Best Pick

Apple iPad Air 13" M3 Space Gray 2025

90.2 Best Value Score
Why we recommend this

The M3 chip with a 9-core GPU drives demanding creative tasks, and the 13-inch Liquid Retina display delivers P3 wide color and 600 nits brightness with ultralow reflectivity. Configurable up to 1TB storage and all-day battery life pair with Apple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard support, making it a versatile canvas for art and note-taking. It’s best suited for students and digital artists who prioritize a bright, color-accurate display and lightweight portability at 617g for sketching, media consumption, and light 4K video editing.

View Details & Prices

Great Alternatives

These options also score highly and may better suit your specific needs

Apple iPad mini 8.3" A17 Pro Starlight 2024

77.2 Best Value Score
Why we recommend this

Packing an A17 Pro chip and 8GB of RAM, this 295g tablet delivers a substantial performance boost for its size, including support for Apple Intelligence. Its 8.3" Liquid Retina display pairs with Apple Pencil Pro’s squeeze, barrel roll, and haptic feedback for precise input, while Wi-Fi 6E offers up to double the previous gen's bandwidth. Best for note-takers and artists who want a pocketable device for reading and drawing on the go.

View Details & Prices

Apple Apple iPad 10.2" 9th Generation Silver 2021

29 Best Value Score
Why we recommend this

Its A13 Bionic chip and Neural Engine drive a 10.2-inch Retina display with True Tone, and the 256GB storage is paired with Gigabit-class LTE cellular for reliable on-the-go connectivity. The 12MP Ultra Wide front camera features Center Stage that automatically pans during video calls, while built-in stereo speakers and Apple Pencil (1st gen) support extend its use for media and light creative work. This tablet is best for casual artists and note-takers who want a large, cellular-capable screen with iPadOS app support at a refurbished price point.

View Details & Prices
Apple Apple iPad 10.2" 9th Generation Silver 2021 tablet
Price $350
Check Price at Best Buy
Also available open box & refurbished:

Apple 10.5"

24.8 Best Value Score
Why we recommend this

The A12 Bionic chip with Neural Engine drives a 10.5-inch Retina display with True Tone, delivering fluid performance in a 454g, 6.1mm-thin aluminum body. This refurbished model offers 256GB of storage and a 5.0-star customer rating, presenting strong value against newer tablets. It’s best for students and casual users who want a lightweight, high-clarity screen for reading, streaming, and note-taking.

View Details & Prices
Apple 10.5" tablet
Price $460
Check Price at Best Buy
Also available open box & refurbished: