Youngsters love iPads. The simplicity of tapping on the display screen when they need issues to occur means they will be taught to make use of them in seconds, however there’s a lot that Apple’s tablets can do. Whether or not it’s instructional video games, leisure apps, utilizing them to create artwork with an Apple Pencil or simply one thing to cease them losing interest on automotive journeys, iPads could be a godsend.
Choosing the proper one can really feel a bit daunting. In any case, don’t all of them do the identical issues? What’s the distinction between the conventional iPad and the iPad Air? Properly, we’re right here to simplify issues so that you will be certain you’re shopping for the fitting one.
You can even learn our greatest iPhone and iPad apps for teenagers information to get them off to an excellent begin. Plus, we’ve a roundup of the perfect iPhones for teenagers if you wish to immerse them absolutely within the Apple world as they develop up.
Ought to I get an iPad for my youngster?
There’s been a lot of analysis revealed about how a lot display screen time our children ought to be allowed. Some dad and mom would possibly argue that children shouldn’t be uncovered to screens at such a younger age, however frankly, in a world the place every part is dominated by know-how we predict that we owe it to our children to ensure they’re comfy in that atmosphere, therefore the introduction of an iPad is nice for his or her training.
That mentioned, simply sticking them in entrance of an iPad reasonably than interacting with them in all probability isn’t nice: Disney+ shouldn’t actually be babysitting your youngsters for hours on finish, but when it permits you a couple of minutes of peace to make dinner then honest sufficient.
With that out of the way in which, there are lots of the reason why you ought to be assured about getting an iPad on your youngsters to make use of. There are, in any case, many different tablets in the marketplace, most of that are cheaper than the iPad. So, in case you are in search of some reassurance on is whether or not the iPad is the best choice on your youngster, listed here are a couple of compelling causes:
- The App Retailer is filled with nice apps designed particularly for teenagers.
- A lot of these apps shall be splendid for varsity youngsters of varied ages, and even toddlers.
- There may be an ecosystem of nice equipment designed to work with the iPad.
- iPadOS is straightforward to make use of, particularly in case your youngster has used your iPhone. The bonus is your iPhone apps shall be obtainable in your iPad too and vice versa.
When you’ve got older youngsters, then check out our information to the perfect iPads for college students.
What iPads are there to select from?
On the time of writing, Apple affords 4 classes of iPad, that are as follows.
In all honesty, we wouldn’t advocate the iPad Execs for youngsters, as you’d simply be paying fairly sizeable quantities for efficiency and compatibility options that they simply gained’t want. The usual iPad and iPad mini vary provide loads of scope and energy for youthful customers, and the iPad Air will fulfill the extra demanding teen. Our recommendation is to stay with these and ignore the Execs. On the subject of older college students although, it’s a probably totally different argument, however the excellent news is you may put that off for a couple of years and save up for the dearer iPad within the meantime.
Talking of financial savings, try our round-up of the perfect iPad offers you may get on the entire vary of iPads right here: The most effective iPad offers.
Is 64GB sufficient?
This is determined by the way you need to use the iPad. For lengthy journeys, you would possibly need to obtain a lot of motion pictures, TV exhibits, or video games to entertain the children within the automotive or on the airplane. In that case, extra storage is best. In any other case, any apps you buy can all the time be deleted after which downloaded once more, plus public Wi-Fi can usually be obtainable as a straightforward answer for the little ones streaming a couple of episodes of their favourite exhibits.
Our recommendation could be to get greater than 64GB storage in the event you can. The iPad mini (A17 Professional) that launched in October 2024 begins at 128GB storage now, reasonably than 64GB because it did earlier than, and as the usual iPad nonetheless does. Should you evaluate the usual iPad with 64GB for $349/£329 to the 128GB iPad mini which prices $499/£499, it’s properly value spending $150/£150 extra to get the additional storage and every part else the mini affords. And if you would like much more storage, the iPad mini with 256GB prices $599/£599 in comparison with $499/£479 for the 256GB iPad.
If you’re shopping for a refurbished or used iPad, then we’d strongly advise in opposition to a 32GB or decrease, it merely isn’t sufficient storage and you’ll remorse it.
For extra recommendation relating to shopping for a used or refurbished iPad learn: Why a refurbished iPad might be the perfect pill for you.
Do I want mobile?
In all probability not. It provides $150/£150 to the value of the iPad and we’d counsel that cash was higher spent on upgrading the storage, or getting a greater mannequin. If you wish to add mobile capabilities to your youngsters’ iPad, we advocate that if you end up exterior the home you hotspot from your personal iPhone reasonably than spend cash on a contract on your youngster. That mentioned, most apps will work offline and you may obtain motion pictures to the gadget when heading on a protracted journey.
Greatest iPad for teenagers and toddlers
Right here’s our recommendation on which iPad to decide on when shopping for for a kid.
iPad mini (A17 Professional) – Greatest for small palms
Execs
- Light-weight
- Highly effective
- Apple Pencil Professional assist
Cons
- Smaller doesn’t imply cheaper
Value When Reviewed:
$499 (128GB; Wi-Fi solely) | $599 (256GB; Wi-Fi solely) | $799 (512GB; Wi-Fi solely)
Whereas the iPad mini may be the smallest member of the household, don’t let that idiot you, there’s loads of energy and options packed into the diminutive body. The one unfavourable is the value, which is a little bit greater than the larger iPad, so it’s not fairly as a lot of a cut price for teenagers.
The 8.3-inch Liquid Retina show is beautiful. Like all the trendy iPads, there is no such thing as a Residence button – Apple ditched {that a} technology in the past and as an alternative put a Contact ID sensor within the Energy button on the facet.
Beneath the hood, there’s an A17 Professional driving factors, this processor is the bottom spec required to run Apple Intelligence options. If you’re selecting between the iPad mini and cheaper iPad and are interested in Apple Intelligence, solely the iPad mini, iPad Air and Professional will assist it).
Even when Apple Intelligence doesn’t peek your curiosity, the A17 Professional chip means there may be no lack of energy on this smaller iPad, making certain the newest video games and apps will completely fly on this gadget. It additionally has assist for the Apple Pencil (USB C) or the Apple Pencil Professional, that means your youngster can use if for doodling, creating artwork or note-taking in school after they get a bit older.
The compact dimensions of 195.4mm x 134.8mm x 6.3mm at 297g make it small and light-weight, which will be simpler for little ones to carry. There are additionally 4 totally different colours to select from, together with mushy shades of Purple and Blue. Oh, and there are 5G variations if you wish to add a quick knowledge connection for streaming and messaging on the go.
The iPad mini is on the market in these configurations:
- iPad mini (A17 Professional) 128GB – $499/£499
- iPad mini (A17 Professional) 256GB – $599/£599
- iPad mini (A17 Professional) 512GB – $799/£799
- iPad mini (A17 Professional, mobile) prices $150/£150 greater than the non-cellular variations.
Examine our information to the perfect iPad mini offers to see if you may get one for a lower cost.
Learn our full
Apple iPad mini (A17 Professional) overview
iPad Air (M2) – For larger youngsters
Execs
- Cheap
- Apple Pencil Help (1st Gen)
- A13 Bionic Processor, Headphone Jack
Cons
- Decrease high quality display screen than different fashions
- Older design.
- Not in manufacturing
Value When Reviewed:
$599 (128GB, Wi-Fi solely)
We mentioned within the introduction that the iPad Air might be overkill for teenagers, however that does rely a bit on the age of the kid. For some there shall be plenty of seem within the 11-inch iPad Air (M2), with its 11-inch show, trendy design, low weight (462g), nice cameras, and vastly highly effective processor, and as we advocate in our spherical up of the Greatest iPads for College students – it’s a nice selection for college students.
Sadly, it’s a bit on the dear facet, beginning at $599/£599 (greater training college students get a reduction however not college aged youngsters). That’s nonetheless solely $100/£100 greater than the iPad mini although, and it has much more to supply. Not least the M2 chip than makes it the right mixture of energy, storage and options.
The M2 processor is identical chip that powered the earlier technology of iPad Professional fashions, to not point out a number of Macs. In case your child enjoys gaming on their iPad then the iPad Air will doubtless meet their wants (for anybody else then there’s all the time the iPad Professional, which has an M4 and the addition of ProMotion for sooner display screen refreshes, however that actually is overkill for teenagers!)
The digicam is a 12MP Large lens (additionally like on the iPad Professional) and the front-facing digicam is a 12MP Extremely-Large that’s positioned on the longer facet of the chassis to permit panorama views throughout FaceTime calls.
There are some good colours to select from together with pale Purple and Blue shades (which can be much like these on the iPad mini). There’s additionally the usual Starlight and Area Gray.
You should utilize the Apple Pencil Professional ($129/£129) and Apple Pencil USB-C ($79/£79) with the iPad Air. See: Apple Pencils in contrast: Which Apple Pencil works together with your iPad?
The iPad Air (M2) is on the market in these configurations:
- 11-inch iPad Air (M2) 128GB – $599/£599
- 11-inch iPad Air (M2) 256GB – $699/£699
- 11-inch iPad Air (M2) 512GB – $899/£899
- 11-inch iPad Air (M2) 1TB – $1,099/£1,099
- 11-inch iPad Air (M2), mobile) prices $150/£150 greater than the non-cellular variations.
If they need a bigger show, there may be additionally the 13-inch iPad Air (M2) that comes with all the identical specs and options. It begins at $799/£799.
Learn iPad Air (M2) vs iPad Professional (M4) to learn the way the iPad Air compares to the iPad Professional.
Learn our roundup of the perfect iPad Air offers.
Learn our full
Apple iPad Air 11-inch (M2, 2024) overview
Tenth-gen iPad (2022) – Finances choice
Execs
- Fashionable design
- 10.9-inch Liquid Retina Show
- USB-C for charging
- Vibrant colours
Cons
- 64GB SSD
- A14 Bionic processor doesn’t work with Apple Intelligence
Value When Reviewed:
From $349 (64GB) | $499 (256GB) (was $449 and $599)
Greatest Costs Immediately:
$279
$279
$279
$279.99
$319
$449
iPad 10.9 (2022) 64GB – Silver – (WiFi)
$315
$Not Obtainable
Greatest Costs Immediately:
Tenth-gen iPad (2022) – Finances choice
$279
$279
$279
$279.99
$319
$449
iPad 10.9 (2022) 64GB – Silver – (WiFi)
$315
$Not Obtainable
In 2022, Apple gave its commonplace iPad a makeover when it launched this Tenth-generation mannequin, changing the traditional Residence button design with the mini/Air strategy of gesture-based controls. There may be nonetheless Contact ID obtainable, however now you’ll discover the sensor embedded within the energy button on the highest edge. This implies there’s extra space for the show, which will increase from the ten.2-inch panel within the ninth technology iPad to 10.9-inch on this Tenth technology mannequin.
As with the earlier commonplace iPad fashions, the show isn’t laminated, that means there’s a slight air hole between the glass and the show beneath. This can be a minor factor and doubtless gained’t even be one thing you discover, until you utilize an Apple Pencil usually, by which case you’ll in all probability expertise a slight lag as you write. It’s all good although, and after no time in any respect, you’ll be capable to incorporate that into your approach and scribble away with the perfect of them. This mannequin helps the first technology Apple Pencil or the Apple Pencil (USB C).
Apple matches the Tenth-gen iPad with an A14 Bionic processor, which is identical tech that powered the iPhone 12 vary (together with the Execs). That processor is a little bit on the previous facet now, and doesn’t assist Apple Intelligence, of which Apple is making an enormous deal proper now. Apple Intelligence has some options which may attraction to college students, so it might be a profit, then once more it’d lead your youngster to cheat on their homework…
That mentioned, the A14 chip will nonetheless present ample efficiency for enjoying primary video games, streaming content material, and working instructional apps. One other notable function is the inclusion of a USB-C port reasonably than Lightning. This opens up a world of peripherals that you should use with the iPad, and you may even join it to a appropriate monitor in case your youngster wants a desktop-style expertise.
In fact, you may all the time pair it with a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse to create the right, compact laptop computer for homework and any artistic endeavors your youngster desires to attempt. The iPad is available in 4 shiny, daring colours (Blue, Pink, Yellow, and Silver), so your youngster can choose one which displays their character or simply the one with the hues they like probably the most.
Top-of-the-line options of the Tenth technology iPad is its low worth. You’ll be able to choose them up for the next costs:
- iPad (Tenth gen) 64GB – $349/£329
- iPad (Tenth gen) 256GB – $499/£479
- iPad (Tenth gen, mobile) prices $150/£150 greater than the non-cellular variations.
We advocate choosing the 256GB storage variant, as 64GB can refill fairly shortly in the event you’re downloading video games, massive apps, or TV/film content material. At this level you may be higher served by the iPad mini (A17 Professional) 128GB at $499/£499 although, which is why this iPad isn’t our best choice proper now, however that will change when Apple will get round to updating it in 2025. Learn: New iPad eleventh technology rumours.
Examine our information to the perfect iPad Tenth-gen offers to see if you may get one for a lower cost.
Learn our full
Apple iPad (Tenth gen, A14, 2022) overview
