The iPad Pro is regularly touted as a laptop replacement and an amazing creative tool. But if you want to make the most of your iPad’s one USB-C port, you’re going to need some fancy peripherals and accessories.
In some ways, that’s easier said than done. What devices will enhance your iPad Pro experience isn’t always clear. Plus, manufacturers regularly include half-baked iPad support in their products as an afterthought.
When you want to make the most of your iPad Pro’s fantastic software, this lack of transparency can be incredibly frustrating. So, we’ve taken the time to round up some peripherals and accessories that work with the iPad and enhance its functions.
(Most of these products rely on the iPad Pro’s USB-C port, and they don’t work with other versions of the iPad.)
USB-C Hubs
One of the iPad Pro’s biggest productivity-killers is its lack of an SD card reader and/or extra USB ports. This makes it a hassle to transfer files to and from the iPad, which can be frustrating when you want to fully take advantage of the iPad’s fantastic video- and photo-editing programs.
But, you can get around the issue with a handy USB-C hub. These hubs can add a variety of input formats to your iPad (including HDMI), and they’re a basic necessity for any iPad power-user.
Not all USB-C hubs work with the iPad Pro just yet (the next iOS update will offer more hub support), but the few USB-C hubs that work with the iPad Pro right now are pretty good:
- RAYROW 6-Port Attachable Hub: This small hub is specifically designed for the iPad Pro. It has a 4K HDMI port, a USB-C port for charging, a headphone jack, SD and MicroSD card slots, and a USB 3.0 port for external drives. Unlike most USB hubs, the RAYROW hub stays flat against the iPad Pro, which prevents it from getting in the way of regular iPad use. (That said, this won’t play nice with most iPad cases.)
- Baseus 6-Port Attachable Hub: The Baseus is an awesome, always-on hub that attaches to the corner of your iPad. It stays out of your way (unlike most dongle hubs), and it makes your iPad look like the Borg. Port-wise, it has a USB 3.0 port, an HDMI port, SD and MicroSD card slots, a USB-C port for charging, and a headphone jack. (If you have a case on your iPad, this hub won’t fit.)
- FALWEDI 10-Port Hub: This hub dangles from your iPad (a little inconvenient), but it has a ton of ports and might be useful for use with your laptop or desktop. The FALWEDI has SD and MicroSD card slots, a USB-C charging port, three USB 3.0 ports, an HDMI port, a VGA port, an ethernet port, and a headphone jack.
- Satechi 6-Port Slim Hub: For a USB-C hub, the Satechi is incredibly slim. It’s a great “always in your bag” kind of device, and since it’s a dongle, it’ll work well with any laptop or phone. The Satechi boasts two USB 3.0 ports, SD and MicroSD card slots, a USB-C port for charging, and an HDMI port for external displays.
Now that you’ve got yourself a good USB-C hub, it’s time to start looking at external monitors.
Grab an External Display for More Fun and Productivity
Thanks to the iPad Pro’s USB-C port, you can easily mirror your iPad’s screen to an external monitor. Simply connect the iPad to a monitor via USB-C cable, and boom, you’re done. This feature is great for watching videos, drawing, or for doing your “serious” work on a “serious” monitor. (For monitors without a USB-C video input, you’ll need a USB-C to HDMI cable or a USB-C to DisplayPort cable. Or, you could use a USB-C hub with an HDMI output.)
