The Best iPad to Buy (and a Few to Avoid)

Great iPad Accessories

iPad accessories are endless. Below, we’ve highlighted some of our favorites to round out your tablet experience, and you can find more in our Best iPad Accessories guide.

Zugu Case for $50+: This is our favorite folio case for the iPad for multiple reasons. It’s not only durable (complete with a rigid bumper), but it also has a magnetized cover that stays shut and a flap that allows you to position the screen at eight different angles. The case is magnetic, allowing you to stick it on the fridge securely. It’s also reasonably priced, comes in an array of colors, and has a spot for your Apple Pencil.

Satechi M1 Wireless Mouse for $30: We’re already big fans of Satechi’s accessories at WIRED, and this mouse didn’t disappoint. It has a comfortable ergonomic design, a sleek aluminum finish, and smooth scrolling. It has great battery life too—with a built-in lithium-ion battery, I’ve been using it for the past four months and have yet to charge it.

Mageasy CoverBuddy Case (iPad Pro) for $70: This case allows you to magnetically connect it to Apple’s Magic Keyboard case without having to take off the case each time. It feels durable and doesn’t add too much bulk to the iPad. There’s also a slot for the Apple Pencil Pro or the USB-C version. The company also offers the CoverBuddy Lite for the iPad Air (M2).

Photograph: Brenda Stolyar

Logitech Combo Touch (10th-Gen) for $260: The Combo Touch (8/10, WIRED Recommends) comes with a built-in keyboard, trackpad, and kickstand, making it ideal for getting work done on your iPad. It’s also detachable, so you can easily remove the keyboard when you don’t need it. It connects via Apple’s Smart Connector, meaning you never need to tinker with Bluetooth or bother charging it. It’s also available for the iPad Pro (M4) and M5 (although it does add a bit of weight to such a thin tablet) and the iPad Air (M2).

Casetify Impact Screen Protector for $56: If you’re worried about damaging your iPad screen, I recommend this protector from Casetify. It’s super thin, has excellent touch sensitivity, and is mostly fingerprint-resistant (I’ve wiped some smudges here and there). It’s painless to apply—the company supplies a microfiber cloth, a de-dusting sticker, and wet and dry wipes.

Paperlike Charcoal Folio Case for $65: Paperlike is known for its screen protector, but the company also offers a great case. It’s designed to feel like a sketchbook, complete with a polyester fabric cover that feels lightweight and high-quality. You can also prop your iPad up at two different levels. It doesn’t come with an Apple Pencil slot, but there is a large flap closure that keeps it from falling out. I tested it with the iPad Air, but it’s also available for the iPad Pro (both sizes).

StayGo Mini

Courtesy of Twelve South

Twelve South StayGo Mini USB-C Hub for $60: Ports are limited regardless of the iPad model. This hub from Twelve South has an 85-watt USB-C port with passthrough charging, a USB-A port, an HDMI port, and a headphone jack. If you have trouble fitting it on an iPad with a case, the included socket-USB-C-to-plug-USB-C cable will fix this.

Apple Magic Trackpad (USB-C) for $120: For a spacious trackpad, the Magic Trackpad 2 is a great choice. Instead of physical buttons, it has Force Touch sensors where you can feel different levels of pressure on the pad. With support for various iPadOS gestures, you won’t have to touch the screen as much. It automatically pairs with your iPad via Bluetooth and recharges with the Lightning port.

Logitech K380 Bluetooth Keyboard for $40: If you prefer an external keyboard, it’s hard to go wrong with the Logitech K380. It’s lightweight and portable and can be connected to up to three devices via Bluetooth (with dedicated buttons to switch between them). The keyboard is powered by AAA batteries, which lasted us around four months, so you don’t have to worry about carrying a charger around.

Twelve South HoverBar Duo 2.0 for $80: The HoverBar serves two purposes. You can mount it to the side of your bed, kitchen counter, or shelf (to view content comfortably and hands-free), or you can use the included stand at your desk. With the 2nd-gen version, you can now remove the arm from the clamp and attach it directly to the stand, making it easier to swap between both modes.

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