The best iPad for drawing

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Three of the best iPads for drawing on an orange background

(Image credit: Future / Apple)

The list in brief ↴
1. Best overall: iPad Pro (M4)
2. Best value: iPad Air (M1)
3. Most portable: iPad mini (2021)
4. Best price: iPad 10.9 (2022)
5. Best older iPad: iPad Pro (M2)
How to choose
How we test
FAQ

Choosing the best iPad for drawing can be confusing since there are so many models and configurations available. But it's worth making the effort, because modern iPads are a great choice for creating digital art. Slim and portable, they offer a fantastic alternative or compliment to the best drawing tablets, especially considering that you can also use them for other things besides drawing.

Why you can trust Creative Bloq Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

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Apple iPad Pro 13 (M4) scorecard
AttributesNotesRating
Design and buildSleek and super slim.★★★★★
DisplayThe best display on an iPad for drawing and anything else...★★★★★
PerformanceSuper fast and supports Apple Pencil Pro.★★★★★
PricingThe most expensive iPad.★★★★
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Apple iPad Air (M1) scorecard
AttributesNotesRating
Design and buildSleek and super slim★★★★★
DisplayNot as bright or responsive as the new iPad Pro but still looks great.★★★★
PerformanceThe M1 chip is enough for drawing software.★★★★
PricingWell priced with discounts available.★★★★★
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Apple iPad mini (2021) scorecard
AttributesNotesRating
Design and buildGreat size for using on the go but a bit small for drawing.★★★
DisplayResponsive display is compatible with Apple Pencil 2.★★★★
PerformanceStill more powerful than the base iPad.★★★★
PricingReasonable price if you find a discount.★★★★
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Apple iPad mini (2021) scorecard
AttributesNotesRating
Design and buildAn improvement on the base iPad with a few quirks.★★★★
DisplayPerfectly good enough for beginners.★★★★
PerformanceWon't handle demanding creative apps, but drawing presents no problem.★★★
PricingGreat price.★★★★★
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Apple iPad Pro (M2) scorecard
AttributesNotesRating
Design and buildThicker than the new Pro, but it's hardly bulky.★★★★
DisplayThe display is looks fantastic.★★★★
PerformancePlenty of power for drawing software and much more besides.★★★★
PricingOnly makes sense if you find a discount that makes it significantly cheaper than the new M4 models.★★★★
Ian Dean
Editor, Digital Arts & 3D

Ian Dean is Editor, Digital Arts & 3D at Creativebloq, and the former editor of many leading magazines. These titles included ImagineFX, 3D World and leading video game title Official PlayStation Magazine. In his early career he wrote for music and film magazines including Uncut and SFX. Ian launched Xbox magazine X360 and edited PlayStation World. For Creative Bloq, Ian combines his experiences to bring the latest news on AI, digital art and video game art and tech, and more to Creative Bloq, and in his spare time he doodles in Procreate, ArtRage, and Rebelle while finding time to play Xbox and PS5. He's also a keen Cricut user and laser cutter fan, and is currently crafting on Glowforge and xTools M1.

With contributions from