Best iPad Accessories 2024: What Should You Pair With Your Tablet?

Over the years, the best iPads have become the tablet of choice for most people, which makes iPad accessories extremely important. In fact, some people have ditched their laptops altogether and use Apple’s tablet as their main computer. While it’s speedy, powerful, and easy to use, it’s also limited in use when you first take it out of its box.

However, accessories and peripherals can help you get the most out of it – especially if you use it for productivity or creativity. Although there’s no shortage of attachments and add-ons out there, it may be tough to know where to begin.

TL;DR – These are the best iPad accessories to buy in 2024

Now that Apple has launched the new iPad Air and iPad Pro, we can expect a slew of new iPad accessories to come out. But for the most part, all of these accessories are evergreen – meaning they’ll work for pretty much any iPad. Probably the biggest change for accessories is the new Apple Pencil Pro, which will probably dethrone the Apple Pencil (Second Generation). But we’ll have to wait for these new devices to actually hit the market to know anything for sure.

Whether you’re a professional, creative, or a casual user, we rounded up the best iPad accessories for different types of situations and use cases. Ahead, you’ll find our picks to enhance and improve your iPad.

The Best iPad Accessories You Can Buy In 2024

Best pro keyboard case iPad accessory

The Apple Magic Keyboard is our go-to keyboard case. It features a clicky and comfortable keyboard and a smooth and precise trackpad for both iPad Pro models via magnetic Smart Connector. It’s even compatible with the iPad Air.

When in use, Apple’s tablet “floats” above the keyboard when unfolded, while it’s slightly adjustable for better viewing angles. When not in use, it helps keep the tablet pristine, clean, and easy to transport.

Although it’s one of the fanciest keyboard cases for the iPad, it’s also one of the most expensive with a starting price of $299. It comes in various languages, such as English, Chinese, Spanish, and others, while it also comes in two colors, black and white.

Best wall charger iPad accessory

Although all of the current models come with a wall charger (unlike the iPhone), it still might be a good idea to pick up another one – especially if want to save on some space when traveling or working from a coffee shops and co-working spaces. Why bring three separate wall chargers when you can bring one with you?

The Ugreen USB-C Charger can fast-charge up to three devices at the same time, like an iPad, a MacBook Air, and an iPhone, with 65 watts of power. It comes with two USB-C ports and a single USB port.

Best screen protector iPad accessory

If you’re looking for a screen protector that will protect its display and make it feel more natural when using an Apple Pencil for writing or drawing, then Paperlike 2.1, which comes in a two-pack, is our pick for the best screen protector. It’s a matte screen protector that re-creates the experience of using pen on paper, but with a stylus on the iPad, ergo its name. Additionally, it won’t interfere with the iPad’s FaceID, so you can still unlock your Apple tablet with ease.

Best portable power bank iPad accessory

It’s always a good idea to keep a portable power bank handy just in case your mobile device is about to run out of juice and you’re far away from a wall outlet. The Anker 537 PowerCore 24K Portable Charger will charge up to two devices at the same time – thanks to its dual USB-C ports, while it also has a single USB port for older devices. It’s ideal for traveling and working on the road.

Best tablet mount iPad accessory

The Twelve South HoverBar Duo is an iPad stand that’s perfect for a desktop, tabletop, or countertop in your home. Weighing in at a little over two-and-a-half pounds, your tablet will stay safe and secure without tipping over when clamped into this tablet stand, while it even comes with a shelf clamp – if you want to hang it from a cabinet or curtain rod. It’s best for video calls, recipes in the kitchen, a secondary monitor for the MacBook via Sidecar, and much more. If you want to use the Apple tablet hands-free, then the Twelve South HoverBar Duo is for you.

Best pro stylus iPad accessory

The Apple Pencil (second generation) is the best stylus because it was specifically designed for the tablet and its software, iPadOS. It’s smooth when writing or drawing, while it has a double-tap feature on the stylus itself for erasing, switching tools, or switching color pallets. The Apple Pencil is also pressure-sensitive, which is great for artists who want a lot (or as little) detail in their work. It even charges magnetically on the side of compatible iPad Mini, iPad Air, or iPad Pro models.

Please note: If you have one of the entry level iPad models, then it’s only compatible with the first generation Apple Pencil.

Best budget stylus iPad accessory

Looking for a wallet-friendly stylus? Check out the Logitech Crayon, an oval-shaped and flat stylus that’s compatible with all current iPad models. While it’s not as smooth as the Apple Pencil, it does glide across a display with very little lag or delay. It’s also grippy and comfortable to hold when writing on the iPad, which makes it ideal for taking notes or journaling.

Additionally, the Logitech Crayon doesn’t have the same features as the Apple Pencil, like pressure sensitivity or wireless charging. It’s simply a reliable stylus that will get the job done at an affordable price.

Best cover iPad accessory

One of the best ways to protect its Retina display is with the Apple Smart Cover, thanks to its ease of use and premium design. It automatically wakes up your tablet when you open the cover, while the cover puts it to sleep when it’s closed. Inside is a soft fibering lining that won’t scratch the Apple tablet’s stellar display. Additionally, you can also position it for multiple viewing angles when folded back, thanks to its tri-fold design.

Best portable external hard drive iPad accessory

The Samsung T7 is a fantastic portable external hard drive that goes great with iPad models with USB-C ports. It comes in various storage capacities up to a whopping 2TB, while it also features fast read and write speeds that won’t slow down your workflow.

This hard drive is tiny at about three inches long and about two inches wide with a lightweight design, weighing in at about two ounces. The Samsung T7 is small enough to keep in a backpack, a pants pocket, or even a purse, while it comes in three colors, including blue, red, and titan gray.

Best wireless earbuds iPad accessory

One of the best accessories is the Apple AirPods Pro because of their excellent audio quality, seamless syncing via iPadOS, and high-end design. If you want an immersive experience, then the AirPods Pro are ideal, thanks to spatial audio that makes it feel as if audio is surrounding you (think of it as virtual surround sound) and premium noise-canceling to block out background noise from the outside world.

Meanwhile, they even come with multiple eartips, so you can get the best fit. Heck, the AirPods Pro can even analyze your ear canals with iPadOS’s “Ear Tip Fit Tests,” so it can recommend a good pair that’s specific for you.

Upcoming iPad Accessories

Every single time a new iPad hits the market, a slew of new iPad accessories pours out onto the market. And, well, that just happened at Apple’s May 7 event. We got two new tablets from Apple: the iPad Pro and iPad Air, both of which have a new screen size, too. These new iPads were announced alongside a new Magic Keyboard and a brand-new Apple Pencil Pro, which will probably grace this buying guide once they are actually out in the wild.

What to Look For In iPad Accessories

The iPad is a mighty tablet that’s almost effortless to use. It comes in all kinds of shapes and sizes for different types of use cases. Although it’s speedy and powerful already, there are a lot of attachments and add-ons that can help unlock its true potential as a casual and professional mobile device.

But where should you start? From what works best, who makes them, and how much they should cost, we put together a buyer’s guide about what to look for in accessories. Scroll down and check out our recommendations, below:

Function

After you take the iPad out of its box, power it on, and set it up with your Apple ID for the first time, you have to think about how you’re going to use it. It’s an amazing piece of tech and there are accessories to help you get the most out of it.

For professional use, the iPad (namely the iPad Pro) can be turned into a full-fledged laptop replacement. However, you’ll need to add an attachment like a keyboard and mouse (or trackpad) to it through Bluetooth to get that kind of functionality. There are case covers that combine a keyboard, trackpad, and protective case all-in-one to make it more convenient and easier to sync with the iPad.

For creatives, all models are compatible with a stylus for taking handwritten notes or sketching, while special screen protectors can make it feel like you’re writing or drawing on a sheet of paper instead of glass.

If you’re a casual user, then there are tablet stands that can prop it up on a flat surface for watching movies and TV shows, while cases keep Apple’s tablet protected and safe from wear-and-tear or an accidently drop and mishap.

Meanwhile, there are boatloads of wall chargers, charging cables, and power banks out there to keep it charged and ready for use. You shouldn’t forget about these types of add-ons either. While they’re not the big ticket items, they do keep your Apple tablet working when you need it.

Compatibility

Since there are multiple models, not all attachments and peripherals are compatible with all models. While there’s definitely overlap – like Apple AirPods Pro, various wall chargers and charging cables, and power banks – accessories made for the iPad Mini won’t work for the iPad Pro and vice versa. It’s important to pay attention to your model and if it’s compatible with a particular accessory.

This comes in handy with the Apple Pencil because there are two versions that work with specific models. Here’s the breakdown: The second generation Apple Pencil works best with the iPad Mini, iPad Air, and iPad Pro, while the first generation works with the ninth and tenth generation models.

Third-party accessories

Although Apple makes its own add-ons and attachments for their own devices, there are a lot of great third-party manufacturers – such as Anker, Belkin, Logitech, and others – that make high quality accessories at affordable prices. In fact, Apple even works with some of these companies to make peripherals that are certified to work with the iPad.

Additionally, it’s recommended to steer clear of cheap, bottom-of-the-barrel attachments and add-ons that might harm your Apple tablet in the long run. Pay attention to shopper ratings for bad reviews and low scores, while web browser extensions like FakeSpot can sort and identify the bad actors on popular retail sites.

Price

While prices vary, accessories like cases, covers, and keyboard combos, range anywhere from $50-$300 – depending on the manufacturer. While cables and wall chargers are on the lower end of the price scale, you’d want to pay at least $15 for these items. Anything lower, you might run the risk of picking something up that’s cheap, poorly made, and may completely fry your device.

If you’re a professional or creative, then there’s a lot of add-ons that will make the tablet more useful for accomplishing tasks or creating something brilliant and unique. If you’re a casual user, then there’s also attachments to help watching videos and browsing the web easier and more enjoyable. Overall, the best accessory for the iPad is the one you’ll get the most use out of it at an affordable price.