Best Apple Pencil accessories

Apple Pencil is the best digital drawing tool ever made, but with a few accessories, it can be even better!

The Apple Pencil is quickly becoming a necessary companion for iPad Pro users. The problem with it is how easy it is to lose the cap and USB adapter. While the cap is magnetic and stays in place on the Pencil, it's easily misplaced when removed for charging. The USB adapter, which fits over the charging end of the Pencil and connects it to a Lightning cable, is tiny and designed specifically for the Pencil. Before either of these little necessities disappear on you, we've found some accessories that will prevent agonizing hours of searching and panic.

• TechMatte Apple Pencil Charging Adapter
• Thankscase Apple Pencil Charging Dock Station
• Thankscase Apple Pencil Mushroom Stand
• PencilCozy Combo
• Stylus Sling
• Poetic iPad Pro Case
• Lost caps and adapters

TechMatte Apple Pencil Charging Adapter

Your Apple Pencil is designed to plug right into your iPad Pro for fast and convenient charging, but not all users are fans of this feature. The most common complaint is that the Pencil sticks out from the Pro at an inconvenient angle. TechMatte has created an alternative charging method that allows your Pencil to lay flat beside your Pro instead. Two versions are available, but we like the shorter connector. It gives you that little bit of extra flexibility without adding another long cable to the mix.

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Thankscase Apple Pencil Charging Dock Station

If you're in the habit of charging your Pencil with the USB adapter and Lightning Cable, this sturdy, aluminum dock is a perfect addition to your workspace. It holds your pencil vertically and fits around your charging cable nicely. It stops your cord from tangling up and keeps the Pencil in sight. A small notch holds the cap while the Pencil charges, so it won't disappear on you. You can also use the dock as a stand when you pause your workflow so you don't set the pencil down and let it roll away. An added bonus? The dock is available in silver, black, gold, and rose gold.

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Thankscase Apple Pencil Mushroom Stand

For a little more versatility, the second offering from Thankscase allows you to stand your Pencil vertically when you take a break from your work, or lay it horizontally while it charges with the Lightning cable. The stand has a sticky pad on the bottom to help it stay put on your desk (although most users say it's heavy enough not to need it). Your cap can sit in one of the notches, but be mindful of accidentally knocking it off the stand when you pick up the Pencil. Reviewers of the stand love the design, but would prefer having magnets in the notches to secure the cap in place. Speaking of design, Thankscase offers this stand in silver, black, gold, and rose gold, too.

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PencilCozy Combo

We've already established the big concerns with the Pencil: losing the cap and losing the adapter. Now we'll lay out the solution: two tiny, inexpensive bits of plastic. That's not even the best news, because these problem-solvers glow in the dark. One attaches to the Pencil and the cap, securing the cap in place and holding onto it when you pop it off to charge. The other secures the USB adapter to your Lightning cord, even when you're not charging with it. They fit nice and snug, and the Pencil attachment also stops your Pencil from rolling away when you set it down.

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Stylus Sling

When you're on the move with your iPad Pro, the last thing you want to do is misplace your Pencil. While there are many stylus holders available, this particular one is designed with Apple's specifications in mind. First and foremost, it's available for both the 9.7 inch and 12.9 inch Pro. Next, the pocket for the Pencil allows you to grab onto the body of the Pencil when you're removing it, not just the cap, which could get lost or go flying. Finally, a tiny, snug pocket is built into the sling especially for holding the USB adapter. The sling won't take up extra space, and secures nicely around the Pro and keyboard.

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Poetic iPad Pro Case

With the advent of the Pencil, Pro cases were going to have to make some accommodations. We like Poetic's clear, frosted, and inexpensive case for everyday use. Lay your Pencil flat beside the Pro when you're on the move or storing it, or use the little hole at the bottom to dock the Pencil upright. The hole doubles as a holder for the cap when you're charging, as well. It's available for both the 9.7 inch and 12.9 inch iPad Pro.

See at Amazon

Lost caps and adapters

For the time being, Apple has not made replacement caps or adapters available for purchase online or in stores. If you find yourself in need of either one (or both), the advice from Apple's support department is to call AppleCare. A number of Pencil users claim that, for a nominal fee, they were sent a replacement cap or adapter as long as they could provide the Pencil's serial number. As the Pencil becomes more widely used, hopefully the parts will be easier to order. Apple has already made four packs of replacement tips available online, so the other parts can't be too far down the line.

Keep it together

The goal with all of these accessories is to keep your Pencil charged, easy to access, and all in one piece. All are reasonably priced, too. Keep in mind that Pencil is still a relatively new stylus, and more accessories are being created for it all the time. Our own Serenity Caldwell found a favorite accessory, the Atelier Gear Case, and it's easy to see why she loves it.

Have you found a must-have Apple Pencil accessory that's not on our list? Tell us about it and why you covet it in the comments!