Apple sells some very fancy iPads these days. In fact, several of them now cost over$1,000. But for the things most people do with their iPads -- watching streaming content, making video calls, reading books and documents, answering messages, and surfing the web, the best iPad to buy is the standard10th-generation iPad . This model even looks very similar to the two high-end models -- the iPad Pro and the iPad Air. I recommend the standard iPad to everyone other than artists and high-end multimedia professionals. 

Also: I gave away my Kindle and iPad within hours of testing this tablet

While heavy discounts on Apple products are rare, theiPad 10th-Gen is on sale for$70 off, a 20% discount. The iPad retails for$349, but Best Buy sells it for$279. To give you a sense of what a terrific deal this is, this iPad had been selling for$450 until last year. 

iPad 10th-Gen for$279 (save$70 at Best Buy)

$279 at Best Buy

This is a great iPad to get for yourself or anyone; including a kid, an elderly relative, or a friend or family member who doesn't need a full computer but wants a bigger screen than a phone to do some of their favorite or most-needed digital activities. That can also include video calls, filling out web forms, looking up information with Google or ChatGPT, and online shopping. 

Also: The best kids' tablets of 2025: Parent recommended

This was the first iPad to get a front-facing camera centered on the long end, so it works great for video calling and video conferencing when it's placed in landscape mode.

If you want to use this iPad for email, notetaking, or writing, then I'd recommend also grabbing theLogitech Combo Touch keyboard case ($105) or theESR keyboard case ($82) . Both are a lot cheaper thanApple's$250 keyboard case and the Logitech offers better protection.

Also: 7 products you shouldn't buy from Apple this month (and what to get instead)

If you're thinking about giving a tablet as a gift this year,  is also bullish on theTCL Tab 10 Nxtpaper 5G . Its paper-like display makes it a hybrid of an e-reader and a traditional tablet. At$239, it's close to the same price as the iPad 10th-gen. 

Recommends

Best VPN services

Best robot vacuums and mops

The best phones you can buy (and how the iPhone 16 Pro Max compares)

The best laptops you can buy: Expert tested

• Best VPN services
• Best robot vacuums and mops
• The best phones you can buy (and how the iPhone 16 Pro Max compares)
• The best laptops you can buy: Expert tested