The best iPad cases

So you’ve just bought a new or refurbished iPad. Before you get too attached to your Apple tablet, you really should invest in a case. Contemporary iPad cases offer protection for the front, back and sides of your new investment, helping buffer against accidental bumps and drops. Pricier iPad cases may even enhance productivity alongside protection.

In terms of costs, you’re looking at around $20 for a basic case if all you want is straightforward protection. But if you’re after a case with a keyboard and touchpad, expect to pay upwards of $500 for a top-of-the-line model. Scroll on for a closer look at the best iPad cases and contenders.

While third-party options abound, Apple is the first place you should check in with when sizing up an iPad case. Take the Apple Smart Folio, for instance. It offers relatively lightweight iPad protection at a comparatively reasonable price. The Apple Smart Folio is available in a handful of colours, plus it has compatibility across iPad models. Just be sure to pick the right one for your iPad for the perfect fit. We like little features like automatic sleep and wake-up when you close and open the cover, plus more practical features like a foldable cover for different viewing angles.

For a more rugged alternative, consider the Zugu Ultra Slim Protective Cover or the Otterbox Defender Series Case for iPad. If you have an older iPad, like the 9th generation, try the Apple Smart Cover instead.

Buying an iPad case doesn’t have to cost anywhere near as much as buying the Apple tablet. If you’re after straightforward protection without the bells and whistles, consider the ESR for iPad Air. This budget-friendly iPad case is available for the other mainline iPad models, too, plus there’s a handful of colour options to suit personalisation tastes. The ESR case boasts full-body protection for your iPad, plus there’s space at the top for an Apple Pencil 2. This iPad case also has the same functionality as the Apple Smart Folio above: namely, auto screen on and off on open and close, plus the front cover doubles as a multi-positional viewing stand.

For even cheaper alternatives, consider the PU Case for iPad or the Asgens iPad Clear Case.

It feels like for as long as there have been smartphones and tablets, Otterbox has been offering rugged cases. And the Otterbox Symmetry Series Clear Case is a reasonably priced way to wrap your iPad Mini in a durable, drop-protected case. Those who use other iPad models will also find a Clear Case equivalent, which has a transparent design for those who aren’t particularly fussed about the abundance of colour-coded alternatives. This case is meant for people who want protection without anything covering the screen, and without the desire to have stands for flat-surface viewing. There’s also an Apple Pencil loop to protect your optional digital doodling tool.

Alternatively, invest some more in the Otterbox Defender Case or the Spigen Rugged Armor Pro Case if you also want durable screen protection.

Protecting your iPad is critical for a great case. But given the high performance of iPads, you can consider a case that does more. While not the cheapest investment, the Apple Magic Keyboard is built for those who want to use their iPad for more than just typical tablet tasks. The Magic Keyboard adds wrap-around protection care of a keyboard and trackpad. Front and back protection are sorted, plus you can use your iPad as a MacBook-lite replacement with a freely adjustable screen angle. If you’re running low on juice, the Magic Keyboard also has a USB-C port with pass-through charging. We also like that the Magic Keyboard is compatible with most iPad models.

For alternatives, consider the cheaper Logitech Combo Touch below or cheaper still HOU for iPad Keyboard Case.

The Apple Magic Keyboard is a great but expensive iPad case. For an alternative that’s noticeably cheaper and from a renowned peripherals manufacturer, consider the Logitech Combo Touch. As a case, the Combo Touch offers front, back and corner protection. As a productivity peripheral, it caters to four main use cases. Kick out the back stand for counter viewing. Push it out more for comfier sketching. Wrap the front around to the back for straightforward reading. Or convert iPad to a mini-laptop with a keyboard and trackpad. The keyboard is detachable, too, for greater flexibility, and the touchpad sports click-anywhere functionality.

For alternatives, consider the cheaper ESR for iPad Keyboard Case or the Ausdom Magnetic Floating Wireless Keyboard Case.

Before you even start looking at iPad cases, you first need to identify the specific model. Either look on the back of your iPad for the model number or jump into Settings, General then About. Google that model number to find out whether it’s an iPad, iPad Mini, iPad Air or iPad Pro. For context, our picks are skewed towards newer models, like the 10th generation iPad, so properly identifying your iPad is critical for a proper case fit.

Now you’re ready to go case shopping. You could start your iPad case search at Kmart, but they didn’t have the best selection at the time of writing. Apple cases are great for comparison but aren’t the cheapest. If you want basic protection, look for an iPad case that covers the front and back. You may also want to consider cases that are rated for drops, particularly if you’re seeking a case for kids.

Alternatively, you can protect your iPad and boost productivity with a keyboard case. Note that keyboard cases typically add noticeable heft to your iPad. For keyboard cases, you may consider one with a detachable keyboard or free control over the viewing angle. Given the popularity of iPads, there are many cheaper third-party brands, so it’s easy to save money by steering clear of bigger names.