There are no bad iPads. That’s the best news about Apple’s tablet lineup: 15 years after Steve Jobs first debuted the device, the iPad is the best tablet on the market, and it’s not particularly close. Apple’s App Store is enormous and filled with great apps, Apple’s performance and battery life are consistently excellent, and the iPad is still the company’s most versatile device. That’s one easy answer to your question: yes, if you want a tablet you should buy an iPad. Even last year’s iPad, or heck, last-last year’s iPad is still a solid device. Buying an older but better device — last year’s Pro instead of this year’s Air, for instance — is a tried and true iPad formula.

But which of all those good iPads should you buy? That’s never been more complicated. Apple sells six different iPads — the Pro in two sizes, the Air in two sizes, the Mini, and the regular ol’ iPad — all of which come with different specs and accessory options. It’s all too much.

I’ve tested every iPad currently on the market and have been an iPad user and reviewer since the very first model. (I’m pretty sure I got a job in 2010 because I had a brand-new iPad with me at the interview, but that’s another story.) After using all these tablets and accessories, I think I can help you make the choice.

The simplest way to pick an iPad is by process of elimination. First, there’s your budget: you can spend $350 on an iPad, you can spend $2,728 on an iPad, or you can spend just about anything in between. You should also decide whether you need an Apple Pencil and which one has the features you need, because not every iPad supports every model. The same goes for the keyboard attachments. Between price and accessories, your choice might be instantly obvious.

More broadly, though, your iPad-buying journey starts with two crucial questions. The first is: what kind of iPad user are you? There are roughly two types. The first and most common iPad user mostly uses it like a larger iPhone: it’s a bigger screen on which to send emails, do the crossword, watch Netflix, and other fairly casual activities. The second type of iPad user, on the other hand, uses it like a touchscreen Mac: it’s for video editing, 3D modeling, creating presentations, crushing spreadsheets, and generally Doing Work of all sorts. You’ll also email and Netflix, of course, but you want your iPad to be a primary computing device.

I think most people fall into the first category. (Honestly, I also think a lot of people who believe they fall into the second category… mostly don’t.)

The second question is more complicated to answer, and it’s what makes the iPad-buying process so tricky right now: how long do you expect to keep your iPad? If you’re looking for a device for the kids to beat up or something that will be your travel companion until you inevitably leave it somewhere, you’re going to end up with a very different device than if you’re shopping for your main computer for the next decade. In general, if you take care of your iPad, I think you can reasonably expect it to last at least five years — so that’s the timeline I have in mind as we go through this guide.

I used to say that almost everyone should just get the base iPad. Now, I think there are two options worth seriously considering.

The best iPad value

Screen: 11-inch, 2360 x 1640 resolution / Processor: Apple A16 / Storage: 128GB to 512GB Port: USB-C / Cellular: 5G (optional) / Speakers: stereo / Compatible accessories: Apple Magic Keyboard Folio, Apple Pencil (USB-C)

Apple’s base model is still a really good tablet and a pretty good deal: you could buy the $349 tablet and the (wildly overpriced but still very nice) $250 Magic Keyboard Folio for the price of the iPad Air. Now that it comes with at least 128GB of storage, I have few complaints with this device.

The 11-inch screen is the right size for most iPad things, the camera is good and is located in the right place, it supports the Apple Pencil — though not the newer Pencil Pro — and even its A16 chip is plenty for most casual iPad uses. All the other iPads have slightly nicer screens, particularly the antireflective coating that helps mitigate glare, but that’s almost certainly not worth the additional price for most buyers.

Here’s my reservation: the base model iPad is further behind the Air than ever before, and I worry about how that’ll play out over the next few years. If you decide to start using your iPad for more creative tasks, then you might regret not getting the Air’s M3 chip. If, by some miracle, Apple Intelligence becomes awesome in the next few years, you won’t be able to use it.

If you only wanted an iPad to last a couple years, for everyday iPad tasks, I’d tell you to buy this one without a second’s hesitation. But there’s a chance this one will feel old and outdated long before the Air does.

Read our full iPad (11th-gen) review.

The best long-term iPad

Screen: 11-inch, 2360 x 1640 resolution; 13-inch, 2732 x 2048 resolution / Processor: Apple M3 / Storage: 128GB to 1TB / Ports: USB-C / Cellular: 5G (optional) / Speakers: stereo / Compatible accessories: Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad Air, Apple Pencil Pro, Pencil USB-C

The iPad Air is supposed to be the perfect middle ground of the iPad lineup, and this year’s model gets pretty close. The new M3 chip is only a tiny upgrade over the M2 — I don’t even notice it in day-to-day use — but I’ll never complain about having newer chips. The biggest upgrade to the Air this year is actually the new Magic Keyboard, which adds a row of function keys and makes the setup a much more credible laptop replacement. (The new keyboard also works with the M2 Air, and if you can find that device on sale somewhere, it’s still a great tablet.)

The base iPad to iPad Air upgrade is straightforward enough. You get better accessories, a somewhat better screen, and a noticeably better processor for $250. (You also get the option of a 13-inch device for another $200, but I think an 11-inch iPad is the right size for most people — the 13-inch models start to feel more like laptops than tablets.) If you’re playing Netflix and browsing the web, that $250 won’t get you much, but as soon as you start noodling around in Final Cut or even GarageBand, you’ll notice the difference. There’s a lot of room to grow into the Air, whereas the base iPad may hit its ceiling much sooner.

The other thing the Air offers that the base iPad doesn’t is Apple Intelligence. Right now, this is not a problem: there is exactly nothing in Apple Intelligence worth spending $250 on. But if you’re an AI believer, you should know that the base iPad won’t get whatever’s coming.

Read our full iPad Air M3 review.

The best iPad, period

Screen: 11-inch, 2420 x 1668 resolution 120Hz OLED; 13-inch, 2752 x 2064 resolution 120Hz OLED; nano-texture glass optional / Processor: Apple M4 / Storage: 256GB–2TB / Ports: USB-C / Cellular: 5G (optional) / Speakers: four / Compatible accessories: Apple Magic Keyboard, Apple Pencil Pro, Pencil USB-C

If you’re not worried about price tags, this is easy: the latest iPad Pro is my favorite tablet of all time. The Tandem OLED screen is bright and crisp, the tablet is barely thicker than its USB-C port, it’s light, it’s thin, and it’s about as well made as you could expect a tablet to be. The M4 chip is plenty fast even for high-end games and ultra-complex creativity apps. It supports the new, lighter, better Magic Keyboard case and the Pencil Pro. I have plenty of qualms about how powerful an operating system iPadOS is, and the limits it places on just how powerfully you can use an iPad, but the M4 Pro is everything you’d want in a tablet.

But oh boy, the price. The Pro starts at $999 for the 11-inch model, and if you want a keyboard, a Pencil, and even a single storage upgrade, you’re quickly looking at a $2,000 purchase. If we’re just talking about a Netflix and email machine, we’re long past the point of diminishing returns. But if you don’t care, and you just want the best thing money can buy? Here it is. You won’t be disappointed.

Read our full iPad Pro review.

The best iPad Mini

Screen: 8.3-inch, 2266 x 1488 resolution 60Hz Mini LED / Processor: Apple A17 Pro / Storage: up to 2TB / Port: USB-C / Cellular: 5G (optional) / Speakers: quad / Compatible accessories: Apple Pencil Pro, Pencil USB-C, Smart Folio

You’re either an iPad Mini person or you’re not. I very much am: I’ve used a Mini for years as my device for reading in bed, watching movies on airplanes, and playing games on the go. The latest Mini is a bit of a disappointment, with a slightly underpowered processor and an old design that could have used smaller bezels and a relocated camera. But it’s still the iPad Mini, and it’s still good enough for most tablet things. If you want an iPad Mini, this is it.

Read our full iPad Mini review.

An aside on specs and extras

Once you’ve picked an iPad model, you still have a bunch of decisions to make. And many of them are about specs and features that will cost you hundreds of dollars. Here are my recommendations for some of the things you’ll encounter:

• Cellular coverage: You probably don’t need this. Unless you live in a really remote place, Wi-Fi is available in most places. That said, I’ve found that I use cell-equipped iPads far more often when I can just pull them out and know they’re connected — there’s something about busting it out in the park or on the subway that just feels great. Plus, it’s a really useful hotspot for other devices. This isn’t the first place I’d spend my money, though.
• Storage: This is the first place I’d spend my money. All the iPads now come with at least 128GB of storage, which is a big upgrade — 64GB was just never enough. Even now, though, I recommend springing for 256GB if you can afford it; you’d be surprised at how quickly your photos, videos, and Netflix downloads add up.
• Engraving: Don’t do this. It screws up returns and makes selling or giving it away harder. Just don’t do it.
• Apple Pencil: As much as I’d love for this to be an all-purpose accessory, it’s really not. Buy it (either the USB-C or the Pro) if you plan to handwrite or draw a lot. Otherwise, skip it.
• Magic Keyboard: This is the first accessory I’d recommend to most people — many people type a lot on their iPads, and it’s also a handy stand and dock for the tablet. You can find cheaper keyboard docks than Apple’s, but I haven’t found one I like better. It’s expensive no matter which model you buy, though.

My gadget shopping advice is always to buy the best thing you can afford and hold it for as long as possible, and that’s more doable with an iPad than almost any other device category. If you have the extra $100 to spend on storage, do it. If you want to upgrade because you think AI will get more powerful in the next few years, go for it! Just make sure you know which kind of iPad user you really are, and get the best one you’ll actually make use of. Hopefully for a long time to come.

What’s coming next

For the first time in a while, the iPad lineup feels fairly up to date. The Air, Mini, and base model have all been updated in the last several months. The Pro is actually the oldest device in the lineup, and Bloomberg has reported that an M5-powered Pro could be coming as soon as this year.

Apple does appear to be updating its devices more often than before, sometimes on an iPhone-style annual schedule. Obviously, your iPad doesn’t need to be upgraded that often, and the year-to-year upgrades tend to be small. So our advice still holds: if you need a new one, now’s a good time. If you don’t, there seems to always be an upgrade just around the corner.

Update, May 9th: Adjusted prices and availability.

Chances are, your mom changed your diaper, packed your lunch, and helped guide you through your teenage years - all without expecting anything in return. She deserves a standing ovation, but since that's difficult to wrap, a thoughtful Mother's Day gift can make for a fine alternative.

This year, we rounded up a collection of gifts that we think do a much better job of showing appreciation than a bouquet of flowers or a card ever could. Many of our picks, such as Tapo's inexpensive robot vacuum and Ohom's self-heating mug / charger, are designed to make her day run a little smoother, while others are aimed at helping her unwind with music, exercise, and - of course - soft serve ice cream.

No matter what kind of mom you're shopping for, there's something here that'll make her feel truly seen, celebrated, and maybe even a little spoiled.

Update, May 9th: Adjusted pricing / availability and added several new recommendations, including the latest iPad and Houdini's electric corkscrew.

Read the full story at The Verge.

Disney is getting ready to launch ESPN’s standalone streaming service – and apparently, it may just be called “ESPN,” according to a report from CNBC. Sources tell CNBC that ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro chose the name “to simplify what’s become a cluttered streaming world, filled with different media products that can be bundled with other services at different price points.”

The upcoming service is reportedly expected to cost anywhere from $25 to $30 per month. It will offer access to a full range of live sports and betting features you can’t find within the existing ESPN Plus service.

As noted by CNBC, Disney will also redesign the ESPN app to become a “gateway” to the streaming service. Disney will also allow people who already pay for ESPN through their TV provider to “authenticate into the new app.” The company plans to launch the standalone ESPN app this fall, which it aims to make available “however the consumer wants it, wherever the consumer wants it.”

Disney CEO Bob Iger said during an earnings call on Wednesday that the company will officially announce the name and pricing of the service next week.

Just days after an o utage briefly knocked out radar and communications between air traffic controllers and planes at Newark Liberty International Airport, the FAA confirmed it happened again on Friday morning:

There was a telecommunications outage that impacted communications and radar display at Philadelphia TRACON Area C, which guides aircraft in and out of Newark Liberty International Airport airspace. The outage occurred around 3:55 a.m. on Friday, May 9, and lasted approximately 90 seconds.

After the first outage on April 28th, an air traffic controller who had been on duty that day told CNN it “…was the most dangerous situation you could have.” CNN reports that after a change made last July, the airport’s radar and radio communication flows over a single data feed from a facility in New York, where controllers used to manage Newark’s flights, to Philadelphia.

The FAA has announced a plan to replace the current copper connection with fiber, as well as adding “three new, high-bandwidth telecommunications connections between the New York-based STARS and the Philadelphia TRACON,” and more air traffic controllers. Until those and other changes are made, the agency also said a new backup system is being deployed in Philadelphia, but it’s unclear when that will be available.

NBC News reports the Friday outage affected a limited number of sectors, but it’s another incident in the string of issues that have highlighted the problems with the airport’s aging control system and lack of staffing.

As of 12:30PM ET, FlightAware stats showed 292 total delays for flights into or out of Newark, which is also experiencing delays due to runway construction.

While announcing flight cancellations for Newark after last week’s outage, United CEO Scott Kirby had said issues “were compounded as over 20 percent of the FAA controllers for EWR walked off the job,” but a union spokesperson explained that controllers took absences as a result of experiencing such a traumatic incident. CNN reported that at least five employees took 45 days leave of absence as a result. A statement from the FAA said, “Frequent equipment and telecommunications outages can be stressful for controllers. Some controllers at the Philadelphia TRACON who work Newark arrivals and departures have taken time off to recover from the stress of multiple recent outages.”

San Francisco’s BART subway system is back up and running after service was suspended and shut down on Friday morning due to a “computer networking problem.” The service is back online “system wide” as of about 9:17AM PT, but BART says to “expect major delays in service toward all destinations due to an earlier train control problem.”

The system had initially been suspended “until further notice” around 5AM PT and BART had alerted riders to “seek alternative means of transportation.” As of 9AM PT, BART had suspended service in San Francisco and San Mateo County stations and had enabled limited service again in East Bay. Here is the last service advisory alert before service came back online:

BART is offering limited East Bay service at this time due to a train control problem. Blue Line trains will run between Dublin/Pleasanton and MacArthur stations. Yellow Line trains will run between Antioch and MacArthur stations. Orange Line trains will be normal running. There is no Red or Green Line service at this time.

Arlo is introducing some new AI capabilities that allow its security and doorbell cameras to describe events and alert users when certain concerns are detected. The features are included in Arlo Secure 6, the latest version of Arlo’s home security subscription service, which is set to start rolling out to customers sometime this month.

Adding to the object detection capabilities introduced in Arlo Secure 5, this latest update includes advanced audio detection features that notify users when the device hears a scream, gunshot, bark, glass break, or smoke/CO alarms. Alerts will also be issued if a flame is detected by the video camera. These updates should help users to be immediately aware of any dangerous or illegal activity in the area, allowing them to view a live video feed from the camera and contact emergency services if necessary.

Arlo Secure 6 also adds some features that help to bring its offerings more in line with Google Nest products. AI-generated captions will be provided that describe events that are detected in video footage, allowing users to be informed of what’s happening quickly without watching the clip. A new video search tool akin to Ring’s Smart Video Search is also available that lets Arlo users find specific moments in their devices’ video history by searching for descriptions, keywords, or time frames to avoid manually combing through every clip in their library.

These features will only be available to users who are paying for an Arlo Secure Plus or Premium subscription, which start at $9.99 per month or $29.99 per month, respectively. These prices have jumped considerably since Arlo started offering AI-powered features, having once charged just $2.99 for cloud storage for a single camera. That’s a blow for Arlo customers who may never use these AI capabilities but are nevertheless forced to pay them if they want to save their video history for 60 days.

It’s been a few years, but Peacemaker is finally about to make its return to streaming: Max announced that the DC series will back for eight episodes starting on August 21st. The news came along with a teaser trailer that includes the titular lead (played again by John Cena) seemingly struggling to join a new superhero team, while the rest of friends are similarly dealing with the aftermath of having just saved the world. Also, there’s a very timely Grand Theft Auto joke.

In addition to Cena, it looks like most of the cast is also returning, including Danielle Brooks, Jennifer Holland, Freddie Stroma, Steve Agee, and Robert Patrick, alongside newcomers like Tim Meadows. DC Studios’ co-CEO James Gunn is back as well; he wrote all eight episodes, according to Warner Bros., and directed three of them. (It’s a big year for Gunn, who also wrote and directed the upcoming Superman reboot.)

While the new trailer provides a good idea of what to expect in season 2, it is missing one critical detail: will the amazing opening credits scene remain the same? We’ll have to wait until this summer to find out.

So, you’re thinking of buying a smart ring. Well, some good news. Picking the best of the lot is incredibly easy right now. The “bad” news is that, as far as trustworthiness and reliability, your choices are somewhat limited, as this is still a niche and emerging gadget category.

Smart rings are in the middle of a resurgence. That means a lot of experimental ideas and newcomer tech brands you’ve probably never heard of. Enough competitors have cropped up that I spent the better part of last summer rocking six rings like a high-tech mafia don. While these aren’t necessarily bad products (some are pretty good), many aren’t as polished as what you’d see in more mature categories like smartwatches, headphones, and smartphones.

Speaking of which, there are a few things to know about the category. Currently, these devices are primarily health trackers. Their benefit is they’re more discreet and are better suited to sleep tracking than a smartwatch. However, the vast majority don’t include smart alarms or push notifications. This makes them best suited to casual athletes or more wellness-minded people. Hardcore athletes would be better served in most cases by a smartwatch or fitness tracker, with a smart ring as a supplementary source of data. (But that’s quite an expensive endeavor.) Smart rings are also ill-suited for weightlifters, as they can easily scratch against equipment.

With that in mind, here’s the best smart ring for most people in 2025 — and a handful of runners-up worth highlighting for the more tech-adventurous.

Best smart ring for most people

Surprising no one, it’s the Oura Ring 4.

I can already hear some of you shouting, “But what about the subscription!” And I agree. Even Oura’s relatively affordable $6 monthly fee can feel more like $100 when you consider the sheer number of apps, gadgets, and services asking for a chunk of your monthly paycheck. However, Oura is still the best in terms of hardware, size range, features offered, app, dedication to research, and experience in the field. Many of the smart rings available today follow the example Oura set this past decade.

The upgrades from the Oura Ring Gen 3 to the Oura Ring 4 were mostly software-based, with minor hardware refinements. You can read more in my review, but the gist is a more accurate heart rate and blood oxygen algorithm, improved automatic activity detection, and an expanded range that spans size 4 to 15. The app has been redesigned to be less cluttered, and in the last few weeks, Oura added AI-powered meal logging and glucose tracking, the latter of which requires Oura users to buy a Dexcom Stelo CGM ($99). It also recently launched an AI chatbot. (Of the AI chatbots in health trackers I’ve tested, this one is among the more polished implementations — though it often feels like Captain Obvious-level insights.)

I’ve been long-term testing three iterations of the Oura Ring since 2018. Accuracy, design, and comfort have improved with each generation. The company continues to frequently and clearly communicate research and scientific developments. Third-party retail options have expanded, and I’ve seen investment pour into Oura. In an emerging category, these things matter. A lot. While I believe some of Oura’s newer competitors do some things better or have more creative ideas, Oura is the one I continually recommend for its combination of reliability, accuracy, and experience.

Read my full Oura Ring 4 review.

Honorable mentions

If subscriptions are an absolute dealbreaker, you’ll find zero protest here. In that case, here are the best alternatives to the Oura Ring.

The $400 Samsung Galaxy Ring nails the hardware. Its charging case is more elegant than the Oura Ring’s, and I prefer the slightly concave design for comfort. It also has the second widest size range. If you’re already all-in on a Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 or Ultra, you get the added benefit of extended battery life. If you have the latest Galaxy Z Flip 6 or Z Fold 6, Samsung also has gesture controls for the ring so you can control the camera. There are a lot of interesting ecosystem-centric ideas that Samsung has for its Galaxy Ring, but while there’s no subscription, it’ll cost you a pretty penny to unlock the ring’s full potential. Without discounts, we’re talking about $1,800 to nearly $3,000 for the phone, watch, and ring. The Galaxy Ring is also a first-gen device with some first-gen quirks. Samsung is still catching up with sleep tracking accuracy, and its Galaxy AI-powered health features are rather hit or miss.

I’m also keen on the $350 Ultrahuman Ring Air. It gave the Oura Ring an honest run for its money when I tested six smart rings at once last year. It’s not quite as good with accuracy, but it’s on par with comfort and design. The app has much more of a fitness focus than wellness. Instead of a subscription, it has “Power Plugs.” You can think of them as add-on features. Some are free, like smart alarms and cycle tracking. Others will come with an additional fee, like a planned atrial fibrillation detection Power Plug and a cardio adaptability metric, which costs $2.90 a month.

Lastly, I’ve been testing the RingConn Gen 2 Air, a slimmer, entry-level version of its Gen 2 ring. At $200, it’s the most affordable smart ring I’ve tested but looks and feels a lot nicer than the original RingConn I tested last summer. I had issues with the RingConn’s squarish shape, but it’s much less noticeable this time around and more comfortable. It’s broadly accurate, and the app goes heavy on AI, to middling effect. It has great battery life. I’ve gotten around eight to nine days on a single charge — far better than any other smart ring I’ve tested.

Spotify is working on an update that could allow iPhone users in the US to purchase audiobooks through external links. In a post on Friday, Spotify says it has submitted the update to Apple, and if approved, it would also let Premium users buy “top-ups” for additional audiobook listening time.

The change comes in response to last week’s order issued by Epic Games v. Apple Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, who found Apple was in “willful violation” of a 2021 injunction. The judge ordered Apple to stop taking an up to 27 percent commission on purchases made through external links, and also blocked the company from restricting how developers direct users toward purchases outside the App Store.

In response to the order, Spotify started allowing users to purchase subscriptions through external links.

Adding links and pricing info for audiobooks would be a major change to the app. Spotify previously attempted to get around Apple’s restrictions by not displaying the price of audiobooks in the app, and instead emailing users a link to purchase the audiobook they want on the web. Spotify eventually pulled audiobook purchases from iOS altogether.

“It helps level the playing field by allowing developers to offer basic pricing information and easy-to-access links to purchase digital goods through iPhones with no unnecessary steps or additional taxes levied by Apple,” Spotify says in the post. “In short, this freedom is a win for authors, audiences, and developers everywhere — if Apple approves and if the legal ruling stands despite Apple’s continued attempts to stop it.”

Though Apple has asked the court to halt the order while it appeals the decision, other apps, including the ones for Kindle, Patreon, and Delta’s emulator, are taking advantage of the newly relaxed policies as well.

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A brochure shared on Reddit provides new details on Eufy’s first smart display.

The Eufy Smart Display E10 hasn’t been officially announced by Anker yet, but it’s already received FCC certification and was recently demonstrated at a private event in New York. The smart display’s manual has also leaked.

According to the brochure, the Smart Display E10 features an eight-inch touchscreen with an HD resolution. It includes a charging station dock that draws power over USB-C, but the smart display also has a 5,000mAh battery that Eufy says will last up to 24 hours. You can carry it from room to room to keep an eye on what’s happening around your house or mount it to a wall in your home.

The E10 can simultaneously display up to four live camera feeds and prioritizes feeds where motion has been detected. A live feed from one of Eufy’s smart doorbells or door locks will also automatically pop up when someone presses the doorbell, with their presence and name being announced if their face is recognized.

The E10 will also provide daily summaries of all the activities it detected, including who may have stopped by and whether or not they dropped off packages. You can use a timeline view to navigate all the videos saved throughout the day.

You don’t need to pay for a cloud storage subscription. The E10 comes with 8GB of built-in storage, which can be expanded using a microSD slot, for saving video clips locally.

Other features include a microphone and speaker allowing you to communicate with people at your door through Eufy’s smart locks and doorbells, and a time of flight sensor for potentially detecting when a person approaches the display. There’s also a dedicated SOS button and, while the brochure doesn’t detail its exact function, a video captured during the recent Eufy event shows that holding the button for three seconds triggers cameras to sound an alarm, if they support that feature.

It’s unclear how much the Eufy Smart Display E10 will cost or when it will be released. We also don’t yet know if it will support cameras, doorbells, or camera-equipped smart home devices from other companies.