Best Refurbished iPad Under $200 in 2026: iPad 5th Gen vs 6th Gen vs 8th Gen
Not every iPad needs an M-series chip and a $700 price tag. If what you actually want is a big screen for Netflix, homework, recipes, Kindle books, FaceTime and the occasional game, a certified refurbished iPad under $200 does all of that — and it does it without wrecking your budget.
At Strictli we stock three iPads that land comfortably under the $200 line: the refurbished iPad 5th Gen (9.7"), the refurbished iPad 6th Gen (9.7") and the refurbished iPad 8th Gen (10.2"). They look similar in a listing. They are not the same tablet. Here's how to pick.
iPad 5th Gen vs 6th Gen vs 8th Gen: the quick comparison
| Model | Screen | Chip | Apple Pencil | On Apple's iPadOS 26 list? | Strictli price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iPad 5th Gen (2017) | 9.7" Retina | A9 | No | No | From $94.99 |
| iPad 6th Gen (2018) | 9.7" Retina | A10 Fusion | Yes (1st gen) | No | From $104.99 |
| iPad 8th Gen (2020) | 10.2" Retina | A12 Bionic | Yes (1st gen) | Yes | From $169.99 |
Prices shown are Strictli starting prices as of August 10, 2026 and can change with stock and storage size.
iPad 5th Gen: the cheapest way into iPadOS
The 2017 iPad 5th Gen is the entry point — a 9.7-inch Retina screen, Touch ID, and Apple's A9 chip. It is genuinely fine for what most people hand a tablet to: streaming video, browsing, email, reading and video calls. Ours are Wi-Fi and cellular models, so you can add a data plan if you want an iPad that works away from home Wi-Fi.
What you give up: it does not support Apple Pencil, and it is no longer on Apple's iPadOS 26 compatibility list, so it will not pick up the newest iPadOS features. If the iPad is going to a kid, a guest room, or a kitchen counter, none of that matters much. If it's your main device, spend the extra and move up.
iPad 6th Gen: the cheapest iPad that takes an Apple Pencil
The 2018 iPad 6th Gen looks almost identical to the 5th Gen but adds two things that matter: a faster A10 Fusion chip and Apple Pencil (1st generation) support. That single feature is why this is the budget pick for students taking handwritten notes, anyone marking up PDFs, and kids who want to draw.
Like the 5th Gen, it has aged out of Apple's newest iPadOS release list. Think of it as a great $105 note-taking and sketching tablet rather than a long-term primary computer.
iPad 8th Gen: the best refurbished iPad under $200 overall
This is the one we recommend to most people. The 2020 iPad 8th Gen moves to a larger 10.2-inch Retina display and Apple's A12 Bionic chip, which is a meaningful jump over the A9 and A10 — apps open faster, more browser tabs stay in memory, and heavier games actually run.
The big one, though, is software: the iPad 8th Gen is on Apple's iPadOS 26 compatibility list, while the 5th and 6th Gen are not. That means current apps, current security updates, and a longer useful life. It also supports Apple Pencil (1st gen) and the Smart Connector for a Smart Keyboard, which turns it into a light homework-and-email machine.
One honest caveat: the iPad 8th Gen does not support Apple Intelligence. If AI features are the whole reason you're buying, you're shopping in a different price bracket.
What about the iPad Air 2 and iPad mini?
Two more cheap iPads worth knowing about. The refurbished iPad Air 2 is noticeably thinner and lighter than the standard iPads above, which makes it lovely to hold for long reading sessions. The refurbished iPad mini 4 is the one to get if you want something that fits in a coat pocket or a car door bin — it's the travel and e-reader pick.
Whichever you choose, add a case. A cheap iPad that survives a drop is a much better deal than a cheap iPad that doesn't — our OtterBox Defender rugged case for iPad 5th & 6th Gen is the one we hand to parents.
How to choose your cheap iPad in 10 seconds
Buying for a kid or a classroom
Go iPad 5th Gen or 6th Gen and put the money you saved into a rugged case. If they'll be handwriting or drawing, the 6th Gen and its Apple Pencil support is worth the extra $10.
Buying for streaming, reading and browsing
The iPad 8th Gen's bigger 10.2-inch screen is the difference-maker here, and the A12 Bionic keeps a busy browser feeling smooth.
Buying something you'll still use in three years
iPad 8th Gen, no contest. It's the only sub-$200 iPad on Apple's iPadOS 26 compatibility list, and software support is what determines how long a tablet stays useful.
Frequently asked questions
Is a refurbished iPad under $200 still worth it in 2026?
Yes, if you match the model to the job. For streaming, reading, browsing, homework and video calls, a refurbished iPad under $200 is one of the best value buys in tech — you're paying a fraction of new-iPad money for hardware that handles those tasks perfectly well.
Which cheap iPad still gets iPadOS updates?
Of the three compared here, the iPad 8th Gen is the one on Apple's iPadOS 26 compatibility list. The iPad 5th Gen and 6th Gen are not, so they stay on the last iPadOS version they shipped support for and won't receive the newest features.
Can you use an Apple Pencil with a refurbished iPad under $200?
Yes — the iPad 6th Gen and iPad 8th Gen both work with the Apple Pencil (1st generation). The iPad 5th Gen does not support Apple Pencil at all, so skip it if note-taking or drawing is the point.
What's the difference between refurbished and used?
A used iPad is sold as-is by whoever had it last. A Strictli certified refurbished iPad has been tested, cleaned, data-wiped, unlocked and covered by a 1-year warranty, and it ships with a charger. Same savings, far less risk.
Next post
The Best Small Refurbished Tablet in 2026: iPad mini 6 vs iPad 8th Gen vs Galaxy Tab S7
Updated on 18 September 2026