I Found the Best iPad Deal for Amazon Prime Day This Year (2026)

I thought I knew what iPad to recommend for Prime Day this year. But everything changed yesterday when Apple announced a sweeping price increase across its entire iPad (and Mac) lineup.

All of a sudden, deals that seemed thoroughly mundane look like absolute steals. The clearest example is the base iPad. It’s the basic iPad that typically sells for $299 on Amazon. That’s $50 off what used to be the normal $349 price, but it was nothing new. It wasn’t even labeled as “on sale.” But as of yesterday, this base iPad is selling for $449 on Apple’s website.

There’s a reason we call this the best iPad for most people. These devices were never made first and foremost as laptop replacements, and the entry-level iPad embodies that vibe. It’s designed content consumption and more laidback use. It’s hard to justify and live with the compromises of the iPad’s form factor when it costs close to $1,000, but for $299, this is a really fun advice to have around. I won’t bother explaining why it’s a must-have for people with kids.

The next best discount is on the 2025 iPad mini. It’s also down $100, bringing the price to $500. But again, when you consider that Apple has hiked the price up to $599, it feels like quite a deal. That’s not to say you should buy this just for the price, but if you’ve had your eye on the iPad mini, now’s a good time.

The other two more powerful iPads in the lineup don’t have as big a discount. But again, with how much more expensive these iPads will be to buy in the future, they’re at least worth mentioning. Both sizes of the iPad Pro are $100 off, which is what they normally sell for. $1,199 might sound like a lot, but that’s $300 less than what Apple now sells it for.

And then, there’s the iPad Air. This is the iPad for people who might occasionally need a bit more from their device. For example, you might want to try your hand at some more graphically intense games or even just get some work done while you’re traveling. The iPad Air can handle this in a way that the standard iPad can’t. And the same logic applies here, where the fairly modest discount on Amazon at $700 is better in this new pricing context.

The iPad Air and iPad Pro both really need accessories to make them feel like a complete product. Speaking of which, there are a number of my favorite iPad accessories on sale for Prime Day that are worth checking out, too.

iPad Accessory Deals

Apple Magic Keyboard for 13-inch iPad Air for $279: There are tons of iPad keyboard cases out there, and many of them are good. But only the Apple Magic Keyboard truly elevates the iPad experience. The magnetic design means it’s dead simple to add or remove the iPad, while the tiled angle is perfect for quick touches or swipes. It even adds an extra USB-C port for good measure.

Lamicall Gooseneck iPad Holder for $19: iPads are great as secondary devices at your desk, and this clamped iPad stand as great for space savings. The unique design lets you twist it around to any angle or position imaginable. You could even clamp it to your nightstand for some late-night movie-watching.