Best Tablets under CA$400 for art and design

Best Pick

Apple iPad Mini 7.9" 5th Gen Space Gray 2019

58 Art & Design Score
Why we recommend this

The Apple A12 Bionic chip drives smooth performance on a 7.9-inch Retina display with True Tone and 500 nits peak brightness. At just 454g with Apple Pencil support and an anti-reflective, P3 wide color screen, it’s an easily pocketable digital notebook. This tablet suits commuters and students who prioritize one-handed reading and light sketching over heavy multitasking.

View Details & Prices

Great Alternatives

These options also score highly and may better suit your specific needs

Apple iPad 10.2" A2197 Space Gray 2024

56 Art & Design Score
View Details & Prices

Apple Camerons All Natural Extra Fine BBQ Wood Chips for Smokers Kiln Dried Wood

19.9 Art & Design Score
Why we recommend this

Kiln-dried from 100% natural apple timber, these extra fine chips combust completely to produce a delicate, mild smoke. The resealable 1-pint tub provides approximately 30 smoking sessions and works across smoking guns, charcoal grills, and stovetop smokers. Best for grillers and home chefs wanting a subtle fruitwood flavor to enhance poultry, pork, seafood, and cheese without overpowering them.

View Details & Prices

Best Tablets under CA$900 for art and design

Best Pick

Apple iPad Pro 11" M4 Space Black 2024

91.5 Art & Design Score
Why we recommend this

A 10-core M4 chip and 10-core GPU handle demanding workflows, complemented by a 2420x1668 OLED 120Hz Ultra Retina XDR display with a nano-texture glass option to cut glare. Its thin 444g build and Thunderbolt/USB 4 port connect fast external displays, while all-day battery life sustains long creative sessions. Best for digital artists using Apple Pencil Pro for precision drawing, video editors working with 4K ProRes footage, and multitaskers using Stage Manager with external monitors.

View Details & Prices

Great Alternatives

These options also score highly and may better suit your specific needs

Apple iPad Air 11" M4 Blue 2026

90.7 Art & Design Score
Why we recommend this

The Apple M4 10-core chip and Wi-Fi 7 deliver swift performance and rapid file transfers, while the 11-inch Liquid Retina display provides P3 wide color and ultralow reflectivity. At just 463g with Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard support, it’s a lightweight, versatile device with all-day battery life. Best for students and digital artists who need a portable tablet for reading, notetaking, and creative work.

View Details & Prices

Apple iPad 11" A16 Blue 2025

76.9 Art & Design Score
Why we recommend this

The iPad with A16 chip delivers responsive performance through its 5-core processor and 8GB RAM, paired with a vivid 11-inch Liquid Retina display at 2360x1640 resolution in a slim 476-gram body. This Amazon Renewed unit offers strong purchase confidence with a battery exceeding 80% capacity, no visible cosmetic imperfections, and a 90-day replacement or refund guarantee, while fully supporting Apple Pencil and keyboard accessories. It best suits students and readers who want a portable tablet for note-taking, drawing, and content consumption, scoring highest in reading (80.6) and student use (77.1).

View Details & Prices

Apple iPad mini 8.3" A17 Pro Blue 2024

73.2 Art & Design Score
Why we recommend this

The A17 Pro chip drives responsive multitasking and gaming on the 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display with 500 nits peak brightness and P3 wide color. Weighing just 297 grams with all-day battery life, its standout portability pairs with the privacy-focused Apple Intelligence writing tools. This tablet is ideal for students and mobile professionals who rely on Apple Pencil Pro for note-taking and on-the-go document scanning.

View Details & Prices

Best Tablets under CA$1,500 for art and design

Best Pick

Apple iPad Air 13" M4 Blue 2026

93.8 Art & Design Score
Why we recommend this

Its Apple M4 8-core chip with a 9-core GPU and 16-core Neural Engine accelerates AI tasks and graphics, paired with a crisp 13-inch Liquid Retina display at 264 ppi. With 5G, Wi-Fi 7, and Apple Pencil Pro support, the 617-gram build remains highly portable for on-the-go creative work. This 1TB configuration is best for digital illustrators and designers who require a responsive large canvas and substantial local storage for complex project files.

View Details & Prices

Great Alternatives

These options also score highly and may better suit your specific needs

Apple iPad Pro 11" M5 Space Black

86.1 Art & Design Score
Why we recommend this

With a 10-core M5 chip and 11" OLED display, this tablet delivers desktop-class performance with stylus and keyboard support for versatile workflows. Its Wi-Fi 7 and LTE cellular options make it a strong portable choice for on-the-go professionals, though reading scores are its weakest area. It is best suited for business users and productivity-oriented creatives who need a powerful, mobile device for note-taking, sketching, and document editing.

View Details & Prices
Apple iPad Pro 11" M5 Space Black tablet
Price CA$1,150

Apple iPad 11" A16 Silver 2025

76.8 Art & Design Score
Why we recommend this

Powered by the A16 Bionic chip with a 4-core GPU and 16-core Neural Engine, the 11-inch Liquid Retina display hits 500 nits for clear indoor viewing. Its 476g build and included AppleCare+ make it an exceptionally portable, worry-free tablet, though the 60Hz screen and 42.3 productivity score limit heavy multitasking. Best for casual readers and entertainment users who want a lightweight iPad for eBooks and streaming.

View Details & Prices
Apple iPad 11" A16 Silver 2025 tablet
Price CA$1,179
Check Price at B&H Photo
Also available open box & refurbished:

Apple iPad mini 8.3" A17 Pro Space Gray 2024

74.7 Art & Design Score
Why we recommend this

The A17 Pro chip and 8GB RAM effortlessly drive Apple Intelligence and gaming on an 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display with ultralow reflectivity, all within a 293g body that lasts all day. This Geek Squad Certified Refurbished unit adds a 90‑day warranty and USB‑C connectivity, making it a trustworthy value pick. It’s best for avid readers, digital artists wielding the Apple Pencil Pro, and streaming fans who want a vivid, palm‑sized tablet.

View Details & Prices

Best Tablets under CA$2,000 for art and design

Best Pick

Apple iPad Pro 11" M5 Space Black 2025

98.1 Art & Design Score
Why we recommend this

The M5 chip with its 10-core CPU and 16-core Neural Engine drives AI-accelerated tasks on a sharp 11-inch Ultra Retina XDR OLED display, all packed into a mere 444-gram body. iPadOS 26 adds a flexible windowing system and Apple Intelligence for private, on-device assistance, while the optional nano-texture glass cuts glare in challenging light. Best for digital illustrators and mobile designers who require precise Apple Pencil Pro input and color-accurate rendering in a portable form.

View Details & Prices
Price CA$1,901
Apple iPad Pro 11" M5 Space Black 2025 tablet

Premium Tablets for art and design

Best Pick

Apple iPad Pro 13" M5 Space Black 2025

100 Art & Design Score
Why we recommend this

The M5 chip with its 10-core CPU and 16GB of RAM accelerates AI and creative workloads, while the 13-inch 120Hz OLED display with optional nano-texture glass cuts glare for accurate color work. This Geek Squad Certified Refurbished unit includes a 90-day warranty, making high-end features like Wi-Fi 7 and Apple Pencil Pro support more affordable. It’s best for digital artists and illustrators who need a precise, glare-free canvas for color-critical projects.

View Details & Prices
Price CA$2,580
Apple iPad Pro 13" M5 Space Black 2025 tablet