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You want a new iPad, but you do not want to overpay for features you are never going to use. That is the whole problem with the current lineup. Every model is genuinely good, but they are built for very different people.
So whether you just want to read books, watch videos, or finally replace that clunky old laptop, this is the plain breakdown of all four iPads you can buy in 2026. No nerdy spec sheets. Just who each one is for, where it wins, and where it falls short, so you can decide in about five minutes.
Every model is good, but the iPad Air M4 is the one I recommend to most people who are actually going to use it.
- There is a right model for almost everyone, from a budget student to a professional video editor
- Even the cheapest iPad A16 runs every app you need and does a great job on the couch
- The Air M4 hits the best balance of price and features: faster chip, more RAM, nicer display, better speakers, Wi-Fi 7
- The Mini is the only 8.3 inch one-hand model, and it is my favorite to hold around the house
- The Pro M5 has the best display Apple makes, a tandem OLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate
- You cannot add internal storage later, so you have to pick the right size up front
- The 13 inch models are heavy to hold on the couch and get bulky with a keyboard case
- The A16 only supports the basic USB-C Apple Pencil and the weaker Magic Keyboard Folio
- The real Magic Keyboard with a trackpad is only available on the Air and the Pro
iPad A16: the classic pick for most people
This is the plain, classic iPad, and it is the best option for most people. If you are a student on a budget, or you just want something to use around the kitchen or on the couch, this is the one.
It is great for watching content, browsing the web, and finding recipes. Apple Notes, Pages, and any of the Microsoft apps all run fine on it. The screen is not quite as nice as the Air or the Pro, but it still does a great job for the money.
iPad Mini: the pocket pal
I call the Mini the pocket pal. It feels a lot like using a phone, but with a little more screen real estate. If you want to read books, watch videos on a slightly larger screen, or use the Apple Pencil to write and draw, it is a great option.
It is small enough to hold with one hand, but still powerful enough to run any app you want. This is my favorite one to use around the house because it really is that portable, and the display is a touch nicer than the A16.
iPad Air M4: the best all-around iPad
The Air M4 takes everything the A16 does and turns it up a notch, and it is the model I recommend to most people. It is the best balance of price and features.
The M4 chip makes it significantly faster than the other three, and it has more RAM, which helps with multitasking and running more apps at once. The display is quite a bit nicer than the A16, the speakers are better, and it has Wi-Fi 7 for better connectivity for years to come. You can get it with either an 11 inch or a large 13 inch display, so if you want the gigantic iPad, this is where that starts.
iPad Pro M5: the total laptop killer
The Pro M5 is for anyone who is a professional artist, a video editor, or a tech enthusiast who just wants the best. This is the total laptop killer.
It has the Ultra Retina XDR display, a tandem OLED panel that is nicer than any display on any Apple product. It also has a 120Hz refresh rate, so scrolling feels like butter. If you want the best display and the best speaker quality in the lineup, the Pro M5 is the choice.
The four iPads at a glance
Here is how the lineup stacks up when you put the models side by side. Notice the accessory support, because it is the thing most people forget to check before they buy.
| Model | Best for | Sizes | Apple Pencil | Keyboard |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| iPad A16 | Budget, content, everyday use | 11 inch | USB-C only | Magic Keyboard Folio |
| iPad Mini | Reading, one-handed use, sketching | 8.3 inch | Apple Pencil Pro | No Magic Keyboard |
| iPad Air M4 | Best all-around, most people | 11 or 13 inch | Apple Pencil Pro | Magic Keyboard |
| iPad Pro M5 | Pros, editing, laptop replacement | 11 or 13 inch | Apple Pencil Pro | Magic Keyboard (best) |
First factor: pick your size
Before you buy, there are three things to think through. Size is the first one, and it narrows the field fast.
- 8.3 inch (Mini): the only one this small. Best for one-handed use, an e-reader, or a digital notebook.
- 11 inch (A16, Air, or Pro): the perfect do-everything size. If you type a lot, you want this size.
- 13 inch (Air or Pro only): best for drawing, multitasking, and replacing a laptop. It is a little heavy to hold on the couch, and it gets pretty large once you add a keyboard case.
Second factor: get storage right up front
This is the one you cannot fix later, so think about it now. You cannot add more internal storage to an iPad after you buy it.
- 128GB is perfect if you stream everything and save your files to iCloud or Google Drive.
- 256GB or more is what you need if you download lots of games and apps, save movies for long flights, or edit high-resolution photos.
You can plug in an external SSD, but it is never as convenient as having the storage built straight into the iPad.
Third factor: the accessories that change the pick
Accessories are where the cheaper models quietly lose ground, so this matters more than you would think.
The standard iPad A16 can only use the basic USB-C Apple Pencil. The Mini, the Air, and the Pro all support the Apple Pencil Pro, which charges from the side of the iPad and adds squeeze features for artists.
If you type a lot, get an 11 inch iPad. The Air and the Pro are the better choices for keyboard users because they support the real Magic Keyboard, which turns the iPad into a floating workstation with a trackpad. The A16 only gets the Magic Keyboard Folio, which is not as nice, and the Pro keyboard is a small step up from the Air one.
The verdict
There is no bad iPad here, so the real question is which one fits how you will actually use it. If you want the most affordable pick and mostly consume content at the standard 11 inch size, get the iPad A16. It is awesome for the money.
If all you care about is portability, or you are a reader, get the Mini. It is the smallest option and the most comfortable to hold. For the best all-around iPad, I recommend the Air. The subtle improvements in display, speakers, and the Magic Keyboard make it a better pick than the A16 for most people. And if you want the total laptop killer for video or photo editing with the best possible screen, get the Pro M5.
Still not sure? I put together personalized iPad buying advice at adamtalks.tech/ipad.
