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Foundry

Stylus

Tablets and stylii go hand in hand. Even if you’re not a professional illustrator, a stylus can simplify certain tasks—like taking handwritten notes or doodling casually. And with newer iPadOS versions now recognizing and polishing handwritten text, using a stylus to jot down your thoughts has become even more practical. Similarly, Apple Intelligence can transform your basic scribbles to neat images that better reflect the ideas you have in mind.

While the Apple Pencil (USB-C) (on sale for $49) and Apple Pencil Pro (on sale for $95) offer the tightest ecosystem integrations with your iPad, there are plenty of other solid stylus options for iPad out there. The Logitech Crayon (on sale for $53) is a reliable pick featuring a sleek design, high precision, a more affordable price, instant connectivity, and more.

Bluetooth Mouse

With iPadOS 26, Apple redesigned the built-in cursor, putting it on par with that of desktop operating systems. Thanks to its new arrow shape, you can now click smaller buttons more comfortably, even if the touch targets aren’t too wide. To unlock the iPad’s cursor, you’ll first need to pair a compatible mouse or trackpad.

The Logitech MX Master 4 is one of the best mice out there, offering an ergonomic design, quiet buttons, and support for a wide range of devices. If you value aesthetics more than practicality, Apple’s Magic Mouse will also work with your iPad flawlessly.

Keyboard

As an iPad user, you’re probably familiar with how large and unintuitive the software keyboard can be, blocking a significant portion of the screen. What many users don’t know, however, is that you can hide it by connecting a physical keyboard to your iPad. This lets you take full advantage of the tablet’s display.

Apple sells different Magic Keyboard and Keyboard Folio variants designed for specific iPad models. Not only do these double as a protective cover, but they also offer an embedded trackpad. If you’re on a budget, you can opt for a third-party brand, like the Belkin Pro Keyboard Case.

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Foundry

Game controller

The iPad Air and iPad Pro now pack Apple’s M-series chips, initially designed for the Mac. At this point, they’re capable of running AAA games, such as Resident Evil and Grand Theft Auto. While most iPadOS games offer touch controls, they can be unintuitive for complex gameplay.

iPadOS fully supports certain game controllers, letting you pair and customize them with ease. Sony’s DualSense Controller (on sale for $55) and Microsoft’s Xbox Controller (on sale for $40) are two dependable options approved by Apple. If you’re not looking to spend around 70 bucks on a controller, you could opt for any cheaper MFi-certified brand instead.

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Foundry

USB-C hub

All iPad models are now limited to a single USB-C port. Consequently, you can’t charge your iPad while using a wired accessory simultaneously. Thankfully, iPadOS supports USB hubs and dongles, letting you add more ports and slots as needed. The manufacturers and port assortments are plentiful, however, so you’ll have to hunt for a variant that caters to your needs. Some of the reputable options include Anker, Belkin, Ugreen, and even Amazon Basics.

Headphones

Now that iPads no longer offer a headphone jack, opting for wireless earbuds is the most convenient route. The AirPods and Beats lines come with varying features, build qualities, and price points, and they all work seamlessly with iPadOS. Some of their perks include effortless firmware updates, instant pairing, automatic de