8 Best iPads Under $400 (September 2026) Tested & Ranked

I spent the last three months testing eight different iPads to find the best ipads under $400, and I was surprised by how capable even the cheapest options have become. From brand-new A16 models to renewed iPad Air units packing Apple’s M1 chip, there is genuine value waiting for budget-conscious buyers in 2026.

The challenge is that “best ipads under $400” means different things to different people. A college student needs Apple Pencil support and battery life that survives a full lecture day. A parent shopping for a kid just wants something durable that streams Netflix without buffering. Someone buying a secondary device for travel might prioritize portability above all else.

Our team broke the market down by use case, performance, and total value. We compared A16 Bionic and A14 Bionic chips, weighed 64GB storage against 128GB, and considered both new and Amazon Renewed models. The eight iPads below represent the strongest options you can buy right now without crossing that $400 line.

Top 3 Picks for Best iPads Under $400

Best iPads Under $400 in 2026: Quick Comparison

1. Apple iPad 11-inch A16 – The Best iPad Under $400 Overall

The Apple iPad 11-inch with A16 chip is the only new iPad you can buy for under $400 right now, and after three months of daily use it earned our top spot. I ran it through my usual test routine: streaming a 4K movie for two hours, jumping between Safari tabs and Notability, sketching in Procreate, and joining a few video calls. The A16 Bionic chip never stuttered, even with Stage Manager open and four apps running simultaneously.

What sold me was the 11-inch Liquid Retina display. It is brighter and more color-accurate than the older 10.2-inch panels on the 9th generation iPads, and the 2360 by 1640 resolution makes text crisp enough that I stopped reaching for my reading glasses. True Tone adjusts the white balance to your lighting, which is a small touch that matters during long reading sessions.

For college students specifically, this is the best iPad under $400 you can buy. It supports Apple Pencil and the Magic Keyboard Folio, so a single tablet can handle note-taking in class, essay writing at the library, and movie streaming in the dorm. Apple Pencil compatibility is something many budget buyers ask about on r/ipad, and the A16 iPad supports the first-generation Apple Pencil with a USB-C adapter.

The 12MP Center Stage front camera is a noticeable step up from older iPads. During video calls the camera follows your face as you move around, which is genuinely useful for online classes and remote meetings. The 12MP rear camera captures sharp enough photos to scan documents without needing a separate scanner app.

For Whom It’s Good

College students who want a single device that replaces a notebook, a textbook, and a streaming screen. Creative hobbyists who want Apple Pencil support without paying iPad Pro prices. Families who want a fast tablet the whole household can share for years.

For Whom It’s Not Great

Anyone who needs more than 128GB of storage will have to step up to a higher storage tier or rely entirely on iCloud. Buyers who want Face ID will need to look at the iPad Air or iPad Pro instead, since this model uses Touch ID in the power button.

2. Apple iPad Air 5th Gen M1 Renewed – Premium Performance at a Mid-Tier Price

The renewed iPad Air 5th generation is the sleeper hit of this roundup. You are getting Apple’s M1 chip, the same processor that powered the MacBook Air, for a fraction of what the new iPad Air costs. I tested it with video editing in LumaFusion and 3D modeling in Shapr3D, and it handled both without breaking a sweat.

The 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display is where the Air line earns its name. With P3 Wide Color and True Tone, photos and videos look more accurate than they do on the standard iPad. If you are buying this for a creative student or a designer, the color accuracy alone justifies picking the Air over the base iPad.

What I appreciate most is the USB-C port. Compared to the Lightning connector on older iPads, USB-C opens up a much wider accessory ecosystem. You can plug in external SSDs, USB-C headphones, hubs with HDMI output, and pretty much any modern accessory without buying adapters. Apple Pencil 2 support is the other big upgrade, since the second-generation Pencil charges magnetically and avoids the awkward charging situation of the first-generation model.

The one real downside is 64GB of storage. For casual use it is fine, but if you download a lot of games, shoot video, or work with large files, you will hit the ceiling quickly. I would recommend pairing this with an iCloud subscription if storage matters to you.

For Whom It’s Good

Creative professionals and students who need real performance for editing, drawing, or 3D work without paying iPad Pro prices. Anyone who already owns USB-C accessories and wants a tablet that plugs into their existing setup.

For Whom It’s Not Great

Heavy media users who hoard photos and videos locally will find 64GB cramped. Buyers who cannot tolerate any cosmetic wear on a renewed device should look at the new iPad A16 instead.

3. Apple iPad Mini 6 A15 Renewed Premium – The Most Portable iPad Under $400

The iPad Mini 6 sits at the top of our price ceiling, but it earns its place by doing things no other iPad in this roundup can match. The 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display and 0.65-pound weight make it the only iPad that genuinely fits in a coat pocket. I took it on three weekend trips and barely noticed it in my bag.

Inside that small frame sits the A15 Bionic chip, the same processor from the iPhone 13 generation. It handles streaming, casual gaming, and reading apps with ease. For someone who reads a lot, the aspect ratio and weight make this feel closer to a Kindle than a tablet, only with full App Store access.

Apple Pencil 2 compatibility turns the Mini into an outstanding digital notebook. Artists who prefer sketching on a smaller canvas love this form factor, and students who take handwritten notes in class find the compact size less awkward than a full-size iPad on a small lecture desk. USB-C is another nice touch, keeping the accessory ecosystem consistent with modern MacBooks and the iPad Air.

The trade-off is screen real estate. If you plan to do a lot of split-screen multitasking with two apps side by side, the Mini feels cramped. It is best as a focused single-task device rather than a laptop replacement.

For Whom It’s Good

Frequent travelers and commuters who want a tablet that disappears into a bag or coat pocket. Avid readers who want Kindle-level portability with full iPad capabilities. Field workers, nurses, and servers who need a small device they can hold in one hand.

For Whom It’s Not Great

Anyone who plans to use the iPad as their primary laptop replacement will find the screen too small for serious multitasking. Buyers who need lots of local storage should look elsewhere.

4. Apple iPad 9th Gen A13 Renewed – Best iPad for Students on a Tight Budget

The renewed iPad 9th generation is the sweet spot for students on a real budget. Our team found renewed units in excellent condition with battery health above 95%, and the A13 Bionic chip is fast enough for every productivity app a student actually uses. I ran Notability, Google Docs, and Safari side by side, and the iPad handled it all smoothly.

One feature that makes this stand out for online learning is the 12MP Ultra Wide front camera with Center Stage. During video calls the camera pans and zooms to keep you centered as you move around. If your student attends remote classes or video study groups, it feels much more polished than older iPad front cameras.

The 10.2-inch Retina display at 2160 by 1620 resolution is sharp and bright enough for textbook reading and Netflix alike. Apple Pencil 1st gen support makes handwritten notes possible, though you will need a Lightning-to-USB-C adapter or an older Pencil with a Lightning charger. Touch ID in the home button is fast and familiar.

Where the 9th generation shows its age is the Lightning connector. If you have already moved your accessories to USB-C, you will need an extra cable. Otherwise, this is one of the best budget iPads you can still buy new-ish in 2026.

For Whom It’s Good

High school and college students who need a capable tablet for note-taking, research, and streaming without paying full price. Parents buying a first iPad for a student who will treat it well.

For Whom It’s Not Great

Anyone who needs heavy creative work like 4K video editing or large Photoshop files will want more power. Users with USB-C accessories will find Lightning inconvenient.

5. Apple iPad 8th Gen A12 Renewed – Reliable Budget iPad for Casual Use

The 8th generation iPad is where I land when someone asks, “I want the cheapest iPad that still feels modern.” The A12 Bionic chip is a few generations old, but it is still fast enough for Netflix, Safari, email, and casual games. If your use case is streaming and light browsing, you do not need anything newer.

The 10.2-inch Retina display is the same size and resolution as the 9th generation, so movies and ebooks look identical. The screen is bright, sharp, and easy on the eyes for long reading sessions.

Apple Pencil 1st gen support and Smart Keyboard compatibility make this a legitimate note-taking and light productivity device. The Smart Keyboard in particular is a nice option for buyers who want a typing experience without buying a separate Bluetooth keyboard.

The honest limitation is 32GB of storage. If you only stream and browse, it works, but downloading a handful of games and offline videos will push you against the ceiling. Charging is also noticeably slower than newer iPads because of the Lightning port.

For Whom It’s Good

Casual users who want an iPad mainly for streaming, web browsing, and reading. Gift-givers who want a quality Apple tablet at the lowest possible cost.

For Whom It’s Not Great

Anyone planning to install lots of apps or store media locally. Power users who want the longest possible software support window.

6. Apple iPad 7th Gen A10 Renewed – Best iPad for Kids and Travel Tablets

If you want to put an iPad in a child’s hands without panic about cost, the renewed 7th generation is the answer. It is the lowest-priced iPad with a 10.2-inch Retina display, and after a few weeks of testing I found it handles Netflix, Disney+, Roblox, and educational apps without complaint.

At 1.1 pounds, it is light enough for small hands to hold comfortably, and the familiar home button Touch ID works well for younger users who find Face ID confusing. The 10.2-inch screen is a real Retina panel, not a low-cost LCD, so images stay sharp.

For travel, this iPad makes sense as a secondary device you do not worry about losing. Toss it in a backpack for a long flight, let the kids use it on road trips, or keep it in the kitchen for recipes.

The two main compromises are the A10 Fusion chip, which is starting to show its age in demanding apps, and the 32GB storage ceiling. For a child’s first iPad this is perfectly fine. For heavy daily use you will want a newer model.

For Whom It’s Good

Parents buying a first iPad for kids who want something disposable and reliable. Travelers looking for a low-cost secondary tablet. Anyone testing whether they actually use an iPad before committing to a more expensive model.

For Whom It’s Not Great

Anyone planning to keep this iPad for five or more years. The A10 chip will eventually drop out of iPadOS support sooner than newer chips will.

7. Apple iPad 6th Gen A10 128GB Renewed – Most Storage Per Dollar

Storage is one of the most common pain points I hear about from r/ipad users, and the renewed iPad 6th generation with 128GB solves it for almost no money. You get double the storage of newer 64GB models at a lower price. For anyone who keeps movies, photos, or large apps locally, this is the storage value pick.

The 9.7-inch Retina display is smaller than the 10.2-inch panels on the 7th through 9th generations, but the 2048 by 1536 resolution keeps text and images sharp. Apple Pencil support is included, which is impressive for an iPad at this price point.

Performance from the A10 Fusion chip is acceptable for streaming, browsing, and basic note-taking. It will not keep up with the A16 in demanding games, but for everyday tasks it remains a perfectly usable tablet in 2026.

The 6th generation looks a bit dated with its thicker bezels, but that is part of why it is so affordable. If you want the most storage for under $150, this is the iPad.

For Whom It’s Good

Media hoarders who want maximum local storage on a budget. Users who download lots of videos for offline viewing. Buyers who care more about storage size than screen size.

For Whom It’s Not Great

Users who want the latest iPadOS features for as long as possible will want a newer chip. Anyone who values modern aesthetics will find the bezels dated.

8. Apple iPad 5th Gen A9 128GB Renewed – Cheapest iPad Worth Buying

The 5th generation iPad is the cheapest iPad we are willing to recommend. It is old, but it still works for the basics, and the 128GB storage at this price is remarkable. We tested it for two weeks as a streaming and reading tablet, and it performed exactly as expected: no surprises, no complaints.

The 9.7-inch Retina display with 2048 by 1536 resolution is identical to the 6th generation panel. It is sharp, color-accurate enough for casual media, and easy to hold for long reading sessions. At 16 ounces it is the lightest full-size iPad in the lineup.

For buyers who want a no-frills iPad to leave in the kitchen, use as a bedtime reading device, or hand off to a relative who only needs email and YouTube, the 5th generation is hard to beat on cost. The 128GB storage means you can load it with apps, ebooks, and music without worrying about running out of space.

The honest caveat is that the A9 chip will be the first to lose iPadOS support in future updates. If longevity matters, spend a little more on the 6th or 7th generation.

For Whom It’s Good

Budget buyers who want a real iPad at the lowest possible price. Users who need a secondary device for reading, email, and streaming. Gift-givers who want Apple quality on a tight budget.

For Whom It’s Not Great

Anyone planning to keep the iPad for many years, since the A9 chip will lose software support first. Power users who want responsive performance in modern apps.

How to Choose the Best iPad Under $400 for Your Needs

Choosing the best ipads under $400 comes down to matching the device to your actual use case. A new iPad A16 will serve a college student better than a renewed iPad 5th generation, but a parent buying a kid’s first tablet does not need flagship specs. Let me walk through the key decisions.

Storage: 64GB vs 128GB

Storage is the single most common regret I hear from buyers in r/ipad discussions. If you plan to download games, store photos locally, or download videos before flights, 128GB is the safer choice. If you mainly stream and use cloud services like iCloud, Google Photos, or Spotify, 64GB is fine. Most buyers are happier with 128GB.

The iPad A16 comes with 128GB at its base configuration. Most renewed models we tested ship in either 32GB or 64GB variants, with the iPad 6th and 5th generation offering 128GB options.

Apple Pencil Compatibility

Apple Pencil support is a make-or-break feature for students, artists, and note-takers. The iPad A16 supports the first-generation Apple Pencil with a USB-C adapter. The iPad Air M1 supports the second-generation Apple Pencil, which charges magnetically. The iPad Mini 6 also supports Apple Pencil 2.

Older iPads from the 6th through 9th generation support the first-generation Apple Pencil with a Lightning connector. If you already own an Apple Pencil, check which generation it is before buying.

New vs Renewed: What You Give Up

Amazon Renewed iPads can save you significant money, and most renewed units arrive in excellent condition. The trade-offs are usually cosmetic: minor scratches, slightly shorter battery life on older units, and a 90-day warranty instead of Apple’s standard one-year warranty.

For buyers on a strict budget, a renewed iPad Air M1 at well under $400 is the most performance you can get for the money. For buyers who want peace of mind and the longest possible support window, a new iPad A16 is the better choice.

Accessories That Fit Your Budget

Once you pick your iPad, factor in accessories. A case, a screen protector, and a charging cable can add up. The good news is that most iPad accessories are reasonable, and you can find a complete setup with case, glass screen protector, and USB-C cable for well under $50. Skip the expensive Apple Pencil unless you really need one for note-taking or drawing, and consider a third-party stylus as a budget alternative.

Where to Find the Best iPad Deals

The cheapest time to buy an iPad is during Amazon Prime Day, Black Friday, and back-to-school season. Refurbished and renewed models tend to see price drops year-round. We always recommend comparing prices across Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart before pulling the trigger, since the best ipads under $400 fluctuate frequently.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Verdict: Which iPad Under $400 Should You Buy in 2026?

After testing all eight models, the Apple iPad 11-inch with A16 chip is the clear winner for most buyers looking for the best ipads under $400 in 2026. It is the only new iPad in the lineup, it has the longest software support window, and the 11-inch Liquid Retina display is the best screen you can buy at this price.

If you want flagship performance and do not mind a renewed device, the iPad Air M1 is the best value. For pure portability, the iPad Mini 6 wins. For students on the tightest budget, the iPad 9th generation renewed covers every school need. Whatever your use case, one of these eight iPads will serve you well without crossing the $400 line.