iPad vs iPad mini: which is right for you?

iPad vs iPad mini is a battle between Apple's two most affordable tablets, and it's not always clear which is the winner. In this guide, we put them head to head on design, specs, performance, features and price to help you choose which of these 2021 models is best for you in 2024.

Note that in this comparison we're specifically looking at the September 2021 iPad vs iPad mini, so that's the 9th generation of the 10.2-inch base iPad and the 6th generation of the mini. Apple has since released a slightly larger 10.9-inch 10th gen iPad, which offers a performance upgrade over the 2021 model but doesn't replace it (confused? See our full guide to the iPad generations for the full list of current models).

Deciding between the 10.2-inch iPad vs iPad mini means taking various factors into consideration, from size to price, specs and compatibility with accessories such as keyboards and Apple Pencil. You'll also need to think about what tasks you're planning to use the iPad for. Out of the two September 2021 releases, the iPad mini offered the most notable upgrade from its predecessor. It's more powerful than the base iPad and supports Apple Pencil 2 support, but both are highly capable tablets.

For other options, see our roundup of the best drawing tablets o you'll find links to the best iPad and iPad mini prices below, but to find discounts on iPads and other Apple tech, make sure you check our rounds ups of the best Apple deals.

iPad vs iPad mini: price & release date

Both the 9th generation iPad and the iPad mini 6 were announced back with the iPhone 13 line up in September 2021. The entry-level iPad remains the cheapest Apple tabler starting at just £319/$329 for 64GB of storage, going up to £579/$609 for the 256GB version with cellular data. That's a good price for an Apple tablet, and better still is the fact that there are now quite regular discounts taking the price down as low as around $250.

The iPad mini 6 was given a price bump over the 5th generation model, starting at £479/$499 for 64GB and going all the way up to £759/$799 for 256GB with cellular. While the price jump might put some users off, it's arguably worth it for the significant design and feature upgrades (more on these below). And, again, in 2024 there are often discounts on this tablet too – sometimes as much as $100 off. See below for the best current deal where you are.

iPad vs iPad mini: design and features

The main difference between the two devices is the design. The 9th gen iPad sports a now very familiar design, complete with curved edges, chunky bezels and a home button. The 10.2-inch display is non-laminated, which means you'll see some warping when pressing hard with a finger or Apple Pencil. IT features a Lightning port for charging, as well something that's hard to come by with Apple products these days: a headphone jack.

Overall, it's a solid design, if perhaps a little dated. Over the years, bezels have shrunk and edges have flattened, but this is an unapologetically round-edged and chunky-chinned iPad.

The iPad mini is an entirely different story. The 8.3-inch display is by far the smallest iPad screen around (although it's a jump up from the previous generation's 7.9-inches). But make no mistake, this is a more contemporary tablet, more akin to the iPad Air in that it has an edge-to-edge, laminated display, flat edges, quad speakers and USB-C for charging. The latter point makes for greater versatility when it comes to connecting accessories.

Which is right for you? It all depends if you're after a bigger screen or something more portable. The iPad mini is sized like a paperback book, while the iPad is more like a sheet of A4 paper. The former is perfect for carrying around, while the latter offers more screen (if you want something bigger a modern design, you might want to check out our iPad Air vs iPad Pro comparison).

iPad vs iPad mini: accessories

A key difference here is the iPad mini is compatible with the more recent Apple Pencil 2, while the 9th-gen iPad (and also the newer, larger 10th-gen 2022 iPad) work with Apple Pencil 1. The second-gen Pencil offers tons of benefits including magnetic charging and tap controls (here's how to use an Apple Pencil 2), and it provides a better drawing experience all round, so if you are looking for an iPad for drawing, the iPad mini is the better option of these two.

The original Apple Pencil remains a solid stylus but it does have some design frustrations, particularly with regard to charging since it sticks awkwardly into the Lightning port at the bottom of the iPad. It also has an easily losable cap, which needs removing in order to charge, and the stylus itself can roll away because of its round edges.

On the other hand, the iPad mini doesn't feature a Smart Connector, which means you can't use it with any of Apple's keyboards, such as the Smart Keyboard or Magic Keyboard. It will work fine with most Bluetooth keyboards, however. The 9th generation iPad does feature a smart connector, and is compatible with the Smart Keyboard – but not, unfortunately, the Magic Keyboard – which means no scissor-switch keys or touchpad.

iPad vs iPad mini: software

This one’s easy since there’s no real difference between the two tablets in terms of software-wise. Both run on iPadOS with the same enhanced multitasking and homescreen widgets, drag and drop between apps, Live Text and more. The experience is similar here, although the superior power of the mini can provide a more seemless experience on apps that demand more power.

iPad vs iPad mini: verdict

It's worth reiterating up-front that neither the iPad mini or iPad 9th generation offer the ultimate iPad experience – features like the ProMotion display and LiDAR scanner are reserved for the iPad Pro. But sitting at the cheaper end of Apple's offering, these are two very attractive devices.

As for which is better than the other, it all boils down to what you're looking for from an iPad. The iPad mini offer unrivalled portability thanks to its tiny form factor, plus the benefit of more power and a more modern design. And if you're a digital artist, that Apple Pencil 2 support is essential.

But if you're after a device for general browsing and media, the 10.2-inch iPad could be the option for you if you want a larger screen and a cheaper price. With the offers around, it's fantastic value if you're prepared to compromise on the more dated design and Apple Pencil 1 support.

For accessories, see our pick of the best iPad stylus and the best iPad screen protectors.