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You won’t be too shocked to hear that the iPad and iPad Air are both excellent tablets. Apple has been selling its iconic iPad for almost a decade now, and we’ve bought over 360 million of them. There’s a reason for that – coupling sleek design and speedy processors with an intuitive user interface, the iPad appeals to Apple experts and newcomers alike.
The question, then, is which model do you go for? According to our research, the iPad 10.9 is the better option for almost everyone, given its large screen and notably lower price tag. Still, the iPad Air is a very respectable device, but we don't see much reach to pay extra for a slightly better processor and a crisper display.
To be clear, Apple has four distinct ranges in its iPad stable, but we’re going to focus on the iPad 10.9 (10th generation) and the iPad Air (5th generation) in this guide, and let you know which is the better fit for you.
No matter what you're using your iPad for – visual design, accounting, or sound editing, we’ll suggest the right iPad to opt for.
Struggling to decide between the regular iPad and the iPad Air? We’ll get into the details later in the guide, but take a look at this comparison to see what each offer, plus pit them against the notably more robust and expensive iPad Pro lineup:
| Screen Size Measured diagonally across. | Screen Resolution In pixels - the higher the number, the greater the screen detail. | Battery Life As claimed by the manufacturer – actual performance will vary depending on daily tasks. | Processor | Storage The built in storage space for files, programs, apps and the operating system | Rear Camera | Front Camera | Apple Device Compatibility Which official Apple accessories the iPad pairs with | Price | Amazon | Buy | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
  |   |   |   |   | |||||||||
| The newest iPad and the best choice for virtually everyone. The screen and A14 processor are perfect for day-to-day browsing, and it's a good value. | An excellent portable tablet, but it feels less essential in this age of extra-large smartphones – especially as it's pricier than the iPad 10.2 | A slim tablet with an unbeatable processor and great rear camera but priced far above the excellent iPad 10.9. | An exceptional tablet, and cheaper than the top-of-the-range 12.9-inch iPad Pro. The screen is glorious and there's plenty of processing power | The absolute best iPad that money can buy, with a price tag to match. Pair it with the Magic Keyboard and it truly is a laptop alternative. | |||||||||
| 10.9″ | 8.3″ | 10.9″ | 11″ | 12.9″ | |||||||||
| 2360 x 1640 | 2266 x 1488 | 2360 x 1640 | 2388 x 1668 | 2732 x 2048 | |||||||||
| 10 hrs | 10 hrs | 10 hrs | 10 hrs | 10 hrs | |||||||||
| A14 | A15 Bionic | M1 | M2 | M2 | |||||||||
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| 12Mp | 12Mp | 12Mp | 12Mp + 10Mp | 12Mp + 10Mp | |||||||||
| 12MP | 12Mp | 12Mp | 12Mp | 12Mp | |||||||||
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| Amazon | Amazon | Amazon | Amazon | Amazon |
In this guide:
iPad or iPad Air – Which Should You Buy?
For most people, the 10.9-inch regular iPad is a better choice than the iPad Air. The iPad 10.9 is such better value, and will do just about everything the average user could need. If you have to have the thinnest, lightest tablet – and money is no object – then spoil yourself with an iPad Air. You won't regret it. But nor would you likely regret saving and going for a regular iPad model. The iPad and iPad Air are both excellent tablets that blow most of their competition out of the water. However, there are some distinct differences between the two:
- The iPad Air features the powerful M1 chip
- The iPad is the cheapest model in Apple’s line up
- The iPad Air has a 10.9-inch screen
On paper, the Air is the better device. It offers more impressive specifications, including a faster processor. On the other hand, the standard iPad is cheaper – by quite a margin – and still delivers an excellent experience. What you opt for depends on what you’ll be doing, but we don’t think you should overlook the iPad in favor of the iPad Air.
Verdict: Any casual user who just wants to browse, stream and email should go for the 10.9-inch iPad rather than the nice, but pricey Air.
If you want a smaller iPad, or the premium iPad, consider the Mini or the Pro. Read our full iPad buyers guide for the whole range.
iPad 10.9 (10th generation) Overview
- Has a 10.9-inch screen
- Uses the A14 Bionic processor
- Smart Keyboard compatible
- Excellent battery life
The latest addition to Apple's ever-changing line-up, the 2022 iPad 10.9 is the direct an excellent option for virtually anyone. The big 10.9-inch display still delights compared to the previous model's 10.9-inches, while still being compact enough for on the go users.
Specs wise, the iPad 10.9 is rocking the A14 processor, and it starts with 64GB of storage, going up to 256GB.
The iPad 10.9 is available now for $449.
iPad 10.9 Folio Keyboard
The iPad 10.9 is compatible with the official Apple Folio Keyboard – previously owners of the entry-level iPad had to rely on third party solutions for their keyboard fix. It's not cheap, at $249, but we're glad that it's no longer reserved for the much pricier Pro and Air models.
The iPad 10.2 (9th generation)
The iPad 10.9 is the latest version of the standard iPad, but the older model, the 10.2 is still available, and Apple isn't telling if it plans to discontinue this model or not. It's a slightly strange move by the company – usually iPad generations are a lot more clear cut, with older models retired to make room for the newer ones.
What this means is that if you don't mind having a slighter older iPad, you can pick up the 10.2 model at a bargain retail price of around $329.
We don't know how much longer the iPad 10.2 will stick around, but it's worth investigating if you aren't worried about having the latest tech under the hood.
Pros
- Cheapest iPad available
- Compatible with Smart Keyboard
- 10.9-inch screen
Cons
- More expensive than previous iterations
iPad Air (5th generation) Overview
- Features a 10.9-inch display
- Powerful M1 chip processor
- Compatible with Apple’s Smart Keyboard
- Slimmer and lighter than the iPad
The iPad Air was recently given a makeover by Apple, which included a boost in its engine room. The M1 processor is now running the show, which puts it on a par with Apple’s latest devices.
The iPad Air is pitched somewhere between the iPad and the iPad Pro – it’s aimed at those who want a more powerful tablet, but don’t have the budget for Apple’s premium offerings. This is a space that the Air has carved out for itself, and there’s certainly a lot of reasons as to why you’d want to pick one up if your needs have exceeded the iPad.
The iPad Air is currently available for $599.
iPad Air Display
The display size is the same as the standard iPad, with a 10.9-inch screen. This is a recent change, with the iPad having recently received some extra real estate to bring it up to the dimensions of the Air. Needless to say, the image is fantastic, utilizing Apple’s retina display technology to reproduce stunning images.
Pros
- Compatible with Apple Pen and Smart Keyboard
- 10.9-inch screen
- Cheaper than the iPad Pro
Cons
- Pricier than the similar 10.9-inch iPad
- No additional ports
iPad Pro Overview
- 11-inch or 12.9-inch screen options
- Uses the M2 chip
- Now compatible with the Apple Pencil (2nd generation)
- Beautiful display
In most cases, we'd recommend you stick with the iPad or iPad Air if you're a casual user. However, if you need a lot of power, a lot of storage, or additional security, the iPad Pro line up is a great option. Professional use these devices as straight up laptop replacements, and pair with the many compatible accessories, it definitely is.
The iPad Pro comes in two difference sizes. You can opt for the iPad Pro 11, which is closer to the iPad and iPad Air on display size. However, the iPad Pro 12.9 is also available, providing nearly an additional two inches of screen size. The price reflects these sizes, though with the iPad 11 costing $849 and the iPad 12.9 costing a whopping $1,150.
iPad Pro Features
Perhaps the biggest difference between the standard iPad, the iPad Air, and the iPad Pro lineup is the fact that the Pro options offer Face ID for secure login. It's a minor time-saver, but if you don't feel like using your fingerprint to login, it can be an added benefit. You've also got the option to have a lot more storage with the iPad Pro lineup, as it offers more storage and more RAM across the board.
Pros
- Powerful M2 processor
- Slim and light
- USB-C port
- Cheaper than the 12.9
Cons
- No headphone jack
- A bit small for designers
The iPad 10.9 is Much Better Value than the iPad Air
Take a look at the iPad and the iPad Air side by side, and you’ll soon spot the most glaring difference: The price. The iPad starts at $449, while the Air will set you back $599 for its cheapest model.
There’s a reason for this of course – the Air has a lot more muscle than the iPad, thanks to that M1 chip, compared to the iPad’s older A14 processor. That’s not to say that the standard iPad is a sluggish weakling – far from it – but if you want the extra power, you’ll have to pay out for the Air.
Whether or not these differences are enough for you to justify spending an extra $150 depends on your own needs, but we can’t argue that the standard iPad represents excellent value.
The iPad Air Has Better Accessories
You might think that if there’s one thing that the iPad range isn’t famous for, it’s connections. Well, you’d be mostly right. Generally, on most models, you now get USB-C support, but wired headphones fans might want to take a seat – the headphone jack has now been eliminated from all models.
However, the Air has a trick up its sleeve here, and just trumps the standard iPad. The iPad Air has compatibility with the Apple Pencil (2nd generation), whereas the iPad only has compatibility with Apple Pencil (1st generation). The difference shouldn't be a huge deal breaker for anyone, but if you want the latest Apple Pencil, you're going to have to opt for the iPad Air.
The iPad Air is More Powerful
The iPad Air, alongside the Mini, and Pro all use the M chip – the Apple-made chip that kicked off the company's independence. The Pro benefits from the M2 chip, while the Air and Mini make do with the M1.
In real terms, this means that it’s able to load your apps faster, as well as handle multi-tasking, with more ease than the standard iPad. The Air serves up a buttery smooth experience and exhibits few signs of faltering when you start to work it.
That said, whether or not you need this much horsepower in your tablet is another question. While the Air is the halfway house between the entry-level iPad and the super-powered Pro, it’s much closer to the latter than the former.
The iPad 10.9 is Better for Casual Users
The iPad is the best choice for casual users. This means that if you mainly use your iPad for social media, browsing the web, and streaming movies, then the standard iPad offers the whole package for $449.
Is it as fast as the Air? No – but frankly, you’re unlikely to notice unless you have the two in a side-by-side comparison. On a daily basis, it will be hard to beat the iPad for performance and value, especially if you’re not challenging it with demanding software or juggling several things at once.
Verdict: Which iPad Should You Buy?
However, if you’re more interested in editing images and video – or substituting your trusted laptop for the iPad on occasion – the Air is better proposition, thanks to its extra firepower and on-the-go design.
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