The Best iPad for Procreate?

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Apple’s new releases have without a doubt changed the best iPad for Procreate list. For example, the iPad Air (M3, 2025) has taken the top spot, while the iPad Pro 13-inch (M4, 2024) is the most powerful option.

In this update, we have compared and compiled both large and medium sized iPads to explain the best one for you as of 2025. Having tested and reviewed a lot of iPad drawing tablets, it was relatively not too hard to come up with this list.

This compilation considers important aspects about iPads such as Apple Pencil compatibility, display, processing power, price, portability, Procreate compatibility, and more.

Top Procreate iPad Picks

1. iPad Air (M3, 2025): The best iPad for Procreate overall
2. Apple iPad (11th Gen, 2025)
3. Apple iPad Air 10.9 Inch: Best Value
4. iPad Pro 13-inch (M4, 2024): Most Power
5. iPad Mini 2024: Compact Option
6. Apple iPad 10.2 (2021, 9th generation): best budget
7. Amazon Fire Max 11 – Biggest Fire Tablet

iPad Air (M3, 2025): Best overall

1. Screen size: 13-inch
2. Resolution: 2,732 x 2,048
3. Stylus support: Apple Pencil Pro, Apple Pencil USB-C
4. Storage: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
5. Processor: M3 chip 
6. Display Type: Liquid Retina Display
7. Connection: Wi-Fi 6E + 5G Cellular
8. Security: Touch ID 

The iPad Air (M3, 2025) packs far more power than you will need for simple Procreate work. It has the new M3 chip processor, which is the most powerful compared to earlier versions.

Combined with a large RAM memory, it will easily run any digital art application you throw at it. It will run faster than the older M2 chip, increasing the range of work you can do with it, like 3D modeling and 3D animation.

The screen is clean and clear with 2732×2048 resolution on the large 13-inch space. Although it does not have an Ultra Retina XDR OLED screen type, it is still good for digital art thanks to the high screen contrast and brightness levels.

Finally, with a 254-pixel screen refresh rate, the overall color reproduction is professional-looking, making this tablet a top choice for professional digital artists.

Despite these high-end specifications, the iPad Air (M3, 2025) is very fairly priced at $799. If you want larger storage space and processing, then you will part with around £1,428 for the 1TB version. This is, however, more than you will need for Procreate.

It remains considerably more economical than equivalent iPad Pro configurations while offering comparable Procreate performance for most professional requirements.

Apple iPad Air 10.9 Inch: Best Value

1. Screen size: 10.9 inches
2. Resolution: 2360 x 1640 pixels
3. Processor: M1 chip
4. RAM: 4 GB
5. Apple Pencil, second generation
6. Storage: 64 GB and 256 GB
7. Battery: 10 hours

If you are on a budget and need an affordable iPad option that offers great value for your money, we recommend the Apple iPad Air 10.9 Inch.

The Apple iPad Air 10.9 features an equally professional-level screen with a liquid retina display, only slightly smaller at 10.9 inches. It also features a slightly lower resolution at 2360 x 1640 pixels, but you will barely notice the difference.

Its old M1 chip plus 4 GB of RAM is low but good enough. You only need 2 GB RAM to run Procreate comfortably, so you will have double what you need. 

If you value portability or often work away from the office, the lightweight body and long 10-hour battery life will come in handy. Storage space comes with a variety of options, with the 64 GB and 256 GB options being great picks.

iPad Mini 2024: Compact Option

1. Screen size: 8.3in
2. Processor: A17 Pro
3. Storage options : 128GB, 256GB, 512GB
4. Pencil: Apple Pencil Pro

The 7th Gen iPad Mini 2024 is the most compact option. It takes the spot from its equally small 6th-gen iPad Mini 2021 predecessor.

The 7th gen version has some improvements included, like an A17 Pro processor and Apple Pencil Pro compatibility. However, most aspects, like the size and storage space, are just the same as the 6th Gen version.

It is reasonably priced at $499. However, if you want some premium improvements like a larger storage space or cellular connectivity, this price will not be enough, resulting in a bigger dent in your pocket.

Choosing the best iPads for Procreate

Large iPad screen sizes have better resolution and multiple canvas layers. This makes them more clear and preferred for Procreate. Choose large screen sizes with high resolution and brightness levels.

As a digital artist, consider the nature of your work and budget. Make sure you can afford both the tablet, stylus, and Procreate application. You need a large storage space to install the software and also save your files. You will need 128 GB of storage and above.

Apple tablets have evolved to offer different iPad sizes. Over the years, they have become both pricier and increased in versatility, power, and performance.

Whether you need the cheaper refurbished options or a brand-new iPad, your choices will range from iPad, iPad Pro, iPad Air, and iPad mini.

iPad sizes will range between 7.9 and 13 inches, depending on the model. When choosing the best, however, you will still need to consider the screen size, resolution, portability, screen type, power, and performance, plus storage options..

What iPad Sizes are currently available?

These are the iPad versions released between 2024 and April 2025. iPad Pro 13″ (7th gen) and iPad Pro 11″ (7th gen) were both released in 2024. iPad Air 13″ M3, iPad Air 11″ M3 (2025), iPad Air 13″ M2, and iPad Air 11″ M2 were all released in 2024. The iPad Mini 7 (2024) is the latest iPad Mini.

All their latest releases are compact and easily portable thanks to a sleek, modern design and slim finish. Below are their dimensions and screen sizes.

What are the Different types of iPads?

1. Apple iPad Mini
2. Apple iPad Air
3. Apple iPad
4. Apple iPad Pro

Apple iPad Mini Sizes

The Apple iPad Mini first came out in 2012 as a small compact 7.9-inch tablet. The screen size has since remained constant at 7.9 inches in the 2013, 14,15, and 19 versions that is 1,2,3,4, and 5th versions.

In the 2021 version, iPad Mini 6th generation, the screen size has slightly been increased to 8.3 inches. Despite the changes, it remains the most compact iPad available in the market today.

Model	Release Year	Screen Size
iPad mini 6th Generation	2021	8.3″
iPad mini 5th Generation	2019	7.9″
iPad mini 4th Generation	2015	7.9″
iPad mini 3rd Generation	2014	7.9″
iPad mini 2nd Generation	2013	7.9″
iPad mini 1st Generation	2012	7.9″

Apple iPad Air Sizes

Apple iPad Air comes in 5 options: the first generation produced in 2013 to the 5th generation released in 2022. The latest 4th and 5th generations come with a 10.9-inch screen size while the first and second generations had a slightly smaller 9.7-inch screen size.

The first and second generation were released in 2013 and 2014 respectively while the 4th and 5th generation came out in 2020 and 2022.

In 2019, Apple released the 3rd generation with a 10.5-inch screen slightly larger than the first and second generations but smaller than the 4th and 5th generations.

iPad Generation	Year	Screen Size
iPad Air 5th Generation	2022	10.9″
iPad Air 4th Generation	2020	10.9″
iPad Air 3rd Generation	2019	10.5″
iPad Air 2nd Generation	2014	9.7″
iPad Air 1st Generation	2013	9.7″

Apple iPad Sizes

The Apple iPad comes with the largest variety of options to choose from. It was the first iPad released with the oldest version coming out in 2010. Below are the different versions, sizes, and generations available.

iPad Generation	Year	Screen Size
iPad 10.9 – 10th generation	2022	10.9″
iPad 10.2 – 9th generation	2021	10.2″
iPad 10.2 – 8th generation	2020	10.2″
iPad 10.2 – 7th generation	2019	10.2″
iPad 2018 – 6th generation	2018	9.7″
iPad 2017 – 5th generation	2017	9.7″
iPad 4 – 4th generation	2012	9.7″
iPad 3 – 3rd generation	2012	9.7″
iPad 2 – 2nd generation	2011	9.7″
iPad 1 – 1st generation	2010	9.7″

Apple iPad Pro Sizes

What to Consider When Buying an iPad

• Performance and storage options
• Connectivity options
• Screen size and resolution
• Weight and thickness
• Battery life

How much iPad memory do You need?

iPads come in different RAM and storage sizes. The sizes you will choose will depend on how you intend to use your iPad. Although you will have large storage options, around 7 to 20 GB of space is occupied by the iPad OS, and you cannot use it.

For the storage size, iPads will range from 64 GB to 2 TB in size, with a large number of different sizes in between. These include 64 GB, 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB, and 2 TB.

Storage space in iPad tablets will be different from one iPad to the next. Basic iPad versions, like the Apple iPad (10th Gen, 2022), feature between 64 and 256 GB of storage space. 

More complex versions, like the iPad Mini and iPad Air, provide more storage options and larger spaces ranging between 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB, or 1 TB.

iPad Pros have the largest storage space of any iPad, ranging from 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB, or 2 TB. All iPad options feature the modern SSD type of storage space instead of the older and noisy HDD versions.

Once you buy a particular size, you will not be able to upgrade to the next size unless you buy a new iPad version. Larger-sized iPads will be relatively more expensive than smaller ones.

The RAM will go hand in hand with the processing power. For complex tasks like video editing, you need a powerful processor and at least 8 GB of RAM or more. 2 and 4 GB options are good for basic photo editing and digital art.

RAM options will vary from 2 GB to 32 GB for different iPad types. Like the storage space, the RAM is not upgradable. You have to buy another iPad to upgrade.

The size you need depends on the amount of files, photos, and videos you have. Video files are usually larger than photo files. 

For video editing, we recommend 512 GB and above, while photos can be saved in 256 GB without running into space issues.

If you are using iPads for gaming, you will need large storage space, especially if playing heavy games with a lot of dump files and cache. You need anywhere from 1 TB to play complex games.

Casual gamers, on the other hand, play lighter games that do not occupy a lot of space. They need anywhere from 32GB to 64GB of storage space.

If you are using iPads for conferencing or streaming, you will not need a lot of storage space. 64 GB and above will work perfectly since most of the functionality is online.

Frequently Asked Questions