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The Spruce Eats / Lecia Landis
With tons of food blogs, apps, and e-books available, there’s a whole new world of recipes to browse when it comes to planning out weekly dinners. Printed recipes are becoming a thing of the past, as many are turning to their iPads for digital recipes and cooking tutorials.
In order to get the most out of your tablet when cooking, there are a few accessories you may want to have on hand, such as a stylus, some sort of mounting system, and protective sleeves. To help find which iPad accessories are best for use in the kitchen, we researched a number of products to make your next cooking experience as seamless as possible.
Here are the best accessories for cooking with your iPad.
Best Mounting System
Vogel's iPad and Tablet Wall Mount
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Amazon
No extra tools required for installation
Compatible with a wide variety of tablets
Two wall mounts included
Limited angle adjustments
Difficult to remove wall mounts once installed
Vogel’s iPad and Tablet Wall Mount can be used just about anywhere and is compatible with a wide variety of tablets. The set includes two mounts and one tablet holder, giving you the option of installing them in multiple rooms around the house. It’s especially great for kitchen use because you can attach the wall mounts to a cabinet or wall at eye level. This prevents the hassle of constantly craning over your counter to read a recipe.
This mounting system fits tablets measuring 7 inches to 13 inches with a thickness of 0.2 to 0.5 inches, including the Apple iPad, iPad Pro, Samsung Galaxy Tab S3, and more. The mounts allow you to rotate your tablet 360 degrees from landscape to portrait mode, too. However, it’s not possible to angle your tablet with this system.
Another nice feature is that all of the mounting materials are included with the pre-assembled wall mount, so no extra tools are required. It comes with a five-year guarantee.
Price at time of publish: $49.99
iPad Size Works With: Fits tablets 7 to 13 inches with a thickness of 0.2-0.5 inches | Dimensions: 10.59 x 8.86 x 1.65 inches
Best Magnetic Mount
ZUGU CASE 2019 iPad 10.2 Muse Case with Stand
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Courtesy of Amazon
Sleek design
Multi-functional
Two-year warranty
Expensive
Limited compatibility
If you’re looking for an ultra-secure fridge mount, this multifunctional magnetic case is worth every penny. It acts as a case protector, stand, and mount. Magnets located on the back allow it to act as a strong refrigerator mount, which is convenient for cooking and leaving recipes up on your tablet as you prepare dinner. To use it upright on a table or counter, a kickstand attaches to the backside at eight different angles.
As a whole, this case is super strong, but thin enough to offer a sleek, all-black design. It has a convenient pencil storage compartment in the back for holding a stylus, too. It's compatible with 7th and 8th generation iPads, and includes a two-year warranty.
Price at time of publish: $48
iPad Size Works With: 7th, 8th, 9th Generations and 10.2 inch iPads | Dimensions: 11.26 x 8.74 x 0.51 inches
Best Screen Protector
STARY Like Paper Screen Protector
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Amazon
Reusable
High touch sensitivity
Magnetic application
Matte finish slightly affects display vibrancy
This reusable screen protector helps prevent unwanted smudges from appearing on your iPad's screen when whipping up delicious meals in the kitchen. Easily attach it to your iPad's screen with the magnetic installation strip without any bubbles appearing underneath the surface, and remove it when you're done.
The thin matte finish provides a paper-like feel to the screen while also providing anti-blue light and anti-glare protection so you can easily read recipes when cooking. Its high touch sensitivity makes it easy to tap and scroll without delay. One of the users' only caveats with this screen protector is that the matte finish tones down some of the screen's vibrancy, but only slightly. Overall this is a fantastic reusable screen protector that's easy to apply and keeps your iPad's screen safe and clean during your cooking adventures.
Price at time of publish: $18.99
iPad Size Works With: 10.2, 10.5, 11, and 12.9 inch models | Dimensions: Varies depending on the size selected
Best Stylus
Adonit Mark Stylus
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Courtesy of Amazon
Inexpensive
Available in several colors
No batteries required
Must press down firmly
Doesn't work well with screen protector
To keep your screen tidy and free of liquid or crumbs, a stylus can come in handy. This one not only looks great, but also functions well. It's sleek in design with stainless steel details and is available in several colors, including black, silver, and teal. It also boasts an ergonomic triangular shape that keeps it from rolling off your countertops.
This stylus measures 5.5 x 0.4 x 0.4 inches and has a mesh tip, which allows for simple tasks and detailed items, such as precise drawing and writing notes directly onto your touchscreen. What’s also nice is that there’s no need for batteries or connection. It works on all touchscreen devices, including tablets and phones.
Price at time of publish: $9.99
iPad Size Works With: All touchscreen devices | Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.38 x 0.38 inches
Best Swivel Stand
Nite Ize Steelie Pedestal Mount
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Courtesy of Amazon
Magnet is powerful
Affordable
Requires a flat surface
Included adhesive isn't very strong
For a flexible stand that can tilt and turn with ease, this tablet dock can move in any direction or angle you’d like. The kit includes one magnetic tablet socket, one tabletop stand, and an installation kit. To set it up, you’ll need a flat surface for the stand to attach to, such as a countertop. Then, simply adhere the tablet socket to the back of your device (this can be removed if you get a new tablet) and attach your device onto the stand.
The magnets create a strong and secure connection, allowing you to move your tablet in whatever direction you’d like without fear of it falling. Just make sure to keep it away from magnetically sensitive objects. To detach the iPad from the stand, give it a little tug and it’ll come right off. In terms of design, this docking system boasts a beautiful minimalist look. The stand itself is invisible from the front view.
Price at time of publish: $23.75
iPad Size Works With: All | Dimensions: 3 x 0.28 x 0.28 inches
Best Floor Stand
CTA Digital Compact Security Gooseneck Floor Stand
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Courtesy of Amazon
Reasonable price
Lightweight
Easy setup
Difficult to bend gooseneck
Plastic construction
When you’re cooking up a storm, having your iPad at eye level is a nice convenience for keeping your back in good shape. In that case, you might see the need for a floor stand. This one has received rave reviews for affordability and flexibility. It comes with a stand base, telescoping pole, 12-inch gooseneck, tablet holder, and tools for setup.
This floor stand is compatible with 7- to 13-inch tablets. It features a flexible, yet sturdy gooseneck that adjusts to any position. The jointed tablet holder also tilts side to side and rotates 360 degrees for a variety of different viewing modes. It's lightweight, weighing 7.67 pounds, so it’s not too difficult to carry if you want to move it from room to room. The telescoping pole allows for easy height adjustment up to 57 inches.
Price at time of publish: $40.24
iPad Size Works With: 7th/8th/9th Generations, 10.2 inch models, iPad Air 4 | Dimensions: 24 x 24 x 57 inches
Vogel's iPad and Tablet Wall Mount keeps your device at eye level, so you can reference recipes with ease. For a versatile case that attaches to the fridge, but also has the capability to stand on its own in eight different positions, we recommend the ZUGU Case.
What to Look for When Buying iPad Cooking Accessories
Tablet Size
Many of these cooking accessories are dependent on tablet size. Generally, tablets are about the same width and height, but they do vary, and some accessories have extra space for protective cases. On some mounts and sleeves, the thickness may be an issue too. Double-check the measurements of your device and look at the dock's specifications before committing to a purchase. If you want to use either your tablet or phone, buy a stand that's versatile enough to handle both devices.
Compatibility Between Accessories
If you're looking at multiple accessories, think about how they'll work together. Does the screen protector or sleeve work with the mount or stylus? It's not always a guarantee. Sometimes you might have to scale back your needs and prioritize the most useful accessories for your kitchen and cooking style.
Kitchen and Counter Space
Every kitchen is different, so you'll want to choose accessories that fit the space you have available. Every inch of space matters in a small kitchen; consider a wall- or fridge-mounted iPad holder. An under-the-cupboard mount can also be convenient if it doesn't get in the way while you're preparing food or cooking. A stand mount that you can move around may be a good bet for kitchens with ample space. Think about where you're going to store the accessories when not in use as well.
FAQs
How do I protect my iPad when cooking?
Things can get messy in the kitchen, but there are several ways to protect your digital devices while cooking. Have a kitchen towel around to wipe your hands before touching your tablet, and use a screen protector and case to shield your iPad from splashes, crumbs, and other things. Using a stylus removes the need to touch the screen, but choose one that can withstand a little mess and cleans up easily. You can also use voice commands when possible. For instance, when you need a quick conversion from tablespoons to cups, just ask your favorite digital assistant to look it up. Finally, keep your devices away from heat and grease; near the stove is not a great place.
What's the best way to use recipes on the iPad while cooking?
The iPad is an excellent tool for storing your favorite recipes. When mounted, you can quickly glance at the recipe while you cook and never miss a beat. Prop your tablet up near your workspace at an angle for easy viewing. Minimize touching by disabling the automatic function that turns off the screen, so you have to wake it up less often. Also, use an app to organize your recipes. There are many great options, and it's even better if you can categorize them so you can quickly find things like quick meals, entrées, side dishes, sauces, and so on.
What can I do in the kitchen with my iPad besides recipes?
Technology provides several ways to make your iPad a second hand in the kitchen. More companies are providing standard kitchen accessories that can remotely connect to tablets and phones. You can, for instance, buy kitchen scales and meat thermometers that have integrated apps so you can accurately measure ingredients and know exactly when your food is at the proper temperature.
Why Trust The Spruce Eats?
Cheyenne Elwell tests and reviews a number of home products for The Spruce. She’s familiar with many of the latest kitchen appliances on the market, as a review writer and researcher.