When you’re an artist, having the right tools to bring your creations to life is essential. To do that, the right technology can take things a long way and the iPad from Apple is one of the best tools for drawing anywhere.
We thought, being the artists that we are, that it was beyond time that we shone a light on the best iPads for drawing. There are more options out there than you think and that means that there is a good option for just about everyone.
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If you’re ready, let’s jump right in!
7+ Best iPad for Drawing in 2023
There are various iPads available in the market. The following are the list of iPads available best for drawing.
- iPad Pro 12.9-inch (M1, 2021) — The best iPad for drawing overall (Editor’s Choice)
- Apple 10.9-inch iPad (2022)— The best budget iPad for drawing
- iPad Air 4 (2020) — The best value iPad for drawing
- iPad Pro 11-inch (M1, 2021) — The best 11-inch iPad for drawing
- iPad Mini (2021) — The best portable iPad for drawing
- iPad Pro 12.9 (2020) — The best professional iPad for drawing
- Apple iPad Mini (2021) — The best compact iPad for drawing
If you’re interested in the iPad or Apple products, be sure to check out our posts on the best accessories for MacBook Pro and the best accessories for iPad.
If you’re into Procreate, see our features on the best Procreate brushes, the best Procreate courses and the best Procreate fonts.
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What is the best iPad for Drawing?
In our minds, there is only one iPad that stands above the rest – the 12.9-inch iPad Pro. The combination of power and specs puts it above any other options we’re featuring here. If you’re looking for an in-depth look at the options on our list, check out the table below.
What are the must-have accessories for iPad?
If you’re serious about buying an iPad for your drawing, you should also get the right tools and gear to get the most out of your new device. While there are many options out there, these are the items that we feel are essential to your new iPad. If you’re looking for more, you can check out our article on the 24 Best Apple iPad Accessories for 2023.
Apple Pencil
There are so many different styluses on the market that you’d think that they’re all the same. Unfortunately, you’d be wrong and the Apple Pencil is the reason why. While the newest version, the 2nd Gen, works with the iPad Pro and many other versions, the 1st generation Pencil is still a handy tool to have and there are still some iPads that use it. Plus, it’s more affordable. See here for feature on Apple Pencil alternatives.
Magic Keyboard
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While we are talking about using an iPad for drawing, it’s only inevitable that you may want to do other things as well and the Magic Keyboard is great for that. With an intuitive trackpad, front and back protection, plus a USB-C port for pass-through charging, you’ll wonder why you considered using anything else.
Apple Smart Keyboard Folio
While the Magic Keyboard might be just that, it is also kind of expensive and that’s why the Smart Keyboard Folio from Apple is a great alternative. With premium typing keys, a lightweight design, and a sophisticated finish, the Folio is a perfect option. Sure, it won’t make your iPad look like the Force is making it float but you’ll still have money in your pocket.
Also, if interested, you can check out our article on 7 Best Magic Keyboard Alternatives in 2023.
Top 3 Most Popular iPads for Drawing
These are the three best-selling iPads for Drawing on Amazon right now:
7+ Best iPads for Drawing in 2023
1. iPad Pro 12.9-inch (M1, 2021) (Editor’s Choice)
The best iPad for drawing overall
The best iPad for drawing is easily the newest version of their largest offering, the iPad Pro. A gorgeous 12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR display that also included ProMotion, True Tone, and P3 wide color gamut support puts it so far ahead of other iPads it’s laughable.
At its high end, the iPad Pro comes with 2TB of storage, giving you more than enough space to save all of your artwork and anything else you are working on. Not one to let the premium features stop there, Apple has also included a fantastic 12MP camera on the front and rear of the tablet. Powered by Apple’s M1 chip, the iPad Pro is a sight to behold, if you can afford it that is. If there is one thing the iPad Pro is not, is cheap.
| Pros | Cons |
| ➕ Premium display | ➖ Uber-expensive |
| ➕ Huge storage options |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- Apple M1 chip for next-level performance
- Brilliant 12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR display with ProMotion, True Tone, and P3 wide color
- TrueDepth camera system featuring Ultra Wide camera with Center Stage
- 12MP Wide camera, 10MP Ultra Wide camera, and LiDAR Scanner for immersive AR
- Stay connected with ultrafast Wi-Fi
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2. Apple 10.9-inch iPad (2022)
The best budget iPad for drawing
The all-new iPad was colorfully redesigned to be more capable, intuitive, and engaging. With a new all-screen design, a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display, and four appealing colors, iPad provides a powerful way to get things done, create, and stay connected. One may Add iPad-specific accessories to experience limitless versatility. The Apple Pencil is capable of drawing, painting, and writing. The innovative two-piece design of the Magic Keyboard Folio allows you to type comfortably, use a trackpad, and consume information. Two traditional keyboard shortcuts or the trackpad’s click-anywhere capability are available for a wonderful typing experience.
| Pros | Cons |
| ➕ Excellent price point | ➖ Pretty basic tablet and small |
| ➕ Good battery life | ➖ Only supports Apple Pencil 1 |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- Striking 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display with True Tone
- A14 Bionic chip with 6-core CPU and 4-core GPU
- 12MP Wide back camera
- Landscape 12MP Ultra Wide front camera with Center Stage
- Touch ID for secure authentication and Apple Pay
3. iPad Air 4 (2020)
The best value iPad for drawing
Finding a great balance between performance and cost can be tricky, especially when it comes to an iPad but we think that we’ve found one just for you. The iPad Air 4 (2020) is a high-quality tablet at a decent price. Already in its 4th generation, the iPad Air is very different than previous iterations thanks in large part to Apple giving the line a revamp. While it looks similar to the new iPad Pro, the price point is much lower.
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Inside the tablet is where the magic happens and the 60Hz response rate is great for drawing, making sure that every line you create shows up in perfect clarity every time. Along with good battery life, performance, and a wonderful screen resolution, the iPad Air is a great value iPad for any artist.
| Pros | Cons |
| ➕ Apple Pencil 2 support | ➖ Screen response rate could be better |
| ➕ Great value |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- Stunning 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display with True Tone and P3 wide color
- A14 Bionic chip with Neural Engine
- Touch ID for secure authentication and Apple Pay
- 12MP back camera, 7MP FaceTime HD front camera
- Available in Silver, Space Gray, Rose Gold, Green, and Sky Blue
4. iPad Pro 11-inch (M1, 2021)
The best 11-inch iPad for drawing
Being in the shadow of the 12.9-inch iPad Pro is enough to give its 11-inch little brother a complex. Don’t worry though, the 11-inch version of the iPad Pro has carved out a nice niche for itself. While it is a small step down from its big brother, the Liquid Retina display does come with an anti-reflective coating, True Tone, ProMotion, and a P3 wide color gamut which is nice even if the display isn’t a Mini LED like the 12.9-inch version.
Outside of the inevitable comparison to the other iPad Pro, the 11-inch version is an excellent choice in terms of overall value as you’re getting most of what is being offered by the larger version, at a lower price. This includes the super-powerful M1 chip, vast amounts of storage, a great camera, and support for the Apple Pencil 2. All in all, the slightly smaller size may be preferred by some.
| Pros | Cons |
| ➕ Super fast processor | ➖ The screen is inferior to the 12.9 version |
| ➕ More portable than the 12.9 version | ➖ Expensive |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- Apple M1 chip for next-level performance
- Stunning 11-inch Liquid Retina display with ProMotion, True Tone, and P3 wide color
- TrueDepth camera system featuring Ultra Wide front camera with Center Stage
- 12MP Wide camera, 10MP Ultra Wide camera, and LiDAR Scanner for immersive AR
- Stay connected with ultrafast Wi-Fi
5. iPad Mini (2021)
The best portable iPad for drawing
Portability is one of the great things that the iPad offers consumers. Being able to use it anywhere makes it preferable to some laptops, however, some iPads can even be a bit big and that’s why the iPad Mini (2021) is such a great option if you’re on the go all the time.
While the 8.3-inch screen may be too small for some, others will find it to be a perfect option for drawing on the go. The Liquid Retina screen offers a great resolution of 1488 x 2266 pixels. Add in support for the Apple Pencil 2 and 10 hours of battery life and you’ll be able to create incredible things all day long. The Mini uses the A15 Bionic chip that keeps every program running fast and smooth while the 256GB of storage helps you save all of your masterpieces.
| Pros | Cons |
| ➕ Extremely portable | ➖ A smaller screen isn’t for everyone |
| ➕ Beautiful screen |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display with True Tone and wide color
- A15 Bionic chip with Neural Engine
- Touch ID for secure authentication and Apple Pay
- 12MP Wide back camera, 12MP Ultra Wide front camera with Center Stage
- Available in purple, starlight, pink, and space gray
6. iPad Pro 12.9 (2020)
The best professional iPad for drawing
While it may be last year’s model, the iPad Pro from 2020 is a great tablet at a more affordable tablet when compared to the newest iPad Pro. While it doesn’t come with a lot of the upgrades that the newest version does, this doesn’t mean that it isn’t a great tablet that can meet your needs.
To start, it already includes a massive 12.9-inch screen and amazing resolution. it also includes support for the Apple Pencil 2. While it doesn’t use the new M1 chip, the A12Z Bionic chip offers great performance. Plus, with its lower price, last year’s model may still be preferable to some artists looking to save a few dollars.
| Pros | Cons |
| ➕ High-res screen | ➖ Doesn’t come with an M1 chip |
| ➕ Large display |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- 12.9-inch edge-to-edge Liquid Retina display with ProMotion, True Tone, and P3 wide color
- A12Z Bionic chip with Neural Engine
- 12MP Wide camera, 10MP Ultra Wide camera, and LiDAR Scanner
- 7MP TrueDepth front camera
- Face ID for secure authentication and Apple Pay
The best compact iPad for drawing
The Apple iPad Mini has a higher resolution. The screen resolution (319 PPI), which is higher than any previous iPad display, was one of the main reasons I bought this small beast. I stress this feature since I mostly use my iPad to read and watch IT videos. It’s quite light! If you choose one of these, you will be surprised. Smaller iPads allow you to hold the entire tablet in one hand while writing with the other. When watching movies, the discharge rate is roughly 5% each hour. Charge rate: around 10% / 14 mm. It is really handy and identifies the fingerprint fast. Stereo speakers have fantastic sound! When coupled with an Apple pencil, it’s a breeze. I’m using a note-taking app that allows me to utilize my iPad as a mini-notepad. It made me wish I’d done it while I was in school. Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, and Apple Music for three months (By purchasing the gadget alone, Apple gives three months of Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, and Apple Music. So I’m watching “For All Mankind” on Apple TV+ right now, and it looks wonderful on this screen.
| Pros | Cons |
| ➕ Very portable | ➖ Not as powerful as later models |
| ➕ Great value | ➖ No support for Apple Pencil 2 |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display with True Tone and wide color
- A15 Bionic chip with Neural Engine
- Touch ID for secure authentication and Apple Pay
- 12MP Wide back camera, 12MP Ultra Wide front camera with Center Stage
- Available in purple, starlight, pink, and space gray
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main accessories required for drawing with iPad?
Apple Pencil, Magic Keyboard, and Apple Smart Keyboard Folio.
Which is the most affordable tablet for drawing?
iPad Pro from 2020 is the most affordable tablet available for drawing.
Are iPads waterproof?
Unfortunately, iPads do not have any water resistance features, so you must exercise caution and proper care to prevent water damage.
May I use Apple Pencil with iPads?
Not all iPads are suitable to use with the Apple Pencil. Some exceptions are iPad mini (6th generation) iPad Air (4th generation and later) iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation and later).
What is the maximum size of an iPad tablet?
12.9-inch iPad Pro is the maximum size of an iPad tablet.
7+ Best iPads for Drawing in 2023
When you’re an artist, having the right tools for drawing can mean the difference between bringing your imagination to life and feeling like it will never go anywhere. The right tech, like the iPad from Apple, can help make your drawings come alive. Our list of the 7+ Best iPads for Drawing in 2023 will hopefully help you reach your dreams.
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