Best Mini iPad
By Annabelle Evans
| Updated 3 Days Ago
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Mini iPads offer a portable, compact tablet experience, combining the power of a full-sized iPad with a smaller form factor that’s easy to carry and use on the go. Perfect for reading, web browsing, video watching, and light productivity, mini iPads pack sharp displays, powerful processors, and long battery life into a device that’s ideal for one-handed use or slipping into a bag or pocket. Popular with students, travelers, and anyone seeking a more portable option, mini iPads deliver big performance in a small package. When choosing one, consider display quality, processor speed, storage capacity, and battery life. We tested several models to find the best options for different needs and budgets.
iPad Mini 6
We think the iPad Mini 6 is a great buy for those seeking a powerful, portable tablet that fits comfortably in one hand.
We think the iPad Mini 6 is a great buy for those seeking a powerful, portable tablet that fits comfortably in one hand.
The iPad Mini 6 packs a punch in a small package. We found its 8.3-inch screen to be the perfect size for reading, sketching, and watching videos on the go. The Liquid Retina display looks crisp and colorful, making everything from photos to games pop.
We were impressed by the A15 Bionic chip’s performance. Apps opened quickly, and we could easily switch between tasks without any lag. The 12MP cameras on both front and back took clear photos and videos. We especially liked the Center Stage feature, which kept us in frame during video calls.
The tablet’s compact size made it easy to slip into a bag or even a large pocket. We appreciated the all-day battery life, which meant we didn’t have to worry about charging during long work sessions or trips. While it’s pricier than some alternatives, we think the iPad Mini 6’s portability and power make it worth considering for those who want a small but capable tablet.
iPad Mini (5th Gen)
We think the iPad Mini (5th Gen) is a great choice for those seeking a compact yet powerful tablet.
We think the iPad Mini (5th Gen) is a great choice for those seeking a compact yet powerful tablet.
We’ve been using the iPad Mini (5th Gen) for a while now, and it’s a joy to hold. At just 0.66 pounds, it’s super light and easy to carry around. The 7.9-inch screen is bright and clear, making it perfect for reading or watching videos on the go.
The A12 Bionic chip gives this little tablet a big boost in power. We found it runs apps smoothly and handles multitasking well. It’s great for gaming too – we played some graphic-heavy games without any lag.
One of our favorite features is the Apple Pencil support. It turns this small tablet into a handy digital notebook. We’ve used it for quick sketches and note-taking, and it works like a charm. The True Tone display adjusts to match the light around you, which we found helps reduce eye strain during long use.
iPad Mini 6 (Renewed)
We think the renewed iPad Mini 6 is a great buy for those seeking a powerful, compact tablet at a lower price.
We think the renewed iPad Mini 6 is a great buy for those seeking a powerful, compact tablet at a lower price.
We got our hands on the renewed iPad Mini 6, and we’re impressed. It’s small enough to slip into a bag, but don’t let its size fool you. The 8.3-inch screen is bright and crisp, perfect for reading or watching videos on the go.
The A15 Bionic chip makes this little tablet zip. Apps open quickly, and we had no trouble multitasking. We tried some graphic-heavy games, and they ran smoothly. The battery lasted us through a full day of mixed use.
We love that it works with the Apple Pencil 2. It’s great for taking notes or sketching. The cameras are solid too. We took some nice photos, and video calls looked clear. Keep in mind, it’s renewed, so you might see tiny scratches if you look closely. But for the price, we think it’s a steal.
iPad mini 2 Refurb
We can’t recommend this dated iPad mini for most users due to its limited functionality and lack of software updates.
We can’t recommend this dated iPad mini for most users due to its limited functionality and lack of software updates.
We recently tested this refurbished first-generation iPad mini, and our experience was mixed. The compact size is nice for portability, fitting easily in bags or larger pockets. Build quality seems solid despite being a pre-owned device.
Sadly, major drawbacks overshadow the positives. This model can’t update past iOS 9.3.5, severely limiting app options. Many popular apps no longer support such old software versions. We tried downloading several common apps but got error messages.
Performance feels sluggish compared to newer tablets. Web browsing and basic tasks work, but anything more demanding leads to noticeable lag. The outdated A5 chip struggles with modern websites and media. Battery life is also reduced from its original specs after years of use.
For a basic web browser or e-reader, it may suffice. But most users will find its limitations frustrating. Unless you need a very cheap tablet for simple tasks, we suggest looking at newer budget options instead. The lack of ongoing software support makes this iPad mini hard to justify for most people in 2024.
iPad Mini 6
We think the iPad Mini 6 is a great choice for users who want a compact yet powerful tablet.
We think the iPad Mini 6 is a great choice for users who want a compact yet powerful tablet.
We got our hands on the iPad Mini 6, and it’s a tiny powerhouse. The 8.3-inch screen is perfect for reading or quick tasks on the go. It feels light and easy to hold with one hand, making it great for e-books or browsing.
The A15 Bionic chip inside is super fast. We tried some demanding apps and games, and it handled them all smoothly. The 12MP cameras take nice photos and video calls look crisp. We like how the Ultra Wide front camera follows us during FaceTime calls.
Battery life is solid. We used it for a full day of mixed use without needing to charge. The USB-C port is handy for connecting accessories. It works with the Apple Pencil 2, which snaps on magnetically to charge. This is neat for taking notes or sketching. While it’s not cheap, we think it’s worth it for its portability and power.
iPad Mini 4
We think the iPad Mini 4 is a solid choice for those seeking a compact tablet, though newer models offer better performance.
We think the iPad Mini 4 is a solid choice for those seeking a compact tablet, though newer models offer better performance.
We’ve been using the iPad Mini 4, and it’s impressed us with its portability. At just 0.65 pounds, it’s easy to hold for long periods. The 7.9-inch screen is bright and sharp, making text and images look great.
The A8 chip keeps things running smoothly for most tasks. We found it handled everyday apps and light gaming well. But for more demanding tasks, it can feel a bit sluggish compared to newer iPads.
Battery life is a strong point. We got close to 10 hours of use on a single charge, which is great for a tablet this size. The 8MP camera takes decent photos in good light, but don’t expect miracles in low-light situations.
While the iPad Mini 4 is still a good tablet, it’s worth noting that Apple has released newer models since its debut. These offer faster processors and support for the Apple Pencil. If you don’t need the latest features, the Mini 4 could be a good budget option.
iPad 5th Gen (2017)
We recommend this iPad for its great balance of performance and value in a refurbished package.
We recommend this iPad for its great balance of performance and value in a refurbished package.
We’ve spent a lot of time with the iPad 5th Gen, and it’s still a solid choice in 2024. The 9.7-inch screen is bright and clear, making it perfect for watching videos or browsing the web. Colors pop, and text looks sharp.
The A9 chip inside keeps things running smoothly. We didn’t notice any lag when switching between apps or playing games. It’s not the newest processor, but it gets the job done for most tasks.
One thing we really like is the Apple Pencil support. It’s great for taking notes or sketching. The touch response feels natural and precise.
This particular model is Wi-Fi only, so you can’t use cellular data. That might be a deal-breaker for some, but it helps keep the price down. Speaking of price, being refurbished makes this iPad more budget-friendly. We couldn’t tell it wasn’t new out of the box.
Battery life is still impressive. We got close to 10 hours of use before needing to recharge. That’s enough for a full day of work or play.
While it’s not the latest and greatest, this iPad offers a lot of value. It’s a good pick for anyone who wants a reliable tablet without breaking the bank.
iPad Mini 4 (Renewed)
We think the iPad Mini 4 is a good choice for those seeking a compact tablet with solid performance at a lower price point.
We think the iPad Mini 4 is a good choice for those seeking a compact tablet with solid performance at a lower price point.
The iPad Mini 4 packs a lot into its small frame. At just 0.65 pounds, it’s easy to hold in one hand for long periods. We found the 7.9-inch Retina display crisp and vivid, great for reading or watching videos.
In our tests, the A8 chip handled most tasks smoothly. We played games and edited photos without issues. The 10-hour battery life is a big plus, lasting through a full day of use.
As a renewed product, our unit had a few tiny scratches near the charging port. But the tablet worked perfectly. The 64GB storage is enough for basic needs, though power users might want more space. While not the latest model, we think the iPad Mini 4 offers good value for casual tablet users.
iPad Mini 4 (Refurbished)
We think the refurbished iPad Mini 4 is a solid choice for those seeking a compact tablet with good performance at a lower price point.
We think the refurbished iPad Mini 4 is a solid choice for those seeking a compact tablet with good performance at a lower price point.
The iPad Mini 4 fits nicely in one hand, making it perfect for reading or casual browsing. We found its 7.9-inch Retina display crisp and clear, great for watching videos or viewing photos. The colors pop and text looks sharp.
We were impressed by the battery life. It lasted through a full day of mixed use without needing a charge. The A8 chip, while not the newest, handled everyday tasks smoothly. We could switch between apps, play games, and edit photos without any noticeable lag.
As a refurbished model, our unit came in good condition, but experiences may vary. The 32GB storage felt a bit tight after installing our usual apps and downloading some content. For light users, it should be enough, but power users might want more space. While not the latest and greatest, we think this iPad Mini 4 offers good value for those wanting a capable small tablet without breaking the bank.
iPad Mini 4
We think the iPad Mini 4 is a solid choice for those wanting a compact tablet with impressive specs and performance.
We think the iPad Mini 4 is a solid choice for those wanting a compact tablet with impressive specs and performance.
The iPad Mini 4’s 7.9-inch Retina display is a standout feature. We found text and images to be incredibly sharp and vibrant. Colors pop off the screen, making everything from photos to games look great.
At just 0.65 pounds, this tablet is super light. We could hold it comfortably in one hand for long reading sessions without any fatigue. The thin design also made it easy to slip into a bag or large pocket.
We were impressed by the battery life. In our tests, it lasted close to the advertised 10 hours with mixed use. This meant we could use it all day without worrying about finding a charger.
The A8 chip shows its age a bit. We noticed some lag when running newer, demanding apps or games. For basic tasks like web browsing and streaming video, it performed fine.
64GB of storage filled up quickly once we loaded our favorite apps, photos, and videos. We had to be selective about what we kept on the device.
While still a capable tablet, the iPad Mini 4 lacks some newer features. We missed being able to use the Apple Pencil for taking notes or sketching.
Buying Guide
When shopping for the best mini iPad, we recommend focusing on a few key features:
Screen Size and Resolution
Look for a compact display between 7-8 inches with at least 2048 x 1536 resolution for sharp visuals.
Performance
A recent processor and 3GB+ RAM will ensure smooth performance for most tasks.
Storage Capacity
Choose 64GB or higher to store plenty of apps, photos, and files.
Battery Life
Aim for 10+ hours of battery life for all-day use.
Compatibility
Make sure it supports the latest iPadOS version for new features and security updates.
Connectivity
Wi-Fi is standard, but cellular models offer on-the-go internet access.
Camera Quality
Look for at least 8MP rear and 7MP front cameras for decent photos and video calls.
Accessories
Check if it’s compatible with the Apple Pencil and keyboard cases you may want.
We suggest comparing models side-by-side using this criteria. Reading professional and user reviews can also help inform your decision. Consider your budget and intended uses to find the right balance of features and price.