The 5 Best iPads of 2025—Which One Actually Deserves Your Money?

Okay, let’s be real—Apple’s iPad lineup in 2025 is kinda overwhelming. You’ve got sleek Pros, tiny Minis, and everything in between. But here’s the thing: not all of them are worth your hard-earned cash. So, I spent weeks testing these things—like, actually using them for work, Netflix binges, and even some half-hearted attempts at digital art. Here’s the straight-up honest ranking, no corporate fluff.

How We Picked These (Because Trust Matters)

Look, specs on paper are one thing. But does that fancy M3 chip actually make your TikTok scroll smoother? Here’s what we actually tested:

• Performance: Ran it through my usual chaos—20 Chrome tabs, a Zoom call, and Adobe Fresco open at the same time. Because that’s real life.
• Screen: Not just “brightness nits” or whatever. Can you actually see it outdoors when you’re desperately trying to show your mom a meme?
• Battery: Netflix marathons until it died. Scientific? No. Useful? Absolutely.
• Price: Is it worth selling a kidney? Or can you get away with just skipping Starbucks for a month?

And yeah, some models—cough, the ancient iPad 8—got kicked to the curb. Harsh but fair.

1. Best for People Who Want It All: iPad Pro (2025)

What Makes It Special:

• Chip: M3 or whatever crazy letter-number combo Apple’s on now. It’s stupid fast.
• Screen: That OLED display? It’s like comparing a sunset to a kid’s crayon drawing.
• Ports: Thunderbolt means you can plug in, like, actual pro stuff. Fancy.

Love:

• Edits 4K video while barely breaking a sweat. My laptop’s jealous.
• Will probably outlive your next relationship. Apple updates these forever.

Hate:

• Costs more than my first car. And that car had cup holders.
• If you’re just browsing Instagram, this is like using a racecar to get groceries.

2. Best for Normal Humans: iPad (10th Gen, 2025)

What Makes It Special:

• Chip: A16 Bionic—still snappy for emails, YouTube, and pretending to work.
• Screen: 10.9″ and crisp, though not as “ooh shiny” as the Pro.
• Design: USB-C! Finally. Lightning ports belong in a museum.

Love:

• Priced where it should be—not “cheap,” but not “sell a kidney” either.
• Perfect for students or as the family iPad that survives juice spills.

Hate:

• 60Hz screen feels janky after using a Pro. Once you notice it, you can’t unsee it.
• 64GB storage in 2025? Apple, I have one game and it’s already full.

3. Best for People Always on the Move: iPad Mini (2025)

What Makes It Special:

• Size: Fits in my stupidly small purse. Big win.
• Chip: A17 Bionic—tiny but punches above its weight.
• Battery: Lasts a Delhi-Mumbai flight with juice to spare. Tested.

Love:

• So light I forget it’s in my bag. Also plays Genshin Impact surprisingly well.
• Great for reading or watching shows without holding a dinner tray-sized device.

Hate:

• Multitasking? More like squinting at two apps the size of postage stamps.
• Artists, unless you like drawing on a napkin, this ain’t it.

4. Best for Creatives Who Aren’t Made of Money: iPad Air (2025)

What Makes It Special:

• Chip: M2—enough for Procreate, Photoshop, and your existential crises.
• Accessories: Works with the Apple Pencil 2 (the good one).
• Screen: Bigger options now, but still no ProMotion. Sigh.

Love:

• Almost as good as the Pro for most artists, minus the heart-attack price.
• Goldilocks zone: powerful but not overkill. Like a sensible sedan.

Hate:

• 60Hz screen feels laggy for drawing. Not deal-breaking, but annoying.
• Storage upgrades cost more than my monthly rent. Seriously.

5. Best for Families (or Clumsy Adults): iPad 9th Gen (2025)

What Makes It Special:

• Chip: A15 Bionic—old but reliable, like your uncle’s Maruti.
• Durability: Thick bezels = kid-proof. Mostly.
• Legacy Stuff: Touch ID and a headphone jack! Retro chic.

Love:

• Survives being thrown (ask my 4-year-old niece). Cheap enough to not cry if it breaks.
• Headphone jack means no dongle drama. Small wins.

Hate:

• Looks like it’s from 2020. Because it basically is.
• 32GB storage in 2025 is a joke. Even my cat’s selfies take up more space.

iPads to Avoid (Unless You Like Regret)

• iPad 8th Gen: Slower than Bangalore traffic. Just don’t.
• Sketchy refurbished ones: Unless “will it turn on?” is your idea of fun.
• Special colors: Paying extra for pink? Nah, buy a case instead.

How to Pick Without Losing Your Mind

Ask yourself:

• Are you editing videos or just watching them? Pro vs. Air.
• Always on the go? Mini’s your buddy.
• Budget tighter than your jeans after Diwali? 10th Gen or 9th Gen.

Pro tip: Keyboard or Pencil turns it from “big phone” to “almost laptop.”

Final Take

The iPad Pro is the king if money’s no object. For everyone else, the 10th Gen or Air are sweet spots. But honestly? Unless you need one now, maybe wait for the next sale. Or the next model. Apple’s gonna Apple.

FAQs (Because People Always Ask)

Best iPad for college?
10th Gen. Cheap-ish, durable, and USB-C means less cable chaos.

Is the Pro overkill?
For 90% of people, yeah. But if you’re that 10%? Go wild.

Can it replace my laptop?
Depends. Writing emails? Sure. Coding? LOL no.

How long do they last?
5 years easy. My mom’s still using a 2018 model. Slow, but alive.

Refurbished worth it?
Only if it’s Apple-certified. Otherwise, it’s a fancy paperweight.

Source: ZDNet – Apple