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Update: These prices were part of a March 2025 promotion and may no longer be available. Best Buy’s Tech Fest promotion was reported on March 19, 2025, updated March 21, and was scheduled to end that Sunday. Check Best Buy’s current iPad sale listings for live pricing, inventory and eligibility.
The best value of the three was the 11-inch M3 iPad Air at $549. The $399 iPad mini 7 was the better choice for portability, while the $1,199 2TB M2 iPad Pro made sense mainly for buyers who genuinely needed enormous local storage and Pro-class hardware.
The three original deals at a glance
| Model | Original deal price | Comparable price | Advertised saving | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11-inch iPad Air, M3, 128GB, Wi‑Fi | $549 | $599 | $50 | Most shoppers |
| iPad mini 7, A17 Pro, 128GB, Wi‑Fi | $399 | $499 | $100 | Travel and portability |
| 11-inch iPad Pro, M2, 2TB, Wi‑Fi | $1,199 | $1,899 | $700 | Specialist, high-storage use |
Those were the prices and configurations reported in the original Laptop Mag coverage. They should be treated as historical promotion prices, not guaranteed September 2026 offers.
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Best overall: 11-inch M3 iPad Air for $549
The M3 iPad Air was the strongest mainstream deal because it balanced performance, screen size and price better than the other two options. Its 11-inch Liquid Retina display, 128GB storage and M3 chip gave it substantially more headroom for schoolwork, office apps, creative software and multitasking than a basic iPad, without approaching the Pro’s $1,199 deal price.
#1 Best Overall
- WHY IPAD — The 11-inch iPad is now more capable than ever with the superfast A16 chip, a stunning Liquid Retina display, advanced cameras, fast Wi-Fi, USB-C connector, and four gorgeous colors.* iPad delivers a powerful way to create, stay connected, and get things done.
- PERFORMANCE AND STORAGE — The superfast A16 chip delivers a boost in performance for your favorite activities. And with all-day battery life, iPad is perfect for playing immersive games and editing photos and videos.* Storage starts at 128GB and goes up to 512GB.*
- 11-INCH LIQUID RETINA DISPLAY — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display is an amazing way to watch movies or draw your next masterpiece.* True Tone adjusts the display to the color temperature of the room to make viewing comfortable in any light.
- IPADOS + APPS — iPadOS makes iPad more productive, intuitive, and versatile. With iPadOS, run multiple apps at once, use Apple Pencil to write in any text field with Scribble, and edit and share photos.* iPad comes with essential apps like Safari, Messages, and Keynote, with over a million more apps designed specifically for iPad available on the App Store.
- FAST WI-FI CONNECTIVITY — Wi-Fi 6 gives you fast access to your files, uploads, and downloads, and lets you seamlessly stream your favorite shows.
The featured configuration included a 2360×1640 display rated at 500 nits, 8GB of memory, 12MP cameras, landscape front-camera positioning, stereo speakers and support for Apple Pencil Pro. Apple described the M3 Air as up to 50% faster than the previous-generation M2 Air; that is Apple’s claim, not independent testing.
The original article also mentioned a possible effective price as low as $249 with a qualifying trade-in. That was not the normal checkout price. The final amount depended on the device traded in, its condition, eligibility and Best Buy’s valuation. Treat $549 as the ordinary advertised price and any trade-in credit as a separate, variable discount.
The main drawback in 2026 is age. Apple’s current buying page lists the iPad Air with an M4 chip, so an M3 Air is now a previous-generation model. It can still be the better financial choice if remaining new stock is meaningfully cheaper than an M4 Air, but compare the exact storage, warranty and condition before buying.
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- WHY IPAD — The 11-inch iPad is now more capable than ever with the superfast A16 chip, a stunning Liquid Retina display, advanced cameras, fast Wi-Fi, USB-C connector, and four gorgeous colors.* iPad delivers a powerful way to create, stay connected, and get things done.
- PERFORMANCE AND STORAGE — The superfast A16 chip delivers a boost in performance for your favorite activities. And with all-day battery life, iPad is perfect for playing immersive games and editing photos and videos.* Storage starts at 128GB and goes up to 512GB.*
- 11-INCH LIQUID RETINA DISPLAY — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display is an amazing way to watch movies or draw your next masterpiece.* True Tone adjusts the display to the color temperature of the room to make viewing comfortable in any light.
- IPADOS + APPS — iPadOS makes iPad more productive, intuitive, and versatile. With iPadOS, run multiple apps at once, use Apple Pencil to write in any text field with Scribble, and edit and share photos.* iPad comes with essential apps like Safari, Messages, and Keynote, with over a million more apps designed specifically for iPad available on the App Store.
- FAST WI-FI CONNECTIVITY — Wi-Fi 6 gives you fast access to your files, uploads, and downloads, and lets you seamlessly stream your favorite shows.
Choose the M3 Air if:
- You want the best balance of speed, size and price.
- You plan to use a keyboard or Apple Pencil Pro.
- You want more longevity and app headroom than a base iPad provides.
- The M3 model costs substantially less than a comparable M4 Air.
Best compact option: iPad mini 7 for $399
The iPad mini 7 was the best deal for readers who value portability above workspace. Its A17 Pro chip, 8.3-inch 2266×1488 display, 128GB storage and low weight make it convenient for reading, travel, browsing, note-taking and one-handed use. It supports Apple Pencil with USB-C and remains the compact choice in Apple’s current iPad family.
The trade-off is the display area. An 8.3-inch screen is less comfortable for split-screen work, long documents, detailed editing and extended typing. A keyboard case can help, but it does not turn the mini into an especially spacious laptop replacement.
The mini therefore was not simply a cheaper version of the Air. It was a different type of purchase: a highly portable tablet for someone who may already have a laptop or larger screen.
Rank #3
- WHY IPAD — The 11-inch iPad is now more capable than ever with the superfast A16 chip, a stunning Liquid Retina display, advanced cameras, fast Wi-Fi, USB-C connector, and four gorgeous colors.* iPad delivers a powerful way to create, stay connected, and get things done.
- PERFORMANCE AND STORAGE — The superfast A16 chip delivers a boost in performance for your favorite activities. And with all-day battery life, iPad is perfect for playing immersive games and editing photos and videos.* Storage starts at 128GB and goes up to 512GB.*
- 11-INCH LIQUID RETINA DISPLAY — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display is an amazing way to watch movies or draw your next masterpiece.* True Tone adjusts the display to the color temperature of the room to make viewing comfortable in any light.
- IPADOS + APPS — iPadOS makes iPad more productive, intuitive, and versatile. With iPadOS, run multiple apps at once, use Apple Pencil to write in any text field with Scribble, and edit and share photos.* iPad comes with essential apps like Safari, Messages, and Keynote, with over a million more apps designed specifically for iPad available on the App Store.
- FAST WI-FI CONNECTIVITY — Wi-Fi 6 gives you fast access to your files, uploads, and downloads, and lets you seamlessly stream your favorite shows.
Choose the mini if:
- You read, travel or take notes frequently.
- One-handed use matters more than a large canvas.
- You already own a laptop for demanding productivity.
- You accept paying more per inch for the smaller form factor.
Biggest discount: 11-inch M2 iPad Pro with 2TB for $1,199
The M2 iPad Pro delivered the headline $700 saving, but the dollar discount needs context. The featured model had an unusually large 2TB storage capacity, which is why its comparable price was $1,899. It was not automatically the best value for a typical tablet buyer.
The configuration included an 11-inch display, an M2 chip, an 8-core CPU, a 10-core GPU, 2TB of storage and 8GB of RAM. It was aimed at buyers with large local media libraries, professional apps, design files or video projects, or those who specifically wanted Pro-class hardware.
Its biggest weakness is generational. Apple’s current lineup lists the iPad Pro with an M5 chip, making the M2 model a prior-generation product. The old Pro can still be rational at a genuinely deep discount, but do not confuse 2TB of storage with newer processor technology. Many buyers would be better served by a newer Air with less storage.
Rank #4
- WHY IPAD — The 11-inch iPad is now more capable than ever with the superfast A16 chip, a stunning Liquid Retina display, advanced cameras, fast Wi-Fi, USB-C connector, and four gorgeous colors.* iPad delivers a powerful way to create, stay connected, and get things done.
- PERFORMANCE AND STORAGE — The superfast A16 chip delivers a boost in performance for your favorite activities. And with all-day battery life, iPad is perfect for playing immersive games and editing photos and videos.* Storage starts at 128GB and goes up to 512GB.*
- 11-INCH LIQUID RETINA DISPLAY — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display is an amazing way to watch movies or draw your next masterpiece.* True Tone adjusts the display to the color temperature of the room to make viewing comfortable in any light.
- IPADOS + APPS — iPadOS makes iPad more productive, intuitive, and versatile. With iPadOS, run multiple apps at once, use Apple Pencil to write in any text field with Scribble, and edit and share photos.* iPad comes with essential apps like Safari, Messages, and Keynote, with over a million more apps designed specifically for iPad available on the App Store.
- FAST WI-FI CONNECTIVITY — Wi-Fi 6 gives you fast access to your files, uploads, and downloads, and lets you seamlessly stream your favorite shows.
Choose the M2 Pro only if:
- You genuinely need 2TB of local storage.
- You value Pro features and performance more than current-generation silicon.
- The discount is large enough to compensate for buying an older model.
- You have budgeted for accessories, protection and other ownership costs.
How to check whether an iPad deal is real now
Start with Best Buy’s live iPad sale page, then verify the individual product listing rather than relying on an old headline or search result.
- Match the exact configuration. Confirm the chip, screen size, storage, color and Wi‑Fi or cellular connectivity.
- Check condition. New, open-box, refurbished and clearance products should not be treated as equivalent.
- Confirm the seller. Check whether the item is sold by Best Buy or a marketplace seller, and review the applicable warranty.
- Enter your ZIP code. Pickup, delivery, availability and sometimes pricing can vary by location.
- Separate trade-in value from sale price. A trade-in-adjusted total is not the same as the product’s checkout price.
- Review return terms. Older or clearance inventory may have different restrictions.
- Add accessories to the budget. A Pencil, keyboard, AppleCare+ and cellular service can materially increase the total cost.
Best Buy’s price-match policy covers certain immediately available new products sold by Best Buy, but exclusions include marketplace, clearance, refurbished, open-box, financing, bundle, coupon, gift-card and limited-quantity offers. The policy also says a lower Best Buy price may be matched during the return-and-exchange period upon request, subject to its terms.
How these deals compare with current iPads
Apple’s current buying page lists four relevant product families: the base iPad with an A16 chip, the iPad Air with M4, the iPad mini with A17 Pro and the iPad Pro with M5. That makes the 2025 deals a choice between discounted older stock and newer hardware, not simply between three current models.
Best Value
- WHY IPAD PRO — iPad Pro with the Apple M5 chip delivers extraordinary performance for effortless productivity on a stunning display. Take on pro workflows with Neural Accelerators for AI and a redesigned iPadOS with game-changing capabilities.*
- PERFORMANCE AND STORAGE — iPad Pro with M5 brings next-generation speed and the power of on-device AI to all your tasks.* Featuring up to 2TB of storage, 16GB of memory, and Neural Accelerators for next-level AI performance.*
- IPADOS — Run pro apps and get more done with iPadOS 26 with Liquid Glass design and game-changing capabilities.* With an intuitive and flexible windowing system, you can control, organize, and manage your workflows like never before.
- APPLE INTELLIGENCE — Apple Intelligence is the personal intelligence system that helps you communicate, express yourself, and get things done effortlessly with groundbreaking privacy protections at every step.*
- 13-INCH ULTRA RETINA XDR DISPLAY — The world’s most advanced display, featuring extreme brightness, precise contrast, ProMotion, P3 wide color, and True Tone.* Nano-texture display glass available in 1TB and 2TB configurations
- Base iPad with A16: Consider it for basic browsing, streaming, schoolwork and general use when price matters most.
- M4 iPad Air: The natural newer alternative to the M3 Air for buyers who want a balanced performance tablet and the latest Air generation.
- A17 Pro iPad mini: The mini remains the compact option, particularly for reading and travel.
- M5 iPad Pro: The current high-end choice for buyers who need the newest Pro hardware and are willing to pay for it.
Use Apple’s iPad comparison and buying page to confirm current model families and exact configurations, then compare the total price with Best Buy’s listing.
What the $700 figure does—and does not—mean
The largest advertised saving was real within the March 2025 promotion, but it was attached to a specific 2TB M2 Pro configuration. It does not mean every iPad was $700 cheaper, and it does not make the Pro the best bargain for most households.
Likewise, the Air’s possible $249 effective cost was dependent on trade-in credit. The mini’s $100 reduction was a straightforward advertised price cut, but the smaller saving may still deliver better value for someone who wants a compact tablet and has no use for 2TB of storage.
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Finally, compare like with like. A 128GB Wi‑Fi Air, a 128GB mini and a 2TB Pro differ substantially in storage, size and intended use. Comparing only the percentage or dollar discount hides the more important question: which tablet fits the work you actually plan to do?
Verdict
For most shoppers, the M3 iPad Air was the best of the three at its original $549 price, provided a comparable newer M4 Air was not close in price. Choose the $399 mini if portability, reading and travel are your priorities. Consider the $1,199 M2 Pro only when you genuinely need 2TB of storage or specialized Pro hardware—and only after confirming that the listing is new, covered by an acceptable warranty and still meaningfully cheaper than a current M5 Pro.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
