Apple iPad mini 8.3" 6 Space Gray 2021

The iPad mini 6 scores a 97th percentile in connectivity and weighs just 340g, making it the ultimate grab-and-go tablet. Its A15 chip keeps things fast, but the 4GB of RAM and 48/100 productivity score mean it's not replacing your laptop. Refurbished units at around $300 are the way to go.

The A15 Bionic chip here is the same silicon that powered the iPhone 13 series, and it shows. In our benchmarks, it lands in the 68th percentile for CPU and 67th for GPU, which translates to snappy app launches and smooth gameplay in titles like Genshin Impact. The 4GB of RAM is the bottleneck, sitting in the 32nd percentile. You'll notice apps reloading if you're a heavy multitasker, but for the kind of single-app focus a mini tablet encourages, it's rarely a dealbreaker. The 12MP rear camera with f/1.8 aperture and Smart HDR 3 is surprisingly capable for a tablet, though we doubt you'll be using it as your primary shooter. The real star is the 12MP ultra-wide front camera with Center Stage, which keeps you in frame during video calls and makes this a fantastic little Zoom companion.

Stacked against the Samsung Galaxy Tab S11, the iPad mini 6 trades blows interestingly. The Samsung likely offers a higher refresh rate display and more RAM, but the iPad's A15 Bionic holds its own in raw CPU performance. The Xiaomi Pad 62779 and Lenovo Idea Tab Pro TB373FU both offer larger screens at similar price points, but they can't touch the iPad's 97th percentile connectivity or the sheer app ecosystem of iPadOS. The Microsoft Surface Pro 11 is a different beast entirely, it's a full Windows machine that demolishes the mini in productivity but weighs nearly three times as much. If you want a tablet that's a computer first, get the Surface. If you want a tablet that's a tablet first, the mini is the better call.

Pricing for the iPad mini 6 is all over the map, with a wild spread from $282 to $6502 across vendors. That $282 refurbished unit is an absolute steal if you can find it in good shape. Most buyers report refurbished units arriving in excellent condition, with only minor issues like sticky residue that's easy to clean off. At the higher end, you're flirting with iPad Air territory, which gets you a larger screen and M1 chip. For most people, the sweet spot is a certified refurbished model in the $300-400 range. That's where the portability-to-performance ratio really shines.

The iPad mini 6 is a weird little tablet. It's not the fastest, it doesn't have the best screen, and its 4GB of RAM puts it in the 32nd percentile of all tablets in our database. But it absolutely nails the one thing that matters most for a small tablet: portability. At 340g and with an 8.3-inch footprint, it's the tablet you actually throw in your bag without thinking twice. The A15 Bionic chip is no slouch either, landing in the 68th percentile for CPU performance, which means it handles everything from sketching to gaming without breaking a sweat. The 97th percentile connectivity score with Wi-Fi 6 and 5G means you're rarely left waiting for a signal. Just don't expect it to replace your laptop for serious work, our productivity score for this thing is a rough 48 out of 100.

Skip the iPad mini 6 if you need a device for serious productivity. Our scoring puts it at a dismal 48 out of 100 for getting work done, and the 4GB of RAM means you'll be fighting app reloads if you try to multitask. If you want to sketch or edit photos professionally, the 60Hz screen and small canvas will frustrate you. And if you're a heavy media consumer who values screen real estate above all else, the 8.3-inch display is going to feel cramped. Look at the iPad Air or a Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 for a bigger canvas with better multitasking chops.

The iPad mini 6 is the best small tablet you can buy, mostly because nobody else is seriously trying. It's not a powerhouse, and the 4GB of RAM and 60Hz screen are reminders that Apple intentionally holds back to protect iPad Air sales. But the combination of A15 performance, Apple Pencil 2 support, and a design that genuinely disappears into your daily carry is hard to beat. Owners love it for study and relaxation, and the refurbished market makes it a surprisingly good value. Just know what you're getting into: this is a consumption and light creativity device, not a workhorse.