Looking for the best second-hand iPad to buy in 2026? The right model depends on your budget and how you plan to use it. Some iPads are perfect for everyday browsing, streaming and schoolwork, while others are better suited to note-taking, creative apps and multitasking. In this guide, we break down the best used iPads to buy in the UK across £150, £200, £300 and £400 budgets.

Based on current UK second-hand / refurbished prices, Apple’s current iPadOS 26 support list, and the broad Reddit value consensus, here are the best second-hand iPads to buy in 2026 by budget. The recurring pattern is: iPad 9 for cheap, iPad 10 or Air 4 in the middle, then Air 5 or M1 iPad Pro once you reach £300–£400. Apple still supports iPad 8/9/10, Air 3/4/5, mini 5/6, and multiple Pro generations on iPadOS 26, so these picks are still current rather than “already aging out.”

Best picks by budget

£150 — iPad 9 (2021)

Best pick: iPad 9th gen
Why: This is the safest value buy at the low end. It still has current software support, enough performance for streaming, browsing, schoolwork, and general family use, and live UK refurb pricing puts it right in budget: Back Market shows the iPad 9 from £141, while CeX is around £200 for a B-grade 64GB Wi-Fi model, which tells you the private-sale / bargain market should sit below that.

Reddit-style buying advice in 2026 tends to push people upward only when they want a more modern design or Pencil setup. For simple “best cheap iPad,” the regular iPad still keeps coming up as the practical answer, while more performance-focused users point higher toward Air 5 or Pro.

Who it suits: students, kids, streaming, web, email, light note-taking.

Runner-up: iPad 8th gen if you find it notably cheaper. Back Market currently shows iPad 8 around £130.49, and CeX lists a B-grade 32GB Wi-Fi model at £160. It is still supported on iPadOS 26, but the iPad 9 is the better buy if the gap is not big.

£200 — iPad 10 (2022)

Best pick: iPad 10th gen
Why: This is the cleanest “modern-feeling” buy around £200–£240. Back Market currently shows iPad 10 Wi-Fi 64GB listings around £235–£242, with broader model-page pricing starting at £225. It gives you the newer flat-edge design, USB-C, and A14 chip, and Reddit advice for study / everyday use often describes the 10th gen as the sweet spot when you do not need Pro-level power.

One Reddit comparison also leans Air 4 over iPad 10 if prices are close, because they share the A14 chip and the differences come down more to extras and accessories than raw speed.

Who it suits: students, note-taking, Netflix, casual drawing, anyone wanting a more current design without paying Air money.

Runner-up: iPad 9th gen if you want the cheapest safe buy rather than the newest look. Back Market has it materially cheaper than the 10th gen.

£300 — iPad Air 4 (2020)

Best pick: iPad Air 4th gen
Why: This is where value gets really good. Back Market shows iPad Air 4 64GB Wi-Fi in the £242–£246 range, with 256GB examples higher. Reddit comparisons often say Air 4 > iPad 10 when the pricing is close, because the Air 4 gives you the same A14 class performance with the more premium Air positioning.

This is probably the best all-round buy for people who want something that feels more premium than the base iPad but do not need M1 power. It also remains on Apple’s current support list.

Who it suits: students, work, multitasking, drawing, buyers who want “nice” rather than just “cheap.”

Runner-up: iPad mini 6 if portability matters more than screen size. Back Market currently shows the 64GB Wi-Fi mini 6 around £265, and CeX snippets put B-grade Wi-Fi 64GB around £260–£275.

£400 — iPad Air 5 (2022)

Best pick: iPad Air 5th gen (M1)
Why: This is the strongest second-hand iPad buy in 2026 for most people who can stretch to this level. Reddit users repeatedly point to the Air 5 as the “buy at least this” option for long-term value, and there is also Reddit sentiment that even in 2026, an M1 Air does not feel outdated.

Back Market’s snippets do not surface a clean headline price as nicely as the iPad 10 and Air 4 pages, but the model pages and reviews confirm active UK stock for the Air 5, and current market positioning places it above Air 4 and below newer M2/M3 Airs.

Who it suits: power users, students who want longer runway, multitasking, creative apps, anyone who wants a “buy it once and keep it” iPad.

Runner-up: iPad Pro 11-inch (2021, M1) if you find one at the lower end of the bracket. Back Market currently shows an M1 iPad Pro (2021) from £401, and Reddit buyers also mention the M1 iPad Pro as a strong used buy once you get into this budget tier.

My actual shortlist

£150: iPad 9
£200: iPad 10
£300: iPad Air 4
£400: iPad Air 5
Best compact alternative: iPad mini 6
Best “stretch” option around £400+: iPad Pro 11-inch (2021, M1)

The blunt version

If you want the most sensible guide for 2026:

Buy the iPad 9 if you just want the cheapest good iPad.
Buy the iPad 10 if you want the base model that feels modern.
Buy the Air 4 if you want the best value sweet spot.
Buy the Air 5 if you want the best overall long-term used iPad.
Buy the mini 6 only if you specifically want small and portable.
Buy the M1 Pro only if you know you need the extra screen / performance and find a deal near Air 5 money.

Models I’d be less excited about

I would be a bit less enthusiastic about paying up for older non-M1 Pros unless they are very cheap, because today’s market already gives you Air 4, Air 5, or even M1 Pro options that are easier to recommend on longevity and value. Likewise, iPad 8 is fine, but the iPad 9 is the better baseline if the price gap is modest. That is an inference from current support and price spreads across UK refurb listings.

March 24, 2026

Mend My iPhone

Best Second-Hand iPads to Buy in 2026 by Budget | UK Guide