Apple Magic Keyboard
I avoided this for a year because of the price, then borrowed one and bought it the same week. The scissor-switch keys feel close to a MacBook, the trackpad enables real cursor work, and the floating cantilever design lets me adjust viewing angle precisely. Backlit keys matter on planes. The new aluminum top with a function row on the M4 version is a real upgrade. It doubles the weight of the iPad, but it remains lighter than any laptop in the same class.
I use my iPad Pro for work, sketching, and travel. Here are the five accessories I would not give up after a year of daily use.
I bought my iPad Pro to replace a small laptop on travel days, and over the last year it has actually pulled that off, but only because I added the right accessories. Some of the things I tried sit in a drawer now. These five live in my bag.
| Accessory | Function | Compatibility | Best For |
| — | — | — | — |
| Apple Magic Keyboard | Keyboard case | M-series iPad Pro | Daily typing |
| Apple Pencil Pro | Stylus | M4 iPad Pro | Drawing and notes |
| Logitech Combo Touch | Keyboard case | Multiple iPad models | Budget alternative |
| Anker 547 USB-C Hub | Port expansion | Any USB-C iPad | Travel workflows |
| Twelve South HoverBar Duo | Stand | All iPads | Desk setup |
How we picked
We compare every pick against the field on real specifications, certifications, and aggregated owner reviews. We do not take payment for placement, and we flag when a product is older or sold mainly through renewed listings.
Top picks compared
| Pick | Best for | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Magic Keyboard | Keyboard case | Check price | |
| Apple Pencil Pro | Stylus | Check price | |
| Logitech Combo Touch | Keyboard case | Check price | |
| Anker 547 USB-C Hub | Port expansion | Check price | |
| Twelve South HoverBar Duo | Stand | Check price |
Our picks up close
Apple Magic Keyboard
I avoided this for a year because of the price, then borrowed one and bought it the same week. The scissor-switch keys feel close to a MacBook, the trackpad enables real cursor work, and the floating cantilever design lets me adjust viewing angle precisely. Backlit keys matter on planes. The new aluminum top with a function row on the M4 version is a real upgrade. It doubles the weight of the iPad, but it remains lighter than any laptop in the same class.
Apple Pencil Pro
If you sketch or take handwritten notes, the Pencil Pro is what I would buy. Squeeze gestures bring up tool palettes, barrel roll rotates brush angles in drawing apps, and the haptic feedback feels natural when you tap. Find My support means I do not panic when it falls off the desk. Latency is imperceptible on the M4 iPad Pro, even at the smallest brush sizes.
Logitech Combo Touch
If the Magic Keyboard is out of budget, the Combo Touch is the smart alternative. It has a detachable keyboard, a trackpad, an adjustable kickstand for any angle including drawing mode, and a soft-touch back that protects the iPad from drops. It is heavier and bulkier than the Magic Keyboard, but it is full-featured and costs significantly less. The function row is useful for media and brightness controls.
Anker 547 USB-C Hub
A USB-C hub turns the iPad into a desktop-capable machine when I travel. The Anker 547 has HDMI for hotel TVs, SD and microSD slots for camera transfers, two USB-A ports for legacy gear, and a pass-through USB-C for charging while everything else is connected. It is small enough to live in my bag permanently. I use it weekly to dump RAW photos from a camera into Lightroom on the iPad.
Twelve South HoverBar Duo
At my desk, the iPad lives on the HoverBar Duo. The articulating arm holds the iPad at eye level next to my monitor for secondary display use through Sidecar, or above my keyboard for FaceTime calls. It also clamps to a desk edge or sits on a heavy base. Build quality is solid metal, and the adjustments hold position even with the Magic Keyboard attached. Best stand I have used in five years.
Before you buy
What to consider
Start with how you actually use your iPad. Heavy typists need a real keyboard case with a trackpad. Sketchers and note-takers need the Pencil before anything else. Travelers benefit most from a hub that handles HDMI, SD, and pass-through charging. Desk users want a stand that frees the iPad from being held. Buy in that order rather than collecting everything at once, and you will end up with accessories that all earn their bag space.
Quick answers
If you type for a living on your iPad, yes. The key feel and trackpad gestures justify the cost. If you only type occasionally, a Logitech Combo Touch saves money with a similar feature set.
Only if you sketch, take handwritten notes, or annotate documents. Squeeze gestures and barrel roll are useful additions, but the Pencil 2 still works on older Pro models if you can find one.
Yes, and it transforms the iPad into a real travel computer. Pick a hub with HDMI, SD card, USB-A, and pass-through charging. Anker and Satechi make reliable ones.
Tom Reeves has reviewed consumer electronics for over a decade, with a focus on televisions, monitors, laptops, and smart home devices. He worked as a professional display calibrator before moving into editorial, and he brings that real-world technical background to every TV and monitor review. At TheTestedHub, Tom covers display calibration, computer monitors, laptops and 2-in-1s, smart home platforms, home theater setups, and HDR performance.
