Black Friday Apple deals get even better for iPad Air — three colors hit their lowest prices

If you’ve been eyeing a new tablet for streaming, scrolling or, oh, tackling a little work from the couch, Black Friday sales have just delivered a solid nudge: The iPad Air is now sitting at $449. That’s a $150 drop across all models — with Space Gray, Blue and Starlight at their lowest prices. (Oh, and if you’re trying to figure out which iPad makes sense for you, our guide to the best iPads of 2025 breaks down what’s best for each model. Spoiler: The Air is one of our top picks.)

Why is this a good deal? 💰

Saving $150 on any piece of Apple tech is rare, and if you’re planning to spoil a techie with a new tablet this Christmas, wouldn’t it be nice to check that item off your list early?

Why do I need this? 🤔

You might be thinking, “I have a phone. I have a laptop. Why do I need a tablet?” This iPad is the sweet spot between the two, especially for anyone who wants a bit more computing power than the regular iPad and iPad mini. Need some more expressive options than touchscreens and onscreen keyboards? The Air is compatible with both the wireless Magic Keyboard and the Apple Pencil (first edition), so writing and drawing is a breeze. Reading and watching videos on the 11-inch screen is more fun than skimming on your phone.

“You know how a Corvette gets you where you’re going, fast and in style, just like a Lamborghini? That’s my take on the iPad Air,” says Yahoo Senior Tech Writer Rick Broida. “Ultimately, the Air is a good choice for anyone looking for a pro-level iPad without the price of a Pro.” (The Pro, in case you’re wondering, starts at $999 — on sale. Ouch.)

What the reviewers are saying 💬

The latest iPad Air has received more than 2,400 five-star reviews on Amazon.

Prof 👍

“I use it daily for reading books, email, typing/writing and many other daily activities,” said this Apple enthusiast. “I was worried that the screen was too small, but it’s very clear and bright. I was surprised, and the size is perfect for my needs. The battery life is excellent, and even when using it on the brightest setting, it lasts more than a day.”

An entrepreneur found this device perfect for his business. “I recently upgraded to a 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 bought 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 to edit very large photos in the field. On my old iPad, the unit closed the Photoshop app unexpectedly with some large files. I haven’t had any problems with this iPad Air M3 with any large files. What I love most is that it’s a painless transition from my old iPad and the extra power.

Opposition 👎

While the iPad Air is more powerful than the regular iPad and iPad mini, it still pales next to the iPad Pro. “I have a 2019 iPad Pro 11 first-gen, so the specs aren’t impressive with the new iPad Air,” warned the four-star reviewer. “That being said, it’s as cool as it gets.”

Speaking of criticisms, here’s what Broida had to say: “For performance, the Air will more than satisfy most users. You should only consider going Pro if you’re capturing and editing a lot of video.” But he added this caveat: “If you already have an Apple Pencil 2, it won’t work here. Shame on you, Apple.” (The first gen Apple Pencil is compatible, though.)

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

If you have Amazon Prime, you get free shipping, of course. Not a member yet? 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.)