child playing on ipad at wooden table

Best Refurbished iPads for Kids: A Buyer’s Guide

If you’re considering getting your child their first iPad, the chances are that you’ve read about limiting screen time and adding parental controls. The truth is, when used appropriately, iPads and tablets can be a useful tool to support your child’s education and offer them some downtime. But what is the best iPad for kids?

We think that choosing a refurbished iPad for your child is a great decision – you’ll get a device that works like new for a fraction of the cost, while saving it from landfill. Children don’t need the latest, most powerful device with all the top features – so why pay more? We think that the iPad Air 2 16GB in Space Grey offers the best value for money, but we’ll go through the best refurbished iPads for kids and the considerations you’ll want to bear in mind.

Best refurbished iPads for kids

 
iPadCostStorageScreen sizeiPadOSFeatures

 

iPad Air 2 Wifi

 

From £109.95
16GB
32GB
64GB
128GB
9.7″
iPadOS 15
8MP camera
A8X processor
Fingerprint-resistant coating
Runs Netflix and other latest apps
Suitable for reading and school work
iPad Mini 4 Wifi
 
From £139.95
16GB
32GB
64GB
128GB
7.9″
iPadOS 15
8MP camera
A8 chip
Fingerprint-resistant coating
Runs Netflix and other latest apps
Ideal for younger children
iPad 6 Wifi
From £169.95
32GB
128GB
9.7″
iPadOS 15/iPadOS 16
8MP camera
A10 Fusion chip
Fingerprint-resistant coating
Supports Apple Pencil
Runs all the latest apps
Suitable for reading and school work
iPad Pro 1 9.7 Wifi
From £179.95
32GB
128GB
256GB
9.7″
iPadOS 15/iPadOS 16
12 MP camera
Live Photos
Super-powerful A9X chip
Fingerprint-resistant coating
Supports Apple Pencil
Runs all the latest apps
Perfect for reading and school work

iPad Air 2

refurbished ipad air 2 space grey

Our recommendation for the best iPad for kids is the refurbished iPad Air 2 16GB Wifi Space Grey in Very Good Condition, but there are other colours and storage options available. At a fantastic price point with the Good Condition model starting at £109.95, it offers great value for money. Compatible with iPadOS 15, your child will be able to watch Netflix and YouTube and download as many educational apps and games as the device will hold.

The iPad Air 2’s 9.7″ screen is pleasant for children to hold, and is suitable for reading or doing school work on as well as streaming and playing games. Add a keyboard accessory and this iPad becomes an ideal portable learning tool for children and teenagers alike.

iPad Mini 4

refurbished ipad 6 space grey

If you’re looking for something a little smaller, the refurbished iPad Mini 4 16GB Wifi Silver in Good Condition is a great option. This version starts at £139.95, still offering good value for money, and is better for younger children. With a screen size of 7.9″, it’ll be easier for toddlers and young children to hold but will still allow them to watch videos and play games. Its smaller size also means the iPad Mini 4 is super-portable, so is ideal for popping in a bag to take out with you in case of meltdowns!

iPad 6

refurbished ipad 6 space grey

If you’re buying for an older child or just want your child to have something a bit more substantial, the refurbished iPad 6 32GB Wifi Space Grey in Good Condition is an excellent choice. Starting from £169.95, the iPad 6 is an affordable option for children that might want to use it to do their school work. It’s also compatible with the Apple Pencil, which unlocks a whole other world of activities for children, including improving their drawing and graphic design skills.

The iPad 6 is also compatible with iPadOS 16, coming in autumn 2022, so your child will be able to access all the latest features and security updates from Apple for at least another year.

iPad Pro 1 9.7

refurbished iPad Pro 9.7

The iPad Pro 1 9.7-inch is our premium option for the best refurbished iPad for kids. While most children won’t need the power that’s behind an iPad Pro, it’s a great option for older teenagers that are studying and need something to keep up with them. It also has a 12 megapixel camera and supports Live Photos, so your kids will love wowing people with their snaps. The 32GB wifi option starts at £179.95, so is still great value for money and would make a brilliant birthday or Christmas present.

This iPad will also get iPadOS 16, so should see your teen through a few years yet.

How to choose the right refurbished iPad for your child

When you’re finding the best refurbished iPad for your kids, there are a few things to consider:

  • Your budget
  • How old your child is
  • What your child will use it for

Budget

The best refurbished iPad for your kids will depend on your budget. There are refurbished iPads available for less than £100, like the iPad 4, but they aren’t likely to be upgradable to the latest iPadOS. These iPads are most suited to adults or children that will only use them for browsing. If your child will want to use apps like Netflix and BBC iPlayer, it’s worth setting a budget of around £130 or more.

Your child’s age

How old your child is will also have an impact on the best refurbished iPad for them. Do they have such small hands that they will need a smaller-sized iPad? Or will they benefit from a larger one that they can keep hold of more easily?

Typical usage

You’ll also need to consider what your child will use their refurbished iPad for. We know most kids will want access to YouTube, Netflix and plenty of gaming apps, so we’d always recommend a model that is upgradable to the latest ipadOS or the OS just before the latest one. Choosing an iPad with the latest iPadOS also ensures that security is at its best, which is ideal for younger users that might not be aware of suspicious links and downloads.

Refurbished iPads are great for kids. While we know they shouldn’t spend all day, every day on them, they’re a great learning tool for all ages and offer children some downtime after a busy day at school. We think the iPad Air 2 is the best choice – don’t agree? Let us know your thoughts on Facebook!

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