The best Apple Pencil accessories can make your stylus even more useful

If you anticipate using your Apple Pencil for more than a few minutes at a time, consider a cushioned grip to avoid hand cramps. Made from soft silicone, the NimbleGrip makes for a more comfortable drawing or writing experience, and comes in a variety of colors for added personalization. If you use a second-generation Pencil, you'll need to shift or remove the grip for charging or double-tap functions, but the grip is easily removable by simply tugging it off the end of the Pencil.

This travel case and stand by Belkin will keep your pencil (and all the smaller components that come with it — an extra tip, lightning adapter, and a pencil cap) secure and safe while on the go. The case's individual storage compartments, fabric lining, and magnetic lid closure ensure that none of your first-generation Apple Pencil first accessories get lost in your purse, bag, or suitcase.

If you use a second-generation Pencil or if you're hesitating on the higher price for this case, however, TechMatte has a good low-budget silicone dupe available on Amazon.

This case, compatible with the second generation Apple Pencil, serves both aesthetic and functional purposes. It looks like a traditional number two pencil, which is a nice touch for the sleek but admittedly plain Apple Pencil design, and it's compatible with the second-generation Pencil's charging against your iPad and double-tap capabilities. The sloped sides also provide stability when you aren't using the Pencil, so it won't roll away when placed down. 

The biggest critique of the first generation Apple Pencil is its charging requirements. With an easy-to-lose cap and limited charging options, it can be frustrating to charge your first-gen Pencil by plugging it into your iPad's lightning port or using an adapter with a cord. This charging stand is the ideal fix — including a place to charge your first generation Pencil as well as a spot to store the cap while charging.

While this pencil stand doesn't charge or otherwise affect the Apple Pencil's functionality, it's a great objet d'art for your desk with its 3D printed sleek design for those looking for a minimalist desk setup. It comes in several elegant color options, including marble and gold, and at its low price is a no-brainer addition to the modern home office.

This Apple Pencil case both looks and feels like a regular pen — including a pen clip — and comes in three delicate pastel colors as well as basic black and white. This is the case for those looking to recreate the feeling of using a real pen, down to the ability to click the back to push the Pencil tip out of the front (for all you pen clickers). While there's a handy spot in the case that allows you to utilize the Pencil's double-tap feature, it's worth noting that you won't be able to charge your second-generation Apple Pencil against the iPad with this case on. Nonetheless, it's conveniently easy to remove for charging when you need.

Another solution for keeping track of the Apple Pencil first generation cap during charging is this Pencil cap holder from PencilCozy. The cap is available in white, blue, pink, and four additional glow-in-the-dark options, and can stay attached to the Pencil while in use.

For style and functionality, it's hard to beat accessories coming straight from the source at Apple itself. This sleek leather sleeve, available in brown and black, magnetizes to the iPad (provided you also use an iPad Smart Cover) for easy storage and protection of your Apple Pencil when not in use.

Made from soft silicone and available in nine stylish colors, the slim NimbleSleeve Pencil case is the ideal choice for drawing or note taking for extended periods. The shape prevents the Pencil from rolling away when not in use, and it's compatible with the second generation Apple Pencil's key features (charging against the iPad and double-tap capabilities).

Not a second generation Pencil owner? Uppercase Designs makes a model for the first- generation Apple Pencil, and it even keeps track of the Pencil cap during charging with a matching tether for a charging adapter.

For artists using Procreate, a drawing glove is a great low-budget investment that will make using your iPad and Apple Pencil for digital art even more seamless. While the iPad is typically pretty good at registering the difference between an intentional tap and a rested palm, it's still imperfect and will occasionally switch to the eraser tool in inopportune moments.

A drawing glove, covering just a few fingers and the heel of your hand, eliminates the possibility of those unwanted tool swaps by providing a barrier between the hand and the touch screen. The Mixoo glove has an added benefit of a seam down the palm, which is handy for sweeping dust away from your drawing surface without worrying about drawing an unexpected line. It also comes in three sizes for every hand, and comes in a pack of two. 

What should I look for in Apple Pencil accessories?

While there are lots of accessories available, not all are created equal in terms of quality, compatibility, and functionality. The main thing to consider in buying a new Pencil accessory is the model of Pencil the accessory is made for. While some of the accessories on this list can be used with both the first and second generation Apple Pencil models, many are geared specifically towards one model versus the other — and for features like the first generation's removable cap or the second generation's double-tap capabilities, you'll definitely want to know whether a case will limit or inhibit those features. 

Will my Apple Pencil work the same with a case or grip?

The short answer is yes, your Pencil will work as intended with a case or grip — however, it's important to remember that in order to charge, a second-generation Pencil will need to stay in contact with the side of your iPad. Some cases are too thick to account for this charging capability, in which case you'll need to remove the case for charging. If you don't want to worry about removing the case while your Apple Pencil charges, you might consider a thinner case like the Classic Pencil Case by elago or the NimbleSleeve by Uppercase Designs that are specifically designed to accommodate magnetized charging.

The double-tap functionality of the second-generation Apple Pencil may be affected by a case or grip as well, since the double-tap area near the tip of the Pencil is often obscured by larger grips or cases that prioritize comfort for the user. Several of the cases on this list account for that by including a gap in the case where the surface of the Pencil can be accessed easily, however some cases or grips will need to be removed or slid up the pencil to utilize double-tap functions.