The best iPad accessories for 2024 Buying Guide

The processing power of newer iPads rivals that of many laptops, but you’re not going to get the same level of productivity out of your tablet without accessories like a keyboard and mouse. Even if you just want to relax and draw, a stylus and paper-feel screen protector will improve your sketches. And a good stand can make watching shows and playing Netflix games more comfortable as well. We’ve tested a slew of accessories and think the dozen-plus picks here will help you enjoy your iPad even more than you already do.

Which iPad generation do you own?

Before you splurge on a bunch of accessories, you should double check which iPad generation you own. There are a couple of ways to do this: first, you can check the back of your tablet for its model number, which will start with an “A” and end with a series of numbers. You can also go into Settings on your iPad, then General and look up the model number in the top section. If you see a series of letters and numbers with a slash (“/“) in it, just tap that to reveal the iPad’s true model number.

The most recent iPad is the 10th-gen iPad, which was released in 2022, but Apple still sells the 9th-gen iPad as well. Other iPad models include the 5th-gen iPad Air, the 6th-gen iPad mini and the 6th-gen iPad Pros. Apple usually announces new iPads in the fall after its iPhone event, but it’s unclear if the company will do so this year.

The most important iPad details to consider before buying accessories are the charging port, screen size and Apple Pencil compatibility. Most iPads now have USB-C charging, save for the 9th-gen iPad that still uses a Lightning connector. Make sure to double check your iPad’s screen size before buying a case or a screen protector. As for the Apple Pencil, both the 9th- and 10th-gen iPad support only the 1st-gen stylus, while all other iPads can use the 2nd-gen Apple Pencil.