Key Points
The best iPads for artists are the iPad Pro (12.9-inch), iPad Air 5th Generation, iPad Mini, iPad 10th Generation, and iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2021 Revision).
The iPad Pro (12.9-inch) is one of the most powerful and expensive tablets on the market, with a blazingly fast Apple M2 processor and exceptional screen.
The iPad Air 5th Generation offers a great price-to-performance ratio and a crystal clear display, although the refresh rate is not on par with the iPad Pro.
The iPad Mini is a portable option with a smaller screen, but it still offers performance on par with larger models.
The iPad 10th Generation is a budget option with superb build quality, but it only supports the first-generation Apple Pencil.
#1 Best Overall: iPad Pro (12.9-inch)
The latest 12.9-inch Pro model is one of the best iPads for artists. You‘ve got access to a blazingly fast Apple M2 processor, meaning it has power on par with the latest MacBooks. The screen is exceptional on the latest iPad Pro, with great peak brightness and a smooth 120Hz refresh rate.
The iPad Pro is compatible with the second-generation Apple Pencil, which is a marked improvement over the first-generation stylus. If there is one complaint to level at the top-level iPad Pro, it comes down to price. You‘re going to be spending as much on this tablet as you would on a reliable laptop.
Pros:
- One of the most powerful tablets on the market today
- The screen has a great display resolution and peak brightness
Cons:
- It is one of the most expensive tablets on the market currently
- The Apple Pencil and other peripherals are separate purchases
Best Runner-Up: iPad Air 5th Generation
The iPad Air might be less powerful than the Pro, but it is still very capable. The latest iPad Air comes with a slightly dimmer screen than its Pro counterpart, and it is smaller at around ten inches diagonally. You‘ve still got access to a similar Retina display that the higher-end iPads have.
It is also compatible with the second-generation Apple Pencil, meaning creating art should be seamless and comfortable. What makes this one of the best iPads for artists is it presents a great price-to-performance ratio in the entire Apple tablet line.
Pros:
- The iPad Air is almost as powerful as the iPad Pro
- The display is crystal clear and benefits drawing of all sorts
Cons:
- The refresh rate isn’t on par with the iPad Pro
- This tablet‘s screen is slightly dimmer than the iPad Pro’s
Best Portable Option: iPad Mini
The iPad Mini is a great choice for making art on the go. You‘ve got a smaller screen, sure, with the form factor being closer to an 8-inch tablet. However, you‘ve got access to the Apple Pencil, which is an absolute must when it comes to all of the art apps available for the iPad family.
The Mini is a special case and should be considered only if you‘re trying to keep things light while traveling. Having a smaller screen is a bit of a drawback, but the display itself is stunning and carries all of the great qualities users have come to expect when picking an Apple device.
Pros:
- The Mini has performance on par with its larger siblings
- The smaller screen is still clear and easy to read
Cons:
- It is more expensive than the larger base model iPad
- Drawing on a smaller screen can feel somewhat cramped over long periods of use
Best Budget Option: iPad 10th Generation
The iPad 10th Generation may be affordable, but it is built for creating art. The base model iPad is no longer the top model when shopping for Apple tablets, but there is plenty to love about this one. It doesn’t have the stellar Apple Silicon processor but features the A14 Bionic.
The screen isn’t quite as crisp or smooth as the iPad Pro, but it is plenty usable for drawing. That said, the most confusing aspect of the 10th-generation iPad is the lack of second-gen Apple Pencil support. You can use an Apple Pencil, but you’re stuck with the first-generation model.
Pros:
- While weaker than the Air and Pro, the base model iPad supports the same apps
- The build quality is superb
Cons:
- It only supports the first-generation Apple Pencil
- The base model doesn’t support advanced functionality like Stage Manager
Best Value Pro Option: iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2021 Revision)
Last, but certainly not least, is the previous model iPad Pro. This one features the same stellar display featured in the 2022 model but comes with an M1 processor instead of the newer M2. You won‘t notice much of a difference, and you can pass that savings on to some extra tips for your stylus.
The M1 iPad Pro is still a powerful piece of tech and will cover every art app you throw at it. The larger screen is great for working, and you’ve got a higher native refresh rate that is only seen in the Pro line. It is still relatively expensive, but if you want the best on a budget, this is the way to go.
Pros:
- The screen is large, making it easier to create art works
- Features a high native refresh rate
Cons:
- Has the M1 chip instead of the M2
- Since it’s part of the Pro line, it’s still fairly expensive
Picking the Best iPad for Artists: What to Know
When picking out the right iPad for your art use, there are a few important criteria to keep in mind.
Apps Available
Now, all apps should be compatible with the iPad models covered in this guide. However, the overall performance of these apps is something to keep in mind. The iPad Air and Pro are going to have zero issues running any app, thanks to the beefier processors and more RAM.
You might notice a bit of slowdown when using a base model iPad and multi-tasking between something like your art app and any reference material you might need. That said, any app you use should work just fine, but keep in mind your device‘s limitations.
Pencil Compatibility
Despite all of these being fairly recent iPad models, there is some disparity in the Pencil support across models. Now, if you can afford an iPad that uses the latest Pencil, you absolutely should go for it. The second-generation Apple Pencil charges directly on the iPad itself, meaning you can carry both in a case in your bag.
The base model iPad only comes with support for the first-generation Apple Pencil, which is still very usable. However, it has a different method of charging which will require a dongle or additional adapter to charge while on the go. You still have a similar degree of accuracy and latency, but it can be a bit more inconvenient if you’re using the stylus constantly.
Screen Size
One of the biggest things to keep in mind when choosing a tablet is the overall size of it. The larger displays are certainly easier to work with but are priced accordingly. Currently, the largest screen for an iPad is the 12.9-inch Pro model. However, you’re going to be spending the equivalent of a MacBook to get one.
The iPad Air and base model iPad both have 10.9-inch screens, which is certainly plenty for doing artwork. You’ve got more than enough room to sketch while maintaining good visibility. The iPad Mini is the smallest of the bunch, coming in at 8.9 inches. However, it is also the lightest, so it is just going to be down to what you need versus what you’re comfortable toting around.
Using the Best iPad for Artists: What It‘s Like
What is it like using an iPad for art? The Apple Pencil is one of the most comfortable and accurate stylus options on the market currently. As such, creating art on apps like Procreate and Affinity Illustrator is an absolute dream.
You don’t need accessories like gloves to deal with your palm, as detection is built in natively. The Apple Pencil has pressure sensitivity, as well, so you can adjust the curves to fit your needs. It is like using a high-end drawing tablet with the added benefit of being a standalone device that you can take with you anywhere.
Summary Table
| Rank | iPad Model | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Overall | iPad Pro (12.9-inch) | One of the most powerful tablets on the market today. The screen has a great display resolution and peak brightness. | It is one of the most expensive tablets on the market currently. The Apple Pencil and other peripherals are separate purchases. |
| Best Runner-Up | iPad Air 5th Generation | The iPad Air is almost as powerful as the iPad Pro. The display is crystal clear and benefits drawing of all sorts. | The refresh rate isn’t on par with the iPad Pro. This tablet‘s screen is slightly dimmer than the iPad Pro’s. |
| Best Portable Option | iPad Mini | The Mini has performance on par with its larger siblings. The smaller screen is still clear and easy to read. | It is more expensive than the larger base model iPad. Drawing on a smaller screen can feel somewhat cramped over long periods of use. |
| Best Budget Option | iPad 10th Generation | While weaker than the Air and Pro, the base model iPad supports the same apps. The build quality is superb. | It only supports the first-generation Apple Pencil. The base model doesn’t support advanced functionality like Stage Manager. |
| Best Value Pro Option | iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2021 Revision) | The screen is large, making it easier to create artwork. Features a high native refresh rate. | Has the M1 chip instead of the M2. Since it’s part of the Pro line, it’s still fairly expensive. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Procreate run on all iPads?
Yes, it runs on the Pro, Air, base model, and Mini.
Do you need any special software to use the Apple Pencil?
No, you just start using it and the iPad takes care of the rest. You can adjust settings in your iPad settings to further refine the usage of the peripheral, however.
Does the first-generation Apple Pencil charge wirelessly?
No, it uses a cable to charge. You‘ll need to bring a dongle or additional adapter with you to charge it.
Can the base model iPad use the second-generation Apple Pencil?
No, it only supports the first-generation model.
Can you replace the Apple Pencil‘s tip?
Yes, Apple and other third-party vendors sell replacement tips that are easy to install.
