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Artists demand a bit more from their tablets than the average consumer. Sure, any iPad is great for watching your favorite streaming content, sending emails, reading books, and surfing the web. If you’re an artist that works digitally, you’ll want to select the best iPad as well as the best drawing apps and accessories for more functionality.
Depending on what sort of art you create, an iPad might even be a better choice than the best MacBook, since it’s so portable and has a highly responsive touch screen that works beautifully with the Apple Pencil. If possible, choose an iPad model that’s compatible with the second-generation Apple Pencil. It’s the artist’s choice, even more so than the newer but cheaper and less feature-rich Apple Pencil USB-C.
Rumors are forever hopeful for a 14-inch M3 iPad, but in the meantime, here are the best iPad options for artists right now.
Best iPad for artists: iPad Pro 2022 (12.9-inch)
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The latest 12.9-inch iPad Pro is easily the best iPad for artists. It’s the most powerful tablet Apple has made so far, offering an even better display than before, M2 SoC, Face ID support, and plenty more.
The iPad Pro’s 12.9-inch display is a great canvas size for your art, whether you’re sketching, painting, or editing photos — all while still letting you be mobile. In our iMore review, we noticed that the Liquid Retina XDR display in the 12.9-inch iPad Pro offers incredible color accuracy and shows off HDR images and video in all of their glory. So you’re getting the richest blacks and most vibrant colors whatever you’re doing on it.
The display is also a ProMotion screen so it will run at up to 120Hz. That’s particularly useful when working with the Apple Pencil, as it means your strokes appear on the screen near-instantly, just like if you were using a real piece of paper. It renders much more fluidly than it would on other iPads.
The iPad Pro is also very powerful, offering exceptional performance. The M2 chip is the same one that is found in iMacs, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro. It backs that up with an 8-core GPU and 8GB of RAM on the 128/256/512GB models with the RAM increasing to 16GB on the 1TB and 2TB options. When using drawing apps like Procreate, animation apps like Procreate Dreams, or photo editors like Pixelmator Photo, the extra power is invaluable for a smoother painting or sketching experience, or simply applying photo edits more quickly.
The 2022 iPad Pro works beautifully with the second-generation Apple Pencil when it comes to digital sketching, painting, and other artistic projects. It magnetically attaches to one side of the iPad and charges at the same time.
Using the Pencil is similar to how it has been on other iPads. The second-generation Apple Pencil will recognize things like tilt and any pressure applied to the tip, also supporting palm rejection. It has a matte finish which feels better to use than the glossy finish of the original Apple Pencil. It also has a small gesture area on its flat side, so you can double-tap to switch between your two most recent tools quickly.
For some, the 12.9-inch iPad Pro might be too big to be completely practical. If you’re seeking an iPad as a supplement to your Mac rather than as a primary artistic tool, a smaller size might suit your needs better. That also applies if you need to fit it into slightly smaller bags. The latest 12.9-inch iPad Pro may have a smaller footprint than the previous model, but it’s still understandably large.
There’s also the issue of price. iPad Pros have always been more expensive than their non-Pro alternatives, but at just over $1,000, the 2022 iPad Pro is a big ask for many wallets. Factor in the Apple Pencil and other accessories, and it’s certainly pricey. While you get the biggest and best iPad screen around, and it has a lot of power, you’re paying for that privilege.
Best for portability: iPad Pro 2022 (11-inch)
The 11-inch 2022 iPad Pro is, predictably, similar to its larger counterpart, but we’ve split them into two entires as the size and display make them a bit different.
One of the core advantages of the 11-inch iPad Pro over the 12.9-inch model or the 10.9-inch iPad Air is that it fits perfectly between the two, offering the portability of the old 10.9-inch Air while packing the power of the 12.9-inch Pro. The 11-inch iPad Pro is about the same size as the previous iPad Air, with an ever-so-slightly larger screen. It might not sound like much but the slightest difference adds up for someone working on a digital canvas. It’s a good size for drawing, photo editing, or other artistic activity.
The other notable trade-off is that only the 12.9-inch iPad Pro has a Liquid Retina XDR display. The 11-inch sticks with a regular Liquid Retina display, so the larger model offers slightly better quality when it comes to HDR content, vibrant hues, and deeper blacks. However, the regular Liquid Retina display is still great and a valid choice for artists on the move.
It also still packs the M2 chip seen on the larger model, along with 8GB of RAM with 128/256/512GB models and 16GB RAM for the 1TB/2TB options. Both offer the same 10-hour battery life, cameras with Center Stage support, and the same iPadOS experience. It’s just the size and display type that are the differences between these two.
In an ideal world, we’d go with the bigger screen but if portability is important to you, this remains an excellent and powerful choice.
Best mid-range price: iPad Air 5 (2022)
The iPad Air 5 slips in between the lower-priced iPad 10th generation and the extra screen real estate afforded to the iPad Pro lineup. It’s the best overall iPad for most people. When we reviewed the iPad Air 5, we found the 10.9-inch screen to be a good size for drawing and painting, while also being appropriate for photo editing.
For artists, the iPad Air 5 also has Apple Pencil 2 support which is near-essential. Unlike cheaper models of iPad (other than the latest iPad mini) which only support the first-generation Apple Pencil, the iPad Air 5 has all the advantages of the sensitivity and features the Apple Pencil 2 brings to the table. It charges when it’s attached to the side of the iPad Air 5, just like the iPad Pro and iPad mini, so you don’t need to lose out on a port. It’s also compatible with the Apple Pencil USB-C, which, as we’ve mentioned, is less useful for artists.
With the iPad Air 5, you get a machine with an excellent balance of screen size, power, and price.
The iPad Air 5 is also powered by the M1 chip we’ve seen on slightly older examples of the best Mac as well as the previous generation of iPad Pros. It remains a powerful processor that ensures the iPad Air 5 is extremely responsive and speedy, no matter what you’re using it for. It’s the perfect mobile artistic platform for many.
The Air also has a laminated True Tone display. The display combines the iPad’s touch layer with the LCD display layer into a single piece, leaving no gap between them. That means you gain a display of better overall quality than a non-laminated one, with better images and a more vibrant range of colors. True Tone adapts the display’s temperature to the light of your current room, so it appears as if the room you’re sitting in is lighting it. It’s not overpowering so it’s suitable for artists, but you can always disable it via Control Center.
Wondering why the iPad Air 5 is the best value pick rather than the best overall? It mostly comes down to its screen size, design, and feature set. It offers much of what you love to see in the 11-inch iPad Pro but with a slightly weaker screen and older processor.
Other details it’s missing include Touch ID. Instead of offering FaceID, it has Touch ID built into the power button on the top of the iPad. That might be useful to some people, but for most, it’ll feel like a step backwards if you’re used to using Face ID. The iPad Air 5 also lacks a ProMotion display so you won’t get a buttery smooth display with up to 120Hz refresh rate as with the iPad Pro range. There’s also no four-speaker system like the iPad Pro, or a newer camera array.
Despite those flaws, the iPad Air 5 is still a great proposition for anyone who doesn’t want to spend a fortune. At $599, it’s $200 cheaper than the 11-inch iPad Pro which will easily pay for an Apple Pencil 2 and more. If you don’t need the few “pro” features that the iPad Pro offers, the iPad Air 5 is the clear winner for artists. It’s a compelling product for anyone who doesn’t want to spend any more than they need to.
Best for travel: iPad mini 6
When we reviewed the iPad mini 6, we realized it can’t be beaten for convenient portability. It comes in four gorgeous new colors compared to the previous model, and while it starts at 64GB storage, you can go up to 256GB. That should be more than enough for storing all your digital artwork.
Compared to the previous iPad mini, it also has a brand new redesign so it’s more in line with the rest of the iPad range, other than the base-level iPad. That means flat edges, smaller bezels surrounding the delightful 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display, USB-C charging, and no more Home button. It uses Touch ID, now located in the top button, with the volume buttons also up top.
The volume buttons have moved because the iPad mini 6 now supports the Apple Pencil 2, with the stylus magnetically attaching to the right side of the device. Apple Pencil 2 support means you get pressure sensitivity and a double-tap for changing tools. It’s easily the best iPad for artists seeking the best portability.
Other new features include better cameras, now with Center Stage support for video calls, 5G connectivity on the cellular model, and the A15 Bionic chip that’s similar to that seen on the iPhone 13 lineup.
Perfect for travel while still allowing you plenty of flexibility with your sketches, the Apple iPad Mini 6 is the little tablet that truly could.
Best budget option: iPad 9th-Generation (2021)
The 9th-generation iPad (2021) may not be the latest base-level iPad any more, but it’s still a handy option for artists on a budget. That’s thanks to it offering first-generation Apple Pencil support. It also has the A13 Bionic chip under the hood so it’s plenty powerful for basic drawing, sketching, along with watching videos, reading, writing, and other things. Its storage starts at 64GB but you can go up to 256GB if needed.
The tablet offers a beautiful 10.2-inch LCD Retina display with incredibly sharp and detailed graphics and text. It’s the second smallest display in the iPad range, but there’s still plenty of space for drawing and sketching, with support for a huge array of drawing apps from the App Store.
While first-generation Apple Pencil support might not sound amazing, it’s still one of the best iPad styluses and it works well with the iPad. You can seamlessly draw with tilt and pressure sensitivity, as well as palm rejection. The main downside is that you can only charge it via Lightning and there’s no wireless charging support like with the newer Apple Pencil 2. Also, it’s completely cylindrical with no flat edge, so it’s prone to rolling on a flat surface.
Best non-Pro option: iPad 10th-generation (2022)
The latest base model iPad is still a great option for artists looking for the best iPad for drawing. It has some great features for anyone looking to draw on the go, even if it lacks the power of the iPad Air or the iPad Pro. It costs a bit more than previous base iPads but it’s a worthwhile investment.
A little more powerful under the hood than before, it has the A14 Bionic chip, so there’s more processing power to help with your drawing apps. There’s also slightly more RAM, and some extra graphics prowess too.
The biggest upgrade for the iPad is its larger 10.9-inch screen. It’s the same as the iPad Air, and it’s big, colorful, and bright. Your pictures will shine on here even if it lacks the HDR you’d see on the iPad Pro. It’s not a laminated screen so colors can be a little more washed out but it’ll do just fine for regular sketching. Those who notice these things will detect the sound of the pen hitting the tablet more, as it sounds slightly more hollow than a laminated screen.
It’s not compatible with the second-gen Apple Pencil, but it compatible with the first-gen Apple Pencil and the Apple Pencil USB-C.
It also costs a little more than the model that came before – to the tune of about $130. That’s nothing to sniff at, but you do get enough extras to justify the cost. Either way, its a stunning tablet for doing some drawing.
How to choose the best iPad for artists
Assuming that price isn’t your primary concern, we whole-heartedly recommend the 12.9-inch iPad Pro with M2. The powerful M2 chip is ideal for any kind of creative workload you can throw at it. The big, beautiful Liquid Retina XDR display is not only the largest but also the most advanced in Apple’s lineup.
If you’re an artist looking to buy an iPad, you’re surely considering an Apple Pencil as well. Ideally, you’ll want an iPad compatible with the second-generation Apple Pencil. It has the important features you’ll want, such as tilt and pressure sensitivity, palm rejection, double-tap to change tools, and Apple Pencil hover. Wireless pairing and charging, while not strictly for artists, are convenient features for everyone. The other two Apple Pencil models are also worth getting, though they each lack some of these features.
Whichever model you choose on this list, you’re sure to love it. Pair it with the right apps for your specific area of artistic endeavor, such as the best drawing apps for iPad or best photo editing iPad apps, and you’ll be on your way! Happy creating.
