Best iPad accessories for tablet fans [2017 Gift Guide]

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These iPad accessories will thrill anyone who gets them.
These iPad accessories will thrill anyone who gets them.
Image: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

2017 Gift Guide bugStill stressed about holiday shopping? Don’t fret! Cult of Mac is here to help you pick out the perfect gifts for your loved ones this Christmas. This gift guide offers up a bunch of brilliant suggestions for the iPad addict in your life.

We’ve handpicked the best accessories, the finest cases, and more.

This post contains affiliate links. Cult of Mac may earn a commission when you use our links to buy items.

Best iPad Accessories

At this point, the iPad comes in many shapes and sizes. These must-have iPad accessories (and iPad Pro accessories) will delight anybody who owns an Apple tablet.

RAVPower Portable Charger

RAVPower portable charger
Plenty of juice for any iPad.
Photo: RAVPower

This terrific portable charger from RAVPower packs a whopping 22,000mAh battery, which makes it ideal for topping up an iPad on the go. It will fill an iPad Pro to 100 percent and still have some battery life leftover for other devices.

It’s perfect for those who use their iPad all the time while traveling, but it’s not just for Apple devices. This power bank has standard USB ports, so you it can be used to charge almost anything — and it can top up two devices simultaneously.

Buy from: Amazon

Fintie for Apple Pencil

Fintie accessory pack
Every Apple Pencil user needs this accessory pack.
Photo: Fintie

Forgetful Apple Pencil owners will love this incredibly useful — and super-affordable — accessory pack from Fintie. It packs an Apple Pencil cap holder, nib cover, and Lightning cable tether to prevent you from damaging or misplacing your Apple Pencil essentials.

Buy from: Amazon

MoKo Holder Case

MoKo Holder Case
All your iPad accessories, neatly protected.
Photo: MoKo

For those who carry more than just an Apple Pencil, the MoKo Holder Case is ideal. It has space for an iPad charging adapter, Lightning cable, EarPods, Apple Pencil, and more. It keeps everything neat, tidy, and free from tangles, and ensures nothing gets lost.

It’s made from durable and water-resistant PU leather, with a microfiber lining that prevents scratches. It’s available in plain black or blue, or with pretty prints.

Buy from: Amazon

Kanex iDevice Collapsible Stand

kanex ipad and iphone stand
The Kanex is small enough for an iPhone, tough enough for an iPad.
Photo: Kanex

We first reviewed the Kanex iDevice stand in 2013, and it’s every bit as good now as it was then. Its smart assembly of three pieces of plastic and two hinges lets it fold completely flat — flat enough for a jeans pocket — and yet open up to form a stand sturdy enough to support an iPad.

There are three viewing angles to chose from. It’s great for watching movies and TV shows, FaceTime video calls, and lots more. It’s also a steal at under $20.

Buy from: Amazon

Amazon Echo Dot

Amazon Echo Dot
Echo Dot has an answer for everything.
Photo: Amazon

Apple’s HomePod speaker won’t be here in time for the holidays, but there are plenty of wonderful (and more affordable) alternatives available right now. Amazon’s excellent Echo Dot is one of them, and right now it’s a steal with $20 off.

Echo Dot is powered by Alexa, which means it has the power to answer queries, play music, order pizza, control other smart devices, and more. It plays nicely with iPhone and other iOS devices, as well as a whole host of popular services, including Spotify and Pandora.

Echo Dot can also book Uber rides, fetch information on local businesses, and play music stored locally on a smartphone and other devices through its 3.5mm audio jack. It’s just as intelligent as larger Echo speakers, but significantly cheaper.

Buy from: Amazon

Apple Music Gift Cards

Apple Music gift card
Music makes everyone smile.
Photo: Apple

Everyone loves music, which is why an Apple Music Gift Card is guaranteed to fetch a smile.

They can be used toward a three- or 12-month subscription plan, or you can give them a full year for the price of just ten months. And if they’re new subscribers, they’ll get another three months free.

Prices start at $29.97, and because you can email them directly to the recipient, they’re ideal gifts for those you won’t get a chance to visit over the holidays.

Buy from: Apple — from $29.97

Moshi VersaCover

moshi versacover
It’s a case, and it’s a stand.
Photo: Moshi

Moshi’s VersaCover is an iPad case that folds out into a stand so sturdy that it’s better than many purpose-made stands. It also looks good, and it’s more affordable than buying a standalone case and dock separately.

There are a few ways that the VersaCover can be folded; one cool feature is that it can be used in portrait, which makes it perfect for reading news or browsing the web over breakfast. Its landscape mode is great for typing, or enjoying movies on the train.

Buy from: Amazon

Mountie

Mountie
Turn an iPad into a secondary display.
Photo: Ten One Design

Turn any iPad into a secondary display for your notebook with Mountie. It’s a sturdy clip that secures a tablet to a laptop’s screen, creating the coolest and most portable multi-monitor setup. It’s ideal for creatives who need to be productive wherever they may be.

Mountie’s strong, rubberized grip ensures your iPad remains secure and won’t be scratched or damage during use. Its swappable inserts make it compatible with almost any device, while its innovative clamping method means it takes seconds to setup and put away.

Buy from: Amazon

Leather Sleeve for iPad Pro

iPad Pro Leather Sleeve
Ideal protection for an iPad Pro.
Photo: Apple

Cases add extra bulk to an iPad that most users don’t want; the iPad is big enough as it is. But no one wants to carry one around completely unprotected. That’s why Apple’s Leather Sleeve for iPad Pro is so great. It keeps your tablet safe until you want to use it.

It’s made from “top-quality” leather — just like Apple’s iPhone cases — with a soft microfiber lining that keeps the iPad Pro free from scuffs and scratches. It also has room for an Apple Pencil so you don’t have to worry about losing that, and it comes in a bunch of pretty colors.

Buy from: Apple — from $129

Meem Memory

iPhone storage
The Meem Memory charging cable automatically backs up your iPad while it is being charged.
Photo: David Pierini/Cult of Mac

Have a friend who never backs up their iPhone? Save them the pain of losing all their previous memories.

The Meem Memory looks like a green and black meat thermometer but is actually a versatile smartphone charging cord. It backs up photos, videos, contacts, calendar, and documents in the cable each time an iPad is plugged in to charge.

It can store data from up to three devices, with 32GB, 64GB and 128GB storage options to choose from. The Meem app lets you manage backups, and the data that’s saved can be transferred to a computer for safe-keeping, or other devices.

Buy from: Amazon

Apple Pencil

Apple Pencil
Apple Pencil is a must-have for iPad Pro owners.
Photo: Apple

An iPad Pro simply isn’t complete without an Apple Pencil.

It’s by far the best stylus you can buy for iPad, and it’s essential for those who use their tablet for drawing or taking hand-written notes. Apple Pencil is incredibly accurate, works with virtually no lag, connects wirelessly over Bluetooth, and lasts 12 hours in between charges.

Buy from: Amazon

FiftyThree Digital Stylus Pencil

FiftyThree Digital Stylus
A stylus that works with any iPad.
Photo: FiftyThree

If your loved one has a regular iPad, rather than an iPad Pro, the FiftyThree Digital Stylus Pencil is a great alternative to Apple Pencil.

It connects to almost any iPad — and any iPhone — and has a built-in eraser that makes making corrections super-simple. Its tip is pressure-sensitive, so you can draw thick and fine lines without changing any settings, and it’s brushed aluminum body is ultra-sturdy.

Buy from: Amazon

Olloclip 4-in-1 Lens

iPad Olloclip
Take even better photos on iPad.
Photo: Olloclip

Olloclips are the best-known lenses for iPhone and iPad, and they’re an awesome gift for anyone who’s serious about mobile photography.

An Olloclip is a little widget that clips over the iPad’s camera and holds an accessory lens in front of it. Each clip comes with four lenses — fisheye, super-wide and two macros — and you can flip them to quickly switch between favorites.

Olloclip allows for stunning snaps you can’t get from the iPad camera alone, and it costs much less than a comparable lens for a dedicated DSLR.

Buy from: Amazon

Logitech Slim Combo

The Slim Combo's keyboard feels fantastic under the fingers.
The Slim Combo’s keyboard feels fantastic under the fingers.
Photo: Lyle Kahney/Cult of Mac

The Logitech Slim Combo case, with a clamshell design and a complete keyboard, makes your iPad Pro seem even more like a laptop. It’s perfect for those who type all day long and need physical keys that aren’t cramped together and impossible to use.

It has shortcut keys unlike Apple’s Smart Keyboard, uses the Smart Connector so you don’t have to worry about Bluetooth or charging, and is perfectly comfortable to type on. And because it’s also a case, it keeps your iPad protected at all times. It even keeps tabs on your Apple Pencil. (Read our full review: Logitech Slim Combo gives iPad Pro a comfy keyboard.)

Buy from: Amazon

ZAGG Slim Book

ZAGG Slim Book
ZAGG’s Slim Book doesn’t just work with iPad.
Photo: ZAGG

ZAGG also makes a terrific keyboard case for iPad Pro that’s designed to be incredibly rugged. Its stiff rubber exterior, coated in soft fabric, provides impact protection against drops from up to one meter. Its clean and professional look makes it ideal for use in any setting.

You also get a comfortable keyboard that’s satisfying to type on, and seven different backlight colors. Unlike the Logitech option, the ZAGG Slim Book can also be paired with other devices so that you can switch from your iPad to your iPhone in an instant.

Buy from: ZAGG — $119.99

Logitech K811 Keyboard

Logitech K811
The best wireless keyboard money can buy.
Photo: Logitch

For those who need a keyboard that isn’t stuck inside a case, there’s the wonderful Logitech K811. We’ve been big fans of it for years here at Cult of Mac — so much so that we reviewed it not once, but twice. That’s because it gets everything right, and it’s incredibly versatile.

The K811 is a joy to type on, with keys that feel great and have plenty of travel. It has all the function keys you would expect on an iPad keyboard, plus backlighting for late-night shifts in the dark. It also has a rechargeable battery that lasts up to a year in between charges.

What makes the K811 even better is that it can be paired with three devices over Bluetooth, and then lets you quickly switch between them with just one button. It’s perfect for those who use an iPad alongside a Mac or an iPhone or any other device.

Buy from: Amazon

Beats X

earphones
The Beats X sound terrific, last forever.
Photo: Ste Smith/Cult of Mac

Beats X use Apple’s own W1 chip to eliminate pairing, and have interchangeable earbuds to fit almost any ears. They do have a wire, despite being classed as wireless, but it only connects the two sides, and provides a place for the in-line controls.

Beats X boast all-day battery life in our testing, and incredible sound quality. They’re rich in bass, as Beats headphones tend to be, but they sound more balanced than other options. They’re also incredible comfortable, even for lengthy Netflix binges.

Buy from: Amazon

Creative iRoar Go

Creative iRoar Go
A spectacular Bluetooth speaker with tremendous sound.
Photo: Creative

iPad Pro boasts great stereo speakers, but they don’t come close to filling the room like the Creative iRoar Go Bluetooth speaker. For a relatively small device, this thing packs incredible sound. It has a 5-driver design with a built-in subwoofer, two high-frequency tweeters, and more.

Its battery lasts 12 hours on a single charge, and you can use it top up your iPad when it’s getting low. You can also use it for things like FaceTime calls thanks to its built-in microphone, and for pool parties, since it’s IPX6-rated for water-resistance.

Buy from: Amazon

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