5+ Best iPads for Procreate in 2023 (May)
Every iPad has its unique story and our topic features the best iPads for Procreate.
Our Top 3 Picks
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$1,149.00
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Description:
The iPad Pro gives an ultimate experience with high performance M2 chip, superfast wireless connectivity and the powerful iPadOS features which makes it our top pick. |
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Apple iPad with 10.9-inch Retina display is easy to handle simple operations like drawing in Procreate and switching to reference material. Including the battery which last up to 10 hours makes it a budget friendly option for any mid-level user. |
Description:
The Apple iPad Pro offers significant features with an XDR display and the quickest M1 chip. It also enables customization with compatibility for Apple's Smart Folio, Magic Keyboard, and Apple Pencil 2 making it easy for drawing and procreating too, which is why we call it a valuable option. |
The iPad Pro gives an ultimate experience with high performance M2 chip, superfast wireless connectivity and the powerful iPadOS features which makes it our top pick.
Apple iPad with 10.9-inch Retina display is easy to handle simple operations like drawing in Procreate and switching to reference material. Including the battery which last up to 10 hours makes it a budget friendly option for any mid-level user.
The Apple iPad Pro offers significant features with an XDR display and the quickest M1 chip. It also enables customization with compatibility for Apple's Smart Folio, Magic Keyboard, and Apple Pencil 2 making it easy for drawing and procreating too, which is why we call it a valuable option.
If you’re here, you probably already know that Procreate is an iPad-only digital illustration software. In order to create great animations and drawings, you must own an iPad if you are a professional illustrator or artist.
Given that Photoshop and Illustrator are currently available on the market, why should I choose to Procreate? Right away, we’ll let you know that Procreate is your best bet if you want to create expressive digital art on the fly.
If you’re a professional illustrator, designer, or artist who wants to create intricate artwork, an iPad is unquestionably worth the price. In that case, our recommendation is to select an iPad Pro model with a large display and storage. We suggest choosing a less expensive standard like iPad 10.2 if you are a novice or an enthusiast.
Our list of the 5+ Best iPads for Procreate will give you the tools you need to create incredible artwork from start to finish. If you’re interested in iPad or Apple products, be sure to check out our posts on the best accessories for iPad. Also for professionals and beginners, here is a great chance for you to explore our features on the best Procreate brushes, the best Procreate courses, and the best Procreate fonts.
5+ Best iPad for Procreate in 2023
- Apple iPad Pro 12.9-inch (M2, 2022) — The best iPad for Procreate overall (Editor’s Choice)
- Apple iPad Air 5th Gen (2022) — The best iPad for Procreate with advanced features
- Apple iPad (10th Gen, 2022) — The best budget iPad for Procreate
- Apple iPad Mini — The best beginner iPad for Procreate
- Apple iPad (9th Gen, 2021) — The best affordable iPad for Procreate
- Apple iPad Pro (11-inch, 2021) — The best value iPad for Procreate
If you’re interested in iPad or Apple products, be sure to check out our posts on the best accessories for iPad.
Also see our features on the best Procreate brushes, the best Procreate courses and the best Procreate fonts.
What is the best iPad for Procreate?
Wondering which iPad is best for Procreate? Our pick goes to the iPad Pro 12.9-inch but be sure to check out our comparison table below to get an overview of all of our choices.
5+ Best iPads for Procreate in 2023
1. Apple iPad Pro 12.9 (2021) (Editor’s Choice)
The best iPad for Procreate overall
The iPad Pro 12.9-inch, in our view, is already the best digital art tablet you can buy, but for Procreate users, it functions like an extension of the hand.
On the tablet’s amazing 12.9-inch screen, whatever you produce will seem spectacular due to its contrast and clarity.
Any artist might think they have all they need after reading that, but the iPad Pro offers considerably more. We continue to think it’s nice even if the design is the same.
The M2 chip, hover support for the Apple Pencil, and Wi-Fi 6E compatibility are just a few of the many new features that have us completely blown away.
We were blown away by how efficiently the tablet’s M2 CPU chip handled everything we threw at it, from movies to Procreate and everything in between.
We benefit from Wi-fi 6E because the network speed has increased. We liked the hover effect of the Apple Pencil since it made it easy to sample the artwork.
The battery life won’t be an issue because 10 hours is more than enough time to employ your creativity.
We also adore a handful of its extra features, such as the Face ID, which is lightning-fast, the gorgeous display, and the 10-core GPU, which can surpass the M1 CPU by up to 40%.
With its storage capacity of up to 256 GB, the App Store offers a large selection of productivity-enhancing programs, ensuring that you have a space for everything.
The only genuine drawback? the price. If you’re serious about utilizing Procreate, you can’t do better than the iPad Pro even though it isn’t inexpensive.
Pros |
Cons |
 Incredible power |
 Not cheap |
| Beautiful display |
Latest Price on Amazon:
No products found.
2. Apple iPad Air 5th Gen (2022)
The best iPad for Procreate with advanced features
Display: 10.9-inch | Processor: Apple M1 chip with Neural Engine | RAM: 8GB | Storage: Up to 256GB | Battery Life: Up to 10 Hours | Weight: 1.0 pound | OS: iPadOS
If you’re searching for an iPad or a digital art tool for tasks other than Procreate, like editing and collage, the iPad Air 5th Gen should be a consideration.
It’s significant to note that this iPad has double the storage of 256GB and operates faster than its predecessor.
We are astonished that the performance power of the 13-inch MacBook Pro (M1, 2020) and the iPad Air 5 Gen are comparable thanks to the M1 chip.
When we used it, we found that its 8-core GPU performed better than the 7-core GPU of the less-priced MacBook Air M1 and was fairly on a level with the more expensive Pro models.
Faster visuals on the exceptional 8-core GPU enable Procreate to draw and filter, build 3D models, and more. Adobe programs may also be modified more swiftly than ever before.
We are overjoyed that you may use Procreate in any fashion thanks to the iPad Air 5th Gen’s Liquid Retina display characteristics, cutting-edge technology including True Tone and P3 broad color, and an anti-reflective covering.
Despite its 10.9-inch (2360 x 1640) screen making our artwork in Procreate seem excellent, we believe that its portability truly merits praise.
We are disappointed to see that there are just two storage sizes available. (64GB and 256GB). Just like us, people who anticipate 512GB or even 1TB storage capacity may find it to be extremely disappointing.
The iPad Air 5th Gen, on the other hand, provides all you require to meet your needs for producing beautiful digital art.
Pros |
Cons |
| It contains solid 12MP cameras |
Available in two storage sizes only |
| It has a strong, sharp, and colorful display |
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| 8-core GPU with 2x faster graphics |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display with True Tone, P3 wide color, and an antireflective coating
- Apple M1 chip with Neural Engine
- 12MP Wide camera
- 12MP Ultra Wide front camera with Center Stage
- Up to 256GB of storage
3. Apple iPad (10th Gen, 2022)
The best budget iPad for Procreate
Display: 10.9-inch | Processor: A14 Bionic Chip | RAM: 8GB | Storage: Up to 256GB | Battery Life: Up to 10 Hours | Weight: 1.05 pound | OS: iPadOS
Affordability is the name of the game when it comes to the Apple iPad(10th Gen), making it an excellent tablet for Procreate.
For any mid-level user, the iPad, with its gorgeous 10.9-inch Retina display, is the best choice. We like its compact size since it makes it a fantastic portable option without sacrificing performance.
The iPad’s A14 Bionic CPU can easily handle simple operations like drawing in Procreate and switching to reference material.
Even while it lacks the iPad Pro’s processing capability, we think the iPad (10th Gen) still performs admirably when it comes to creating great pieces of art from anyone’s imagination.
The iPad’s Power button includes Touch ID, which makes it simple to unlock the tablet. The battery life of the iPad 10th generation was excellent, lasting up to 10 hours.
We are happy to report that because it allowed for speedy charging, the USB charging functioned during our tests.
By supporting the Magic Keyboard and 1st Gen Apple Pencil, we will be able to turn the iPad (10th Gen) into a workstation that will compete with many laptops now on the market.
It is unfortunate that we have learned that it is incompatible with the Apple Pencil 2nd Generation.
Overall, we think the iPad (10th Gen) is a fantastic portable option for Procreate because it is more affordable and comes in a variety of colors (blue, pink, silver, and yellow).
Pros |
Cons |
| Incredible power |
It is not compatible with 2nd Gen Apple Pencil |
| Brighter screen |
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| Comfy Magic Keyboard |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- Striking 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display with True Tone
- A14 Bionic chip with 6-core CPU and 4-core GPU
- 12MP Wide back camera
- Landscape 12MP Ultra Wide front camera with Center Stage
- Touch ID for secure authentication and Apple Pay
4. Apple iPad Mini
The best beginner iPad for Procreate
Display: 8.3-inch Retina (2266 x 1488) | Processor: 2.9GHz Apple A15 Bionic | RAM: 4GB | Storage: 64GB | Battery Life: Up to 10 Hours | Weight: 0.65 pounds | OS: iPadOS 14
If you’ve never used Procreate before or have never owned an iPad before (maybe you’re an Android fan), a great choice for any beginner is the iPad Mini.
According to our research, the most recent model of the little iPad has more than enough computing power for any Procreate design you can think of.
We discovered that the iPad Mini has been redesigned to mirror the great design of the iPad Pro and iPad Air with its flat sides and squared-off corners.
The incredible thing, though, is that the screen size was unaffected. Yes, the iPad Mini has a larger 8.3-inch screen.
We were amazed to see that the iPad Mini has an updated A15 Bionic processor, but based on our study, we believe that the main driving force behind this was to delay in having to raise the device’s specifications for a few years.
A precise resolution of 2048 x 1536 is produced by the True Tone display, which in our opinion can only improve the color fidelity being displayed.
You can easily doodle and paint thanks to compatibility with the second-generation Apple Pencil, which charges magnetically to the side of the Mini.
The iPad Mini contains a Touch ID sensor on the power button, just like the iPad Air, which enables you to unlock your phone by placing your finger on it.
We are simply disappointed by Apple’s continued opposition to allowing multiple users accounts on iPads.
Overall, the iPad Mini is something you shouldn’t overlook seeing if you want to possess an iPad for Procreate. Just like dynamite, huge things can come in little packaging.
Pros |
Cons |
| Great performance |
No multi-user option |
| Long battery life |
More expensive than the previous model |
| Nice design |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display with True Tone and wide color
- A15 Bionic chip with Neural Engine
- Touch ID for secure authentication and Apple Pay
- 12MP Wide back camera, 12MP Ultra Wide front camera with Center Stage
- Available in purple, starlight, pink, and space gray
5. Apple iPad (9th Gen, 2021)
The best affordable iPad for Procreate
Display: 10.2-inch Retina (2160 x 1620) | Processor: 2.6GHz Apple A13 Bionic | RAM: 3GB | Storage: 64GB | Battery Life: Up to 10 Hours | Weight: 1.09 pounds | OS: iPadOS 14
Although many people don’t think of iPads as being economical, the 9th version of the iPad most definitely fits the bill when compared to other choices on our list.
The iPad (9th Gen), one of the most dependable solutions for producing digital art, may be lacking in power compared to the iPad Pro’s superhuman capabilities. But each time, it still offers a wonderful experience.
The gorgeous 10.2-inch Retina display is something we like because it offers exceptional resolution to make every design we make appear its best.
The A13 Bionic CPU makes the iPad quick enough for all of your chores, from Procreate to Safari and everything in between, despite our disappointment that the M1 chip is visibly lacking.
When it comes to the design, we believe it is a little more rounded than the first iPad, and it comes in two different colors (silver and space gray).
It has extremely thick bezels around its 10.2-inch display, which is large enough to fit our artwork but absent on its brothers from the same product series.
The 9th-generation iPad from Apple is an excellent low-cost option for Procreate, despite the fact that its general design might use a much-needed upgrade.
Pros |
Cons |
| A13 processor |
Older design |
| Headphone jack |
No USB-C support |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- Gorgeous 10.2-inch Retina display with True Tone
- A13 Bionic chip with Neural Engine
- 8MP Wide back camera, 12MP Ultra Wide front camera with Center Stage
- Up to 256GB storage
- Stereo speakers
6. Apple iPad Pro (11-inch, 2021)
The best value iPad for Procreate
Display: 11-inch Retina (2388 x 1668) | Processor: Apple M1 | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 128GB | Battery Life: Up to 10 Hours | Weight: 1.03 pounds | OS: iPadOS 14.5.1
When moving from meeting to meeting or location to location, the 12.9 inches that the iPad Pro offers may be a bit much for some people.
Fortunately, the 11-inch iPad Pro offers the same technology in a smaller package and, more significantly, at a lesser cost, making it an incredibly fantastic deal.
The 11-inch iPad and its 2020 counterpart are nearly identical in terms of size, design, button location, battery life, and many other aspects.
It is sad that the 11-inch iPad Pro lacks the XDR display that makes the 12.9-inch iPad Pro stand out.
We are astounded by its performance, which is on par with that of the quickest M1 Macs despite only having an M1 processor and up to 16GB of RAM and 2TB of storage.
The 11-inch model offers additional customization with compatibility for Apple’s Smart Folio and Magic Keyboard, which is fantastic for folks who prefer to write in addition to drawing, even though it employs a lot of the same technology as its larger brother.
With support for the Apple Pencil 2, drawing is made simple and we can easily create anything our imaginations can think of.
In conclusion, this is a fantastic option if you’re searching for an iPad for Procreate that will last for years.
Pros |
Cons |
| Desktop PC-level performance |
iPad
OS doesn’t make use of M1’s power |
| Good battery life |
Doesn’t come with an XDR display |
Latest Price on Amazon:
- Apple M1 chip for next-level performance
- Stunning 11-inch Liquid Retina display with ProMotion, True Tone, and P3 wide color
- TrueDepth camera system featuring Ultra Wide front camera with Center Stage
- 12MP Wide camera, 10MP Ultra Wide camera, and LiDAR Scanner for immersive AR
- Stay connected with ultrafast Wi-Fi
How much does Procreate cost?
Surprisingly, for such an incredible program, Procreate is incredibly affordable. Once you log into Apple’s App Store, you can download Procreate for about $10 (figures may differ based on location).
his is a one-time fee so you don’t have to worry about any recurring charges or subscription fees. This makes Procreate one of the best and most affordable programs. This begs the question though, why is Procreate such a great program? Well, we’re getting to that (patience, please).
Free Procreate Course – Learn Procreate
This is the ultimate beginner’s course for creating beautiful Procreate artwork and the best part is that you can get free access to this course for 4 weeks with Skillshare Premium as well as thousands more classes. Also see our compilation of the best Procreate courses.
Why is Procreate such a great program?
We’re glad you asked! Creating incredible works of art digitally should be an easy process – after all, just about everything we do these days has a digital or online component to it. However, there is still a belief that great art can only be created using an ultra-expensive laptop or PC and downloading Illustrator from Adobe. This is fine for some but many will still reach for their sketchbook to jot ideas down before clicking on their mouse.
Procreate is different. In incredible ways.
Instead of having to go back and forth from sketchbook to laptop, the Procreate program brings them all together into one package. Not only does it provide you with all of the tools and options that you could ever need to create beautiful artwork, but it also does this in a compact size – on your Apple iPad.
With a canvas available at just about any size, you need it to be, you can use brushes, pens, shapes, and colors to create artwork as it comes to you. No more jotting ideas in a sketchbook and “transferring” them to a laptop or PC. Add in the Apple Pencil and it’s a match made in digital heaven. If you’ve never used it before, there are courses that you can take or you can teach yourself but it does take some time to get used to it.
All in all, Procreate is one of our favorite design programs and provides you with some great features such as:
- 150+ Paint Brushes – that you can customize them and add more!
- Countless Filters, Effects, Gradients, and more
- Incredible Color Selection and Control, including Blending and Gradation
- Aids and Cheats like Clipping Masks, Alpha Locks and Quickshape
- Drawing Guides like Perspective, Isometric, and Symmetry
- Layers
- Customizable Gestures
- Animation
- Intuitive Interface
- Brilliantly Thought-Out Layout, Controls, and Functions Overall
So now that you know how incredible Procreate is, let’s look at the tech you’ll use to bring all of your creations to life.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the overall best iPad for Procreate?
Apple iPad Pro 12.9 (2021) is the best overall iPad for Procreate because it features an incredible 12.9-inch display, Wi-Fi 6E support, Apple Pencil hover, and an M2 chip making it the best digital art tablet money can buy.
Which iPad is budget-friendly compared to others for Procreate?
Apple iPad (9th Gen) is the best iPad for Procreate with a budget-friendly price.
Which iPad should I choose for advanced features?
Apple iPad Air 5th Gen (2022) is the best pick for advanced features because, along with Procreate, it also fits the requirement for other applications such as editing and collaging.
Top 5 Procreate iPad Picks in 2023 Summary
Any artist, whether a professional or an amateur, can utilize Procreate to bring their ideas to reality. It’s a dream come true when you pair this with our picks for the best iPad for Procreate. What do you choose?
Let us know in the comments.
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