Apple's 'magically thin and light' iPad Air is a record $150 off during the Labor Day sale

On the hunt for a new tablet for watching movies, playing games or working from the couch? You've picked a good time because the iPad Air is at a record-low price of $449 right now ahead of the Labor Day sale — that's $150 off the base model in all four colors. That's even less than it was on Prime Day.

Wondering what the differences are between a smartphone, a desktop computer and an iPad, and what exactly you might need from an Apple tablet? We have you covered — check out our guide to the best iPad of 2025.

This is the iPad Air's lowest price ever, and one we don't expect to see go lower (if it does at all!) until holiday shopping madness sets in later this fall.

You might be thinking, "I've got a phone. I've got a laptop. Why do I need a tablet?" This iPad is a sweet spot between the two, especially for anyone who's craving extra computing power that the regular iPad and the iPad mini don't offer. Need a little more than the touchscreen and onscreen keyboard? It's compatible with both the wireless Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil (the first version), so writing and drawing are a breeze. Reading and watching videos on the iPad's 11-inch screen is much more enjoyable than on your phone as well.

"You know how a Corvette will get you where you're going, fast and in style, the same way a Lamborghini will? That's my take on the iPad Air, " says Yahoo Senior Tech Writer Rick Broida. "Ultimately, the Air makes a good choice for anyone seeking a pro-level iPad without the Pro's price." (The Pro, if you're wondering, starts at $896 on sale — ouch.)

The latest iPad Air is so new that it's still amassing Amazon reviews, but a whopping 1,200 of them are a perfect five stars.

Pros 👍

"I use this daily for reading books, email, typing/writing and many more daily activities," said this Apple enthusiast. "I was concerned that the screen was too small, but it is so clear and bright. I am amazed, and the size is perfect for my needs. The battery life is great, and even using it on a brighter setting, it lasts more than a day."

"Magically thin and light," said another happy devotee. "The display is the nicest display I've ever laid eyes on. Performance is top tier. I play games at 120fps and it doesn't miss a beat."

An entrepreneur found that the newest iPad was perfect for their business. "I recently upgraded to the 2025 iPad Air ... and it has exceeded my expectations. The M3 chip makes everything incredibly smooth — whether I'm running multiple apps for my small business, sketching ideas for custom cakes or streaming content."

"Familiar yet faster and more powerful. I purchased this to replace my 8th-generation iPad," said another repeat buyer. "I'm an amateur photographer and wanted the extra power and speed of the M3 processor for editing very large photos in the field. On my older iPad, some of the large files caused the unit to close the Photoshop app unexpectedly. I have had no problems with this iPad Air M3 with any large files. What I love the most about it, is [that] it is a painless transition from my older iPad. It just has extra speed and power. I'm new to Apple Intelligence, but really look forward to incorporating it in my photo editing."

Cons 👎

While the iPad Air is more powerful than the regular iPad and the iPad mini, it still pales next to the iPad Pro. "I have a 2019 iPad Pro 11 first-gen, so the specs are not impressive with the new iPad Air," cautioned a four-star reviewer. "That being said, it is as snappy as it gets."

Speaking of critiques, here's what Broida had to say: "As for performance, the Air will more than satisfy the vast majority of users. Only if you're capturing and editing a lot of video should you consider going Pro." But he added, "If you already own an Apple Pencil 2, it won't work here. For shame, Apple." (The first-gen Apple Pencil is compatible, however.)

The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.

If you have Amazon Prime, you'll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial here. (And by the way, those without Prime still get free shipping on orders of $35 or more.)

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