iPads in comparison – which one is best suited for your smart home?

An iPad is the perfect control center for your smart home. It can be used to manage various aspects of your home - from lighting and heating control to sun protection and security. But choosing the right model can be tricky. It comes down to which features you need and which you can live without. Especially with the announcement of the new iPad Pro with M4 chip in May 2024, the question arises whether a new iPad is best suited for this purpose or whether an older model will suffice. Our iPad comparison for smart homes will help you decide.

What do you need to use your iPad as a wall control panel?

Smart home control requires appropriate software. The simplest iPad-based smart home solution is Apple HomeKit with the Home app. But the world of smart home is vast, and there are different systems for different needs. Are you building a new home and can connect smart devices through a wired system? Or are you upgrading your home and relying on wireless communication? These and other factors will influence your choice of the best smart home system for you. Many manufacturers also offer a companion app for their smart home accessories.

You also need at least an iPad 4, which allows you to set up your tablet as a smart home control panel to control various smart systems and components. If you want to use your control center on the go, you need a tablet with at least iOS 10.

What iPad features are important for smart homes?

Without a doubt, the most important and practical features for iPads in the smart home are voice control and the voice assistant. This means that instead of struggling to operate your iPad by hand, you can use your voice to tell it what to do. Also, make sure you have the right sensors. Do you want to use Touch ID or facial recognition to unlock your iPad? Your choice will affect the security of your device. The display should also be large enough and have a high-resolution to be easy and clear to use.

Remote access apps are especially useful. They allow you to control your iPad from your mobile phone while you are on the go. This means that you can access your permanently installed station at any time, whether you are on the road, traveling or anywhere else – provided your smartphone is compatible with the iPad.

iPads for a smart home in comparison: specifications at a glance

Apple currently offers several iPad models, including the iPad Pro, the iPad Air, the iPad and the iPad Mini. After the debut of the new iPad Air and iPad Pro in May 2024, the current lineup is as follows:

	iPad Pro M4	iPad Air M2	iPad (10. Generation)	iPad Mini
Display	11" or 13" Ultra Retina XDR Display 2752 x 2064 resolution at 264 ppi	11" or 13" Liquid Retina Display 2732 x 2048 resolution at 264 ppi	10,9" Liquid Retina Display 2360 x 1640 resolution at 264 ppi	8,3" Liquid Retina Display 2266 x 1488 resolution at 326 ppi
Speakers	4 speaker audio 4 studio-quality microphones	Stereo landscape speaker with 2x bass 2 microphones	Stereo landscape speaker 2 microphones	Stereo landscape speaker 2 microphones
Capacity	Up to 2 TB	Up to 1TB	Up to 256 GB	Up to 256 GB
Chip	M4 Chip Up to 10-Core CPU 16-Core Neural Engine 8 GB RAM	M2 Chip 8-Core CPU 16-Core Neural Engine 8 GB RAM	A14 Bionic Chip 6-Core CPU 16-Core Neural Engine	A15 Bionic Chip 6-Core CPU 16-Core Neural Engine
Battery and Power Supply	Up to 10 hours of web surfing with WLAN or video playback Charging via USB C on the computer or power supply unit	Up to 10 hours of web surfing with WLAN or video playback Charging via USB C on the computer or power supply unit	Up to 10 hours of web surfing with WLAN or video playback Charging via USB C on the computer or power supply unit	Up to 10 hours of web surfing with WLAN or video playback Charging via USB C on the computer or power supply unit
Sensors	Face ID LiDAR-Scanner 3-axis gyrosensor Acceleration sensor Ambient light sensor Barometer	Touch ID 3-axis gyrosensor Acceleration sensor Ambient light sensor Barometer	Touch ID 3-axis gyrosensor Acceleration sensor Ambient light sensor Barometer	Touch ID 3-axis gyrosensor Acceleration sensor Ambient light sensor Barometer
Siri	Send messages, create reminders and more by voice Listen to and recognize songs	Send messages, create reminders and more by voice Listen to and recognize songs	Send messages, create reminders and more by voice Listen to and recognize songs	Send messages, create reminders and more by voice Listen to and recognize songs

Place your iPad in a practical wall mount

If you want to turn your iPad into the control center of your smart home, an iPad wall mount is the perfect solution. The device is always within reach and mounted at the right height for comfortable use. The mounts from Displine are compatible with various Apple tablet models and display sizes - from the 1st to the 10th generation, whether iPad Pro, Air or mini.
Depending on the wall mount, there are both fixed and open tablet holders available for easy removal of the device. The advantage of closed mounts is that they can be screwed down to prevent removal without tools. This provides effective theft protection. Open mounts, such as the new Sunset and Moonlight for iPad, act as a docking station for the tablet. They are ideal if you want the flexibility to use your device in different places around the house or on the go and value a particularly elegant design.

Tip: To ensure your iPad is always ready for use, it should have a permanent charging connection. With the Displine 20W flush mount power supply with USB-C, you can easily charge it on the wall without visible charging cables.

Which is the best iPad to control your smart home?

Each iPad model is designed for a different purpose, from professional use to everyday companion. All iPads are powerful enough for a smart home. Even the basic models should be sufficient for the next eight to ten years to perform the rather simple tasks of a smart home.

• If you are looking for the best value for money and still want a tablet with the most important features for your smart home, the iPad 10 is a great choice.
• If you want a large screen with high-resolution detail, the iPad Air 13 is also worth recommending as the highlight of the 2024 premiere.
• If you appreciate a minimalist style or want to save space, consider an iPad mini.

In fact, we also recommend iPads that are now ten years old for your smart home. They work perfectly and let you control your smart home with apps. With one of our wall mounts, you can give that old device a new lease on life and experience it as a functional tool for everyday use.