Apple’s newest iPad Air M2 offers a wide range of capabilities with almost 50 percent better performance than its predecessor. However, to fully unlock its potential, you’ll need to pair it with the right accessories. So, in this buying guide, I’ll introduce you to the best iPad Air M2 accessories you can get right now.
Must have accessories for iPad Air 13-inch and 11-inch (M2)
Before you go on a shopping spree, let me explain what parameters I took into account while selecting the entries:
- Budget: I have prioritized value for money above everything else to offer a diverse range of affordable yet high-quality accessories.
- Protection: Protecting the iPad Air is a major concern for several users. This list starts with accessories that safeguard the device from everyday wear and tear.
- Use case and productivity: I have also considered various use cases of the iPad Air to find accessories that can help boost the productivity of students, professionals, creators, or casual users.
With the above factors in mind, I scoured the internet to find the best sleeves, cases, stylus, keyboard, charger, and more for your M2 iPad Air. Go through the description of each and pick products that perfectly meet your requirements!
- Apple Smart Folio for iPad Air M2
- Spigen Screen Protector for M2 iPad Air
- Apple Pencil Pro
- UGreen 65W Nexode USB-C Charger
- ESR Rebound Magnetic Keyboard Case
- SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD
- Twelve South HoverBar Duo iPad Air Stand
- iPad Air Sleeves
- Wireless Keyboard
- Apple Magic Trackpad
- Wireless earbuds/headphone
1. Apple Smart Folio for iPad Air M2
If you are looking for the perfect case for your brand-new M2 iPad Air, the Apple Smart Folio should be your first preference. Though expensive, the premium fit and feel it offers are second to none.
The Apple Smart Folio has a unique three-fold design that offers a range of viewing angles ideal for reading, viewing, or typing. In addition, the case has magnets that keep it securely shut and enable the automatic sleep/wake function.
You can get the Apple Smart Folio in three pastel colors or the good, old Charcoal Gray. Regardless of the color you choose, you will definitely appreciate the case’s leather-like feel on the outside and the softness on the inside.
Interestingly, the dimensions of the 11-inch iPad Air haven’t changed. So, this case is a good option for the ones who have the 4th or 5th gen iPad Air as well!
Price: $79 | $99
View at Apple: iPad Air 13-inch | iPad Air 11-inch
2. Spigen Screen Protector for M2 iPad Air
Along with a tough case, you will also need a tough screen protector to keep your M2 iPad Air free from scuffs and scratches. My top recommendation would be Spigen’s Tempered Glass is a perfect option.
The Spigen tempered Glass screen protector is built to last. Its hardness rating of 9H offers maximum scratch and damage resistance. Further, the smooth oleophobic coating helps eliminate smudges and fingerprints.
The M2 iPad Air has a landscape front camera, and Spigen has made sure the cut-out for the 12 MP Ultra Wide camera is perfectly done.
Last but not least, the Spigen tempered glass screen protector also comes with an auto-alignment tool for quick and easy installation. To apply the protector, you just need to place it over your iPad and press in the middle.
Price: $20.99 | $24.99
View at: Amazon
3. Apple Pencil Pro
The Apple Pencil Pro is the perfect companion for your iPad Air M2. When compared to older Apple Pencils, the Pro model offers several new features to enhance your drawing, editing, and note-taking experience. The new stylus also comes with Find My support, so you never have to worry about losing it.
Thanks to a new pressure sensor and a built-in gyroscope, the Apple Pencil Pro supports new squeeze and barrel-roll gestures. The squeeze gesture allows you to instantly open a new tool pallet, while the barrel-roll gesture allows you to change the orientation of your strokes in drawing apps whenever you tilt the Pencil.
The latest Apple Pencil Pro also supports haptics and wireless charging with magnets. Haptics ensure a more tactile user experience, while the magnets allow you to simply snap the Apple Pencil to the side of the iPad to charge it.
This is easily a must-have accessory for your M2 iPad Air.
Price: $129
View at: Apple
4. UGreen 65W Nexode USB-C Charger
Since Apple doesn’t provide a charger for new iPad models in the European Union, chargers have become a hot commodity. Even if you live elsewhere, you won’t regret having a good charger in your arsenal of iPad accessories.
I would personally suggest using UGreen’s 65W Nexode USB-C Charger with your brand-new iPad Air. This dual-port USB-C charger can power up to three devices at once while smartly managing the charging speeds. Meanwhile, the GaN (Gallium Nitride) tech keeps the charger portable and power-efficient.
Price: $44.99
5. ESR Rebound Magnetic Keyboard Case
Apple’s Magic Keyboard has its own appeal. But one look at the price tag its appeal will quickly fade away. As a worthy and more affordable alternative, I’d suggest the ESR Rebound Magnetic Keyboard Case for iPad Air.
This magnetic keyboard case can help boost your productivity by elevating your typing experience and providing comfortable viewing angles. Plus, thanks to its detachable back cover, when you are done typing, you can use it as a standalone protective case for your iPad Air.
That’s not all. With its multi-touch trackpad, ESR’s Rebound keyboard greatly enhances the scrolling experience. Just like the Apple Magic Keyboard, you can use tap, pinch, and swipe gestures to quickly select text or navigate within apps.
Price: $119.99
6. SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD
If you are someone who likes editing videos and photos on the go, the SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD offers a perfect combination of utility and protection. This portable SSD from SanDisk delivers 1050MB/s of read and 1000MB/s of write speeds for quick file transfers.
It also has a rugged enclosure that offers up to 3 meters of drop protection and IP65 water—and dust resistance.
SanDisk Extreme Portable SSDs are available in four vibrant colors, with storage capacities ranging from 500GB to 4TB. This ensures that you can easily store your photos and videos without worrying about accidentally losing your data.
Price: $165.65
View at: Amazon
7. Twelve South HoverBar Duo iPad Air Stand
The Twelve South HoverBar Duo is a versatile stand that allows you to use your M2 iPad Air hands-free in several positions. This makes it perfect for video calling, following recipes, watching content, or using Sidecar with your Mac.
The HoverBar Duo comes with two different mounting options, giving you the freedom to position your iPad Air however you deem necessary. The desktop base is designed to keep your iPad at eye level on your desk, while the shelf clamp allows you to attach the HoverBar Duo to cabinets or other surfaces.
Apart from that, it also features a quick-release clip that allows you to switch between the desktop base and shelf clamp. This means you can quickly move your iPad from one place to another without having to disassemble anything.
Price: $79.99
View at: Amazon
8. iPad Air Sleeves
If you frequently travel or use your iPad Air during your daily commute, protecting it with just a case won’t cut it. You should invest in a good sleeve to ensure maximum protection against drops and dust particles that might have accumulated in your bag.
To help you choose something that fits your lifestyle, I have come up with options from two brands—MoKo and tomtoc. The sleeve from MoKo offers a simple envelope made out of PU leather, which you can slide your iPad into. Meanwhile, the one from tomtoc is made out of synthetic fabric, offers a more modern look with a zipper, and features a pocket for storing other accessories.
To sum up, if you are on a tighter budget or like the aesthetic appeal of leather, you may choose the sleeve by MoKo. On the other hand, if you’d like the extra functionality of a pocket, you may shell out a bit more and get the tomtoc sleeve. Neither will disappoint.
Price: Moko Leather Sleeve – $13.99 | tomtoc – $23.99
View at: MoKo Leather Sleeve | tomtoc Sleeve Bag
9. Wireless Keyboard
Many users prefer to use their iPad with a wireless keyboard simply because they dislike typing on a touch keypad. If you are one such user, I have got multiple keyboard options for you.
The first option would obviously be the Apple Magic Keyboard. It has a sturdy aluminum housing and offers several other features, like instant pairing and long battery life.
The second option is the Logitech Pebble 2 wireless keyboard. This is perfect if you are looking for something that works with your iPad and non-Apple devices. Plus, it is almost half the price of Apple’s $99 Magic Keyboard.
Price: $99 | $59
View at Amazon: Apple Magic Keyboard | Logitech Pebble 2
10. Apple Magic Trackpad
If you wish to use your iPad in a Mac-like setup, then along with a good keyboard, you’ll also need a good pointing device. While there are many wireless mice on the market, I would personally suggest Apple’s Magic Trackpad. It offers a premium build quality and several good-to-have features.
The Magic Trackpad’s wedge-shaped design mimics your hand’s natural resting position, making it excellent for extended usage. Plus, it features a smooth glass surface with native support for Multi-Touch gestures and Force Touch. This makes navigating through apps and menus a breeze.
Last but not least, the Magic Trackpad pairs automatically with your iPad and Mac and features a rechargeable battery that can last for a month between charges. Once the battery drains, you can charge it using a Lightning port.
Price: $129.00
View at: Apple
11. Wireless earbuds/headphone
Regardless of your workflow, you will never regret purchasing wireless earbuds or headphones for your iPad. Apart from listening to music or taking FaceTime calls, good headphones also allow you to eliminate distracting sounds with ANC. Moreover, they enable a better music creation or video editing experience.
The AirPods Pro (2nd generation) should be ideal for casual users. It offers a blend of great audio sound quality with long battery life, support for ANC, and Spatial Audio. Additionally, the IP54 protection against dust, water, and sweat helps ensure that you can use the earbuds comfortably regardless of the use case.
However, if you are more of a creative user, Beats Studio Pro is just perfect. Its over-the-ear design creates a fuller sound and supports ANC and almost all other features offered by the AirPods Pro (2nd generation). Further, Beats Studio Pro has a USB-C port, which can be used to connect via a cable.
Price: $179.99
View at Amazon: AirPods Pro (2nd generation) | Beats Studio Pro
Wrapping up…
Selecting the right accessories can help you do more with your M2 iPad Air. So, from cases and screen protectors to wireless keyboards and headphones, I hope this guide has everything you were looking for.
What accessories did you buy for your iPad Air M2? Let me know in the comments!
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