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Our research shows that the 2022 iPad 10.9 10th Gen is best, with plenty of power, a hefty display size, and a surprisingly attractive price tag. The iPad Mini 6th Gen is a respectable option, but it’s hard to justify the higher price tag, given the increasing popularity of large display smartphones.
The iPad and iPad Mini may share a lot of features, but they have some striking differences too. We’ll help you choose the right iPad for you, taking into account your specific needs and budget.
We’ll also see how these two models stack up against the other iPads available in 2024, the two sizes of iPad Pro as well as the latest two versions of iPad Air:
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Screen Size
Measured diagonally across.
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Screen Resolution
In pixels – the higher the number, the greater the screen detail.
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Battery Life
As claimed by the manufacturer – actual performance will vary depending on daily tasks.
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Processor
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Storage
The built in storage space for files, programs, apps and the operating system
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Rear Camera
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Front Camera
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Apple Device Compatibility
Which official Apple accessories the iPad pairs with
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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 10.9 |
A slim tablet with a great processor priced far above the sturdy iPad 10.9. |
A larger tablet with a great processor that is even more expensive. |
An exceptional tablet, and cheaper than the top-of-the-range 13-inch iPad Pro. The screen is glorious and there’s plenty of processing power. |
This is an excellent iPad, with a price tag to match. Pair it with the Magic Keyboard and it truly is a laptop alternative. |
Apple’s best iPad Pro to date with a Tandem OLED display for enhanced brightness and color reproduction. |
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10.9″ |
8.3″ |
10.9″ |
12.9″ |
11″ |
12.9″ |
13″ |
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2360 x 1640 |
2266 x 1488 |
2360 x 1640 |
2732 x 2048 |
2388 x 1668 |
2732 x 2048 |
2752 x 2064 |
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10 hrs |
10 hrs |
10 hrs |
10 hrs |
10 hrs |
10 hrs |
10 hrs |
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A15 Bionic |
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M2 |
M2 |
M2 |
M4 |
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12MP |
12MP |
12MP |
12MP |
12Mp |
12Mp |
12Mp |
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12MP |
12MP |
12MP |
12MP |
12Mp |
12Mp |
12Mp |
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iPad 10.9 10th Gen or iPad Mini 6th Gen – Which Should You Buy?
If you’re choosing between the iPad 10.9 (10th generation) and the iPad Mini (6th generation), your decision will come down to what you use the tablet for. Here are a few stand out features for both:
- Both have powerful processors, but the iPad Mini has a better one
- The iPad 10th Gen is cheaper
- The iPad Mini has better cameras
- iPad has a 10.9-inch display, while the Mini has an 8.3-inch display
- iPad Mini is compatible with the Apple Pencil (2nd generation)
- iPad is compatible with only the Apple Pencil (1st generation)
While there are a lot of similarities between the two devices, on paper, it’s the iPad 10th Gen that ultimately wins out – it’s tough to beat the larger display paired with the smaller price tag.
Still not sure? Take a look at our guide to the entire iPad range
iPad Mini Overview
The iPad Mini’s 6th generation is the latest model for this range, and it’s a relatively old release, out in 2021.
The new and improved Mini offered the same 3GB RAM, 10-hour battery life and Apple Pen compatibility as the 9th Gen, but with a more powerful A15 Bionic chip. Its storage cap is the same the main iPad model as well, going up to 256GB.
The device’s display screen size is worth pointing out. It remains “mini,” but it’s actually larger than ever before: All previous models offered a 7.9-inch screen, but this latest model offers an 8.3-inch display. This nets it a 2266×1488 resolution at 326 ppi with a typical 500-nit max brightness, up from the 7.9-inch fifth gen’s 2048×1536 display.
The Mini finally has Smart Keyboard compatibility, as well, so it’s officially competing with the other productivity-minded devices on this list.
It’s a compelling package for those looking for a powerful tablet, especially if you’re after something that’s on the smaller side. However, with the increasing popularity of large display smartphones, it’s hard to justify the higher price tag with only a slightly better processor, which is the only reason it’s not at the top of our list.
Apple iPad Mini (2021)
In Short
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Pros
- Smallest iPad
- Easy to hold for long periods
- Powerful enough for all users
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Cons
- Feels less relevant as phones get larger (and foldable)
Images
iPad 10th Gen Overview
The tenth generation iPad didn’t reinvent the wheel when it debuted in 2022, but it certainly did tune up the engine. While the iPad isn’t hugely different to its ninth gen predecessor, there’s one noteworthy upgrade: Processing power. The ninth Gen had an A13 Bionic chip, which is now upgraded to a A14 chip in the tenth gen, although there’s still no sign of the impressive M-series chips that the iPad Pros have rocked since 2021.
Chip aside, the 10th Gen is rocking even better hardware than its predecessor — it starts with 64GB of storage, going up to 256GB. Like the 9th Gen, it includes support for the Apple Smart Keyboard, while the weight, too, remains right around the same at a svelte 1.05 pounds.
We also think that those caught between the office and home during the pandemic will really value the flexibility that the iPad offers. Thanks to great battery life and processing power, it is a competent alternative to a desktop or laptop, with the added bonus of flexibility.
Its price tag is just $349, which is an impressive value for an up-to-date iPad, making the iPad 10th Gen a no-brainer for anyone hoping to purchase a tablet.
Apple iPad 10.9 10th Gen
In Short
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Pros
- Cheapest iPad available
- Compatible with Smart Keyboard
- 10.9-inch screen
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Cons
- More expensive than previous iterations
Images
The iPad 10.9 is Much Better Value than the iPad Mini
We think there are few better deals in tech than the 10.9-inch iPad 10th Gen. The retail price of $349 is something of a bargain in itself, especially when stacked against the entry level Mini ($499) and the M2 iPad Air ($599). And clearly, Apple is aware that the price tag is a big selling point, given that they’re lowering it over time.
For your money, you get a 10.9-inch Retina display, a solid A14 processor, and 64GB storage for the entry-level model. Plus, the 10th Gen iPad remains compatible with the Apple Pen and the Apple Smart keyboard both, which is always an attractive option for productivity.
The iPad Mini is More Portable
It probably goes without saying that the iPad Mini is the most portable tablet in Apple’s lineup. The entire range is impressively slim and light, but with its 8.3-inch screen, it’s the Mini that wins the award for being the easiest to carry around.
Weighing just 0.66 pounds, the Mini is almost half the weight of the standard iPad, and while it won’t slip into your jeans pocket, it will happily go into a coat or jacket pocket. It’s not too much bigger than some of the more popular large screen cell phones – the Apple iPhone XS Max, for example, is just 1.4 inches smaller.
The iPad Mini is Speedier
The iPad Mini does pretty well with the A15 chip, beating the older A14 chip that you’ll still find in the tenth gen iPad.
Ulitmately, the truly power-hungry iPad user will look towards the Pro, as its new M4 chip just can’t be beat when it comes to power. Apple has put a lot into its new chips, and the latest iPad Pros will benefit from those over previous iterations.
A few perks that users can benefit from with both the Mini and the tenth gen iPad include people occlusion and motion tracking in augmented reality apps, enhanced photo editing thanks to better image recognition, and boosted Siri performance. Basically, these devices can handle anything you’ll throw at them.
The iPad Air is Great but Pricey
The iPad Air‘s most recent models just came out in 2024. This new Air beats the Mini and the 10th gen iPad in plenty of areas. It has a big 13.6-inch liquid Retina display, putting it far ahead of the 8.2-inch Mini, and slightly larger than the 10.2-inch iPad 9th Gen.
Specs-wise, the M2 Air has plenty: You’ll get the M2 chip, which beats any processors that the Mini or 10th gen can offer. The new Air also has storage of 256GB or 512GB, and comes in two sizes (11-inch and 13-inch).
But you’ll pay for it: At a starting price of $599 for a 8-core GPU and 256GB SSD, the M2 Air comes in at a whopping $100 more than the iPad Mini and a searing $250 more than the 10th Gen.
If you want the absolute strongest power and best camera, the latest Air can outdo the latest Mini or the main 10th Gen iPad. That said, if you really want a large screen iPad with plenty of horsepower, you should be looking at the Pro series. If you instead want to balance screen size and high-end processing power against the total cost, the iPad 10.9 10th Gen is a clear winner.
Apple iPad Air 6th Gen
In Short
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Pros
- Compatible with Apple Pen Pro
- 10.9-inch screen
- Cheaper than the iPad Pro
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Cons
- Pricier than the similar 10.9-inch iPad
- No additional ports
Images
What About the iPad Pro?
This guide is aimed at those choosing between the iPad and Mini, but it would be remiss of us to not mention the iPad Pro — after all, it’s Apple’s most powerful iPad, as well as technologically most impressive. The sticking point is that this comes at a price. The iPad Pro starts at $999 for the 11-inch model — that’s well over twice as much as the standard iPad, so it really is aimed at those who don’t want to compromise on power and don’t mind paying for the privilege.
There are two models in the 2024 Pro range, identified by their size — the 11-inch model, and the 13-inch model. They share practically all other specifications, including the dedicated Apple M4 chip, which currently is exclusive to the Pro in the iPad range. The 13-inch starts at $1,299.
The Pro series doesn’t lack in power thanks to this dedicated processor, and you can also bulk it up with some serious storage — up to 2TB if you’ve got the funds. RAM is impressive too, coming in at either 8GB or 16GB, depending on what storage option you choose.
Like the Air, the Pro series is compatible with Apple’s Magic Keyboard ($299), a smart extra with USB-C and cantilever design which makes finding the right viewing angle straightforward. Is it essential? Well, no, and it really pushes up the price of the iPad package, but with it, the iPad Pro feels more like a laptop-beater than it ever has.
Apple iPad Pro 11 (2024)
In Short
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Pros
- Powerful M4 processor
- Slim and light
- USB-C port
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Cons
- No headphone jack
- A bit small for designers
Images
Good news: You can’t buy a bad iPad. Even the iPad Mini isn’t bad. Each iPad in Apple’s current lineup is a fantastic tablet in its own right.
That said, we think that most people who pick up the iPad 10th Gen won’t ever be aware of that extra power they’re missing out on by not opting for the Mini or the Air, which makes it our clear choice for best iPad.
However, for those that like to know that their tablet can run demanding apps, and who want to future-proof themselves in the long run, the iPad Air is the best choice for those want to balance power and budget.
As for the ultimate big spender tablet, it’s the iPad Pro. With the M4 chip and excellent display, it’s the best consumer tablet on the market, and will be future-proof for some time to come, thanks to its brand-new 2024 models. It’ll cost you, though.
Frequently Asked Questions
The iPad is cheaper and bigger than the iPad Mini. The only real reason to pick up an iPad Mini is if you really want a smaller, more portable iPad and you don’t mind paying extra for the privilege.
We think that the standard iPad 10.9 is really hard to beat for most people. Starting at $349, it’s the cheapest model and hasn’t been updated since 2022, but it doesn’t lack for power or features. Sure, the Air and the Pro are more advanced, but they’re also considerably more expensive, and most casual users won’t take advantage of their power.
That’s a question that only Apple can really answer, but with the A15 chip it’s more powerful than the standard iPad, which may explain why it’s more expensive. Since then, the iPad has received a new revision with specs that don’t beat the Mini but come close — and at a lower cost.
The cheapest iPad in the current lineup is the standard iPad 10.9 — it costs $349.
The iPad Mini and iPad Air are two very different beasts. One prioritizes power, the other portability. If you’re more interested in an iPad that you can easily carry around with you, go for the Mini. If you need something that can handle complex apps, go with the Air — it’s one of the newest models to come out, so it’s the best time to buy one.
The M2 iPad Air represents a big step up in power from the standard iPad, but with an increase in price tag to $599. If you run demanding apps, then go for the Air (or consider a Pro), but most people will find that the standard iPad will more than fulfill their needs.
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