When you’ve determined which Apple iPad you need, the subsequent step is discovering the correct equipment. For getting work achieved, you’ll possible desire a mouse and keyboard. For drawing and note-taking, a stylus is the plain alternative, however we additionally advocate a paper-like display protector for added texture. Energy banks allow you to recharge your slate at any time when it’s essential and a hub helps you get probably the most out of your iPad’s processing energy with connections for wired peripherals. After testing (and proudly owning) iPads over time, we’ve singled out a dozen-plus equipment that assist increase what Apple’s tablets can do.
Which iPad era do you personal?
Earlier than you splurge on a bunch of equipment, you must double test which iPad generation you personal. There are a few methods to do that: first, you may test the again of your pill for its mannequin quantity, which can begin with an “A” and finish with a sequence of numbers. It’s also possible to go into Settings in your iPad, then Normal and search for the mannequin quantity within the prime part. In the event you see a sequence of letters and numbers with a slash (“/“) in it, simply faucet that to disclose the iPad’s true mannequin quantity.
An important iPad particulars to contemplate earlier than shopping for equipment are the charging port, display dimension and Apple Pencil compatibility. Most iPads now have USB-C charging, save for the Ninth-gen iPad that also makes use of a Lightning connector (and is on the best way out anyway). Be sure to double test your iPad’s display dimension earlier than shopping for a case or a display protector. As for the Apple Pencil, try this information to how to choose the right Apple Pencil to be sure you’re getting the correct one for the pill you may have.
Greatest iPad equipment for 2024
Otterbox is an knowledgeable in relation to safety, as seen with their cellphone circumstances, however its Symmetry Series 360 series reveals that it has design chops, too. Symmetry circumstances look just like the Apple’s Good Cowl, however the clear, scratch-resistant again is sturdy with out including a whole lot of weight to the iPad. Plus, the sting safety is substantial, so that you gained’t have to fret about injury from the inevitable, unintentional bumps your pill takes. I additionally like the additional flap Otterbox added that retains the iPad display cowl closed and holds the second-generation Apple Pencil to the aspect of the iPad Professionals. Symmetry Sequence 360 circumstances can be found for many iPad fashions, and whereas they’re costlier than some no-name iPad case you would possibly discover on Amazon, they’re value it if you need an excellent stability of safety and elegance.
Talking of cheaper iPad circumstances that replenish Amazon’s search consequence pages, some which are really worthwhile are from Moko and ProCase. In the event you like the feel and appear of Apple’s Good Cowl, however don’t wish to drop $50-plus on one, each of those manufacturers have dupes that offer you that type at a fraction of the price of the first-party choice. — Valentina Palladino, Deputy Editor
Of the plethora of iPad stands I’ve used, Twelve South’s HoverBar Duo is the one which has come closest to good. The “duo” within the identify refers to the truth that the gadget can both prop your iPad up utilizing an arm hooked up to a weighted base, or the identical arm simply hooked up to a desk or desk utilizing its included clamp. The stand comes absolutely assembled on the weighted base, but it surely’s fairly simple to modify to the clamp due to the included directions and primary instruments within the field. In the event you spring for the latest model, it’ll be even simpler due to a brand new quick-switch tab that allows you to swap between the weighted base and the clamp attachment with any further instruments.
It wasn’t laborious to safe my 11-inch iPad Professional within the vice-grip that’s the HoverBar Duo’s pill clip, though it did take some drive to maneuver the arm into the correct place. That’s in all probability for one of the best as a result of it confirmed how sturdy the arm is; it stayed in place with out buckling, sliding down or in any other case breaking a sweat. I largely used the HoverBar Duo with the clamp attachment, which allowed me to make use of my iPad Professional as a secondary display whereas working. The included clamp ought to match most desks and tables too, as it could actually accommodate floor thickness from 0.4 inch to 1.4 inches.
In the event you’re keen to sacrifice flexibility for one thing extra elegant, Elago’s P2 stand for iPad could also be a great match. It’s made from a single piece of aluminum with a ledge on your iPad and some well-placed cutouts you could snake a charging cable by way of. The ledge can be extensive sufficient to accommodate most iPad circumstances. It might not be foldable or adjustable, however its minimalist design will make it a sexy addition to your desk. — V.P.
Probably the greatest Bluetooth keyboards I’ve used lately is the Logitech MX Keys Mini. It’s not designed particularly for the iPad, but it surely works fairly properly with it. It combines a whole lot of the ergonomics and the final feel and look of the MX lineup right into a compact and moveable keyboard. The Keys Mini has a slim profile that’s barely raised because of its prime bar, plus comfy backlit keys which are a dream to kind on. The backlight is one among my favourite options as a result of it mechanically comes on when it senses your palms getting near the keyboard. That means it solely stays illuminated once you’re typing, conserving battery life in the long term. Logitech estimates the Keys Mini will last as long as 10 days, relying on backlight use, or as much as 5 months with none backlight use.
Logitech’s $100 MX Keys Mini could also be on the costly aspect, but it surely’s one which might be each your iPad keyboard and your foremost desk typing gadget. It might probably hook up with as much as three units on the similar time, permitting you to swap between them rapidly with only a press of a key, and it has a number of different helpful keys too like one which brings up the emoji picker and one other that mutes your microphone (fairly helpful on Zoom calls). However if you need an iPad keyboard that’s much more reasonably priced, and even thinner, we nonetheless just like the Logitech Keys to Go, which we’ve advisable prior to now and you may normally discover for between $50 and $70. — V.P.
In the event you actually wish to indulge, Apple’s personal Magic Keyboard is the best way to go. This costly keyboard case magnetically attaches to the newest iPad Professionals and retains them “floating” above the keyboard and trackpad. We praised the Magic Keyboard for its typing consolation and exact trackpad, however dinged it for its restricted vary of movement. It’s simply the fanciest keyboard case out there for the iPad and it’s one to contemplate if cash isn’t any object — or if you need probably the most fashionable iPad keyboard cash should buy. — V.P.
This possible gained’t come as a shock, however the Apple Pencil Pro is one of the best stylus you may get for the iPad. All fashions of the Apple Pencil are designed to work particularly with iPads and it reveals of their easy writing efficiency. The most recent stylus has a double-tap function you could customise to a sure diploma, and pressure-sensitivity lets you add as a lot or as little element as you wish to digital art work. Plus, it nonetheless helps wi-fi charging once you snap it magnetically to the aspect of your pill. I extremely advocate shelling out the extra cash for an Apple Pencil when you’re an artist — you gained’t be disillusioned. — V.P.
There are different choices which are extra reasonably priced than the Apple Pencil, although, like Logitech’s Crayon. It’s simply pretty much as good when it comes to latency and accuracy — drawing in Procreate was a lag-free expertise and my strokes at all times ended up precisely the place I wished them to be – and it’s much more grippy by default due to its oval-shaped design. However as somebody who primarily makes use of an Apple Pencil for digital artwork, I missed stress sensitivity when utilizing the Crayon.
Other than that, the opposite greatest annoyance is that you need to use a Lightning or USB-C cable to cost it. (Even the latest mannequin for the iPad Professionals doesn’t magnetically connect to the pill for charging.) Whereas I wouldn’t recommend the Crayon for critical artists, I might advocate it for anybody who’s on a strict funds, particularly digital journal-keepers, dedicated note-takers and the like. — V.P.
We referred to as Logitech’s MX Anywhere 3S a “nearly ideal travel mouse.” It’s gentle at simply 95 grams and the buttons are practically silent so that you gained’t bug anybody within the room along with your livid clicking. The improved 8K DPI optical sensor works on nearly any floor — together with, for instance, the upholstered arm of your sofa. Relying on the colour you choose, the MX Anyplace 3S is constituted of between 61 and 78 p.c post-consumer recycled plastic. And the rechargeable battery lasts round 70 days on a cost. This era doesn’t embrace a USB dongle (which wouldn’t work along with your iPad anyway) however we by no means seen any lag in Bluetooth efficiency in our assessments anyway. — Amy Skorheim, Reporter
Working at a pc is usually a ache within the neck (actually), so I wished a method to play with my iPad after work with out having to carry my head off the sofa. Certain, I may use my arms, however that will get tiring. This Tablift iPad holder appears to be like slightly humorous, like some mech-spider attacking your chest, but it surely works precisely as I’d hoped. The adjustable legs are repositionable however fairly sturdy as soon as they’re in place, and three slots maintain your pill at completely different angles, together with a forward-leaning one which’s notably good for mendacity down. It’s slightly cumbersome, so I curl up the legs and retailer it underneath my sofa. The slots and securing clip carry out finest in case your gadget is bare, although I’ve been ready to make use of it with a Smart Folio hooked up with little difficulty. — A.S.
In the event you plan on pushing your iPad Professional to its limits as a every day driver, you’ll in all probability want greater than the pill’s single USB-C port. Apple has offered little steerage to which USB-C hubs and adapters work finest with the iPad Professionals — there’s no MFi certification for equipment like this but. Some hubs particularly promote that they work with the latest iPad Professionals, and if you wish to be further secure, I like to recommend shopping for a kind of that comes from a good model.
Satechi’s $100 Aluminum Stand and Hub is a favourite for its foldable design and the way it packs ports and charging capabilities right into a compact iPad accent. The holder itself rotates outward, revealing a hidden, hooked up USB-C cable and a rubber bumper that retains the stand in place in your desk. On the again edge are a 4K HDMI socket, one USB-A port, a headphone jack, each SD and microSD card slots and a 60W USB-C connection for charging.
I appreciated the flexibility of Satechi’s hub. I may simply use it after I wanted to prop my iPad as much as watch a YouTube video, and by simply plugging within the hooked up cable, I may swap to utilizing my iPad as extra of a piece gadget with all the mandatory connectors in place. It’s additionally surprisingly gentle at 10 ounces. Mix that with its foldable design and you’ve got a full-featured hub that may simply be stuffed in a bag. — V.P.
Not everybody wants, or needs, to spend $100 on a dock for his or her iPad. (In the event you’re utilizing it as a laptop computer alternative, it’s definitely worth the funding.) In the event you’d relatively spend much less, or simply need one thing a bit extra light-weight, Anker’s 7-in-1 USB-C hub is an efficient alternative. It has most ports that you may ever need, with the one exception being an Ethernet jack. The slim dongle homes two USB-A ports, two USB-C connections, SD and microSD card slots and a 4K/30Hz HDMI port. We additionally like that it supplies as much as 85W of pass-through charging, which implies you may energy up your iPad whereas utilizing Anker’s hub as the primary connector between the pill and its charging cable. Anker makes a few variations of this hub, together with one that does have that coveted Ethernet port, but it surely’s laborious to beat $35 for the usual 7-in-1 mannequin. — V.P.
Apple and different tech corporations are more and more leaving wall adapters out of their units’ containers, so it’s value choosing up a pair that may deal with charging a few items of tech as rapidly as doable. Anker’s 45W Nano II GaN adapter is an efficient one as a result of it could actually fast-charge iPhones and iPads, plus the gallium nitride technology constructed into it helps stop overheating. In only a half hour of charging, I received a couple of 33 p.c increase in battery life on my 11-inch iPad Professional when utilizing this accent. Gallium nitride can be an enormous purpose why the 45W adapter is smaller than a whole lot of competing adapters out there now, together with Apple’s. We additionally like its foldable design, which can permit it to suit higher in cramped areas and in journey baggage. — V.P.
Of all the facility banks we tested, the Nimble Champ Pro was the second quickest to refill an iPad. The quickest total was Mophie’s large Powerstation Professional, however that one is de facto overkill when you’re simply utilizing it for a pill. The Champ Professional, then again, has a slim profile, a helpful carrying strap and two USB-C ports. On a fifth-generation iPad Air, it moved the battery gauge from 5 p.c to full in underneath two hours — and it nonetheless had sufficient juice leftover to present it one other 75 p.c bump. That is the pack I seize after I’m having fun with my iPad on the sofa and don’t wish to stand up to revive its dying battery. — A.S.
Paper-feel display protectors
In the event you’re a heavy person of the Apple Pencil or another stylus, you must contemplate getting a display protector on your new iPad. They pull double-duty: Not solely do they act as a primary line of protection in case your iPad goes careening onto concrete, however they will additionally improve the digital drawing and writing expertise. Utilizing a stylus on an iPad is unusual at first as a result of gliding the stylus nib over a glass floor feels nothing like “regular” writing. Matte display protectors can get nearer to replicating the pen-on-paper expertise, they usually additionally stop the stylus nib from sporting down as rapidly.
Paperlike is the preferred model on this area, with matte display protectors for each mannequin of iPad. A set comes with two sheets and consists of information stickers that can assist you get the protector positioned correctly. The 2-pack sometimes sells for $40 ro $45, relying on the dimensions of your iPad. For one thing slightly cheaper, Bersem’s screen protectors are an excellent worth at $11 for a pack of two. Not solely does the matte end assist once you’re drawing or taking digital notes, but it surely additionally reduces display glare and doesn’t intervene with FaceID on the latest iPads. — A.S.
Bellemond’s “Kent Paper” overlay has probably the most satisfying texture of the paper-feel display protectors I’ve tried. The blur is minimal and the friction between the stylus and the display is good for drawing. I miraculously managed to get the Bellemond affixed with minimal bubbles after watching the video linked with the QR code on the field. Two sheets are available a pack, so you may revert to a unadorned display for some time then return to the paper-feel down the highway. In the event you’d like slightly extra assist with correct placement of your display protector, you would possibly recognize Zagg’s GlassFusion+ Canvas which comes with a mounting tray for software. It’s additionally constituted of a polymer designed to soak up and defend your display from influence. — A.S.
All paper-feel protectors impart a slight blur, which is why magnetic covers you could reposition make stable options. They provide texture once you’re drawing or writing, however you may take away them simply once you wish to watch Star Trek with full readability. The PenMat from PenTips makes use of skinny magnets alongside the sides to affix the movie to your display and comes with a plastic sleeve to retailer the quilt once you’re not utilizing it. Software and elimination is lifeless easy, and likewise, there are not any bubbles! The maintain is surprisingly safe and the mat has a lovely, velvety texture. I did discover a number of faint squeaks when drawing with the Pencil, which didn’t trouble me however would possibly bug those that are delicate to sounds. — A.S.
Trending Merchandise