A refurbished iPad is one of the smartest ways to get Apple quality without paying Apple prices. The catch is that "iPad" covers more than a dozen models, and a few of them are much better buys than others. Here's how to pick the right one, written by the team that tests and sells them every week on the Gold Coast.
Quick answer: which refurbished iPad should you buy?
- Best all-rounder: iPad 8th Gen. It has the newest chip (A12 Bionic) and the longest software support of the common budget models.
- Best for drawing and note-taking: iPad Pro 10.5-inch. Its 120Hz screen and four speakers still feel premium.
- Best small iPad: iPad mini 4. It's light enough to hold in one hand for reading and video.
- Kids and simple streaming: iPad 6th or 7th Gen does the job and costs less.
- Always check which iPadOS version a model can run before you buy. That decides how long your apps will keep working.
Why buy a refurbished iPad?
iPads are built well and age slowly. An aluminium body, a good screen and a chip that was fast when new mean a four- or five-year-old iPad still handles video, browsing, email, video calls, school apps and reading without fuss. Most people never use the extra power a new Pro offers.
Buying refurbished also keeps a perfectly good device out of landfill. And unlike a private sale, a refurbished iPad from a proper seller is checked, cleaned, reset and backed by a warranty. Every iPad we sell comes with a 12-month warranty and free support from our Gold Coast team. If you're still weighing it up, our refurbished vs new guide covers the trade-offs in more detail. It's written about laptops, but the same logic applies to tablets.
The one thing that matters most: software support
With laptops you mostly worry about the processor and RAM. With iPads the big question is which version of iPadOS the model can run. Apple stops adding older iPads to new major releases after a while. The iPad keeps working, but over time apps (banking apps especially) start asking for a newer iPadOS than it can install.
So the newer the chip, the longer the iPad stays useful. Here's how the models you'll most often see refurbished in Australia compare:
| Model (year) | Chip | Screen | Apple Pencil | Newest iPadOS | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iPad 8th Gen (2020) | A12 Bionic | 10.2" | 1st Gen | iPadOS 26 | Most people, school, work |
| iPad 7th Gen (2019) | A10 Fusion | 10.2" | 1st Gen | iPadOS 18 | Kids, streaming, keyboard use |
| iPad Pro 10.5" (2017) | A10X Fusion | 10.5", 120Hz | 1st Gen | iPadOS 17 | Drawing, notes, movies |
| iPad 6th Gen (2018) | A10 Fusion | 9.7" | 1st Gen | iPadOS 17 | Budget all-rounder |
| iPad 5th Gen (2017) | A9 | 9.7" | No | iPadOS 16 | Video, reading, kids' games |
| iPad mini 4 (2015) | A8 | 7.9" | No | iPadOS 15 | eBooks, travel, small hands |
| iPad Air 2 (2014) | A8X | 9.7" | No | iPadOS 15 | Second screen, recipes, photo frame |
The "Newest iPadOS" column is the latest major version each model can install at the time of writing (October 2026). Apple updates its compatibility list every year, so check Apple's website for the current list. Older versions still get occasional security fixes, but fewer new apps will support them as time goes on.
Pro tip: Before you buy, look up the minimum iPadOS version of the two or three apps you can't live without (your bank, your kids' school app, a streaming service). The App Store listing shows it under "Compatibility". If an app needs a newer version than the iPad can run, pick a newer model.
The models worth your money
iPad 8th Gen: the safe pick for almost everyone
If you only read one section, make it this one. The 8th Gen uses Apple's A12 Bionic chip, the same family that powered the iPhone XS. It's noticeably quicker than the A10 models and it supports the newest iPadOS of any budget iPad we usually stock. You get a 10.2-inch screen, Touch ID, Apple Pencil (1st Gen) support and a Smart Connector, so Apple's Smart Keyboard clips straight on with no Bluetooth pairing.
It suits high school students, parents who want one iPad for the whole family, and anyone who wants it to last several more years. Browse them in our refurbished iPad 8th Gen range.
iPad Pro 10.5-inch: the best screen for the money
The 2017 iPad Pro was Apple's flagship tablet, and it shows. The 10.5-inch display runs at up to 120Hz (Apple calls it ProMotion), so scrolling and Apple Pencil strokes feel smoother than on any standard iPad. It also has a laminated, anti-reflective screen, four speakers and 4GB of RAM.
It's the one to get for drawing, handwritten notes, sheet music or watching movies in bed. The trade-off: its software support ends one step earlier than the 8th Gen's. See what's available in our iPad Pro range.
iPad 6th and 7th Gen: good value for kids and casual use
Both use the A10 Fusion chip and support Apple Pencil (1st Gen). The 7th Gen adds a slightly larger 10.2-inch screen, 3GB of RAM and the Smart Connector for a keyboard. For YouTube, Netflix, kids' games, Zoom calls and reading, either one is plenty. They're a sensible pick for a younger child's first tablet, where a drop or two is likely.
iPad mini 4: small, light and great for reading
At 7.9 inches and around 300 grams, the mini 4 is easy to hold in one hand on the couch or on a plane. Its laminated screen looks crisp for eBooks, news and recipes. It's an older chip, so treat it as a reading and media device rather than a do-everything tablet.
iPad Air 2 and older: fine for one job
The Air 2 is still a thin, nice-looking tablet with a laminated screen. As a dedicated recipe screen in the kitchen, a digital photo frame or a second screen for music and video, it's great value. We wouldn't buy one as someone's main device in 2026 because of its software limits. The same goes, even more so, for the original iPad Air and iPad mini 3.
Wi-Fi only or Wi-Fi + Cellular?
A Wi-Fi + Cellular iPad has a nano-SIM slot, so you can pop in a data-only SIM and get online anywhere with mobile coverage. Many of the iPads we stock are Cellular models. Even if you never use a SIM, they're worth having because Cellular iPads include GPS. That makes them handy as a sat-nav or for tracking walks and rides. Check with your provider that their data SIM suits your iPad model before you buy one.
Storage: is 32GB enough?
For most people, yes. Streaming services don't take up storage, and photos can live in iCloud or Google Photos. 32GB gets tight if you download lots of movies for flights or install big games. 16GB models are best kept for single-purpose use like reading or recipes. If you're unsure, think about how many films you'd want offline at once. A full-length HD movie is usually a few gigabytes.
What condition grade should you choose?
Every refurbished iPad we sell works properly and has been tested. The grade only describes how it looks:
- Excellent: very little sign of use. A good pick for gifts.
- Very Good: light marks you'll notice if you look closely. This is our pick for value.
- Good: more visible wear on the body. Fine if it's going straight into a case.
Pro tip: If the iPad is for a child, buy a Very Good or Good grade and spend the difference on a sturdy case and a tempered glass screen protector. A cracked screen costs far more to fix than a cosmetic scratch ever will. We stock a few in our iPad accessories range.
A few checks when your iPad arrives
- Update it. Go to Settings > General > Software Update and install the latest version available for that model.
- Check the battery. iPads don't show a battery health percentage like iPhones. Charge it overnight and use it normally for a day or two. If something feels off, contact us.
- Sign in with your own Apple ID. A properly refurbished iPad should go straight to the "Hello" setup screen. If it ever asks for someone else's Apple ID, don't use it. Contact us and we'll sort it out.
- Use a decent charger. All the models in this guide charge over Lightning. A 12W or higher USB charger refills a full-size iPad much faster than a small phone plug.
Shop refurbished iPads
All refurbished iPadsEvery iPad we have in stock right now, from compact minis to the 10.5-inch Pro. iPad 8th Gen
Our top pick for most people: A12 chip, 10.2-inch screen and the longest support. iPad Pro
For artists, students who take handwritten notes, and anyone who wants the best screen. All refurbished tablets
Compare everything in one place, including the iPad mini.
Need a proper keyboard and Windows or macOS instead? Our guide to refurbished laptops for uni students and our full refurbished laptop range are a good place to start.
Frequently asked questions
Is a refurbished iPad worth it?
For most people, yes. iPads are well built and age slowly, so a tested refurbished model does the everyday jobs (streaming, browsing, video calls, school apps) about as well as a new budget tablet, for less money. Buy from a seller who offers a warranty rather than a private listing.
How old an iPad is too old to buy?
Look at the newest iPadOS version it can run rather than its age. As a rule of thumb, an iPad that can't run at least iPadOS 17 is best kept for single jobs like reading or recipes. For a main device, the iPad 8th Gen or newer is the safer choice.
Can I use an Apple Pencil with a refurbished iPad?
Yes, on the right model. The iPad 6th, 7th and 8th Gen and both older iPad Pros work with the 1st Gen Apple Pencil. The iPad 5th Gen, iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 4 don't support any Apple Pencil.
Do refurbished iPads come with a warranty?
At Value Gadgets, every refurbished iPad comes with a 12-month warranty plus free support from our team on the Gold Coast. That's on top of your rights under Australian Consumer Law.
Will a refurbished iPad still be locked to someone else's Apple ID?
It shouldn't be. A refurbished iPad should arrive fully reset with Activation Lock turned off, ready for your own Apple ID. If one ever asks for a previous owner's login, contact the seller straight away. With us, that's covered by your warranty.