The iPad Hub
Which iPad should you get?
Best value
iPad A16
The safest pick for most people. Streaming, browsing, recipes, reading, school and normal work. If you’re thinking “I just want an iPad,” this is probably the one.
11-inch · USB-C Apple Pencil · Magic Keyboard Folio
Most portable
iPad mini (A20 Pro)
The biggest iPad mini update ever, with OLED, IP67 and the A20 Pro. The catch is it’s stuck at 60Hz and starts at $699 with 128GB. It’s for notes, reading and browsing. If you want a laptop feel, get an Air or Pro.
8.5-inch OLED · 60Hz · From $699
Best all-around
iPad Air 11-inch (M4)
The iPad I recommend most often. A lot faster than the A16, 12GB of RAM, a nicer screen, better speakers and Magic Keyboard support. The 11-inch does everything I need and it’s easier to carry.
M4 · 12GB RAM · Apple Pencil Pro
Big screen, work first
iPad Air 13-inch (M4)
Great for split-screen work, Lightroom and Final Cut, and the full-size Magic Keyboard. Don’t buy it just for movies though. The 4:3 screen means black bars on widescreen video.
13-inch · 600 nits · 60Hz
Best screen
iPad Pro (M5)
The best display, 120Hz, the best speakers and the nicer Magic Keyboard. It’s for artists, video and photo editors, and anyone who wants the strongest laptop replacement. It’s also the one I grab outside. If you mostly stream, browse and email, you don’t need Pro money.
Tandem OLED · 120Hz · 1,000 nits standard
Get the storage right
128GB is fine if you stream and keep your stuff in iCloud. If you play games, download movies for flights or edit photos, go to at least 256GB. You can’t add internal storage to an iPad later.
Still not sure?
Tell me how you’ll use it and what you already have, and I’ll point you to the iPad I’d buy. It’s free.
Accessories I’d pair with it
The one I recommend
Apple Pencil Pro
It snaps on the side to pair and charge, so you’re never hunting for a cable. Squeeze features are handy if you draw. Works with the iPad mini, Air and Pro.
Magnetic charging · Hover · Squeeze
For the iPad A16
Apple Pencil (USB-C)
The only Apple Pencil the iPad A16 supports. It works fine for notes and markup, it’s just not as nice as the Pencil Pro.
Charges over USB-C · Works with every current iPad
Best for the iPad Air
Magic Keyboard for iPad Air
The floating design is great on your lap, the trackpad is the better one, and there’s a second USB-C port for charging. The 13-inch has full-size keys. No backlight, which is a bummer.
Floating design · Extra USB-C port · White only
Best for the iPad Pro
Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro
The nicest iPad keyboard Apple makes. Aluminum top and backlit keys, which is what the Air version is missing.
Aluminum top · Backlit keys
Save money, more protection
Logitech Combo Touch
About a pound lighter and usually $70 to $120 cheaper than the Magic Keyboard. The keyboard detaches and the case covers the whole iPad. The kickstand does shake on your lap.
Kickstand · Detachable keyboard · Full case
Keeps your iPad an iPad
ESR Shift
A full case with a detachable, backlit keyboard, a trackpad, portrait mode and a Pencil pocket. The trackpad isn’t Apple level and you have to charge the keyboard, but it’s a lot of case for the money.
Around $80 to $100 · Bluetooth · Backlit
Apple’s keyboard for the A16
Magic Keyboard Folio
The keyboard Apple makes for the iPad A16. It’s not as nice as the Air and Pro keyboards, but it gets the job done.
For iPad A16
Slim keyboard for any iPad
Logitech Keys-To-Go 2
A slim Bluetooth keyboard that works with any iPad, and it’s the one I use with my iPad mini. The keys are small and there’s no stand, and at $80 it should really be closer to $50.
7.8 oz · Pairs with 3 devices
Keyboard with a stand
Satechi On-The-Go Keyboard
Full-size keys and a stand built in, so your iPad or phone sits right on top, sideways or upright. The stand folds under when you don’t need it. Bigger than the Keys-To-Go 2, but nicer to type on. Satechi sent me this one.
Built-in stand · Full-size keys
Simple iPad storage
OWC Envoy Pro mini
My favorite simple drive for an iPad. No cable, it plugs straight in. It’s pricey for the size. Heads up, the Oyen U34 Bolt doesn’t work with iPad. OWC sent me this one.
~820 MB/s in my tests · Plugs straight in
Desk or nightstand
Anker Nano 100W Charging Station
Two retractable USB-C cords, another USB-C and USB-A port, and three AC outlets in one small box. Apple only puts a 20W brick in the box with an iPad, and the Air charges at up to 35W, so this is a nice upgrade.
100W total · Retractable cords · 3 AC outlets · ~$80
Compact charger
Anker Nano 45W Smart Display
The little charger I’d point most Apple users to. Small enough for the bag, and 45W covers the iPad Air and the new iPad mini’s fast charging.
45W · Compact · ~$40
Anker Laptop Power Bank (25K)
One of my favorite power banks, with the cables built in. It has enough power for a laptop, so an iPad is easy.
25,000mAh · 165W · Built-in cables
Charger and power bank in one
Anker Prime Fusion
A wall charger and a power bank in one, with the plug built in. Charge it on the wall, then grab it and go.
9,600mAh · 65W · Built-in AC plug
Great for iPads
Anker Power Bank 20K (87W)
The one with the cord on the side. Plenty of power for an iPad, and the built-in cable means one less thing to pack.
20,000mAh · 87W · Built-in cable
Reviews & guides
Accessory review
Apple Magic Keyboard vs Logitech Combo Touch for the iPad Air M3
Accessory review
Logitech Keys-To-Go 2 Review: Buy or Pass?
The iPad videos people watch most
About this page
I keep this page updated as I review new iPads and accessories. Want the Mac side? See my favorite Mac accessories.
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