As we said above, the best iPad features right now are distributed across models, making it hard to single out a go-to "perfect" iPad right now. Price, performance, front camera quality, accessory support and display quality vary across models. Most people tend to buy iPads for family or personal use, and you'll need to decide how much you want to spend. There are also frequent sales of iPads that can change the equation, too. The iPad as a product line is great overall. Models tend to have long lives, and all models on sale now are solid at running apps and games and even multitasking. The good news is all current models are good at doing a lot of things via iPadOS.
The one area that the basic iPad is left out of is Apple Intelligence, Apple's new suite of AI tools spread across iPadOS starting in iPadOS 18.1. These features can be helpful (message summaries, a new Siri interface, writing tools, transcription services, photo editing tools and more), so it may make sense to consider upgrading to a newer iPad for them. Even so, for basic family iPad use, you may not need them.
All the current iPads, with the exception of the iPad Mini, have landscape-oriented front-facing cameras now which are much better for video chats with a keyboard attached, or standing a case up on a table.
Keep in mind that iPad Air and Pro models have M-series processors (M2 and M4), while the 10th-gen iPad and iPad Mini have processors based more on what iPhone chips have. That will affect what software runs on them in the future, to some degree: Apple Intelligence, Apple's upcoming generative AI suite of services, works with the Air, Pro, and new Mini. But Stage Manager's external monitor support needs M-series chips, which means only the Air and Pro can take advantage: they offer a little more multiscreen multitasking by running an extra four apps on another screen. These extras won't matter for everyday casual iPad use, but they could be downsides if you're planning to power-use your iPad like a full computer.
Pencil compatibility is also something to consider. Apple's stylus lineup is more confusing than ever, but what you need to know most is that the 10th-gen iPad only works with more basic, feature-limited Pencil 1 and USB Pencil accessories. The newer iPad Air, Pro and Mini models from 2024 work with a new Pencil Pro stylus that not only has double-tap, side magnetic charging and hover-over-the-screen preview features, but adds haptic feedback, squeeze gestures, and a gyro to recognize rotational brush moves. Anyone who's deeply into art will likely want a newer iPad model for these reasons alone.
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Whichever model or screen size you choose, all the current iPads support the latest version of iPadOS (a version of iOS specifically for iPads). iPadOS 18 includes a clever new feature called Math Notes that allows handwritten math equations, something that could be great for kids. That feature works on all existing iPad models, even those without M1 chips.
No matter what iPad you buy, there are ways of connecting keyboard cases, Bluetooth and otherwise, although your options will vary. That's good news for anyone who wants to do more than stream videos and music, browse websites and play Apple Arcade games. Plus, all the current iPad models support mouse and trackpad use for a more MacBook-like experience. The Apple Magic Keyboard is compatible with the iPad Pro and iPad Air, but the Pro works with an improved model that has a larger clickable trackpad and extra function keys. The 10th-gen iPad has a different Magic Keyboard Folio case instead, which is less lap-friendly but has a more flexibly angled design.