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The Best Apple iPad Cases for Protecting Your Investment

If you don’t want to deal with scrapes and scratches, broken screens or smudges, a protective case is a necessity.

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By Tucker Bowe and Sean Tirman

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The iPad is the most popular tablet in the world — by a long shot. And in 2022, Apple makes five different models. There’s the entry-level 10.2-inch iPad, brand new 10.9-inch iPad, the compact iPad mini, the midrange iPad Air and the most advanced iPad Pro. No matter which model you buy, you’re going to want to buy a case for protection. Or to give it a keyboard so you can use it like a laptop.

Here are some of our top picks for the best iPad cases you can buy in 2022.

Products in the Guide

What to Look for

iPad Model: Apple makes quite a few different iPads and they are all different sizes and shapes. You want to make sure that you get a case for the specific model you have other it won’t fit.

Type of case: There are four main types of cases that you can get for your iPad. A “cover” just covers the screen of your iPad and not the back. A “folio” covers both the front and back of the iPad and typically can be folded into a kickstand. A “keyboard” is typically a type of folio that also comes with an attachable keyboard. And lastly there’s simply the “protective case” which adds ruggedness and drop protection.

Screen protection: Most iPad cases do not have “full” screen protection, meaning they only protect your screen from drops and scratches. A folio case, for example, only protects the screen when you’re carrying it but not when you’re using the iPad. For such cases, you might want to consider buying a separate screen protector to guide against scratches.

Why You Should Trust Us

Pros

  • Relatively affordable
  • Available in different colors
  • Simple design with easy-to-use stand

Cons

  • Not resistant to drops or water

Apple’s Smart Cover magnetically snaps onto your iPad and automatically wakes and sleeps your iPad when it opens and closes, respectively. It functions as a stand, too. And, unlike many other cases, it’s available in several different colors.

Pros

  • Relatively affordable for a keyboard

Cons

  • Not resistant to drops or water
  • Folio design feels odd
  • No trackpad
  • Keys aren't super clicky

Apple’s entry-level keyboard snaps onto your iPad via a Smart Connector and just works. No Bluetooth connection required. The major downside is the keys aren’t backlit and there’s no integrated trackpad.

Logitech Rugged Keyboard Folio for iPad (9th generation)Logitech

Logitech Rugged Keyboard Folio for 10.2-inch iPad

Pros

  • Relatively affordable for a keyboard
  • Adds drop resistance

Cons

  • No trackpad
  • Keys aren't super clicky

The Rugged Keyboard Folio has more durable and more drop-resistant design as other keyboard cases for the iPad. The downside is that there’s no trackpad and the keys aren’t backlit.

logitech combo touch keyboard caseLogitech

Logitech Combo Touch Keyboard Case with Trackpad for 10.2-inch iPad

Pros

  • Relatively affordable for a keyboard
  • Adds trackpad

Cons

  • Keys aren't super clicky

This allows your entry-level iPad to function more like a laptop. It has a built-in stand, click-y backlit keys and an integrated trackpad with multi-touch support, just like a Mac. It also has a holder for an Apple Pencil.

Pros

  • Extremely affordable
  • Available in different styles
  • Simple design with easy-to-use stand

Cons

  • Not resistant to drops or water

The ESR is a simple and affordable case for the iPad. It has fabric design that can be purchased in several different color configurations. And, just like Apple’s Smart Folio, it automatically wakes and sleeps your iPad when you open and close it, respectively.

Pros

  • Simple design with easy-to-use stand
  • Available in different colors
  • Automatically wakes and sleeps your iPad

Cons

  • Not very protective against drops
  • A touch pricey

Apple’s Smart Cover magnetically snaps onto the 10.9-inch iPad; it automatically wakes and sleeps your iPad when it opens and closes, respectively; and it functions as a stand. It’s available in several different colors.

apple ipad caseAmazon

Apple Magic Keyboard Folio for iPad (10th Generation)

Pros

  • Same Magic keyboard and trackpad that's integrated in some of Apple's MacBooks

Cons

  • Very expensive
  • Only available in white

The Magic Keyboard Folio is unique to the 10.9-inch iPad — no other iPads work with a two-piece accessory that can function as a standalone stand or as a full-fledged Magic Keyboard with a function key row.

Pros

  • Rugged design adds resistant to drops
  • Has a built-in screen protector
  • Excellent lifetime warranty

Cons

  • Adds considerable bulk to iPad
  • Not inexpensive

The Defender Series is OtterBox’s most rugged line of iPad cases. Each one has an inner hard shell, soft outer cover and a built-in screen protector. Plus, it comes with OtterBox’s lifetime warranty.

Pros

  • Very good keyboard and trackpad
  • Extra row of function keys

Cons

  • Still quite expensive
  • Feels slightly cheap compared to the Magic Keyboard

The Logitech Combo Touch is essentially a budget version of Apple’s Magic Keyboard. It has a slightly less sturdy design and the keys aren’t as well backlit. On the plus side, it has an extra row of function keys that is missing from the Magic Keyboard.

Pros

  • Relatively affordable
  • Available in different colors
  • Simple design with easy-to-use stand

Cons

  • Not resistant to drops or water

Apple’s Smart Cover magnetically snaps onto the iPad mini; it automatically wakes and sleeps your iPad when it opens and closes, respectively; and it functions as a stand. It’s available in several different colors.

otterbox symmetry series 360 elite case for ipad miniOtterbox

OtterBox Symmetry Series 360 Elite Case for iPad mini

Pros

  • Rugged design adds drop resistance
  • Available in different colors

Cons

  • Fairly expensive

OtterBox’s Symmetry case for the iPad mini is essentially a more ruggedized version of Apple’s Smart Folio. Uniquely, it has a clear, scratch-resistant back that shows off the natural color of your iPad mini.

Pros

  • Rugged design adds drop resistance
  • Very affordable

Cons

  • Design isn't super stylish
  • No screen cover

Spigen’s case is one of the most affordable and drop-resistant options you can buy. It lacks the folio design or a screen cover, but you purchase a screen protector separately.

Pros

  • Rugged design adds drop resistance
  • Very affordable

Cons

  • No screen cover

This is another extremely affordable case with a clear scratch resistant back that really shows off to show off the natural color of your iPad mini. It lacks a screen protector or integrated stand.

Pros

  • The best keyboard and trackpad you can buy

Cons

  • Very expensive
  • Keyboard lacks function keys

The Magic Keyboard really is the ultimate accessory as it has basically has the same keyboard and trackpad (albeit a touch smaller) as Apple’s most current MacBooks.

It’s available for $299 and $349 for the 11-inch and 12.9-inch models, respectively.

logitech combo touch keyboard case with trackpadLogitech

Logitech Combo Touch Keyboard Case with Trackpad for 12.9-Inch iPad Pro

Pros

  • Very good keyboard and trackpad
  • Extra row of function keys

Cons

  • Still quite expensive
  • Feels slightly cheap compared to the Magic Keyboard

The Logitech Combo Touch is essentially a budget version of Apple’s Magic Keyboard (above). It has a slightly less sturdy design and the keys aren’t as well backlit. On the plus side, it has an extra row of function keys that is missing from the Magic Keyboard.

This keyboard is only available for the 12-inch iPad Pro. It’s not available for the 11-inch model.

apple smart keyboard folioApple

Apple Smart Keyboard Folio for 12.9-Inch iPad Pro

Pros

  • Solid keyboard
  • Simple design

Cons

  • Keys are super clicky
  • No trackpad

This is the slightly more budget-friendly keyboard for the iPad Pro that Apple sells. Compared to the Magic Keyboard, it has a less adjustable hinge, lacks a trackpad and doesn’t have a USB-C port for pass-through charging. It also lacks backlit keys.

Apple sells two variants of the Smart Keyboard Folio to fit the 12.9-inch and 11-inch iPad Pros.

Pros

  • Simple design with easy-to-use stand
  • Available in different colors

Cons

  • Not resistant to drops or water
  • Fairly expensive

This is the same Smart Folio that makes for all its iPads — but it’s designed to fit the iPad Pro. It magnetically snaps onto the iPad Pro, can function as a stand, and it’s available in several different colors.

Apple sells different variants of the Smart Folio to fit the 12.9-inch and 11-inch iPad Pros, respectively. The 11-inch models cost $79.

Pros

  • Rugged design adds resistant to drops
  • Has a screen protector
  • Excellent lifetime warranty

Cons

  • Adds bulk

The Defender Series is OtterBox’s sturdiest line. These cases offer an inner hard shell, soft outer cover and a built-in screen protector. It also features a versatile stand for hands-free use and Apple Pencil storage. Plus, it comes with OtterBox’s lifetime warranty.

Pros

  • Relatively affordable
  • Available in different colors
  • Simple design with easy-to-use stand

Cons

  • No resistance to drops or water
  • Fairly expensive

This is the same Smart Folio that makes for all its iPads — but it’s designed to fit the iPad Air. It can function as a stand, and it’s available in several different colors.

Pros

  • They best keyboard and trackpad you can buy

Cons

  • Very expensive
  • Keyboard lacks function keys

This is the same Magic Keyboard that also fits the 11-inch iPad Pro. It gives your iPad Air basically the same keyboard and trackpad (albeit a touch smaller) that’s on the most current MacBooks.

Pros

  • Rugged design adds drop resistance
  • Available in different colors

Cons

  • Fairly expensive

OtterBox’s Symmetry case for the iPad Air is essentially a more ruggedized version of Apple’s Smart Folio. Uniquely, it has a clear, scratch-resistant back that shows off the natural color of your iPad Air.

Pros

  • Gorgeous leather design
  • Available in a few different finishes

Cons

  • No screen protector

Nomad’s folio-style case is a refined option that’s crafted from USA-made Horween leather. It’s made to age beautifully, but also still has numerous modern features, like a TPU bumper, magnetic closure, and automatic wake and off.

Pros

  • Very affordable
  • Simple design with easy-to-use stand
  • Available in different colors

Cons

  • No screen protector

For those looking for a really budget-friendly case, get this one by Speck. It has a true folio design that can act as a stand and a screen cover. It’s available in several different colors, too.

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