The Best iPad to Buy (and What to Avoid) in 2026: Air, Pro, Mini

Which Apple Pencil Should You Buy?

Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

The Apple Pencil is a must-have for any iPad owner who takes a lot of notes or likes to draw. (You can even use it to sign documents.) iPadOS also supports handwriting in certain search fields and apps (like Notes), so you don’t need to switch to the keyboard every time you want to type. Apple debuted a new Pencil in 2024, so you now have four options to choose from, depending on the iPad you have. Here are the key differences:

Apple Pencil (USB-C) for $79: The USB-C Apple Pencil is a bit perplexing. It launched in 2023 to support the switch to USB-C across iPads, but it lacks some features. It doesn’t offer pressure sensitivity, so it’s better suited for note-takers than artists. It can attach magnetically to the sides of an iPad, so you don’t need to find a place to store it. However, it doesn’t support wireless charging, so you’ll have to pair and charge it via USB-C. It supports Hover Mode, which allows you to preview what will happen before touching the display. This feature is exclusive to select iPad Pro, iPad Air, and iPad Mini models. The USB-C Apple Pencil is compatible with iPad (10th gen and A16), iPad Air (fourth gen, fifth gen, M2, M3, and M4), iPad Mini (sixth gen and later), iPad Pro 11-inch (first gen and later, including M4), and iPad Pro 12.9-inch (third gen and later, including M4 and M5).

Apple Pencil Pro for $99: Apple’s Pro Pencil is the most feature-packed. It looks identical to the second-generation model, complete with a matte finish, but it also has a few new tricks. A “squeeze” feature opens up a tool palette, and a new haptic engine gives feedback as you squeeze. A built-in gyroscope lets you change the orientation of the tools as you twist them (for finer control), and it supports Apple’s Find My network to track the stylus if you lose it. It’s only compatible with the iPad Air (M2, M3, and M4), iPad Pro (M4 and M5), and 8th-gen iPad Mini. (C’mon, why isn’t it backward-compatible?)

Apple Pencil (first gen) for $99: The first-generation Pencil is quite old (it came out in 2015!) but still works well—as long as you have an older, compatible iPad. It offers both pressure sensitivity (lines become thicker as you press down harder on the screen) and tilt sensitivity (for shading). It has a glossy finish instead of matte (if that matters), and it is also cylindrical, meaning it will roll off surfaces. It doesn’t feature magnets, so you can’t stick it to the tablet for safekeeping. It has a Lightning connector, so to charge it, you’ll have to remove the cap and plug it into the iPad’s charging port. If your iPad has a USB-C port, you can buy an adapter. However, it’s only compatible with the iPad (sixth gen and later), iPad Air (third gen), iPad Mini (fifth gen), iPad Pro 12.9-inch (first and second gen), iPad Pro 10.5-inch, and iPad Pro 9.7-inch.

Apple Pencil (second-gen) for $129: The second-generation Apple Pencil has the same capabilities as the first-gen and USB-C versions, plus wireless pairing and charging (it’ll charge when it magnetically sticks to the top edge of supported iPads). It also adds a double-tap feature that lets you quickly switch between tools by tapping on the Apple Pencil twice. It’s compatible with the iPad Air (fourth and fifth gen), iPad Mini (sixth gen), iPad Pro 11-inch (first gen and later), and the 12.9-inch (third gen and later). Unfortunately, Apple officially discontinued it, so newer iPads—including the iPad Air (M2, M3, and M4) or iPad Pro (M4 and M5)—don’t support it.

Great iPad Accessories

Accessories for the iPad are endless. Below, I’ve highlighted some of my favorites to round out your tablet experience. You can find even more options in our Best iPad Accessories guide.

Photograph: Luke Larsen

Twelve South Curve Mini for $50: An iPad can be a great tool to use alongside your MacBook or PC, but it needs a proper stand with plenty of adjustability. The Curve Mini is simple, but it’s stable and attractive, especially in this Dune color that I sampled.

Apple Magic Keyboard for $200: It’s expensive, yes. But it’s worth every dollar. It really does transform the iPad Air into a capable laptop replacement, with a keyboard and trackpad that’s every bit as good as a high-end laptop. It also adds a secondary USB-C port. The magnetic design does make it quite heavy, but I love how easy it is to pick up the iPad right off the case. There’s also a Magic Keyboard available for both versions of the iPad Pro, though they’re more expensive.

Zugu Case for $50+: This is my favorite folio case for the iPad for multiple reasons: It’s durable (with a rigid bumper), has a magnetic cover that stays shut, and has a flap that lets you position the screen at eight angles. The case is magnetic, so you can stick it securely to the fridge. It’s also reasonably priced, comes in an array of colors, and has a spot for your Apple Pencil.

Satechi M1 Wireless Mouse for $30: We’re already big fans of Satechi’s accessories at WIRED, and this mouse didn’t disappoint. It has a comfortable ergonomic design, a sleek aluminum finish, and smooth scrolling. It also has great battery life, thanks to its built-in lithium-ion battery. I’ve been using it for the past four months and have yet to charge it.

Mageasy CoverBuddy Case (iPad Pro) for $70: The CoverBuddy lets you magnetically connect your iPad to Apple’s Magic Keyboard case without removing the case each time. It feels durable and doesn’t add too much bulk to the iPad. There’s also a slot for the Apple Pencil Pro or the USB-C version. The company also offers the CoverBuddy Lite for the iPad Air (M2).

Photograph: Brenda Stolyar

Logitech Combo Touch (10th-gen) for $260: The Combo Touch (8/10, WIRED Recommends) comes with a built-in keyboard, trackpad, and kickstand, making it ideal for getting work done on your iPad. You can also easily remove the detachable keyboard when you don’t need it. The Combo Touch connects via Apple’s Smart Connector, so you never need to tinker with Bluetooth or charge it. It’s also available for the iPad Pro (M4) and M5 (although these add a bit of weight) and the iPad Air (M2).

Casetify Impact Screen Protector for $56: If you’re worried about damaging your iPad screen, I recommend this Casetify protector. It’s super thin, has excellent touch sensitivity, and is mostly fingerprint-resistant (I’ve wiped off some smudges here and there). It’s painless to apply—the company supplies a microfiber cloth, a de-dusting sticker, and wet and dry wipes.

Paperlike Charcoal Folio Case for $70: Paperlike is known for its screen protector, but the company also offers a great case. It’s designed to feel like a sketchbook, complete with a polyester fabric cover that feels lightweight and high-quality. You can also prop up your iPad at two levels. This case doesn’t include an Apple Pencil slot, but a large flap closure keeps it from falling out. I tested the case using the iPad Air, but it’s also available for the iPad Pro (both sizes).

Twelve South HoverBar Duo 2.0 for $80: The HoverBar serves two purposes. You can mount it to the side of your bed, kitchen counter, or shelf (for comfortable, hands-free viewing), or use the included stand at your desk. With the second-gen version, you can now remove the arm from the clamp and attach it directly to the stand, making it easier to swap between the two modes.

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