5 Useful Accessories Every iPad Mini Owner Needs

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The iPad Mini is more expensive than the base iPad because it offers a more powerful experience in a smaller form factor. This is thanks to its A17 Pro chip, which has more cores than the A16 in the base model. It allows the tablet to use Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Intelligence features, as well as Wi-Fi 6E when available. Measuring 5.3 x 7.69 inches, the iPad Mini is about the size of a paperback book and significantly lighter than other iPad models, making it a great tablet for reading, taking notes, and traveling.

As with other models, you can greatly improve your iPad Mini experience with the right accessories. However, it can be difficult to find ones that you can use with the Mini, as many cases and the like are primarily designed for the iPad and iPad Pro. Even Apple doesn’t offer a Magic Keyboard for the Mini. There are also accessories that you might not have thought of using with a tablet that are perfect for the iPad Mini. Here are five that any iPad Mini owner should find useful, regardless of what they use their tablet for.

Users say the iPad Mini is the perfect size for taking notes, especially if you don’t have a surface to write on and need to balance it in one hand, so the first thing any iPad Mini owner needs (other than a protective case) is a good stylus. Even if you don’t plan to write on your tablet, styluses are a great way to use your touchscreen without leaving any marks. While there are cheaper alternatives worth trying, the Apple Pencil line is unmatched thanks to its pressure and tilt sensitivity. These features, along with the pencil’s low latency, simulate the feeling of writing or drawing on paper better than third-party pencils.

The Apple Pencil is pretty much essential for artists, and the Apple Pencil Pro adds even more convenient options for changing colors and tools. Even those of us who can barely draw stick figures can appreciate the haptic feedback of the premium stylus and connection to the Find My app, which is especially useful for something as small and easy to lose as a pencil.

At $129, the Apple Pencil Pro is a significant purchase. Other models start at $79, but, as mentioned, there are more budget-friendly options, albeit with fewer features. Depending on how you use your iPad Mini, a basic rubber-tipped stylus may be enough. However, if you can swing it, the Apple Pencil Pro offers the best overall experience.

The Apple Pencil may be the most useful accessory for your iPad Mini, but a case is the most important thing to buy for your tablet. It will protect your device from superficial damage and cover the screen when you’re not using it to protect it from scratches (although you should also consider a screen protector to protect your iPad). Since you’ll likely spend most of your time using your iPad at a table, you won’t have to worry about dropping it as often. This means that a simple folio case is probably all you need.

A great option is the ProCase Smart Case for iPad Mini, available at Amazon, where it has 4.6 stars based on nearly 10,000 ratings. Prices vary depending on color, but the case will only cost you between $9.99 and $16.99. Compare that to Apple’s $59 Smart Folio, which is nearly identical with a front cover that can be folded two different ways to act as a stand. The ProCase iPad Mini case is simple but effective while being much more affordable than the Smart Folio.

If you want to use your iPad for work, school, or writing, you’ll need a good keyboard. While keyboard cases are most convenient for other iPad models, the Mini is too small for a comfortably sized model that can fit nicely in a case. There are many Bluetooth keyboards that connect to your iPad, but if you plan to use your tablet on the go, a foldable keyboard that you can easily slip into your bag is the best choice. Our recommendation is the iClever BoostType BK08, available on Amazon for $52.99, for its smart design and solid construction.

When folded, the keyboard is smaller than the iPad Mini and weighs less than half a pound, about the same weight as a larger iPhone. The BoostType is made of aluminum, making it sturdier than the cheap plastic keyboards you’ll also find on Amazon, and it can connect to up to three devices at once. The BK08 stands out from other iClever keyboards with its trackpad which recreates the feeling of working on a laptop. While it’s not strictly necessary, a keyboard makes tasks on your tablet easier, and the iClever BoostType BK08 in particular is a great fit for the iPad Mini.

Most of the essential accessories for the iPad Mini are useful on any model, but the size of the tablet makes a PopSocket a distinctly useful tool. Since the Mini is significantly smaller than other iPads and not much larger than an iPhone, it can be difficult to hold comfortably. PopSockets make using your device more convenient, just like with larger smartphones. Simply attach one to the back to make it easier to hold your iPad in one hand, or use your PopSocket as a mini stand.

Although your mind may immediately picture a MagSafe PopSocket, you’re better off buying one that attaches with adhesive, as iPad models don’t have MagSafe built-in – neither the magnets nor the wireless charging functionality. You can get a simple, clear one for under $20 on Amazon, but there are of course plenty of colors, designs, and even characters available on the official PopSocket website. The iPad Mini’s main appeal is its flexibility, and a PopSocket gives you even more ways to use your tablet.

According to Apple, the iPad Mini has a 19.3 watt-hour battery that should last up to 10 hours on a single charge if you use the Internet or watch videos. It’s not bad, but it’s less than other iPads. Additionally, since the Mini is very portable, it’s a good idea to invest in a good power bank to operate your device when you don’t have a power outlet available. Look for one with at least 20 watts of USB-C output, as anything lower than that will be slow.

When it comes to a specific power bank, Anker offers a variety of portable batteries designed for Apple products, and our pick is the Anker Nano Power Bank. It holds about a full charge for a basic iPad, which is more than enough for an iPad Mini, and it has a 45W USB-C output for fast charging. Best of all, it comes with a retractable cable, so you don’t have to worry about carrying one around. The Anker Nano on the company’s website and on Amazon sells for $59.99.

For a budget-friendly option, Iniu offers a charger with the same capacity and speed for $23.99, although it only has a 0.4-foot cable compared to Anker’s 2.3-foot one. Both have good reviews, but users indicate that Anker is more reliable. Iniu’s power bank will get the job done, but go with the Anker Nano if you’re willing to pay for quality.

To select these products, we looked at what types of accessories enhance the core user experience specifically for the iPad Mini. As Apple’s smallest tablet, it’s incredibly portable, which is why many of them are aimed at users who plan to take their device with them. We also looked at social media posts to learn specific ways people use their iPad Mini and common complaints, like the device being hard to hold in one hand.

Regarding the individual products mentioned, we have selected those that were recommended by user reviews on Amazon and other outlets. Price wasn’t a major factor, but it helped us choose between equivalent products.