The best iPad for drawing: fully tested by creative experts

It can be hard to choose the best iPad for drawing since there are so many models and configurations. It's also slightly subjective because it can depend on whether you prioritise a larger canvas or portability. All current iPads can serve for digital art since they're slim and portable, but some models do provide a better drawing experience, up there with the best drawing tablets, especially recent models.

We've been testing and reviewing iPads for over a decade, so we have a lot of experience in this area. If we have to choose one overall best iPad for artists, it would be the largest, newest iPad Pro: the iPad Pro (13th Gen, 2024).

But there are other options that are well worth considering if you don't want to part with that much money, and some have their own advantages. For example, the new iPad mini 7th Gen (2024) is super portable (and a lot cheaper) while still offering Apple Pencil Pro support. Below, I've compared the options available today based on our own reviews, and I suggest the best iPad for drawing for different needs.

Ian Dean

Ian is Creative Bloq's digital art and 3D editor and he is our resident drawing tablet tester, having tried tablets by Huion, Wacom and more. Here, he's focusing on Apple's offerings for digital artists.

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The best iPad for drawing in full

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The best iPad for drawing overall

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What you need to know

Released in May 2024, the new iPad Pro 13 (M4, 2024) is a faster, thinner upgrade to Apple's flagship tablet. It features several improvements that offer benefits for drawing specifically: OLED screen technology for improved contrast and compatibility with the new Apple Pencil Pro. We haven't yet completed our full review, but based on our initial hands-on experience, we think it's the best iPad for drawing you can buy right now if we exclude cost as a variable.

Design and build: The new iPad Pro is thinner than previous iterations, and the 13-inch version also has a very slightly larger screen (there's also an 11-inch iPad Pro, but we think the 13-inch pro is the better size for drawing.). We found that despite being just 5.1mm thick, the tablet feels very robust. The size could be a drawback for anyone who wants a more discreet device (the base iPad or iPad mini is more comfortable for handheld use), but we find the larger screen more comfortable for drawing in most situations.

Display: With these new models, Apple has delivered one of the key things users were asking for: an iPad with an OLED display. Apple's calling it Tandem OLED since it's actually two OLED panels sandwiched together. Apple claims 1,000 nits of standard brightness and 1,600 nits of HDR brightness, the same as with the 2022 model, but based on our initial hands-on inspection, we think the Ultra Retina XDR OLED display looks even crisper than its predecessor, with outstanding contrast between darks and lights.

The refresh rate of up to 120Hz provided excellent responsiveness when we were able to test it drawing with the Apple Pencil Pro. In fact, the support for this new stylus is a reason in itself to choose the new iPad Pro as a tablet for drawing because the Apple Pencil Pro introduces some improvements of its own that can help speed up workflows. These include a new rotating barrel that can quickly changes the orientation of shaped pen and brush tools and the ability to squeeze the stylus to access tools and settings.

Performance: The new iPad Pros are simply the fastest Apple tablets yet, if not the fastest tablets from any brand. The 2022 models were already fast, blazing through all of our benchmark tests, but the new M4 chip looks to provide even more impressive performance. This power is much more than what you'll need for drawing alone, and the iPad Pro can easily handle much more demanding tasks such as video editing and 3D modelling. And with up to 2TB of storage available, there's no need to worry about file sizes.

Pricing: The only real downside is that the iPad Pro 13 is Apple's most expensive iPad to date, starting at $1,299 / £1,299. We highly recommend it for professional digital artists since we think the Apple Pencil Pro support, OLED screen and fast refresh rate all make it worth the extra outlay. However, if you're not a professional it's probably more than you need. Newcomers to digital art may be better going with the more affordable.

Read more: Apple iPad Pro 13 (M4) review

Our expert says

Our expert says

Glen Southern

This is an amazing piece of hardware and has a 5.1mm thick glare-free glass. It works with Apple Pencil Pro and boasts serious power. It may be overkill for some.

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The best value iPad for drawing

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What you need to know: Apple also released two new iPad Airs in 2024 in the same sizes as the iPad Pros: 11 inches and 13 inches. And like their Pro sibling, and they both support Apple Pencil Pro, Apple's most sophisticated stylus. We think most artists will prefer the 13in option for more drawing space unless portability is the main priority, but either model is well worth considering as a more affordable alternative if you don't need the power of an iPad Pro.

Design and build: Compared with the 13-inch iPad Pro, the iPad Air is slightly thicker and heavier, which seems to contradict its name a bit. We think it still feels premium with its sleek aluminium finish. It has a USB 3.1 Gen 2 port for max speeds of 10Gbps (that compares to 40Gbps on the Pad Pro's Thunderbolt 4) while the front camera is 12MP like the Pro.

Display: In our review, we noted that backlighting is even and colour-accurate, making it a great choice for visual creative work, including drawing. The drawbacks are lower brightness levels compared to the Pro's Ultra Retina XDR OLED display, and a refresh rate of 60Hz (compared to the Pro's 120Hz). That means there's more chance of delay in the display of strokes when drawing with a stylus, but we didn't find it to be too noticeable in our tests. The slower refresh rate is more obvious for gaming.

Performance: In terms of processing power, we found the M2 chip offered smooth performance in the drawing apps we tried, including Procreate. You're only likely to find the M2 to be underpowered if you're doing other types of creative work as well, particularly high-resolution video editing or 3D work. If you want a tablet that could even stand in for a laptop, the Pro is the way to go for that.

Pricing: Starting at $599 for the 11in model and $799 for the 13-incher (before discounts), the M2 iPad Air is significantly more expensive than the standard iPad but it's almost half the price of the Pros. If you're looking for a tablet with a larger screen and more power than the iPad mini, but without the hefty price tag of the iPad Pro, the iPad Air is definitely worth considering, particularly if you're mainly interested in drawing and general productivity and entertainment rather than a laptop replacement.

Read more: iPad Air (M2, 2024) review

Our expert says

Our expert says

Matt Bolton

The iPad Air (5th gen) is an incredible computer for the price. The screen is sharp and light and works well with the likes of Procreate.

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The best iPad for sketching on the move

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What you need to know: Released in late 2024, the iPad mini 7th gen brought a much-welcomed refresh to a tablet line that hadn't seen an update since 2021. On the outside, it's basically identical to the iPad mini 6th gen – on the inside it's a different story, with an A17 pro chip that delivers significantly improved performance, putting it on a par with the iPad Air. Plus, for artists the Apple Pencil Pro support has the potential to be a game-changer.

Design and build: The big iPad Pros aren't the most comfortable option if you want to work on the move, such as on public transport, for example. The iPad mini 7th gen is the same size as the previous generation down to tenths of a millimetre, meaning that just like that tablet is is wonderfully compact, suitable for carrying anywhere since it can fit neatly into a small bag (read our guide to the best iPad cases)

Display: You don't need to be told that the iPad mini has a small screen. This will either be a deal-breaker for you or it won't – if an 8.3-inch surface is big enough for your artistic needs, then the Liquid Retina example here is a good one, with a crisp 1488 x 2266 pixels of resolution. However, we were somewhat disappointed at the lack of serious display upgrades in the 7th gen compared to the 6th gen. No OLED was probably inevitable, but being stuck at 60 Hz rather than getting the silky smooth 120 Hz ProMotion does rankle a bit.

Performance: This, by contrast, was a massive improvement. The upgrade from the A15 Bionic chip of a few years ago to the A17 Pro chip results in lightning-fast performance, putting the iPad mini 7th gen on par with the iPad Air series in terms of how it runs creative software. We loaded up Procreate with a whacking great 10,000x10,000-pixel document, working in several layers, and experienced nary a stutter or slowdown. Plus, you get that tactile Apple Pencil Pro experience. While the Pencil 2 is a fine stylus for art, the haptic engine of the Pro makes a real difference to workflow, while the impressive Barrel Roll functionality with built-in gyroscope (allowing it to detect barrel rotation) take it another giant step towards feeling exactly like a real pencil. Superb.

Pricing: Since the iPad mini 7th gen is relatively new, you're unlikely to find many discounts. The starting price for the 128GB model is $499/£499. Opt for more storage and cellular connectivity, add an Apple Pencil Pro, and you can easily break four figures.

Read more: Apple iPad mini 7th gen review

Our expert says

Our expert says

Daniel John

With the addition of the A17 Bionic chip and Apple Pencil Pro support, the iPad mini really does offer the 'full' iPad experience in a smaller package.

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The best budget iPad for drawing

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What you need to know

Apple gave the basic iPad a refresh in 2022, upgrading the chipset for better performance and adding an improved rear camera. The result is a reasonably priced iPad that has a more premium feel than its predecessor and great colour options too.

Design and build: The 10th-generation iPad is slightly larger than the 9th-gen iteration, and that extra 0.7 inches can make all the difference for a comfortable drawing experience. It also comes in a variety of bright colours. When we reviewed it, we thought it felt more premium than its predecessor, with the robust build standing up to some enthusiastic colouring from our reviewer's young son.

Display: The display is notably dimmer than the Pros, but we still found it to be a pleasure to draw on even outside. We do wish Apple could have found room to include Pencil 2 support. The first Apple Pencil is a fine stylus and does the job well enough, but the lack of built-in controls makes it less efficient to use when compared to the second-generation model, while the introduction of USB-C charging ports on this iPad means that you need to buy an additional adapter to charge it (note that Apple has since launched a USB-C Apple pencil, but this cheaper stylus has no pressure sensitivity, which is desirable for drawing).

Performance: Like the more expensive iPad models, this tablet includes True Tone support, which is Apple's technology that adjusts colour balance depending on the quality of light in the room. When we reviewed it, we found that battery life was generally good too, while the new A14 chip provides a small but noticeable speed boost in operation.

Pricing: Despite the missed opportunity to provide support for Apple Pencil 2, we think the 10th-gen iPad is a solid value tablet for drawing and for more general use too. Depending on the deals available, the price tends to be lower than the newer iPad mini, in which case your choice really comes down the size you prefer and whether you want to go with the mini for Apple Pencil Pro support and significantly faster performance.

Read more: iPad 2022 review

Our expert says

Our expert says

Kerrie Hughes

The 2022 iPad boasts a brighter display than its predecessor, more power, USB-C support and all-new accessories. It's a decent option for drawing.

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The best last-gen iPad for drawing

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What you need to know

If you fancy a 13-inch iPad Pro for that big, bright screen for drawing on, but don't like the price tag of the new M4-chipped 2024 devices, there's always the option of looking out for a good deal on the 2022 M2 iPad Pro. You miss out on the OLED screen and Apple Pencil Pro, but the performance of the M2 chip vs M4 probably won't to be noticeable for drawing.

Design and build: When we did our original review of this tablet on release, we gave the device 4.5 stars, and we think it's still a fantastic machine worth of any creative. Build-wise, the tablet pretty is thicker than the new model and very slightly heavier. It has the front-facing camera on the portrait side rather than the landscape side of the device, which we found to be awkward for video calls since it's not conducive to use docked in a keyboard. Again, if you're looking for a smaller display, there's also an 11-inch iPad Pro M2. However, I personally prefer the larger screen for artwork and think it's the main advantage of going for a Pro.

Display: Until the release of this year's Pros, this was the best screen on an iPad, boasting what Apple called Liquid Retina XDR technology. This provided improved brightness and detail in dark areas, and indeed this provides the same peak brightness of the new model at 1600 nits. That said, the newer iPad's Tandem OLED display provides for still better contrast, and it supports Apple Pencil Pro with the advantages that come with that (see our top pick above). I

Performance: It's not the M4, but the M2 chip is still very fast by today's standards, and can easily handle drawing, as well as much more intensive creative work, such as video editing and motion design. We found stylus performance to be excellent, providing a smooth and efficient drawing experience thanks to the 2nd generation Apple Pencil's touch controls.

Pricing: Going for an older iPad doesn't always make sense since since the starting price of new models tends to be around the same as the previous generation. However, in the case of the iPad Pro 13 there was a $200 / £200 jump in the starting price for the 2024 iteration because the cheapest configuration (128GB SSD) has been dropped, with storage now starting at 256GB. We think that for the older device to be worth buying over this year's model, you need to hold out for a saving of around $200 on top of that since there's every change the new iPad Pro could have discounts of up to $100 in its first year. Some third-party retailers do sometimes still have stock of new models, and going for a renewed device is also an option for further savings.

Read more: iPad Pro 2022 (M2) review

Our expert says

Our expert says

Kerrie Hughes

This is a great iPad for drawing due to a combination of sheer power under its hood, a fantastic screen and the range of app/software available.

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What we look for in the best iPads for drawing

Let's face it, all the iPads we've tested are great for drawing, so what are we looking for when compiling this list?

Here, we've outlined which iPad is suitable for each case, so if you're specifically looking for a cheaper or a more portable device, we have the iPad for you.

To evaluate an iPad's prowess for drawing we test it on a range of drawing apps, most notably Procreate, and look at screen size and spec. We also take into account which Apple Pencil the iPads are compatible with, with the Apple Pencil Pro being the best for drawing followed by the Apple Pencil 2.

We also look at processing power and chip, and evaluate whether or not the better chips are really worth it for digital artists. And of course, we take price into account, looking at the retail price and the frequency of discounts on each model.

How to choose the best iPad for drawing

Ultimately, the best iPad for drawing is going to depend on the individual needs of the artist, and there's no objectively right or wrong answer. Here are some key factors to think about when selecting your iPad for drawing.

Screen size: How much screen do you need when drawing? Larger iPads naturally have larger screens, which gives you more space but also makes the tablet less portable and heavier to carry around, which arguably defeats the purpose of having a portable drawing tool. Then again, if you're going to leave the iPad at home or in the studio, portability doesn't matter. Personally, I prefer the 11 or 12.9-inch displays. At 10.2 inches, the 9th-gen standard iPad is too small for my liking, but I also know artists who love using the iPad mini for sketching.

Processing power: Newer iPads have faster processors and are capable of handling more complex tasks without stutter or slowdown. Drawing is not the most intensive task that an iPad can perform, so this is not necessarily a very important factor. However, if you are working with very high resolution files, or if you want to use you iPad for other creative work as well as drawing, then it's going to be very important that your tablet has enough power to load and display files efficiently.

Stylus compatibility: Different iPads are compatible with different versions of the Apple Pencil. The Apple Pencil Pro is the superior stylus, but it's also more expensive and works with the more expensive iPads, so it's up to you whether you can justify the outlay. Read our guide to Apple Pencils compared for more details here.

Price: iPads are expensive, especially the Pros. Your budget may dictate what you have to choose from to an extent. A good way to expand your options is to keep an eye out for the latest sales and offers. We're currently updating our guide to the best iPad deals, which is a good place to start.

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How we test the best iPads for drawing

We test and review all the latest Apple products here at CreativeBloq, which means we have a lot of experience in using Apple devices for creative work, including for drawing. Our reviewers are experts in their field. Many of them are working creatives and have years of experience reviewing iPad and other tablets (for more details, see How we test and review on CreativeBloq.)

The iPads on this list have been tested and rated by our team of expert reviewers, after weeks of use. We put them through a series of benchmark tests but also real-world situations, using them for a range of tasks, including drawing via different iPad art apps, including Procreate.

We evaluated the drawing experience using an Apple stylus, and compared specs, including screen size and resolution, RAM and storage size. We considered the strengths and weaknesses of each tablet and factored in the cost to make recommendations for a range of budgets.

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The best iPads for drawing: FAQ

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