Best Thunderbolt Accessories for iPad Pro (2021)

12.9-inch iPad Pro
12.9-inch iPad Pro (Image credit: Joseph Keller / iMore)

After being rumored for so long, it's finally official: the iPad Pro (2021) has Thunderbolt 3 support in its USB-C port. So, you're going to need the best Thunderbolt accessories for your iPad Pro (2021) to utilize it in new and exciting ways. Whether you've been dying to hook this device up with a display, dock, or hard drive, you finally have the option. This brings the iPad Pro (2021) closer to being a very powerful laptop-like experience, or, as some may call it, the best iPad ever. If you want to make the most out of your new iPad, here are the best Thunderbolt accessories for the iPad Pro (2021).

Thunderbolt on iPad Pro is a game-changer

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Thunderbolt has been around on Mac for a few years now, but the iPad Pro (2021) is the first iPad ever to feature the lightning-fast transfer speeds and power capabilities that Thunderbolt affords you. You'll be able to connect your iPad Pro to a ton of accessories that will let you do more, making it easier to fit your iPad Pro (2021) into your workflow.

A blazing fast external SSD is a welcome addition to any workspace, and now you can use the Samsung X5 with the iPad Pro (2021). Transferring data and large files is no problem when this drive can achieve read and writes speeds of up to 2,800MB/s and 2,300MB/s respectively.

Since the iPad Pro (2021) still has all the portability of the iPad, you don't always want to carry around big, bulky accessories. The Elgato Thunderbolt 3 Dock gives you plenty of ports to use with your iPad Pro and compact enough to easily carry around.

Luke Filipowicz
Staff Writer

Luke Filipowicz has been a writer at iMore, covering Apple for nearly a decade now. He writes a lot about Apple Watch and iPad but covers the iPhone and Mac as well. He often describes himself as an "Apple user on a budget" and firmly believes that great technology can be affordable if you know where to look. Luke also heads up the iMore Show — a weekly podcast focusing on Apple news, rumors, and products but likes to have some fun along the way. 


Luke knows he spends more time on Twitter than he probably should, so feel free to follow him or give him a shout on social media @LukeFilipowicz.