In case you missed it, Apple announced two new iPads, the M3 iPad Air, and the new iPad 11th generation. As an iPad first user, these iPads just add to the excitement because they allow you to get even more power for at a cheaper price point! Another nice aspect is that these are internal upgrades, meaning that accessories that worked with their predecessors will also work with these newly revamped iPads. Here are some of my ‘must get’ accessories for your new iPad Air!
Before we jump in, below is the best pricing for the new M3 iPad Air and the iPad 11. If you want to save some cash, Amazon always has the best deals on iPads, new and old!
This is my absolute favorite iPad accessory. It was launched last year and has been a staple in all of my desk setups. On the surface, it looks like a well-made magnetic stand for your iPad. But it has one trick up its sleeve that really sets it apart from the rest. They added pin connectors to the magnetic plate to allow for passthrough charging! It essentially turns your stand into a wireless charging stand for your iPad!
- Supports 18W fast charging
- 360-degree vertical rotation
- 90-degree horizontal adjustments
- Made from CNC-machined aluminum alloy, the stand is built to withstand over 100,000 folds
- Completely folds up for portability
The X33 stand has options for any iPad that has pin connectors. What is also great is that the M3 iPad Air version will also work with the M2 version! It is available on their site and on Amazon for $89.
As much as I love the Apple Pencil, I know it is expensive. The Pencil Pro retails for $129 from Apple (with some Amazon discounts out there). But for those people that just need a stylus pencil that is great for note taking, for the occasional sketch, and to use almost like a mouse pointer, the Jamjake Pencil is perfect for that. It gets you about 95% of the Apple pencil experience at just $19!
- Palm rejection
- 1.5mm pen tip
- Connects to iPad magnetically (does not charge magnetically)
- Charges via USB-C
This is one of my favorite accessories for any iPad, not just the iPad Air. This simple dongle allows you to use your iPad as a dummy display for any device. I have made videos and posts about this in the past, so be sure to check them out here. This $20 dongle, accompanied by the free app Orion, lets you use your Xbox, your Playstation, your Switch, your Mac, or anything else with HDMI out and play it on your iPad. I have used this as a portable display for my Xbox to be able to take that on the go, and I have even used it as a solo display for my Mac mini! Be sure to watch our video below!
Similar to the Apple Pencil, I love the Magic keyboard, but the new Magic keyboard built for the M2/M3 iPad Airs starts at $269 for 11in and $319 for the 13in. You can literally get an iPad 10th or 11th gen for that kind of money. While there haven’t been any companies that have been able to replicate the pin connector portion of the Magic Keyboard, plenty of companies have been able to replicate the design and function of Bluetooth. My current favorite one is the one by Typecase. The 13in version is on sale for $102 and the 11in version is $99. So for about a third of the cost you get pretty much everything!
- RGB backlit keys
- Full function row
- Multi-touch trackpad experience
- Charges via USB-C
- Apple Pencil holder
So if you are looking for an alternative to the magic keyboard this is the way to go!
A few years back, Apple allowed the use of regular, non-MFI-certified controllers to connect to iPads. This was huge because it really opened up the market for game controllers on iPads. I am a big fan of gaming on iPad, especially for more intense gaming sessions with a controller. One of my favorite controller manufacturers is 8Bitdo. They make these unique retro controllers in all shapes and sizes, and they keep them very affordable. The best portable controller is the 8Bitdo Zero 2. It’s small, compact, has all the basic buttons needed, and comes in 3 different pastel colors. The 8Bitdo Zero 2 is only $16.
Lastly, we have to keep that big beautiful screen clean. Paperlike’s all in one cleaning kit is perfect for this. The spray bottle and cleaning cloth are integrated into one piece so you can never lose the cloth! You simply remove the bottle from the protective case, spray the screen a few times then use the microfiber lining on the bottle to clean it off! Simple as that. This is the perfect gift for anyone with an iPad!
Final take
As I mentioned, all of these accessories will work with the ‘old’ M2 iPad Air and some will even work with the iPad 10th and 11th gen! So be sure to check compatibility on each product page. Let me know what you think of this list and if you own of these! Will you be getting a new iPad? Which iPad will you be getting? Let’s discuss below!
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