Once you’ve decided which iPad you want, the next step is finding the right accessories. For getting work done, you’ll likely want a mouse and keyboard. For drawing and note-taking, a stylus is the obvious choice, but we also recommend a paper-like screen protector for added texture. Power banks let you recharge your slate whenever you need to and a hub helps you get the most out of your iPad’s processing power with connections for wired peripherals. After testing (and owning) iPads over the years, we’ve singled out a dozen-plus accessories that help expand what Apple’s tablets can do.
Before you splurge on a bunch of accessories, you should double check which iPad generation you own. There are a couple of ways to do this: first, you can check the back of your tablet for its model number, which will start with an “A” and end with a series of numbers. You can also go into Settings on your iPad, then General and look up the model number in the top section. If you see a series of letters and numbers with a slash (“/“) in it, just tap that to reveal the iPad’s true model number.
The most recent iPad is the 10th-gen iPad, which was released in 2022, but Apple still sells the 9th-gen iPad as well. Other iPad models include the 5th-gen iPad Air, the 6th-gen iPad mini and the 6th-gen iPad Pros. Apple usually announces new iPads in the fall after its iPhone event, but it’s unclear if the company will do so this year.
The most important iPad details to consider before buying accessories are the charging port, screen size and Apple Pencil compatibility. Most iPads now have USB-C charging, save for the 9th-gen iPad that still uses a Lightning connector. Make sure to double check your iPad’s screen size before buying a case or a screen protector. As for the Apple Pencil, both the 9th- and 10th-gen iPad support only the 1st-gen stylus, while all other iPads can use the 2nd-gen Apple Pencil.
OtterBox
Otterbox is an expert when it comes to protection, as seen with their phone cases, but its Symmetry Series 360 series shows that it has design chops, too.
$50 at Amazon
Twelve South
The “duo” in this stand’s name refers to the fact that it can either prop your iPad up using an arm attached to a weighted base, or the same arm just attached to a desk or table using its included clamp.
$42 at Amazon
Logitech
This keyboard combines a lot of the ergonomics and the general look and feel of the MX lineup into a compact and portable accessory.
$80 at Amazon
Engadget
If you really want to indulge, Apple’s own Magic Keyboard is the way to go. This expensive case magnetically attaches to the latest iPad Pros and keeps them “floating” above the keyboard and trackpad.
$214 at Amazon
Photo by Valentina Palladino / Engadget
Both the first- and second-generation Pencils are designed to work specifically with iPads, and it shows in their smooth writing performance.
$115 at Amazon
Photo by Valentina Palladino / Engadget
If you want a more affordable Apple Pencil alternative, Logitech’s Crayon is your best bet.
$68 at Amazon
Photo by Sam Rutherford / Engadget
The Anywhere 3S is perfectly compact, nearly silent and works on just about any surface, couch cushions included.
$80 at Amazon
Photo by Amy Skorheim / Engadget
This Tablift iPad holder looks a little funny, like some mech-spider attacking your chest, but it works exactly as I’d hoped. The adjustable legs are quite sturdy once they’re in place, and three slots hold your tablet at different angles, including a forward-leaning one that’s particularly nice for lying down.
$50 at Amazon
Satechi
Satechi’s accessory is a favorite for its foldable design and how it packs ports and charging capabilities into a compact, multipurpose device.
$100 at Amazon
Anker
This slim dongle houses two USB-A ports, two USB-C connections, SD and microSD card slots and a 4K/30Hz HDMI port – basically almost all of the ports you’d ever need.
$35 at Amazon
SAMSUNG
We like Samsung’s T7 series of portable SSDs for their slick designs, fast speeds and various modes of protection.
$110 at Amazon
Photo by Valentina Palladino / Engadget
We like this charger from Anker because it can fast-charge iPhones and iPads, plus the gallium nitride technology built into it helps prevent overheating.
$28 at Amazon
If you’re a heavy user of the Apple Pencil or some other stylus, you should consider getting a screen protector for your new iPad. They pull double-duty: Not only do they act as a first line of defense if your iPad goes careening onto concrete, but they can also enhance the digital drawing and writing experience. Using a stylus on an iPad is strange at first because gliding the stylus nib over a glass surface feels nothing like “normal” writing. Matte screen protectors can get closer to replicating the pen-on-paper experience, and they also prevent the stylus nib from wearing down as quickly.
Paperlike
Paperlike is the most popular brand in the paper-feel protector space, with matte screen protectors for every model of iPad. A set comes with two sheets and includes guide stickers to help you get the sheet positioned properly.
$45 at Amazon
Photo by Amy Skorheim / Engadget
Bellemond’s “Kent Paper” overlay has the most satisfying texture of the paper-feel screen protectors I’ve tried. The blur is minimal and the friction between the stylus and the screen is just right for drawing.
$16 at Amazon
Photo by Amy Skorheim / Engadget
The PenMat from PenTips uses thin magnets along the edges to affix the film to your screen and comes with a plastic sleeve to store the cover when you’re not using it. Application and removal is dead simple, and also, there are no bubbles!
$29 at PenTips
