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The iPad Is The Best Tablet

While there are more than a few manufacturers and variations of tablets out there, many of which we’ve tested, we think that the iPad line offers the best overall selection.

Considering its screen size, speed, and price, we’ve chosen Apple’s iPad (5th generation) as our top pick for the best tablet for most people. This 9.7-inch tablet was first released in spring 2017 and comes with top-notch support. It also offers the same notable features—a solid build, an easy-to-use operating system, and great performance—as previous generations.

Our upgrade pick is Apple’s iPad Pro. Its 10.5-inch and 12.9-inch versions are identical and offer professional-level performance with their A10X processors and M10 motion coprocessors. While the 12.9-inch iPad Pro has a larger screen than the 10.5-inch iPad Pro, they’re both faster than the standard 9.7-inch iPad, and have Apple Pencil stylus support. Their upgraded cameras, color accuracy, and screen size make them better for gaming, multitasking, and creative work. The 10.5-inch version is closer in comparison to our top pick, the 5th-generation iPad. However, it has more improved features packed in, and a screen that’s almost 20 percent larger (in pixels). The 12.9-inch iPad Pro’s screen is even larger, which makes it appealing for sketching and creating digital media that can primarily be done on a tablet. In comparison to the 13-inch MacBook Pro, the 12.9-inch iPad Pro’s screen has 37 percent more pixels—we outline more specs and comparison features in our full MacBook guide.  

Our pick

The 5th-generation iPad replaced the iPad Air 2, which was our previous top pick.

Aside from its upgraded processors—the 5th-generation iPad is powered by Apple’s A9 processor—the internal workings of our pick are the same as the 2014 iPad Air 2.

When tested, we found that the 5th-generation model performed 38 percent faster than the iPad Air 2 during common, single-processor-core tasks like checking email and working on documents. With activities like gaming and video editing that require more GPU power, the 5th-generation iPad’s processor performed 26 percent faster. In the case of multi-processor-core tasks, the 5th-generation iPad’s performance evened out with its predecessor, which is powered by an A8X processor.

Its 2 GB of RAM also contributes to a better multitasking experience as tabs and apps don’t require a reload each time you switch between them. If you’re an owner of an older iPad, the performance improvements made to the 5th-generation iPad will be very noticeable—using Apple’s Siri voice assistant will be too. An M9 motion coprocessor on this model allows you to activate Siri through the always-on “Hey Siri” mode, instead of pressing the Home button.

Michael Hession

If you’re familiar with or own multiple Apple products, you’ll know that they’re attached to both an expansive app library and accessory ecosystem. The 5th-generation iPad is no exception. It offers high-level performance and the same hardware quality as previously released iPad tablets. With its combination of familiar offerings, it proves to be more than worth its value.

Although a step below the iPad Pro models, in comparison to competitors, the cameras on the 5th-generation iPad are the best in a tablet that you’ll come across. Just as you can with an iPhone, this iPad’s eight-megapixel back camera allows you to record slow-motion and time-lapse videos, snap multiple pictures in burst mode, and shoot panorama photos. Though camera features like optical stabilization, Live Photos, and camera flash aren’t available on this model like they are on the iPad Pro, the 5th-generation iPad’s camera includes software video stabilization.

Its 9.7-inch screen—which is measured diagonally—has a 2048X1536 resolution and an oleophobic coating which makes wiping away oil and fingerprints easy. Unlike the iPad Air 2, this model doesn’t have an antireflective screen coating—but it’s one less feature that allows the 5th-generation iPad to be priced lower.

Shop Now: iPad (5th generation)

Michael Hession

This iPad offers Bluetooth 4.2, Wi-Fi that’s up-to-date, and the ability to use faster LTE networks if you’re using a Wi-Fi + Cellular model. It also has an ambient light sensor that improves motion and data tracking. Its Touch ID sensor allows you to unlock the tablet using your fingerprint, a feature that comes in handy more often that you’d expect.

In alignment with all of Apple’s tablets, the 5th-generation iPad’s battery lasts up to 10 hours when using Wi-Fi. If you’re using it while on cellular data, it’ll last up to nine hours. We haven’t performed controlled battery tests with this model, but it has a larger-capacity battery than the iPad Air 2. More than likely this iPad will exceed the benchmarked estimates for hours of battery use.

If you use your tablet for less than two hours per day, or if have an older iPad model and are satisfied with its performance, we don’t recommend upgrading to a newer model just because it has improved features. If you’re looking for an option that’s comparable, but much smaller than our pick, consider the iPad mini 4. Its screen has an antireflective coating, and like the iPad Pros, its screen doesn’t have an air gap between the front glass and the display panel. Still, we think that the 5th-generation iPad’s larger screen and better overall performance make it the best pick.

This guide may have been updated. To see the current recommendations or availability updates, please go here.