With five different iPad models on sale in 2023, the tablet lineup at Apple features a lot of overlap. But after close inspection, you'll see that each option does offer value to a specific type of customer. Regardless, every model currently available can handle more than media consumption and are great for schoolwork, exploring hobbies, and managing a household or business.

Here we will look at the lineup, which starts with the $329 iPad (9th Gen) going up to the iPad Pro models, which start at $999. Looking at which one you should pick for your use.

Best iPad for most: iPad (10th generation, 2022)

At $449, the 10th generation iPad seems like a tough sell for many, but certain characteristics make it the best iPad for most. To start, Apple's modernization of the standard iPad with the launch of the 10th generation iPad is a welcome change. The tablet now feels more polished and refined, just like the iPad Pro models, but with a dash of fun owing to the four color options. It's also the first iPad to feature a landscape orientation for the front camera, which will make video calls feel more natural.

Next, we appreciate the better accessories now available for the tablet. The 9th generation iPad wasn't short on options, but with the new design and the latest official accessories Apple has unveiled, users can access a much better experience. The standout example that comes to mind is the Magic Keyboard Folio — one of the best iPad 10 cases. Then the USB-C port on the tablet makes it easier when you want to transfer data or connect peripherals.

As for the available hardware, the 10th generation iPad features a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina LCD, the A14 Bionic processor, a 28.6-watt-hour battery that's great for all-day use, and 12-megapixel cameras on the front and back. If you're looking to get the iPad for note taking, it does support the 1st generation Apple Pencil. Also, Touch ID support remains on the tablet, with the sensor built into the Top Button.

The budget choice: iPad (9th generation, 2021)

While stated as a choice for budget-conscious buyers, the 9th generation iPad offers more features than you'd expect, with the cutbacks coming in sensible elements. With the A13 Bionic chipset, this model comes with enough horsepower to easily handle any task you throw at it. It can serve as a window into learning or act as the perfect gaming device for toddlers and young students. But we don't want to undersell its performance, as even small businesses can use it to tackle spreadsheets and documents on the go.

The build quality of this tablet is great, as it uses the all-too-familiar glass and aluminum construction. In 2022, it continues to bear the dying embers of an aged design language. The tablet will likely be cycled out in a couple of years as the 10th generation iPad becomes—announced on October 18, 2022—becomes more popular.

Now, coming back to its specifications, it has a 10.2-inch LCD—with Apple Pencil support—sandwiched between the thick top and bottom bezels. The top bezel houses a 12-megapixel Center Stage-enabled camera, while the bottom offers a Home Button with Touch ID. You will find the power button and headphone jack along the top, while the right-hand side features the volume buttons and a nano-SIM tray if you get the cellular model. The left and bottom feature the Smart Connector and Lightning Port, respectively. And lastly, on the back is the standard 8-megapixel wide camera.

The 9th generation iPad is the perfect device to get if it's a tablet you'll hand to a child or perhaps older family members who are used to navigating Apple devices with a home button. The non-laminated display on this device also makes repairing a cracked front glass easier and less expensive, a factor worth keeping in mind.

Best value: iPad Air (5th generation, 2022)

Next on this list is the 5th generation iPad Air; this model sits in the middle of Apple's tablet lineup and is the device to consider buying if you want to leverage everything a modern iPad has on offer without paying the cost of a Pro tablet.

Released in March 2022, this model refreshes aspects of the 4th generation iPad Air, giving us new colors and the M1 Processor within a more affordable package. It still starts at $599 for its 64GB variant. The only other storage option is a 256GB SKU for $749. If you're looking for cellular connectivity, this time around, the tablet is 5G-enabled.

Speaking of other hardware, the 2022 iPad Air features a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display and uses the M1 Processor with 8GB of RAM. This iteration also introduces Center Stage on the 12-megapixel front camera. Apart from this, Apple has made no other notable changes to this tablet.

When comparing the 10th-generation iPad with the 5th-generation iPad Air, you'll notice the Air offers much more value. The new base model will run you $449, while the Air sells for prices between $520 and $600. For about $70 more, you gain access to a better display, a faster USB-C port, and more software features, each of which will make a difference if you intend to use your iPad for more than play.

With the abilities provided by the USB-C port and the canvas the 10.9-inch display offers, this tablet is the perfect option for professionals and students who need a device that doesn't show compromise. Yes, the lower storage can be an issue, but external hardware is now easy to connect and work with, fighting off the biggest obstacle in the path of this tablet.

Before we move on to the Pro, come on Apple! You can do better than 64GB!

The pocket reader: iPad mini (6th generation, 2021)

The 6th generation iPad mini—launched in 2021—is popular for the portability it brings to the tablet market. With a footprint smaller than its predecessor, a 0.4-inches larger display, and a powerhouse SoC, the iPad mini 6 is a recipe for success, especially if you need a device that's handy and will stay relevant for a long time.

The tablet has a starting price of $499 but becomes an even better deal if you can get one while it's on sale. It introduces an edge-to-edge display, a USB C port, and support for the second-generation Apple Pencil with a smaller form factor, thus sharing most of its features with the redesigned 4th generation iPad Air and its successor, the 5th generation iPad Air.

Diving into the technical specifications, the iPad mini 6 has an 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display with a peak brightness of 500 nits. Handling the graphical and processing activities is the A15 Bionic—also found in iPhone 13. It's available in two storage variants, 64GB and 256GB, with a 5G-enabled cellular version also available if you'd like the tablet to be a device that's always connected for use on the go.

We don't have much to say for this tablet, except that if you're looking for a device with portability in mind, this is the only class-leading option available! There aren't many small form factor devices with long-lasting software support and the ability to do things that one may expect from expensive tablets.

Best iPad for professionals: iPad Pro (4th generation, 2022)

The iPad Pro lineup has been one of the most powerful tablets available on the market for quite some time now, and 2022 iPad Pro iteration is still the best tablet for professionals. The added cost for this iPad model gets you access to many quality-of-life improvements, but the high values ones are the brighter 120Hz ProMotion technology, the quad-speaker setup, the better rear camera array, Face ID, and a Thunderbolt-enabled USB-C port.

As for the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, it features hardware similar to what's available on the 11-inch iPad Pro, except for an even better display, dropping the Liquid Retina LCD for the Liquid Retina XDR display, a mini LED-based unit. The main advantage of this change in hardware is the ability to work with HDR workflows that demand high brightness and contrast.

Coming to who should buy this device, this particular model is perfect for creators, especially those who create artwork, photos, and videos. The iPad Pro lineup comes with more RAM than the iPad Air — The base storage here is higher, too, starting at 128GB — meaning working with layers in Photoshop or other similar tools becomes much easier. Plus, the recent addition of Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro on iPad — with their distinctive features — shows that Apple is serious about making these devices stand out with their unique advantages.

Which iPad should you buy in 2023?

To sum it all up, if you're looking to buy an iPad in 2023, the 9th-generation iPad, with its low cost and easy-to-repair nature, is still the best option. You can hand it to kids without much worry; also, many protective cases and accessories will be available. And for familiarity's sake, it will be a great option for seniors within your family. But if you're looking to modernize the hardware around your household, the 10th-generation iPad is the one to pick.

Then we come to the iPad Air. While the 10th-generation iPad might look attractive because of its lower cost, if you're looking to get more done, the 4th-generation or 5th-generation iPad Air offers better hardware in more than one way. These models are akin to a toned-down 11-inch iPad Pro. Hence, we recommend students pick up the Air lineup instead.

Finally, coming to the Pro models, the argument for these devices has remained fairly unchanged since the redesign launched in 2018. They come with a high ceiling on performance and will be a great device to buy for artists, designers, and other professionals working in creative fields. They can also be great alternatives to laptops if the applications can match your needs.