Black Friday 2026: iPad deals
to buy now, wait for or skip
Our best buy is the iPad 11-inch (A16). Black Friday is 40 days away and Amazon has not announced its dates. We checked every current iPad on Amazon on October 18 to see which are worth buying now, which to wait on and which to skip.
How we picked: we shortlist by Amazon Best Seller rank and number of ratings, then compare published specs. We don't test these products hands-on.
By Jamilur Rahman, Founder & Editor · Updated October 18, 2026
- Owner reviews checked
- Features side by side
- Quick & easy compare
- Smarter purchase
The short answer
When do Black Friday 2026 deals start? Black Friday is Friday, November 27, 2026, the day after Thanksgiving (Thursday, November 26), and Cyber Monday is Monday, November 30. Amazon has not announced its 2026 Black Friday sale dates yet. In past years its Black Friday deals started about a week before Black Friday and ran through Cyber Monday.
This page is a buying plan for current iPads sold on Amazon, written on October 18, after Prime Big Deal Days (October 6–7) and before the main sale. Buy now: the 11-inch iPad (A16), which Amazon lists below Apple’s list price and which is the cheapest iPad we checked. Wait: the iPad Air 11-inch (M4) and the iPad mini (A17 Pro), which show only a small markdown. Skip: the 11-inch iPad Pro (M5), which shows a small markdown on Apple’s priciest 11-inch iPad. The older iPad Air with M3 showed as unavailable as a new unit on Amazon, so deals on it will come from renewed or third-party sellers.
Don’t wait if a student needs an iPad now or you need a gift in hand by Thanksgiving week. Don’t pay for an Air or Pro if you only stream, browse and do homework, because the base iPad does that. One catch: the base iPad listing does not mention Apple Intelligence, while the iPad mini, Air and Pro listings do. Every iPad here was sold by Amazon.com when we checked. Prices move daily, so tap “View on Amazon” for today’s number.
Compare them side by side
Everything that matters, in one table. Swipe to see all 4.
| Product | Best Buy Now iPad 11-inch (A16) Base iPad (128GB, Wi-Fi) |  Best Air to Wait For iPad Air 11-inch (M4) Tablet (128GB, Wi-Fi) |  Best Mini to Wait For iPad mini (A17 Pro) Small tablet (128GB, Wi-Fi) |  Skip at This Price iPad Pro 11-inch (M5) Pro tablet (256GB, Wi-Fi) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BeastScore | 91 / 100 | 88 / 100 | 86 / 100 | 82 / 100 |
| Our call | Buy | Wait | Wait | Skip |
| Best for | Kids, streaming and schoolwork | Students, artists and long-term use | Reading, travel and one-hand use | Pros who need the display and power |
| Typical price (checked October 18, 2026) | $390–$410 | $690–$710 | $560–$580 | $1,130–$1,150 |
| Model | A16 (current base iPad) | M4 (current Air) | A17 Pro (current mini) | M5 (current Pro) |
| Newer model out? | No | No | No newer mini found on Amazon | No |
| Why it’s here | Cheapest iPad, already below list | Newest Air with a small markdown | Only a small markdown shown | Small markdown on Apple’s priciest 11-inch iPad |
| Key features |
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BeastScore here is our overall rating out of 100, based on published specs and Amazon owner reviews. Prices change daily, so tap "View on Amazon" for today's price. We may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Learn more
Why each one made the list
What each pick does best, where it falls short, and the typical Amazon price when we checked.
- 1. Best Buy Now
iPad 11-inch (A16)
BeastScore 91 / 100Typically $390–$410 on Amazon (checked October 18, 2026)The 11-inch iPad is the easy buy. Amazon lists it below Apple’s list price, sold by Amazon.com, and it is the cheapest iPad we checked. The listing says it has the A16 chip, an 11-inch Liquid Retina display, Touch ID, Wi-Fi 6 and storage that starts at 128GB, with support for Apple Pencil (USB-C). It does not mention Apple Intelligence. For streaming, browsing, homework and games, it is enough for most people. A small extra cut on Black Friday is possible, but waiting may gain little on the cheapest iPad.
Pros- Cheapest current iPad we checked
- 11-inch Liquid Retina display with Touch ID
- Works with Apple Pencil (USB-C)
Cons- The listing does not mention Apple Intelligence
- Wi-Fi 6, while the mini has Wi-Fi 6E and the Air has Wi-Fi 7
- Storage starts at 128GB
- 2. Best Air to Wait For
iPad Air 11-inch (M4)
BeastScore 88 / 100Typically $690–$710 on Amazon (checked October 18, 2026)The iPad Air with M4 is the pick for anyone who wants one tablet to last for years. The listing says it has the M4 chip, Apple Intelligence, Wi-Fi 7 and storage up to 1TB, with support for Apple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard. Amazon lists the 11-inch model only slightly below Apple’s list price, and the older Air with M3 showed as unavailable as a new unit. A first real cut on a model this new may come in the Black Friday sale, so wait if you can. The 13-inch Air costs more.
Pros- M4 chip with Apple Intelligence
- Wi-Fi 7 with Apple N1
- Works with Apple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard
Cons- Only a small markdown today
- Costs far more than the base iPad
- Storage starts at 128GB
- 3. Best Mini to Wait For
iPad mini (A17 Pro)
BeastScore 86 / 100Typically $560–$580 on Amazon (checked October 18, 2026)The iPad mini is the pocketable one. The listing says it has an 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display, the A17 Pro chip, Apple Intelligence, Wi-Fi 6E and support for Apple Pencil Pro. Amazon lists it only slightly below Apple’s list price, and no newer mini showed up in our Amazon search. Because today’s markdown is small, a bigger cut during Black Friday would be a real gain. Wait unless you need one now. If you want a cheaper small tablet, the base iPad has a larger screen for less.
Pros- The most portable iPad
- Apple Intelligence support, per the listing
- Works with Apple Pencil Pro
Cons- Only a small markdown today
- Costs more than the base iPad despite the smaller screen
- The 8.3-inch screen is small for split-screen apps
- 4. Skip at This Price
iPad Pro 11-inch (M5)
BeastScore 82 / 100Typically $1,130–$1,150 on Amazon (checked October 18, 2026)The iPad Pro is for people who know they need it. The listing says it has the M5 chip, an Ultra Retina XDR display with ProMotion, a LiDAR scanner, four studio-quality microphones and up to 2TB of storage. All of that is real, but the markdown on Amazon is small next to the price. On paper, the iPad Air covers most jobs for hundreds less. Skip the Pro unless you need its display or power and cannot wait. If Black Friday cuts it deeply, that changes the answer.
Pros- M5 chip with up to 16GB of memory, per the listing
- Ultra Retina XDR display with ProMotion
- Four studio-quality microphones and a four-speaker audio system
Cons- Only a small markdown today
- Costs hundreds more than the iPad Air
- Streaming, notes and schoolwork do not need this much power
All 4 compared, in one look
See every pick on one chart, or tap one to put it head to head with iPad 11-inch (A16). Ratings out of 10 are our estimates from published specs and Amazon owner reviews, not hands-on tests. Bigger shape = better.
- Deal valueiPad 11-inch (A16) · 9.4/10
- How newiPad Air 11-inch (M4) · 9.4/10
- PerformanceiPad Pro 11-inch (M5) · 9.8/10
- PortabilityiPad mini (A17 Pro) · 9.8/10
- Buy-now confidenceiPad 11-inch (A16) · 9.0/10
Which one should you buy?
Find your situation below. That's your pick.
BuyThe cheapest current iPad, listed below Apple’s list price and sold by Amazon.com. It does not list Apple Intelligence, so pick an Air or mini if you want it.
- You need a tablet for a kid or student
- You mostly stream, browse and read
- You want the cheapest new iPad
WaitThe newest Air is only slightly below Apple’s list price. Wait for a bigger cut, or buy the base iPad if you do not need M4 power.
- You want one iPad to last for years
- You want Apple Intelligence and Wi-Fi 7
- You can wait for a first big markdown
WaitOnly a small markdown today, and no newer mini on Amazon. Wait for a bigger cut unless you need one now.
- You want a tablet you can hold in one hand
- You read, travel and take notes
- You can wait for a bigger markdown
SkipOnly a small markdown on Apple’s priciest 11-inch iPad. The Air does most jobs for hundreds less. Skip unless you need the Pro display and power.
- You need the Ultra Retina XDR display
- You edit video or work with big files
- Black Friday cuts it deeply
iPad 11-inch (A16)
The cheapest iPad we checked, listed below Apple’s list price and sold by Amazon.com. If you buy one iPad before Black Friday, make it this one.
- Cheapest current iPad
- 11-inch Liquid Retina display
- Apple Pencil (USB-C) support
Quick tips before you buy
Prices change with storage, screen size and Wi-Fi or cellular. Compare the same configuration, such as 128GB Wi-Fi, before you judge a deal.
The base iPad listing does not mention it, while the mini, Air and Pro listings do. If you want it, skip the base iPad.
Renewed iPads appear next to new ones at lower prices. Look for “Sold by Amazon.com” and a new product so you get Apple’s one-year warranty.
Apple Pencil and keyboards cost extra and differ by model. Check which Pencil your iPad supports, and see our best iPad cases guide.
Quick answers
When does Black Friday 2026 start on Amazon?+
Black Friday is Friday, November 27, 2026, and Cyber Monday is Monday, November 30. Amazon has not announced its 2026 sale dates yet. In past years its Black Friday deals started about a week before Black Friday and ran through Cyber Monday. If it repeats that pattern, early deals could start around November 20. That is a guess, not an announcement.
Will iPads be cheaper on Black Friday than they are now?+
Nobody knows before the sale. The 11-inch iPad is already listed below Apple’s list price, so we call it a buy now. The iPad Air and iPad mini show only a small markdown, so a bigger cut would be a real gain, and we say wait.
Is it better to buy an iPad now or wait for Black Friday?+
Buy now if you need the iPad soon or the price is already clearly below Apple’s list price, like the base iPad. Wait if the markdown is small and you can live without it for six weeks, like the Air and mini. If you buy now and the price falls later, do not count on a refund.
Are there Black Friday iPad mini deals?+
Amazon lists the iPad mini (A17 Pro) only slightly below Apple’s list price today, and no newer mini showed up in our search. That leaves room for a bigger Black Friday cut, but nobody can promise one. If you want a mini, watch the price band on this page.
Which iPad should I buy on Black Friday: base, Air, mini or Pro?+
Most people should buy the base iPad. Choose the Air (M4) if you want Apple Intelligence, Wi-Fi 7 and years of headroom. Choose the mini if you want a small tablet. Choose the Pro only if you need its display and power. For everyone else, it costs hundreds more than the Air.
Are older iPads, like the iPad Air with M3, worth buying on Black Friday?+
Be careful. The iPad Air with M3 showed as unavailable as a new unit on Amazon when we checked, so older-model deals will mostly come from renewed or third-party sellers. A renewed iPad can save money, but it is not a new product with Apple’s full warranty.
What is a good Black Friday price for an iPad?+
Use the price band on each card, checked October 18, 2026. A price at or below that band is a good price for today. A crossed-out “was” price only shows Apple’s list price. Write down the band for the iPad you want before the sale starts so you can spot a real drop.
Keep comparing
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Best iPad Cases: Top 5 on AmazonFolio, rugged, keyboard or kid-proof. The best iPad cases compared.
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