You’re probably looking at a blank browser tab right now, wondering why Apple has to make choosing a tablet feel like a high-stakes math exam. Honestly, it’s frustrating. You just want something to watch Netflix on or maybe finally start that digital illustration hobby, but then you see the price tags and realize the range is basically "dinner for two" to "used car."
So, how much do iPads cost right now? If you walk into an Apple Store today, you’re looking at a floor of $349 for the basic model and a ceiling that can easily crack $2,000 if you go "full spec" on a Pro. But here is the thing—almost nobody should be paying that top-tier price.
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The 2026 landscape has shifted a bit. We’ve seen the M5 chips land in the Pros, the Air finally get the M3, and the base iPad (now in its 11th generation) finally ditching that measly 64GB of storage.
The Base iPad: Cheap Doesn't Mean Bad Anymore
For years, the "cheap" iPad felt like a compromise. You got the old design, the old ports, and a screen that felt a bit hollow. That’s over.
The current 11th-gen iPad starts at $349. You might find it for $299 on Amazon or at Best Buy if you catch a weekend sale. What’s actually cool is that Apple finally bumped the base storage to 128GB. You can actually store more than three high-res movies now.
It uses the A16 Bionic chip. It’s snappy. It handles Roblox, Zoom calls, and 50 open Chrome tabs without breaking a sweat. If you want to jump to 256GB, you’re looking at $449. Honestly, for most people—students, grandparents, or the "I just want to read the news" crowd—this is the only one you need to care about.
The iPad Mini: The Portability Tax
The iPad mini is a weird one. It’s smaller than the base model but costs more. Why? Because it’s a niche powerhouse.
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The latest version (with the A17 Pro chip) starts at $499. You’re paying for the fact that it fits in a jacket pocket but can still run Apple Intelligence features. It’s the favorite of pilots and doctors, but for a regular person, the price-to-screen-size ratio feels a bit steep. If you find one for $399 on sale, it’s a steal. Otherwise, you’re paying a premium for that "mini" footprint.
iPad Air: The Sweet Spot (Usually)
This is where things get complicated. The iPad Air is basically a "Pro Lite."
An 11-inch iPad Air with the M3 chip starts at $599. If you want the bigger 13-inch screen, it jumps to $799.
Here’s the nuance: the Air is for the person who wants the fancy Magic Keyboard and the Apple Pencil Pro but doesn’t need a screen that’s brighter than the sun. It’s a workhorse. But by the time you add a keyboard ($299) and a Pencil ($129), your $599 tablet is suddenly a $1,000 setup.
The iPad Pro: How Much Do iPads Cost When You Go Overboard?
If you have to ask, you might not need it. But let's look at the numbers anyway.
The new M5 iPad Pro starts at $999 for the 11-inch and $1,299 for the 13-inch. That’s for the 256GB model. If you’re a professional video editor or an architect and you want the 2TB version with the "Nano-texture" glass (which kills glare), you are looking at $2,299.
That is more than a MacBook Pro.
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The Pro is the only model with the Tandem OLED display. It is, without hyperbole, the best screen I’ve ever seen on a mobile device. Black levels are perfect. The 120Hz ProMotion makes scrolling feel like butter. But if you're just using it to scroll TikTok, you are essentially buying a Ferrari to drive to the mailbox.
The Hidden Costs: Don't Forget the Extras
The "sticker price" is a lie. Well, not a lie, but it’s definitely not the final number you’ll see at checkout.
- The Pencil: If you want to draw, the Apple Pencil Pro is $129. The USB-C version is cheaper at $79, but it lacks pressure sensitivity.
- The Keyboard: Apple’s Magic Keyboard is great, but it’s $299 to $349 depending on the size. You can get a Logitech Folio for about $160, which is a much better move for your wallet.
- AppleCare+: It’s usually $79 to $199 for two years. Given how thin these things are getting, it’s actually worth considering.
How to Actually Save Money
Stop buying new. Seriously.
Apple’s Refurbished Store is the best-kept secret in tech. You can often find an M2 iPad Pro for less than the price of a new iPad Air. These aren't "used" in the way a Craigslist find is; they get a new outer shell, a new battery, and the same one-year warranty as a brand-new device.
For example, a refurbished 10th-gen iPad often sits around $270 to $330. That’s a massive saving for a device that looks and smells brand new.
If you’re a student or a teacher, use the Education Store. You’ll usually shave $50 to $100 off the price and sometimes get a gift card during "Back to School" season.
Actionable Next Steps
- Audit your needs: If you aren't editing 4K video or drawing professionally, skip the Pro. You're paying for a processor you'll never max out.
- Check the Refurbished Store first: Look for M1 or M2 models. They are still incredibly fast in 2026 and will save you roughly 15-20%.
- Skip the Cellular: Unless you're a field worker, just tether to your phone’s hotspot. It saves you $150 on the hardware and $10-$20 a month on your data plan.
- Wait for the "Big Three" sales: Amazon Prime Day, Black Friday, and Back to School are when iPads actually become "affordable." Don't buy at MSRP in the middle of April if you can help it.