Apple iPad Air 10.9" 5th Generation Space Gray 2022

The iPad Air 5th Generation packs the M1 chip into a lightweight 10.9-inch tablet that still feels fast and capable in 2025. Refurbished units in the $270 to $350 range are an incredible value for students and casual users. Just be aware of the 64GB base storage and 60Hz display before you commit.

The M1 chip in the iPad Air 5th Gen is still a beast for tablet workloads. Our database puts the CPU at the 58th percentile, which sounds average until you realize it's being compared against newer M-series chips and desktop-class processors in other tablets. In practice, this thing flies through note-taking apps, photo editing in Lightroom, and even some light video work. The 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM sits at the 66th percentile, which is solid for multitasking. You can have Safari, GoodNotes, and a streaming app open without constant reloads.

The GPU lands at the 68th percentile, so gaming is smooth for titles like Genshin Impact and Call of Duty Mobile at high settings. The 60Hz display is the one spec that feels dated if you've used a ProMotion iPad. Scrolling isn't as buttery as the Pro models, but the Liquid Retina panel itself is gorgeous, with P3 wide color and True Tone. The 7730mAh battery ranks at the 73rd percentile, which translates to a full day of mixed use for most people.

The iPad Air 5th Gen goes up against some serious competition. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 offers a higher refresh rate display and expandable storage, which the iPad Air lacks. But Samsung's software update track record and app ecosystem still trail iPadOS for tablet-optimized apps. The Microsoft Surface Pro 11th Edition is a different beast entirely, it runs full Windows, so it's a laptop replacement rather than a tablet-first device. If you need desktop apps, the Surface wins. If you want a tablet that's great at being a tablet, the iPad Air is the better pick.

The Lenovo Yoga Tab Plus and Xiaomi Pad 7 both undercut the iPad Air on price, especially new. The Xiaomi Pad 7 has a higher refresh rate screen and more base storage for less money. But Apple's ecosystem, the Apple Pencil 2 experience, and the sheer number of optimized iPad apps keep the Air competitive. The M1 chip also outmuscles most Android tablet processors in sustained performance.

Pricing on the iPad Air 5th Gen is all over the place right now. We're seeing USD 270 to USD 522 across 26 US listings, which is a spread of USD 252 depending on the seller and condition. Amazon's renewed listings tend to sit at the lower end of that range, and that's where the real value is. At $270 to $350, you're getting M1 performance for less than half the price of a new iPad Air. At $500+, you should probably look at newer options instead. The 64GB storage is the main value killer here. If you plan to store lots of photos, games, or video projects, you'll feel that ceiling quickly. For students who mostly use cloud storage and streaming apps, it's manageable.

The iPad Air 5th Generation sits in that sweet spot between the base iPad and the iPad Pro. You get the M1 chip, the same one that powered Apple's laptops and desktops, inside a 10.9-inch tablet that starts around $270 for refurbished units and climbs to $522 depending on the seller and configuration. For students, casual users, and anyone who wants Pro-level performance without the Pro price tag, this thing makes a lot of sense.

People searching for "is the iPad Air 5th gen worth it in 2025" are usually trying to decide between this and the newer Air models or the base iPad. The short answer is yes, especially if you find a good refurbished deal. The M1 chip still handles iPadOS smoothly, and the 8GB of RAM means apps stay open longer without reloading. The 64GB base storage is tight though, and that's the biggest compromise here.

We've seen this tablet rank in the 98th percentile for social proof, which means buyers genuinely love it. The 4.8-star rating across nearly 10,000 reviews backs that up. It's not perfect, but it's one of the most well-liked tablets in our database.

Skip the iPad Air 5th Gen if you need more than 64GB of storage and don't want to pay for the 256GB model. Android tablets like the Xiaomi Pad 7 offer expandable storage and higher refresh rate displays for less money. If you need a laptop replacement, the Microsoft Surface Pro 11th Edition runs full Windows and handles desktop apps the iPad can't. And if you're sensitive to display smoothness, the 60Hz screen here might bother you, especially if you've used a 120Hz phone. In that case, look at the iPad Pro or the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 instead.

Should you buy the iPad Air 5th Generation? If you can find a refurbished unit in the $270 to $350 range, absolutely. The M1 chip, great display, and Apple Pencil support make it one of the best tablet values on the market right now. It's fast enough for photo editing, note-taking, gaming, and everyday browsing, and it'll stay that way for years thanks to Apple's software support.

But if you're paying close to $500, hold off. The newer iPad Air models and even the base iPad offer better long-term value at that price. And if you need more than 64GB of storage, you'll want to hunt down a 256GB model or consider alternatives with expandable storage. The 60Hz screen is also a dealbreaker for some people, especially if you've used a high refresh rate phone or tablet before.