Which iPad is best for drawing?
Don’t let the minimalist exterior fool you: iPads are packed full of impressive tech. The seamless stylus support, unbeatable graphics, and relentless updates make iPads excellent options for both professional illustrators and hobbyists.
Buying an iPad for drawing might seem like a no-brainer, but there’s a lot of information to wade through. Since the first iPad was launched in 2010, Apple has released over 40 models. You’ve got different chips, displays, and Apple Pencils… It’s never-ending.
To make your life easier, we’ve done all the legwork. But before we jump straight into the four best iPads for drawing, let’s talk about the tech side of the equation.
Quick list:
- Best for overall experience: iPad Pro 11-inch (2024)
- Best for an iPad Pro on a budget: iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2022)
- Best for an M3 chip : iPad Air 11-inch (2025)
- Best for portability and Apple Intelligence: iPad Mini (2024)
What are chips and why are they important?
In the world of Apple, “chip” refers to the System on a Chip (SoC). All the important parts of the computer inside your iPad are on a single chip, which is far more efficient than using separate chips for each function.
There are four main parts of a chip:
- Central Processing Unit (CPU). General computations, basically the boring admin stuff like running apps.
- Graphics Processing Unit (GPU). Renders graphics, including games, videos, and images.
- Neural Engine. Machine learning tasks, like natural language processing, image recognition, and other AI-powered tasks.
- Memory (RAM). Temporary data storage that allows the CPU and GPU to process information more quickly.
Apple has its own SoC, known as Apple Silicon. But Apple’s M Series wasn’t the first — in fact, Apple started out with the A Series.
- Apple A Series. The first iPad used an Apple A4 chip and, while it was revolutionary at the time, it’s now considered to be an older piece of tech. Still, digital artists continue to purchase iPad models with A chips and use them to create illustrations and graphics.
- Apple M Series. From April 2021 onward, Apple primarily switched to M chips. M1, M2, M3, and M4 chips have a better CPU and GPU than A Series chips. They’re known for being fast, saving battery, and performing more efficiently when rendering 3D creations and processing Procreate files with multiple layers.
This is something to bear in mind when choosing your ideal iPad. As you might guess, digital artists need a chip with a good GPU and RAM. The power of your chip can also have a big impact on overall performance, allowing for a smoother drawing experience, faster load times, and more complex effects.
Good to know: Higher-end iPads with more powerful chips offer ProMotion Display, which has a refresh rate of 120Hz. The refresh determines how often the image on your iPad is updated per second. Standard iPads (and other tablets) have a refresh rate of 60Hz, so it’s no surprise that ProMotion-enabled iPads offer a far smoother viewing, drawing, and Apple Pencil experience.
Once you’ve chosen an iPad for drawing, you can do all sorts of things. You could draw yourself on the moon, start a digital drawing side hustle from home, or transform your iPad into a drawing tablet for PC.
iPad Pro 11-inch (2024, M4)
The iPad Pro has been around since 2015, but it wasn’t until May of 2024 that Apple added M4 chips to the lineup.
Price: $999 – $2,599 on the Apple website
Best for: overall experience
Specs:
- Screen size: 11-inch
- Dimensions: 9.83 x 6.99 x 0.21 inches
- Weight: 1.03lb
- Resolution: 1668 x 2420
- Chip: M4
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
- Storage: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB
- Stylus: Apple Pencil 2, Apple Pencil Pro
Our thoughts:
Go big or go home, that’s our motto. We can confidently say that the iPad Pro is our top pick for the best iPad for drawing, provided you have deep pockets.
It has a sleek, super-slim body and weighs just under one pound. And at just 5.3mm thick, it’s the thinnest Apple tablet to date. And, if you opt for the more expensive 13-inch screen, it gets even thinner, clocking in at just 5.1mm.
On top of being aesthetically pleasing, this iPad is host to a bunch of powerful tech that’s sure to streamline your drawing experience.
The display is nothing short of amazing. Tandem OLED tech has revolutionized the game by sandwiching two OLED panels together to deliver the most advanced experience yet, creating an Ultra Retina XDR OLED display. It’s extremely crisp, with 1000 nits for SDR and HDR content and 1600 nits for peak HDR. That means extreme brightness, precise contrast, and amazing colors.
The M4 chip has a 10-core GPU that includes powerful features such as Dynamic Caching, hardware-accelerated mesh shading, and ray tracing, all features which are new to iPads. And, if you opt for the nano-textured glass option (which is only available for iPad Pro models that have 1TB or 2TB of storage), you’ll also benefit from reduced glare.
Of course, the 10-core chip guarantees a super-fast experience. Like all the iPad Pro models, the 2024 release has a refresh rate of 120 Hz, allowing you to work on animations, doodles, or professional graphic designs without lag.
The iPad Pro is compatible with the Apple Pencil 2 and the new Apple Pencil Pro. Combined, they create an unbeatable drawing experience. The stylus comes with appealing features, including a gyroscope that enables a barrel roll gesture, sensors that support pinch actions, and a haptic engine that delivers vibrational feedback.
All in all, the Apple Pencil Pro is great for artists who want to improve their workflow on a microscopic level, working alongside the iPad Pro for the best experience possible. To make the deal even sweeter, the Apple Pencil Pro is available for the same price as the Apple Pencil 2 ($129).
We’re focusing on the 11-inch version because it’s cheaper, but if you want more drawing real estate, you can upgrade to the 13-inch version. $300 separates the base models, so it’s a sizable jump for only a slightly bigger screen. Then again, if you’re using your iPad for drawing show-stopping designs, that extra space could make all the difference.
Pros:
- Speed. The ultra-fast processing speed means you never have to worry about lag, allowing you to develop streamlined workflows.
- Display. If you’re searching for a bright, color-accurate display, this tablet is the one for you.
- Stylus. Take advantage of all the new features of the Apple Pencil Pro with this compatible iPad.
- Precise. No other tablet offers the same level of pixel-perfect precision.
Cons:
- Add-ons. Apple Pencils are sold separately, meaning you have to spend an extra $129 on top of the already expensive tablet.
- Cost. The extreme price tag is not realistic for most digital artists.
- Durability. This iPad is extremely thin and lightweight, but some artists prefer sturdier tablets.
iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2022, M2)
Apple has officially discontinued this Pro model, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t the best iPad for drawing on a budget.
Price: $599 – $899 on Amazon
Best for: An iPad Pro on a budget
Specs:
- Screen size: 12.9-inch
- Dimensions: 280.6 x 214.9 x 6.4mm
- Weight: 1.5 lbs
- Resolution: 2048 x 2732 pixels
- Chip: M2
- Refresh rate: 120Hz
- Storage: 128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB/2TB
- Stylus: Apple Pencil 2, Apple Pencil 3
Our thoughts:
In our book, the iPad Pro is the best iPad Pro for drawing on a budget. It’s cheaper than its new, shinier cousin, but it has a lot of similar features. Besides, it gets you closer to that coveted 13-inch screen, but without the big price jump.
To start with, the iPad Pro 2022 has an M2 chip. It’s 18% faster than the M1, the Neural Engine (which processes tasks) is 40% faster, and the graphics processors are 35% faster. In other words, it’s incredibly fast. You can run your favorite graphic design software without worrying about lag.
Good to know: If you want an iPad for drawing, video editing, and animating, you’re not alone. Most people are looking for an iPad that can do it all, and the discontinued iPad Pro 12.9-inch ticks all of those boxes. It’s great for digital drawing, and the M2 chip even supports video editing on apps like Final Cut Pro and LumaFusion.
Illustrators and graphic designers can enjoy up to 10 hours of battery life and a Liquid Retina XDR display that delivers high contrast and high brightness. The contrast ratio is 1,000,000:1, so color accuracy is guaranteed.
Of course, iPad users can also buy a compatible Apple Pencil stylus to make the most of their experience. The Apple Pencil 2 is one of the most responsive styluses in the world and, to make it even more appealing to artists, it has pixel-perfect precision, tilt sensitivity, and pressure sensitivity.
Pros:
- Accessories. Compatible with Apple Pencil 2, an excellent choice for digital artists who want to create personalized workflows.
- Chip. The M2 chip is a game-changer for illustrators and graphic designers who work with large files.
- Price. Much more affordable than the latest iPad Pro (M4), but with a bunch of similar benefits.
- Color. Unparalleled color accuracy and vibrancy, so you don’t have to second-guess yourself.
Cons:
- Add-ons. An Apple Pencil 2 costs $129, making it an expensive barrier that digital artists have to overcome before they can start creating.
- Battery. Some say that the battery life does not meet expectations, but this could be due to other issues, such as background apps draining the battery.
- Clunky. Size and weight could be big negatives for some, especially those who want to travel with their iPads.
- Discontinued. Apple has stopped producing this model, so you can only buy it through a third party.
Searching for something for your creative friend? Discover the 10 best gifts for digital artists.
iPad Air 10.9-inch (2025, M3)
In 2025, Apple released an iPad Air model with an M3 chip. This marked a significant win for digital drawers, offering a more efficient twist on a familiar design.
Price: $599 – $799 on the Apple website
Best for: M3 chip
Specs:
- Screen size: 10.9-inch
- Dimensions: 247.6 x 178.5 x 6.1mm
- Weight: 1.01 lbs
- Resolution: 2350 x 1640 pixels
- Chip: M1
- Refresh rate: 60Hz
- Storage: 64GB/256GB
- Stylus: Apple Pencil 2, Apple Pencil 3
Our thoughts:
We never thought we’d see it, but here’s an iPad with a M3 chip. The iPad Air is the only iPad that has an M3 chip; before this was released, Apple skipped it completely and put M4 chips in iPad Pros.
This iPad Air starts at the same price as the previous generation, an interesting choice that’s raised a few eyebrows — but we’re not complaining! If you want an iPad for drawing, but you don’t want to splash the cash on a tablet that is almost as expensive as an Apple Mac, this could be the iPad for you.
The other main difference is, of course, the M3 chip. It offers better speed, camera performance, battery life, and playback capabilities. It includes hardware-accelerated ray tracing, which allows for more detailed and realistic rendering of lighting, shadows, and reflections in games, animations, and illustrations. It even runs Apple Intelligence!
There’s still a sizable gap between the M3 and M4 chip but, overall, there’s a significant performance boost compared to previous generations,
The 11-inch model has 500 nits of brightness, but you can boost it up to 600 nits by opting for the 13-inch version. It’s decent, but not comparable to the iPad Pro’s mammoth 1,600 nits. And the refresh rate is 60Hz, which is half of the M4 chip found in the iPad Pro. We’re not saying that the iPad Air is super slow, but you might notice a slight lag over time.
Another downside of this model is that it’s not compatible with Apple Pencil 2. It’s only compatible with Apple Pencil and Apple Pencil Pro, a strange choice for a new iPad model. Still, you can purchase the Apple Pencil Pro for the same price as the Apple Pencil 2 ($129) and use the squeeze and roll sensors to improve your digital workflow.
Pros:
- Chip. Contains an M3 chip, making it far faster and more efficient than earlier models.
- Ray tracing. This new feature offers realistic lighting and shadows, making your visual work all the more impactful.
- Cost. The iPad Air might still be a big chunk of change, but at least it’s more affordable than an iPad Pro.
Cons:
- Compatibility. This model skips the Apple Pencil 2 entirely, a stylus that many digital drawers have come to love.
- Few changes. Although existing iPad Air fans might appreciate this update, it feels minor enough for us to question whether it warrants a new generation.
- Refresh rate. Digital artists might prefer a higher refresh rate.
iPad Mini (2024)
The 7th generation iPad Mini was released on October 23rd, 2024. On the same day, Apple discontinued its predecessor, the 6th-generation iPad Mini.
Price: $679 on the Apple website
Best for: Portability and Apple Intelligence
Specs:
- Screen size: 8.3-inches
- Dimensions: 203.2 x 134.6 x 6.1mm
- Weight: 0.66 lbs
- Resolution: 2266 x 1488 pixels
- Chip: A15
- Storage: 64GB/256GB
- Stylus: Apple Pencil 1, Apple Pencil 2
Our thoughts:
The iPad Mini might seem like a wild card, but it’s our pick for the best iPad for drawing on the go. Clocking in at just 8.3 inches, this iPad truly lives up to its name. It’s the most portable iPad on the market, meaning you can easily take it on holiday, your daily commute, and to meetings.
At first glance, it seems a lot like the 6th generation iPad Mini. They both have a Liquid Retina display, P3 wide color, and True Tone. The chips even have the same make-up: a 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, and 16-core Neural Engine. The main difference between the 6th and 7th-gen iPad Mini is that the latter is made for Apple Intelligence.
Apple Intelligence (AI) might not be a game-changer for digital design, but it’s great for security and privacy. It features Private Cloud Compute that processes more complex requests while protecting your privacy. AI also has impressive Writing Tools that allow you to summarize emails in seconds and minimize unnecessary distractions. In other words, you can get all that boring admin done and spend time on the thing that matters: your art.
The new design has a 100% recycled aluminum case, a small but impactful benefit for eco-conscious digital designers. Then you’ve got the four new colors, which include pastels that are a welcome departure from some of the more monochrome options.
Like the iPad Air, the iPad Mini isn’t compatible with Apple Pencil 2. But, even if you don’t have the Apple Pencil 2 by your side, you can still take full advantage of all the other productivity-boosting iPad accessories out there. Check out our nine of the best iPad drawing accessories for creatives to get the ball rolling.
Pros:
- Apple Intelligence. The intelligent AI features will keep your information private, even from Apple.
- Cost. Although it has a higher starting price than the iPad Air, it’s still much more affordable than the iPad Pro.
- Portable. Take your designs on the go with this easily transportable iPad.
Cons:
- Chip. There’s no denying that M Series chips have better processing power than A Series chips, which you should consider if you need to complete more power-intensive tasks like editing videos or animating illustrations.
- Stylus. If you choose the 7th-generation iPad Mini, you can wave goodbye to the Apple Pencil 2.
Final Thoughts
There you have it, our top four best iPads for drawing, covering everything from affordability to portability.
So, which iPad is best for your drawings?
The Apple iPad ecosystem is so vast that there’s something for every kind of digital creative, including hobbyists, illustrators, and professional graphic designers. And now that you’re armed with up-to-date information about A and M Series chips, you can make an informed decision about your purchase.
Found your ideal iPad for drawing? We’ve asked around and found all the best drawing apps for iPads.
Discover Astropad Studio
Turn your iPad into a professional drawing tablet with Astropad Studio. Compatible with both Mac and PC, Astropad Studio allows you to mirror your favorite desktop creative apps onto your iPad and use your Apple Pencil as the input device.
Plus, you can completely customize your workflows with features built specifically for artists:
- Magic Gestures – Instantly change tools with fully customizable finger tap and Apple Pencil gestures.
- Shortcut Sidebar – Customizable sidebar shortcuts allow you to quickly access your favorite tools and automatically match whatever desktop application you’re using.
- Pressure Curves and Smoothing – Choose between hard and soft pressure curves and adjust your level of pressure smoothing to match your workflows.
Astropad Studio is compatible with all of your favorite creative programs including Illustrator, Photoshop, Clip Studio Paint, Krita, Blender, Zbrush, and more!
