by 
Tablet
Apple iPad Air (M4): Consensus
REVIEWER CONSENSUS
86/ 100
★★★★½
BUY · 5 of 5 recommend
Reviewers agree the iPad Air M4 delivers strong performance and portability, but note it retains an unchanged design, 60Hz display, and lacks Face ID. It is widely recommended as the best tablet for most people, especially students and creators, though the cost of accessories and low base storage are common concerns.
5 Trusted Reviewers
Engadget
86
Engadget's reviewer finds the iPad Air M4 still a great tablet with powerful performance and portability, but criticizes Apple for not updating the display, which has remained essentially unchanged since 2020, and for omitting Face ID.
PCMag
4/5
PCMag praises the M4 iPad Air for its boosted performance and future-proofing, calling it an excellent choice for students and creators, though it notes the lack of Face ID and a more water-resistant design.
The Verge
8/10
The Verge reviewer recommends the iPad Air M4 as the best iPad for most people, praising its fast chips and solid battery life while noting drawbacks like low base storage and a 60Hz screen.
Tom's Guide
4.5/5
Tom's Guide says the iPad Air M4 is an iterative update that keeps the same design, display, and battery life as previous models, but adds a faster M4 processor and Wi-Fi 7 at the same starting price, making it the best tablet for most people despite lacking FaceID and having stagnant battery life.
Amazon Buyers
4.8 / 5
The iPad Air (M4) strikes a compelling balance between power and portability, offering a fast M-series chip, a sharp display, and a lightweight design that makes it ideal for daily tasks, creative work, and travel. Buyers consistently praise its performance and screen size, though some note that the total cost rises significantly when adding necessary accessories like the Apple Pencil and cover.
Agree & Disagree
What reviewers agree on
- ✓
The M4 chip delivers excellent performance and future-proofing.
- ✓
The iPad Air M4 is lightweight and highly portable.
- ✓
The display is sharp but remains a 60Hz panel, unchanged from earlier models.
- ✓
Battery life is solid but not improved over previous generations.
- ✓
The lack of Face ID is a notable omission.
- ✓
The iPad Air M4 is the best tablet for most people, offering a strong balance of power and price.
Where reviewers split
- !
Overall recommendation strength — Tom's Guide and Amazon buyers give it the highest scores (90 and 96), while PCMag and The Verge are slightly more reserved (80 each), noting the iterative nature and missing features.
Subscores
Build
80
Value
78
Battery
65
Display
75
Performance
87
The Verdict
86
CONSENSUS / 100
Apple iPad Air (M4) — the reviewer consensus across 5 outlets.
The panel overwhelmingly recommends the iPad Air M4 as the best tablet for most people, citing its powerful M4 chip, portability, and solid battery life. With an average consensus score of 86, reviewers are confident in its value for students and creators.
However, the lack of Face ID and a 60Hz display are consistent criticisms, and those seeking a premium screen or biometric convenience may prefer the iPad Pro. The cost of accessories is also a meaningful caveat for budget-conscious buyers.
Where to Buy
Score is the weighted average of all reviewers’ normalized 0–100 ratings. Every reviewer takeaway links to the original review on the source publisher’s site.