Best Refurbished iPads

Buying a brand new iPad in 2026 feels almost unnecessary. I’ve had several refurbished iPads on my desk over the last month, and honestly, they’re the smartest tech purchase you can make. You get nearly all the performance and features of a new device for hundreds less.

Apple’s own refurbished store is my first stop. They replace the battery and outer shell, so it feels brand new, and you get the same one-year warranty. But retailers like Best Buy also offer solid certified refurbished options that I’ve tested and trust.

The trick is knowing which model hits the sweet spot. An iPad from two or three years ago still runs iPadOS flawlessly and will get software updates for years to come. Here are the refurbished iPads I’d actually spend my own money on right now.

 

 

The Best All-Around Refurbished iPads

Apple iPad Air (5th Generation) M1

At around $310, this is the refurbished iPad I recommend to most students and creators. It’s the sweet spot in Apple’s entire lineup, refurbished or not. You get the M1 chip, which is still incredibly fast for almost any task.

I edited 4K video clips in LumaFusion and sketched in Procreate without a single hiccup. The 10.9-inch laminated display feels great with the 2nd-gen Apple Pencil, and it supports the Magic Keyboard for a true laptop-like setup. It’s 95% of an iPad Pro for a fraction of the price.

The Downside: You don’t get the super-smooth 120Hz ProMotion display found on the Pro models. Once you see it, it’s hard to go back, but the 60Hz screen here is perfectly fine.

 

 

Apple iPad Air M2 11-inch

For around $430, the M2 iPad Air is a fantastic choice for everyday power users who want a bit more future-proofing. It strikes a perfect balance between price and performance, especially on the refurbished market.

The M2 chip with 8GB of RAM means this thing flies through daily tasks and will handle Apple Intelligence features with ease. It has the same modern design and accessory support as the M1 Air, just with a faster brain. If you plan on keeping your iPad for four or five years, the M2 is worth the slight price bump.

The Downside: Like its M1 sibling, it’s missing the Pro features. You’re still getting a 60Hz screen instead of 120Hz ProMotion, and there’s no OLED panel.

 

 

The Best Refurbished iPads for Professionals

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (3rd Generation) M1

Finding this M1 iPad Pro for about $499 refurbished is a steal. This is for people who need a premium display without paying for the latest and greatest chip. That 120Hz ProMotion screen makes every scroll and animation feel buttery smooth.

It’s still powered by the ridiculously capable M1 chip, so performance is not an issue. You also get Face ID, a LiDAR scanner for AR apps, and a killer quad-speaker audio system that makes watching movies feel way more immersive. It’s a true pro machine that doesn’t feel dated at all.

The Downside: It costs more than a refurbished M1 or even M2 Air, so you have to decide if ProMotion and Face ID are worth the extra cash for you.

 

 

Apple iPad Pro 12.9-inch (5th Generation) M1

If screen real estate is your top priority, the 12.9-inch M1 iPad Pro at around $800 is a creator’s dream. That mini-LED display is stunning, offering incredible contrast and brightness for photo and video editing. It’s a portable HDR monitor.

Running multiple apps side-by-side on this massive screen feels completely natural, especially with Stage Manager. The M1 chip keeps everything running smoothly, even with demanding creative apps. This is the best value if you want a huge, high-quality canvas for your work.

The Downside: This thing is big. At 682 grams, it’s not the most comfortable tablet to hold for long periods and is much less portable than the 11-inch models.

 

 

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch M4

Okay, it’s pricey even refurbished at about $750, but if you need absolute top-tier performance, this is it. The M4 iPad Pro is a monster, designed for professionals who push their hardware to the limits. The tandem OLED display is the best screen I’ve ever seen on a tablet, period.

With a 9-core M4 chip and a Thunderbolt port for blazing-fast data transfer, this is basically a laptop replacement for video editors and 3D artists. If your workflow depends on speed, a refurbished M4 Pro is a savvy investment over buying one new.

The Downside: The price. It’s an incredible machine, but it’s total overkill for anyone who isn’t using extremely demanding professional applications.

 

 

The Best for Budgets and On-the-Go

Apple iPad (10th Generation)

For casual users and families, the 10th-gen iPad at around $300 is a fantastic entry point. It has the modern, all-screen design of the more expensive Air models and a solid 10.9-inch display.

The A14 Bionic chip inside is more than powerful enough for streaming Netflix, browsing the web, and playing Apple Arcade games. With USB-C charging and all-day battery life, it’s a reliable tablet that does all the basics really well without any fuss.

The Downside: With only 4GB of RAM, it can feel a little sluggish if you’re trying to multitask with a lot of apps open. And it weirdly only supports the first-generation Apple Pencil with a dongle.

 

 

Apple iPad mini (6th Generation)

I love the iPad mini. At about $340 refurbished, it’s the perfect device for travelers or anyone who wants a super-portable tablet. The 8.3-inch screen makes it feel like a paperback book, but the A15 Bionic chip inside gives it serious speed.

It’s great for reading, taking notes with the 2nd-gen Apple Pencil, and playing games on the go. It basically has the guts of an iPhone 13 Pro in a larger, more versatile body. For portability, nothing else comes close.

The Downside: That small screen isn’t great for productivity. Trying to use split-screen apps feels cramped, and it’s not the best choice for a primary work device.

 

 

Apple iPad (9th Generation)

If you just want the cheapest, most reliable iPad you can find, the 9th generation is your answer. You can often find it for $250 or less, and it’s an absolute workhorse for basic tasks.

The A13 Bionic chip is still perfectly capable for media consumption and light gaming. Best of all, it’s the last iPad with the old home button design, which also means it’s the last one with a 3.5mm headphone jack. It’s a simple, no-frills tablet that just works.

The Downside: The design is dated. It has thick bezels, a non-laminated screen, and uses a Lightning port instead of USB-C. It feels like a device from a different era.

 

 

How to Choose the Right Refurbished iPad

When you’re shopping for refurbished iPads, the seller matters. I always recommend starting with the official Apple Refurbished Store because you get a new battery, a new shell, and a full one-year warranty. It’s indistinguishable from a new product. Other retailers like Best Buy are also good, just make sure you check the warranty and return policy before you buy.

Think hard about what you actually need. The M-series chips in the Air and Pro models are amazing, but the A-series chips in the base iPad and mini are still plenty fast for browsing, streaming, and most games. For storage, 64GB is tight; I’d aim for 128GB or 256GB if you plan on downloading lots of apps and media.

So, what’s the bottom line? For most people, the M1 iPad Air is the best value by a long shot. If you’re a professional who needs a better screen, the M1 iPad Pro is a fantastic deal. And if you just want a cheap tablet for the couch, the 9th or 10th-gen iPad will serve you well for years.