Every single iPad is on sale for Memorial Day — here’s which models I’d recommend (and which I’d avoid) as an Apple expert
Memorial Day is just around the corner, but Memorial Day sales are already well underway at retailers across the US — and if you’re in the market for an Apple iPad, this is probably your best chance to bag a discount outside of Black Friday.
Here are Amazon’s iPad deals in full (which I’ve cross-referenced against equivalent deals from Walmart, Best Buy, and Target):
So, which model should you buy? We’ve got a dedicated guide to the best iPads elsewhere on TechRadar, but in this article, I’ll give you a quick run-down of which iPads to consider, and which to avoid, depending on your use case.
If you’re looking for an iPad for streaming movies, scrolling social media, and FaceTiming family and friends, the iPad 11-inch (2025) is the way to go. This is Apple’s most basic iPad, but its 11-inch LED display and capable A16 chipset make it as good as any other tablet in its price range for casual movie-watching and light gaming. Seriously: if you’re just planning on using your iPad for Netflix, you don’t need to go above and beyond the iPad 11-inch (2025) — especially when it’s available for just $299.
The smaller iPad mini 8.3-inch (2024) actually has a more powerful chipset than the base model, as well as Apple Intelligence compatibility, but you won’t benefit from these features unless you’re planning on demanding more from your iPad than streaming and light gaming. And if that is you, then I’d recommend looking towards the new iPad Air instead.
The iPad Air 13-inch (2026) hits the sweet spot between value and performance. Its MacBook-level M4 chipset means it can power through productivity-focused applications with ease, it’s compatible with Apple Intelligence, and it also boasts a tidy 12GB of RAM for smooth multitasking.
Those three features make it a better tool for college students and office workers than the iPad 11-inch (2025), and it’s available in two more work-friendly sizes than the 8.3-inch iPad mini. In other words, if you want to draw up documents, create presentations, and edit photos, get the iPad Air.
As for the iPad Pro 11-inch (2025), you should only be considering this freakishly powerful product if you’re a digital artist or full-time video editor. It’s got the best display of any tablet on the market (it’s a 120Hz OLED, as opposed to a 60Hz LED), as well as the most powerful chipset in the Apple M5. The latter means the iPad Pro can tackle 3D modeling and advanced video rendering, where other iPads can’t, but if you’re not planning on doing either of those things, then this tablet is probably overkill — even at Amazon’s $899 deal price.
As for which models could get replaced this year, Apple is reportedly planning on releasing an Apple Intelligence-compatible base model and an OLED-equipped iPad mini in 2026. Neither will be anywhere near as cheap as their respective predecessors are currently, but if you’d rather have AI capabilities on your movie-watching tablet or a smaller iPad with an OLED display, then they may be worth waiting for.
More of today’s best Memorial Day sales
- Amazon: 45% off TVs, AirPods, air fryers & vacuums
- Apple: iPads, AirPods & MacBooks from $99
- Best Buy: 60% off appliances, TVs, laptops & more
- Casper: up to 30% off mattresses
- Dell: laptop deals from $249.99
- DreamCloud: up to 60% off mattresses, 66% off bundles
- Home Depot: 40% off appliances, furniture, grills & tools
- Lowe’s: $1,000 off appliances, patio & tools
- Nectar: up to 50% off mattresses, deals from $369
- Saatva: up to $550 off luxury mattresses
- Samsung: up to $1,600 off appliances
- Target: 30% off clothing, patio & furniture
- Walmart: furniture, cheap TVs & vacs from $69
- Wayfair: 50% off furniture, grills, rugs & more
Memorial Day is just around the corner, but Memorial Day sales are already well underway at retailers across the US — and if you’re in the market for an Apple iPad, this is probably your best chance to bag a discount outside of Black Friday. Amazon, in particular, has seen…
