Getting a refurbished iPad can save you a lot of money while getting a tablet that works exactly like a brand-new model, warranty included. To make your search easier, we will show you five of the best iPads you can buy in 2024, taking into consideration budget-friendliness, performance, size, and ease of use.

Why should you choose a refurbished iPad?

Apple’s iPads have significantly dominated the global tablet market share. There are many reasons for this, like the excellent set of tablet-focused apps, the intuitive OS, outstanding performance, durability, and the seamless integration provided by the Apple ecosystem.

If you’re after the Apple experience without the Apple price tag, you can opt to buy a refurbished iPad instead. In short, you save money and find bargains.

Refurbished iPads are not much different from new ones. For instance, Apple-certified refurbished products are restored to complete working condition by Apple after being either pre-owned or used as display models. They are also eligible for AppleCare protection. As a result, when you buy a refurbished iPad, it will work as new.

It’s also important to remember that a refurbished device is not the same as a used device. A refurbished iPad underwent several testing and cleaning processes by professional technicians and includes a warranty, while used iPads might not have.

iPad with a keyboard

The demand for refurbished products of a model rises when its successor launches. Therefore, some older models have a much lower price and can serve you well for years to come. That’s why we sometimes don’t show the newest models in these types of posts, as the offers may not be significant until some time has passed (or they may not even have been refurbished yet).

To benefit from price reductions, just set up a price alert on RefurbMe, and we will notify you instantly when there is availability.

👉 Learn more: How to Set Up and Use an iPad: A Complete Guide

Without further ado, let’s have a look at five of the best refurbished iPads you can buy in 2024.

iPad Pro 12.9″ (6th gen)

Best performance

Release year2022
Screen size12.9 inches
Network and connectivityGSM/CDMA/LTE/5G
WiFi
OS, chipset, and CPUiPadOS 17
Apple M2
Octa-core
Main camera12 MP Dual Pixel
10 MP ultrawide
Internal memory & storage128GB with 8GB RAM, 256GB with 8GB RAM, 512GB with 8GB RAM, 1TB with 16GB RAM, 2TB with 16GB RAM
PriceStarting at

The sixth-generation 12.9-inch iPad Pro is currently the best iPad you can get. Launched in 2022, it comes with Apple’s crown jewel: the M2 processor. The Cupertino-based company claims the CPU is up to 15% faster than its predecessor.

The Liquid Retina XDR display delivers some of the brightest colors and best screen quality you will see in a device at a resolution of 2732 x 2048. It also has the ability to record ProRes video and supports WiFi 6E.

All the features that were present in its predecessor are also here, like 2nd-gen Apple Pencil support, but with 8GB RAM instead of 6GB and additional storage options of up to 2TB for your convenience.

Combined with the latest iPadOS 17, it gives your laptop tough competition. This is not the most affordable model, but it’s perfect if you are a professional who needs powerhouse performance, a lot of storage, and the very best display for work and play. If you don’t need that much, keep looking.

iPad Pro 12.9″ (5th gen)

Second-best performance at a lower price

Release year2021
Screen size12.9 inches
Network and connectivityGSM/CDMA/LTE/5G
WiFi
OS, chipset, and CPUiPadOS 17
Apple M1
Octa-core
Main camera12 MP dual pixel
10 MP ultrawide
Internal memory & storage128GB with 8GB RAM, 256GB with 8GB RAM, 512GB with 8GB RAM, 1TB with 16GB RAM, 2TB with 16GB RAM
PriceStarting at

The fifth-generation iPad Pro, released in 2021, is a big and powerful tablet. It’s ideal for demanding tasks like video editing, graphic design, and top-tier games, and it’s a bit cheaper than the most recent iPad Pro 6.

It has a superb 2048 x 2732 Mini LED screen, becoming the first iPad to have used this type of display technology. Besides, like its other siblings, you can get up to 10 hours of battery life, has a premium aluminum shell, and up to 2TB of storage.

👉 Learn more: iPad Pro 11″ vs. 12.9″ (5th Gen): Which One Is Better?

The M1 iPad Pro also supports the second-generation Apple Pencil, with a magnetic spot on the side to charge it. The Smart Connector is on the back of the device, allowing you to use it with the Magic Keyboard, which includes backlit keys and a trackpad, or Apple’s Smart Keyboard.

iPad Air 5

Best value for money

Release year2022
Screen size10.9 inches
Network and connectivityGSM/HSPA/LTE/5G
WiFi
OS, chipset, and CPUiPadOS 17
Apple M1
Octa-core
Main camera12 MP wide, dual pixel
Internal memory & storage64GB and 256GB with 8GB RAM
PriceStarting at

The iPad Air 5 of 2022 is almost as good as an iPad Pro (and definitely better than older models of this lineup) and comes cheaper than any recent Pro model. Its speed and performance are on par with the Pro and support the second-gen Apple Pencil and the Smart Keyboard Folio.

It also has enormous power thanks to its M1 chipset and significant performance gains compared to the iPad Air 4. Plus, it has an excellent 10.9-inch screen at 2360 x 1640 resolution and 264ppi, 5G connectivity, and a good battery life of up to 10 hours in everyday usage.

👉 Learn more: 30 Easy Tips To Extend Your iPad’s Battery Life

The iPad Air 5 is also available in many colors, which isn’t common for other Apple tablets. It is one of the best refurbished iPads for those who want the best balance between price and performance.

👉 Related comparison: iPad Air 4 vs. iPad Air 5: The Key Differences

iPad 10

Best entry-level iPad

Release year2022
Screen size10.9 inches
Network and connectivityGSM/HSPA/LTE/5G
WiFi
OS, chipset, and CPUiPadOS 17
Apple A14 Bionic
Hexa-core
Main camera12MP ultrawide
Internal memory & storage64GB and 256GB with 4GB RAM
PriceStarting at 

The iPad 10 currently has an excellent value for money in 2024. This tenth generation has brought a bigger screen size of 10.9 inches for the regular iPad.

It includes an Apple A14 Bionic Hexa-core chipset, 4GB RAM, USB-C charging, and a reliable battery life that is more than enough for an entry-level tablet like the iPad 10.

Even though it’s not a massive boost to all-around performance compared to the iPad 9 and certainly can’t compete with the iPad Pro and Air, it comes at a much lower price point. It is perfect for those who are prioritizing budget above everything else.

iPad mini 6

Best compact iPad

Release year2021
Screen size8.3 inches
Network and connectivityGSM/HSPA/LTE/5G
WiFi
OS, chipset, and CPUiPadOS 17
Apple A15 Bionic
Hexa-core
Main camera12MP standard
Internal memory & storage64GB and 256GB with 4GB RAM
PriceStarting at

The iPad mini 6 is a small tablet that acts like a slightly plus-sized iPhone. What makes it one of the best refurbished iPads worth buying is that you can use the Apple Pencil alongside it, turning the tablet into a tiny notebook that can fit in your pocket.

Apple updated the iPad mini 6 with a speedy A15 Bionic processor. The big difference in the sixth generation is the slightly bigger 8.3-inch screen, which is still perfect for small hands and traveling. Due to its size, it’s also a good iPad for kids.

Its thin, laminated display makes it an ideal tablet for writing and drawing. Anyone looking after a compact iPad for watching video content, playing games, or taking notes on the move will also enjoy it.

👉 Compare: iPad Air 4 vs. iPad mini 6: Which One Should You Get?

Takeaway

A refurbished iPad is a great way to save money, as long as you choose a reputable seller with a professional restoration process. All products shown on RefurbMe are sold by trusted merchants, and they include a warranty.

Some iPads take longer than others to be refurbished and reach the market. If you can’t find the refurbished iPad of your choice at the moment, you can create an availability alert, and we’ll notify you instantly when it goes on sale. We’ll also let you know if a model becomes available again after being out of stock.

👉 Learn more: 5 Best Places to Buy a Refurbished iPad

From the iPad Pro 12.9″ (6th gen), with its unbeatable performance, to the iPad mini 6, which is perfect for travelers, we hope this guide has served you well. Don’t forget to check back from time to time to see if this list has changed with new iPad releases.

Happy buying!