Which iPad should I buy? A model and price guide

The iPad has become one of the most popular handheld devices, offering a multitude of powerful functions.

Why you can trust our guide on all iPad models

At Back Market, we’ve created the definitive model guide, with all the information you will need to make the best possible purchase decision. A big part of your choice would normally come down to price (or rather, its usual price!). However, since we are the best in the industry when it comes to refurbished electronics, you can actually make a decision where price isn’t the overarching factor. You can compare specs side-by-side to know which one you truly need.

Which iPad to buy?

This video explains the sizes and capabilities of each Apple iPad, so you’ll feel confident in your choice when you decide to buy.

How iPads are classified

There are four different versions of the iPad, each one with different characteristics, focused on specific types of users.

iPad base model or simply iPad: This is the standard version, although it is not “standard” by any means. Even the most basic version of the Apple tablet is extraordinary.

iPad mini: The smallest version of the bunch, designed to be held in one hand and brought everywhere you go.

iPad Air: By far the lightest version, with the thinnest dimensions to match. Designed to serve those who want to travel light without compromising screen size.

iPad Pro: As its name suggests, it is intended for users with high-performance demands, so it is the most powerful of the lot.

Also, there are variations within each version. The first relates to device connectivity: some are only Wi-Fi compatible, and others come equipped with mobile network connectivity to surf the web anytime, anywhere, as they have a SIM card slot.

The second variation is the internal storage capacity. This is a fundamental aspect since you already know that Apple products cannot expand their memory using an SD card. They are generally available in several different capacities, including 16 GB, 32 GB, 64 GB, 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB and 1 TB, although this detail may change with each new model.

And, of course, an obvious variation is the colour; although the first fleet of iPads were mostly silver or grey, white was later introduced, and for a long time they have also been available in black, gold, rose gold and even more daring colours such as sky blue and green.

Below, we’ve reviewed all the versions that are available on the Back Market website, where all iPads on sale have been fully repaired, tested and certified refurbished. Plus, they come with a 24-month warranty for added peace of mind.

iPad 11th Gen base model overview

iPad base model features and benefits

The base model iPad 11 is a step-up from the first version. It's a slim tablet with great performance for everyday use. The visuals are sharp, with excellent colour rendering, thanks to its 11-inch Liquid Retina display. This makes it an ideal everyday tablet that supports work, gaming, streaming and more. 

This iPad is powered by the Apple A16 chip. It's not the latest one by any means, but it still provides fast and smooth performance and allows for efficient multitasking. This could be browsing the web, editing documents or running all kinds of apps.

It has all-day battery life with seamless Wi-Fi connectivity, and its camera uses the Apple Center Stage system for perfect framing during video calls. It's a lightweight tablet that still makes a very good choice for anyone who wants powerful performance at an accessible price. It's an excellent device for students and professionals alike.

👉 Refurbished iPad (2022) prices on Back Market start from £259

Product specifications

Apple iPad 11:

• Display: Liquid Retina display, 2360 x 1640-pixel resolution at 264 pixels per inch

• Size: 248.6 mm x 179.5 mm x 7 mm

• Weight: Wi-Fi models – 477 g / Wi-Fi + cellular models – 481 g

• Processor: Apple A16 chip

• Battery life: Up to 10 hours of surfing the web on Wi‐Fi or watching video

• Operating system: iPadOS 18

• Connectivity: Wi‑Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3

• SIM card: eSIM

• Storage capacity: 128 GB / 256 GB / 512 GB

• Camera: 12MP wide front camera

• Video recording: 4K video recording at 24 fps, 25 fps, 30 fps or 60 fps

• Video playback: Supported formats include HEVC and H.264

• Audio playback: Supported formats include AAC, MP3, Apple Lossless, FLAC, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus and Dolby Atmos

• Speakers: Landscape stereo speakers

• Microphones: Dual microphones for calls, video recording and audio recording

• Assistants: Siri

• Colour options: Silver / Blue / Pink / Yellow

Pros and cons of the new iPad 11th Generation

iPad mini (2021) overview

The little sibling in the iPad family, with a screen size halfway between a phablet and a tablet, but with the same features as the base model.

iPad Mini features and benefits

The iPad Mini is ideal for those who prefer to hold a device with one hand and don't mind consuming content on a smaller screen. It offers powerful performance specifications in a very compact design. It has a vivid colour interface that makes it eminently suitable for entertainment streaming, gaming and reading. It also supports a vast range of apps. It uses the Apple A15 Bionic chip as its CPU, which can smoothly handle multiple tasks or apps simultaneously. 

The second-generation Apple Pencil makes note taking and creative activities like sketching a pleasure. It has USB-C connectivity and a battery that lasts all day long. This is an extremely convenient tablet that's also highly capable and versatile. It's the ideal iPad for people who spend a lot of time on the move and want full functionality without carrying around a full-sized tablet.

👉 Refurbished iPad mini (2021) prices on Back Market start from £239

Apple iPad Mini 6:

• Display: Liquid Retina display, 2266 x 1488 resolution at 326 pixels per inch

• Size: 195.4 mm x 134.8 mm x 6.3 mm

• Weight: Wi-Fi models – 293 g / Wi-Fi + cellular models – 297 g

• Processor: Apple A15 Bionic chip

• Battery life: Up to 10 hours of surfing the web on Wi‐Fi or watching video

• Operating system: iPadOS

• Connectivity: Wi‑Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0

• SIM card: eSIM

• Storage capacity: 64 GB / 256 GB 

• Camera: 12MP ultra-wide front camera

• Video recording: 4K video recording at 24 fps, 25 fps, 30 fps or 60 fps

• Video playback: Supported formats include HEVC and H.264

• Audio playback: Supported formats include AAC, MP3, Apple Lossless, FLAC, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus and Dolby Atmos

• Assistants: Siri, Apple Intelligence

• Speakers: Landscape stereo speakers

• Microphones: Dual microphones for calls, video recording and audio recording

• Colour options: Space Grey / Starlight / Purple / Pink

 Pros and cons

iPad Air M2 (2024) overview

iPad Air M2 features and benefits

The iPad Air is designed for light weight and portability without compromising on high performance. It has a vivid screen display with rich colours, making it an impeccable tablet for streaming movies and TV shows. It also excels at daily tasks and creative projects. It has Touch ID for security and fast access, and the USB-C port promotes faster charging.

It contains the Apple M2 chip, which gives it above-average speed, making multitasking and multiple app use smooth and efficient. The versatile iPadOS supports laptop-class browsing and provides advanced features in an ultra-slim package. It also supports the Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard, which are excellent tools for creatives, students and professionals alike. As one Reddit contributor put it: "The iPad Air is very powerful, it could last me days if I am working 2-3 hours each day. It’s perfect for your usage, has better base storage, faster chip, better features…"

👉 Refurbished iPad Air M2 (2024) prices on Back Market start from £465

Latest product specifications

iPad Air M2 11-inch:

• Display: Liquid Retina display, 2360 x 1640-pixel resolution at 264 pixels per inch

• Size: 247.6 mm x 178.5 mm x 6.1 mm

• Weight: Wi-Fi models – 460 g / Wi-Fi + cellular models – 460 g

• Processor: Apple M3

• Battery life: Up to 10 hours of surfing the web on Wi‐Fi or watching video

• Operating system: iPadOS 18

• Connectivity: Wi‑Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3

• SIM card: eSIM

• Storage capacity: 128 GB / 256 GB / 512 GB / 1 TB

• Camera: Landscape 12MP Center Stage wide camera

• Video recording: 4K video recording at 24 fps, 25 fps, 30 fps or 60 fps

• Video playback: Supported formats include HEVC and H.264

• Audio playback: Supported formats include AAC, MP3, Apple Lossless, FLAC, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus and Dolby Atmos

• Speakers: Landscape stereo speakers

• Microphones: Dual microphones for calls, video recording and audio recording

• Assistants: Siri, Apple Intelligence

• Colour options: Space Grey / Starlight / Blue / Purple

iPad Air 13-inch:

• Display: Liquid Retina display, 2732 x 2048-pixel resolution at 264 pixels per inch

• Size: 280.6 mm x 214.9 mm x 6.1 mm

• Weight: Wi-Fi models – 616 g / Wi-Fi + cellular models – 617 g

• Processor: Apple M3

• Battery life: Up to 10 hours of surfing the web on Wi‐Fi or watching video

• Operating system: iPadOS 18

• Connectivity: Wi‑Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3

• SIM card: eSIM

• Storage capacity: 128 GB / 256 GB / 512 GB / 1 TB

• Camera: Landscape 12MP Center Stage wide camera

• Video recording: 4K video recording at 24 fps, 25 fps, 30 fps or 60 fps

• Video playback: Supported formats include HEVC and H.264

• Audio playback: Supported formats include AAC, MP3, Apple Lossless, FLAC, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus and Dolby Atmos

• Speakers: Landscape stereo speakers

• Microphones: Dual microphones for calls, video recording and audio recording

• Assistants: Siri, Apple Intelligence

• Colour options: Space Grey / Starlight / Blue / Purple

Pros and cons

iPad Pro M4 (2024) overview

iPad Pro M4 features and benefits

The iPad Pro is the most advanced and powerful tablet of the current models. It's designed for heavyweight use by professionals in a wide range of fields. It has superb colour rendering through an improved high-resolution Liquid Retina XDR display. It can easily support demanding types of processing like video editing, 3D modelling and enterprise software use, thanks to the Apple M4 chip. This iPad also has professional-grade cameras, even including a LiDAR Scanner.

This model is the premium choice for any kind of top-end media consumption – 4K streaming is smooth and seamless. The latest iPadOS provides high-end productivity, from product creation to data analysis. The iPad Pro's power, versatility and precision make it a true laptop alternative in a slimmer, more portable device.

👉 Refurbished iPad Pro M4 (2024) prices on Back Market start from £855.93

Product specifications

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch:

• Display: Ultra Retina XDR display, 2420 x 1668-pixel resolution at 264 pixels per inch

• Size: 249.7 mm x 177.5 mm x 5.3 mm

• Weight: Wi-Fi models – 444 g / Wi-Fi + cellular models – 446 g

• Processor: Apple M4 chip

• Battery life: Up to 10 hours of surfing the web on Wi‐Fi or watching video

• Operating system: iPadOS 18

• Connectivity: Wi‑Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3

• SIM card: eSIM

• Storage capacity: 256 GB / 512 GB / 1TB / 2 TB

• Camera: Landscape 12MP Center Stage camera

• Video recording: 4K video recording at 24 fps, 25 fps, 30 fps or 60 fps

• Video playback: Supported formats include HEVC and H.264

• Audio playback: Supported formats include AAC, MP3, Apple Lossless, FLAC, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus and Dolby Atmos

• Speakers: Four-speaker audio

• Microphones: Studio-quality four-mic array for calls, video recording and audio recording

• Assistants: Siri, Apple Intelligence

• Colour options: Silver / Space Black

Apple iPad Pro 13-inch:

• Display: Ultra Retina XDR display, 2752 x 2064-pixel resolution at 264 pixels per inch

• Size: 281.6 mm x 215.5 mm x 5.1 mm

• Weight: Wi-Fi models – 579 g / Wi-Fi + cellular models – 582 g

• Processor: Apple M4 chip

• Battery life: Up to 10 hours of surfing the web on Wi‐Fi or watching video

• Operating system: iPadOS 18

• Connectivity: Wi‑Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3

• SIM card: eSIM

• Storage capacity: 128 GB / 256 GB / 512 GB

• Camera: 12MP Center Stage camera

• Video recording: 4K video recording at 24 fps, 25 fps, 30 fps or 60 fps

• Video playback: Supported formats include HEVC and H.264

• Audio playback: Supported formats include AAC, MP3, Apple Lossless, FLAC, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus and Dolby Atmos

• Speakers: Four-speaker audio

• Microphones: Studio-quality four-mic array for calls, video recording and audio recording

• Assistants: Siri, Apple Intelligence

• Colour options: Silver / Space Black

Pros and cons

Shopping tips for iPads

With a few canny tactics and a sharp eye, you can pick up these powerful iPads without paying anything close to the new price. Of course, there are the massive sales extravaganzas like Black Friday and the holiday season. These are great ways to get discounts, but they have two drawbacks. One, you might have to wait a few months for one to come around, and two, stocks are often limited, so you might still miss out.

You can also time your iPad purchase to coincide with the release of a new model. Stores will typically mark down the price of the previous model in expectation of demand switching to the latest version. This is another good time to snap up an iPad at a good price.

And then there's the refurbished option. You can get completely restored iPads with the same performance as a new one for as little as half the price. The big advantage when you shop on Back Market is that you'll find these deals every day. No waiting, no hoping that there will be enough stock – just a smooth experience from end to end.

Why buy a refurbished iPad?

When you shop on Back Market, you’ll hardly notice any difference in appearance between a refurbished iPad and a new one. Some look like they just came out of the factory, and others may have minor scratches, but overall, it won’t limit your user experience at all. And fortunately, due to the nature of our business, it is not only a smart and ethical way to shop but also the cheapest!

The key thing is that these iPads have all been restored down to the last detail. After testing for any performance issues and physically inspecting all parts for wear and tear or damage, certified, experienced refurbishers replace any necessary components and give them a deep clean. Once reassembled, they're put through another battery of tests to ensure that they perform up to their original, new specifications. Then they're spruced up cosmetically and offered to you at discounts of up to 50% off the new price. Need a second opinion? Here's how one of our customers put it:

"It looks and works like brand new and is in fantastic condition. I’m extremely pleased with the purchase. A great buy at a great price."

- (Robert T.)

There's another very good reason for buying refurbished devices: you'll be doing the planet a favour. The world generates an unsustainable level of electronic waste by constantly replacing older models with new ones, causing people to simply discard their old devices when they upgrade. By not falling into this trap and happily buying refurbished devices at lower prices, you not only save money but also reduce your carbon footprint and prevent one more device from ending up in a landfill. 

Back Market is completely dedicated to this recycling model, and we have been granted B Corp status for our commitment to sustainability and eco-friendliness throughout our supply chains.

Here's more detail on why you can trust our refurbished electronics.

Back Market trade-in for cash

Not only can you save plenty of dosh when you buy refurbished electronics on Back Market – you can also make some extra cash by trading in old devices. It's quick and simple, without any hassles or delays. You merely need to fill in all the device's specifications and submit the form, and within only a few minutes, one of our refurbishers will send you an offer. If you accept it, ship your device to us for free and you'll receive your payment within five business days.

Final thoughts on comparing all iPad models

The entire Apple iPad range offers excellent performance and has become the benchmark for tablets. All of the models have their pros and cons, so your choice depends on what you need. 

Even years after its release, the base model is still more than sufficient for casual everyday use, like browsing, playing games and text communication. The iPad mini is even more powerful but with a more compact design for easier portability. It's a very fast device, capable of supporting anything from daily work tasks to high-res streaming. The sophisticated audio system makes the iPad Air exceptional for watching shows and movies and listening to music. The iPad Pro is virtually a laptop – it's only missing the peripherals, like a keyboard and mouse. However, you can get compatible external accessories for it. This is the most powerful of the current series, with an advanced chip that offers lightning-fast processing and allows for even the most resource-intensive tasks, such as 3D modelling.