Getting Work Done on an iPad
We’ve reviewed this list and we stand by our picks.
Today’s tablets aren’t quite as versatile as a laptop, but you can accomplish a surprising amount on an iPad—or even a phone—with the right gear. Our staff has tested scores of tablets and phones as a primary computer, and these are the best accessories for turning your iPad into a mobile workspace.
Essentials
Keyboard case
A keyboard built into an iPad case isn’t as versatile or ergonomic as a standalone model, but if you mainly type on your lap, it offers a stable base and a built-in stand to keep your iPad upright, and also protects the tablet in transit.
This offers solid protection, a good keyboard to type on, a stand, and an Apple Pencil holder for your 10.9-inch iPad.
The Best iPad Keyboard Cases
This offers solid protection, a good keyboard to type on, a stand, and an Apple Pencil holder for your 10.9-inch iPad.
Great backlit keys, two viewing angles, and the ability to pair with two devices make this the best iPad keyboard case around.
The Best iPad Keyboard Cases
Great backlit keys, two viewing angles, and the ability to pair with two devices make this the best iPad keyboard case around.
With comfortable, responsive, and backlit keys, a removable inner case, two viewing angles, and the ability to pair with two devices, the Zagg Pro Keys is the iPad keyboard case to beat.
The Best iPad Pro Keyboard Cases
With comfortable, responsive, and backlit keys, a removable inner case, two viewing angles, and the ability to pair with two devices, the Zagg Pro Keys is the iPad keyboard case to beat.
Our favorite keyboard case without a trackpad for 12.9-inch iPad Pros.
The Best iPad Pro Keyboard Cases
Our favorite keyboard case without a trackpad for 12.9-inch iPad Pros.
iPad stand
If you don’t use a keyboard case, an iPad stand can complement a wireless keyboard and mouse to create an ergonomic work setup for home or travel. We tested multiple options that would be easy to carry in a backpack or shoulder bag to get work done at a coffee shop, as well as stands for using your iPad as a second display at your desk. These are the best ones.
An inexpensive stand that folds for easy carrying in a backpack or bag.
An inexpensive stand that folds for easy carrying in a backpack or bag.
This is a monitor arm that can clamp onto any tablet, great for fitting your iPad or other device into any space in a home or office. Also comes with a desk mount.
This is a monitor arm that can clamp onto any tablet, great for fitting your iPad or other device into any space in a home or office. Also comes with a desk mount.
This ultra-portable stand folds into a slimmer and easier-to-stow shape than the Anozer stand, in turn for a higher price tag. However, it’s a sturdy stand and much more convenient to carry than the cheaper alternative.
This ultra-portable stand folds into a slimmer and easier-to-stow shape than the Anozer stand, in turn for a higher price tag. However, it’s a sturdy stand and much more convenient to carry than the cheaper alternative.
Strong magnets secure an iPad Pro or newer iPad Air into this stand, which is sleek, adjustable, and doesn’t wobble.
Strong magnets secure an iPad Pro or newer iPad Air into this stand, which is sleek, adjustable, and doesn’t wobble.
Wireless mouse
A wireless mouse can improve your productivity, making your tablet functionally closer to a laptop. Any Bluetooth mouse can be paired with an iPad, but we recommend a simple option that’s well-suited for travel.
The M585 is a comfortable wireless mouse with customizable buttons, a long battery life, and a smaller profile.
The Best Wireless Mouse
The M585 is a comfortable wireless mouse with customizable buttons, a long battery life, and a smaller profile.
Bluetooth keyboard
If you're typing more than a few sentences at a time, a physical keyboard is a must-have. iPads have good keyboard-case options, but a standalone keyboard is more ergonomic and works with multiple devices.
The Logitech K380s offers the best balance of comfort, features, and price. It pairs with (and quickly switches between) three devices at a time, its battery lasts for years, and it's small and light enough to slip in a bag.
The Best Bluetooth and Wireless Keyboards
The Logitech K380s offers the best balance of comfort, features, and price. It pairs with (and quickly switches between) three devices at a time, its battery lasts for years, and it's small and light enough to slip in a bag.
Bluetooth headphones
Headphones for work should be comfortable enough to wear for hours, have good battery life and clear sound, stow away compactly, and—if you frequent bustling coworking spaces—block outside noise. And Bluetooth means one less wire to get in the way.
Customizable sound, impressive noise cancellation, stellar call clarity, and long battery life: the JBL Tour One M2 delivers it all with bonus features usually found in pairs that cost $100 more.
The Best Bluetooth Wireless Headphones
Customizable sound, impressive noise cancellation, stellar call clarity, and long battery life: the JBL Tour One M2 delivers it all with bonus features usually found in pairs that cost $100 more.
The Beats Fit Pro earbuds sound great, and offer easy pairing and connection swapping to iCloud-connected Apple devices.
The Best Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds
The Beats Fit Pro earbuds sound great, and offer easy pairing and connection swapping to iCloud-connected Apple devices.
This affordable pair of true wireless earbuds is loaded with features and performs respectably well.
The Best Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds
This affordable pair of true wireless earbuds is loaded with features and performs respectably well.
Bag
A tablet doesn't take up as much room as a laptop, even with a few accessories. Choose a comfortable, lightweight bag that your gear won't be swimming in. Our pick fits the 12.9-inch iPad Pro comfortably but accommodates smaller tablets as well.
The Vitesse Cycling Musette is a comfortable bag that makes up for its lack of features with a simple, straightforward design and a vintage aesthetic.
Our Favorite Messenger Bags
The Vitesse Cycling Musette is a comfortable bag that makes up for its lack of features with a simple, straightforward design and a vintage aesthetic.
A magnetic closure and plenty of pockets make this backpack an easy go-to for toting your electronics inside and outside the office.
The Best Laptop Backpacks
A magnetic closure and plenty of pockets make this backpack an easy go-to for toting your electronics inside and outside the office.
Nice-to-haves
Stylus
A stylus makes it easier to sketch, doodle, and take handwritten notes on your tablet, and it can also make tablets easier to use for people with accessibility issues.
If you want to draw on your 5th- to 10th-gen iPad, the Apple Pencil offers best-in-class accuracy and speed, and it’s the only option that features pressure sensitivity along with tilt recognition and palm rejection.
The Best Stylus for Your iPad
If you want to draw on your 5th- to 10th-gen iPad, the Apple Pencil offers best-in-class accuracy and speed, and it’s the only option that features pressure sensitivity along with tilt recognition and palm rejection.
Nearly universally compatible, the Adonit SE is the best budget option offering plenty of features.
The Best Stylus for Your iPad
Nearly universally compatible, the Adonit SE is the best budget option offering plenty of features.
The second-generation Pencil works only with the 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pros, 6th-generation iPad mini, and 4th-generation or newer iPad Air models; the previous Pencil doesn't. It's even more expensive, but it's crucial if you need a stylus for your new Pro.
The Best Stylus for Your iPad
The second-generation Pencil works only with the 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pros, 6th-generation iPad mini, and 4th-generation or newer iPad Air models; the previous Pencil doesn't. It's even more expensive, but it's crucial if you need a stylus for your new Pro.
USB-PD charger
A charger that supports USB Power Delivery (USB-PD) will fast-charge supported phones and tablets, including Google’s Pixel devices and 2017 and later iPad Pro and iPhone models. (Some USB-PD chargers can even handle USB-C laptops.)
This is the best replacement for the charger that came with your USB-C–charging Mac or PC.
The Best USB-C Laptop and Tablet Chargers
This is the best replacement for the charger that came with your USB-C–charging Mac or PC.
USB-C–to–Lightning cable
This kind of cable lets 9th-generation and earlier iPad models, as well as iPhones after the iPhone 8 generation, fast-charge from USB-PD batteries and chargers. And it's the only way to connect Apple tablets and phones to a USB-C–only MacBook without an adapter.
This cable is Apple certified, it has sturdy housings to withstand frequent plugging and unplugging, and it’s compact enough to fit in a purse or pocket.
The Best USB-C Cables and Adapters
This cable is Apple certified, it has sturdy housings to withstand frequent plugging and unplugging, and it’s compact enough to fit in a purse or pocket.
Just as sturdy as the shorter version, this MFi-certified cable is plenty long enough to keep at your desk or bedside table.
The Best USB-C Cables and Adapters
Just as sturdy as the shorter version, this MFi-certified cable is plenty long enough to keep at your desk or bedside table.
