iPads provide illustrators with high-resolution displays and fast performance, making them the ideal digital art tools. You can work on designs from anywhere around the world using an iPad, Apple Pencil, and some drawing apps – perfect for work at home, airplane, or cafe!
Procreate and Adobe Illustrator are compatible with most iPad models; you do not require the latest or fanciest one for it to work well. For an optimal drawing experience, however, larger screen sizes should be taken into consideration.
If you want to skip the reviews, we say get the Apple iPad Pro 12.9-inch 6th Generation M2.
Best iPad For Illustrators Reviews
Apple iPad Air 5th Generation M1
- WHY IPAD AIR — Serious performance in a thin and light design. With an immersive 10.9-inch Liquid...
- IPADOS + APPS — iPadOS makes iPad more productive, intuitive, and versatile. With iPadOS, run multiple...
- FAST WI-FI CONNECTIVITY — Wi-Fi 6 gives you fast access to your files, uploads, and downloads, and lets...
- PERFORMANCE AND STORAGE — The M1 chip lets you multitask smoothly between powerful apps and play...
- APPLE PENCIL AND MAGIC KEYBOARD — With Apple Pencil (2nd generation), iPad Air transforms into an...
This iPad model is perfect for digital art, running Procreate without lag. The screen is beautiful and responsive; Apple Pencil support makes this an excellent option. Plus it boasts impressive battery life for artists! This iPad model makes digital creation accessible.
This latest iPad Air comes equipped with an enhanced processor and memory, making it the ideal device for digital art creation and painting.
The screen provides an amazing viewing experience with great details and vibrant hues. Furthermore, its lightweight yet easy-to-use design makes this model the best iPad for drawing.
The iPad Mini may be more costly than its counterparts, but it still makes an excellent choice for digital artists. Although its screen may be smaller than other iPad models, its performance remains more than adequate to run Procreate for sketching and painting purposes.
Furthermore, its battery life and comfortable holding characteristics make it an excellent iPad for taking your work with you wherever life may lead you.
Apple iPad Pro 12.9-inch (M2, 2022). Boasting an eye-catching display, this is the best iPad for drawing in 2022. Equipped with QHD resolution for sharp and clear images as well as fantastic fidelity features like ProMotion True Tone P3 Wide Color this iPad is ideal for artists.
Before choosing between the iPad Air or Pro for digital artists, it’s essential to evaluate their respective advantages and disadvantages carefully. The Air’s lighter weight and compact size make it more suitable for traveling artists; on the other hand, its more powerful capabilities make the Pro more costly than its rival.
No matter which iPad model you opt for, it will surely meet all your needs. What matters most is to decide what features are essential and the amount you are willing to spend.
Apple iPad 10th Generation A14
- WHY IPAD — Colorfully reimagined and more versatile than ever, iPad is great for the things you do...
- IPADOS + APPS — iPadOS makes iPad more productive, intuitive, and versatile. With iPadOS, run multiple...
- FAST WI-FI CONNECTIVITY — Wi-Fi 6 gives you fast access to your files, uploads, and downloads, and lets...
- PERFORMANCE AND STORAGE — The A14 Bionic chip delivers power and performance for any activity. And with...
- APPLE PENCIL AND MAGIC KEYBOARD FOLIO — With Apple Pencil (1st generation), iPad transforms into an...
The iPad 10th Generation brings Apple’s flagship tablet into the modern era, ditching large bezels and an old Home button for sleeker edges, an A14 Bionic chip, and vibrant colors.
It still supports Apple Pencil (at least until 2022 when their second-gen version hits stores), providing imperceptible lag, pressure sensitivity, and tilt support for sketching, drawing, or writing notes.
The 10th-gen iPad differs from previous generations in that it uses USB-C for charging and connectivity instead of its usual headphone jack, costing $9 and including any new Apple Pencil purchase or available separately. To charge it up, an adapter from USB-C to Lightning must also be purchased if charging via Lightning is desired.
The iPad Mini comes in both Wi-Fi and 5G models with 64 GB or 256 GB of storage, featuring the faster Wi-Fi 6 standard that provides up to twice the speed compared to its predecessors.
True Tone display technology also marked an exciting advancement, adjusting color temperature based on ambient light levels to provide more natural screen displays in both bright and dim rooms. Furthermore, Apple has supported all their major apps on this iPad device with updated versions available to them.
Noteworthy about the iPad 10th Gen is its non-laminated screen, which leaves a slight gap between the panel and the front glass. While this won’t affect everyone, some may find this to be bothersome.
Overall, the iPad 10th Gen is an ideal way to enter digital sketching and drawing. Its low price and reliable performance make it ideal for beginners; however, for an easier and more comfortable experience, there are a few alternatives that offer greater value.
For instance, the ninth-gen iPad regularly sells for $299 on Amazon and is compatible with second-generation Apple Pencils; making this device particularly suitable if you intend on pairing your tablet with keyboard cases for a faster typing experience.
Apple iPad Pro 12.9-inch 6th Generation M2
- WHY IPAD PRO — iPad Pro is the ultimate iPad experience, with the astonishing performance of the M2...
- IPADOS + APPS — iPadOS makes iPad more productive, intuitive, and versatile. With iPadOS, run multiple...
- FAST WI-FI CONNECTIVITY — Wi-Fi 6E gives you fast wireless connections. Work from almost anywhere with...
- PERFORMANCE AND STORAGE — The 8-core CPU in the M2 chip delivers powerful performance, while the...
- APPLE PENCIL AND MAGIC KEYBOARD — Apple Pencil (2nd generation) transforms iPad Pro into an immersive...
This iPad Pro is ideal for illustrators looking to maximize their work. Equipped with a high-resolution display and powerful M2 chip, its fast performance and long battery life make it suitable for long-term use. Plus it boasts built-in FaceTime cameras as well as accessories like Apple Pencil!
The 2022 iPad Pro 12.9-inch is another excellent choice for artists who use their iPad for drawing and art creation on the go. Boasting an attractive high-resolution display, it works seamlessly with Apple Pencil – making this lightweight tablet suitable for frequent travelers while being perfect for artists seeking to produce artwork while they travel.
While an Apple iPad Pro can be an ideal way to draw, its price may be prohibitive. There are ways you can cut costs when purchasing one; one such is purchasing used or refurbished devices which may cost considerably less than new models; Online retailers also often have great offers available.
iPad models vary, making it important to select one best suited to your needs. When it comes to drawing, two of the top iPad options for artists are iPad Air and Mini; both models offer similar features at more reasonable costs than Pro models.
The iPad Mini may feature a smaller display than its Pro counterpart, but it still provides an excellent experience for drawing and sketching. Equipped with high-resolution displays compatible with Apple Pencils and being lightweight and portable make this tablet is ideal for artists on the move.
Though there are various iPad models, the iPad Pro is the optimal device for drawing and sketching. Equipped with numerous artist-focused apps that integrate perfectly with Apple Pencil support, the iPad Pro runs faster than its older models while being capable of running all popular software including Adobe Illustrator.
Apple iPad Mini 6th Generation A15
- WHY IPAD MINI — The full iPad experience designed to fit in one hand. With an 8.3-inch Liquid Retina...
- IPADOS + APPS — iPadOS makes iPad more productive, intuitive, and versatile. With iPadOS, run multiple...
- FAST WI-FI CONNECTIVITY — Fast Wi-Fi keeps you connected at home, work, school, or wherever you go with...
- PERFORMANCE AND STORAGE — The A15 Bionic chip delivers powerful performance and blazing-fast graphics....
- APPLE PENCIL AND SMART FOLIO — With Apple Pencil (2nd generation), iPad mini transforms into the...
With Apple’s sixth-generation iPad mini, they have given it an extensive revamp. Boasting an 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display and USB-C port (replacing Lightning port), as well as support for Apple Pencil 2, without increasing footprint size, its A15 Bionic chip delivers outstanding performance that remains smooth even while running demanding apps.
Live Text for iPadOS allows handwriting recognition and conversion into text that you can copy and paste; Neural Engine has also been enhanced to deliver greater machine learning capabilities; Seek is capable of identifying plants in photos; Canvas creates virtual maps of your home – these features alone make a major impactful statement about its power to transform lives.
As expected, the iPad mini supports multiple external displays and keyboard use. It’s an ideal solution for users who require a compact form factor but require more screen real estate than what would be offered by a 10-inch iPad Pro.
The iPad mini offers an ultrafast wireless connection, making it the ideal companion for streaming videos or playing games on the go.
Furthermore, its USB-C connector makes it compatible with various peripherals – mics and external hard drives among them – making this ideal for photographers and videographers who must frequently offload large files from their camera or video card onto an external hard drive for editing purposes. Plus its Finder-inspired iPadOS 15 interface gives users a clear view of file transfer progress.
A larger screen may be more important, but an iPad mini still makes an excellent option for note-taking and drawing. It supports Apple Pencil for a smoother, more accurate experience.
The iPad mini starts at $499 for Wi-Fi-only versions or $799 with cellular connectivity, depending on which version is desired. An upgrade to 64GB storage could prove worthwhile if you store lots of movies or music.
Apple iPad 9th Generation A13
- WHY IPAD — All the essentials in the most affordable iPad, with a beautiful 10.2-inch Retina display,...
- IPADOS + APPS — iPadOS makes iPad more productive, intuitive, and versatile. With iPadOS, run multiple...
- FAST WI-FI CONNECTIVITY — Fast Wi-Fi keeps you connected at home, work, school, or wherever you go with...
- PERFORMANCE AND STORAGE — The A13 Bionic chip gives you the graphics performance you need. And with...
- APPLE PENCIL AND SMART KEYBOARD — Apple Pencil (1st generation) transforms iPad into an immersive...
Apple’s ninth-gen iPad is an extremely capable, flexible tablet designed to meet all your work, entertainment, and creative needs. Boasting an exquisite Retina display and productivity-boosting iOS features – plus ample storage options, and an all-day battery life with Touch ID security – this iPad is ideal for students, professionals, or anyone who needs to stay productive while mobile. It is the ideal companion for schoolchildren and professionals alike!
This latest generation of the iPad features the A13 Bionic chip which ensures apps and games run more quickly and smoothly than ever. Furthermore, its more powerful front-facing camera can record widescreen videos.
Furthermore, True Tone automatically adjusts screen color temperature according to ambient light levels; additionally, it’s compatible with the first-generation Apple Pencil for sketching or note-taking and supports the Apple Smart Keyboard.
The 9.7-inch iPad may be heavier than previous models, yet still feels sleek, sturdy, and well-built in your hands. It boasts slimmer bezels than its iPad Air counterpart while still providing enough room to use in landscape mode with keyboard or Apple Pencil support.
Plus it boasts a built-in speaker which produces clear and crisp sound quality when listening to music or podcasts.
It features a 10.2-inch Retina display that showcases vivid colors and incredible detail, bright and responsive enough so you can read, surf the web, or watch videos without straining your eyes. Plus it comes equipped with both front and rear cameras to capture photos HD videos, or scan documents.
Although not designed as an editor or high-performance taskmaster, the iPad mini still makes for a suitable option when traveling or needing simple photo/video editing on the go. Furthermore, its educational games make this device a great way for children to learn.
One minor downside of Apple’s iPad lineup is that it still uses Lightning ports rather than USB-C, but that should not detract from its value proposition; otherwise, this tablet offers great value and should compete well against similar devices from Amazon’s Fire HD line or Google’s Chromebooks.
2021 Apple iPad Pro 5th Gen
- Apple M1 chip for next-level performance - Go further with all-day battery life
- Brilliant 12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR 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 - Face ID for secure authentication and Apple Pay
Apple’s latest iPad Pro is its most powerful tablet yet and should be considered essential if you want the best creative app experience possible.
Equipped with an A12X processor and high-resolution display with wide color gamut support – ideal for graphic design and video production – as well as improved pressure/tilt sensitivity on its Apple Pencil, and hover technology which lets users preview how their strokes will appear on-screen, this 2021 model iPad Pro should give users everything they need for optimal creativity.
The iPad Pro features a 12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR mini LED HDR display with a maximum brightness of 1,600 nits for an eye-popping experience under any lighting condition.
With 2048×2732 pixels resolution and support for P3 color gamut support, its screen provides you with plenty of colors to work with while remaining comfortable while working under harsh light conditions.
Another significant advancement is the addition of a USB-C port compatible with Thunderbolt 3 devices, enabling external storage that transfers data at up to 40Gbps, as well as compatibility with Apple’s 6K Pro Display – though you won’t be able to extend your desktop on this display (sadly).
This tablet remains one of the most expensive on the market and may not suit every person. While its A12X chip is impressive, it doesn’t make up for iPadOS not being as flexible. Still worth spending on for Apple enthusiasts or complex projects.
The new iPad Pro looks very similar to its predecessors from 2018 and 2020 – this is no bad thing; the device offers a sleek yet premium feel, durable construction, and boasts long battery life between charges.
Furthermore, Apple offers keyboard accessories that transform it into an effective work platform.
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch 4th Generation M2
- WHY IPAD PRO — iPad Pro is the ultimate iPad experience, with the astonishing performance of the M2...
- IPADOS + APPS — iPadOS makes iPad more productive, intuitive, and versatile. With iPadOS, run multiple...
- FAST WI-FI CONNECTIVITY — Wi-Fi 6E gives you fast wireless connections. Work from almost anywhere with...
- PERFORMANCE AND STORAGE — The 8-core CPU in the M2 chip delivers powerful performance, while the...
- APPLE PENCIL AND MAGIC KEYBOARD — Apple Pencil (2nd generation) transforms iPad Pro into an immersive...
The Apple iPad Pro 11-inch 4th Generation M2 tablet is an incredible tablet designed for illustrators.
Boasting an incredible Liquid Retina display with advanced technologies like ProMotion, True Tone, and P3 wide color capabilities as well as an exceptionally powerful processor, it makes an ideal device for running graphics-intensive apps with ease.
Portable yet stylish: the perfect device to work from any location! The iPad Pro also comes equipped with an ingenious smart keyboard designed specifically to work anywhere – perfect for travel and easy portability!
It features ProMotion True Tone technology along with advanced ProMotion technology; making this tablet ideal for anywhere you might find yourself wanting to work!
The new M2 chip is much more powerful than its A10X predecessor and includes the Apple Pencil Hover feature for sketching and illustration, handwriting recognition speedup, as well as ProMotion technology for an improved tablet experience.
Apple A12X Fusion processor. This chip features four high-performance and two efficiency cores to deliver outstanding performance and power efficiency; in turn extending battery life. Furthermore, this model boasts improved camera functionality with Live Photos support and Portrait Mode enhancements.
This iPad features the latest version of iOS, which boasts powerful new features to increase productivity. From multitasking in Split View and Stage Manager to external display support and more – this iPad was built to take productivity to new heights.
It comes equipped with powerful front and rear cameras for professional-grade selfies or video calls, and features an attractive compact design featuring a large screen and fast wireless connectivity – plus its Touch ID fingerprint sensor!
The iPad Pro features an extremely fast processor, stunning retina display, large metal body construction, and impressive cameras that make it an excellent choice for artists and designers who wish to edit videos and photos. A great addition to the family, the new iPad Pro deserves your consideration.
Apple 2020 iPad Air 10.9-inch
- Stunning 10.9-Inch Liquid Retina Display with True Tone and P3 Wide Color
- A14 Bionic Chip with Neural Engine - 802.11AX Wi-Fi 6 - Wide Stereo Audio
- 12MP Back Camera, 7MP FaceTime HD Front Camera - Up to 10 Hours of Battery Life
- Touch ID for Secure Authentication - USB-C Connector for Charging and Accessories
- Support for Magic Keyboard, Smart Keyboard Folio, and Apple Pencil (2nd Generation)
The 4th-gen iPad Air may cost more, but its upgrade offers several improvements over its predecessor: faster performance, increased storage, and support for Apple Pencil 2, as well as looking just like an iPad Pro (even without ProMotion display technology) thanks to a USB-C port allowing easy hook-up of external storage or keyboard (though you still won’t receive Magic Keyboard).
If you’re an artist in need of a lightweight tablet that can manage serious workloads and high-resolution images, the iPad Air may be your perfect companion.
With its A14 Bionic chip delivering smooth animations and super fast transitions between apps and tasks, this lightweight option may prove more suitable than ever for creatives who require complex workflows or apps with extensive pixels.
While not ideal for gaming as the iPad Pro might be, this device excels when running professional-grade applications that push large pixels or require complex workflows.
Apple included the same front-facing camera found in their iPad Pro line-up in their MacBook Air tablet and has included a sleep/wake button with fingerprint scanning capability for biometric login security. Unfortunately, they nixed a headphone jack; therefore any audio needs must be met wirelessly.
Apple estimates the Air will last 10 hours browsing the web over Wi-Fi and 9 hours on mobile networks, which is significantly shorter than what would be achieved with either of its predecessors (11-inch Air 2017 or 2018 iPad Pro) but still excellent when compared with any competitor devices.
Consider also that the Air is one of Apple’s best screens, including their Pro models. Its Liquid Retina display offers 2360 x 1640 resolution with 3.8 million pixels and wide color gamut support; additionally, it’s laminated, has P3 Wide Color technology for True Tone tech, and supports Apple Pencil 2. Support for Apple Pencil 2 makes this tablet ideal for sketchbooks or writing.
Unfortunately, its screen doesn’t rotate 120Hz like on its Pro counterpart – something the Air could definitely use more responsively for creative work.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
