Top 10 Accessories for Your iPad Air

Since the iPad Air’s release late last year, accessory makers have had a few months to design and market brand-new accessories for Apple’s latest tablet. We’ve sorted through the best to assemble this lineup of premium gadgets to complement your iPad Air.

Paul Mah is a freelance writer and blogger who lives in Singapore. He has worked in various capacities within the IT industry and enjoys tinkering with tech gadgets, smartphones and networking devices. You can reach Paul at paul@mah.sg and follow him on Twitter at @paulmah.

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The Adonit Jot Script Evernote Edition ($74.99) is a unique stylus designed specifically for iOS devices such as the iPad Air tablet. The fine 1.9mm tip gives the Jot Script the unparalleled feel of a real pen. Under the hood, the stylus incorporates advanced capabilities such as palm rejection, while a built-in accelerometer offers greater precision. The device communicates with supported apps using Bluetooth 4.0 Low Energy (LE). The Adonit Jot Script Evernote Edition uses a replaceable AAA lithium battery (included) that’s good for months of use.

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The Belkin QODE Ultimate Keyboard Case for iPad Air ($129) is a slim-style keyboard case. Aircraft-grade aluminum alloy provides both protection and a premium feel on both sides of the tablet. The keyboard case folds open for use on a flat surface, while built-in magnets help hold it in place at an adjustable angle. Chiclet keys offer typing comfort and productivity. The QODE Ultimate Keyboard Case is recharged via micro-USB.

[ More: The 5 Best Cases for Your New iPad ]

The HyperJuice Expand portable battery packs attempt to reinvent the boring battery pack. Instead of a static battery, the HyperJuice Expand consists of a HEAD unit that magnetically couples with a CELL unit to create the perfect battery pack. The HEAD unit offers three USB ports, 5 LED battery level indicator, built-in LED flashlight and quick recharging micro-USB input. CELL units are available in four capacities: 3000mAh ($19.95), 6000mAh ($39.95), 9000mAh ($59.95) to 12000mAh ($79.95). The smallest can charge your iPhone 5S twice; the largest is capable of recharging an iPad Air.

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The origami-inspired Moshi VersaCover for iPad Air protective case ($60) features a unique folding cover that doubles as a highly flexible stand. There are three viewing angles in both landscape and portrait modes, offering the capability to perform tasks such as typing, reading or browsing on your iPad Air. Magnets embedded within the cover supports the iPad’s auto-wake/sleep feature, while a polycarbonate shell protects the aluminum back of your iPad Air from scratches and shocks. Finally, the Moshi VersaCover for iPad Air is a lightweight 156 grams (5.5 oz), which helps keep the weight of your iPad Air down.

[ More: Moshi iVisor XT: An Easy-to-Apply, Bubble-Free iPhone Screen Protector ]

Made from specially processed, tempered and reinforced glass, the Spigen GLAS.t screen protector ($69.99) protects your LCD display from scratches and shock. The company says the surface of GLAS.t has a hardness of 8H to 9H, which means it won’t get scratched by keys, sand and or other grit that often worm their way into bags, purses and pockets. The glass material offers superior clarity, while the thin 0.4mm thickness and lack of a gap between the LCD and GLAS.t means that touch sensitivity remains unaffected.

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Always frustrated with having to pack multiple chargers to keep your iPad Air and smartphone juiced up? About the size of a deck of playing cards (3.6 by 2.3 by 1.0 inches), the Anker 40W 5-port Family-Sized Desktop Charger ($25.99, black or white) comes with five USB ports and sufficient oomph to charge at least three iPad Air tablets at full speed simultaneously — or more at a slightly slower clip. Smart ports intelligently identify your device to ensure full-speed charging, regardless of whether it’s an iOS or Android device.

[ More: 10 Portable Battery Chargers Keep Your Device Powered ]

Perpetually frustrated by the tangle caused by full-length USB cables? The Charge & Sync cables from Bluelounge eliminate this problem by cutting out the additional slack with its shortened cables. Measuring less than 8 inches each, the cables are perfect for traveling or when the objective is simply to juice up your devices from the USB charger. In addition, a braided exterior serve to further keep cables from getting tangled or bent out of shape. Cables are available for Lightning ($16.95), micro-USB ($6.95) and 30-pin ($8.95) connections.

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The Logitech Bluetooth Audio Adapter ($39.99) audio adapter bridges the gap between your Bluetooth-enabled iPad Air and non-wireless audio systems. These can range from a powered speaker equipped with a 3.5mm input jack to a full-fledged home theater system that only accepts RCA inputs. The audio adapter works with both, while built-in multi-point technology makes it possible to simultaneously pair another Bluetooth device such as a smartphone. Finally, automatic re-pairing and a wireless range of 15 meters makes the Logitech Bluetooth Audio Adapter stand out from other adapters on the market.

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The Compass 2 for iPad by Twelve South ($39.99; black, red and silver) is a clever, multiuse stand that can be used with the iPad Air or iPad mini. The upgraded version of the popular Compass stand is redesigned and optimized for the iPad Air, sports a new locking rear leg, better angle, and a different position that allows for easier charging access when in use. Like the original Compass, the Compass 2 is machined from heavy-gauge steel, folds flat and includes a soft travel sleeve for easy storage. Soft rubber feet protect the surface you set it on, while rubber along the legs protects the surface of your iPad.

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Bang & Olufsen’s BeoPlay H6 premium headphones ($399; black or natural finish) are crafted to offer a blend of comfort, great acoustic performance and a fashionable design. The around-ear headphone is made of anodized aluminum with a cowhide leather headband and lambskin ear cups. Custom-designed 40mm drivers deliver a large soundstage and natural vocals, bass and treble. Input plugs on both the left and right earpieces allow flexibility on where to connect the audio cable while also offering the capability to daisy-chain an extra pair of headphones to a friend with the unused socket.

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