The Best iPad Pro Accessories For iPad Pro and iPad Air 2020
One of my all-time favorite Apple products is the 2018 redesign of the iPad Pro. Its flat, sleek shape and thin bezels make it look incredibly futuristic and iconic. It’s a product that I don’t think is going out of style anytime soon, and I’m excited to see its design being reflected in other Apple products, including newer iPads, iPhones, and the brand new M1 iMac.
Part of what I love about my iPad is its all-in-one nature. I can just pick it up, carry it with me wherever I go, all day, and do just about whatever I need to on it.
But every iPad owner eventually gets that itch to accessorize. After all, the right accessories can improve your iPad Pro experience tenfold. So today, I’m going to cover ten of the best iPad Pro accessories.
These accessories will be aimed at the iPad Air 2020 and the iPad Pro lineup from 2018 and later. Some of these accessories will work with other iPad models, but many won’t, so bear that in mind when reading this post.
Alright, enough preamble – let’s get into it!
The 10 best iPad Pro accessories for iPad Air and Pro
1. The Apple Pencil and Magic Keyboard
It feels redundant to even mention these products, but on the off chance you haven’t heard of the Apple Pencil or the Magic Keyboard, they have to go in our first slot.
These two products are, without a doubt, the best iPad Pro accessories. Both will completely change the way you use your iPad, and depending on your profession, they aren’t negotiable. If you want to use your iPad for anything more than entertainment, you’ll need these accessories.
The one caveat I’ll give here is that both the Apple Pencil and the Magic Keyboard are very pricey. You can find an Apple Pencil alternative for less than $30 and a reasonable Magic Keyboard alternative for less than $200.
We’ll cover some Magic Keyboard alternatives below, but I’ll leave the stylus research to you. There are too many options to cover in this one post, and all are pretty good.
2. The Logitech Folio Touch case
Speaking of Magic Keyboard alternatives, let’s get into one of the best: The Logitech Folio Touch case.
This iPad case is pretty much the gold standard in iPad cases, assuming that the Magic Keyboard from Apple is the platinum standard. It protects your iPad, gives you a trackpad, keyboard, and stand, is versatile enough to get out of your way quickly – what more could you ask for?
This iPad case is well-received by users and goes a long way towards making your iPad feel more like a pro machine. It’s by no means cheap ($159) but is a bargain compared to the $299 you’ll pay for the Magic Keyboard.
My one complaint with this iPad case is that it snaps around your iPad rather than magnetizing to it. That means you can’t easily pop your iPad in and out of it like you can the Magic Keyboard. But if protection is a concern to you, this is probably more durable than the Magic Keyboard for this reason. So it’s up to you!
Either way, it’s an easy placement on the list of the best iPad Pro accessories.
3. The Pillow Pad
Next up on our list of the best iPad Pro accessories is one that’s not techy in the slightest. It’s called the Pillow Pad, and you can grab it one Amazon for $30 or less, depending on the brand and version you end up choosing.
All this product is is a pillow that props your iPad up for you. That’s it! It sounds super simple, but it’s been a life-changer for me. I can now watch videos in bed without needing to prop my iPad up with my hand, can easily stuff this pillow in my bag and use it at parks and restaurants, carry it from my bedroom to the kitchen, etc., etc., etc.
This is one of those simple little things you buy and end up using every day of your life. I love using this while I’m cooking, working, falling asleep, or even exercising. Get this, no matter what kind of iPad you own. And try to get one that has side pockets – it’s a big help!
4. A gaming controller
Another great and underrated iPad accessory is a gaming controller. If you don’t play many games on your iPad, then you can probably skip this one. But if you do like playing games on your iPad, well, this one is a game-changer.
iPadOS supports many of the most popular game controllers on the market, including PS4 and Xbox One controllers, so you don’t need to buy a specialty controller (though these do exist). You can connect your existing game controllers to the iPad in just a few simple steps. Read here to learn how.
I think this easily earns a spot as one of the best iPad Pro accessories. It’s super useful, adds a lot of fun, and is something you probably already own.
5. Hubs and adapters for USB C
A more technical item on our list of the best iPad Pro accessories is hubs and adapters. If you use your iPad Pro for work, these items can be a must.
The USB C ports on iPad Pro and iPad Air 4th generation allow you to use your iPad port the same way you use a Mac port. You can move data to and from your iPad, connect your iPad to other devices, and more.
But you still only have one port, and it’s USB C, which still hasn’t taken over the market. Purchasing a hub that expands the USB C port on your iPad Pro is a great idea. It allows you to connect more things to your iPad at once as well as more types of things.
Many users can probably get by with the single built-in port, but for the rest of us, a hub is a lifesaver. You can use any USB C hub or adapter with your iPad Pro, though some are designed specifically for the iPad Pro if that floats your boat.
6. Bluetooth headphones
The one change to the redesign of the iPad that rubs me the wrong way is the removal of the headphone jack. I didn’t mind this change on iPhone too much, given that it’s a mobile-first device. The iPad, on the other hand, is portable, but it’s also a work machine, like a laptop. So I feel the removal of the port makes less sense for the iPad.
Regardless of my feelings, though, the port appears to be gone from the iPad for good, and that means it’s time to adapt. Fortunately, Bluetooth headphones are more prevalent than ever. And so they’ve got a spot on our list of the best iPad Pro accessories.
I’ve already written a post recommending the best AirPods alternatives, which you can check out by clicking here. If you already own AirPods or AirPods Pro, then you’re already good to go. Just connect these headphones to your iPad and start listening wirelessly.
7. Brydge wireless keyboards
The next item on our list of the best iPad Pro accessories are Brydge wireless keyboards. This is something that I came across while researching for this post and I’m already in love with them.
Essentially, it’s a keyboard and trackpad case for your iPad Pro. Unlike the Magic Keyboard, however, the Brydge keyboard aims to turn your iPad Pro into as close of an approximation to a laptop as possible.
Not only does the keyboard look like the MacBook keyboard, but it hinges like it too, completing the feel perfectly. And whenever you get tired of it and want to keep using your iPad Pro as a tablet, you can just pull it out of the case in one move.
8. Tomtoc Portfolio Case
The Tomtoc portfolio case is one of those accessories that makes so much sense it’s hard to believe everyone with an iPad doesn’t already own one.
Like most of the items on our best iPad Pro accessories list, the Tomtoc portfolio case is simple. It’s a carrying case for bringing your iPad with you or for tossing your iPad safely in your backpack.
More than that, though, the Tomtoc iPad Pro case is an organizer. It has a space for all of your iPad accessories, like cables, hard drives, battery packs, Apple Pencil, and more. It’s the kind of thing that you can have sitting beside your desk, letting you tons your iPad in and work on the go at a moment’s notice.
9. Paperlike iPad Pro screen protector
Next on our list of the best iPad Pro accessories is an item that might not be for everyone. For some readers, though, this one is a godsend.
The Paperlike iPad Pro screen protector is a screen protector for iPad with a matte finish. Instead of the glossy, glass screen you’re used to, this will make your iPad feel soft and textured.
The goal of this texture is to simulate the feel of paper. So if you’re someone who draws on your iPad a lot but prefers the sensation of drawing on paper, this will help give your iPad more of a sketchbook feel. It’s not perfect, but if you don’t like the slick feeling of the iPad screen, this is miles better.
10. The Stump Stand
Last up on our list of the best iPad Pro accessories is a product that manages to stand out in a saturated market. It’s an iPad stand with a unique design that I think makes it a notch above the rest.
The Stump Stand is a small white puck that you can stick anywhere. A desk, countertop, coffee table – you name it. It’s small enough that you can toss it in your bag and bring it with you on the go. For me, that’s a huge selling point. You can buy one and bring it everywhere, or plant a few of these things around your home for convenience.
This iPad stand holds your iPad up at three different angles. You can set an iPad directly on top of it, so that your iPad is almost flat, which is great for typing. You can set your iPad in the notches so that it leans back, great for watching shows and reading. Or you can set your iPad in it completely vertically, for a more parallel view.
Couple this with the Pillow Pad, and you’ll never have to hold your iPad up again.
Pick your favorite of the best iPad Pro accessories
In my opinion, these are the best iPad Pro accessories. Even just a few of these accessories can completely change the way you use your iPad. My favorites are the Tomtoc case, Pillow Pad, and Apple Pencil. But feel free to pick the ones that are best for you!
For more articles on improving your iPad experience and all things Apple, check out the rest of the AppleToolBox blog.
