best travel guides for ipad

7 Useful Apps Every Traveler Should Know About

By Harrison Pierce

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Technology continues to make travel easier for millions of people around the globe. New apps offer travelers fresh ways to research a destination, connect with fellow globetrotters, communicate with locals, and track their flights. As a full-time digital nomad , I’ve learned the importance of having the right tools at your disposal when on the road.

Over the past few years, I’ve visited dozens of countries, flown hundreds of thousands of miles, and tested countless apps to find the ones that prove to be the most helpful. And while tools like Meetup, Google Maps, Google Translate, currency converters, and vacation rental , airline, and hotel–specific apps are in fact indispensable on most trips, I find that many of the best travel apps are still undiscovered by my fellow travelers.

Below, seven travel apps that make life on the go markedly easier (and more fun), from real-time flight trackers to photo-sharing gems—all of these apps are free, but some have paid pro versions worth considering. Don’t think these apps are only for full-time travelers—they prove useful for every type of traveler, whether you're in a brand-new destination or back for a return visit.

Discover the best apps for travelers:

Apps for flying, apps for exploring, apps for photo sharing.

My favorite app on this list is Flighty, a must-have for any frequent flier . The free version is fantastic, but I recommend splurging for the premium version, which gives you even more useful information and comes at a reasonable cost of $48 per year. The functionality it provides more than justifies the price.

The free version allows you to input all future flights plus past journeys you've taken within the last year. It provides updated information if any schedule changes occur to upcoming flights and allows you to track all the miles you’ve flown in one place.

The other main benefit is that it allows you to share your flight information with friends and family members who are also on Flighty. They will receive real-time updates about your flight without you having to text them. My parents love to make sure I’m safe so they appreciate getting detailed information about my travels—even while I’m in the air.

Flightradar24 is a favorite app among fellow aviation geeks. It lets you track almost any aircraft you see in the air throughout the day or night. You can track your own flight, a friend's flight, or any plane you see in real-time. It shares plenty of cool data, like the altitude, speed, arrival and departure airports and times, and tail number.

There are tons of eSIM apps on the market, but Airalo is probably my favorite, with digital SIM cards available for dozens of countries. I find it to be the most reliable and offers the best data packages. It can be a little pricey, but it is the best option if you’re only taking short trips. Holafly is another eSIM app that offers unlimited data and works well, but I find the app to be much more glitchy than Airalo and would recommend using the desktop version.

This one is for the planner of the group. Wanderlog merges the best of a bunch of different apps into one. Imagine an app that lets you plan a trip with ease: collaborate with friends as if you’re on Google Docs, manage expense tracking like Splitwise, and have a central place for your reservations, checklists, and more. Tripit is a similar travel planner app, so you can download both and get a feel for which interface you like better.

Been allows you to track the countries you’ve visited and make a wish list of places you can’t wait to cross off your travel bucket list . It gives you information like the percentage of the globe you’ve been to and shows you a world map of your trips. It’s always fun to add in a new country whenever I reach my destination.

This app was introduced to me by fellow nomads I met at a cafe in Montevideo, Uruguay . It automatically tracks your route across the world, allowing you to quickly upload pictures throughout your travels that can be viewed by anyone who has access to your profile. It’s an excellent way to share important moments with loved ones without needing to send photos to each person individually. Users can also create easily accessible guides filled with up-to-date information to help you plan your own trip.

Steller is another app that a friend recently introduced me to, and I’ve quickly fallen in love with it. It uses a combination of AI and user experiences to help you plan trips around the globe. From recommendations of things to see, like the Recoleta Cemetery in Buenos Aires or the Royal Palace of Naples, to full guidebooks created by users, you can get inspired, book experiences, and discover hidden gems within this app.

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30 essential travel apps every traveler needs before their next trip

When it comes to planning and taking a vacation, travelers rely on their phones now more than ever.

Travel apps are a source of inspiration and are extremely useful for booking and managing logistics — even making restaurant reservations or finding a great fitness class wherever in the world you're flying next.

From apps that help with everything from day-of hotel bookings and last-minute flight changes to those that serve as guidebooks and foreign-language dictionaries, travel is infinitely easier thanks to technology.

Apps can help you navigate a new city, make currency conversions, pack a perfect suitcase and even provide on-the-ground local expertise. Whatever you need when you hit the road, there's an app for that.

We've rounded up the most-loved apps here at TPG. Some may be obvious, and others more obscure, but either way, get ready to download.

Best apps for researching and booking trips

In addition to the apps for the airlines you fly most frequently and your favorite hotel brands, these apps can help you save money on flights and accommodations.

Hopper has changed in recent years from just offering a price prediction tool for flights to being a true online travel agency. The app helps travelers find the cheapest flights, hotels and rental cars.

Of course, Hopper also still offers its signature price prediction technology to help you plan out when to book, as well as travel protection options and a price freeze to help you lock in the lowest possible price on hotels and flights.

Kiwi is used mainly to book flights, but it also helps you book hotels (using its partnership with Booking.com) and car rentals (using its partnership with RentalCars.com).

Some of the app's most interesting features include the "Deals" section, which pulls in discounted flights, and the "Travel hacks" section, which includes options for hidden city ticketing, throwaway ticketing (making one-way flights more affordable) and free price alerts.

Hotel Tonight

A dream for last-minute travelers, Hotel Tonight ( now owned by Airbnb ) lets you book stays for the same evening up to a few months in advance in thousands of cities worldwide. Available hotel rooms are categorized into sections like basic, luxe, hip, charming and solid, so you can select what works for your vibe. Take advantage of the daily drop feature, where you swipe to find a personalized deal with a special price only valid for 15 minutes after unlocked.

At TPG, we love a good loyalty program, and HT Perks, the app's nine-level reward program, is extensive. Not unlike a video game, you "level up" by reaching specific spending thresholds on the app, and you'll gain access to perks like discounts, VIP customer support and credits. Also, your levels never expire, so you can only continue to move up.

To book home rentals instead of hotels, use the Airbnb app. After entering your destination and dates, you can filter results based on the home type, price, requisite amenities and more. If you find something you like, you can book directly through the app.

The app is ideal for managing your trips while on the road — you can access all your bookings under the "Trips" tab, where you can view your reservation (and the address or directions), contact the host or change your reservation. Once you have a booking, you can also explore and book local experiences in your destination, such as wine tastings, kayak tours, hikes, shows and concerts.

We can't talk about travel apps without mentioning the TPG App. Use it to track your credit card, airline and hotel points balances; earn points and miles efficiently through using the right credit card ; and research how many points or miles you'll need to book your dream getaway. You can even curate your own news feed so you see the news and advice that matters most to you first.

The TPG App is available for download on iOS . Android users can join the waitlist here .

Related: The TPG App has arrived — here's why you should download it now

Best apps for organizing a trip

From keeping all your documents in order to perfectly packing your suitcase without forgetting a thing, these are the best apps for organizing travel plans.

TripIt declutters your itineraries and documents by keeping them organized in one place. You can set your reservations to automatically send to TripIt, which lets you view travel confirmations, flight itineraries, tickets, hotel and Airbnb booking information, rental car reservations, ferry tickets and driving directions without ever leaving the app.

TripIt also makes it simple to share your trip plans with whoever picks you up from the airport or train station or anyone else who may need to coordinate with you. TripIt Pro subscriptions cost $49 per year and include extras like real-time flight alerts, security wait times, baggage claim information and updates on your loyalty reward programs.

Roadtrippers

Perfect for organizing that epic road trip you've always wanted to take, Roadtrippers plans out your driving route and lets you book hotels and activities along the way. The app is especially useful for finding interesting and off-the-beaten-path roadside attractions, cool restaurants and can't-miss landmarks you can bookmark.

A Roadtrippers Premium membership includes offline maps, live traffic information, overnight RV parking and more for $59.99 per year. For those looking to only venture on a few road trips per year, the app also offers a Pro ($49.99 per year) and Basic ($35.99 per year) membership.

PackPoint takes all the stress out of packing . The app shows you what to bring based on the length of your trip, the weather in your destination and any activities you're planning along the way. If you have access to laundry facilities at your destination, PackPoint even allows you to account for washing your clothes and wearing them multiple times.

Just download and install the app, type in the city you're visiting and plug in your travel details. So, stop waiting until the day before your trip — or the hours before you have to leave for the airport — and start packing now.

Best apps for navigating the airport and flights

Track flights, navigate airports and find airport lounges with these apps.

LoungeBuddy

LoungeBuddy offers access to premium airport lounges around the world, regardless of the airline or class you're flying. When you create a trip in the app and type in the credit cards you currently hold, it will tell you which lounges you have access to based on the airports you'll be transiting through and how to purchase access if you don't already have it.

You can purchase access on the day you're traveling or up to two months in advance if you're the plan-ahead type. If you prefer to search by lounge or lounge program, the app will tell you exactly what is needed to use them.

Priority Pass

Priority Pass offers access to more than 1,300 lounges worldwide and provides meal vouchers at select airport restaurants across the world for an annual fee starting at $99.

Several cards, including The Platinum Card® from American Express , the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card and the Chase Sapphire Reserve , offer Priority Pass memberships for all cardholders (enrollment required). Otherwise, you'll have to pay an annual fee to be a member and, depending on your membership tier, a fee to enter each lounge on top of the annual fee.

To use the Priority Pass app, enter the name or code of the airport you're in, and Priority Pass will pull up the lounges or restaurants that you have access to, including photos, hours, amenities and specific location information. For more information on the Priority Pass Program and how to gain lounge access, click here . Enrollment is required for select benefits.

Related: The best credit cards for Priority Pass lounge access

FlightAware

The FlightAware app allows you to track flights online, see a live map of a flight and check on delays, cancellations and gate changes. This app is especially helpful if you have a tight connection or want to track your flight.

It's also useful when picking up friends and family at the airport, as you can track their flight and see updated landing times or delays. AvGeeks will enjoy digging into flight statistics, flight maps and community aviation discussions on the app.

Best apps to use during your flight

Timeshifter.

What better way to cure jet lag than with an app? Timeshifter actually helps you avoid jet lag long before your flight takes off and also offers inflight and post-flight suggestions. The app relies on neuroscience research about sleep and circadian rhythms to provide personalized recommendations, taking into consideration your age, gender and normal sleep patterns — as well as specifics about your trip and travel plans. Timeshifter maps out when you should avoid or seek light, take a nap or try to stay awake. It even tells you if you should consider supplementing with melatonin or caffeine.

Your first jet lag plan is free, then $9.99 per plan, or you can enjoy unlimited plans for a year for $24.99.

Flying can cause anxiety — or provide a welcome relief from constant contact with our digital devices. Either way, use travel as an opportunity to relax, meditate or listen to soothing sounds that will lull you to sleep or a deep, relaxed state. Or, perhaps, you'll simply find it helps pass the time during a long flight.

Calm offers meditations on topics such as self-awareness, calming anxiety, breathing, lowering stress levels and happiness, among others. The app also has music options for focusing, relaxing and sleeping, as well as stories for adults and content for kids.

A limited selection of meditations and music is available for free (which you can download to use when you're offline or in flight). The premium version of the app costs $14.99 per month or $69.99 annually.

OK, so Netflix isn't really a travel app, but it can be a lifesaver during a long flight on an aircraft without seatback inflight entertainment or at the airport during an unexpected flight delay or boring layover. If you have a Netflix account, the app allows you to download your favorite shows onto your device to watch offline.

Just make sure to download your shows while connected to Wi-Fi before flying and check them again preflight to make sure they haven't expired (you can usually renew any expired downloads, but you must be connected to Wi-Fi or data to do so). Monthly prices vary depending on the plan.

Another app that's not really a travel app, Spotify can still be incredibly useful during tedious travel moments — just pop in those noise-canceling headphones and listen to your favorite music, meditations, podcasts and more.

The app's Premium plans (prices vary) allow you to download all your content offline on your phone, so you'll have it during long flights or when you don't have data or Wi-Fi access. Whether you want to take a morning jog in Bali to your favorite tunes or pass the time with a podcast on the metro in Barcelona, Spotify has it all.

Best apps to use in your destination

From exchanging money and sightseeing to communicating and knowing all the local tips and tricks, you don't want to land in a foreign city for the first time without these key apps.

XE Currency Converter

The XE Currency Converter app quickly provides live, up-to-the-minute currency rates, then allows you to store and view them even when you're offline. You'll never need to wonder if you're really getting a good deal in another country if you have this app.

Google Translate

Google Translate is a translation app that allows you to do it all — translate into more than 100 languages by typing, access 59 languages offline, translate via photo, translate bilingual conversations and even use the handwriting tool to translate.

The app is simple to use, too, with icons at the top you can click on to draw, take a photo, speak or type.

Not quite sure how much to tip when traveling internationally? GlobeTips will advise you on how to tip appropriately in more than 200 countries. It also offers a tip calculator for easy math. Globe also has apps for currency conversion, unit conversion and more that may be useful for travelers.

Related: The ultimate guide to tipping while traveling

For travelers globe-trotting with friends and family members or simply splitting the cost between groups, Tricount calculates shared costs and splits bills so you don't have to think twice about who owes what. Just enter your trip and currency and invite your travel mates to join your trip.

Each time someone pays for something, you enter the amount in Tricount, and the app splits everything up. You can also snap and store photos of receipts in the app. At the end of your trip, it will show the balances of who owes who what, making it easy to settle up.

Metric Conversions

Never be baffled by Celsius temperatures or suitcase weight in kilograms again with the Metric Conversions app . Whether you're measuring flour to cook at your Airbnb, figuring out distances for your Europe road trip or deciding whether to take a sweatshirt with you during your walking tour of the Great Wall of China, this app has you covered with easy conversions in volume, weight, temperature, area and more.

Google Maps

Google Maps is essential when visiting a new city (or even for getting around your hometown). You can map locations, get directions (walking, driving, public transportation, ride-hailing services and beyond) and see how crowded your subway will be in select cities .

You can make restaurant reservations, save your favorite spots and read and write reviews of attractions, eateries, shops and more. Make sure to download specific city or area maps ahead of time for offline access if you know you'll be without internet at your destination. For obvious reasons, the app works best when your GPS is turned on.

WhatsApp is a handy messaging service for travelers abroad as it uses an internet connection to avoid SMS fees.

It works like most other messaging apps: You start by creating an account, then add your friends and family members to contact and voila! You're able to call, video chat and send messages, images, voice memos, gifs and files just as you would in, say, iMessage (but with Android users too). You can also download WhatsApp on your Windows or Mac computer.

Best apps for planning activities

Traveling is about more than just getting from point A to point B. If you're looking for activities to add to your itinerary, check out these apps.

Meetup is an app designed for interacting with locals and other travelers who have mutual interests or shared hobbies. Whether you're traveling or at home, take what you love and do more of it with Meetup.

The app shows you groups that are formed around particular interests in your city, including yoga, photography, cooking, wine tasting, hiking, cinema and other activities. You can join groups to get updates on particular events you may want to participate in. The app can even help with networking, as there are many groups dedicated to business and technology. You might even be able to join a coworking group. Travelers with kids can participate in family-friendly meetups, and it's a great way for solo travelers to make friends and connect with others.

TheFork is one of the most useful resources for making restaurant reservations in Europe. Similar to OpenTable or Resy, the app lets you browse different restaurants by category and make reservations. TheFork features more than 60,000 restaurants in cities like London, Madrid and Geneva, as well as spots outside of Europe like Sydney, Australia.

The biggest perk is that many restaurant reservations come with discounts — in some cases, you can get up to 50% off your meal just by reserving a table through TheFork. Since we here at TPG are always down for earning rewards, make sure to monitor your YUMS — TheFork's reward system. You'll earn YUMS with each reservation, and when you hit 1,000, you receive a discount on your bill. Foodie travelers should also consider downloading these apps , too.

Happy Cow helps vegan and vegetarian eaters locate more than 180,000 restaurants, coffee shops, bakeries, farmers markets and grocery stores in over 180 countries around the world. The app allows you to filter by not only vegan and vegetarian but also gluten-free and cuisine types. You can also read reviews and get recipes on the app as well.

The app does cost $3.99, but it's a one-time expense.

TripAdvisor

Besides reading reviews of restaurants, hotels and attractions, you can book almost anything on TripAdvisor, from vacation rentals and restaurant reservations to tours and tickets.

The app has grown to include almost all things travel, allowing you to search by destination or interest (like the outdoors, food and drink, family or by the water, for example), which can give you inspiration for a trip or help you get your activities, meals and accommodations organized before traveling or on the fly.

With over 400,000 curated trails, AllTrails can help you find the hike or walk perfect for you and your group. It's not just mountain trails — AllTrails offers city walks, too, like easy meanders through the Marais district in Paris or peaceful strolls through Bangkok's Lumpini Park in Thailand.

See photos, updated weather predictions and key information about each route and connect with other travelers through reviews and forums. Access to AllTrails+ is $35.99 per year, which offers perks like offline maps and wrong turn alerts.

Best apps for staying safe

Use these apps to stay safe when traveling.

Smart Traveler

Smart Traveler is a free service that offers tips and information specifically for U.S. travelers. You can see what visas and vaccines you'll need before traveling and where to find help if you need it during your trip.

Register your trip on the app, which gives your information to local embassies and consulates in your destination. If there's any kind of disaster or tragedy, the local embassy can contact you to see if you need help.

TripWhistle

Another app dedicated to keeping you safe, TripWhistle maps your location and allows you to easily text or send your GPS coordinates or location. It also provides emergency numbers for firefighters, medical personnel and police in nearly 200 countries. After all, 911 is only for U.S.-based emergencies: Each country has its own specific emergency number.

Yes, Uber (or any local ride-hailing service app) is convenient, but it may also keep you safe. Using this app when traveling means you'll never get stuck wandering around in an unfamiliar area late at night or have to deal with unscrupulous taxi drivers trying to scam you. Uber also has in-app safety features such as an emergency assistance button which will allow you to call local emergency services right in the app.

Best Tablets for Travel in 2024: Our Picks for Holidays

What’s the best travel tablet? We review all tablets and here are our top recommendations for iPads and Android tablets for traveling.

Last updated on

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We all love going on holiday, but not everyone wants to totally disconnect while doing so. Whether you want to get creative while on holiday or simply need to keep up with your favorite TV shows, bringing one of the best tablets for travel can be a great way to stay connected.

Sure, we all pack our smartphones, but sometimes those tiny screens just don’t cut it. That’s where our list comes into the picture. We’ve been reviewing tablets since 2008, so we’re confident we can recommend something for you. Whether it’s a high-end Apple tablet or a budget Android device, we’ve got you covered no matter your destination.

The Best Tablets for Travel: An Overview

• Best overall: Apple iPad Air (on Amazon*) . The Apple iPad Air is an excellent travel tablet with a great display, fantastic CPU performance, and Apple’s typical high-quality fit and finish. The iPad Air will do everything you need a travel tablet to do and then some.
• Best premium iOS tablet: Apple iPad Pro 11” (on Amazon*) . Power users who need a ton of storage and an ultra-smooth high-quality display will want to get the iPad Pro 11”. It’s a true laptop replacement tablet, albeit with a price to match.
• Best premium Android tablet: Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 (on Amazon*) . Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S9 is a brilliant high-end Android tablet. It has a fantastic AMOLED screen, snappy performance, and IP68 water resistance, but the price may be hard to swallow for some.
• Best mid-range tablet: Apple iPad (10th generation) (on Amazon*) . Apple’s basic iPad is a classy tablet with good performance at a reasonable price. It’s not perfect, but it’s a great mid-range option for the average user.
• Best mid-range tablet with pen: Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE (on Amazon*) . The Samsung Tab S9 FE is a solid Android tablet that offers good performance for its price. It has a good IPS display, IP68 water resistance, and an S Pen for sketching and taking notes.
• Best value tablet: Lenovo Tab P11 Gen 2 (on Amazon*) . Lenovo’s Tab P11 Gen 2 is a great option if you want a large 120 Hz display without breaking the bank. Its mid-range MediaTek processor means it’ll do a good job in most apps, too.
• Best 8-inch tablet: Apple iPad Mini (on Amazon*) . Apple’s 8-inch iPad is a compact powerhouse. It has enough processing power for even the most demanding iPadOS apps and a good display, all in a package that’ll fit in a jacket pocket or sling bag.
• Best budget tablet: Lenovo Tab M9 (on Amazon*) . The Lenovo Tab M9 is an affordable tablet that squeezes a 9-inch screen into an 8-inch form factor. It’ll serve you well if you want a basic tablet for watching videos and browsing the internet during holiday downtime.

Best Tablets for Travel: All Details

If you want to know more about our picks, this section is for you. We’ll go into more details about each of our selections and link to hands-on reviews if you want to get into the nitty-gritty of each tablet.

Apple iPad Air: Best Overall

The Apple iPad Air 5 is a fantastic premium tablet. It's cheaper than the iPad Pro but offers the same super-fast Apple M1 processor. We get a premium metal body, good speakers, a fingerprint scanner, two keyboard options, and the fantastic Apple Pencil 2. The 10.9 inch LCD screen is a good one but a bit darker than the Pro and supports 60Hz only.

Apple’s iPad Air is an excellent tablet and a brilliant option for those seeking a travel tablet for the holidays. We’d go so far as to say it’s likely the best iPad for most users, with its excellent display, blazing-fast M1 chip, and reasonable price.

The iPad Air boasts Apple’s M1 processor, which powered the 2020 MacBook lineup. It may not be the newest Apple Silicon processor, but it’s still an amazing laptop-grade performer even a few years on. Apple complements the M1 chip with 8 GB of RAM and 64 or 256 GB of storage.

The iPad Air’s 10.9-inch 2360 x 1640 Liquid Retina display isn’t quite as high-end as the Mini-LED and AMOLED models of pricier tablets. However, it still looks impressive and is great for content consumption. Its 500-nit peak brightness also makes it great for outdoor use, so you can lounge around in the sun while still using your iPad Air for videos or browsing the internet.

As you might expect, this high-performance CPU, great display, and typical Apple build quality don’t come cheap. The base model Apple iPad Air costs around $600, and you only get 64 GB of storage. That’s certainly usable, but those who demand more storage are looking at an extra $150 to bump it up to 256 GB. Worth it? We’ll let you be the judge.

Read: Our Apple iPad Air Review

Apple iPad Pro 11”: Best Premium iOS Tablet

Apple’s iPad Pro 11” is the tablet to get if you’re a power user demanding the best. It’s a very pricey tablet, but you’ll want to consider the iPad Pro 11” if you need a laptop replacement-tier tablet for your holiday.

The Apple iPad Pro M2 is the best tablet you can buy right now. It's more powerful than all competitors, has two very pretty 11-inch and 12.9-inch displays, as well as a premium built. We get great premium features like the good Apple Pencil 2, fantastic keyboard covers, facial recognition, and good speakers. However, compared to its predecessors, almost nothing has changed.

The iPad Pro 11” packs Apple’s M2 processor paired with 8 or 16 GB of RAM, broadly on par with all the current MacBooks. Storage is also impressive, starting at 128 GB and maxing out at 2 TB. So you’re getting laptop-class specs and performance in a tablet, putting the iPad Pro 11” miles ahead of the competition. Want a tablet for heavy photo or video editing? This is it.

Games and content will look great on the iPad Pro 11”s 2388 x 1688 Liquid Retina display. It’s a vibrant and accurate display that’ll impress all but the pickiest users. It also has a 120 Hz refresh rate, which ensures smooth animations and scrolling. Add a four-speaker setup into the mix, and you have a great tablet for content consumption and even creation. 

Of course, that’s the minimum you’d expect from a tablet that starts at around $800. The Apple iPad Pro 11” isn’t a general-purpose tablet for the average user. But if you need laptop-rivaling power in a tablet, there isn’t anything else worth considering.

Read: Our Apple iPad Pro M2 Review

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9: Best Premium Android Tablet

Most consumers likely associate Android tablets with mid-range and value-oriented offerings, but Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S9 bucks that trend. It’s a high-end Android tablet experience, albeit with a price to match.

The highlight of the show has to be the Galaxy Tab S9’s 2560 x 1600 AMOLED 2X display. It’s a stunning 120-Hz and HDR10+ capable screen that’s incredible for content consumption. You get vibrant colors, deep blacks, and enough brightness even in direct sunlight. 

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9, S9+ and S9 Ultra are the best Android tablets on the market. We get a powerful processor, really pretty AMOLED displays, the S Pen is included and it gets updates up to Android 17. We get good speakers, fingerprint readers, optional keyboard covers and much more - really great!

The Galaxy Tab S9 powers its top-notch display with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, which you can complement with either 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage or a higher-capacity 12/256 GB setup. Either way, you’ll get great performance from the Tab S9 that beats all Android tablets.

Samsung ships the Galaxy Tab S9 with the S Pen, a nice bonus for those who like to draw or take notes while traveling. Another great travel-friendly feature is the Galaxy Tab S9’s IP68 dust- and water-proofing. While we don’t recommend you swim with it, the Tab S9 should be perfectly safe for use at the pool or seaside.

All of this goodness doesn’t come cheap, however. Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S9 sits firmly in Apple territory, with the 8 GB version costing around $800. But that’s the price you’ll have to pay if you want the best tablet in the Android ecosystem.

Read: Our Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Series Review

Apple iPad (10th generation): Best Mid-Range Tablet

Apple’s basic iPad may not impress as much as the higher-spec (and pricier)  iPad Air and iPad Pro, but we think it’s still a solid option in the mid-range. It’s great for anyone who wants the sleek Apple tablet experience at a relatively affordable price.

The 10th-generation iPad “only” has Apple’s older A14 Bionic chip, which we last saw in the 2020 iPad Air. You also only get 4 GB of RAM here, with the option of either 64 or 256 GB of storage. So, on paper, it’s quite a ways behind the higher-end Apple offerings.

The Apple iPad 10 is faster than all Android tablets. Especially compared to its predecessor, it offers a better and more modern design, a bit lager and bright 10.9-inch display, as well as a new and good keyboard cover. Overall, it's a great tablet but it does have a bunch of downsides. The screen is not laminated and I noticed a jelly effect. You can get it with the first-generation Apple Pencil. However, for that one to work you have to buy an extra adapter which is ridiculous. And, sadly, the price has increased.

That said, you most likely won’t notice a huge difference in daily use. It’s more than fast enough for the average user and can play most games without issue. It’ll also still outclass most Android tablets.

One area where the 10th-generation iPad falls flat slightly is the display. The 10.9-inch 2360 x 1640 display is non-laminated and has no anti-glare coating. So you’ll notice reflections in brightly lit environments, which can get annoying. The non-laminated design also creates a noticeable gap between the glass and the display.

There are other quibbles, too. For example, the 10th-gen iPad only supports the first-gen Apple Pencil and needs a USB-C to Lightning adapter to go along with it. There’s also the fact that it only supports the new $250 Magic Keyboard Folio and won’t work with other Apple iPad keyboards.

So, the Apple iPad 10th generation isn’t the best choice for productivity or creativity. But it’s a great option if you want a sleek tablet for consuming content.

Read: Apple iPad 10th Generation Review

Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE: Best Mid-Range Tablet With Pen

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE is a cut-down version of the premium Tab S9 that targets the mid-range market. It’s a downgrade from the Galaxy Tab S9, but the S9 FE is still a solid tablet that will tick many boxes for most users.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE is currently the best mid-range tablet with a pen. We get a pretty good overall package here with a high-resolution 10.9-inch 90Hz IPS display, a great design, latest software with long updates, and the S Pen, which is included. The S9 FE has many premium features such as a fingerprint reader, good speakers, and a water and dust-resistant body. It would be even better if the processor was more powerful. So, it's not a perfect gaming tablet.

• Premium design
• IP 68 certification
• Pretty 90Hz display
• Fingerprint reader
• Up-to-date software
• Good speakers
• S Pen is included
• Good keyboard cover
• Performance just average

Samsung uses an in-house Exynos 1380 processor for the Tab S9 FE, which the company pairs with 6 GB of RAM. It’s not the fastest setup, but it’s nappy enough for daily use and light gaming. You only get a 128 GB storage option with the Tab S9 FE, but it comes with a MicroSD slot that supports up to 1 TB cards.

The display is a solid 2304 x 1440, 10.9” IPS panel. It runs at a maximum of 90 Hz and has decent contrast and vibrant colors. It also has a fully laminated construction, unlike Apple’s 10th-gen iPad. So, you won’t see any unsightly gaps between the glass and the display here.

Other welcome features include a bundled S Pen for notes and sketching. Add to that Samsung’s excellent Notes app, and you have a great tablet for jotting down any great ideas that come to mind while you’re on holiday. The Tab S9 FE also has IP68 water- and dust-proofing, making it a perfect poolside companion.

Samsung’s Tab S9 FE isn’t spectacular , but it doesn’t have to be. It’s a solid mid-range product at a good price, perfect if you want a travel tablet that won’t break the bank.

Read: Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE Review

Lenovo Tab P11 Gen 2: Best Value Tablet

Lenovo’s Tab P11 Gen 2 is a great option if you don’t want to spend a ton of money on your travel tablet but still want a sizeable 120-Hz display. It has to make sacrifices in other areas to tick that particular box, but they may just be sacrifices you’re also willing to make.

Let’s start with the screen. The Tab P11 Gen 2 has an 11.5-inch IPS display that runs at 120 Hz with a 2000 x 1200 resolution and 400 nits of maximum brightness. It has vibrant colors and reasonably deep blacks for an IPS panel, offering an enjoyable content consumption experience overall.

The Lenovo Tab P11 Pro Gen 2 gets fantastic results in my review. It offers a great 10.2-inch OLED screen, powerful hardware, lots of storage, as well as a solid pen and good keyboard cover. I also like its long battery life, its loud speakers, and the productivity mode with external screen support. However, while it's supposed to get two major updates, it probably won't be updated as long as the flagships from Samsung and Apple.

Lenovo equipped the P11 Gen 2 with an eight-core MediaTek Helio G99 processor. The base model comes with 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of storage, rising to 6 GB and 128 GB at the top end. It’s not high-end hardware, then, but it’s adequate considering the P11 Gen 2’s price and target audience. It’ll do perfectly for everyday tasks such as web browsing, Netflix, and light productivity.

Conversely, gaming isn’t the Tab P11 Gen 2’s strong suit. It’s acceptable, but hardcore gamers will want to spend extra on a higher-performance tablet. The cameras are also sub-par. Not ideal, sure, but neither of these should matter if you’re simply looking for a value-conscious tablet that doesn’t skimp on the all-important screen. 

Read: Lenovo Tab P11 Gen 2 Review

Apple iPad Mini: Best 8-Inch Tablet

Apple’s iPad Mini proves you don’t have to sacrifice size to get a fast, high-performance tablet. The iPad Mini is easily the best-performing 8-inch tablet, making it a brilliant travel companion when you want to pack light.

The Apple iPad Mini 6 is the best 8-inch tablet on the market today. It offers a premium design, is more powerful than every Android tablet, supports the Apple Pencil 2, and ships with up-to-date software. We get premium features like great speakers and a fingerprint scanner. Sadly, the otherwise excellent 8.3-inch screen has a jelly effect which is a bit of a bummer.

• Very powerful
• Fingerprint scanner
• Apple Pencil 2 support
• Display has jelly effect
• No phone capabilities

This most recent iPad Mini features a new 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display, running at 2266 x 1488. The combination of a reasonably high resolution and small dimensions means that content looks incredibly crisp on the iPad Mini. It also goes up to 500 nits of brightness, which is excellent for outdoor use. However, the display suffers from a jelly scrolling effect, where one side of the screen updates slower. Not everyone will notice this issue, but it’s there.

Of course, if you want a lot of CPU power in a small package, then that’s just something you’ll have to live with. Apple’s six-core A15 Bionic chip powers the iPad Mini, combined with 4 GB of RAM and either 64 or 256 GB of storage. Sure, it’s not a power user’s dream like the iPad Air or iPad Pro, but that’s still a good enough setup to handle almost anything you can throw at it without issue.

All this goodness comes in at just 297 grams, so it’s effortless to bring with you anywhere. It’s small enough to fit in a large jacket pocket or a sling bag, too, so you’ll never be caught without your iPad wherever you go on your holidays.

Read: Apple iPad Mini Review

Lenovo Tab M9: Best Budget Tablet

Budget Android tablets are often uninspiring and unexciting, but Lenovo’s Tab M9 is an exception. It’s a 9-inch tablet with the dimensions of an 8-inch one, offering extra screen real estate without taking up much extra room in your bag.

The Lenovo Tab M9 is better than other up-to-date and widely available 8-inch Android tablets on the market right now. Sure, with 9 inches, it's a bit bigger, but not much. It's fast enough, the display is quite bright and the battery lasts long. Sadly, there's no high-end competitor running Android right now.

The screen is a standard IPS panel that runs at 1340 x 800, with the 400-nit brightness and viewing angles typical to affordable tablet IPS displays. It’s not a bad screen, but its extra diagonal size leads to slightly poor text sharpness. That said, you’ll likely appreciate the additional room when watching Netflix.

Lenovo opted to go with thinner-than-usual bezels on the Tab M9, which means it’s only slightly larger than the average 8-inch Android tablet. Unless you need a tab that’ll fit into your back pocket, we think the screen-to-size ratio makes the Tab M9 the best Android tablet in this size range.

As you may expect for the price, the Tab M9’s internals aren’t anything to get too excited about. You get a MediaTek Helio G80 processor with 3 or 4 GB of RAM, depending on your storage choice. 32 GB models get 3 GB, while the 64 and 128 GB models get 4 GB of memory. You can expand the storage via the MicroSD slot.

If you can live with not having a fingerprint reader or earpiece, the Lenovo Tab M9 is a great compact Android tablet. It doesn’t have that much competition, either, so it’s likely your best choice for a small travel tablet if the iPad Mini doesn’t float your boat.

Read: Lenovo Tab M9 Review

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8 Best iPad Travel Apps

With some of the best iPad travel apps from our roster packed into your tablet, you’re all set to begin your globetrotting escapades. As St. Augustine quite aptly put it, ‘The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.’ So why not satisfy your voyage cravings by outfitting your Apple gadget with some reliable software options that would aid you all along your exciting journeys? Proving to be great travel companions, the apps cover various subjects like converting currency and finding the best restaurants and tourist sites while on the move. No need to stop and ask for directions from the local crowd the next time you find yourself lost in a strange place.

1 – MapsWithMe Lite:

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We start the list by throwing in a very useful app that wouldn’t even cost you a penny. MapsWithMe Lite comes in quite handy when you’re abroad and want to refrain from using online maps as they may extort roaming charges. Even if there is no mobile network connection, you can still lay hands on these guides to find your way around town. How, you may ask. Maps pertaining to various countries, regions, towns and cities are stored locally in your iPad and hence can be accessed at any given point of time and from anywhere around the globe. Of course, the crucial ‘You Are Here’ pointer exploits the device’s compass and GPS positioning to locate just where you are. This entry eliminates the need to port around those troublesome paper maps from local gas stations.

Price: Free

2 – uPackingList:

Have you ever had the feeling that you might be forgetting something while sitting aboard an aircraft? Yes, we’ve all had that sort of apprehension at some point of time during our overseas trips. The uPackingList app which is next in our iPad travel apps roster not only lowers the chances of leaving something behind, but also aids in speedy packing. Be it a business trip, family vacation or just a little holiday for unwinding, the software lets you create unlimited lists covering the various items as well as the tasks that are needed to be done before embarking on your journey. It also includes a carefully thought-out catalogue that comprises of around 300 things and a customizable integrated items catalogue. As you pack each article that’s on your roster, you can seamlessly mark them off the list.

Price: $1.99

3 – World Explorer:

World Explorer is an essential worldwide travel guide that’s wrapped up neatly into an app for your Apple tablet. Hoarding more than 350,000 articles, the offering is your window to acquiring information based on different places, museums and monuments strewn all across the planet. Seen a tourist spot you like? All you’ve got to do is opt for the name and the article opens on Wikipedia, complete with pictures and detailed explanations of the desired location. You can also localize it on a map and get your coordinates in the form of kilometers and miles for a more authentic experience. So the next time you want to pay a visit to the UK, the US, Italy, France, Germany or any other country, you can trust World Explorer to provide you with thorough insights on the respective landmarks and their ratings.

Price: $2.99

4 – XE Currency :

The free and simple currency calculator christened the XE Currency app is a great addition to our fine array of iPad travel apps. When the need arises to convert your money to the local cash denomination be it Rupee, Pound, Euro, Peso, Dirham Rial, Shilling, Won, Dinar Franc or Ruble, this software will indeed do the needful. Live currency rates, charts and precious metals are just some of the features you can expect the app to provide while on the move. Although the live rates are refreshed every minute, you can even access the required numbers via the last updated rates stored for use when the internet lets you down. And in order to reset the rates, you can simply give your iPad a good shake.

5 – Urbanspoon :

If you are a true connoisseur visiting a new place, then even while the aircraft is still taxing on the runway, you simply can’t wait to step out of the airport and taste the scrumptious local cuisine. But how do you possibly find good restaurants in which to dine at on arrival? Well, aiding you in this endeavor is the Urbanspoon app which employs GPS to zero in on an eatery near you.

It provides you with results that are filtered by categories like preferred cuisine, neighborhood and even price. Through this app, you can make reservations, browse through local restaurants and acquire reviews and ratings for the place from bloggers and newspapers. This software option is great for checking out restaurants spread across the expanses of the US, Canada, Australia and the UK.

6 – Kayak Mobile Pro:

With Kayak Mobile Pro sitting snug in your Apple slab, planning your next vacation won’t prove to be that tedious. This offering in our iPad travel apps roster allows you to compare hotel, flight and car rental deals right from your very own tablet. Booking your hotel can also be carried out directly via the app. In addition to this, you can track your flight status, view airport terminal maps and even manage your trip itinerary. What’s more, all these features are served via sharp retina graphics for the new iPad, Facebook login with Facebook app and ARC memory management. Although this is an ad-free delight, a free version of the same can also be procured.

Price: $0.99

7 – Google Translate :

Most often, whenever you step onto foreign soil, you will be greeted by the inhabitants in their local dialects. They may scream out things like Jambo, Namaste, Bonjour, Ciao, Dobroye Utro and you’ll be left clueless as to what they’re trying to convey. This is where Google Translate plays its part. Knowing the neighborhood language will certainly provide an added advantage while roaming the streets of that respective place and even mingling with the indigenous population.

This offering has the ability to translate words and phrases for over 60 languages. For most of them, your words even get translated by simply speaking into the tablet rather than typing them down. Some of the vernacular options included here are Arabic, Belarusian, Chinese Simplified and Traditional, Dutch, Filipino, German, French, Japanese, Hindi, Italian, Russian, Portuguese and Spanish among many others.

8 – Travel Guide & Journal:

Noted to be a new kind of travel journal, the Travel Guide & Journal app enables you to precisely document the various places visited and numerous paths treaded as well as snap photos and add comments. All your fantastic escapades can be synced with your account on mobilytrip.com for friends and family to virtually follow all your adventures. The application even works offline and includes an integrated map of sorts. It’s great for jotting down your holiday experiences and even decorating them with personal pictures snapped all along the way.

Conclusion:

So gather up all those frequent flier miles, download the options mentioned in our best iPad travel apps lineup and get ready to explore new cities and countries. And with most of the aforementioned delights entering absolutely free of cost, you can give them all a try on your next holiday to the Bahamas or sightseeing trip to Venice. Just remember to pack along your iPad. Do let us know which ones came in handy while you were soaking up the sun overseas.

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22 Best Travel Apps Every Traveler Should Know About

From tracking flight delays, finding last-minute accommodations, and even locating the nearest public restroom, these are the most helpful travel apps to download before you travel.

Using the right travel apps can help you save both time and money , while making the journey much less stressful . Many of these apps also provide local recommendations and hidden gems tourists don't often get to see — and some are completely free.

Whether you're looking for an app that will give you discounts for popular local events, offer a last-minute booking at a fraction of the price, or help you breeze through the airport , these are the 22 best travel apps to download before your next trip.

Citymapper helps travelers find the speediest route to their destination, providing step-by-step instructions on where to find the nearest bus and train stations. You'll be able to see when the next arrivals are, and real-time routing means you'll get updates every minute. The app also has a chat feature that allows you to update friends and family on your E.T.A. wherever you are.

Available on iOS and Android .

PackPoint takes the hassle out of packing by creating a customized list of what you'll need for your getaway. Enter your destination, travel dates, length of stay, and activities that might require special gear, like hiking or swimming, and the app will create a custom packing list you can save for future use. Besides checking weather conditions for you, the app also allows users to share their packing lists with fellow travelers.

The beauty of Rebtel is you don't need an internet connection to call friends and family back home. The app connects to local phone lines to provide you with cheap calls in 51 countries around the world without having to deal with the hassle of getting a local SIM card or racking up your phone bill.

If you're looking to get outdoors, this app will provide you with the area's best hiking, biking, and running trails. In addition to details on length, starting location, and trail quality, AllTrails includes reviews and photos from a community of hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. You'll find useful information like what to pack, obstacles you'll find along the route, and the best scenic spots to check out.

If you find yourself in the middle of a long layover, Dayuse can get you into a hotel room for a few hours for up to 75 percent less than what the typical overnight rate would be. The app features 5,000 hotels in 23 countries, and allows you to make free cancellations at the last minute, in case you manage to catch an earlier flight.

Selections include everything from business hotels to wellness accommodations, with payments made directly when you arrive. You also get full use of the hotel's amenities for the duration of your stay.

The prices of flights can fluctuate, making it tricky to decide if you should book right away or hold off. That's where Hopper comes in, predicting the best time to find the cheapest fares, saving up to 40 percent. The app also has a price-monitoring feature so that you can select a particular flight and receive alerts if the price drops. Through Hopper, users can also compare the prices and amenities of more than 250 airlines and get alerts about airfare flash sales.

RV Parks & Campgrounds

This camping app helps you locate prime RV parks, campgrounds, rest areas, and gas stations across North America. With more than 40,000 facilities, the app sorts locations based on ratings and includes both privately-owned RV parks and public parks to choose from.

Nike Training Club

Hitting the gym while you're traveling can be tough, but with Nike Training Club , you'll feel like you have a personal trainer right in your pocket. That's because you can access hundreds of free workouts from Nike Master Trainers and celebrities like Kevin Hart, Serena Williams, and Cristiano Ronaldo. Audio and video clips help you make sure you're on top of your technique, while personalized training plans will keep you on track.

If you don't have much time to spare at the airport, Grab allows you to check out what food selections are near your gate, and gives you the option to pre-order your meal so you can pick it up on the way. The app currently operates at over 60 airports worldwide, giving you plenty of bites to choose from on your next trip.

GasBuddy is the app you'll want if you're taking a road trip. GasBuddy tracks down where to find the cheapest gas prices, allowing you to filter by price, location, brand, and amenities. It also provides you with deals at nearby convenience stores and price hike alerts so you can nail down the best prices every time.

Want to know what local events are taking place at your destination? Headout will show you the top attractions, shows, tours, and experiences in popular cities like New York, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Orlando, Hawaii, Dubai, and more.

Activities range from catching a Broadway show, yoga in the hills, or taking a helicopter tour, with exclusive last-minute offers that can be up to 80 percent off.

If you need to access the internet during your travels, chances are you'll have to connect to public Wi-Fi, which can be sketchy. TunnelBear allows you to connect privately and securely by providing you a VPN (virtual private network) that will encrypt your browsing data to keep your information hidden from hackers and advertisers. The app comes with 500MB of free browsing data each month, or you can opt for unlimited data at a low monthly rate.

Hostelworld

Hostelworld is where you'll find more than 17,000 hostels, hotels, B&B's, and communal spaces in 178 countries. The app is great for solo travelers looking to meet fellow vacationers during their trip, including a Noticeboard that highlights events and meetups, and a translator that will help you communicate in up to 43 languages.

WeatherBug provides forecasts for millions of locations around the world, with current, hourly, and even 10-day options. The app also has specific weather maps to track everything from lightning and wind to pressure and humidity, and makes staying on top of changes to the weather easy with instant alerts.

Eatwith allows you to dine with locals, in their homes, all over the world. Menus are posted for you to see, while hosts will typically list what they cook, the languages they speak, and any alcohol pairings they'll be serving. Not only does the app give you a chance to meet locals and get superb dining recommendations, but it also allows you to enjoy a high-quality meal for less than what you'd typically pay at a restaurant.

Available on iOS and Android.

Trying to locate a public restroom can be tricky, especially in a new destination. That's where Flush comes in. The app has a database of more than 200,000 toilets, and quickly provides travelers with nearby bathrooms. You can search without an internet connection, and the app will also notify you if a restroom requires a fee.

While banks may charge you a fee for transferring money abroad, Wise allows you to make a transfer based on real-time currency exchanges, so you can send money at rates the company says are up to eight times cheaper than what you'd find at traditional banks.

TripIt makes it easy to put together a cohesive travel itinerary. Simply forward your confirmation emails, like your hotel and flight reservations, or your rental car reservation, and TripIt will build a full itinerary to help you stay organized with all of your plans.

With real-time alerts, you'll know if your flight is delayed or canceled, while the flight finder can help you book a new option should a cancellation occur.

Another good app for the road, Waze gives you community-based data about traffic jams, and information to locate points of interest like the cheapest gas stations and the fastest routes to your destination. Live maps include voice-guided navigation to easily guide you.

Xe provides live exchange rates and charts to keep you on top of money matters during your travels, easily allowing you to choose between different currencies you'd like to convert. It also has a rate alert so that you can monitor your favorite currencies — and it can be used offline.

Timeshifter

If you're sick of the jet lag battle that inevitably comes with travel, check out Timeshifter , an app that helps you to avoid jet lag long before your flight departs. Thanks to neuroscience research on circadian rhythms and sleep, the app provides personalized recommendations that take into account your age, gender, typical sleep patterns, and specifics about your trip. The app will tell you when you should avoid or seek daylight, and when you should stay awake or take a nap. The result? A gentle jet lag experience, which translates to more time exploring your destination.

FlightAware

If you have a tight connection or are picking up friends or family from the airport, look to FlightAware for help. The app tracks flights in real time, so you can see exactly where the aircraft is at any given moment. In addition to providing arrivals and delays, you can also see if weather will have any affect on certain locations.

Evie Carrick is a writer and editor who’s lived in five countries and visited well over 50. She now splits her time between Colorado and Paris, ensuring she doesn't have to live without skiing or L'As du Fallafel.

SmartGuide travel guide & map 4+

All you need to prep your trip, smartguide s.r.o., designed for ipad.

• 4.6 • 363 Ratings
• Offers In-App Purchases

Screenshots

Description.

Smart Guide – Where All Journeys Begin You Explore, We’ll Guide SmartGuide is your personal tour guide to the world. Turn your phone into a personal audio tour guide to accompany you on your travel adventures. Whether you are looking for a self-guided tour, audio traveler guide, city offline maps or you just want to know all the best sightseeing spots, fun activities, and authentic experiences for your travel destination, SmartGuide is the perfect choice for your travel guide needs. ONE DIGITAL GUIDE APP FOR THE WHOLE WORLD This personal guide app offers travel guides for over 1000 popular destinations around the world. Wherever your journey may take you, SmartGuide tours will meet you there! You explore. We’ll guide. SAFE CONTACT-LESS TOUR GUIDE Crowded tour groups from all around the world are a prime breeding ground for respiratory viruses and similar bugs. This is not a souvenir you want to bring from your trip. Our virtual tour guide recommends different places to each tourist based on their individual interests and guides you safely outside of the crowds. Stay safe with a self-guided tour. AUDIO GUIDE The personal travel planner app is your audio guide to the world that lets you conveniently listen to a travel guide with interesting narratives from local guides that play automatically when you reach an interesting sight. Just let your phone talk to you and enjoy the scenery! FREE SELF-GUIDED TOURS SmartGuide won’t let you get lost and you won't miss any must-see sights. City-guide app uses GPS navigation to guide you around the city at your convenience at your own pace, for free. Gone are the days when you had to follow the crowd. Now you can use SmartGuide and travel whenever you want, however you want. Sightseeing guide for the modern tripwolf on the hunt for undiscovered wonders of nature! FIND HIDDEN GEMS AND ESCAPE TOURIST TRAPS With extra local secrets, our guides provide you with inside information about the best spots off the beaten path. Escape the traps when you visit a city and immerse yourself in the culture trip. Get around like a local and discover the actual culture and heritage of any locality! EVERYTHING IS OFFLINE. Download your city guide and get the offline maps and guide with our premium option so you have the freedom to roam and discover the world like the tripwolf that you are, without worrying one bit about finding an internet connection. Your travel guide will be available offline in the form of verbal instructions from natives and if you are someone that prefers reading over listening, the transcripts of the audio guides are also available. Get the most out of your world travel experience by exploring with SmartGuide: Your Personal Travel Audio Guide!

Version 8.5483

Thanks for updating SmartGuide! What's new in this version: Various improvements & fixes - Not very noticeable but make the app more useful :)

Ratings and Reviews

363 Ratings

Sorry to see Tripwolf end

I purchased the unlimited Tripwolf and have enjoyed using the guides for my travels. I just received an email that you are discontinuing support due to COVID-19 and that you’re closing the doors, so to speak. Sorry to hear that. I just attempted to download a guide for an upcoming trip, but it failed. Will access to the latest guides disappear as well?

More about buying tickets than helping me plan

I was hoping for more info and more photos. I was also looking to plan my trip schedule, but this didn’t help. To build your schedule you have to choose specific tickets and attractions from their list. Specific tours. Rather than giving a bunch of pictures for a site, they show one, list some info, and offer to sell you a ticket. I ended up browsing it casually and using google sheets to make my schedule with exact reservations and links. The purchasing options were insanely confusing, as well. Would I rather pay one price for one location or the same price for unlimited locations? Huh?

Developer Response ,

Hi there! We are sorry you feel this way. We offer Unlimited for people that travel a lot and you get a better deal, but it's not the same price as our guides. Our guides are usually 0.99 up to 6.99, Unlimited is 19.99. We'd love to hear more feedback regarding the trip planner via e-mail ([email protected]). Could you please let us know how you would have preferred the trip planner to look like? What exactly did you miss? We are always keen on improving our features constantly, so this feedback is very important to us. Thank you!

I really wanted to like this app - the concept is great. But the product is boring and underwhelming. I tried two different tours in Norway - both looked promising with the included stops. Neither delivered with any depth of detail for the individual sites. It was essentially 2 factual historical sentences read by an AI voice with no story, humor or anything to make it interesting. No walking directions either, although the map was helpful but it means you have to keep the phone out & looking at it the whole time. Didn’t even finish the trial period.

We're sorry to hear about your experience. While we aim to provide engaging tours, we understand your frustration. Remember, you can also create your own tours! We'll work on enhancing the depth and engagement of our content. If you have specific suggestions or destinations in mind, feel free to share them with us at [email protected].

App Privacy

The developer, SmartGuide s.r.o. , indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .

Data Used to Track You

The following data may be used to track you across apps and websites owned by other companies:

• Identifiers

Data Linked to You

The following data may be collected and linked to your identity:

• Diagnostics

Privacy practices may vary, for example, based on the features you use or your age. Learn More

Information

English, Catalan, Czech, French, German, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Serbian, Simplified Chinese, Slovak, Spanish

• tripwolf Unlimited $17.99
• SmartGuide Premium $9.99
• Unlimited Package 3 $8.99
• Paris Travel Guide $1.99
• Rome Travel Guide $1.99
• London Travel Guide $1.99
• New York City Travel Guide $1.99
• Package Travel Guide $13.99
• Barcelona Travel Guide $1.99
• Venice Travel Guide $1.99
• Developer Website
• App Support
• Privacy Policy

Get all of your passes, tickets, cards, and more in one place.

Family Sharing

Some in‑app purchases, including subscriptions, may be shareable with your family group when family sharing is enabled., more by this developer.

Angkor Wat SmartGuide

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• Which iPad should...

Which iPad should I buy for traveling?

On my last trip in 2022, I took my 13" MacBook Pro and regretted it, so I'm not planning on taking that again. I will have my iPhone (currently a 12 mini but planning to upgrade to a 14 before I leave) but was thinking about getting an iPad for my upcoming May trip to Scotland. I've had iPads before - both a regular one and a mini, but it's been a few years.

Just wondered what you all bring and what size you prefer. I do know it will be wireless only. I also can't decide whether to get the small 64GB capacity or upgrade to 256GB. Thanks!

I have travelled with an ipad Mini and a regular sized one. The Mini is much lighter and will do everything that the regular size will do. My regular sized ipad in its case was just so heavy to lug around everywhere. Also upgrade to the 256 GB. 64 is just not enough nowadays.

Mardee, what do you use the laptop/ipad for?? I have brought my ipad mini on several trips, but don’t use it enough to justify bringing it, so I won’t bring it next trip.

My husband and I each have an iPad Air with the keyboard, but I can’t tell you what “number” they are. One is from 2017 and one from 2018, so not the newest, but 256g. They are very light compared to my 2012 iPad, even with the attached keyboard. We both use a Google F1 SIM card so we can connect anywhere there is cellular service, not just with wifi.

Tammy, I would use it to access/modify my personal guidebook I'm currently building in Google Docs, sort through photos, upload them to my online journal, use it for mapping, sightseeing research and general web surfing. I know I can do all that with a phone but for me it's easier with something a bit bigger.

I travel with a iPad Pro and it is light weight and travels well in my backpack. I use mine for reading books (much better than reading on a iphone), internet surfing, I also find making reservations and getting advanced tickets easier with the iPad. It's like having my Apple mac with me but much lighter and easier to pack and travel with. I also load the Rick Steves guide books on my iPad and it works better than the phone, and I don't have to carry the book around with me. ** Get at least a 256GB! ** The more memory the better, especially if your saving pictures and video to your iPad.

Pat, thanks - that makes sense about the storage capacity. I will do that no matter what I get but I am leaning towards the mini. I may get an Apple (or generic) pencil with it.

Lola, I don't think I want the keyboard. It adds weight and I can use dictation well enough if I need anything written (or the pencil). Right now Google FI is not an option for me but I need to check into that. Thanks!

Donald, I definitely think you and Pat are right about getting 256GB. And that's a good idea about reading guidebooks and making reservations on it. I do have a Kindle, which I always bring for reading fiction, but now that I think about it, if I get the Mini, I could leave the Kindle at home and just read everything on the iPad. Thanks!

Mardee, I’ve had iPad minis since the first came out, and I think I’m on my 4th one. I just love it, it’s great for travelling as I find the screen of my iPhone annoyingly small for many things, and I don’t want a larger phone. The iPad mini fits into all my small crossbody bags. I have so many books loaded on Kindle for iPad, I hate to think of the old days when I had to drag multiple books around with me to satisfy my reading needs. You should find it easy to load all your books from your Kindle account onto the iPad, and away you go!

I have a very old mini iPad which still works great.

Amanda, thanks! Yes, I have the Kindle app on my phone and in the past I've used that to access my digital guidebooks, but I do think an iPad Mini will be better for that. And yes, I remember the days of traveling to Europe lugging 9 or 10 paperbacks along, then leaving them behind to lighten the load and sometimes having to buy more at very high prices. Digital is SO much better!

Bostonphil, they are great! I had a mini before but wound up trading it in for a larger one for my granddaughter, who needed it for school during Covid days.

Mardee: I bought the IPad Mini 6th Generation last summer. It’s got 64gb capacity.

My old IPad 2 Mini was no longer able to get a lot of upgrades to apps I needed while travelling.

I’m really glad I upgraded , as I had to stay longer in Italy after getting Covid on my trip last September. This new one was invaluable in finding a hotel to stay in, looking up rebooking for flights, and being my entertainment while I was isolating. The only thing is, it does not have a port for wired earbuds. I bought a small ten dollar adaptor doodad so that I can use my old earbuds, of which I seem to have a huge collection. I really like this new mini, and it’s easy to carry around. It also has a pretty good camera.

I know you said that you don’t like the keyboard but I am going to go opposite of what people have said so far. I use a iPad 12.9” Pro 5th gen. I also use the official Apple Keyboard folio for it and Apple trackpad. I love the combo and it’s not too heavy, thick or cumbersome for me. But for my uses when I travel it suits me. I don’t take it everywhere with me; i usually leave it at my hotel or the place I am staying. I use it to type emails, use a bigger screen when I need to really research and look at maps, and as a backup for as an entertainment system on the plane if it doesn’t work or doesn’t have anything I like. I also like a bigger screen when something goes wrong and have to really dig in and have to figure stuff out (hotels, flights, trains, etc). The physical keyboard also saves me screen space when I type so I can see more. And I used my iPad combo to type this post. It’s almost (keyword almost) as good as my M1 Air.

I also like to travel with a TABLET - in my case a Samsung Galaxy Tab A8. Works just as well as an iPad, storage can be expanded with an SD card for your guidebooks, plus lower cost, especially when on sale at Costco. A smaller Tab A7 is also available, comparable in size to the mini. Both feature a physical earphone jack.

May not be practical for those deeply embedded in the Apple ecosystem, but you won't be paying the Apple premium, and you may not need a fancy Retina display on a smaller screen. There are a lot of people out there who use Android phones, and I wanted to point out that they have an Android option, with the ability to easily sync across devices.

I use an iPhone, but prefer Microsoft apps for email and file access with OneDrive.

I travel with my iPad mini 4. Old, yes but reliable and does everything I need it to do.

Hi Mardee, I’m still using my first iPad, a 14.8 5th generation with 32 GB. Before my next trip, I am also ready to upgrade, and I would choose the higher level of capacity to be able to upload movies, etc. for the flights. I had a recent flight where the movies weren’t working on the plane, and I currently also have to manage the number of my videos so much.

I always bring my iPad because I need the larger screen than my phone in the evenings to view & be able to eliminate which photos I don’t need to keep. And I need the larger screen if I’m reading much. When I’m traveling solo, I like to have a conversation in the evening with my husband on FaceTime to catch up on our days, so I use the iPad for those, too.

I will be looking at your replies to see what everyone recommends!

The iPad Mini 4. It’s lightweight, compact as the name suggests, and perfect for all of my international & cross-country travel.

Just get the latest iPad Mini. You're already invested in the Apple ecosystem, so this is a no-brainer.

I have been traveling with iPad Minis for years, and have become increasingly convinced it is the ideal travel device. It's lightweight and compact, but so much easier to use for most things than a phone (anything except for making voice calls); it's the perfect size.

The iPad Mini (6th generation) is the current version. It has been discounted recently (typical for models that have not been refreshed recently). The iPad Mini (6) was last released in September 2021, so it's not super-new. There's speculation (with Apple products, there's always speculation...) that a refresh for the iPad line will be coming maybe this year (possibly as soon as this spring), or maybe in 2024. No way to know. The current iPad Mini is a perfectly capable device for any reasonable thing you would ever want to use it for. I have one and love it. I always buy the biggest storage option available (and have never regretted that).

No need for a separate keyboard.

Don't overthink this. It's an easy choice.

Another vote for the iPad mini. I’ve been traveling with mine since 2017. I use it to read books, my local newspaper, email and surfing the net. It’s also nice to download shows to watch on the plane (and long layovers!) or even occasionally while traveling in non-English speaking countries. The hotel English channels only seem to be news. I used to have a Nook but once I switched over to the iPad mini I was able to eliminate that device (and charging cord etc.) so now I just travel with my iPad mini and phone.

I like the iPad Pro 11" with cellular and with the 4 speakers - it's my entertainment centre when I'm travelling.

I use a regular iPad (11 inch) at home so that’s what I take when I travel. I don’t pack light and it stays in the room. Is there a store nearby where you can check them both out? I suspect that the others are correct that a mini would work well.

And a side note. I find extensive reading on the iPad to be difficult on my eyes. They tire easily. The kindles with e ink screens like the paperwhite are much easier on my eyes. I generally carry one for those times when IFE systems are not working or just to pass time while waiting.

S J, that's good to know! I'm not worried about the wired earbuds, since I have wireless Airbuds I can use. But there is an adaptor that converts the phone jack to a lightning connection, in case you're interested for next time.

DB, it's not that I don't like the keyboard but more that I don't want the extra weight. With the iPad Pro and the keyboard, I'm calculating that the weight would be close to my Macbook. But thank you for the suggestion!

markcw, I do like Androids and Google and would be willing to switch to a Samsung tablet, but all my friends and family have iPhones and it's just easier to stick with that for now, especially for FaceTime calling. In addition, I have been using Apple products since 1987 and it's hard to make that switch. But I will check it out - thank you!

andi, Carol (now retired) and Continental, thanks! Good to know!

Jean, yes! The photos especially! I will definitely let you know what I decide on but I'm really leaning towards the Mini.

David, thanks - I agree. From what I hear, the next gen of the iPad mini will not be here till late 2023, so I'm probably going with the most recent.

sboh, thanks for the vote! Good info to know.

periscope, thanks, I'm sure I would, too, but I don't want to pay for cellular or 4 speakers. When I do listen to music or podcasts, I listen through my Airpods, so speakers would be wasted on me.

Rocket, thanks! I was in the Apple store today in Naples FL (I'm on vacation) checking out the minis and I did like them. But you make a very good point about the Kindle - I'm so used to reading on it that I think it would be hard on my eyes to read fiction on the Mini. But I can still use the Mini for the guidebooks on my Kindle in glorious color. :)

Well, I'm late but I vote for iPad Mini. Years ago when my Kindle died I asked the forum if I should get another Kindle or go to the small tablet. They enabled me so I got the iPad Mini and I'm on my 2nd one. It's awesome.

I read several hours a day on it and it doesn't bother me. You can adjust the color a bit but I've not used a paperwhite so not sure what the difference is. Downloading the Kindle app will load all your books on there but you'll have to re-download them the first time you open any of your older books.

Definitely go for highest storage. I got the 256GB and have only used a fraction. I don't download movies but have a bunch of yoga practices downloaded which does use some space.

Get a nice case. I don't like the regular Apple cases...just kind of boring. I got one on Amazon that is VanGogh's Almond Blossoms...my favorite painting. It's so pretty!

Pam, that case sounds nice! The more I think about it, the more I like the idea of just taking the iPad mini and leaving the Kindle behind. Thanks!

It’s really multifunctional!

https://www.apple.com/shop/refurbished/ipad/ipad-mini-6 https://www.apple.com/shop/refurbished/ipad/ipad-mini-5-ipad-mini-6

Thank you, bogiesan! I have no objection to buying refurbished but was checking last night and found out that I can get a Mini for $539 on Costco (6th gen, 256GB, wifi only). So I will probably order one there.

I always buy the biggest storage option available (and have never regretted that).

Same as David, for sure. I've never bothered with the SIM card option, but the biggest storage available, now that is essential.

Y'all are making me realize that my iPad is a bit of a dinosaur . . .so maybe before too long it will be time to think about replacing it. But so far, she is still going strong for what I need her to do. Although she is probably heavier than what I could get now. Hmmmm, something to think about.

I agree with Jean, I really prefer looking at my photos on my iPad as opposed to my phone (and uploading to IG from there or sharing with my parents, etc).

I don't really read on there that much, except for I do download guidebooks.

UPDATE: I just bought it! A 6th gen, 256GB with wifi iPad on Costco - $90 off so only $539. I was planning to wait but the sale ends today (the 10th) so I figured I'd better move on it.

Kim, thanks for your thoughts. I had an older iPad in the past but wound up giving it to my grandkids who play games on it. They don't mind the weight. :) But this is the first time I've used it for traveling so it will be fun looking at the guidebooks on it. I bought the Rough Guide and Rick Steves' Scotland guide books for Kindle so they are ready to go!

Congratulations Mardee, it sounds like you've made an excellent choice.

And that was very sweet of you to give your old ipad to your grandkids !

Enjoy your new Mini !

Mardee, no matter what age, nothing better than a new toy!

LOL! I saw your original post and was going to post that I would buy bigger than the mini because I prefer a larger screen than the mini, but you ordered already;) I"m excited to hear about your trip to Scotland!

Kim, I will! 🤣

Claudia, you said it! I can’t wait to start playing with it when it gets here on Monday!

MNAnnie, ha ha! I would love the bigger screen but think the mini will be fine for me. Less weight and cheaper! Always a good combo. When is your next trip? Can I enable, I mean help you with some new purchases?

@Pam, I have Starry Night…. It makes me happy. 😍

I've used an iPad mini for several years. However, I recently purchased an iPad (after the battery on my very old mini would no longer hold a charge) and I'm happier with it. For looking at google docs or sheets, or surfing the net, I prefer the larger screen.

@Mardee—sounds like you found a good solution. Enjoy your trip!

I have an iPhone and IPad Pro at home, and use them daily. For travel (especially overseas), I use a Kindle Fire tablet. They’re inexpensive, and I can watch movies, read, go online, send email, journal. Don’t know about photos, since I use iCloud for that. I like being able to use a beefy mini-sim card to upgrade the. storage, so I can store movie downloads. Prefer the size format (roughly 5x8”), which fits in any bag easily, including my TB Side Kick. If something happens to the tablet, I haven’t lost much investment. Think I paid $35 for a new Kindle during Amazon Prime days.

It’s not as convenient as the Apple ecosystem, but if the tablet is stolen, someone doesn’t have access to all my stuff either. I use Evernote for journaling and travel info, and I use Dropbox for documents and my writing projects. I carry a portable Bluetooth keyboard. I do take my IPhone.

TexasTravelmom, I love those cases! I'm planning to get one - just need to pick one!

PandaBear, I do like a larger screen but I figure that I can do without it while I'm traveling. At home I use my Macbook for most everything, especially with Google Docs and Sheets, and I can do most of the formatting and editing before I leave. In a perfect world, I would have a valet with me to carry all my luggage and electronic equipment! 😍

tavapeak, thanks! I've had a small Kindle tablet in the past but find that I prefer the iPad. And yes, there is a risk but with my phone, I can erase the data from the iPad if something were to happen. You and I use some of the same apps - I love Evernote and use it for a lot of travel and also to keep track of my hundreds of sewing patterns and fabric. It's such a great tool! I also use Dropbox although I'm nearing the max for storage and I don't want to pay for it. I got it in the beginning when they used to give out free storage for certain tasks and so I have around 8 GB of storage, but I'm close to using that up so I have to be careful what I put in there now. I keep everything else in iCloud, which I do pay for (I have a family plan with my daughter and SIL).

This topic has been automatically closed due to a period of inactivity.

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Whether it’s for business or leisure, travel is today much more comfortable than it was even a decade or so ago. There are cheaper flights and great deals that you can take advantage of, no matter your budget. Moreover, a wide variety of apps make things even simpler by giving you a convenient way to plan and organize your trip from the palm of your hand. So if the travel bug bites you, check out these best travel apps for iPhone and iPad.

• Google Maps
• Booking.com
• TripAdvisor
• Google Translate
• Roadtrippers
• XE Currency
• Wanderlog Trip Planner

1. Google Maps 

No matter where you go, let Google Maps lead the way and ensure that you never get lost. It is an offline map app for over 220 countries and territories. It features hundreds of millions of businesses and places waiting to be discovered by you.

Not only does it help you navigate, but you can also find restaurants near you, make lists of notable places, share your location, and more. You can also check out recommendations from local area experts.

Price: Free

This one is among the best travel planner apps for your iPhone and iPad. It lets you save on flights and hotels and also offers free cancellation for up to 24 hours. Further, you can learn about things to do at your destination and helpful trip reminders if you like.

Plus, you’ll earn double Expedia Rewards points every time you book through the app. Tickets are available for shows, tours, reserve airport shuttles, theme parks, and more. Through alerts, it keeps you updated about flight delays, hotel check-out time, etc.

With a presence at over 600 airports in 700+ cities around the world, Uber is your best friend when it comes to getting around locally in your destination. It allows you to get reasonably priced rides on bikes, cars, and other local transport such as tuk-tuks.

Furthermore, you can see a price estimate before booking and have multiple payment options such as cash or cards. Safety features only add to the convenience. For instance, you can quikcly share your trip status with any contact at any time.

4. Booking.com

No matter what your travel accommodation budget, you’ll find the best place to stay with Booking.com. It has listings for over 27 million hotels, homes, apartments, and other unique places to stay worldwide.

The clean and fast user-interface makes it a breeze to use and sort properties according to your priorities. Moreover, the best part is that you can often ‘book now and pay later.’ This lets you plan your trips even when you’re not absolutely sure about going.

5. Airbnb 

Airbnb is one of the best iOS travel apps that has revolutionized the travel industry. It makes it easy to stay with locals and experience the distinct culture of any place. You can search from over 6 million vacation home rentals in over 191 countries.

Add unique experiences and events to your itinerary, led by native experts. You can also choose to be a host and make money by renting out spare space in your home to travelers. It also pays attention to safety, and all users have to verify their profiles by uploading identification documents.

Hopper helps you out by recommending the best time to book a flight at the best price. You can opt to ‘watch’ trips for up to a year in advance, and the app will advise you if you should go ahead and book or wait for a bit.

This is extremely helpful to save on flight costs, given how airline prices change in unpredictable ways. It currently supports the major airlines in the US, Canada, and other popular destinations around the world. You can also book hotels and rental cars.

7. Skyscanner

Just as its name indicates, this free travel app scans the skies for the best possible flights you can take. No matter where you want to go, Skyscanner will find you the cheapest and fastest flight deals.

It is essentially an aggregator that saves you the tedious task of searching on multiple flight websites. Moreover, a notable feature is that when you’re not sure of where to go, it can find you the cheapest destinations from your starting country. Pretty cool.

This is another top travel app that searches tons of flights, hotels, and rental cars to find you the best deals. It also keeps all your travel plans organized in one place, including free flight status updates, airport terminal maps, and security wait times.

Further, you can pick a destination and choose flexible dates to find out when it’s best to get there. And when you’re planning a group trip, it lets you share search results and more info using iMessage so everyone can stay in the loop.

When it comes to trip planner apps, Tripit is worth checking out. When you’ve got long travel itineraries, it can be challenging to keep track of things and remember when exactly you have to catch the next flight. Tripit makes this super easy by syncing travel plans to your calendar.

After you sign up, every time you book something – a flight, bus, train, hotel, etc. – just send the confirmation email to [email protected], and the app will take care of the rest. It creates a master itinerary that is super easy to reference and edit whenever you wish.

Price: Free (TripIt Pro 1 Year – $48.99)

10. TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor has been one of the most trusted names in the travel industry for years. Their free travel app provides over 830 million reviews of flights, hotels, things to do, cafes, restaurants, and more across the globe.

You can save and organize your travel ideas and view them together on a map too. Further, it has the world’s most extensive collection of tours, attractions, and experiences. You can book using Apple Pay or PayPal and make free cancellations and modifications if needed.

11. Google Translate

Travel is fascinating, but language barriers can be frustrating and stressful. Google Translate comes to the rescue by making it easy to translate between 108 languages through typing. You can also download languages for offline translation.

Further, you can translate text in images for 90 languages and draw text characters instead of typing for 95 languages. Build up your foreign vocabulary by starring and saving translated words and phrases for future reference.

12. Roadtrippers

If you love road tripping, then check out this app that lets you find amazing spots nearby and plan your trips with friends. From local diners to national parks and quirky roadside attractions, it finds something for everyone.

You can get inspired by pre-made trip guides of the most exciting and must-see scenic routes in the USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The free version of the app lets you start planning with up to 7 waypoints.

Price: Free (Roadtrippers Plus Monthly – $6.99)

If you’re anxious about finding your way around an unfamiliar city, Moovit will guide you from point A to B in the most convenient way. It features train and bus times, maps, and real-time instructions that will guide you to move around with confidence.

It currently supports over 3000 cities around the world. It’s almost like a personal transit assistant that gives you step-by-step directions for your chosen mode of transport such as bus, metro, scooter, walk, or even a combination of them.

14. XE Currency

If you’re a globetrotter, it can be challenging to keep up with the different currencies you’re dealing with. This app makes it easier by providing fast conversions in multiple currencies, so you always know how much you’re spending.

Moreover, when you’re exchanging currency, this app can help ensure that you get the best deal at the current rates. It also saves the last updated rates when offline, which is convenient when you don’t have reliable internet access when traveling.

Whether you love it or hate it, packing is something you cannot ignore, no matter what kind of trip you’re going on. Packr can help you out by creating a packing checklist for your suitcase based on 24 pre-defined activities.

Just input some criteria such as your length of stay, the weather conditions, etc., and your packing list will be generated in no time. Moreover, it learns from each trip you take and adjusts the items based on your preferences. Personal Packing Assistant? Check.

Price: Free (In-app Purchases start from $0.99)

16. Wanderlog Trip Planner

Wanderlog is curated from hundreds of travel guides, blogs, and maps to help you create the perfect travel itineraries. Save your plans offline for easy access and automatically import email confirmations to keep track of your reservations.

Further, you can collaborate with travel buddies to ensure that everyone is on the same page. Connect with other travelers through sharing your travel tips and stories. Best of all, you can store information about multiple trips, so it’s’s almost like a personal travel assistant.

Price:  Free

Summing Up!

So, where is your wanderlust taking you next? And which of these great travel apps are you adding to your iPhone? Let us know in the comments below.

You may want to take a peek at:

• Best Apple Watch Travel Apps
• 14 Must-Have Travel Accessories for iPhones
• Best Flight Tracking Apps for iPhone
• Best iPhone and iPad Travel Kit Bags

Jignesh Padhiyar is the co-founder of iGeeksBlog.com, who has a keen eye for news, rumors, and all the unusual stuff around Apple products. During his tight schedule, Jignesh finds some moments of respite to share side-splitting content on social media.

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Best Travel Planner Apps For iPhone And iPad (2024)

In this article, we discuss the best travel planner apps that can assist you in organizing your itinerary, finding attractions, booking accommodations, and more. 

Given the fast-paced and competitive nature of the world we live in, it’s no surprise that traveling has become a popular interest for a significant portion of the population. 

We all need a respite from the constant demands and pressures of daily life, so we can relax and de-stress.

But, the process of planning a trip can often become an ongoing headache that stresses you out more than anything else.

Fortunately, travel organizer apps come to the rescue, serving as invaluable tools that alleviate stress and elevate our travel experiences.

From creating itineraries and finding attractions to booking accommodations and managing expenses, there are numerous aspects to consider. 

Whether you’re a meticulous planner who likes to have every detail in order or a spontaneous traveler who loves exploring off-the-beaten-path locations, these apps cater to specific needs.

Best Travel Planner Apps 

Let’s dive right into it. Here are our top picks for the best travel planner apps for iPhones and iPads.

1. Wanderlog

This iPhone travel planner combines convenience, comprehensive features, and intuitive design to ensure a seamless travel planning experience.

Whether you’re in for long-haul vacations or fun road trips, Wanderlog will assist you in creating the perfect itinerary, keeping in mind your budget and specific accommodation needs. 

But, that’s something every other app offers. What makes this one of the best travel planner apps is its ability to consolidate flights, hotels, and attractions in one place. Furthermore, with its ability to provide offline access to plans, offer collaboration options, and assist in budget management, Wanderlog is a valuable tool for organizing trips.

Key Features:

• View plans on a Google Maps-based map, map your route, and rearrange places easily by drag-and-drop.
• Add unlimited stops, optimize routes, view times and distances between places, and export to Google Maps.
• Automatically import reservations from emails or Gmail, keeping all your travel plans in one place.
• Trip plans automatically sync across devices, keeping your information up to date.

Download Wanderlog now.

2. Trip Scout

Trip Scout is an excellent app for discovering hidden gems and local attractions. Not only does it provide personalized recommendations based on your interests, but it also offers curated city guides created by travel experts.

So, with Trip Scout iPad travel planner apps you can explore off-the-beaten-path destinations or visit popular landmarks, restaurants, and activities near you. 

One of the best travel planner apps, Trip Scout’s user-friendly interface, and offline maps make it a convenient travel companion.

• Offers a curated selection of the best travel articles and videos along with a personalized and always up-to-date travel guide.
• Map every featured restaurant, cafe, shop, or site to 100M+ points of interest.
• Save anything you discover with one tap, compare photos and local tips from recent travelers, and easily create a personalized itinerary and map on your phone.
• Travel guides and maps work completely offline giving uninterrupted access to all locations.

Download Trip Scout now.

3. Roadtrippers

The perfect travel companion to take along on your next road trip, Roadtrippers is a travel organizer app that maps out your journey, suggesting interesting stops along the way. 

From quirky roadside attractions, scenic viewpoints, or local restaurants, Roadtrippers can do more than just give you a travel itinerary. You can customize the route, add specific destinations, and calculate fuel costs and travel time with this handy app. 

Plus, the app also allows you to save your favorite places and sync your plans across multiple devices, making it the best travel planner app for your road trips.

• Build your route and plan your road trip with the easy-to-use trip planner.
• Turn-by-turn navigation feature to guide you along your chosen route.
• Discover millions of interesting places, including local diners, quirky roadside attractions, scenic points, national parks, and hotels.
• Access pre-made trip guides for unique and once-in-a-lifetime routes to explore.
• Seamlessly navigate using CarPlay integration.
• Start plotting your route with up to seven waypoints.

Download Roadtrippers now.

TripIt simplifies the process of managing your travel plans making it one of the best travel planner apps. Forward your flight, hotel, and rental car confirmation emails to TripIt, and it will automatically create a detailed itinerary for you. 

The popular travel trip planner app of 2024 provides real-time flight alerts, notifies you about gate changes, and helps you find alternate flights if needed. 

Furthermore, TripIt allows you to share your itinerary with friends or family, making it easier to coordinate your plans and keep everyone informed. 

• Syncs travel plans to your calendar and allows easy sharing with others.
• Upload PDFs, photos, boarding passes, and digital passport QR codes to keep all your travel documents in one place.
• Provides comprehensive mapping tools for road trips, including plotting your entire trip on Google Maps or Apple Maps.
• Offers transportation options and driving directions between two points, powered by Rome2Rio.
• Helps you find nearby restaurants, parking, ATMs, and more while on your trip.

Download TripIt now.

This iPhone travel planner combines itinerary planning, expense tracking, and travel information all in one place. It enables you to create detailed daily plans, including activities, transportation, and accommodation. 

The best travel planner app, Tripsy also provides weather forecasts, currency conversion, and language translation features, ensuring you have essential information at your fingertips. 

• Receive push notifications for flight updates, departure and arrival times, terminals, gates, and baggage claims.
• Store images, notes, videos, and documents, and easily share them with others.
• Import reservations from over 700 providers and major airlines.
• Sync your trip data with your calendar app to stay organized.
• Access popular mapping services like Waze, Google Maps, and Uber directly from your itinerary.
• Configure each activity with the desired time zone, making the trip organization more practical.

Download Tripsy now.

6. Rome2Rio

Rome2Rio is the best travel planner app for planning your transportation options, especially when you have multiple destinations in mind. 

The iPad travel planner app provides comprehensive information on schedules, prices, and durations, allowing you to compare various transport options easily. It helps you find the most convenient and cost-effective routes, whether you’re traveling by plane, train, bus, or ferry.

All in all, Rome2Rio makes travel planning easy by providing the quickest, cheapest, and most convenient options to get you to your destination worldwide.

• Simply enter your destination, and find all your travel options, including air, land, and water transportation.
• Comprehensive global coverage with information from over 5,000 companies in 160+ countries.
• Displays a wide range of transport options, including flights, trains, buses, ferries, and rideshares.
• Enables easy comparison of prices, durations, schedules, connections, and booking details.

Download Rome2Rio now.

Get Your Vacay Mode On!

Whether you’re a meticulous planner or a spontaneous adventurer, you need the best travel planner app to ensure a seamless travel experience. 

After all, the purpose of a vacation is to relax and unwind, not to be overwhelmed by logistical worries.

With these travel organizer apps on your iPhone or iPad, you can effortlessly plan your trips, discover new destinations, and make the most out of your travel adventures in 2024 and beyond.

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The best travel apps you need on your iPhone

via Cameron Casey/Pexels

Going on holiday to far-off destinations was exciting and challenging until a certain global pandemic made things considerably harder. As the world starts to open itself back up, so is the prospect of travel.

Though you may be limited to within a country's borders or are barred from accessing some territories and potentially face quarantine in others, there's always the chance of going away. And, just like a few years ago, your iPhone will be your best friend for the trip, wherever you decide to go.

These are what AppleInsider believes are some of the best apps you can have on your iPhone when traveling alongside Apple Maps.

Google Maps

Navigation apps are extremely useful in travel, not only in getting to your destination but also in traversing a town or city you're unfamiliar with. They're critical and go first on this list ahead of anything else.

It may seem odd to recommend Google Maps over Apple Maps, but there are a few things to bear in mind here. For a start, Google Maps is extremely popular, has been around for quite a bit longer, and has over 220 countries and territories mapped, complete with hundreds of millions of businesses and other locations for you to find.

For international travel, where data plans become expensive or severely limited, the Google Maps offline option is its biggest asset. You can define an area and preload maps before you travel, which can then be used without needing a data connection, potentially saving you money.

Google Maps is free to download and use and requires iOS or iPadOS 12.2 or later.

If you know where you want to go but don't fancy scouring airlines for flights or trying to track down a great hotel deal, Expedia is an excellent way to sort all that out for you.

Expedia helps you find the perfect flight within your budget, as well as the ability to find and book the right hotel, and if you need it, a rental car. Packages and bundles offer discounts for buying flights and other elements simultaneously versus getting them individually.

The app does more, including offering recommendations to local attractions and getting deals on tours, shows, and theme park entry.

It's also handy in that everything to do with your trip is held within one app, making it a one-stop-shop for all of your travel needs. You'll even get alerts for flight delays and gate changes, as well as any other unexpected alterations to your trip itinerary.

Expedia is free to download and requires iOS or iPadOS 14.0 or later.

LoungeBuddy

Frequent airline passengers may not be that enthralled by busy airports. Airport lounges can offer an escape from the crowds and a relaxing time before you take off, but typically they're only offered as a free service for certain types of plane tickets or if you have a credit card or something similar that provides similar access.

While you may be OK with the idea of paying for a pass to the lounges, there's no guarantee that the lounge you want to enter will allow you in the first place, such as if you're flying on a different airline. It can also be hard to determine what lounges are in a specific airport in the first place.

LoungeBuddy serves as both a guide and a way to quickly buy access to airport lounges so that you can travel in style. The app will tell you what lounges you may have access to based on your trip, class of service, memberships, or credit cards you have, as well as whether it's free or paid.

It also allows users to buy access to hundreds of other lounges in airports worldwide, regardless of the user's status or ticket.

LoungeBuddy is a free download, requiring iOS or iPadOS 14.3 or later.

If you need a place to stay somewhere, hotels are the obvious choice. However, if you want something a bit more personal and native to the area you're in, you could try Airbnb.

Offering access to many locations, ranging from secluded beach houses to apartments in the heart of a city, the app can get you as close or as far from civilization as you want. You can also stay in unique locations, such as domes and treehouses, that you won't find in more corporate-focused travel sites.

You can get in contact with hosts through the app, as well as local experts who could help make your trip the best it could be by using their knowledge of the area. The app also recommends various experiences you can try out for fun while you're at your destination.

If you're lucky enough to have a property that you could let out and earn a bit of cash, you can do so on Airbnb, which provides support and liability insurance for those choosing to become a host.

Airbnb is free to download and requires iOS or iPadOS 14.0 or later.

Google Translate

In a similar vein to the Google Maps recommendation, we're recommending Google Translate over Apple's Translate app. In short, it's because Google's heavily-developed service is far more helpful.

Offering translations between 108 languages by typing, it also includes other ways to translate, including verbal conversations, handwriting, and photos. There's even a live instant translation feature, managed by using your iPhone's camera and superimposing translations of words on top of the live video feed.

This is extremely useful for immediacy, such as reading a menu or looking at signs, as it'll help you understand what's happening extremely quickly.

Again, the best part is that there's an offline mode for translations without Internet for 59 languages. So long as you preload the languages at home before you go, you're saving on data costs.

Google Translate is free to download and requires iOS and iPadOS 12.4 or later.

Yep. And with Google Maps you have the benefit of Google tracking everywhere you go and building advertising as a result. Unlike Apple Maps, which chops your route into pieces so not even Apple knows where you’ve been. But who really cares about privacy? 

Flighty or TripIt need to be on the list

Google Maps will show hotel price in your destination city. It helped me find a good hotel deal in Anchorage.

I use Google Maps for all kinds of travel. 23 countries in the past 5 years. (Google Translate is really handy, too.) Made new saved lists for hotels and restaurants. I just wish the map tags could have different colors. Another great app is Elk. It does quick and easy currency exchange rates in a simple list form. Culture Trip helps find things to see or do and restaurants. Then there's Vivino to document and find great wine and where to buy it back home. 

From my oversea travel experiences, Google Maps is still the best. It offers very extensive information on that particular city such as train names, routes and times.... etc beside building names.

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Tips for travel with an iPad and other tablets

Sep 4, 2012 • 5 min read

In 2010, Apple launched the iPad and since then, a whole slew of other manufacturers have jumped into the tablet fray. This is good news for the traveller as tablets are infinitely useful to take on the road.

Why? They’re lighter and more compact than a laptop/netbook with essentially the same core features such as email and web browsing. They start with the press of a button and the touchscreen functionality makes it easier to access information on the go. And battery life trumps most laptops, with some lasting up to ten hours.

What can I use my tablet for while travelling?

There are a variety of applications that are travel-friendly. Install Skype for video calls. Download apps like Foursquare and Urbanspoon for restaurant recommendations in your area. Booking apps like Kayak, Agoda, Booking.com and Hipmunk let you search for flights and/or hotel rooms. And many tourism boards offer free apps, so do some research and install them before you go.

You can also load up on TV shows, movies, music and ebooks before you go, to help pass the time on long journeys. Tablets offer the closest thing to a paper book experience on a mobile device, which makes them useful for viewing ebook or PDF versions of travel guides too. And if yours has GPS support, you can use it for navigation via applications with maps, eg TomTom GPS, Google Maps and Lonely Planet City Guides (which come with offline maps).

What's the best way to get online while on the road?

All tablets are equipped with a wi-fi radio. You might also have purchased a model with an additional 3G slot in it. For the former, you can access the internet by connecting to a wi-fi hotspot – some require payment, but plenty don’t so keep a lookout for free connections!

With the 3G option, you’ll have the easy but pricey option of using roaming data. Rates vary by destination so check with your network provider before you go, and find out if it offers data roaming deals.

A cheaper option is to either pre-purchase an international data SIM or buy a local data SIM at your destination. For reference, an international data SIM with maxroam.com charges approximately €1 per MB. Other comparable services include  bridgealliance.com , abroadband.com and iphonetrip.com . With local data SIMs, the more technologically advanced the country you’re visiting, the cheaper the rates tend to be. In Singapore, for example, you can purchase a SIM for US$9 and get a day’s worth of unlimited surfing for US$3.50!

To avoid any post-trip bill-shock, always check rates before you start using any service.

How can I protect my tablet from damage?

Protecting your tablet from physical harm is important. While the iPad might look really cool 'naked', it won't take well to being dropped. So get a case. We recommend one that covers the entire body of the tablet and has a flap to cover the screen when not in use. Look for tougher materials such as neoprene or leather. Avoid the ‘sleeve’ type cases which require you to pull the tablet out each time you want to use it.

To protect the screen from accidental scratches, apply a clear plastic screen protector. If you expect your tablet to take some abuse, check out the shock- and dust-proof cases by Otterbox .

And what about protecting against theft?

As with your other devices, make sure to keep your tablet in a secure place. If you’re going to be pushing through a crowded market or subway, store it in a bag strapped to the front of your body. Keep your eyes on your bag at all times.

We’ve heard about tablets and mobile phones being snatched through closing subway doors so don’t get too absorbed in using your tablet, and be alert when using the tablet in public. If you have to use it outside, try to find a quiet place to sit down.

Be sure to back up information on all devices before you go. If you also carry a laptop, keep it separate from your tablet as an extra precaution. Apple's iOS5 has cloud back-up capabilities (meaning that you can save data via the internet onto Apple's servers). You can also save files onto a cloud service such as Dropbox or Box.net.

The iPad also has a nifty 'find my iPad' function which enables you to both track its location and remotely wipe your device, in the event of it being lost or stolen. Make sure you enable this feature before you travel.

Should I get travel insurance for my tablet?

Most travel insurance policies cover the theft, loss or damage of a tablet. The same policy should also cover other devices you might carry such as your mobile/cell phone and digital camera. With so many policies out there, it’s important to read the policy product disclosure statements to find out how much you can claim per item and, if you carry a lot of gadgets, the total limit you can claim. Additionally, if you’ve got home and contents insurance, it’s worth checking whether it covers your tablet for travel – some policies actually cover your kit, no matter where you are in the world.

The bottom line: make sure your tablet is insured.

I’ve heard that some tablets don’t work at high altitudes. Is that true?

Extreme cold will affect your tablet more than altitude. Tablets will work in places such as the Arctic but you’ll experience shorter battery life. Also, take care not to expose the tablet to sudden changes in temperature as condensation might develop internally...generally a bad thing.

This article was first published in November 2011. This article was refreshed in September 2012.

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10 Best Travel TRIP PLANNER APPs To Have in 2024

In a fast-paced world where the stress of work and school is overwhelming, we all need a break to de-stress our minds. Traveling is one good way to take your mind off of stressful things – a breather. And a scheduled vacation gives you something to look forward to.

Whether it’s a local trip alone, a family holiday, or a getaway with your best friends, it just excites you to wish the day would come faster. 

10 Best Trip Planner Apps in 2024

The freeform app.

• TripIt: Travel Planner

Hopper – Flight & Hotel Deals

• Sygic Travel Maps Trip Planner

Roadtrippers: Trip Planner

Tripadvisor, travelspend: track travel expense & trip budget, tripcase – travel organizer app, travel planning apps for your next trip.

The Freeform app is an endless whiteboard that lets users add information from a variety of websites, photos, videos and files.

Because the boards are kept in iCloud, they can be accessed from any device anytime inspiration hits. While you and your travel companions plan your dream trip, the specifics can be shared with several individuals working together on the same whiteboard, making them an ongoing work in progress.

The Freeform app is free to iPhone users on iOS 16.2, iPad users on 16.2, and Mac users on Ventura MacOS Venture 13.1. 

Download the brand-new app here .

Read our full post: Apple Launches New Travel App Freeform – What to Know

Wanderlog Trip Planner App

Wanderlog is your all-in-one destination for planning future trips, sharing travel guides, and blogging past trips.

Its trip planning features are incredibly flexible: you can research destinations and activities, organize reservations by connecting your email, and map out a day itinerary with start/end times. You can also add notes and links all throughout.

Everything is stored offline so you can access your itinerary when traveling abroad. For road trips, it calculates the time and distance between places and exports them to Google Maps (and there are no limits to the number of stops you have on a trip!).

Plus, there’s a fun social component: collaborate with friends on itineraries, write your own travel guide, and blog about past trips. Wanderlog is available on the web and on your smartphone, so you can seamlessly plan while at home and on-the-go.

iOS  /  Android

TripIt: Trip Planner App

If you need any help organizing the dozens of itineraries, TripIt is the app for you. Users simply need to forward your flight, hotel, restaurant, and car rental confirmation emails to [email protected] and the app will create a free master doc for each of your trips. The best thing about this app is that you can get access to your itinerary anywhere, even without an internet connection. 

In addition, the Pro version will find you alternative routes for canceled flights and send out notifications for delayed flights, cancellations, and more from the airlines. 

iOS / Android

Rome2rio is a versatile travel planning app that simplifies the process of finding and booking travel options. It’s a handy tool for travelers seeking to explore various transportation choices between destinations. Rome2rio offers users a comprehensive view of travel options, including flights, trains, buses, ferries, and even driving directions.

Key features of Rome2rio include:

• Route Information: The app provides detailed information on different routes, including estimated travel times, costs, and the number of transfers required.
• Booking Integration: Users can book flights, train tickets, and other transportation options directly through the app, streamlining the booking process.
• Map Integration: Rome2rio integrates with maps, allowing users to visualize their travel routes and explore nearby attractions.
• Multi-Modal Travel: It offers options for combining various modes of transportation, making it easy to plan complex journeys.
• Accurate Pricing: The app provides real-time pricing information, helping users make informed decisions based on their budget.
• Offline Access: Rome2rio offers offline access to previously searched routes, which can be handy when traveling without a data connection.

Hopper is an amazing trip planner app to have on your phone. The app predicts airfares up to 1 year in advance, with 95% accuracy. It analyzes over billions of flight prices and hotels within the day – telling you whether to book your trip now or wait for just a little longer.

Here’s how it works: Key in your destination and a color-coded calendar will display the cheapest and most expensive date to fly. The app will then recommend you to either book the flight now or sit it out and wait for airfare to get cheaper. Also, you can filter predictions to custom-fit your trip – remove long layovers, extra fees, restrictions, and more. 

And if you worry about missing out the cheap flight bookings, don’t be! Hopper will send you a notification when fares have dropped to its lowest point.

SYGIC Travel Maps Trip Planner

Sygic Travel Maps , the new version of Sygic Trip Planner, is the first travel app to display all of the attractions and places a traveler needs to see and visit on a single map.

Sync your trips with the Sygic Travel app and find hidden gems in all cities you visit. The app boast a large database that allows you to find the best hotels, tourist attractions, museums, restaurants, bars, and stores wherever you go.

This mobile app also let you download offline maps and guides, which come in helpful when traveling to remote locations with poor or non-existing Wi-Fi.

It also has a dedicated section to worldwide places of interest for travel business. Get location information for individual cities, countries, continents, or the entire planet.

The app is available in 18 languages.

iOS / Android iOS

Planning on a cross-country road trip ? Roadtrippers is the app for you! Not everyone is fond of waiting long hours at the airport while sitting through your red-eye flight. Hit the road with your friends instead.

Roadtrippers provides everything you need to know on your road trip. Just enter your starting point, destination, and let the app do its work for you! From camping sites to rest stops, outdoor activities, exciting adventures along the way that you didn’t know existed. This app is the perfect buddy for your road trip regardless of your mode of transportation – a sedan, a rental car, or a huge family RV.

Most of us dream of going to places! But planning an amazing trip to places we have not been to is pretty hard as you don’t know where to stay, what to do, places to eat, and adventures to try. We mostly rely on recommendations, most of which are not even right, that we find online. 

TripAdvisor has over millions of travel recommendations on hotels, top dining spots, must-do experiences, and treasured gems to over 8 million destinations at your perusal. It is an all-in-one app that lets you book tables at restaurants and compares low prices on hotels and flights.

You can also follow friends and travel experts for advice that match your interests, watch videos, and read articles. In return, you can share your experiences, reviews, and helpful guides for other users too!

Setting up a budget for your trip is easy, however, sticking to it is hard. TravelSpend will help you with that. It starts with entering your budget and expenses over multiple days so you don’t go overboard. The app helps you in sticking to your budget effectively.

Being in another country is not a problem at all: enter your expenses in any currency and the app will automatically convert it to your home currency.

Track your travel expenses whether going on a solo around-the-world trip or backpacking holiday with your best friends. The app allows you to share your trip with your friends and track your expenses together. Pay debts, split bills, and check your balances – all in the app!

TripCase, a comprehensive travel organizer app, has emerged as a popular choice among travelers seeking a streamlined and efficient way to manage their journey details.

Here’s a breakdown of its key features and functionalities:

Centralized Itinerary Management : TripCase allows users to consolidate all their travel details, including flights, hotels, and car rentals, into a single, easily accessible itinerary.

Real-time Flight Alerts : The app keeps travelers informed with up-to-the-minute notifications on flight statuses, including delays, cancellations, and gate changes.

Itinerary Sharing : TripCase offers a sharing option that enables users to send their travel plans to friends, family, or colleagues.

Travel Directions and Maps : To aid navigation in unfamiliar locations, the app provides directions and maps.

Nearby Recommendations : TripCase offers recommendations for restaurants, attractions, and other services close to the traveler’s location.

Document Storage : For added convenience, the app allows users to store essential travel documents digitally, ensuring that important information like passport details, visas, and insurance policies are readily available.

Customizable Notifications : Users can customize their notification preferences, choosing what types of alerts they receive and how they are notified, tailoring the app to suit individual needs and preferences.

iOS / Android 

Hi, great List. I couldn’t travel without my Apps! I have one App you could check out =) Its called ” ATM Fee Saver” and it gives a list with all ATMs and their fees and limit. I found it super helpful and it really helped me to save some money. Best regards, Charlotte

Thank you for your suggestions! Those apps are very useful and various

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Picking the Best iPad to Buy in 2024

In October 2022, Apple introduced a completely redesigned 10.9-inch iPad and updated iPad Pro , following the introduction of a new iPad Air earlier in the year and iPad mini in 2021. Those models, combined with the older 10.2-inch ‌iPad‌, constitute Apple's full tablet lineup, which has not been updated since that time.

iPad Comparison

Which iPad Is Right for You?

To address the elephant in the room, 2023 marked the first time since the introduction of the original ‌iPad‌ in 2010 that Apple did not update a single model in the lineup . So as of early 2024, the entire lineup could use a refresh and indications are that all models will receive updates at some point during the year. But if you're still looking to buy, read on below for help with your decision!

If price is your biggest consideration, you'll want to look at the basic 10.2-inch ‌iPad‌, knowing that it contains some older technologies. If you're looking for portability, check out the ‌iPad mini‌ with the latest hardware, and if you want a mid-sized ‌iPad‌ with more to offer than the entry-level ‌iPad‌, check out the ‌iPad Air‌.

What about the ‌iPad Pro‌? Apple's high-end iPads are in a class of their own, and it shows in their higher price. Unless you're a pro-level user or price is no object, you'll probably want to look to cheaper options, but the ‌iPad Pro‌ models deliver cutting-edge technology for those who need it.

With that quick overview out of the way, let's take a look at what each model has to offer.

iPad Models

10.2-inch ipad.

Starting at the low end of the ‌iPad‌ price spectrum, Apple has the basic 10.2-inch ninth-generation ‌iPad‌ starting at $329 for the Wi-Fi only model. This ‌iPad‌ is perfect if you're on a budget as it is also frequently on sale and is popular in the education field.

It has the most important features users are looking for in an ‌iPad‌, like a generous display, Touch ID , and a decent rear camera, as well as support for the first-generation Apple Pencil if you're into drawing, handwritten notes, and other tasks that don't work quite as well with your finger.

It also includes an improved front-facing Ultra Wide camera with a 122º field of view and support for Center Stage, Apple's feature originally introduced in the ‌iPad Pro‌ which tracks faces in the field of view and digitally pans to follow you as you move.

Key specifications include:

• A 10.2‑inch Retina display with True Tone
• Home button with ‌Touch ID‌
• A13 Bionic chip
• 8MP back camera with HDR for photos and 1080p HD video
• 12MP Ultra Wide front camera with HDR for photos and 1080p HD video
• Two-speaker audio
• First-generation ‌Apple Pencil‌ compatibility
• Smart Keyboard and Bluetooth keyboard compatibility
• Lightning port
• Available in Silver and Space Gray

10.9-inch iPad

Apple's tenth-generation version of the ‌iPad‌ has a larger 10.9-inch display and the A14 Bionic chip, and it starts at $449 for the Wi-Fi only model. If you're willing to spend a bit more money over the ninth-generation ‌iPad‌, this ‌iPad‌ offers a good mix of features and improvements.

It has an entirely updated design, ditching the Home button and adopting the slim bezel design of the ‌iPad Air‌ and ‌iPad Pro‌. It does still have ‌Touch ID‌, but it's been moved to the power button on the top edge of the device. It also adopts USB-C instead of Lightning, and it has an improved 12MP Wide rear-facing camera.

• A 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display with True Tone
• Side button with ‌Touch ID‌
• A14 Bionic chip
• 12MP Wide back camera and 12MP Landscape Ultra Wide front camera
• Magic Keyboard Folio compatibility
• Available in Blue, Pink, Silver, and Yellow

Next up is the ‌iPad mini‌, which starts at $499 for Wi-Fi only models. That's $100 more than the previous generation's starting price, but the September 2021 update brought a massive upgrade to Apple's smallest tablet.

With a display size of 8.3 inches, you can't quite call it pocketable, but the ‌iPad mini‌ is definitely great for having something small on the go that still offers a much larger screen size than even Apple's largest iPhones.

• Fully laminated 8.3‑inch Liquid Retina display with True Tone
• ‌Touch ID‌ in the power button
• A15 Bionic chip with 5-core graphics and 16-core Neural Engine
• 12MP back camera with Smart HDR 3 and 4K video
• 12MP Ultra Wide front camera with Smart HDR 3 and 1080p HD video
• Landscape stereo-speaker audio
• Second-generation ‌Apple Pencil‌ compatibility
• Bluetooth keyboard compatibility
• USB-C port instead of Lightning
• Available in Space Gray, Pink, Purple, and Starlight

Moving toward the higher end of the ‌iPad‌ family is the 10.9-inch ‌iPad Air‌, which starts at $599 for Wi-Fi only models and is in many ways a larger sibling to the ‌iPad mini‌. The ‌iPad Air‌ is also the perfect mid-tier option that offers many of the same features as the top-of-the-line ‌iPad Pro‌ but at a lower price point.

• Fully laminated 10.9‑inch Liquid Retina display with True Tone
• 12MP rear camera with Smart HDR 3 for photos and 4K video at up to 60 fps
• 12MP FaceTime HD front camera with Smart HDR
• Magic Keyboard, ‌Smart Keyboard‌ Folio and Bluetooth keyboards compatibility
• Available in Space Gray, Blue, Pink, Purple, and Starlight

If you're looking for true portable workstation power, then the last two iPads in the lineup, the iPad Pro models, could be what you're interested in. These tablets were updated in October 2022 with the M2 chip, Smart HDR 4, Wi-Fi 6E, ‌Apple Pencil‌'s hover feature, and more.

These iPads, which start at $799 for the smaller 11-inch model and $1,099 for the 12.9-inch model, are a step up from the ‌iPad Air‌ in almost every way, from 120Hz ProMotion technology for smoother display responsiveness, a USB-C connector with Thunderbolt support, and mini-LED (only on the 12.9-inch model), to a more powerful ‌M2‌ chip, dual rear cameras, and Face ID .

Key specifications of the two ‌iPad Pro‌ models include:

• 11‑inch Liquid Retina display
• 12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR display
• ‌Face ID‌
• ‌M2‌ chip
• Two rear cameras: 12MP wide and 10MP ultra wide
• Smart HDR for photos, 4K video at 30 fps or 60 fps
• 12MP TrueDepth front camera with Center Stage, Portrait mode, Portrait Lighting, and Smart HDR
• Four-speaker audio
• 5G connectivity
• Magic Keyboard, ‌Smart Keyboard‌ Folio and Bluetooth keyboard compatibility
• Thunderbolt / USB 4 connector
• Available in silver and space gray

Customization Options

Now that we've looked at the base specs of each of ‌iPad‌ models, it's time to think about various options like storage, cellular connectivity, and AppleCare +.

Storage: There are several storage options for each ‌iPad‌, so think about how much you might need. On the low end, the 10.2-inch ninth-generation ‌iPad‌ is available in two sizes: 64GB ($329) and 256GB ($150 upgrade at $479). This is a nice boost in storage, as both levels are double the amount offered in the previous generation.

For the tenth-generation ‌iPad‌, ‌iPad mini‌ and ‌iPad Air‌, Apple is offering the same two storage options: 64GB ($449 for ‌iPad‌, $499 for mini, and $599 for Air) and 256GB (a $150 upgrade on the previous prices).

Power-heavy users should always look to the higher-capacity ‌iPad‌ models to ensure they don't have to worry about constantly deleting apps and other files for storage space. Otherwise, Apple's iCloud is a great way to offload files and lets you opt for a cheaper ‌iPad‌ with less storage.

Unless you're storing a large local music library, downloading lots of video for offline playback, have a ton of huge apps, or doing pro-level work requiring lots of large files, mainstream users can usually get away with the lowest-tier storage options, particularly now that all models start with at least 64GB.

Cellular Connectivity : If you need to ensure that you can use your ‌iPad‌ at any time, including when you're not near a Wi-Fi connection, you can opt for a Wi-Fi + Cellular option to ensure you're always connected.

Cellular support adds $130–$200 onto the price of all corresponding Wi-Fi ‌iPad‌ models, depending on which ‌iPad‌ and which storage capacity. You'll also have to sign up for a data plan for an additional cost with a supported carrier, like AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, or Verizon in the United States.

All told, it's not a cheap upgrade, and many users prefer using their phone as a hotspot to deliver connectivity to a Wi-Fi ‌iPad‌ while on the go. But if your phone plan doesn't allow for hotspot usage or you just want the convenience of having your ‌iPad‌ connected directly to a cellular network at all times, the option is there.

Something else worth considering is that all current ‌iPad‌ models with the exception of the ninth-generation ‌iPad‌ support 5G, which is significantly faster than 4G LTE on the low-end model. The ‌iPad Pro‌ supports both widespread sub-6GHz and faster-but-limited-availability mmWave 5G in the U.S., while the all other 5G-capable models support only sub-6GHz 5G.

AppleCare+ : New iPads come with one year of hardware repair coverage through Apple's limited warranty policy, as well as up to 90 days of complimentary support. But if you want more coverage, Apple offers optional ‌AppleCare‌+ packages priced at $69 for the ‌iPad‌ and ‌iPad mini‌, $79 for the ‌iPad Air‌, $129 for the 11-inch ‌iPad Pro‌ and $149 for the 12.9-inch ‌iPad Pro‌. Monthly pricing options are also available.

‌AppleCare‌+ extends your ‌iPad‌'s coverage to two years from the purchase date and adds unlimited incidents of accidental damage coverage, subject to a service fee of $49 plus applicable taxes in the United States. Prices vary elsewhere.

Apple charges high fees for accidental damage to a new ‌iPad‌ without ‌AppleCare‌+, so as with most forms of insurance, the plan can pay for itself if ever used. ‌AppleCare‌+ must be added within 60 days of purchasing a device.

Accessories

Each ‌iPad‌ has a plethora of accessories to choose from for protection, style, or usability, many of which Apple creates and sells itself on Apple.com and in Apple retail stores.

Apple Pencil: The ‌Apple Pencil‌ is a stylus most popular with artists but also used by others, providing a comfortable and streamlined way to interact with the tablet. The second-generation ‌Apple Pencil‌ introduced sleek design changes, magnetic charging on the ‌iPad mini‌, ‌iPad Air‌, and ‌iPad Pro‌, and gesture controls, none of which are available on the original ‌Apple Pencil‌. A new USB-C ‌Apple Pencil‌ introduced in late 2023 complicated the situation even further.

• First-Generation Apple Pencil ($99): 9.7-inch ‌iPad‌ (2018), 10.2-inch ‌iPad‌ (2019, 2020, and 2021), 10.9-inch ‌iPad‌ (2022), fifth-generation ‌iPad mini‌ (2019), third-generation ‌iPad Air‌ (2019), 9.7-inch ‌iPad Pro‌ (2016), 10.5-inch ‌iPad Pro‌ (2017), first- and second-generation 12.9-inch ‌iPad Pro‌ (2015 and 2017)
• Second-Generation Apple Pencil ($129): sixth-generation ‌iPad mini‌ (2021), fourth-generation ‌iPad Air‌ (2020), fifth-generation ‌iPad Air‌ (2022), 11-inch and 12.9-inch ‌iPad Pro‌ (2018, 2020, 2021, and 2022)
• USB-C Apple Pencil ($69): 10.9-inch ‌iPad‌ (2022), sixth-generation ‌iPad mini‌ (2021), fourth-generation ‌iPad Air‌ (2020), fifth-generation ‌iPad Air‌ (2022), 11-inch and 12.9-inch ‌iPad Pro‌ (2018, 2020, 2021, and 2022)

In the end, if you're only looking to purchase an ‌iPad‌ as a convenient app-browsing, email-checking, or ‌FaceTime‌ device, you don't need an ‌Apple Pencil‌. But if you're an artist or other creative with a penchant for drawing or taking digital handwritten notes, Apple's stylus is definitely an enhancement to the ‌iPad‌ experience.

For a more in-depth look at the differences between the three Apple Pencils, check out our comparison .

Cases: Apple sells Smart Cover and Smart Folio cases for all of its iPads, priced depending on the size of the device. You'll pay $39 for an ‌iPad mini‌ Smart Cover, $49 for an ‌iPad Air‌ or 10.2-inch ‌iPad‌ Smart Cover, $59 for an ‌iPad mini‌ Smart Folio, $79 for an ‌iPad Air‌, tenth-generation ‌iPad‌, or 11-inch ‌iPad Pro‌ Smart Folio, and $99 for a 12.9-inch ‌iPad Pro‌ Smart Folio.

Keyboards: If you're looking to do a lot of work on an ‌iPad Air‌ or ‌iPad Pro‌, Apple has introduced a Magic Keyboard that includes a trackpad, USB-C port with passthrough charging, and backlit keys. It's certainly not cheap, priced at $299 for the 11-inch version and $349 for the 12.9-inch version, but for pro-level users, it's a serious upgrade to the ‌iPad‌ experience.

These Apple-made cases are compatible with iPads that have a ‌Smart Keyboard‌ connector, which is a special port that magnetically attaches the keyboard to the side or rear of the ‌iPad‌.

Otherwise, you can also look into popular ‌iPad‌ keyboard manufacturers like Brydge, Logitech, and Belkin, all of which sell Bluetooth keyboards that connect to iPads wirelessly. Keyboard cases are more expensive than your average case due to the added input use, but if you really plan on doing a lot of work and writing on your ‌iPad‌, the two-in-one keyboard/protection combo is the way to go. The hardware keyboards give a much better typing experience and free up screen space on your ‌iPad‌ by getting rid of the software keyboard.

Cables: Apple's ‌iPad‌ lineup is still transitioning from Lightning to USB-C, making matters a bit confusing. The easy way to remember it at this point is that only the entry-level 10.2-inch ninth-generation ‌iPad‌ still uses a Lightning cable.

So... Which iPad Should You Buy?

Overall, Apple's 10.9-inch iPad Air is a perfect all-encompassing tablet that should hit the checkmarks for many buyers. It has most of the features of the ‌iPad Pro‌ but starts at $200 less. If you're on a bit more of a budget, the 10.9-inch tenth-generation iPad saves you an additional $150 compared to the ‌iPad Air‌ while giving you the same form factor and display size with a few compromises.

If you're someone who has preferred the small form factor of the iPad mini over the years, Apple's latest small-sized tablet is well worth the update with an even bigger screen packed into roughly the same size body and has nearly all of the same features as the ‌iPad Air‌. The ‌iPad mini‌ doesn't have a ‌Smart Keyboard‌ connector like the ‌iPad Air‌ or a ‌Smart Keyboard‌ case of its own, but since the ‌iPad mini‌ isn't exactly a workstation device, that's not a bad trade-off (plus, you can still connect it to a Bluetooth keyboard if you want).

For $100 less than the ‌iPad Air‌ at $499 (64GB Wi-Fi), the ‌iPad mini‌ still gives you a nice laminated display with True Tone and antireflective coating, ‌Touch ID‌ in the power button, an even faster A15 Bionic chip, the same second-generation ‌Apple Pencil‌ support, and better cameras.

And, of course, on the other end are the power users. If you're willing to spend the money to spec out a 12.9-inch iPad Pro , you'll get a super reliable mobile workstation with 10-hour battery life in a 1.5 lb package. If you travel frequently for work, or just like setting up at a coffee shop during the day, the ‌iPad Pro‌ has a chance to become your MacBook replacement with a paired keyboard.

While Apple's ‌iPad‌ lineup is getting a bit long in the tooth, it still provides a wide variety of options and offers clear distinctions between tablets that should help make your decision a little easier.

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Top Rated Comments

Either go big (12.9" Pro w/ LTE and 256GB) or go home (home button-equipped iPad Air)

The list of differences between the Air 3 and 2017 Pro 10.5", which in my opinion are so significant that I'm leaning towards the latter when I replace my Air later this year, are as follows: * The Air 3's CPU (A12) is 20% faster than that of the Pro 10.5" (A10X) as per Geekbench 4 scores * The Pro 10.5" has 1GB more RAM which may mean that Apple might give it some features it doesn't the Air 3 in future versions of iOS * The Pro 10.5" has a 120Hz ProMotion display while the Air 3 has a 60Hz display. This, in my opinion, is a major feature as it makes the overall experience much smoother * The Pro 10.5" has quad speakers as opposed to stereo ones on the Air 3 * The Pro 10.5" has a 12MP camera w/ flash; the Air 3 has an 8MP one

I’ve never owned a cellular iPad so I’m ignorant of how it works. Does the mini 5 have an a la cart option for data? I don’t need a constant LTE connection but I will have times when I’ll need it.

Ah okay. I didn’t really think of the Air 3 and 2017 Pro 10.5” as comparable but in terms of just price for features, that does make sense.

I'd be curious what the longevity differences are between the 2. The Air 3 seems to be faster in most (all?) ways, but also has a little less ram. Might be a toss up.

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What's the Best iPad for You?

Whether you're a power user or a budget-minded shopper, here's how to find the right Apple tablet for your needs

When you shop through retailer links on our site, we may earn affiliate commissions. 100% of the fees we collect are used to support our nonprofit mission. Learn more .

Picking the right iPad can be a little tricky. 

Apple offers four different models: the iPad Pro, the iPad Mini, the iPad Air, and the regular iPad. There are almost a dozen variations when you factor in optional upgrades, such as a larger display or cellular service, and even more when you consider older models still on the market. But one thing is straightforward: The devices are great.

In This Article

Best All-Around iPad • Premium iPad Pick • More Powerful, Less Expensive iPad • Best iPad for Portability • How CR Tests Tablets

“Apple controls the hardware, the software—they pretty much have a handle on the entire ecosystem,” says Antonette Asedillo, who oversees tablet testing in our labs. “So they’re able to make sure everything works together well.”

Apple refreshed the lineup in mid-October of last year, upgrading the 11- and 12.9-inch iPad Pro with the company’s new M2 processor and slightly increasing the screen size on the entry-level iPad from 10.2 inches to 10.9 inches. It also added bold new color options, including blue, pink, and yellow.

We’re still testing those models, but we expect them to score well because iPads have more or less dominated our tablet ratings from the beginning.

Each of Apple’s four iPads has its merits, but some probably make more sense for you than others. Below we’ve broken down what sets each model apart and why you might want to consider them.

We buy and test every model that Apple releases, measuring performance across a variety of metrics, including ease of use, the quality of the display, and how fast the model does the things you ask it to do, like load web pages and apply filters to photos. Whatever your budget and your needs, we can help you find the right iPad.

And while you’re looking over the options, keep in mind that you may be able to snag a previous-generation iPad at a nice discount during the holiday shopping season.

For more information on tablets, see CR’s tablets buying guide and check out our full tablet ratings to see how over 30 models performed in our tests.

Consumer Reports is a nonprofit member organization that works to create  a fairer marketplace . We buy every product we rate, from  tablets  to  laptops  to  printers .

Best All-Around iPad

Apple’s entry-level model, known simply as the “iPad,” provides the most bang for your buck, especially when you take into account the number of high-quality apps and services available for the iPad operating system. 

The model in our ratings has a 10.9-inch display and 64GB of storage (you can pay for more), and it records HD video (though the cameras don’t score quite as well as those on other iPads). In our web-browsing test, the device delivers 9 hours of battery life; and in our video test, the device delivers 13.4 hours of battery life.

The model in our ratings offers a 5G wireless internet connectivity iteration for a small premium ($130 more).

This is the 10th-generation device. The 9th-generation iPad is getting to be less widely available, but it’s also a great value, with a bright 10.2-inch screen and a lower price tag.

Even relatively inexpensive iPad models are still pricey compared to many other tablets. If you’re simply looking for a tablet that lets you roam the web and watch the occasional Netflix show, it might make sense to consider other tablets, most notably Amazon’s Kindle Fire line, where around $120 will get you the 10-inch, 32 GB Amazon Fire HD 10 . An 8-inch model costs $100.

Premium iPad Pick

The iPad Pro is a machine for power users, and it delivers the level of performance you’d expect from a high-end laptop. If you’re the type of person who’s automatically drawn to the latest and greatest, the iPad Pro may be the tablet for you. Before you shell out to buy it though, you should compare it with the iPad Air, described below.

The 2022 iPad Pro, which uses Apple’s M2 processor, outpaces all other tablets in our ratings.

The 12.9-inch Pro’s display uses a technology called Mini LED, also present in some high-end TVs , that produces more vibrant images and better contrast than what’s possible with traditional LCD tech. It also has a lightning-fast refresh rate, which makes the animations in everything from video games to simply scrolling around iPadOS look smoother. 

Add an exceptional camera and very good battery life of almost 9  hours while browsing the web (14 hours for video viewing), and you’re looking at the tablet to beat.

The Pro also supports Apple’s Smart Keyboard cover (allowing you to use a physical keyboard without needing to charge or pair it via Bluetooth) and the Magic Keyboard, which features a cantilevered design that lets you raise and lower the screen to get a better viewing angle.

Like the iPad above, the iPad Pro is available with optional 5G wireless internet connectivity for an added premium ($200 more).

More Powerful, Less Expensive iPad

With the recent release of the new entry-level iPad and iPad Pros, the iPad Air is in a somewhat interesting position.

Like the 2021 iPad Pros (but not the 2022 models), the iPad Air is powered by Apple’s M1 processor. That means very good performance for even the most demanding tasks (like, say, editing video in apps like iMovie), though it’s perhaps overkill if you’re merely watching “Ted Lasso.” It has a fully laminated LCD display, producing clearer images than the entry-level iPad but not as whiz-bang-wow as the Mini LED display of the 12.9-inch iPad Pro (nor does it have the ProMotion high refresh rate). Battery life of around 7 hours while browsing the web is less than what you’d find on both the entry-level and Pro models.

So how do you decide between the Air and the Pro?

The iPad Air here in late 2022 feels like the right iPad for someone who wants a better display than the entry-level iPad but doesn’t want to pay iPad Pro prices for the privilege. There’s still a pretty big gap of around $150 between the Air and the 12.9-inch Pro, which may be reason enough to pick the Air over the Pro.

And like the other Apple models above, the iPad Air also includes an option to purchase a model with 4G wireless connectivity .

Best iPad for Portability

Apple’s 2021 iPad Mini is our top pick if you want the ideal traveling companion. (If you don’t mind an Android tablet, the Kindle Fire is a good choice if you’re looking to save money.)

The 8.3-inch iPad has a bright, sharp display with a large viewing angle, meaning you don’t need to hold it dead center in front of your face to see it clearly. The new A15 Bionic chip is blazing fast, so web browsing and watching movies seem smooth and stutter-free. The battery life is impressive, too. Our testers clocked it at 10.7 hours for web browsing and 12.4 hours for movie playback. Other updates include a USB-C port, upgraded cameras, and optional 5G compatibility .

The iPad Mini is very light as well. The smaller size and lighter weight (just 0.6 pound vs. 1 pound for the iPad Air and the 11-inch iPad Pro, and 1.1 pounds for the regular iPad) make the tablet easier to hold for extended periods than its larger brethren.

How CR Tests Tablets

Every year, Consumer Reports tests tablets from top brands like Amazon, Apple, and Samsung. The goal of these tests is to help you pick the right tablet for your needs and budget.

We rate tablets across a range of criteria including performance, display quality, and predicted reliability. These criteria are scored on an ascending scale of 1 to 5, making them easy to compare and contrast with other models. A display with a score of 5, for example, is one that’s sharp, gets bright enough to view in direct sunlight, and can accurately display colors. And a tablet with a performance score of 5 is one that will be able to easily handle demanding tasks like editing video or playing high-end video games.

We also subject tablets to rigorous battery testing, spread across three separate tests: One measures how long the tablet stays powered while cycling through a series of web pages, which is meant to simulate what casual usage of the tablet is like, while a second measures how long the battery lasts while watching a video running on a loop. Finally, we see how long a tablet runs after being charged for just 30 minutes.

Nicholas De Leon

Nicholas De Leon is a senior reporter for Consumer Reports, covering laptops, wireless routers, tablets, and more. He has been at CR since 2017. He previously covered tech for Vice, News Corp, and TechCrunch. He lives in Tucson, Ariz. Follow him on Twitter for all things tech and soccer @nicholasadeleon .

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The 6 best tablets for travel in 2024

With the world opening up once again for tourists, you’re going to want to buy a tablet to beat the boredom of long flights and waiting times. Not all models will be able to serve this purpose though, so to help you decide what to purchase, we’ve rounded up our recommendations for the best tablets for travel. We acknowledge that there are different types of travelers, so we picked devices that will cater to each of them, while considering a specific set of criteria when making our selections.

While you can also use your smartphone during your trips, the larger screen of tablets will help provide more amusing entertainment when you need it. The best tablets for travel will let you catch up on work, watch streaming shows , check social media, and whatever else you may think of doing while you’re on the way to your destination, or while you’re taking a break from all the sights and sounds. Read onward to figure out the best tablet for travel for you, then go ahead and purchase it so that the device will be ready and waiting for your next adventure.

The best tablets for travel in 2024

• Buy the if you want the best overall tablet for travel.
• Buy the if you want a tablet for travel that will keep you productive.
• Buy the if you want a tablet for travel to watch streaming content and play mobile games.
• Buy the if you want to get your child a tablet for travel.
• Buy the if you want a tablet for travel that’s extremely portable.
• Buy the if you want a tablet for travel for an affordable price.

Apple iPad Air 5th Gen

Best tablet for travel for most people.

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It’s not a surprise that our top choice among the best tablets is also the first tablet for travel that we recommend. Simply put, the fifth-generation Apple iPad Air is that good. Performance is amazing with Apple’s M1 processor, as you wouldn’t want to get even more frustrated when you’re already dealing with the stress of travel. The tablet also features a 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display, which is bright and colorful to help you better enjoy your favorite content.

The Apple iPad Air 5th Gen will take advantage of the features of the iPadOS 17 , which is the latest version of Apple’s operating system for tablets. It’s slim and light so it’s easy to bring with you during your travels, it comes with a USB-C port for wide compatibility, and it works with the Apple Pencil 2 and the Magic Keyboard as extra accessories for additional input options.

Microsoft Surface Pro 9

Best tablet for travel for professionals.

For those who are planning to work even while they’re traveling, the Microsoft Surface Pro 9 will make sure that you’ll remain productive. It runs on Windows 11 Home , so you’ll be able to use it with the most popular productivity apps — Microsoft Office — and it will make sure that you can get all your tasks done quickly with its 12th-generation Intel Core i7 Evo processor and 16GB of RAM.

As a tablet, the Microsoft Surface Pro 9 offers a 13-inch PixelSense touchscreen with a 120Hz refresh rate, and you can prop it up using its built-in kickstand. However, it transforms into a laptop using the Surface Keyboard that comes bundled with it, in case you need to respond to an email or make a quick report. Some people prefer bringing their work with them on their trips, but that’s why the Microsoft Surface Pro 9  is one of the best tablets for travel — it will help you get back to your vacation as soon as possible.

OnePlus Pad

Best tablet for travel to watch movies and play games.

The OnePlus Pad sits on top of our rankings of the best Android tablets , and that’s partly because of its sharp and vibrant 11.6-inch LCD touchscreen. With 2800 x 2000 pixel resolution and an up to 144Hz refresh rate, it’s an excellent display for watching streaming content and playing mobile games because you’ll be seeing sharp images and smooth movements. The tablet also supports Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos to enable a personal cinema, and the viewing is even more immersive because of the narrow bezels surrounding the screen.

Adding to the reasons why the OnePlus Pad is one of our best tablets for travel are its slim and lightweight design with a thickness of just 6.5 millimeters and weight of 552 grams, its smooth CNC aluminum unibody, and an all-day battery life that will go from zero to full charge after just over 60 minutes of being plugged in.

Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro

Best tablet for travel to keep your children entertained.

If you want to keep your children busy during your travels, giving them a tablet is one of the easiest options, and the Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro will be your best bet. It’s not the most powerful device out there with just 3GB of RAM, but it will be more than enough for your children as they play games and watch videos on its 10.1-inch touchscreen with Full HD resolution, and they’ll be kept busy with its 13-hour battery life.

The Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro is great for children because it comes with a one-year subscription to Amazon Kids+, which offers age-appropriate books, games, videos, and apps. It’s also bundled with a kid-proof case to keep the tablet safe from damage, though it features a two-year worry-free guarantee — if the tablet breaks within that period, it will be replaced for free.

Apple iPad Mini 6th Gen

Best tablet for travel that’s easy to carry.

If you want to make sure that you won’t have trouble finding a place for your tablet in your luggage, get something compact like the Apple iPad Mini 6th Gen . It’s very portable with its 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display and weight of just below 300 grams. However, despite its small size, it offers fast performance for your apps with Apple’s A15 Bionic chip and 4GB of RAM, which is the same configuration that you’ll find in the iPhone 13 .

The Apple iPad Mini 6th Gen is compatible with the Apple Pencil 2 if you’re thinking about using it to take notes or draw sketches of the places you visit, and it may be upgraded to iPadOS 17 so that you have access to the operating system’s latest features. It’s also equipped with a USB-C port for charging and other accessories.

Lenovo Tab M10 Plus 3rd Gen

Best tablet for travel with a cheap price.

For those who just need a simple tablet for their travels, the Lenovo Tab M10 Plus 3rd Gen is an affordable but decent option. Its display is relatively large for a budget device at 10.6 inches, and it’s bright and sharp enough for most purposes. The tablet also features a quad-speaker system with Dolby Atmos, so that you can better enjoy watching streaming shows and the videos that you’ll take with it.

The Lenovo Tab M10 Plus 3rd Gen is equipped with an all-day battery so it can keep you company throughout your trip, and it’s protected by a durable aluminum chassis that keeps the tablet light at 465 grams. Book lovers can activate the device’s Immersive Reading Mode to make the screen easier on the eyes, which will be helpful if you’ll be stuck on a plane or train for hours.

How we chose these tablets for travel

Not all tablets are excellent choices as travel companions, and to determine which ones are, we came up with this set of criteria that we followed to narrow down our choices for the best tablets for travel. While certain characteristics will be more important for different types of travelers, you generally want a tablet that will check all these boxes so that you won’t find it lacking once you’re already on your trip.

Portability

The first thing that most people will think about when choosing a tablet for travel purposes is whether the device will be portable. While tablets with larger screens will need a bit more effort if you want to make space for it in your luggage, they may still be considered portable if they’re slim enough to easily slide into your bag. As an electronic device, you wouldn’t want to have your tablet placed somewhere that’s going to be out of your sight, so it’s important that the device you buy will fit into the hand-carry bag that you always bring with you during your travels.

In selecting the best tablets for travel, we chose devices that maintain portability even if they have relatively large displays, though of course, that will still depend on the biggest device that you’ll be comfortable bringing with you.

Versatility

While you may have a specific purpose in mind for your tablet while you travel, it would be better if the device is versatile enough to handle different kinds of activities. For example, if your tablet is primarily for browsing the internet, it should still have a display with decent resolution in case you decide to watch a video. If you think you’re going to be playing mobile games most of the time on your tablet, you should still think about having enough storage space left over when you need it to take footage of anything awesome that you come across in your trip.

Some tablets have accessories, either bundled with the device or requiring a separate purchase, that will give you extra options. A stylus will help you pass the time by drawing the sights that you see, while a keyboard will make it easier to compose emails or write on your travel blog. This versatility helps make the best tablets for travel very valuable companions.

Compatibility

If you use a specific set of apps for work and play, or if you have accessories that you can’t leave home without, you better make sure that they will work with the tablet that you buy. The best tablets for travel are widely compatible with all of the popular apps and accessories, as they’re powered by top operating systems and they come with a complete set of ports.

We made sure to select tablets that will work with everything that you usually use, which means going for trusted brands that have taken this into consideration when building their devices. Whether you’re an iPadOS or Android fan, there’s something for you in our list of the best tablets for travel if you want to stick to the ecosystem that you’re used to back home.

Traveling requires a lot of movement, which will possibly expose your tablet to much more wear and tear compared to using it at home. We chose devices that are relatively durable because you wouldn’t want to go home with a broken tablet, which will be an additional expense to repair or replace. Tablets with built-in protection for their touchscreens and made with tough materials are excellent choices as travel companions.

For the more adventurous travelers, you may want to buy a rugged case or something similar for your tablet so that it will better withstand potential damage. This is partly why we chose some of the most popular models for our list of the best tablets for travel, as there will surely be rugged cases and similar accessories available for them.

Value for money

Last but not least, we believe that you should receive fantastic value for money with every purchase, and getting a tablet for travel is no exception. Whether you’re on a tight budget or you’re willing to make a significant investment, the device that you buy should make you feel that you paid more than what it cost you.

Affordable tablets should still provide decent performance, and premium tablets should pack all the latest features. It would be a good idea to set a maximum budget for your purchase to further narrow down your options, but no matter what, you won’t regret spending your cash on any of the best tablets for travel that we’ve highlighted above.

This article is managed and created separately from the Digital Trends Editorial team.

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Aaron received a NES and a copy of Super Mario Bros. for Christmas when he was 4 years old, and he has been fascinated with tech ever since. A gamer at heart, Aaron believes that while the tech industry is often dealing with side quests and boss fights, it always remains on track with the mission to save the world.

Apple has been a big player in the tech space for a long time, and it has pioneered some of the technology we use today, such as best wireless earbuds and the best smartwatches. If that wasn't enough, it even makes some of the best best laptops and best tablets on the market, so pretty much whatever tech you're looking for, Apple has an excellent version of it. Not only that, but Apple's ecosystem is also easily one of the best available, with only Samsung really competing in that space, and if you're already in the Apple ecosystem, then it makes sense to continue buying stuff from Apple.

Of course, Apple tech can be quite pricey, which is why we've gone out and searched through various big retailers to find you some of the best deals we can find. That includes everything from the MacBook to the AirTag, so hopefully, you can find the perfect deal that fits your needs and budget. Apple AirTag (4-Pack) -- $80, was $99

One of the best smartwatches can add a lot to both your fitness routine and your day-to-day style, and the Apple Watch lineup is one people turn to frequently. The Apple Watch Series 9 is the current most recent release, but the Apple Watch Series 8 is still plenty capable, and it makes for great savings because it’s a generation old at this point. There are some Apple Watch 8 deals currently taking place, and we’ve tallied them below for your saving pleasure. So whether you’re starting a new fitness routine or cleaning up your wardrobe, don’t hesitate to shop the best Apple Watch 8 deals while they last. Apple Watch Series 8 (GPS + Cellular, 45mm) (refurbished) — $255, was $273

This is the Apple Watch Series 8 45mm size, which is the largest you’ll find in an Apple Watch 8. It also has built-in GPS and the ability to connect to your cellular plan for connectivity anywhere you get a signal. This is a refurbished model of the Apple Watch 8. Shopping refurbished is a great way to land some savings, and you can do so knowing this watch is backed by Amazon’s renewal standards. It will still have all of the great features people love about the Apple Watch Series 8, including advanced health features and access to Apple’s software ecosystem.

As much as we love having the best smartphones in our pockets, there are times when those small screens don't cut it and we just need a larger display. That's when you turn to a tablet, which is great for being productive on the go and can be a awesome way to unwind and relax too. While the tablet market really took off after the iPad, it has grown to be quite diverse with a huge variety of products — from great budget options to powerhouses for professionals.

We've tried out a lot of tablets here at Digital Trends, from the workhorses for pros to tablets that are made for kids and even seniors -- there's a tablet for every person and every budget. For most people, though, we think Apple's iPad Air is the best overall tablet — especially if you're already invested in the Apple ecosystem. But if you're not an Apple user, that's fine too; there are plenty of other great options that you'll find in this roundup.

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Best iPad 2024: Compete guide to which iPad to buy

Which iPad should you buy? There is a lot of choice and it can be confusing. There are four different varieties of iPad, listed below, and each is available with or without cellular (including 5G on certain models), which costs extra. That’s before we get into storage capacity, colors, and second-hand alternatives.

Our in-depth buying guide assesses the whole range of iPads sold by Apple and explores all the factors that should influence your iPad buying decision such as value for money, how much storage you need, and whether or not to buy a cellular version. We also reveal whether an updated version of each device is likely to be launched soon – answering the question of whether now is a good time to buy an iPad.

If you’re thinking of buying an iPad for college or university you might also like to read our Best iPad for students guide. You may also like to read our best iPad for kids guide.

Apple iPad Comparison Chart

The table below summarises the main features of the iPads Apple sells, and highlights the price for each. We have more information about the individual iPads and buying advice below. Click the links in the table of contents to got to the section most relent to you.

Every iPad Apple sells

Apple’s iPad lineup is perhaps one of the most expansive product lineups presented by the company. Below we offer information about each model, but we also answer questions further down the article such as which iPad is best value for money, which size is best, how much storage you need, and whether to get cellular (you can jump to these sections from the table of contents above).

The iPad that is best for you will depend on what you need from an iPad. If you just want an iPad for reading books, watching movies and TV shows, email and web browsing, then you don’t need all the bells and whistles. An iPad or iPad mini might be best here.

If you are looking for an iPad that will do everything that a laptop can, then you might want to consider a model that is more powerful and supports additional components, including one of Apple’s newer keyboards or the Apple Pencil, the iPad Air might suit you.

And if you will be using your iPad for gaming, video editing, photo editing, or anything high-powered and graphic intensive, then you will probably be looking at an iPad Pro.

Below we will run through every iPad you can buy so you can find the one that’s best for your needs.

Apple iPad (2021, 9th gen) – Best for button lovers

• 64GB: $329 / £369
• 256GB: $479 / £549
• 64GB (cellular): $459 / £519
• 256GB (cellular): $609 / £699

This is the cheapest iPad you can buy (although Apple actually increased the price of this iPad everywhere other than in the U.S. when the 10th-generation model launched). Despite it’s age (it launched in 2021) it’s still powerful enough for most purposes.

The 9th gen iPad screen is 10.2-inch, which is smaller than the 10th gen’s 10.9-inch display, but still a good screen size for gaming and watching movies, while remaining slim, light and portable.

The biggest reason to buy this iPad is the Home button–this is the only iPad with a Home button, which will be a key selling point for some users.

Pros: Thin and light, although not as thin and light as the Air. Low price. Its A13 chip will handle what’s on the App Store right now, although the arrival of the M1 chip in the Air and the M2 in the Pro models could end up pushing the top tier of apps out of this iPad’s reach.

Cons: Feels cheap due to the unlaminated screen. Can only use the first-gen Apple Pencil.

Best for: Anyone who needs a big screen (not a huge screen; they’ll want the 12.9-inch iPad Pro) but is on a budget, and can cope without the latest in processing and camera power. It’s a good option for kids, students and anyone who wants a Home button and has a lot of Lightning cables that they don’t want to go to waste (this is the only iPad not to have switched to a USB-C port).

Is now a good time to buy? The 10th generation iPad doesn’t cost a lot more so we’d recommend that you choose that instead, if you want the Home button though, you should probably snap one up before Apple discontinues this model.

See : Best iPad (9th/10th gen) deals

Apple iPad (2022, 10th gen) – Best value for money

64GB: $449 / £499 256GB: $599 / £679 64GB (cellular): $599 / £679 256GB (cellular): $769 / £859

The 2022 iPad (10th generation) isn’t the cheapest iPad, that’s the previous generation iPad that is still on sale (see above), but the new look iPad does offer a lot of features that its older sibling lacks. While it costs about $120/£130 more, it does feel like it’s worth the extra money–or at least it is worth the extra money if you like the fun colors (the old model only came in Space Gray and silver), want a larger 10.9-inch screen (up from 10.2-inch), and prefer a USB-C connector to Lightning. It’s also capable of 5G (if you were looking at the cellular model you wouldn’t want the 4G-capable 9th gen).

Pros: Thinner and lighter than the predecessor, but not as thin and light as the Air. Same size display as the Air. A14 chip will be powerful enough for a good few years. No more Home Button – but there is Touch ID (on the Power button).

Cons: Still feels cheap due to the unlaminated screen (will Apple ever update this?). Can only use the first-gen Apple Pencil.

Best for: Anyone who needs a big screen (not a huge screen; they’ll want the 12.9-inch iPad Pro) but is on a budget, and can cope without the latest in processing. It’s a good option for anyone who likes the look of the iPad Air, but not the price.

Is now a good time to buy? There are rumors that Apple could update the standard iPad in early 2024.

Apple iPad mini (6th gen, 2021) – Best for those on the go and kids

• 64GB: $499 / £569
• 256GB: $649 / £749
• 64GB (cellular): $649 / £749
• 256GB (cellular): $799 / £929

This generation of iPad mini launched in September 2021. The iPad mini is available in four colors: silver, gold, Space Gray and purple.

The iPad mini is Apple’s smallest iPad with a 8.3-inch display. The biggest draw of the iPad mini is probably its diminutive stature. This is the smallest and lightest iPad and as such is perfect for carrying around in a bag or handing to children when they need entertaining. Whichever version you go for, you’ll get an A15 Bionic processor chip, a Liquid Retina screen and 12MP/12MP rear/front cameras.

It might be small, but it is actually more powerful than the standard iPad thanks to it’s A15 processor, which is a generation newer than the A14 in the 10th gen iPad.

Pros: Very portable and respectably powerful. Affordable, and cheapest version has good amount of storage (64GB). Supports second-gen Apple Pencil.

Cons: Small screen, which may not be great for those who get eyestrain or who like immersive films and games.

Best for: The portability-conscious. Gamers on the go. Tablet photographers. Ebook enthusiasts. Kids.

Is now a good time to buy ? Like the iPad there is an expectation that the iPad mini will be updated in the spring of 2024. Keep up with the latest speculation with our iPad mini 7 guide .

See : Best iPad mini deals

Apple iPad Air (5th gen, 2022) – Best for power in an affordable package

• 64GB: $599 / £669
• 256GB: $749 / £749
• 64GB (cellular): $749 / £749
• 256GB (cellular): $899 / £929

The iPad Air has a 10.9-inch display, like the 2022 iPad, but it’s smaller, thinner and lighter than that device. It’s also got an M1 processor that is powerful and energy-efficient (you may remember it from its widely praised performance in the Mac). The M1 pushes the iPad Air far ahead of the iPad mini and standard iPads with their A-series chips. The M1 also makes the Air an appealing alternative to the more expensive Pro models, with their faster M2 processors.

Like all recent iPads, the Air features an all-screen design with no Home button. As with the 10th-gen iPad and the iPad mini, biometric security is handled by a fingerprint sensor in the power button rather than Face ID, which is reserved for the Pros. It has superb cameras (the front-facing 12MP camera and Center Stage), supports a wide range of Pro accessories, and now features 5G.

Pros: Beautiful design. Superb processing and graphics power. Cheaper than the iPad Pro.

Cons: Screen doesn’t feature ProMotion.

Ideal for: Tablet gamers and anyone who wants to be able to run the most demanding apps now and in the future. Pro users (business, creative, design) who can’t afford an iPad Pro.

Is now a good time to buy? Absolutely. It came out in March 2022 and won’t be updated until 2023.

See : Best iPad Air deals

11-inch iPad Pro (4th gen, 2022) – Best for power in a small package

• 128GB: $799 / £899 / 128GB (cellular): $999 / £1,079
• 256GB: $899 / £1,019 / 256GB (cellular): $1,099 / £1,199
• 512GB: $1,099 / £1,249 / 512GB (cellular): $1,299 / £1,429
• 1TB: $1,499 / £1,699 / 1TB (cellular): $1,699 / £1,879
• 2TB: $1,899 / £2,149 / 2TB (cellular): $2,099 / £2,329

The current generation of iPad Pro models went on sale in October 2022. While this update brought no external changes, a number of important upgrades were hidden within.

The iPad Pro comes in two sizes and a variety of capacities all the way up to a massive 2TB. The 2022 Pros feature M2 chips, as found in the 2022 MacBook Pro and MacBook Air. The iPad Pro is incredibly powerful – some might say more powerful than it has any right to be.

The 11-inch iPad Pro is a very different proposition to the 12.9-inch iPad Pro though. While both iPad Pro models benefit from ProMotion screens, which means that the refresh rate can be really high so that users experience smooth scrolling and better gaming performance, only the 12.9-inch model has a superior Liquid Retina XDR display, which can support 1000 nits max full screen, 1600 nits peak brightness.

The front-facing camera is 12MP and on the back you will find two cameras, a 12MP Wide and 10MP Ultra Wide for flexible photography and video options.

Pros: Slim and light; dual cameras; Face ID; devastatingly quick and power-efficient processor.

Cons: Very expensive. Its power could be overkill for many.

Ideal for: Creative types who don’t need the absolutely largest screen. It’s great for watching films and TV shows (and offers quad-speaker audio to match), but there are other screens in the range that are a similar size and a lot more affordable.

Is now a good time to buy? The current Pros came out in October 2022, there are likely to be a new iPad Pro with M3 chips coming in 2024. There are also rumors of a 14-inch iPad Pro.

See: Best iPad Pro deals

Read more: iPad Pro 11-inch (2022)

12.9-inch iPad Pro (6th gen, 2022) – The ultimate iPad power package for creative pros

• 128GB: $1,099 / £1,249 / 128GB (cellular): $1,299 / £1,429
• 256GB: $1,199 / £1,369 / 256GB (cellular): $1,399 / £1,549
• 512GB: $1,399 / £1,599 / 512GB (cellular): $1,599 / £1,779
• 1TB: $1,799 / £2,049 / 1TB (cellular): $1,999 / £2,229
• 2TB: $2,199 / £2,499 / 2TB (cellular): $2,399 / £2,679

The iPad Pro 12.9-inch, last updated in October 2022, offers the biggest screen ever on an Apple tablet, squeezed into a relatively small and very thin chassis. In other respects it’s largely the same as the 11-inch Pro (above): super-fast processor (the M2) with lots of RAM, excellent cameras, and a user experience that looks more than capable of replacing a laptop.

The main exception is the XDR display, which means it can get really bright – 1,000 nits max full screen, 1,600 nits peak (HDR content only). This feature is only available on the 12.9-inch model. The 11in iPad Pro tops out at 600 nits max brightness. The XDR display is backlit by a huge array of mini-LEDs, offering subtle localized dimming across the screen, plus a million-to-one contrast ratio.

This is all thoroughly impressive. But on the downside, the 12.9-inch Pro is far less portable than the mid-size iPads (it remains admirably slim, but the sheer screen area makes it a handful) and ruinously expensive, particularly at those upper storage tiers.

Pros: Huge screen (12.9-inch); extremely fast processor with bags of RAM; excellent dual cameras; four speakers; Face ID, XDR display.

Cons: Least portable iPad currently available (although it is very slim); very expensive; processor speed will be overkill for many prospective buyers; hugely inflated prices outside of the U.S.

Ideal for: Creative types most of all, but anyone who needs a big screen will be interested. Gamers and those who enjoy consuming media on the go will like the combination of a sumptuous screen and a quad-speaker audio system.

Is now a good time to buy? The current Pros came out in October 2022, we expect new iPad Pro with M3 chips in 2024. There are even rumors of a 14-inch iPad Pro.

See : Best iPad Pro deals

Read more: 12.9-inch iPad Pro (2022)

iPad Buying Guide: What to look for when buying an iPad

As you can see from the above there are a lot of iPads sold by Apple – and that doesn’t even include the many previous-generation iPads that are still on sale at various resellers and at Apple’s Refurbished Store .

When confronted by so much choice what should you consider when deciding which iPad to buy?

For many the choice will be based on price and value for money. Some may be influenced by the screen size, others by the weight. The ability to get more than 256GB storage may be important, as may the inclusion of Face ID – or Touch ID. Finally, the decision of whether to get a cellular version, which invites the assessment of the minefield of network contracts, will no doubt be a factor for some.

We will look at each of those factors below.

Which iPad is the best value for money?

One person’s value for money is another person’s extravagance.

You might be looking for the cheapest iPad. That would be the 9th generation iPad , launched in September 2021, but, despite the introduction of the 10th generation iPad, still being sold by Apple. This is the cheapest iPad Apple sells right not, but it isn’t the cheapest it has been sold for. If you are based outside of the U.S. the 2021 iPad has has a price hike . But even if you are based in the U.S. where the price stayed at $329, that’s not the price you have to pay – we’ve seen it discounted to $299 during Amazon’s Prime Day, for example.

If you are happy to buy an older iPad model then there are plenty of discounts available while they are still in stock. There are also some great savings to be had on refurbished models. We recommend you check the following deals roundups, where you can see the best prices right now on various iPads : 

• Best iPad Pro deals
• Best iPad (9th/10th gen) deals
• Best iPad Air deals
• Best iPad mini deals

Other buyers simply want the best iPad they can get for their money, but that all depends on budget. Back in the day we would have suggested that if you wanted a powerful iPad you should steer clear of the cheapest model in the range. But that’s not true any more: even the 10.2-inch iPad that launched in September 2021 offers a reasonably impressive package. The device’s low price, combined with some great tech, makes this budget iPad an attractive option.

But that iPad has effectively been superseded, despite the fact that it is still on sale. The 10th generation iPad introduced in October 2022 has a bigger 10.9-inch screen, a 12MP rear-facing camera (rather than 8MP), an A14 rather than A13 processor, and 5G. Plenty of reasons to justify spending a little more to get the newer model. How much more you will need to pay depends on where you live. In the U.S. the 10th gen iPad costs from $449, $120 more than the 9th gen model. For U.K. readers the 2022 iPad costs $499, which is £130 more than the 9th gen model. That $120/£130 may we worth spending if you want a bigger screen, better camera and newer processor.

If you have more to spend, what can you get for your money? The iPad mini more than justifies its slightly higher price tag of $499/£569 with it’s faster A15 processor, True Tone flash, and a fully laminated, better quality, display, among other things. But its biggest draw will probably be its size – for those who want a small iPad. The iPad mini is not much bigger than a hard-backed book making it the perfect size to carry around in a bag and a great size for kids.

Next up is the iPad Air , which starts at $599/£669, so another £150/£170 on top of the 10th generation iPad or $100/£100 more than the mini. It might be worth every extra penny if you want an M1 processor in your iPad – which means you will have access to features that the less powerful iPads lack . You might be thinking that now the iPad has a 10.9-inch display there is less of a difference between the iPad and iPad Air, but the iPad Air display is still superior, fully laminated and with an antireflective coating (like the iPad mini).

The iPad Pro , updated in October 2022, is the ultimate in this category. Starting at $799, the Pro has a lot to offer, with advanced cameras and an M1 chip for starters. But we think these features are probably more than the average person needs.

Those are the prices that Apple sells its iPads for, but you don’t have to pay that much. Take a look at our regularly updated iPad deals page for the lowest prices and best discounts on iPads new and old.

iPad screen size: Which size iPad to choose

Size is a question of taste rather than simply going for the biggest iPad you can get your hands on. Bigger isn’t necessarily better if what you need is small and light.

The most obvious aspect of this decision comes down to screen size. You’ve got five options:

• 8.3-inch iPad mini
• 10.2-inch iPad (9th gen)
• 10.9-inch iPad Air and iPad (10th gen)
• 11-inch iPad Pro
• 12.9-inch iPad Pro

All screens are measured diagonally from corner to corner, or from the place where the corners would be.

A larger screen size doesn’t necessarily mean that the iPad itself is a lot larger, in the case of the 9th generation iPad the 10.2-inch display fits in a 250.6 x 174.1 x 7.5mm unit, but the iPad 10th generation dimensions are 248.6 x 179.5 x 7mm, despite the 10.9-inch screen.

But how big a screen do you really need?

You can get an idea of the comparative sizes in the picture above. But you can also think of the tablets in terms of print publications: the mini is roughly the height and width of a paperback book; the mid-size iPads are closer to a hardback (albeit much slimmer); and the 12.9-inch iPad Pro is like a magazine.

The larger screen is obviously better for immersive entertainment. Whether watching films or playing games, it’s a more enjoyable, richer experience. But really this is a question of priorities. Are you more set on getting maximum screen space, or are you willing to compromise on that front in order to get a lower price tag and improved portability?

• iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2022): 280.6 x 214.9 x 6.4mm; 682g/684g (Wi-Fi/cellular)
• iPad Pro 11-inch (2022): 247.6 x 178.5 x 5.9mm; 466g/468g
• iPad Air 10.9-inch (2022): 247.6 x 178.5 x 6.1mm; 461g/462g
• iPad 10.9-inch (2022): 248.6 x 179.5 x 7mm; 477g/481g
• iPad 10.2-inch (2021): 250.6 x 174.1 x 7.5mm; 487g/498g
• iPad mini 8.3-inch (2021): 195.4mm x 134.8mm x 6.3mm; 300.5g/308.2g

Also read: Every iPad display compared .

Want the lightest iPad? As you’d expect, the iPad mini is a lot lighter than the other iPads, and even more so since the September 2021 update. There’s a big gap between that device and even the mid-size iPads. As well as its markedly lower weight the mini also has a smaller body, which slips easily into a rucksack or jacket pocket. If you plan to mainly use your iPad out and about, on holiday or commuting, or perhaps you’re buying an iPad for a child , the mini is your best bet.

The iPad, iPad Air and 11-inch Pro are pleasingly portable, but they still can’t match the mini for portability. The iPad has a similar length and width to the Air, but is thicker and heavier; the Pros are slimmer still.

The 12.9-inch Pro is considerably less portable than its smaller cousins, but we think Apple has done well to keep it down to 682g: it remains a slender, relatively lightweight and portable alternative to a laptop.

How much storage do you need?

The five iPads offer anywhere from 64GB to 2TB of storage, but if you are looking at an old, refurbished or preowned iPad you could be confronted with as little as 32GB storage – right now we will tell you that 32GB is not enough!

But what storage capacity do you really need for an iPad?

Well, first of all remember that you can’t upgrade the storage of an iPad at a later date: this is your limit from now until you buy another iPad, so aim high and buy as much storage as you can afford. It’s better to spend an extra few pounds now than to buy an entire new iPad in six months’ time.

Storage capacity is mainly used up by three things: music, photos, and videos, in increasing order of storage drain. If you want to keep lots of films or TV shows–or even a few, to be honest–then you need high storage: probably 128GB or higher for video fans. (If you’re buying an iPad with the kids in mind, remember that you’ll want storage space for multiple episodes of their favorite show on a long car journey.)

The same applies to large photo or music libraries, to a lesser extent, although iCloud Photos and iTunes Match make it possible to keep your stuff in the cloud and access it remotely (if you pay the fees for iCloud storage).

The other thing that will fill up your storage is apps, especially games which will use up a lot of space. For that reason gamers should aim high on storage: 128GB is a good bar to aim at.

See: How much storage do you need on an iPhone or iPad? for more advice.

Should you get the most powerful iPad?

The iPad Pro models are, as you would expect, faster than their smaller and cheaper equivalents, next up is the Air, then the iPad mini and finally the iPad. You can get an idea of relative speed by looking at a few relevant specs:

• iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2022): M2; 8GB/16GB RAM
• iPad Pro 11-inch (2022): M2; 8GB/16GB RAM
• iPad Air (2022): M1; 8GB RAM
• iPad mini (2021): A15 Bionic; 4GB RAM
• iPad 10.9-inch (2022): A14 Bionic; 4GB RAM (tbc)
• iPad 10.2-inch (2021): A13 Bionic; 3GB RAM

The M2 and M1 chip has won widespread acclaim in the Mac range and produces outstanding performance in the iPads. But that doesn’t mean the A chips are sub-standard, or incapable of running modern apps; keep in mind that much of the software on the App Store was designed with A chips in mind, and even now most developers will want to make their software accessible for as many iPad owners as possible.

There is a good reason to choose the M-series chips over the A-series though. Some of the best iPadOS 16 features will only work with the M2 or M1 iPads . These include features like Stage Manager , which is a new feature for organizing your windows. There are also rumors that one day Apple may make a cutback version of macOS available on the iPad – but this will be probably be restricted to the M2 chip, if indeed it ever happens..

But speculation aside, how powerful you need your iPad to be will be based on your your requirements (and how long you intend to use your iPad for). The most demanding graphic-design, video-editing and audio apps will see better performance on the M2 and even M1 processor, so if you’re looking at high-level workloads multiple years down the line the M2 and M1 would be a better option.

But for most users the A15 will be comfortably fast enough for the mid- and quite long term, and even the A14 (from 2020) and A13 Bionic (which arrived in 2019) perform perfectly well on today’s apps.

Another important factor to consider is memory. The iPad 10.2-inch has 3GB of RAM; the mini and iPad 10.9-inch have 4GB. The Air gets a jump up to 8GB, while the 2022 Pros have either 8GB or a whopping 16GB of RAM, depending on your storage tier: the 1TB and 2TB versions get the higher RAM allocation.

Overall, we would advise those who want to use highly demanding apps, such as video and image editors and graphically advanced games, to choose an iPad Pro or Air. If you’re going to be using your tablet for the odd bit of email and web surfing, you’ll find an iPad or iPad mini perfectly decent.

With these general observations out of the way, it’s time to look at each device in more depth. For each iPad we record the essential information, its pros and cons, which buyer should pick it and whether now is a good time to buy.

Should you get a Cellular iPad?

For most people cellular connectivity is a luxury, even if it’s a nice one to have. For an extra $100 or so, you’ll be able to access the web and email, and use connected apps, away from a Wi-Fi network. You need to factor in the cost of a data plan and find a network provider.

Consider carefully how often you’re going to do that: with an iPad mini there’s likely to be more on-the-go use than with a full-size iPad, but it’s still a lot to pay for something you may only use from time to time. Have you got a regular (overground) commute where you’d enjoy catching up on news headlines or email? Then it could be worth the extra.

We think the best option, if you want to be able to get data on your iPad when you are out and about, is to create a hotspot and share it from your iPhone. Then you can use your iPad as if it was on the cellular network. Read about how to create an iPhone hotspot to share your mobile web connection to your iPad.

Just bear in mind that the cellular option also brings with it a GPS radio, meaning you’ll be able to input accurate location data when using your device on the go.

The other concern when buying a cellular iPad is whether to buy your iPad on a contract. Network providers will allow you to pay for your iPad and the data contract over a number of months – but after that term is up, and certainly not before, you may not be able to switch to a different data provider. Buying on contract may also mean that the iPad is locked to the original contract provider – which can also be a problem if you want to sell it in the future. Here’s how to unlock an iPad from its network , once you’ve fulfilled your contractual obligations.

Should you buy a refurbished iPad?

We’ll mention this only briefly because it’s covered in detail here: Why a refurbished iPad could be the best tablet for you , but one option you should absolutely consider is Apple’s Refurbished Store . It’s a sort of halfway house between new and second-hand: the devices are generally ones that have been returned within the 28-day period in which you are legally allowed to change your mind about a purchase, or they have been returned due to a fault that has been rectified, or they were ex-display or ex-demo units from Apple’s stores or marketing. You can rest assured that Apple has checked all the refurbished iPads that it sells thoroughly, replaced any problematic components, and rated them as good as new (and you get a full one-year warranty to prove it).

Apple’s not the only place to buy a refurbished iPad, so beware that all refurbished iPads are not the same, so do check the small print before you buy. Look for refurbished models that have been fully checked out by Apple certified engineers, especially those that come with a guarantee.

Our best advice is to only consider the current or previous generation iPads when looking at refurbished models, then you are less likely to be caught out by a sub-par tablet.

Buying a refurbished iPad from a reputable company is definitely preferable to buying a used iPad from someone on eBay. It’s too often the case that secondhand iPads sold that way end up as useless bricks because the person selling it didn’t properly log out of their account.

Another way to save money is to buy from a reseller who is selling discontinued stock at a discount. We often see resellers significantly dropping the price on older iPad models that are usually just one generation out of date – just beware, they sell out quick!

Should you buy the newest iPad generation?

Speaking of older iPads, even if functioning perfectly right now, older models will reach the end of their useful life sooner than the newest models and that is a good reason to avoid buying an iPad that is more than one or two generations old. But keep in mind that iPads tend to start slowing down at around two to three years of age; at the four- or five-year mark you should expect noticeable loss of performance and you won’t be able to get all the latest software updates.

The ‘current’ iPad range was mostly updated in 2022: including the iPad Pro models in October 2022, the iPad 10th-generation in October 2022, and the iPad Air in March 2022. The iPad 9th-generation and iPad mini came out in September 2021.

Another reason to buy a recent iPad is the operating system it runs. Apple only supports the most recent three versions of iPadOS with security updates, so that means that only iPadOS 15, 16 and 17 are currently supported. See How long does Apple support iPads? for more information.

The following iPads can run iPadOS 17 :

• iPad Pro 12.9 (5th, 4th, 3rd and 2nd gen)
• iPad Pro 11 (3rd, 2nd and 1st gen)
• iPad Pro 10.5
• iPad (10th, 9th, 8th, 7th and 6th gen)
• iPad mini (5th and 6th gen)
• iPad Air (5th, 4th and 3rd gen)

The iPads that have been removed from support include:

• 2016 iPad Pro 9.7-inch with an A9X chip
• 2015 iPad Pro 12.9-inch (1st generation) with an A9X chip
• 2017 iPad (5th generation) with an A9 chip

So, while you don’t have to buy the newest generation, we would recommend that you buy one that was launched relatively recently to be sure that Apple will support it for as long as you intend to own it. On that basis, any of the iPads listed above should be a safe bet because they support the iPadOS that Apple will support for the next three years, and for many the support will stretch on for more years.

Buying advice: Which iPad should you buy?

The iPad 10.2-inch (9th gen, 2020) is a good option for newcomers and those whose usage will be light, but it’s now been superseded by the 10th gen iPad 10.9-inch, which offers much better features for a higher price, if you can afford to spend more it would be worth it.

For most people, however, our recommendation is the iPad Air (2022) . The update in March 2022 brought it an M1 processor, which is more than enough for an iPad right now. Mind you, it’s still expensive compared to the standard iPad and the iPad mini, and to most rival tablets out there.

The iPad mini is mainly recommended for those who see portability as their main priority. It’s an excellent little device, although the smaller screen makes it less immersive for games and entertainment options.

The remaining iPads will be too expensive for the average buyer. The 11-inch and 12.9-inch Pro models are amazingly powerful and well made, and the arrival of the M2 is excellent news – but probably more power than anyone really needs right now.

The only reason not to update is Apple’s failure to upgrade any iPad in 2023, which means early 2024 looks likely for range updates that you might want to take advantage of.

Finally, before taking the plunge, have you considered if a laptop might suit your needs better? See iPad vs MacBook for more advice on that front.

Author: Karen Haslam , Managing Editor

Karen has worked on both sides of the Apple divide, clocking up a number of years at Apple's PR agency prior to joining Macworld more than two decades ago. Karen's career highlights include interviewing Apple's Steve Wozniak and discussing Steve Jobs’ legacy on the BBC. Having edited the U.K. print and online editions of Macworld for many years, more recently her focus has been on SEO and evergreen content as well product recommendations and buying advice on Macworld.com.

Recent stories by Karen Haslam:

• 2024 iPad Pro: Everything you need to know about Apple’s next flagship tablet
• How to clear cache on iPhone & iPad
• Apple Events 2024: Apple’s event plans

Best iPad keyboards in 2024 - Our top picks

These are the best iPad keyboards, based on our hands-on testing

The quick list

Best overall

• Best rugged
• Best budget case
• Best for multiple devices
• Best budget stand-alone

Best Magic Keyboard alternative

Best for traveling.

• What to look for

1. The quick list 2. Best overall 3. Best rugged 4. Best budget 5. Best for multiple devices 6. Best budget standalone 7. Best Magic Keyboard alternative 8. Best for traveling 9. What to look for

The best iPad keyboards can help turn some of Apple's best iPads into true productivity devices. 

This is important if you or someone you love uses an iPad often to get things done, because a good keyboard helps you type on Apple's slates more effectively and in more comfort. If it has a trackpad that can also help you save wear and tear on your tablet, and such accessories are a lifesaver when iPadding while eating since you'll be able to control the tablet without having to get greasy fingerprints on the display.

Apple's own iPad Magic Keyboard is great for typing and has a multi-touch trackpad, so it's typically a safe choice. But it's expensive and might not be for everyone, which is why we tested a variety of competing models with different designs and features.

Based on that testing, these are the best iPad keyboards we recommend after using them ourselves, in a range of prices and feature sets!

Apple's own keyboard case is the best for iPads; it's designed well, can hold the iPad at multiple angles, and has a great keyboard and multitouch trackpad. Alas, it's very expensive.

Read more below.

Best rugged case

iPads aren't cheap, so why not get a case that can protect it from falls up to 6.6 feet? But this Zagg case also lets you rotate the screen from landscape to portrait, making it very versatile.

Best budget

At less than $100, the Logitech Slim Folio is the best keyboard case for those who don't want to spend too much. There's no trackpad, but it's lightweight and portable.

Best iPad keyboards available right now

Why you can trust Tom's Guide Our writers and editors spend hours analyzing and reviewing products, services, and apps to help find what's best for you. Find out more about how we test, analyze, and rate.

No matter what your budget, our keyboard guide should help you locate an iPad keyboard model that fits the bill. Here’s our list of recommendations from a number of top manufacturers.

Best overall iPad keyboard case

1. apple ipad magic keyboard.

Our expert review:

Specifications

Reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

There are a couple of things that stand out: First of all, the Magic Keyboard offers a wonderful typing experience, which feels close to the experience of typing on a real MacBook Air. Another aspect of the keyboard that is key is that it has a very good quality trackpad, which allows for multi-touch gestures. Plus, the Magic Keyboard looks great: It has what Apple calls a cantilever design, which allows the iPad to almost look as if it’s hanging suspended in mid-air above your keyboard.

Another nice feature of the model is that it can quickly detach from the case. In fact, inserting and removing the iPad is easy to do, and because it connects via Apple’s smart connector (the three dots on the back of your iPad), you’re up and running very quickly. No need to wait while you pair your devices. (We tested this iPad keyboard case with the iPad Pro 12.9-inch model.)

It’s not perfect. It’s quite pricey. It also doesn’t connect via Bluetooth, and you can’t use it in a detached state. Some might also find it a bit heavy. You can attach your Apple pencil to the exposed side of the case, so that it is magnetically attached to the iPad. However, there’s no strap that wraps around the pencil for extra security.

As we mentioned, it uses Apple’s smart connector to connect quickly. It also allows the keyboard to be powered by the iPad itself. Some have noted, though, that this drains the battery life of the iPad more quickly. The keyboard features one USB-C port for passing power through to the iPad, which is located on the left side of the keyboard’s hinge.

The Apple iPad Magic keyboard case we tested is compatible with iPad Pro 12.9-inch 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th generation models. Currently, there are also Apple Magic Keyboard models for iPad Pro 11-inch models (1st, 2nd, and 3rd generation models) and iPad Air (4th, 5th generation models).

Best rugged iPad keyboard case

2. zagg rugged book.

One very distinctive feature on this model is that it’s one of the best models at offering you different angles to view your screen. That’s because the hinge swivels on this model, which lets you adjust the screen just the way you would a laptop screen. And since the hinge is magnetized (which allows you to separate the iPad from the keyboard), you can flip it around so it’s facing away from the keyboard in “video” mode—which is something you might do when giving a video presentation. There are three other modes, as well: keyboard mode (with the iPad facing you), book mode (with the keyboard in the back of the iPad) and case mode (when the iPad keyboard case is closed).

It has a few minor flaws: One of the downsides of the ruggedized quality of the design is that it does make it thicker than competing models. However, that’s really just a quibble—it’s not significantly thicker. However, like most iPad keyboard cases, this model was a bit tricky to remove from its case.

This model is powered by a non-removable lithium-ion battery, which can be charged by using a USB-C connector and charging in a 5V USB outlet. We tested this rugged iPad keyboard case with the iPad Air, but it will also work with the iPad Pro 11-inch.

Best budget iPad keyboard case

3. logitech slim folio for ipad.

Although we consider this a great budget iPad keyboard case, that’s not due to the lack of features. Overall, this model does a great job all around, and could be an ideal traveling iPad keyboard case, particularly for students. For instance, we like that the setup was quick and easy, and that most of the top row of keys include shortcut keys for your iPad, such as a Spotlight key, home screen, and more. The keyboard case itself is very lightweight, which also makes it quite easy to carry around. Plus, there’s also a holder for holding your stylus, like an Apple Pencil or Logitech Crayon.

This case is powered by replaceable batteries—it takes 2 coin-like CR2032 batteries. We tested this Logitech with the iPad (10th generation), but there are also older versions available for older iPad models as well as the iPad Air (3rd generation).

Best stand-alone iPad keyboard for multiple devices

4. logitech k780.

This stand-alone iPad keyboard’s most distinctive features is that it has a useful stand for you to place tablets and phones on. So, you could easily work on an iPad Air and an iPad Mini, or perhaps also include your cell phone on the stand. With this keyboard, you also get three dedicated keys that allow you to quickly switch the iPad or iPhone you’re currently working on.

Although there’s a lot to like about this model, it is larger, longer, and heavier than most stand-alone iPad keyboards. That will make it less portable than most of these types of keyboards. Still, we do like that it has a lot of features.

The Logitech K780 is powered by two AAA batteries (included). This stand-alone keyboard works with all current iPad models as well as many past iPad models via Bluetooth. 

Best budget stand-alone iPad keyboard

5. omoton bluetooth and wireless rechargeable keyboard.

For the money, this Omoton Bluetooth stand-alone iPad keyboard offers a lot of value. For example, it pairs quickly and easily with all iPad models and works quite well. It comes with backlighting keys, which can be set in one of seven different color options. Charging was also easy: Just use the included micro-USB cord to charge it. It also comes with several function keys, like a key to bring up Spotlight to search your iPad. There’s even a key to let you take a screen shot.

What I also liked, which is something rare in the world of consumer electronics, is that it actually had a switch that was labeled “OFF/ON.” I thought that was refreshing to see. My one concern is that because this model is quite thin and made of plastic, it might be easy to break, for example, if you drop it.

The OMOTON stand-alone keyboard works with all current iPad models as well as many past iPad models.

6. Zagg Pro Keys with Trackpad

If you’re looking for a full-featured iPad keyboard case that’s also affordable, this Zagg model is a great buy. It’s cheaper than most Apple-branded iPad keyboards as well as other third-party competitors, yet it still delivers a host of features. For starters, it comes with a trackpad, which is a feature that truly allows you to use your iPad like a laptop. It also has a number of other useful features, including the ability to use and adjust backlit keys in various colors (in 7 color options). You’ll also still be able to type if you detach the iPad from the keyboard itself. Even the magnetized flap from the keyboard also ensures your Apple pencil or Logitech Crayon stylus won’t fall off. Plus, I like that Zagg says this model can survive a 6.6-foot drop when you’re using the cover.

This model is powered by a lithium-ion battery, which can be charged by using a USB-C connector and charging in a 5V USB outlet. The Zagg Pro Keys with Trackpad keyboard case we tested is compatible with iPad Pro 12.9-inch 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th generation models.

7. Zagg Pro Keys for iPad Air 10.9

Although this version of Zagg’s Pro Keys iPad keyboard case lacks a trackpad, which also allows it to be a tad more portable than some cases, it still offers many of the same quality features on the keyboard case with a trackpad. For example, you can adjust backlit keys in various colors (7 color options), and can still type if you detach the iPad from the keyboard itself. Again, you’ll find the magnetized flap from the keyboard also acts to ensure that your Apple pencil or Logitech Crayon stylus won’t fall off and it has the same 6.6-foot-drop claim. Plus, this version of Zagg Pro Keys offers two magnetized options to position your iPad Air instead of just the one on the iPad Pro, which can allow you to get a more comfortable positioning when viewing your iPad.

This model is powered by a lithium-ion polymer battery, which can be charged by using a USB-C connector and charging in a 5V USB outlet. The Zagg Pro Keys keyboard case we tested is compatible with iPad Air (4th and 5th generation). Zagg also has Pro Keys iPad keyboard case models that are compatible with iPad Pro 12.9 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th generation models and iPad Pro 11-inch 1st, 2nd and 3rd generation models.

What to look for when buying an iPad keyboard

Believe it or not, you can use most keyboards — including one you might have bought with a desktop computer — with an iPad. But you’ll need to have a USB-C adapter, unless the keyboard itself is USB-C, so that you can plug your keyboards into the USB-C port of your iPad. However, there are other specially designed keyboards that are tailored to your iPad and avoid any added wires.

iPad keyboard come in two types: iPad keyboard cases or stand-alone keyboards, most of which are QWERTY-style keyboards.

iPad keyboard cases: These types not only come with a keyboard, but mostly or entirely enclose the iPad, offering an added benefit—protection. There are even cases that offer a more rugged exterior or design in order to protect your iPad from damage.

Stand-alone keyboards: These models, as the name implies, don’t cover or enclose the iPad, and connect to your iPad via Bluetooth.

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Terry Sullivan is an experienced technology journalist who has covered consumer electronics including cameras, smartphones, audio tech and software among many other things. His work has appeared in the likes of Consumer Reports, PCMag, Lifehacker, and the New York Times and he is also a teacher, photographer, artist, and musician.

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The 18 Best Carry-On Travel Backpacks for Easy, Breezy Packing

From basic rucksacks to nifty new features, these backpacks are a traveler's dream come true.

Every item on this page was chosen by a Town & Country editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.

Team T&C are experts in the field of traveling light and packing efficiently . And because we know every traveler has different preferences and needs, our editors took it upon ourselves to research, test, and share our favorite and most reliable styles on the market. Ahead, find the best carry-on travel backpacks designed to go the distance.

Samsonite Silhouette 17 Backpack

A backpack that packs like a suitcase? Why didn't someone think of this sooner? This Samsonite bag is perfect for the traveler who wants to travel light without sacrificing that packing method they've perfected.

One reviewer writes: "Durable yet lightweight. Streamline design and not bulky at all. Perfect carryon size with backpack straps for convenience."

Dimensions: 20" x 12.5" x 7"

Weight: 3.6 lbs

Material: Recyclex

Everlane The ReNew Transit Backpack

This bag has compartments, on compartments, on compartments—including an exterior laptop pocket, making it extra easy to slip your computer in and out for TSA.

One reviewer says: "I initially purchased because I needed more storage to function as my work bag. It just so happen I was traveling abroad in that same month as well. I did not realize that it had a strap on the back to make it super convenient to connect to my carry on luggage. The storage in this bag is phenomenal. 10/10 recommend!"

Dimensions: 17.5” H x 12” L x 7.25” D

Packing Capacity: 27L

Material: 100% recycled polyester with a water-resistant finish

Fjallraven Kanken Water Resistant Backpack

These Scandinavian bags have been tested, tried and true since the 1970s. According to T&C 's Associate Shopping Editor Sophie Dweck, who owns several Fjallraven Kankens, they don't offer a lot of frills or features, but they are as practical and reliable as they come. Cute enough to be your day bag but spacious enough to fit all your carry-on essentials, this bag is two-for-one. Plus, there's no shortage of color options!

One shopper says: "This is my second backpack and I just love to use this during my travels. It’s stylish, lightweight and can surprisingly fit my essentials."

Dimensions: 14" H x 10" W x 4 ½" D

Weight: .7 lbs

Material: Vinylon

Calpak Luka Laptop Backpack

Calpak is known for creating travel bags and accessories with smart engineering in mind, and this backpack is an incredibly popular pick for obvious reasons. Thanks to its many compartments, it can hold a ton—shoes, notebooks, bottles, you name it—and is designed to protect a 15-inch laptop in one of the inner sleeves. Even better, it comes in a variety of pretty colors, such as this rose gold hue.

One shopper says: "I love this backpack. My laptop fits perfectly and it’s very roomy to carry a travel umbrella, glasses, electrical cord, notebooks, and more. I love the puffy exterior and have the matching Luca mini. Together, creates a great weekend getaway."

Dimensions: 16" x 12" x 7"

Weight: 1.8 lbs

Material: Polyester

Monos Metro Backpack

The unique feature on this pack from Monos is the detachable, interchangeable pouch that fixes to the front of the bag. This smaller bag is the perfect spot to keep the items you need quick and easy access to, like your passport, headphones, keys, and charging cables.

One shopper says: "I love this backpack! The trolley sleeve is a huge plus, but my favorite feature is being able to remove the Metro Kit. I like that I can conveniently place the backpack under the seat and the Metro kit can hang off the pouch in the seat in front of me, making it easy to grab the essentials mid-flight."

Exterior Dimensions: 11.5" × 16.5" × 6"

Exterior Weight: 2.4 lb (nylon) / 3 lb (vegan leather)

Metro Dimensions: 8.75" × 6.75" × 2"

Metro Weight: .6 lbs

Material: Nylon or vegan leather

Cuyana Leather Backpack 16-inch

For a travel bag that sacrifices neither function and fashion, you turn to Cuyana. The brand's minimalist backpack is crafted with premium Italian leather and tricked out with convenient features, like a spacious main compartment with pockets and a laptop sleeve, two additional exterior pockets, a magnetic snap closure for easy access, comfortable straps that don't dig into your shoulders, and a top handle that allows you to tote the bag around by hand.

One shopper says: "This is the perfect work and travel backpack. I got it in navy and looks amazing. My laptop, notebook, and computer accessories all fit in very neatly with plenty of room for other items. I was a little worried about my water bottle fitting in the front pocket, but it is just fine there and the magnets even help it stay in place. It is simply PERFECT!!!"

Dimensions: 15.1" x 11" x 7"

Weight: 2.6 lbs

Material: Leather

MZ Wallace Metro Backpack Deluxe

MZ Wallace's bags are absurdly lightweight, insanely roomy, and the signature quilting adds interest to an otherwise understated bag. This backpack is no exception. T&C 's Senior News Editor Emily Burack is a massive fan of the brand .

One shopper says: "Bought the Dawn metro backpack deluxe for a recent trip. I squeezed in so many items such as electronics, iPad, cosmetics, a jacket and small crossbody purse. Love the back sleeve that you can attach to your suitcase, and then can convert it to a pocket by zippering the bottom. And finally side pockets that can fit a water bottle."

Dimensions: 2.20" × 6.90" × 16.50"

Weight: 1.3 lbs

Material: REC Oxford

Carl Friedrik 72-Hour Backpack

For the packer who's serious about one-bag travel, Carl Friedrik's aptly-titled pack is a great option. The 25-liter carrier is designed fit up to three-days worth of outfits and is perfectly sized to fit under the seat in front of you. Also worth noting: The front panel fully unzips, there's a laptop sleeve, and various pockets so you can make the most of every nook and cranny.

And if that's not enough to convince you? Succession 's The Roy family is fan of Carl Friedrik , as is T&C 's very own Leena Kim .

Dimensions: 11.8" x 18.1" x 7.1"

Packing Capacity: 25L

Material: Nylon

Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack

Those who are often guilty of overpacking will get a kick out of this pick. No matter how much you stuff inside of it, the bag is lightweight to carry day in and day out. It's made of a blend of tough, TPU-coated polyester and durable nylon paneling, and has padded shoulder straps which add to the comfort. Also notable is its harness feature that distributes weight and prevents you from suffering from any back or shoulder pain later on.

One shopper says: "The Cotopaxi was my real working bag for carrying 3-4 days' clothing & toiletries. I am impressed with the quality build, the cool appearance of the bag, the organized storage, the way the compartments hold their shape without using heavyweight material. The interior feels well enough secure for my purposes but also has easy access smaller compartment for a light jacket."

Dimensions : 20" x 12" x 10"

Weight: 3 lbs 8 oz

Material: Polyester and nylon

Lo & Sons The Rowledge

At last, your very own Mary Poppins bag. Well, not quite, but it might as well be. Don't be fooled by this bag's streamlined look—it can fit a lot. Yet, its dimensions qualify as a personal item, meaning it fits perfectly under the seat in front of you.

One shopper says: "I love traveling with this backpack. It is compact enough to wear I am not hitting people with it every time I turn around on the plane. It has a compartment for everything and is great quality. Excellent customer service from Lo & Sons, too!!!"

Dimensions: 11.5" x 6.75" x 16.5" (large); 10.75" x 6" x 16" (small)

Weight: 3.2 lbs (large); 2.9 lbs (small)

Material: Nylon and leather

Dagne Dover Dakota Neoprene Backpack

First of all, this bag is made with 23 recycled water bottles! So it's already a winner. Water-resistant and roomy, it comes with a zippered pouch that can be used as a shoe bag, or for any other essentials you want easy access to. We also love its sleek look—how could you not?

One shopper raves: "I wanted a small backpack that could still carry all my stuff, but also look stylish and sleek. This was it. The Dakota and small is the perfect backpack. Big enough to carry all my stuff as a mom of three while traveling but small enough to not feel too heavy. The material is soft but durable. I’m definitely a forever fan now!"

Dimensions: 11.5” L x 5” W x 17” H

Weight: 2 lbs 3 oz

Material: Premium neoprene and performance air mesh

Aer Travel Pack 3 Black

A true traveler's bag, the main compartment of this backpack lays open flat, so you can pack it like a regular suitcase. It has designated laptop and organizational compartments, plus multiple additional pockets for all your other must-haves. The zippers are also lockable, and there's a pocket just for your AirTag !

One shopper says: "This backpack does everything I need. Keeps things really organized, looks great, comfortable to carry heavy stuff... I really like how it collapses to a smaller profile once it’s empty for both easy storage, and a slimmer profile for a day to day pack."

Dimensions : 13" x 21.5" x 9"

Weight: 4.12 lbs

Tumi Celina Backpack

Tumi is one of the most trusted names in luggage, so you can be sure this bag is of high quality. It has lots of pockets and compartments, but the best feature has to be the Tumi Tracer, which will allow you to track and locate your bag should you misplace it.

One shopper raves : "So light empty and so roomy. Lots of pockets and fantastic construction. A quality backpack that will last for years and years, worth every penny!"

Dimensions : 16.0" x 10.6" x 6.5"

Shinola Detroit The Runwell Backpack

If you're looking to invest in a bag that can really go the distance, it's gotta be high-quality leather. You can trust that this will hold up, and best of all, it'll only look better as it wears in during all your trips to come.

One shopper says: "I purchased this Runwell backpack in the summer of ‘19 to use as my work bag and waited a few years of daily use to review. I can truly say it’s almost perfect; it looks small on me but that’s my fault for not reading measurements. It easily fits my laptop, plenty of cables, paperwork, gym clothes, a shower bag, and many more random things. The pockets in the interior are great; it’s very functional. Although I do clean/condition it every few months, it’s developed a wonderful patina."

Dimensions: 17" H x 10.38" W x 6" D

Weight: 3.9 lbs

Beis Travel The Expandable Backpack

With pockets and compartments galore, the Beis backpack has endless room for all your essentials. And once it's all filled up? You can unzip the expandable zipper for even more space! Never thought you'd be so excited about a backpack? We get it.

One reviewer writes: "The expandable feature makes it great for travel but un-expanded, it’s great for work. The pockets are so functional and the extra padded laptop sleeve is great. Also got caught in a rainstorm this week and the inside of the bag stayed perfectly dry!"

Dimensions: 13" x 15" x 5-7"

Weight: 1.67 lbs

Material: 100% recycled poly

Troubadour Aero Backpack

This top-loading backpack not only features a main inner section with a ton of clever pockets, but there's also a 3D top pocket for easy access to your toiletries, a dedicated space for shoes, and a separate padded compartment for a laptop. Even better: It doubles as a duffle carrier for days when you'd prefer carrying your things as a crossbody.

One shopper says: "Just perfect. Enough pockets in the right place without being annoying or irritating and it looks sooooo good."

Dimensions: 13.4" x 20" x 7.9"

Weight: 2.75 lbs

Material: Recycled polyester fabric, recycled polyester lining, vegan leather trim

Away The Everywhere Zip Backpack

Known for the suitcases everybody can't get enough of, Away also offers a range of backpacks that feature the same intelligent designs and user-friendly features. The aptly-named Everywhere knapsack is made with water-resistant nylon and features a wrap-around zipper for extra access in the main compartment.

One shopper writes : "It may be a little much to say this backpack changed my life, but it changed my life.. It's comfortable. It's SO well designed, with a logical place for everything. It holds a LOT. It's stylish and stays upright when you put it down. Most importantly (and the reason I bought it in the first place), I'm no longer sore after walking around and carrying my stuff all day. I may never go back to wearing a shoulder bag again. Worth every penny."

Dimensions : 12" x 5.9" x 17.7"

Weight : 2.45 lbs

Material : Nylon and leather

Paravel Fold-Up Backpack

The genius of this backpack? Its compact size can fit a ton without weighing a ton, and when it's not in use, it folds up flat and zips into a space-saving pouch. Bonus: Get yours customized with your initials for a personalized touch.

One shopper says: "I couldn’t believe that a roomy backpack could zip up very easily into a pouch! It is very roomy with several zip up compartments for extra storage. It looks very nice. I am going to Europe and was searching for a lightweight backpack. This is perfect!"

Dimensions: 13" x 16" x 9"

Weight: .63 lbs

Material: Nylon from recycled water bottles

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A carry-on travel backpack is a great in-flight companion because it's conveniently designed to be super spacious and a hands-free way to carry your belongings.

When shopping for the best option, it's important to choose a bag that can fit underneath the seat in front of you. While sizes vary depending on the airplane, most domestic airlines in the United States require a personal item to be somewhere around 17 inches tall, 13 inches wide, and 8 inches long.

Equally as important: Look for a backpack with functional features, such as organization pockets, full zip openings, a laptop sleeve, and adjustable straps for a comfortable fit.

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The Best Drawing Tablets

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Best for Most People Wacom One 13 Touch Read more

Best for Photo and Video Editing Wacom Intuos M Digital Art Tablet Read more

You Can Use an iPad Too Apple iPad Pro (2022, 6th-Gen 12.9 Inch and 4th-Gen 11 Inch) Read more

Best for Android Samsung Galaxy Tab S9+ Read more

Even if you're a seasoned professional and you know what you like and how you work, wading into the world of drawing and digital art tablets can be overwhelming. Not only do they get pricey, but it's hard to tell which ones work well with the way you work. I've worked as a freelance graphic designer and illustrator for almost as long as I've been a writer (around 15 years). I've even illustrated a few videos for WIRED, but if that experience has taught me anything, it's that every digital artist works differently. That's what I kept in mind while I tested—the best drawing tablet for you might not be so great for someone else.

It's an extremely varied field, so I spoke with several digital artists working across a variety of disciplines to find out how they work and which tools work for them, and why. In this guide, you'll find digital art tablets of every shape, size, and price to help you find the models right for you and your work.

Be sure to check out our other buying guides, including the Best iPads , Best Tablets , Best iPad Accessories , and Best Drawing Apps .

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Best for Most People

The Wacom One 13 Touch ( 8/10 WIRED Recommends ) is a great little tablet. It's lightweight; features a bright, colorful 13-inch screen; and provides nearly the same stylus precision as more expensive digital art drawing tablets. Gliding the included stylus across the display, there's enough texture to make the experience feel tactile and intuitive. The display's width gives ample room for sidebars and menus while leaving the bulk of the screen real estate the star of the show. It's important to note that this is not a wireless device—you'll need to plug it into a PC with a USB-C cable.

Even though it's sized like a mobile tablet (such as an iPad), the Wacom One 13 Touch is compatible with Windows, macOS, and Chrome OS, so you have the full suite of desktop apps at your disposal. That's important for most, if not all, professional art workflows, which often need to use multiple apps in tandem. The screen size is more than enough to hop between apps easily and manage them without feeling constrained. It's reminiscent of a long-beloved classic, the Wacom Cintiq 13 HD from 2013. The Wacom One fills those shoes pretty well, but it lacks some of the additional physical buttons the Cintiq 13 had, and it's a little plasticky. Still, in this size, there isn't a better tethered tablet on the market.

Two USB-C ports for display connectivity, Wacom One Pen included.

Best for Photo and Video Editing

The Intuos is my favorite drawing tablet without a display. It's textured, just like the other tablets from Wacom, but requires an external display. I find the displayless tablets to be easier on my neck and shoulders since I'm not craning my head down. This also puts some much-appreciated distance between my eyes and the screen.

The Intuos is exceptional for photo and video editing because it pairs well with a pro-grade calibrated monitor . Tablet displays can be great, but a perfectly calibrated professional monitor gives you better color performance for way less money than any tablet with a display I've ever used for photo or video editing. It's an approachable investment in a digital art workspace that works with all the equipment you already have—your computer, monitor, and even your laptop. The Intuos is super light and because it doesn't have a display, very travel-friendly. You can toss it into a backpack without worrying about it too much.

One USB-C port, Wacom Pro Pen 2 included.

You Can Use an iPad Too

The original iPad Pro was life-changing for me. Before it, none of the digital-art-on-the-go products offered what I was looking for: a fully-featured art tablet that wasn't tethered to a computer and wasn't super bulky. The iPad Pro has been my constant companion ever since. It's my sketchbook, my pro art workspace, and no matter how many tablets I try, I always come back to it.

There are some limitations to using a standalone tablet, the biggest of which is software. You're limited to whatever's available in the operating system's app store, and multitasking can be difficult, especially if you're a multi-app workflow kind of artist. The good news is that the drawing and art app options have gotten better on iPadOS over the years. And another upside is the ability to work fully untethered. I primarily work from an 11-inch iPad Pro (a 1-TB model from 2018 still going strong!), and being able to take it anywhere is vital for my creative process. If I can't work from the couch or a café I'm probably not going to get as much work done as I'd like.

It's still an iPad, so you can do anything and everything else with it, from watching movies to responding to emails. Just keep in mind that you'll have to buy the second-generation Apple Pencil separately. Read our Best iPads guide for more.

One USB-C port, Apple Pencil (2nd Generation) sold separately.

Best for Android

The Galaxy Tab S9+ is a great Android tablet ( 7/10, WIRED Recommends ). The AMOLED display is gorgeous, vibrant, and makes digital paintings pop. In my quest for a great mobile drawing tablet, I've visited the Android sphere many times. Spending quality time with Samsung's S9+ is the first time I've felt that I could do professional quality work on the operating system. The S Pen is responsive and feels nice—something about its length and weight distribution feels like a high-quality pencil.

The art software landscape for Android has been pretty sparse in the past. It's still not as robust as it is on iPadOS, Windows, or macOS, but there are a couple of standouts: Clip Studio Paint , Krita , and Concepts offer almost the same experience as other platforms. Clip Studio Paint, in particular, shines on the Galaxy Tab S9+ because the extra width from the tablet makes it easy to manage the app's somewhat cluttered user interface.

One USB-C port, includes S Pen stylus.

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Best 2-in-1 for Windows Lovers

The Microsoft Surface took a few generations to hit its stride, but the Surface Pro 9 is one of the first tablets to give my beloved iPad Pro some competition as a digital art workstation you can take anywhere. The advantage here is the Surface Pro 9's keyboard experience, which is more intuitive and fully-featured than the iPad Pro. Because it runs Windows, you get desktop-quality digital art software. With the iPad Pro, you're still at the mercy of the Apple App Store, and some software options still don't match their desktop counterparts.

The Surface Pen and Surface Slim Pen 2 both feel intuitive and fluid, but you'll have to purchase these separately. The profile of the Surface Slim takes some getting used to since it's like one of those flattened pencils.

Two USB-C ports, Surface Pen and Surface Slim Pen 2 sold separately.

Best E Ink Sketchbook

Amazon's Kindle Scribe ( 8/10, WIRED Recommends ) isn't going to replace your professional art tablet, but I've found that it makes a great companion and digital sketchbook. Drawing on the E Ink display feels good —it's fluid, responsive, and because it's E Ink and not an LCD panel, it's gentle on the eyes. It feels a lot like drawing on paper.

But like drawing on paper, there's no zoom in or out feature, or layer options. It's very bare-bones, but this is honestly refreshing. It's nice to acknowledge that this is a product for sketching, not turning every sketch into a fully colored illustration. I mostly use an iPad Pro for illustration, but it can get a little heavy when carrying it around all day. The Scribe's featherweight body makes it much more comfortable to carry in a bag while you're out and about. It's a great notebook and sketchbook for spending time in museums or for travel.

One USB-C port, stylus included.

The Cadillac of Drawing Tablets

This device is legendary. It's been a mainstay of professional digital workspaces since its first release in 2001. The screen is vivid, bright, and sharp. The additional controls are placed intuitively, and the drawing engine is responsive, fluid, and feels luxurious.

The Cintiq Pro 22 feels like it wants you to do your best work. Sitting in front of one of these is humbling and inspiring in a way that few products in its category can match. The stylus feels natural and achieves a level of tactile confidence with every stroke that I haven't seen on other drawing tablets. The display is otherworldly. A lot of people have 4K TVs in their homes, but the thing about a 4K display that's right at your fingertips means you're so close you get to see how sharp it looks up close. Adding to this fluidity is the Cintiq Pro's 120-Hz refresh rate . When paired with the supersensitive Pro Pen 3, it feels like you're dragging a pencil across paper. It's so smooth and responsive it's surreal. In addition to its prowess as a digital art tablet, it features a VESA mount so you can mount it to a flexible monitor arm, or stand of your choice.

One HDMI Port, one Mini DisplayPort, two USB-C ports, one USB-A port, Wacom Pro Pen 3 included.

Drawing Accessories to Consider

Picking up a tablet is the first step to building a workspace for digital art customized to your tastes and style. The next one is finding what works for you, what doesn't, and what else you need to tailor your digital workflow. Here are a few accessories that can help you do just that.

• Wacom Staedler Stylus for $28 : This stylus for Wacom tablets brings a little bit of that traditional media Staedler feel to your digital art workspace. It's made of wood and feels comfortable in the hand. The 0.7-mm nib does a great job of approximating the feeling of a recently sharpened sketching pencil.
• Digital Art Glove for $20 : These are great for reducing the amount of streaks and smears left on your tablet's display.
• Paperlike Screen Cover for $45 : Paperlike is always what I go back to for the iPad Pro. It adds a little texture to your iPad's display that puts the “pencil” in Apple Pencil. Drawing on a smooth glassy surface feels nice for a while, but a bit of texture makes each pencil stroke feel more intentional and controllable.

Essential Apps for Digital Art

What tools you use and how you use them is probably the most important factor to consider when you're thinking about adding new hardware to your workspace. There are a truly dizzying number of drawing and art apps out there, and no two artists use them in the same way. So I reached out to a few professional artists to find out what software they use in their day-to-day work.

Adobe Photoshop

The founders of the Oh Joy Sex Toy webcomic, Erika Moen and Matthew Nolan , use Adobe Photoshop and Clip Studio Paint as the foundation of their digital art workflows.

“Especially when I'm working on comics, I need Photoshop's tools for playing with the text, and laying out the entire page so my art will guide the reader's eye in the right direction,” Erika says.

Photoshop's DNA as a photo editing suite means it's acquired a lot of powerful and granular tools over the years. It's a great option for formatting pages, manipulating text, and handling photo layers— which can be helpful when working from reference photos for environments. It's a powerhouse, but there are a few things other apps can do better.

Clip Studio Paint

Moen and Nolan might lay out their pages and text in Photoshop, but the final line art always goes through Clip Studio Paint. “It's a great drafting program that sits nicely between Photoshop and Procreate ,” Matthew added.

Designed as a tool for manga artists, Clip Studio Paint is jam-packed with a lot of the same features you'll see in Photoshop, but the way it handles line work is second to none. It renders every stroke beautifully, and lines feel much more fluid than they do in any other illustration app. When I tried it for the first time a few years ago, it felt like cheating. The drawing engine does just the right amount of movement filtering to keep your lines smooth and fluid, without making them feel any less free and tactile. In the same way that Photoshop built up a deep library of powerful tools over the years, Clip Studio Paint has done the same. There's a lot more going on under the hood than you might expect.

Illustrator and Oh Joy Sex Toy contributor Ripley LaCross has been using Clip Studio Paint as the cornerstone of their digital art workflow for the better part of eight years. As a result, Ripley's knowledge of Clip Studio Paint's ins and outs is impressive. It's not always the most user-friendly app, and there are features in there that don't get enough attention, one of which is the Library of Alexandria–sized community library of models, brushes, and assets available at your fingertips. “The robust library with free and paid assets is a game changer,” Ripley says. “Need to draw an ornate chandelier from a very specific angle and can't find photo reference? Boom, someone made a 3D model of one and it's two whole bucks.”

How to Shop for a Tablet

There's no surefire way to shop for a digital art tablet, but there are a couple of tricks I use to check out whether a particular product will be a good fit for my workspace, and how I work.

Think about what you like, and what you need. This might seem obvious, but take some time to write out a list of things you want out of a tablet, in order of importance. I find it helpful to have a list like this on hand before I start shopping for any new device. Product marketing is a magic trick. It's misdirection and illusion, perfectly crafted messaging to hijack your shopping priorities and convince you that this product is perfect for you, even if it isn't. It's easy to get sucked in when a tablet or other device checks one of your boxes perfectly but maybe costs more than you wanted to spend, or it's missing some other feature you'll later realize was important to you. Having a little list like this breaks that spell so you don't forget your priorities.

Make sure it supports the software you like to use . This is more important on a mobile tablet than a desktop tablet since on a desktop OS you have the pick of the litter when it comes to art software. Either way, it's important to know if your favorite art software works (and works well) on any given tablet.

Search Reddit and Instagram . Find out what other people who use a particular product think about it, look at the kind of work they produce, and what they praise or complain about.

Take advantage of return windows. If the store you're ordering from has a return policy, order the product you're thinking about, keep all the packaging, and give it a test drive. You'll know very quickly if it'll work for you or if it won't. If it doesn't, pack it up nicely and request a return label.

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More From Forbes

Mother’s day gift guide 2024: the best travel haircare products.

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Give mom hair as shiny as Jennifer Aniston's with LolaVie, the star's own award-winning line of ... [+] haircare products.

Travel can be a hair-raising experience. Or a hair-flattening one.

Give mom good hair days every day – even in the most tropical climates – with these hard-working products that help keep her hair looking healthy and shiny and styled just like she wants it to.

Sure, most hotels provide guests with shampoo and conditioner but why sacrifice style for convenience when she can just throw these travel-sized versions of her favorite brands into a carry-on?

These all make such great traveling companions, you may want to give yourself a gift, as well.

Act+Acre Cold Processed Travel Shampoo + Conditioner

Act+Acre knows that a clean and healthy scalp is the key to great looking hair and the results of their natural, cold processed method prove they’re on to something. Give mom these travel-sized versions of the brand’s bestselling shampoo and conditioner and watch her shine. Price: $36

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Drybar Detox Dry Shampoo Coconut Colada Scent Travel Size

Drybar has the solution for pretty much any hair issue, including not wanting to deal with it. They know mom has more important things to do during her travels so they’ve created this TSA-approved dry shampoo that, with just a spritz or two, makes her hair look freshly washed. Plus, it smells like a beach vacation. Price: $15

Saltair Moisture Bound Shampoo

Moisturizing and masterful at leaving hair looking and smelling great, Saltair’s mini shampoo – like all of their full size versions – is as pretty in a hotel bathroom as it is at home. Add the Moisture Bound Conditioner to complete the award-winning, best-selling regime. Price: $6.00

LolaVie Restore & Protect Travel Kit

For all the moms who wish they had hair as glossy and gorgeous as Jennifer Aniston’s (*raises hand*), here’s the secret. Proving she really is a friend, the star has developed her own line of plant-based products designed to de-tangle, de-frizz and improve hair health and appearance. The travel kit comes with four bestsellers: Restorative Shampoo, Restorative Conditioner, Glossing Detangler and Perfecting Leave-In. Price: $40

I.C.O.N. Hydrating Shampoo Bar

A win win all around, this salon-quality alternative to liquid shampoo means no spills in her luggage and no plastic waste for the environment. Because it’s made with shea butter and amino acids, it will leave her hair feeling clean and healthy. Notes of bergamot, lemon and orange will make it smell great. Price: $28

Kerastase Nutritive Essentials Luxury Hair Gift Set

Perfect for dry hair, this travel trio features three Kerastase favorites: Bain Satin Riche Shampoo, Lait Vital Conditioner and Nectar Thermique Heat Protecting Cream. They’ll leave her hair hydrated, nourished and full of shine even after a fun-filled day in the sun. Price: $50

John Masters Organics Daily Essentials Trial Kit

This trio of the brand’s bestsellers sells out quickly so, if it’s not available, just treat her to the full size bottles of Deep Moisturizing Shampoo , Deep Moisturizing Conditioner and Hydrate & Protect Hair Milk along with a set of TSA-approved bottles she can fill herself. Price: $34

Pureology Mini On-The-Go Hydrate Hair Kit

A favorite of salon professionals – and probably mom – Pureology comes to the rescue of travelers who have color-treated hair with this four piece set that includes TSA-friendly versions of their Hydrate Shampoo, Hydrate Conditioner, Color Fanatic Leave-In Conditioner and Style + Protect Soft Finish Hairspray. Price: $30

Arey The Travel Kit

Arey bills itself as “The Wrinkle Cream of Haircare” and they take a science-based approach to aging hair. They’ve curated this travel kit to ensure mom’s hair isn’t showing the effects of aging as her vacation days go by. It includes their Wash & Smooth Shower Duo along with their Live In Mist, which is clinically proven to protect against gray-causing UV rays. Price: $44

Clairol Root Touch-Up by Nice’n Easy Temporary Hair Coloring Spray

No need for her to panic if she can’t get into her hairstylist before vacation because she can simply spray away the gray with this temporary fix. Available in five shades, it’s lightweight, fast-drying and looks natural. It’s a little too big to pass through TSA but does such a good job, it’s worth checking a bag. Price: $9.47

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Apple Pencil

Tim cook hints at new apple pencil 3 coming next month – here’s what the rumors say.

Apple on Tuesday announced that it will hold a special event on May 7 . Although the company doesn’t usually discuss the topics of the event, the invitation artwork makes it clear that it will be all about iPad – as we can see an Apple Pencil in it. To add fuel to the fire, Apple CEO Tim Cook hinted that we’ll see at least a new Apple Pencil 3 next month.

Apple Pencil 3 is coming soon

In a post on X , Cook shared the artwork for the event with the caption “Pencil us in for May 7!” The executive also added a pencil emoji to the post, which further corroborates the fact that Apple will indeed launch new iPads and potentially a new Apple Pencil at its special “Let Loose” event on May 7.

The last time Apple launched a new generation Apple Pencil was in 2018 (excluding the cheaper USB-C version that was introduced last year). At the time, Apple Pencil was updated with a matte design, better grip, a new double-tap gesture, and magnetic charging. But what exactly can we expect from Apple Pencil 3?

According to a few different rumors, the new Apple Pencil could  feature Find My integration . This would help users easily track and find their lost Apple Pencil, just like with AirPods and AirTags. Some rumors also suggest that Apple Pencil 3 will feature interchangeable magnetic tips .

Top comment by LeonardoM

I've I already said it elsewhere, Apple Pencil should be able to sync with Apple Vision Pro, and take advantage of any flat surface to draw or paint.

9to5Mac has also found  multiple pieces of evidence  suggesting the new Apple Pencil will support a “Squeeze” gesture of some sort. Potentially the new Apple Pencil will be able to detect when the user is pressing down on its surface to perform some quick actions, such as adding text or a signature.

Pencil us in for May 7! ✏️  #AppleEvent pic.twitter.com/1tvyB7h450 — Tim Cook (@tim_cook) April 23, 2024

What about the new iPads?

Of course, an iPad event will feature new iPads. Apple is rumored to introduce both new iPad Air and iPad Pro models. While iPad Air 6 will feature the M2 chip and a larger version with a 12.9-inch screen for the first time, the new iPad Pro will be powered by the M3 chip and will feature OLED displays, as well as a slimmer design.

In addition, there are reports of Apple having developed a redesigned Magic Keyboard that will make the iPad look more like a traditional laptop, ditching the current floating design.

Apple’s special event will be online and take place at 7 a.m. PT/10 a.m. ET.

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• A new iPad Pro is coming: Here are four things to expect
• OLED iPad Pro: Everything we know right now

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Filipe Espósito is a Brazilian tech Journalist who started covering Apple news on iHelp BR with some exclusive scoops — including the reveal of the new Apple Watch Series 5 models in titanium and ceramic. He joined 9to5Mac to share even more tech news around the world.

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