The Best Apple iPad Cases for Protecting Your Investment | Gear Patrol (2024)

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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.

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

Tucker Bowe

We get hands-on with every model of iPad, ranging from the entry-level iPad all the way up to the Pros, and we test them with a wide range of cases — but not all of them because there are so many. The below selections of iPad cases are a combination of products that we’ve had hands-on experience with as well as products that are made by brands that trusted within the accessory space.

The Best Cases for the 10.2-Inch iPad (9th Generation)

Apple

Released in the fall of 2021, the 10.2-inch iPad is the most entry-level tablet that Apple makes — and it’s by far its most popular. It’s the only current iPad that still has an actual Home button (with Touch ID) and charges via Lightning (instead of USB-C).

Apple sells the 10.2-inch iPad starting at $329.

Apple

Apple Smart Cover for 10.2-Inch iPad

• $49.00 at Apple

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.

Apple

Apple Smart Keyboard for 10.2-Inch iPad

• $79.00 at Apple

  $159.00(50% off)

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

Logitech Rugged Keyboard Folio for 10.2-inch iPad

• $79.00 at Apple

  $140.00(44% off)

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

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

• $79.00 at Apple

  $150.00(47% off)

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.

ESR

ESR Case for 10.2-Inch iPad

• $11.00 at Amazon

  $13.00(15% off)

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.

The Best Cases for the 10.9-Inch iPad (10th generation)

Courtesy

The 10.9-inch iPad is Apple’s brand-new “entry-level” iPad for 2022. It adopts a similar design as the higher-end iPad Air and iPad Pro — it has a fuller display with no Home button, squared-off edges, a USB-C charging port and Touch ID integrated into its side power button — but is still only compatible with the first-generation Apple Pencil.

Apple sells the 10.9-Inch iPad starting at $449.

Amazon

Apple Smart Folio for iPad (10th Generation)

• $66.00 at Amazon

  $79.00(16% off)

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.

Amazon

Apple Magic Keyboard Folio for iPad (10thGeneration)

• $219.00 at Amazon

  $249.00(12% off)

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.

Amazon

​​OtterBox Defender Series Pro for iPad (10thGeneration)

• $63.00 at Amazon

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.

Amazon

Logitech Combo Touch for iPad (10thGeneration)

• $110.00 at Amazon

  $160.00(31% off)

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.

The Best Cases for the iPad mini (6th generation)

Apple

The iPad mini is effectively a shrunk-down version of the iPad Air. It has Touch ID integrated into the power button, supports the newest Apple Pencil and has a USB-C port for fast-charging and fast data transfer.

Apple sells the iPad mini starting at $499.

Apple

Apple Smart Folio for iPad mini

• $79.00 at Apple

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

OtterBox Symmetry Series 360 Elite Case for iPad mini

• $70.00 at Apple

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.

Spigen

Spigen Rugged Armor for iPad mini

• $22.00 at Amazon

  $35.00(37% off)

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.

ESR

ESR Hybrid Clear Case for iPad mini

• $13.00 at Amazon

  $15.00(13% off)

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.

The Best Cases for the iPad Pro (6th Generation)

Courtesy

The iPad Pro is the most advanced tablet that Apple makes. When shopping for a case, the thing to keep in mind is that Apple sells two different sizes, 12.9-inch and 11-inch models, and cases are not cross-compatible. The 6th and 5th generation iPad Pros are identical in size, although the newest models have the M2 chip instead of last year’s M1.

Apple sells the 11-inch iPad Pro and 12.9-inch iPad Pro starting at $799 and $1,099, respectively.

Apple

Apple Magic Keyboard for 12.9-Inch iPad Pro

• $349.00 at Apple

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

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

• $230.00 at Apple

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

Apple Smart Keyboard Folio for 12.9-Inch iPad Pro

• $79.00 at Apple

  $199.00(60% off)

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.

Apple

Apple Smart Folio for 12.9-Inch iPad Pro

• $70.00 at Apple

  $99.00(29% off)

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.

Otterbox

OtterBox Defender Series for 12.9-Inch iPad Pro

• $100.00 at Amazon

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.

The Best Cases for the iPad Air (5th generation)

Apple

Released in early 2022, the iPad Air (5th generation) is Apple’s midrange tablet that shares many of the same abilities as the high-end iPad Pro. It even has Apple’s latest M1 chipset.

Apple sells the iPad Air (5th generation) starting at $599.

Apple

Apple Smart Folio for iPad Air

• $79.00 at Amazon

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.

Apple

Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad Air

• $269.00 at Amazon

  $299.00(10% off)

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.

OtterBox

OtterBox Symmetry Series 360 for iPad Air

• $90.00 at OtterBox

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.

Nomad

Nomad Modern Leather Case for iPad Air

• $100.00 at nomadgoods.com

  $2,020.00(95% off)

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.

Speck

Speck Balance Folio Case for iPad Air

• $40.00 at Amazon

  $50.00(21% off)

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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