16th December 2025
What iPad to buy your grandparents this Christmas
An iPad is one of those gifts that can really make life easier for everyone, and what better time to buy one than at Christmas? They could use it for steaming their favourite TV shows, reading a book or the newspaper, taking and sharing photos, and for keeping in touch with the family using FaceTime.
We wanted to create a guise to help with picking the right one, as there are a lot of models and places to buy them.
How will they actually use an iPad?
Firstly, it’s worth considering what the iPad will be used for, as some are better suited to particular users
The “mainly keep in touch” user
- Most of their time is spent on Apps like WhatsApp
- They also like to keep an eye on social media via Facebook or Instagram
- They occasionally browse some website and send a few emails
The “Armchair surfing” user
- Most of their time is spent catching up on news
- They also spend a reasonable amount of time shopping
- Watching steaming services is also something they do from time to time
- As well as a bit of online banking
The “Hobbyist” user
- They spend a lot of time completing puzzles and playing games
- While also reading books on apps like kindle
- And a fair amount of time researching new recipes, and looking up historical events
The “Laptop replacement” user
- They typically use a case with a keyboard for that added laptop feel
- They write a lot of emails and use apps such as Word/Pages
- They also manage finances and use spreadsheet apps like Excel/Numbers
Which model would be best for them?
There are a few different types of iPad models to choose from, there’s the Pro range, the Air range, the Mini range and the confusingly named “iPad” range.
Unless your budget is high, then the Pro range is not going to be an option worth considering and the Air series don’t really do anything better than the others, but again cost more. Most Grandparents will be fine with the basic iPad, with the iPad 8th, 9th, 10th, and 11th generation being the sweet spot, they are far cheaper than the more powerful models, yet still offer decent performance for average day-to-day use.
Why the 8th, 9th, 10th, and 11th are the perfect options
8th Generation
10.2” Display – A12 Chip – Touch ID – 32GB/128GB Storage
The 8th generation iPad is a great option at a lower price point, although a bit older It’s still great for general use such as emails, browsing the web, using simple apps and FaceTime. Software support could be an issue in the future, but it supports iPadOS26, which is apple’s latest operating system. They are a great all-rounder and a perfect choice as a starter iPad for Grandparents.
9th Generation
10.2” Display – A13 Chip – Touch ID – 64GB/256GB Storage
Another solid all-rounder with all the benefits of the 8th generation, just with incremental upgrades to performance. It’s the last of the home button Touch ID iPads, which some people prefer, it supports the 1st gen Apple Pencil and keyboard case and is possibly the sweet spot mixing reliable performance and great affordability.
10th Generation
10.9” Display – A14 Chip – Touch ID – 64GB/256GB Storage
The first major redesign that the iPad has seen in some time, now with a more squared, angular look. Along with the change in shape, apple removed the home button and added a Touch ID sensor on the lock/Siri button and moved to USB-C charging. Having the A14 processor makes this a significant upgrade to the iPad 9th gen and guarantees it supports future versions of iPadOS for some time to come. It also adds support for the newer USB-C Apple Pencil and has it own version of the Apple keyboard case.
11th Generation
11” Display – A16 Chip – Touch ID – 128GB/256GB/512GB Storage
After the last major update with the 10th generation, the 11th didn’t really change much visually, but the jump to the A16 is the biggest power gain model to model. Everything about the 10th gen is improved on here, with the biggest and best looking display, perfect for streaming TV and films. This is the best option for people worried about future proofing for software and maximising performance.
Which to choose
Best value for money and a great starter iPad – 9th generation iPad
Best performance and longevity – 11th generation iPad
New vs Refurbished
Buying new is great, but there are so many great deals on refurbished iPads.
Buying New
You get the full manufacturer’s warranty, the largest window for software updates, a brand-new battery and no signs of use. But when buying new, it’s always more expensive, and your grandparents might now make the most of all the new features.
Buying Refurbished
The biggest difference is obviously the price, allowing you to get a newer model for your money. It’s also more environmentally friendly, breathing new life into older devices. But you have to consider the used condition, generally shorter warranty, and if purchased from the wrong place you could have a headache with customer support and warranty disputes.
We still back refurbished
We would still recommend refurbished, just do your research and check out the reviews and warranty situation. There are some doggy sellers out there, but they’re generally in the minority, there are plenty of reputable companies selling great refurbished devices.
Setting up the iPad for your Grandparents and making the user Friendly
Transferring from iPad to iPad, is generally easy, as now you can put them next to each other and most of the work is done for you. Once the data is transferred, you will need to help them go through a few steps like setting up Touch ID and signing in to things like emails and apps.
- If you are setting up the iPad from scratch, here are some setting to change to make the iPads easier and safer to use.
- You can increase the size of the text and use display zoom in settings
- You can make the text bold and easier to see
- Try and simplify their Home Screen and remove unnecessary apps
Make sure to put the most important ones in the dock, think messages, emails, safari, etc
Add photos of friends and family to contacts and pin them in messages, calls and FaceTime
You should also consider buying them a case, one with a stand is a good idea as it makes using it for longer periods more comfortable. Also, fitting a screen protector is a good idea to prevent any damage to the screen.
Final thoughts
The biggest and most powerful iPad is right for everyone, and with grandparents it’s usually more important to:
- Be easy to hold and see
- Doesn’t cost a fortune
- Will get update for a few years
- Allows the to do the basics and keep in touch with family
Whichever you choose, your grandparents will love it. And with a little help setting it up they will be streaming their favourite shows, keep up with family, or booking their next holiday in no time at all.