Best iPad deals for May 2024

While the best iPad deals usually land during major sale events like Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day, many of the best iPad deals from the holiday season have persisted into 2024. The discounts come and go like changing winds, but you can still take advantage of sales on many models today, particularly on the more affordable iPads. What’s more, Apple recently released a new iPad Pro and iPad Air, and they’re already causing prices on older models to drop even further.

It’s difficult to know where exactly you can find the most notable iPad deals unless you’re scouring the major retailers on a daily basis. But that’s often what our deal hunters at The Verge are doing each and every day, so let us help you out. Below, we’ve listed the best deals you can get on each iPad model that is currently available, from the cheapo ninth-gen iPad of 2021 to the latest models equipped with Apple’s powerful M2 and M4 chips.

The best iPad (2021) deals

Announced alongside the iPhone 13, the 2021 iPad is Apple’s aging entry-level tablet, one that’s still great at carrying out everyday tasks despite having recently been discontinued. The ninth-gen model originally started at $329 with Wi-Fi and 64GB of storage, which arguably makes the newer 10th-gen model the better deal if you don’t need a home button or a headphone jack, as it now starts at $349.

If you’re still interested in buying the last-gen model, however, you can pick up the base Wi-Fi configuration at Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy starting at $249 ($80 off), which is just $20 shy of its lowest price to date. As for the 256GB model that normally retails for $479, Amazon and Walmart are both selling it for $379 ($100 off), which matches its second-best price to date.

The last-gen iPad uses an A13 Bionic processor and a 12MP wide-angle camera with Center Stage, a feature designed to keep you framed up and centered while on video calls. The tablet also carries over a number of features from its predecessor, such as the 10.2-inch display, a Touch ID fingerprint sensor built into the home button, and a Smart Connector for connecting a Smart Keyboard.

The best iPad (2022) deals

Although the newer 10th-gen iPad came out in late 2022, it’s still an excellent tablet — one we consider to be the best value for most people. The latest iPad modernizes the design with a switch to USB-C, uniform bezels with no home button, a side power button with a fingerprint sensor, and a larger display, but it eliminates the 3.5mm headphone jack.

In the past, you could often buy Apple’s latest entry-level iPad for $349 ($100 off) — which is now its starting price. Right now, however, the base model with 64GB of storage is on sale at Amazon for $334 ($15 off) in select colors; Amazon is also selling the step-up 256GB model with Wi-Fi for $474, which is $25 off its new starting price of $499.

The best iPad Mini (2021) deals

The sixth-gen iPad Mini has a larger screen than its predecessor, along with a top-of-the-line processor, support for USB-C, and options for 5G. It has forfeited its 3.5mm headphone jack and dedicated home button in the process, but overall, it’s a solid device that brings a fully refreshed design to Apple’s small tablet form factor.

The changes and refinements to the newest iPad Mini come at a heftier price, however, and the 64GB Wi-Fi model now starts at $499. Electing 256GB of storage brings the price up to $649, while the 5G cellular models are $649 for 64GB and $799 for 256GB. These are some big numbers for a small iPad, and the larger iPad Air might be worth considering if you prefer your dollar to go further with more screen real estate. But if you want the latest and greatest from Apple in a smaller format, this is where the action is.

As of right now, Amazon is selling the latest iPad Mini in its 64GB base configuration for $399.99 ($100 off) when you clip the on-page coupon. If you need additional storage, the 256GB model is also on sale at Amazon for $539.99 ($110 off) thanks to an on-page coupon. The cellular version goes on sale periodically for as much as $100 off as well, but as of writing, we can’t find any discounts at trusted sellers.

The best iPad Air (2022) deals

The previous-gen iPad Air usually costs $599, but right now, it’s on sale for $399.99 ($200 off) at Amazon and Walmart, likely as a result of the 2024 model’s arrival. The fifth-gen Air was once our top iPad recommendation for most people thanks to its speedy M1 processor, modern design, and midrange price. For those who crave more storage, the 256GB variant is also available for around $599 at Amazon, which is $150 off compared to its previous starting price and likely the new standard going forward.

The 2022 iteration of Apple’s lightweight tablet is similar in terms of its capabilities when measured against the previous-gen model but still offers a handful of iterative upgrades. The most pronounced improvement is the M1 processor, which offers better performance, and the front-facing 12MP camera equipped with Apple’s Center Stage feature, which helps to keep a moving subject centered when recording video or during video calls.

The best iPad Air (2024) deals

Apple just recently launched the 2024 iPad Air, which features several small upgrades. The newer model doesn’t feature any groundbreaking changes compared to the 2022 release, but notably, there is now a 13-inch configuration in addition to a base 11-inch model. Apple also added Wi-Fi 6E radios and upgraded the chipset to M2, which enables the hover feature when using Apple’s latest styli. You can use the newer iPad Air with the Apple Pencil Pro and both previous-gen Magic Keyboards, too. The 11-inch iPad Air starts at $599, while the comparable 13-inch model starts at $799.

Deals for the 2024 iPad Air started to appear before the latest model even hit store shelves. Right now, you can get the 11-inch model with Wi-Fi and 128GB of storage in select colors for $569.99 ($30 off) at Amazon. The 13-inch iPad Air, meanwhile, is down to $764 ($35 off) in its base configuration at Amazon in select colors.

The best iPad Pro (2024) deals

Compared to the latest iPad Air, the 2024 iPad Pro is a far more impressive upgrade. The 11- and 13-inch models start at $999 and $1,299, respectively, and they are the first Apple devices to feature the company’s latest M4 chip, which brings moderate performance gains and dedicated hardware for on-device AI processing. The new Pro models can claim other firsts, too, such as being the first iPad models with OLED displays and and lightest Pros yet, which is true for both sizes. They also feature repositioned front-facing cameras that sit along the horizontal edge, which prevent you from looking as though you’re staring off into space on a video call.

As for deals, the 11-inch iPad Pro with Wi-Fi / 256GB of storage is down to $949.99 ($50 off) in select colors at Amazon. The 13-inch model, meanwhile, is also on sale in its base configuration for $1,288.96 (about $12 off) at Amazon. Additionally, My Best Buy Plus and Total members can save an extra $50 on any 2024 iPad Pro. The membership starts at $49.99 annually, so it’s a great opportunity to give the service a try if you haven’t already.