Thanks to their versatility and reliable performance, iPads have consistently been the best tablets you can buy. For students shuffling between classes, the library, and internships, these ultraportable machines are the perfect tool for jotting down notes, storing digital textbooks, taking online courses, and when there’s time, streaming or gaming. Though all of Apple’s tablet offerings are great, our favorite iPad for college is the Apple Air, with its brilliant display, lightweight design, and snappy processor for a fair price.
TL;DR – These Are the Top iPads for Students
- iPad Air (2024) - Best for college
- iPad 10.9 (2022) - Best budget option
- iPad Mini (2021) - Best for medical students
- iPad Pro (2024) - Best for design students
The best iPad models for students come in several sizes and prices, all running on the familiar iPadOS. At Apple’s WWDC 2024, new features for iPadOS 18 were introduced, like an impressive calculator and easier app navigation, adding even more value for students. Plus, by adding a keyboard to the iPad Air or iPad Pro, these powerful tablets can even replace a laptop for college, while the wildly capable Apple Pencil proves invaluable for creatives.
From design and med students to those looking to save a few bucks on a killer iPad deal, we’ve found an iPad to suit just about any need. Take a look below.
1. iPad Air (2024)
Best iPad for College
Apple’s mid-range Air model is the ideal iPad for college. It runs on an M2 processor that’s three times faster than the chip found in the previous iPad Air, and it’s the same processor found in some of the best MacBooks. That means this tablet is an absolute productivity beast with plenty of oomph and snappiness to multitask and take advantage of all the essential apps students spend much of their time with, like Word, Gmail, and Netflix – of course, only after finishing coursework. The Apple Pencil Pro support is also great for getting creative or notetaking.
The iPad Air’s LED screen with an IPS panel is crisp and bright for easy viewing from most spaces, though it doesn’t compare to the OLED display on the iPad Pro. However, it features the same cameras as the Pro, which are surprisingly great by tablet standards. The new landscape-oriented front-facing camera has a 1080p resolution and a host of features, keeping you perfectly in frame and sharp when FaceTimeing friends and family back home or attending online classes. The stereo speakers with spatial audio even deliver some solid volume for easy listening when your roommate is out of the dorm.
Coming in two sizes – an 11-inch and 13-inch model – we gravitate towards the extra screen real estate on the 13-inch iPad Air, especially for those after a full laptop replacement. But no matter the size, both have a sleek aluminum chassis that remains ultralightweight for easy carting to class and the library. Weirdly, it’s heavier than the iPad Pro. Still, with twice the base storage of the previous model, an awesome starting price, and powerful performance chops, the iPad Air is the best choice for college students.
2. iPad 10.9 (2022)
Best Budget iPad for Students
Sure, the iPad 10.9 isn’t going to offer the performance prowess of the Pro or Air models, but it gets the job done for a fair price. Now starting at $349, the iPad 10.9 offers a high-quality design with a lineup of fun, bold colors. The base storage of 64GB is nothing to write home about, though it provides plenty of space for essential apps and downloaded study playlists. Documents and photos should be saved in the cloud, and with Wi-Fi 6 and 5G support, access to those files is relatively simple.
The iPad’s 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display looks fantastic, especially given the price. It’s responsive, bright, and the perfect size for reading textbooks and researching, but the lack of an anti-reflective coating could hinder some outdoor study sessions. Tucked behind the display is a fabulous front-facing, landscape camera with features like “CenterStage,” keeping you centered in the frame as you move around during presentations in online classes.
Powering that display and camera is Apple’s A14 Bionic processor. By no means is it the fastest or most powerful processor from Apple. Luckily, it still cruises through daily tasks and scrolling socials. More creative work will be harder for the chip to handle, and we’re slightly puzzled why Apple only made this device compatible with the original Apple Pencil.
3. iPad mini (2021)
Best iPad for Medical Students
When medical students begin doing rotations, an iPad mini is an invaluable tool. Rather than jotting down notes in a notepad, the iPad mini comes in a similar size but can be loaded with apps to keep organized. Measured diagonally, it’s only 8.3 inches – a perfectly pocketable size for a lab coat – and with a weight under ¾ of a pound, it’s not much heavier than the best iPhones. Plus, in hand, the mini feels far more comfortable and easy to handle than other iPads.
With an A15 Bionic processor, the iPad mini can be packed full of productivity and notetaking apps for when you're on the job, along with anatomy and medical apps for studying in your free time. Loading and using all these apps will feel nice and snappy, though it doesn’t compare to the Air or Pro. The base model of the mini is also light on storage but should provide enough space for essentials.
Admittedly, the 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display will feel small when coming from a laptop or other iPad model. The screen is still sharp, responsive, and easy to see, even under the bright fluorescent of a hospital or classroom. The Apple Pencil 2 support is also a huge boon for note-taking, while the cameras are a little lackluster, but work when you’re in a pinch and need to hop on a quick video call.
4. iPad Pro (2024)
Best iPad for Design Students
The iPad Pro is hands down the most powerful and stunning iPad available, and in the design world that’s what you want. It’s the first Apple device to use a M4 processor, which at a minimum offers 9 processing cores and 10 graphics cores, and is paired with a 8GB or 16GB RAM. Given we’re recommending this device for design students, grabbing the beefier 16GB RAM model with more storage is a great choice, so it can breeze through demanding design programs, like Adobe’s incredible software suite, and make speedy saves directly on the tablet when need be.
Complementing those top-notch internals is a breathtaking OLED display – the first in an iPad. It hits up to 1,600 nits peak brightness in HDR for some next-level, true-to-life visuals. Color accuracy is equally great, ensuring edits look uniform and spectacular no matter where they’re viewed. The screen also comes in two different sizes, 13-inch and 11-inch, and given the type of work the device will be used for, bigger is better, in our opinion.
Though the iPad Pro is packed with powerful hardware, it remains incredibly thin and light, making for a perfectly portable device. Just be sure to slap a great iPad case on it, as the chassis is a bit flexible. Adding Apple’s Magic Keyboard even turns the device into the perfect laptop replacement, while grabbing the incredible Apple Pencil Pro with its unique features for artists is a great idea. But if you don’t want to drop another $129, purchasing one of the best Apple Pencil alternatives is a great way to save a few bucks and still take advantage of sketching.
How to Choose the Best iPad for Students
Since their inception, iPads have completely changed the tablet game, acting as powerful, portable computers. The best iPads for students can serve various purposes, from notetaking, reading, and research tools to full-on laptop replacements ready to cruise through whatever tasks are thrown their way. So, if you’re after your first iPad for school or want a replacement, we go over what to look for below:
What size iPad is good for school?
iPads range in size from 8.3 inches up to 13 inches. For students looking for a reading tablet that also works great for note-taking on the go, the most pocketable, smallest iPad, the mini is the way to go.
The sweet spot between portability and plenty of space to draft documents and consume media is an iPad between 10 to 11 inches. That size range is where you’ll find the true tablet experience, and Apple has three iPads that fit the bill: the iPad, iPad Air, and iPad Pro.
The 13-inch iPad size – available on the Air and Pro models – is ideal for productivity, and the extra screen space will serve students in creative majors well. Slapping a keyboard on the iPad makes it a viable laptop replacement. However, the larger screen means this tablet is slightly less portable than the others.
How much should you pay?
Starting at $349, the 10th generation iPad is the most budget-friendly iPad – though, you might score a better deal on the discontinued 9th gen model or find a lower price during popular deal times like Prime Day and Black Friday. By going for a lower-cost option, sacrifices to power, storage, and screen quality will be made, but students can still easily run many of their favorite apps.
Pricier iPad models like the Pro and Air see an uptick in performance prowess, storage, and features, so your experience running apps and completing tasks will be speedier and more fluid. The iPad Pro is the most expensive iPad model, costing upwards of $2,500 depending on specs. That’s a lot for college students. Therefore, we’d only recommend grabbing the Pro if you truly need the power and graphical abilities. The iPad Air is significantly more affordable than the Pro, and when you add in its lightweight, sleek design, and fast processor, it’s easy to see why it’s our favorite iPad for students.
Apple also often offers education pricing and student discounts, so be sure to see if it’s running any promotions on the iPad model you’d like to purchase.
What features do you need for school?
All iPads are versatile machines with useful features for students, but starting with a strong internet connection is key. Each iPad delivers WiFi support for a reliable wireless connection, which should work great around campus. It’s possible to purchase iPad models with 5G or 4G cellular support, but we don’t think that's a necessary additional expense for students.
When Facetiming relatives back home or attending online classes, a great front-facing camera is essential. As for the main lens, students should be less concerned. That extra camera is great when you just need to snap a quick pic for reference later, but smartphones always look better and are far more convenient to handle than the ones on tablets. Solid-sounding integrated speakers can also come in handy when you’re sick of using your wireless earbuds. The iPad Air and iPad Pro are superior in this regard.
Unfortunately, connectivity options on iPad models are limited. For the most part, you’re just getting a USB-C, some of which have DisplayPort capabilities. At least Bluetooth support is strong on all models for connecting wireless accessories.
Best Student iPad FAQs
Is 64GB enough iPad storage for students?
The amount of storage necessary for students depends on what the iPad is used for. If its primary purpose is to run some apps, take notes, and stream a few shows, you can get by with that 64GB of storage. Luckily, it’s easy and cheap enough to connect the device to a cloud storage service for additional space to save your photos, videos, and documents.
If downloading the best iPad games and top shows is a high priority, upping to 128GB or 256GB is a good idea. However, graphic design, film, and other creative majors could benefit from saving projects locally and need extra space for bloated software, and should therefore seek 512GB or more storage space. Of course, grabbing a great external USB-C drive is also always a great idea.
What iPad accessories do students need?
The best iPad accessory that a student can arm their tablet with is a case or cover. Chances are good that it’ll be sliding in and out of bags often, so something to keep the chassis and screen protected ensures you don’t brick it. Students could also benefit from a portable charger during busy days when constantly shuffling between classes, while the compatible Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil prove useful when taking notes. Beyond that, all the basics, like AirPods and a USB-C charger come in handy.
Samsung tablet vs. iPad for students
Many of the best Android tablets are Samsung-made, and while iPads are great, Samsung is giving Apple a run for their money. iPads tend to provide a more fluid, smooth experience consistently. And for students looking for a creative powerhouse, the Pro can’t be beat. However, pricing is a bit more restrictive and some find iPadOS limiting. Samsung on the other hand offers a wide range of Galaxy Tablets at different price points for more flexibility – some of which keep right up the iPad – but performance can still be a mixed bag, depending on the model and specs chosen.
Ultimately, when it comes to students deciding between the two, it’s more a matter of personal preference. If you’re all in on the Apple ecosystem, an iPad is the way to go, and if you’re dedicated to Android devices, Samsung makes more sense.
Danielle Abraham is a freelance writer for IGN based in Los Angeles who spends most of her time updating tech buying guides.
