Top Tablets Worth Buying This Holiday Season: Ipad (2026)

The iPad Air uses Apple’s M4 chip, offers strong performance and a familiar Apple design. It runs iPadOS and supports accessories like the Pencil Pro, though those accessories add cost.

Why buy it: Picture a college student editing videos in a coffee shop. The M4 chip lets the iPad Air handle editing smoothly, outpacing the base iPad’s A16. It also beats the iPad Pro in price while delivering comparable speed for most tasks. The catch: accessories such as the Pencil Pro are expensive.

The 11th‑Gen iPad keeps the classic design, upgrades to an A16 processor, and includes 128 GB of storage. It lacks Apple Intelligence and does not work with the newer Pencil Pro.

The iPad Pro features Apple’s most powerful chip, a large high‑resolution display and supports the full range of Apple accessories. It runs iPadOS and is priced from $999.

Why buy it: Picture a graphic designer running demanding apps on the go. The Pro’s advanced processor outperforms the Air and base iPad, making it the only choice for heavy workloads. It also offers the best display quality in the guide. The catch: it starts at $999, making it the most expensive option.

The base iPad retains the classic Apple tablet design, uses the A16 processor and offers a reliable experience for web browsing, games and media streaming. It does not include Apple Intelligence.

Why buy it: Picture a retiree using the tablet for video calls and reading. The A16 provides smooth everyday use, and its familiar design is comfortable for all ages. It is the only model that combines affordability with a familiar form factor, beating the Air on price and the Pro on simplicity. The catch: it lacks Apple Intelligence and newer stylus support.