Best IPads For Students In 2024

Apple sells a wide range of new iPads that cater to different budgets and needs. Pricing starts low and goes all the way up, going above $1000 when looking into the highest-end models. As a result, no matter what you’re studying in school, you will likely find an iPad model that matches your expectations. To help you decide which iPad is right for you, we’ve listed all the best options currently available below.

The best iPads for students in 2024

iPad Air (5th Gen)

Editor’s choice

Top option for power and versatility

$500 $600 Save $100

Apple’s 5th generation iPad Air combines power and beauty thanks to its M1 processor and minimalist design. You can also get it in a few color options, making it stand out.

Pros

• Minimalist, sleek design
• Supports Apple Pencil 2
• Great value-to-performance ratio

Cons

• Base model could come with more storage space
• Could have more cameras

Apple’s iPad Air 5 is hands down one of the best iPad models you can get today. It comes with more than enough power to tackle anything you might want to throw at it and a contemporary look that embraces Apple’s latest design style. Furthermore, its reasonable price makes it quite realistic to get one.

The latest iteration of the iPad Air looks virtually identical to its predecessor, as it comes with the same 10.9-inch LCD screen with a 60Hz refresh rate, a Touch ID power button, and the same chassis with rounded corners that make it so attractive. It has some refreshed color options though: Starlight, Blue, Pink, Purple, and Space Gray. However, the most significant changes come under the hood, as the iPad Air 5 packs Apple’s M1 processor. This makes it one of the most potent tablets on the market, only bested by Apple’s two iPad Pro models with an M2 chip.

The iPad Air 5 arrives with other interesting upgrades that make it an excellent choice for students. For instance, it packs a 12MP ultrawide camera with Apple’s Center Stage feature to keep you in the frame while moving around. It also supports the Apple Pencil 2 and USB-C models, the Magic Keyboard, and other great accessories. You can score some really excellent performance with this buy.

iPad Pro 11-inch (4th Gen)

Best for art majors

Tons of power in a small package

Apple’s 11-inch iPad Pro (4th generation) has all the power you need in an easy-to-carry smaller package, and it’s a great productivity tool with the right accessories.

Pros

• Comes with Apple’s M2 chip
• Supports Apple Pencil 2
• Excellent cameras

Cons

• Can get a bit expensive
• Could get more color options

The smaller 11-inch iPad Pro variant comes with all the power you’ll need to edit pictures and videos, create music, and basically do anything you want. It’s easily the best tablet you can get if you want extra horsepower but don’t want to carry the larger 12.9-inch size of its M2 counterpart (iPad Pro 6th generation). This tablet is intended for users who expect to do a lot on their iPad, including digital artists and anyone who works with graphically demanding apps. It starts with 128GB of internal storage space, which may be enough space to save all your files. You can also opt for the larger storage variants, but that will make the price a bit higher considering that the 128GB normally sells for $799, and we’ve found it going for even less with discounts.

Apple’s 11-inch iPad Pro arrives with a stunning 11-inch Liquid Retina display, which also features ProMotion, True Tone, and P3 wide color that work amazingly well to deliver outstanding colors in any situation. Plus, its ultra-low reflective coating will help you see clearly even in direct sunlight. However, one of the features I love the most about the 11-inch iPad Pro is its long-lasting battery that will easily get you through the day with regular use. In addition, this model features a USB-C connector with support for Thunderbolt transfer speeds, plus it supports the Apple Pencil 2 and USB-C models, Magic Keyboard, and Smart Keyboard Folio.

If that’s still not enough to get you excited, we should also note that the 11-inch iPad Pro features Face ID for biometric authentication, and it can capture excellent pictures and 4K video with its rear-facing camera setup — plus up to 1080p video with the front-facing camera. All the magic happens due to Apple’s M2 processor, which makes it the perfect tool for students who need more from their iPads.

iPad (10th Gen)

Balanced pick

Great iPad experience that won’t break the bank

$349 $449 Save $100

The Apple iPad 10 is a colorful, potent model and a great option for teens. Not only will it get lots of attention, but it’s the best choice for any student who wants power and versatility.

Pros

• Several color options
• Contemporary design
• Modern USB-C port

Cons

• Charging the Apple Pencil can be troublesome
• No Apple Pencil 2 support
• Not as powerful as other options

The latest version of Apple’s base iPad model comes with a new design, more color options, and boosted power. These are all great, considering that its predecessor is still one of the best-selling iPads you can get today. The iPad 10 will make you stand out a bit more, though, thanks to its four different color options: Blue, Yellow, Pink, and Silver. It has a modern and minimalist design, leaving out the curves of previous iterations in favor of a flat design, with curves only on the corners of the chassis. There’s also the 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display with True Tone.

This model arrives with a single 12MP camera lens on the back and a 12MP shooter in front, but no Face ID. Like the iPad Air 5 though, the Touch ID sensor is embedded in the power button to make waking up your iPad easy and fast.

The iPad 10 gets more interesting when we talk about its internals. This baby comes packed with Apple’s A14 Bionic chip, 4GB RAM, and storage options starting at 64GB. You could pick up a 256GB model for ample storage, but you will find yourself paying $599 if you go for the Wi-Fi-only model, while the cellular variant will have you paying $749 for this maxed-out version.

The iPad 10 is also compatible with the Apple Pencil 1 and USB-C models, giving you the flexibility to pick between two options. Moreover, if you add a Magic Keyboard Folio to your cart, you will discover that this powerful little tablet might be all you need to go to school.

iPad Mini (6th Gen)

Best for portability

The smallest iPad comes with tons of power inside

$400 $499 Save $99

Apple’s most portable and smallest iPad is also the best option for taking notes on the go.

Pros

• Extremely portable
• Supports Apple Pencil 2
• Nice color options

Cons

• Too small for the Magic Keyboard

The iPad Mini 6 is one of the best options for those looking to have a small, easy-to-carry, and versatile iPad. It’s also the best option for those who love taking notes, as it will fit anywhere and give you easy access to your Apple Pencil 2 or USB-C, which you can then attach magnetically to the side of your iPad Mini for safekeeping.

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The iPad Mini 6 was one of the most desired updates. It took Apple over two years to give us a powerful refresh as well as a beautiful sight for every Apple fan (and anyone who loves an easy-to-carry tablet with tons of power). Due to its A15 Bionic chip, 4GB of RAM, and the latest iPadOS 17, this model can handle heavy loads while delivering fast and snappy performance.

Indeed, this seems like the best option for anyone constantly on the move, but I don’t recommend you pick one up if you want ample working area. Although you can multitask on its 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display, it may not be the best experience altogether, and it’s definitely not the option for anybody who loves to draw or watch content on a large display. That said, you will still enjoy the benefits of having one of the best iPads around, as this model packs 12MP shooters on the front and back, a Touch ID embedded power button, a slim and easy-to-carry design, and support for Bluetooth keyboards.

iPad (9th Gen)

Best value

Decent option for casual users

Apple’s 9th-generation iPad is the best option for kids and new iPad users, as it’s incredibly affordable and more powerful than many Android tablets.

Pros

• Apple’s most budget-friendly tablet
• Support for Apple Pencil 1
• Great for first-time iPad users

Cons

• Dated design
• Still comes with a Lightning connector

2021’s iPad 9 is still available for purchase, and it’s one of the best options for anyone who may be on the fence about picking up an iPad. It’s relatively inexpensive compared to other iPads and other high-end Android tablets; it usually sells for $329, but we have spotted deals that will get you a new iPad for around $250. In addition to its affordability, the best part is that it still has tons of features we would only receive in higher-end models, such as stylus support.

Undoubtedly, it comes with a dated design that looks nothing like the newest and pricier iPad models. But this is something you can live with, especially after playing with the 9th generation for a while. You will soon discover you don’t need the latest esthetics to complete schoolwork. This model comes with more than enough power to tackle everyday tasks, thanks to Apple’s A13 Bionic chip, and you get ample screen space with a 10.2-inch Retina display. It starts with 64GB storage space, which you can take up to 256GB if you choose to pay about $150 extra. If you do go for the option with a larger storage capacity, you may further future-proof it.

The iPad 9 has several cool features, including a Touch ID sensor embedded in the Home button, support for the Apple Pencil 1, and Apple’s Smart Keyboard for those who want to turn their tablet into a convertible laptop of sorts. And the best part is that you won’t feel guilty about getting one due to the low price tag. Still, I’m confident that you will adore the experience, and you may even want to get a more powerful version of the iPad some day once you’ve spent some time with this amazing tablet in your hands.

iPad Pro 12.9-inch (6th Gen)

Premium pick

Most potent and largest iPad powered by the M2 chip

Apple’s largest iPad Pro is also the one with the best display, and it just might be the best option for those interested in running graphics-intensive apps.

Pros

• Outstanding display
• Supports Apple Pencil 2
• Most powerful iPad around

Cons

• Might be too expensive for most users
• Not the most portable iPad

Finally, Apple’s best and largest tablet yet, the M2 12.9-inch iPad Pro. This 6th generation iPad Pro comes with the same great features and power that you’ll get with the 11-inch iPad Pro described above, and then some. This model is perfect for the most demanding users though, since it comes with even better technology than the smaller Pro variant.

You get a 12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR display that will deliver up to 1,600 nits of peak brightness and advanced features like ProMotion, True Tone, and P3 wide color, making it the perfect tool for viewing and editing content. It’s also one of the best options for those interested in gaming and using graphics-intensive apps, as it comes with Apple’s M2 chip with an 8-core CPU and a 10‑core GPU, along with 8GB or 16GB RAM, depending on the storage model you get. For instance, getting the entry-level variant with 128GB storage space will get you 8GB of RAM, while going for the 1TB and 2TB storage models will get you 16GB of RAM.

Apple’s 12.9-inch iPad Pro is also great because it supports the latest accessories for your iPad, including the Apple Pencil 2 and USB-C models, the Magic Keyboard, and more, to transform your iPad into the best productivity tool you can get with a convertible design. And the best part is that iPadOS is beginning to improve things with even more apps that will help you edit and create content, just as well as if you were working on one of the older MacBook Pro models, such as Final Cut Pro. Furthermore, you can get 5G support, which means you can be connected at all times without having to look for a wireless network to get creative.

Best iPads for students in 2024: The verdict

There are several great iPad models on the market, but the best one for you will depend on what you need. If you want the best overall performance without breaking the bank, the iPad Air 5 is the best option. It includes several premium features you won’t get with the base models or the smaller iPad Mini, including a 10.9-inch canvas that will be great for anything you want. And it’s not as expensive as the Pro models, which have more power than most will need. Just don’t forget to get your hands on an Apple Pencil and other great accessories to fully utilize your iPad’s potential.

Of course, you can also check out our selection of the best tablets for school, where you will find other solid Android tablet options. Or check out the list highlighting the best Apple products for students, where you will find device options that extend beyond just iPads. Either way, we strongly suggest you consider picking up a new iPad, even if you use an Android phone, because the experience is fabulous.

Apple iPad Air (2022)

Editor’s choice

Best iPad for students

$500 $600 Save $100

Apple’s 5th-generation iPad Air comes with the Apple M1 chip and tons of great features for an affordable price tag. It’s arguably the best option any student can buy now.