The 7 best iPad accessories you can buy right now

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I've owned an iPad on and off for four years, and recently fell in love with the iPad Pro. But as great as the iPad is on its own, it's even better when paired with the right accessories. 

These seven products are iPad-centric, but if you're looking for more products that you can use with your iPad, smartphone, or computer, we've got you covered there too.

An external battery

Big screens need big batteries. The Anker PowerCore 20100 is plenty capable of keeping your iPad juiced when you’re away from an outlet: Its 20100mAh capacity is large enough to refill an iPad mini twice, and it does so quickly, yet the battery itself is unusually slim. As we’ve said before, it’s a reliable value for most portable battery needs.  

Anker PowerCore 20100, $39.99, available at Amazon

Headphones

For more personal listening, the Skullcandy Grind are an excellent value. They aren’t as compact as the best in-ear headphones, but you’re less likely to use a tablet on the run to begin with, and the Grind are lightweight and superbly comfortable either way.

As we noted in our on-ear headphones guide, the Grind have a bass-forward sound that’s powerful, but not unbalanced. It’s crisp, punchy, and fun — certainly well above what you’d normally find for $50.

There’s a single-button remote on the left ear cup, too, which makes taking calls and changing tracks a breeze. The only major hangup is that they can look a bit childish, but models like the white one linked here are fine for lounging around the house.

Skullcandy Grind, $44.17, available at Amazon.

A hardware keyboard

Once you get used to it, typing on an iPad's screen isn't all that bad. Still, there are some days where you want to hunker down over your iPad and get some real writing done. 

The iPad keyboard market is full of options, from Apple's iPad Pro-only Smart Keyboard to the Zagg Folio. Still, the iPad keyboard that has my attention is made by Brydge. Not only does it take design cues from Apple – when closed an iPad and Byrdge Keyboard look like a MacBook — but it has backlit keys.

This is a huge win for anyone who has wanted to work on a flight or in bed at night. Brydge keyboards are available for iPads of all shapes and sizes, so you're ready to type regardless of your device.

Brydge Keyboard, $149.99, available on Amazon