What is the Best Lightning Headphone Splitter Adapter for iPhone?

What is the Best Lightning Headphone Splitter Adapter for iPhone?

If you’ve ever wanted to listen to music while charging your iPhone, you need a lightning headphone splitter. Starting with the iPhone 7, Apple nixed the traditional headphone jack on their cell phones so all you’ve got to work with is a single Lightning port on the bottom of your phone. Lightning headphone splitter adapters are very handy to have.

There are two kinds of lightning headphone adapters: those that split into two lightning ports and those that split into a lightning port and a traditional round 3.5mm headphone jack. We’re going to include both types in this article. First up: Lightning headphone splitters that provide you with a Lightning jack and a headphone jack.

Lightning Headphone Splitters with 1 Headphone Port & 1 Lightning Port

iphone lightning headphone splitter with headphone jack

If you want to listen to music wearing a traditional pair of headphones with a round 3.5mm (1/8th inch) jack while charging your phone, you need a lightning to headphone port splitter. Here are three great Lightning splitters to choose from:

2 in 1 3.5mm Audio & Lightning Charger Adapter

If you want a classic white dongle to match the white Apple accessories, Ambrrhty has the audio and charging adapter for you. This splitter plugs into your iPhone and provides two ports: a 3.5mm AUX audio port for your tradional headphones and other audio connectors to listen to music and a lightning port to charge your device. Use the audio jack to connect to headphones, stereo, or even your car. There’s no sacrifice of sound quality with 24 bit and 48 bit audio.

Enjoy your music as you charge from a lightning to USB cable or from a portable charger. This splitter also supports the microphone and remote on Apple EarPods so you can make calls while you charge your iPhone. Comes with a 6 month warranty if you have any issues.


Belkin 3.5 mm Audio + Charge RockStar iPhone Lightning Adapter

If you’re searching for a name brand adapter, Belkin offers a audio and lightning splitter for iPhone. The Rockstar support simultaneous lightning port charging while listening to music, watching videos, or making calls. This adapter was designed specifically for Apple iPhones, so it works with the EarPods microphone and remote for easy control. This is also one of the few lightning splitters that supports data transfer for syncing music and photos to your Macbook or iMac.

With fast charging and clear audio passthrough, this adapter does have a higher price than other third party iPhone adapters. But that price may be worth the extra features and peace of mind of the Belkin name.



Lightning Headphone Splitters with 2 Lightning Ports

iphone lightning headphone splitter with 2 lightning ports

If you want to be able to charge your iPhone via Lightning and listen to music using Lightning headphones at the same time then you need this category of adapter: a lightning to lightning splitter. Here are some great choices:

Dual Lightning Adapter & Splitter

If you’re looking for an affordable adapter to allow you to listen to music and charge your phone at the same time, this is a great adapter for lightning ports. The adapter is compatible with the lastest iPhones and iOS version. Designed to be compatible with Apple EarPods, it supports the microphone for making calls and the remote. It also works with lightning to 3.5 mm headphone jack adapters if you ever want to use a traditional set of headphones or hook up to a car sterio or other device.

You won’t lose any sound quality with these headphones as they support up to 48 KHz and 24-bit audio output.


2 in 1 Dual Lightning Headphone Jack Audio + Charge Cable

If extra cables are getting you tangled, this plug-in style lightning splitter might meet your needs. They designed it to plug directly into your iPhone and provide two lightning ports, one for charging via a lightning to USB cable and the other for listening to lightning headphones. This adapter provides all the features you need, with EarPod microphone and remote support and high quality 24 bit, 48 kHz audio output.

The slim design and small size mean the adapter won’t get in the way while you’re on the go. Plus it’s easy to toss in a purse or briefcase to always have on hand. It’s also a cheap lightning headphone splitter, perfect if you’re on a budget.


Belkin Rockstar Lightning Audio + Charge Splitter

If you’re looking for a brand name iPhone lightning splitter, this model from Belkin is a good choice. The Rockstar is designed to let you charge your iPhone or iPad while you listen to music video lightning headphones. It supports pass through charging up to 12W and 48 kHz, 24-bit audio output. Don’t worry about making calls with this adapter as it supports both the microphone and the remote on Apple EarPods. Like other iPhone lightning splitters, it does not support audio splitting, or data sync. It also only works with the official Apple Lightning to 3.5mm Headphone Jack Adapter.

This adapter is sized like many other Apple adapters with 1.38″ dongle and a full length of 4.5″ including the cord. With the brand name comes a higher price point that may not be worth it when compared to cheaper options.


Frequently asked questions about lightning headphone splitter adapters:

Can two people listen to music at the same time using these Lightning headphone splitters?

Unfortunately, because of limitations, Apple has put on the current Lightning specification only one person can listen to music at the same time. These lightning cable splitters are for listening to music and charging your phone at the same time, not sharing music with another person.

What versions of iOS do these Lightning splitters work with?

They work with iOS 10 and later. If your iPhone or iPad is up to date, you’re in good shape to use these.

Do these Lightning adapters require a special app to work?

Nope; they’re plug and play. Just plug them in and they’ll work. If you encounter a problem, try disconnecting everything and plugging your headphones or charging cables or both into the adapter before you plug the adapter into the phone.

Car Aux Lightning Chargers & Audio Cables for iPhone

Car Aux Lightning Chargers & Audio Cables for iPhone

If you’re looking for a cable to listen to your iPhone’s music or charge it while you’re driving in a car, you’re in the right place. We’re going to go down the list of some of the best iPhone cables for cars in this roundup. Note: some of these iPhone car aux cables have the ability to charge your phone, others don’t, so be sure you pay close attention to what you’re choosing if charging is an important feature to you.

The Best Lightning Connector iPhone Car Audio Cables

Belkin 3.5 mm Audio Cable with Lightning Connector

This basic Lightning to headphone adapter for car stereos features a standard 1/8th inch headphone jack on the end that you plug into your car’s aux audio port and a Lightning connector on the end that you plug into your iPhone. It will work with any iPhone that has a Lightning connector (iPhone 5 and higher) and it reaches either 3 feet or 6 feet, which is plenty long enough for most car setups. You can also use it to connect to your home stereo.

Comes in black.

Continue reading Car Aux Lightning Chargers & Audio Cables for iPhone

10 Coolest iPhone Gadgets, Accessories, & Gifts

10 Coolest iPhone Gadgets, Accessories, & Gifts

iPhones are cool in their own right. They’re basically a mini-computer in your pocket that connects you the entire world. And with all the apps and games available, you can do nearly anything on your iPhone. Not surprisingly, since iPhones are one of the most popular smartphones available, there are tons of iPhone accessories and gadgets. While a lot of them are simply practical, some are super fun. So we explored all the iPhone gadgets available and picked out the coolest ones. These are great to buy for yourself or as a gift for your favorite Apple addict. Check them out below.

10 Coolest iPhone Gadgets & Accessories

Travel Lamp Phone Light

Everyone has that crazy moment where you need a light so you pull out your iPhone and turn on flashlight mode. While that’s great for times when you need the direct light a flashlight provides, it doesn’t work in every situation. This little gadget is a cute solution to that problem.

This lamp-shaped, silicone gizmo slides over your iPhone like a rubber band. When the lamp is placed over your flashlight, the light is diffused and cast like lamplight. It’s ingenious, fun, and lightweight. Available in a classic lamp style or a traditional lantern design that’s perfect for campouts. Makes a great stocking stuffer for that brother in law who is impossible to shop for.

Continue reading 10 Coolest iPhone Gadgets, Accessories, & Gifts

Best USB C to Lightning Charging Cable for iPhone and MacBook

4 Best USB C to Lightning Charging Cable for iPhone and MacBook

The newest MacBooks have USB C ports, so if you want to charge or sync your iPhone or iPad, you’re going to need a new cable. USB C to lightning charging cables are the new standard for Apple charging, but you may need to buy a new cable in order to connect your device to your Macbook. We’ve rounded up the best USB C to lightning cables for all your charging needs.

Make sure you have a USB C wall charger if you want to plug your device into an outlet to charge.

Apple USB-C to Lightning Cable

If you prefer to use official Apple cables, then the Apple USB-C to Lightning Cable will meet your needs. Available in 1 meter or 2 meter lengths, this cable can charge your iPhone, iPad, or iPod via power adapter or plug into a Mac with USB C.

Continue reading 4 Best USB C to Lightning Charging Cable for iPhone and MacBook

Best USB C Wall Charging Bricks

4 Best USB C Wall Charging Bricks

If you need a replacement wall charger for your smartphone or you recently bought a new iPhone that didn’t come with a charging brick, we’ve got you covered. These are the best wall power adapters for USB C charging cables. These work with USB C to lightning cables for Apple devices and other USC C charging cables.

Looking for a charging brick for an older USB charging cable? Check out the best USB A wall chargers.

Apple 20W USB-C Power Adapter

If you’re brand loyal to Apple, this is the wall charger for you to charge your iPhone or iPad. This 20W charger allows faster charging (up to 50% in 20 minutes and 100% in just over two hours–learn more) in the newer iPhone 12 & 13. Pair it with the USB C to lightning cable that came with your phone and you’re ready to go.


Anker USB C 20W Charger

If you want a 20W charger but don’t want to buy an Apple brick, this is an excellent alternative. This 20W charger offers the same fast charging in a 50% smaller-sized wall adapter, so it’s more convenient to carry in your purse or pocket.

Available in black, white, lavender gray, and mint green colors. 18 month warranty.





USB C Dual Wall Charger

If you own an iPhone and an iPad, a dual wall charger like this allows you to charge both devices at once without taking up two outlets. This AC adapter is 40W, allowing for 20W fast charging from each port for smartphones and tablets. If you use only one port, it can provide up to 30W charging, which can be used for Macbook air, iPad Pro, and Pixel 6 Pro.

24 month warranty.


USB C & USB A 4 Port Wall Charger

If you have a mixture of chargers and devices, this charging brick is the best of both worlds. This charger features two of the older style USB A ports and two USB C ports. The device can deliver a max of 100W, with 45W via USB C and 18W via USB A. This charger is perfect for traveling, the plug is foldable and it includes an EU and UK plug adapter for European travel.

Available in black and white.


Don’t forget to pick up a USB C to Lightning charging cable to go with your new wall charger.

If you have an older charging cable, you will need a USB A Wall Charging Brick.

Toss DVI Cables

Cables, Cords, & Adapters: Keep or Toss?

If you’re like us, you’re probably in spring cleaning mode. Maybe you’re inspired by Marie Kondo to organize your home and get rid of items that don’t spark joy or being cooped up all winter has you yearning for a tidier home. When it comes to electronics, especially all the random accessories and cables, it’s hard to know what makes sense to keep and what you should send for recycling. This guide will give you some basic rules to follow so you make sure you’re holding on to useful adapters and cables, while chucking the rest.

Cables & Adapters to Keep

1. Lightning Cables

Lightning cables are the charger for most Apple products, including iPhones, iPads, and computer accessories like wireless keyboards and mouses. If you buy Apple products, keep every lightning cable you get your hands on. You may even want to buy some extra cables to keep on hand for when you need to charge all your devices at once.

2. HDMI Cables

There are so many uses for HDMI cables these days, that you should never throw one out unless it’s worn and broken. HDMI cables are now the standard for home theater set-ups and computer monitors. Keep any extras on hand for future needs. Continue reading Cables, Cords, & Adapters: Keep or Toss?

10 Coolest Useful Stocking Stuffer Gadgets

Sometimes finding gifts for everyone on your list can be a bit of a challenge. You don’t want to buy something they hate and some gifts are so generic it seems like you haven’t put any thought into them. Win at Christmas by giving useful and cool gadgets that anyone can use. If you’re looking for better gifts than socks, these compact and affordable presents are actually useful. So get a few of these practical stocking stuffer gadgets for those hard to shop for family and friends on your list.

10 Best Stocking Stuffer Gadgets

1. Adonit Pro 3 Stylus

Apple Pencils are all the rage for iPad users, but they’re expensive. The Adonit Pro 3 stylus is an affordable alternative that works with any touchscreen tablet or smartphone. The fine point design is perfect for drawing, writing, and general use. Plus it’s a perfectly sized stocking stuffer.

See more Apple pencil alternatives.

Continue reading 10 Coolest Useful Stocking Stuffer Gadgets

Best iPad Stylus & Apple Pencil Alternatives

Best iPad Stylus and Apple Pencil Alternatives

Right now iPads and the more expensive iPad Pro line-up are some of the best tablets on the market. And with the Apple Pencil, the stylus game has been taken to the next level. The Apple Pencil offers precision and sensitivity so close to using a real pencil and paper that artists and writers are all switching to this new tech. Even just using an Apple Pencil as a stylus makes tablets easier to use and more accessible. But, this amazing technology comes with a hefty price tag and not everyone can afford the extra cost. For this article, we break down some of the best alternatives to the Apple Pencil. Whether you’re looking for a really cheap stylus for casual browsing or a good competitor to the Pencil, we’ve got all of the best options below.

Best iPad Stylus Options

Apple Pencil

Handsdown, the Apple Pencil is the best stylus for an iPad, so we wanted to review it briefly so you can compare it to the other options. Because it’s designed and manufactured by Apple, the Pencil is made to work perfectly with their iPads. It’s designed to look like a pencil with a tapered tip that offers a very precise drawing and writing experience, especially in comparison to cheaper styluses that have big round rubber tips. When you use it with the iPad, there is no lag, it feels like you are drawing directly on the screen with a pen. It also works really well for navigation and generally selecting things on the screen, but if you’re not going to use it for drawing and writing, I would say it’s not worth spending the extra dollars.

There are two big drawbacks for the Apple Pencil: the first is the price. The second is this stylus is only compatible with iPad Pros & the 6th generation 9.7″ iPad released in March 2018. Some people will count this as a downside, but I feel like this is a neutral point. The Apple Pencil has to be charged. Apple boasts a 12-hour battery life, which should easily get you through the day with heavy use. You can charge the Pencil by plugging it directly into your iPad or buy a third party Apple Pencil charging cable.

Compatibility: iPad Pro 9.7″ & 12.9″, 6th Generation iPad 9.7″

Available Colors: White


Wacom Bamboo Fineline 3 Smart Stylu

If you’re looking for a fine tip iPad stylus that is a formidable alternative to the Apple Pencil, the Fineline is the one for you. This stylus connects to your iPad via Bluetooth to deliver a precision you can’t get with cheaper alternatives. As a result, it does need to be recharged with the included USB cable. There is a battery indicator on the stylus and it automatically goes into sleep mode when not in use. The fine tip offers accuracy similar to using a pen, but many users report a delay that can be frustrating. This model does not come with a cap, instead you can twist the tip in and out, which also turns the pen on and off.

While the Fineline is priced lower than the Apple Pencil, it is one of the more expensive alternatives. If you’re just looking for a stylus for navigation, I’d recommend checking out some of the cheaper options below. It’s also only compatible with iOS devices and only works when paired with certain apps, like Bamboo Paper and Inkspace. Some users do complain about accidentally hitting the shortcut button while they’re using the Bamboo Fineline.

Compatibility: iPads & iPhones featuring Bluetooth and iOS8 or later

Available Colors: Black, Blue, Light Blue, White




Adonit Pro 3 Fine Point Stylus for iPad

The Adonit Pro 3 is a slick and reasonably priced alternative to the Apple Pencil. It’s geared at creatives and professionals who need to write, draw, and mark up things on their iPad. The design on this model is a little different from other styluses you may have seen. It features a clear Precision Disc which glides over your iPad screen, while the pen point shows exactly where you’re writing. It works quite smoothly and features a magnetic cap that protects the pen in your pocket or bag. This is an analog stylus, so there’s no charging to worry about and it works with all touch screen devices.

There are downsides with analog styluses. While it has a slick aluminum design and a comfortable grip, you may notice a slight delay when writing, which can be a big problem for artists. Adonit recommends this model for everyday notes and sketching, so it’s great for students or workers to jot down notes. If drawing and art are your main motivations for a stylus, you might want to try the Adonit Pixel Pro–but at that price point, you might as well buy an Apple Pencil if you have a compatible iPad.

Compatibility: All Touchscreens, All iPads, Smartphones, Android Tablets, Touchscreen Laptops

Available Colors: Black, Silver, Midnight Blue, Rose Gold


Cosmonaut Wide Grip Stylus for iPad

The Cosmonaut is different from the other styluses on this list, and it’s very apparent. This tablet stylus is thick, about the same thickness as a dry erase marker. While you may be put off by this at first, it’s actually a great design. The thicker barrel is more comfortable to hold and a great option for kids or people with accessibility issues. It features a round tip perfect for touchscreen navigation or writing and drawing.

The Cosmonaut stylus does lack an exact tip that may make drawing more difficult for some graphic designers and artists. It was designed to be most similar to writing on a dry erase board, so if you’re doing detailed sketching, consider the recommendations above. But with a wide range of compatible devices and a reasonable price point, this is a great alternative to the Apple Pencil, especially for younger users.

Compatibility: All iPads, Android Devices, Smartphones, Kindle Fire, Capacitive Touch Screens.

Available Colors: Black


Cada Drawing Stylus for iPad

If you’re an artist or want a cheap Apple Pencil alternative that’s easy to doodle with while you take notes in class, the CADA Stylus is a fantastic low priced option. Similar in design to the Adonit, the CADA gives you an accurate pinpoint in the center of a clear accryllic disc, so you always can see where you’re drawing. The spring tip helps drawing feel natural, allowing you to work at any angle.

The CADA drawing stylus is lightweight and features a curved ergonomic design for comfort. While this stylus is great for artists and comes at a fantastic low price, it is not the same drawing experience as an Apple Pencil or the other more expensive options on our list. But it’s great for budget-strapped students.

Compatibility: All iPads, Android Tablets, Smartphones, Kindle Fire, Motorola Xoom Tablet, Samsung Galaxy, Other Capacitative Touch Screens (Does not work with Windows tablets)

Available Colors: Black, Blue, Red, White


AmazonBasics Executive Stylus for Touchscreen Devices

If you’re just looking for a cheap tablet stylus for casual browsing and occasional writing on your tablet or smartphone, this is one of the best deals available. AmazonBasics is Amazon’s private label brand that makes a variety of good quality, low cost tech accessories. At under $10, this stylus is a great value that works find with all iPad models and other capacitive touch screen devices. This pen sized stylus is light and comfortable in the hand and features a clip for easy storage. It has a sophisticated style that’s great for the office or for home.

While they say you can use it for drawing, professional artists will probably find themselves frustrated by the experience. This is a good option for hobbyists using coloring book apps. This is also fantastic for people who feel like they’re “fat fingered” when they use tablets or smartphones. It’s good for typing and fantastic for navigation. Using a stylus like this is good to avoid smudging your screen or covering it in fingerprints.

Compatibility: All iPads, Android Tablets, Smartphones, Any Touchscreen Devices

Available Colors: Black, Blue, Silver


Don’t feel like writing on your iPad? Check out the best iPad keyboards for personal use and school.

Check out these touchscreen gloves so you can use your iPad in cold weather.


Super Useful Adapters for iPads & iPhones: Camera, USB, TV, Ethernet & More

usb ethernet and camera adapters for iPads and iPhones

iPads and iPhones are quickly becoming full-fledge computing platforms. One thing that’s holding them back is their lack of ports however: even the beefy iPad Pro famously has just a single Lightning connector port and a single headphone 3.5mm jack built in. The good news is there are more and more adapters for iPads and iPhones which allow you to extend their capabilities to connect cameras, wired internet, televisions, projectors, keyboards and more. We’ve rounded up some of the most useful iPad adapters and iPhone connectors.

So let’s jump in and connect some neat stuff to your iOS devices.

USB, Camera, Ethernet, & TV adapters for iPads and iPhones

Apple Lightning to USB Camera Adapter

This is one of the original iPad adapters made by Apple themselves. It plugs into your iPad or iPhone’s Lightning port and offers you a normal USB type A port in exchange. When you plug in this USB adapter for iPad/iPhone you can download photos from your DSLR or other camera by plugging it in just as you would plug it into a computer with its USB cable. You can also plug in a limited set of other USB devices like physical keyboards for typing faster than the on-screen software keyboard that iOS devices have. It’s also possible to plug in musical instruments like USB-connector MIDI keyboards to play music with the GarageBand app.

Apple Lightning to USB Camera Adapter

Here’s a neat iPhone/iPad adapter. It’s a camera memory card reader for iPhone/iPad. You can plug it into your iPhone or iPad and read images directly off of your camera’s SD memory card or micro SD card (sometimes called a TF card). One other neat trick this device has is a normal USB type A port on the other side so you can also use it to read memory cards on to your computer. It even has a fold-out micro USB adapter which lets you plug it into various Android devices that have a micro USB port. If you need to transfer images from a memory card on to a variety of devices, this might be a great choice.

Note that this iPad adapter won’t allow you to connect an iPad to a computer– for that you’ll need a regular old Lightning cable. (See our related articles: The Longest Lightning Charging, Sync Cables for iPhones & iPads and The Best Short Lightning Cables for iPhones & iPads.)



Lightning to Ethernet Adapter For iPhone/iPad

If you’ve ever tried to use an iPad or iPhone in a place with terrible Wifi or poor cell signals, you may have thought to yourself “boy I wish I could just plug this thing into the wall to get internet!” Well, with an iPad to ethernet adapter such as this one, you can exactly that. It plugs into the Lightning port found on your iPhone or iPad and provides you with an Ethernet port on the other end. The iPhone adapter cable is 3.3 feet (1 meter) long, and comes in silver. Of course you’ll also still need to supply your own ethernet cable to plug into your router or wall-based ethernet outlet. See our related article: Best Short, Medium and Long Cat 6 Ethernet Cables.

Lightning to VGA Adapter for iPhones, iPads

The VGA standard for projectors and external displays was introduced all the way back in 1987. (Heck, it might even be older than you are!) But still all these years later VGA connectors are common to find for projectors and external monitors. If you need to connect your iPad or iPhone to a device like a projector that only has a VGA input port, you’ll need a Lightning to VGA adapter like this one. It connects to your iPad or iPhone’s Lightning connector and provides you with two ports at the other end: a VGA port and a second Lightning port to plug in your power adapter. Of course you’ll still need a VGA cable to connect the adapter to your projector or external display or other device.

Apple Lightning Digital AV Adapter for Select iPhone, iPad and iPod Models

This adapter lets you plug your iPhone or iPad into an HDMI cable which is connected to a television, external monitor, or digital projector. It’s simple to use: just plug it into the Lightning connector at the bottom of your iPhone or iPad and then plug in your HDMI cable and connect it to whatever device you’re going to display the content on. This is a great cheap alternative to buying a more expensive Apple TV for displaying iPad content on your television.

Frequently asked questions about iPad keyboards:

Will the iPad USB adapter work with this (XYZ) specific device? iPad to USB connectors or iPhone USB adapters work with a limited set of devices. Since there are tons of different types of USB devices– literally thousands– there’s no way for us to say for sure whether or not this adapter will work with specific devices. If you’re unsure whether or not a device will work we recommend you do a Google search to see if you can find other people talking about that particular USB accessory working or not working with a USB to Lightning adapter.

In general people seem to have good luck attaching external keyboards, still cameras, and musical instruments with MIDI outputs. Some other devices may work as well. For some (admittedly a little outdated) examples, see this 2010 Macworld article: iPad Camera Connection Kit connects other things, too.

Do I need to install any special software to make these adapters work with my iPhone or iPad? No. All of the iPad to USB or other types of iPhone adapters listed on this page don’t require you to install any special software or drivers. (In fact, iOS doesn’t even have drivers!) It’s just plug and play for each of these Lightning adapters.

The Best iPad Keyboards for Personal Use & Schools

Best iPad keyboard for schools

More and more people are using iPads as laptop replacements these days. They’re fast, have amazing battery life and they’re also easy to use. Perhaps the only drawback for everyday use is their lack of a physical keyboard. We’ve done a run-down on the best physical keyboards for iPad which you can attach wirelessly using Bluetooth. Because we’re putting extra attention to durability as well as price, these iPad keyboards are especially good for school use– not just for individuals.

The Best Keyboards for iPad for schools & personal use

Anker Bluetooth Folio Keyboard Case for iPad

Anker, a high tech accessory company founded by former Google engineers, has created one of the most popular keyboards for iPads: the Folio Smart Case. It folds around your tablet and practically turns your iPad into a laptop. With a comfortable keyboard and a 6 rechargeable month battery life between recharges (assuming 2 hours of use every day), this Bluetooth keyboard case for iPad comes in black and dark gray. One nice thing about this iPad keyboard case is that it has a hole for your device’s camera, something not every case offers. When you open or close the case it’ll automatically activate the keyboard once it’s been initially paired. It also acts as an iPad prop so you can view the tablet’s screen while you’re typing without having to set it against anything else.

Note that this particular model is for iPad Air 2 (popular in the education market– many schools have them). However, they also offer other models to fit other iPads:

Anker iPad keyboard case for 2 / 3 / 4

iPad Pro case with keyboard

This is a very popular keyboard case for the 9.7 inch iPad Pro (models for other sizes below). It features an LED-backlit keyboard for typing in the dark (that can be set to any one of 7 different color options!) and it’s even water-resistant in case you spill something on it. This model doesn’t run on replaceable batteries; instead, it has a rechargeable battery that you can plug into any standard USB outlet (comes with a charging cable). The LED-backlit keyboard has an on-off switch luckily since it uses a fair amount of battery. Although if you have the keyboard lighting off, it’ll run for up to 180 hours without a recharge, which is a better life than any laptop (and of course it’s also better than your iPad too). It comes in silver, black, gold, rose gold, and black color options.

Note that since iPad Pros come in different sizes you’ll need to choose a keyboard case that fits your model. If you don’t have the 9.7″ iPad Pro, you’ll want to check out these alternatives for different sizes:

Keyboard Case for 12.9″ iPad Pro

Anker Bluetooth Ultra-Slim Keyboard

In some cases (pun intended) you might not want a full iPad keyboard case– you might just want the keyboard itself. For instance, if you already have an iPad case that you’re happy with or you you only want to use a Bluetooth keyboard for iPad under certain circumstances. Here’s a model for that scenario: it’s an ultra-slim Bluetooth keyboard for iPads (or iPad Air, iPad Pro, iPad Mini or even devices like iPhones or Galaxy Tabs or Macs & Windows PCs).

It connects to your device using the normal Bluetooth pairing protocol. Runs off of standard AAA Batteries for 3 months of life before you’ll need to replace them. This wireless iPad keyboard also features a neat auto-sleep mode where it automatically turns off after 30 minutes of inactivity. Although this model is a black iPad keyboard, they also offer a iPad keyboard in white.

Frequently asked questions about iPad keyboards:

Will every iPad case with keyboard fit every iPad?

Nope! iPad Minis are quite small and iPad Pros come in different sizes, so you’ll need to make sure that whichever keyboard case for iPad that you get is the right size for your tablet model.

Does any Bluetooth keyboard work with iPad?

Since the iPad uses the standard Bluetooth specification, any regular old Bluetooth wireless keyboard should work with your iPad. However you’ll want to make sure that if you do get just a regular old Bluetooth keyboard, it doesn’t require a special USB dongle to pair it with your computer. If you have a Mac desktop like an iMac for instance, there’s a good chance it came with Apple’s standard wireless Bluetooth keyboard. You know, the one that looks like this:

If you want to, you can pair that with your iPad by going into Settings on the iPad, choosing Bluetooth and then turning it on. Then you’ll see a list of all “discoverable” devices (like your keyboard when it’s switched on) which you can connect to. Your iPad will then give your a special code to type on your keyboard and once you type that in, you’ll be paired and ready to use your physical keyboard with your iPad.

Can I use a normal USB wired keyboard to plug into my iPad, or do I have to use a wireless Bluetooth keyboard for my iPad?

Many people don’t know this but there actually is a way to use a regular old USB computer keyboard with an iPad. In order to plug it in however you’ll need Apple’s Lightning to USB connector dongle which plugs into your iPad’s Lightning port and gives you a USB port to plug in either a camera or a keyboard (or a few other types of peripherals like USB pianos for recording in the GarageBand music app).

Why would a person want a keyboard for an iPad?

Many people find physical keyboards much more comfortable to type on as opposed to a glass screen on a tablet where you can’t quite feel where the keys begin and end, and they have no physical feedback to let you know that you’ve pressed them. Plus a keyboard on a screen is often more cramped than we’re used to, even on small laptops with small keyboards.

The main reasons people cite for wanting to use a physical keyboard with an iPad are the following:

  • Speed – It’s easier to type quickly on a regular physical keyboard than it is on a glass screen without physical keys
  • Accuracy – For most people it’s still easier to type in a highly accurate fashion when you can feel the keys beneath your fingertips
  • Comfort – Because of the larger size of a physical keyboard and the ergonomics of typing on a flat surface it’s more comfortable for many people to use a physical keyboard with an iPad instead of typing directly on the screen

Some people may wonder, what is the point of typing on an iPad instead of a laptop when you’re adding a physical keyboard to your tablet anyway?

That’s a fair question but some people prefer to get serious writing done on an iPad because they like that it offer several features. Here are the pros and cons of using an iPad for writing:

  • Constant autosaving – This is built into iOS
  • Distraction-free writing environment – It’s easy to get distracted on a computer when you can open so many things at one time but since iPads have rudimentary multitasking it’s easier to feel like you’re sandboxed in so you can focus on the task at hand
  • Amazing battery life – Because of their modern design, iPads have incredible battery life that no laptop can match
  • Size, weight, and portability – Even with an external iPad keyboard case, these tablets are still often lighter and smaller than even compact laptops are