Apple iPad 10.2" (9th-gen)

It could do with design refresh but thanks to a number of big hardware upgrades, the regular iPad remains easy to recommend as an everyday tablet for almost anyone. And it remains the same price in the US and even cheaper in the UK to boot.

The Apple iPad 2021 is a well-made tablet with a dated design that offers a great screen, smooth performance, and good battery life for a reasonable price.

This is an iPad for those who just need a simple tablet that will enable them to surf the internet, watch streaming services, and do the occasional other stuff - such as connecting a keyboard via the Smart Connector to do some work -rather than try to be something more glamorous. It's looking dated in its ninth generation form, but despite being the no frills iPad, there's still enough appeal.

For 2021, I think the basic unexciting iPad wins out. Especially for the price, which usually hits $300 for holiday season sales. But other sales could change that metric fast. The iPad Air is better, and last year's eighth-gen iPad is perfectly fine still, too -- if that's on sale for a steep discount, it's worth considering. If you already have last year's iPad there's no need to upgrade. But if you've been waiting a few years and need one soon for the kids or family, here's your choice.

The iPad 10.2-inch (9th Gen) is an excellent budget tablet, and this new version fixes the two biggest gripes I had with its predecessor. It's just as capable for creative work as it is for watching YouTube, making it the cheap tablet you can do the most with.

It might have a dated design, but there's so much here for the price. For many, this is all the iPad they'll need.

The iPad 10.2 (2021) is this year’s best-value tablet from Apple. It’s faster than its predecessor, it’s easy to use and it features an upgraded selfie camera that makes video calling smoother than ever before. Other upgrades are incremental, such as the inclusion of True Tone technology that adjusts the display to suit your surroundings, but for those who want an affordable tablet and don’t need the most up-to-date technology, it’s a worthwhile purchase.