When you’ve determined which Apple iPad you need, the following step is discovering the correct equipment. For getting work accomplished, you’ll possible desire a mouse and keyboard. For drawing and note-taking, a stylus is the plain selection, however we additionally suggest a paper-like display screen protector for added texture. Energy banks allow you to recharge your slate at any time when it’s worthwhile to and a hub helps you get essentially 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 broaden what Apple’s tablets can do.
Which iPad technology do you personal?
Earlier than you splurge on a bunch of equipment, you must double verify which iPad technology you personal. There are a few methods to do that: first, you’ll be able to verify the again of your pill for its mannequin quantity, which is able to begin with an “A” and finish with a collection of numbers. You may as well go into Settings in your iPad, then Common and search for the mannequin quantity within the high part. Should you see a collection 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 screen 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 way in which out anyway). Ensure that to double verify your iPad’s display screen dimension earlier than shopping for a case or a display screen protector. As for the Apple Pencil, try this information to how to decide on the correct Apple Pencil to be sure to’re getting the correct one for the pill you’ve.
Greatest iPad equipment for 2024
Otterbox is an knowledgeable relating to safety, as seen with their cellphone circumstances, however its Symmetry Sequence 360 collection exhibits that it has design chops, too. Symmetry circumstances look much like the Apple’s Sensible Cowl, however the clear, scratch-resistant again is sturdy with out including numerous weight to the iPad. Plus, the sting safety is substantial, so that you received’t have to fret about injury from the inevitable, unintended bumps your pill takes. I additionally like the additional flap Otterbox added that retains the iPad display screen cowl closed and holds the second-generation Apple Pencil to the facet of the iPad Execs. Symmetry Sequence 360 circumstances can be found for many iPad fashions, and whereas they’re dearer than some no-name iPad case you would possibly discover on Amazon, they’re value it if you need an awesome stability of safety and elegance.
Talking of cheaper iPad circumstances that replenish Amazon’s search outcome pages, some which are really worthwhile are from Moko and ProCase. Should you like the appear and feel of Apple’s Sensible Cowl, however don’t wish to drop $50-plus on one, each of those manufacturers have dupes that provide you with that model at a fraction of the price of the first-party possibility. — 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 title 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 straightforward to modify to the clamp because of the included directions and fundamental instruments within the field. Should you spring for the newest mannequin, it’ll be even simpler because of 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 the most effective 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 principally used the HoverBar Duo with the clamp attachment, which allowed me to make use of my iPad Professional as a secondary display screen whereas working. The included clamp ought to match most desks and tables too, as it may accommodate floor thickness from 0.4 inch to 1.4 inches.
Should you’re prepared to sacrifice flexibility for one thing extra elegant, Elago’s P2 stand for iPad could also be a great match. It’s fabricated from a single piece of aluminum with a ledge to your iPad and some well-placed cutouts you can snake a charging cable by means of. The ledge can also be huge sufficient to accommodate most iPad circumstances. It is probably not foldable or adjustable, however its minimalist design will make it a horny addition to your desk. — V.P.
Top-of-the-line Bluetooth keyboards I’ve used just lately is the Logitech MX Keys Mini. It’s not designed particularly for the iPad, but it surely works fairly effectively with it. It combines numerous the ergonomics and the overall appear and feel of the MX lineup right into a compact and transportable keyboard. The Keys Mini has a slim profile that’s barely raised on account of its high bar, plus comfy backlit keys which are a dream to sort on. The backlight is considered one of my favourite options as a result of it routinely comes on when it senses your arms getting near the keyboard. That means it solely stays illuminated while 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 facet, but it surely’s one which might be each your iPad keyboard and your predominant desk typing gadget. It will probably connect with as much as three units on the similar time, permitting you to swap between them shortly with only a press of a key, and it has a number of different useful 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 inexpensive, and even thinner, we nonetheless just like the Logitech Keys to Go, which we’ve beneficial up to now and you may normally discover for between $50 and $70. — V.P.
Should you actually wish to indulge, Apple’s personal Magic Keyboard is the way in which to go. This costly keyboard case magnetically attaches to the most recent iPad Execs 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 accessible for the iPad and it’s one to contemplate if cash isn’t any object — or if you need essentially the most fashionable iPad keyboard cash should buy. — V.P.
This possible received’t come as a shock, however the Apple Pencil Professional is the most effective stylus you may get for the iPad. All fashions of the Apple Pencil are designed to work particularly with iPads and it exhibits of their easy writing efficiency. The newest stylus has a double-tap function you can 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 while you snap it magnetically to the facet of your pill. I extremely suggest shelling out the extra cash for an Apple Pencil for those who’re an artist — you received’t be upset. — V.P.
There are different choices which are extra inexpensive than the Apple Pencil, although, like Logitech’s Crayon. It’s simply nearly as good by way of 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 because of its oval-shaped design. However as somebody who primarily makes use of an Apple Pencil for digital artwork, I missed strain sensitivity when utilizing the Crayon.
Except for that, the opposite greatest annoyance is that it’s important to use a Lightning or USB-C cable to cost it. (Even the latest mannequin for the iPad Execs doesn’t magnetically connect to the pill for charging.) Whereas I wouldn’t counsel the Crayon for severe artists, I’d suggest it for anybody who’s on a strict finances, particularly digital journal-keepers, dedicated note-takers and the like. — V.P.
We known as Logitech’s MX Wherever 3S a “practically excellent journey mouse.” It’s gentle at simply 95 grams and the buttons are practically silent so that you received’t bug anybody within the room together 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 Wherever 3S is constructed from between 61 and 78 % post-consumer recycled plastic. And the rechargeable battery lasts round 70 days on a cost. This technology doesn’t embody a USB dongle (which wouldn’t work together 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 could be a ache within the neck (actually), so I wished a technique to play with my iPad after work with out having to elevate my head off the sofa. Positive, I might use my arms, however that will get tiring. This Tablift iPad holder appears just a little 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 just a little cumbersome, so I curl up the legs and retailer it underneath my sofa. The slots and securing clip carry out greatest in case your gadget is bare, although I’ve been ready to make use of it with a Sensible Folio hooked up with little difficulty. — A.S.
Should you plan on pushing your iPad Professional to its limits as a day by 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 greatest with the iPad Execs — there’s no MFi certification for equipment like this but. Some hubs particularly promote that they work with the latest iPad Execs, and if you wish to be further protected, 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 might 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 might swap to utilizing my iPad as extra of a piece gadget with all the obligatory 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 desires, to spend $100 on a dock for his or her iPad. (Should you’re utilizing it as a laptop computer substitute, it’s definitely worth the funding.) Should you’d fairly spend much less, or simply need one thing a bit extra light-weight, Anker’s 7-in-1 USB-C hub is an effective selection. It has most ports that you can 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 offers as much as 85W of pass-through charging, which implies you’ll be able to 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 which 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 firms are more and more leaving wall adapters out of their units’ packing containers, so it’s value choosing up a pair that may deal with charging a few items of tech as shortly as potential. Anker’s 45W Nano II GaN adapter is an effective one as a result of it may fast-charge iPhones and iPads, plus the gallium nitride expertise constructed into it helps stop overheating. In only a half hour of charging, I acquired a few 33 % enhance in battery life on my 11-inch iPad Professional when utilizing this accent. Gallium nitride can also be an enormous motive why the 45W adapter is smaller than numerous competing adapters accessible now, together with Apple’s. We additionally like its foldable design, which is able to permit it to suit higher in cramped areas and in journey baggage. — V.P.
Of all the facility banks we examined, the Nimble Champ Professional was the second quickest to refill an iPad. The quickest general was Mophie’s large Powerstation Professional, however that one is de facto overkill for those who’re simply utilizing it for a pill. The Champ Professional, then again, has a slim profile, a useful carrying strap and two USB-C ports. On a fifth-generation iPad Air, it moved the battery gauge from 5 % to full in underneath two hours — and it nonetheless had sufficient juice leftover to present it one other 75 % bump. That is the pack I seize after I’m having fun with my iPad on the sofa and don’t wish to rise up to revive its dying battery. — A.S.
Paper-feel display screen protectors
Should you’re a heavy person of the Apple Pencil or another stylus, you must contemplate getting a display screen protector to 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 screen protectors can get nearer to replicating the pen-on-paper expertise, they usually additionally stop the stylus nib from sporting down as shortly.
Paperlike is the preferred model on this area, with matte display screen protectors for each mannequin of iPad. A set comes with two sheets and contains 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 just a little cheaper, Bersem’s display screen protectors are an awesome worth at $11 for a pack of two. Not solely does the matte end assist while you’re drawing or taking digital notes, but it surely additionally reduces display screen glare and doesn’t intrude with FaceID on the latest iPads. — A.S.
Bellemond’s “Kent Paper” overlay has essentially the most satisfying texture of the paper-feel display screen protectors I’ve tried. The blur is minimal and the friction between the stylus and the display screen is excellent 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 in a pack, so you’ll be able to revert to a unadorned display screen for some time then return to the paper-feel down the street. Should you’d like just a little extra assist with correct placement of your display screen protector, you would possibly admire Zagg’s GlassFusion+ Canvas which comes with a mounting tray for utility. It’s additionally constructed from a polymer designed to soak up and defend your display screen from influence. — A.S.
All paper-feel protectors impart a slight blur, which is why magnetic covers you can reposition make stable alternate options. They provide texture while you’re drawing or writing, however you’ll be able to take away them simply while you wish to watch Star Trek with full readability. The PenMat from PenTips makes use of skinny magnets alongside the perimeters to affix the movie to your display screen and comes with a plastic sleeve to retailer the quilt while you’re not utilizing it. Utility and elimination is lifeless easy, and in addition, there aren’t 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 hassle me however would possibly bug those that are delicate to sounds. — A.S.