iPad Pro Accessories at $, $$, $$$

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

If you read or watch iPad Pro accessory reviews online, you usually hear great things about the very expensive accessories. What if you are on a budget? I made the following list based on the different price points to help myself when I look for a new accessory. Maybe it will help you too.

$: < 50 | $$: 50–100 | $$$: > 100

Updated: 6/11/2020

Cables

The pricing range is different here based on market research. $ < 10 | $$ 10–20 | $$$ > 20.

• $: AmazonBasics USB C to C [cheap, works, slow charging] | AmazonBasics USB C to USB A
• $$: Anker Powerline USB C to USB A [excellent quality] | Anker Powerline USB C to USB C
• $$$: [a single cable of either 3 or 6 ft length at this price range is not worth it]

Cases

The pricing range is different here based on market research. $ < 20 | $$ 20–50 | $$$ > 50

• $: MoKo Smart Folio Case [gets the job done], ESR Smart Case [protective cover for the pencil] Soke Case [protective trifold case]
• $$: Maxjoy Fit [has kickstand, but mechanism is not fluid and back of the iPad is exposed when kickstand is in use] Ztotop Case [cheaper alternative to Zugu, bulkier] | TineeOwl Case [protective and slim]
• $$$: Apple Smart Folio 11", 12.9" [expensive], Zugu Case [excellent protection, expensive] | Otterbox Defender [bulky but indestructible] | Moshi VersaCover [versatile and protective]

Chargers

• $: Anker 30W 2 Port Charger [my favorite one]

Keyboard (Stand Alone, Portable)

• $: Logitech K380 [full sized but circular shaped keys, heavy] | Arteck Portable Keyboard [cheap and great] | Jelly Comb Foldable Keyboard with trackpad
• $$: Logitech Keys-to-Go [lightweight, spill resistant, quiet keys]
• $$$: Apple Magic Keyboard [full sized, large size. Cases include Finite and Canopy]

Keyboard (Cases with iPad Non-Detachable)

• $:ProCase Swivel 11" | Arteck 11"
• $$: GreenLaw 11" [swivel, clamshell] | TypeCase 11" with trackpad [currently the only one with trackpad in a swivel design, flaws in software bug for backlight] | Phixnozar 12.9" with trackpad [clamshell design] | Keyboard Case with Trackpad [multiple angles, large footprint]
• $$$: Logitech Slim Folio Pro 11", 12.9" [great typing experience]

Keyboard (Cases with iPad Detachable)

• $: ProCase 11" [favorite case before the Magic Keyboard, great attachment via magnets, sturdy and fluid kickstand, protective, key area situated comfortably, but smaller keys, no function row]. | Yoozon 11" [kickstand design but keys are too far down on the keyboard, un-ergonomic] | Inateck 11" [very protective]
• $$: Zagg Slimbook Go [on sale $50, not great, attachment system not durable]
• $$$: Apple Magic Keyboard 11", 12.9" [best but no side protection and heavy, consider vinyl wrap, my review] | Smart Folio Keyboard 11", 12.9" [no trackpad, 2 angles, spill resistant, quiet keys] | Brydge Pro [no trackpad] and Pro+ [with trackpad] [hinge system prone to damage, can’t take iPad off as fast]

Mouse

• $: Microsoft Mobile Mouse, Surface Mobile Mouse [three button design] | VicTsing [silent mouse, small size, 2 extra buttons] | Logitech M585 [multiple buttons, great size] | Logitech M590 [same as the M585 but with silent buttons]
• $$: Logitech MX Master 2S [multiple buttons, bulky] | Microsoft Arc Mouse [folds flat]
• $$$: Logitech MX Masters 3 [tons of functions, customizable on iPad, but expensive and bulky], MX Anywhere 2S [somewhat slim]

Screen Protector

The pricing range is different here based on market research. $ < 10 | $$ 10–30 | $$$ > 30.

• $: iCarez Matte [personal favorite]
• $$: amFilm Glass [great clarity, affordable] | JETech Glass [great clarity, affordable]
• $$$: Paperlike [huge marketing push all over YouTube, very mixed reviews on Reddit ipad subs, don’t see what the fuss is about]

Stand (Desktop)

• $: Stouchi Stand
• $$: Lamicall Adjustable Laptop Riser [sturdy, perfect for those with Magic Keyboard and want to dock like a laptop] | Boyata Laptop Riser [not as much height adjustment] | Saiji Stand [perfect for holding your iPad Pro] | Heckler Design
• $$$: Yohann [for flexing only]

Stand (Drawing)

• $: IKEA Isberget [$5. Enough said] | MAX SMART Drawing Stand [affordable alternative to Elevation Lab’s offering]
• $$: Elevation Lab Draft Table [sturdy, minimal]

Stylus (Pencil)

• $: [not recommended if you plan on taking notes or drawing]
• $$: Apple Pencil [not compatible with iPad Pro 11 and 12.9 2018 and later] | Logitech Crayon [great value, compatible with all iPad Pro’s, shuts off automatically, but no pressure sensitivity or touch buttons]
• $$$: Apple Pencil 2 [best if you write a lot or draw]

Trackpad

• $: [none currently that takes full advantage of gestures]
• $$: [none currently that takes full advantage of gestures]
• $$$: Apple Magic Trackpad 2 [great for multi gestures, expensive]

USB C Hub

• $: ProCiv [cable long enough for bending around the iPad, volume control for audio aux output, no SD card, iPad holder is gimmicky] | ikling [so many functions, including VGA and SD card, audio output but no volume rocker] | Uni Hub [mini hub, SD card, long cable, no audio output] | Casolu USB C Adapter [good for on the go, small footprint]
• $$: HyperDrive Hub Adapter [works well, but not a fan of the overall design] | HyperDrive 9-in-1 Hub [traditional design, audio out, no volume rocker] | Baseus Dock [functional design, incompatible if you use a case or the Magic Keyboard] | Apple USB C AV Multiport Adapter [good for on the go, small footprint]
• $$$: [none currently that deserves your money]

USB C to USB Adapter

• $: Syntech Adapter | Elebase Adapter
• $$: Microsoft Adapter [works well, known brand, $10 for 2 pack currently (6/11/20), otherwise it’s expensive for what it is]

Wrap

• $: SopiGuard [affordable especially when choosing Avery rather than 3M, free shipping on Ebay, side protection included, offers wrap for Magic Keyboard as well]
• $$: DecalGirl [so many designs, affordable 3M vinyl, offers wrap for Magic Keyboard as well]
• $$$: DBrand [great quality and marketing, side protection requires $10 more, customizable, Magic Keyboard wrap in progress]