Are you an artist or designer looking for the best iPad for Procreate, the popular drawing and painting app? Here, we’ll highlight the top iPad models that provide the best functionality and features for Procreate users.

Procreate is one of the best programs for artists available today. A growing number of digital artists are considering their options for the best iPad for Procreate. Drawing on an iPad has developed over time into a significant, competitive replacement for traditional drawing tablets for professionals. Below are some top picks we choose from the market:

• 1. Apple iPad Pro 12.9 (2021) (Editor’s Choice)
• 2. Apple iPad Pro (11-inch, 2021)
• 3. Apple iPad Air (4th gen)
• 4. Apple iPad (9th Gen)
• 5. Apple iPad Mini
• 6. Apple iPad Air 5th Gen (2022)

Our list of the six Best iPads for Procreate will give you the tools you need to create incredible artwork from start to finish.

Best iPads for Procreate Reviews

1. Apple iPad Pro 12.9 (2021) (Editor’s Choice)

Display: 12.9-inch retina (2732 x 2048) | Processor: Apple M1 | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 128GB | Battery Life: Up to 10 Hours | Weight: 1.50 pounds | OS: iPadOS 14.5.1

The iPad Pro 12.9-inch is in itself already the best tablet you can spend your money on but for Procreate users, it’s like an artist’s hand reaching out. Everything you produce will look stunning on the tablet’s astounding 12.9-inch display because of its contrast and clarity. When an artist reads that, they might believe they have everything they need, but the iPad Pro offers even more.

The tablet is powered by Apple’s M1 processor chip, and everything you want to run on it, including videos and Procreate, will run smoothly on it. The App Store has many productivity-enhancing apps available (aside from Procreate, of course), and its 1TB of storage space guarantees that you have room for everything. The only real drawback, The iPad Pro is expensive; therefore, if you’re serious about using Procreate, there is no better option than the iPad Pro.

2. Apple iPad Pro (11-inch, 2021)

Display: 11-inch Retina (2388 x 1668) | Processor: Apple M1 | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 128GB | Battery Life: Up to 10 Hours | Weight: 1.03 pounds | OS: iPadOS 14.5.1

The iPad Pro’s 12.9-inch display might be a bit much for some people, especially if they frequently move between locations or meetings. Thankfully, the 11-inch version of the iPad Pro provides the same tech in a smaller size and more importantly, a lower price, making it an extremely amazing value.

Although the 11-inch model uses a lot of the same technology as its larger sibling, it offers more customization thanks to support for Apple’s Smart Folio and Magic Keyboard, which is great for those who enjoy writing in addition to drawing. With the Apple Pencil 2’s support, drawing is simple and you can easily and fluidly draw whatever comes to mind.

3. Apple iPad Air (4th Gen)

Display: 10.9-inch Retina (2360 x 1640) | Processor: 1.8GHz Apple A14 Bionic | RAM: 4GB | Storage: 256GB | Battery Life: Up to 10 Hours | Weight: 1.01 pounds | OS: iPadOS 14.1

Portability is the name of the game when it comes to the 4th generation of the iPad Air, making an excellent tablet for The iPad Air is the ideal device for any mid-level user thanks to its gorgeous 10.9-inch Retina display. Its smaller size makes it a great choice for carrying around without sacrificing performance. The iPad Air’s A14 Bionic processor handles multiple tasks with ease, making it simple to switch between reference materials and drawing in Procreate.

Even though it lacks the iPad Pro’s processing power, the iPad Air performs admirably when it comes to turning anyone’s imagination into incredible works of art. You can transform the iPad Air into a workstation that will compete with many current laptops on the market by adding support for the Magic Keyboard and the first-generation Apple Pencil. The iPad Air is a fantastic portable option for Procreate because it is more affordable and comes in a variety of colors.

4. Apple iPad (9th Gen)

Display: 10.2-inch Retina (2160 x 1620) | Processor: 2.6GHz Apple A13 Bionic | RAM: 3GB | Storage: 64GB | Battery Life: Up to 10 Hours | Weight: 1.09 pounds | OS: iPadOS 14

While the term ‘budget’ doesn’t come to mind when many people think of iPads, the 9th generation of the iPad does certainly fit the bill when compared to other options on our list. The iPad (9th Gen) is one of the more dependable tools for making digital art. It may lack some of the iPad Pro’s superpowers, but it consistently offers a great experience.

Every design you create will look its absolute best on the stunning 10.2-inch Retina display, which offers incredible resolution. While the M1 chip is conspicuously absent from the iPad’s performance, the A13 Bionic processor makes the tablet quick enough for all of your tasks, from Procreate to Safari and everything in between. While it’s overall design could use a much-needed update, the 9th-generation of Apple’s iPad is a great budget choice for Procreate.

5. Apple iPad Mini

Display: 8.3-inch Retina (2266 x 1488) | Processor: 2.9GHz Apple A15 Bionic | RAM: 4GB | Storage: 64GB | Battery Life: Up to 10 Hours | Weight: 0.65 pounds | OS: iPadOS 14

If you’ve never used Procreate before or have never owned an iPad before (maybe you’re an Android fan), a great choice for any beginner is the iPad Mini. The latest iteration of the diminutive iPad has more than enough processing power for any Procreate design you can think of.

Like dynamite, big things come in small packages with the upgraded A15 processor and 8.3-inch screen. The 2048 x 1536 resolution of the True Tone display only serves to enhance the color accuracy being displayed. The size of the iPad won’t be an issue for the creations that flow easily because it supports the second-generation Apple Pencil.

6. Apple iPad Air 5th Gen (2022)

Display: 10.9-inch | Processor: Apple M1 chip with Neural Engine | RAM: 8GB | Storage: Up to 256GB | Battery Life: Up to 10 Hours | Weight: 1.0 pound | OS: iPadOS

The iPad Air 5th Gen might be a good option if you’re looking for an iPad that you can use for editing and collage-making in addition to Procreate. Compared to the previous model, this iPad has twice the storage and operates more quickly.

With an 8-core GPU and Neural Engine on the Apple M1 chip, this iPad has improved performance. Additionally, it has a 12MP Ultra Wide front camera and is compatible with the Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil.

iPad With Liquid Retina display capabilities, cutting-edge technologies like True Tone, P3 wide color, and an anti-reflective coating, the Air 5th generation enables you to use Procreate in any way. You can play graphically demanding games as well as multitask between powerful apps with ease. Apps like SketchUp even allow you to express your creativity more.

You can draw and filter in Procreate, create 3D models, and more thanks to the extraordinary 8-core GPU’s faster graphics. Additionally, it makes Adobe software editing faster than ever.

What is Procreate?

Savage Interactive, an Australian software company with its headquarters in Tasmania, created the popular art and design app Procreate, which is now adored by many designers, artists, and creatives worldwide.

Since the app’s initial 2011 release, digital artists have flocked to it in large numbers due to its wealth of features, user-friendly interface, realistic brush styles and tools, as well as layers, filters, and other components typically found in illustration software.

Procreate is a fantastic tool for anyone interested in making art, whether you’re a beginner looking to explore your creative side, a traditional artist wanting to make the leap and enter the digital art world, or a professional illustrator looking for new software to try.

Why Do I Need An iPad for Procreate?

When used on a device with a potent processor, a potent graphics unit, and a high-resolution display, Procreate performs better as an illustration and digital painting app. A better drawing experience is made possible by these crucial features, which also help the app run smoothly.

Because of the superior hardware capabilities and touch gesture compatibility of the Pro iPad models, Procreate was created to work with Apple software.

Today, a number of iPad models, from the pricey iPad Pro to more affordable choices like the iPad Air and iPad Mini, are suitable for Procreate thanks to Apple’s continuous updates and improvements to its products.

The most recent iPad Pro models are especially powerful, have large, high-resolution displays with accurate color representation, and are ideal for multitasking, creating content, and sharing your art.

The best iPad for Procreate will ultimately depend on your unique needs and (especially) your budget. You can choose the iPad model that best suits you by comparing their features and qualities, learning how they interact, and understanding how Procreate performs.

How Much Does Procreate Cost?

Procreate is surprisingly inexpensive for such a wonderful program. Once you log in to the Apple App Store, you can download Procreate for about $10 (local prices may vary).

his is a one-time fee so you don’t have to worry about any recurring charges or subscription fees. As a result, Procreate is one of the best and most affordable programs. But this raises the question, why is Procreate such a fantastic program? We’ll get to that, so please be patient.

How to Choose the Best iPad for Procreate?

Apple iPad models and Procreate always have something to offer, whether you’re a beginner willing to explore digital art for the first time or a seasoned artist, you’d agree iPads are not the most accessible tablets in the market, so in order to get the best value for your money, there are a few key factors you need to consider:

Processor and RAM

An efficient processor is required by the resource-hungry app Procreate. Apple iPads have some of the best CPUs on the market, but the iPad OS only uses half of the resources (CPU and RAM) that are available. If your budget allows it, it is therefore preferable to purchase an iPad with a newer, faster processor, such as the M1 or newer.

These are the latest processors apple offers in recent iPad models:

A14 and A15 Bionic: Currently found in the iPad 10th generation, iPad Air 4th generation, and iPad Mini 6. Six cores, including four efficiency cores (A14) and two performance cores (A15), make up this processor.

Demanding tasks can be handled by it, including AR applications and 4K video editing.

M1 Chip: It has eight cores (four high-performance cores and four energy-efficient cores) and eight GPU cores, and is currently available in the iPad Air 5th Gen, iPad Pro 12.9 5th Gen, and iPad Pro 11 3rd Gen. Compared to the A14 and A15 Bionic, it can perform even faster and use less energy.

M2 Chip: It is the most recent Apple processor and is found in both the iPad Pro 11 and 12.9 models. It has eight cores (four high-performance cores and four energy-efficient cores) and 10 GPU Cores and is designed to deliver 18% faster CPU, 35% faster GPU, and twice the memory bandwidth going from 50GB/s to 100GB/s

Apple offers RAM in its most recent models ranging from 4GB to 16GB, but older models (such as the iPad 9th Gen and the iPad mini 5) can have as little as 3GB of RAM. Longer animations, a bigger canvas, and more layers all result from more RAM.

Additionally, it means that you can run other applications in the background without being concerned about crashes. As always, more means better, but it also means pricier. is d s s s s s s the s s s s d we, d However, upgrading from 8GB to 16GB of RAM costs an additional $800, so unless you absolutely require it, I wouldn’t suggest doing so.

Display and Resolution

Any art software must have good display quality, and Procreate is no exception. Apple, fortunately, offers some of the industry’s top displays.

On any model, that wouldn’t be a problem because Apple iPads have superior screen resolution to the majority of Android tablets. Although the iPad Pro 12.9 inch has the highest resolution of them all, it is also more expensive.

Color Accuracy and Brightness

iPads, like most mobile devices, are built to be used indoors and outdoors, so unlike graphic pen displays, laptops, and other tablets that have low brightness, iPads have from 500 to 1600 nits, making them the brightest and, in this case, better display at the moment.

Their Liquid Retina display not only has a stunning appearance but also an incredibly high level of color accuracy and gamut coverage, which is an essential feature for designers, artists, and other creatives.

The DCI-P3 color space, which is also present in the majority of professional displays, leans more toward the reds and yellows than the Adobe RGB color space and covers more than 100% of the sRGB color space.

Size

A person’s preference for the iPad’s size can vary, but larger iPads are more comfortable to draw on and use for extended periods of time. A larger size also equates to more room for tools and references, such as a color palette or the companion mode of the color wheel. Additionally, if your hands are on the larger side, a larger iPad will make you feel more at ease.

A smaller iPad may be more comfortable for some people, especially if they plan to use it for anything other than drawing. On the other hand, portability does have an impact on how well a tablet is used. You can’t take a 12.9-inch iPad Pro everywhere and take photos or record videos, and even though the size is still portable.

Pen Support

Procreate is designed to work with the first and second-generation The best styluses for any iPad are already the Apple Pencil, but if you want to use one with Procreate, make sure the iPad you choose is stylus-compatible and has good palm rejection.

Since the majority of recent iPad models have USB-C ports and the Apple Pencil 1 doesn’t support magnetic charging, make sure you also buy the charger and adapter if you purchase the first-generation Apple Pencil or an iPad that is compatible with it.

Storage

For any creative professional, having enough space for their artwork and creations is essential, and we all know how heavy Procreate files can be. We advise getting lots of storage, especially since time-lapse exports only make the issue worse; however, as always, more storage costs more money.

We believe that having more storage than 256GB is ideal. You’ll be able to use your device to its full potential and have access to other apps, photos, and files that way. To protect your iPad from errors and crashes, you can always use an external storage device.

Software Compatibility

Even though procreate is one of the best drawing apps, it is crucial to understand this. It differs from the industry norm. The most recent Photoshop app for the iPad isn’t the full version and won’t function properly in some iPad models due to RAM limitations, making it more of a painting and sketching app than a professional app.

Other professional applications, like Clip Studio Paint, are universal across all platforms. The App Store does not, however, offer any professional animation software, such as Krita, Illustrator, Corel Paint, or even Adobe Photoshop.

Battery Life

The iPad is a multipurpose device that can be used for many different tasks, including drawing on Procreate, browsing the internet, watching videos, and taking notes. Having enough battery is crucial whether you’re an artist looking to create digital paintings or simply want a convenient device for daily use.

Thankfully, one of the benefits of using Apple products is their long-lasting battery life, which outperforms that of the majority of laptops and many Android devices.

Depending on the model, any iPad device can be used continuously for up to 12 hours without experiencing performance degradation, even at 2% battery. As an alternative, you can put your iPad in low power mode, which lengthens its battery life at the expense of fewer background processes and apps.

Price

iPads and In general, Apple products are very expensive. In actuality, some of the most expensive tablets available today are some of the most recent models. They are, however, so useful and adaptable that I can assure you that the cost was well spent.

The newest iPad Air from Apple has nearly identical features to the iPad Pro for about $500 less, even if you don’t have the funds for the most recent and powerful iPad Pro.

Since it has a great design, a size that is comfortable, and a price that is very alluring, the new iPad (10th Gen) is also a fantastic choice if you have a limited budget.

Read More: Best Laptop For Working From Home

Final Verdict on Best iPad for Procreate

Procreate is different. In incredible ways.

The Procreate software combines them all into one package so you don’t have to switch back and forth between your sketchbook and laptop. It not only offers you all the resources and choices you could possibly require to produce stunning artwork, but it also does so in a portable format on your Apple iPad.

• 1. Apple iPad Pro 12.9 (2021)
• 2. Apple iPad Pro (11-inch, 2021)
• 3. Apple iPad Air (4th gen)
• 4. Apple iPad (9th Gen)
• 5. Apple iPad Mini
• 6. Apple iPad Air 5th Gen (2022)

Due to its incredible power and gorgeous display, we believed the Apple iPad Pro 12.9 to be the best overall choice. Leave a comment below with your choice!

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