on most processors. But the M2 will help your tablet manage its battery life way better. So, you’ll be able to play that RPG for even longer without having to plug in. Making it a game changing iPad for those long, boring train journeys.
Still need a hand finding the best iPad for you? Then go and check out our tablet buying guide. It’s got everything you need to know about Apple’s tablets. From the latest iPad, right down to some of their slightly older models. Or, if you want to get the most out of your new iPad, we’ve put together the best iPad tips for beginners right here. And of course, you’ll find all the best iPad deals over on our website!
