There’s more to the best iPad cases than just protection, though. Good iPad cases also offer features that make your tablet experience even better. Most let you easily prop up your iPad to watch movies, type and draw, or keep in touch with family and friends on Zoom and FaceTime. Some cases even provide different ways to hold your iPad, letting you use it on the go without fear of dropping it. Everybody’s needs are a bit different, so we’ve rounded up the best iPad cases for a wide range of situations. It’s available for the 10.2-inch iPad models in five different colors and features a soft, TPU back cover with crack-resistant edges that pairs with a hard polyurethane front cover. The result is a nice, ergonomic design that lets you keep a firm grip on your tablet when you’re carrying it while also providing protection from minor drops, bumps, and scratches. Building on Apple’s own Smart Cover design, the trifold front includes sleep/wake magnets for your iPad. It also wraps around the back to fold into a triangular stand, allowing you to either prop it upright or lay it down into a flatter 20-degree angle suitable for typing and drawing. The flexible material on the back also makes it effortless to remove when you prefer to use your iPad without the case. Compatibility: 10.2-inch iPad (ninth, eighth, and seventh generations) | Material: Composite | Water Resistant: No | Design: Folding kickstand | Screen Protector: Yes Made from composite materials, the Metropolis is surprisingly lightweight, considering that it meets military drop-test standards. It claims to handle 26 drops from a 4-foot height with no damage. The detachable front folio cover also doubles as a stand and includes a strap that holds the cover securely closed and keeps your Apple Pencil in place. A durable and grippy exterior also means it won’t slip out of your hands while you’re using it on the go, even in wet conditions, thanks to the water-resistant tactile grip material. Yet it’s also friction-free enough to slip in and out of your bag effortlessly. A bonus is that you can swap out the front cover for Apple’s Smart Cover or Smart Keyboard, giving you the best of two worlds. Compatibility: 10.2-inch iPad (ninth, eighth, and seventh generations) | Material: Polycarbonate, TPU | Water Resistant: Yes | Design: Adjustable, detachable kickstand; built-in pencil holder | Screen Protector: Yes Since the cover magnetically attaches to the side of the iPad, it’s completely effortless to remove and get out of the way or pop back on when you’re ready to hit the road. Other magnets hidden in convenient places allow the cover to fold around behind the device to form a triangular stand for watching videos or laying it down at a 20-degree angle for drawing or typing on the screen. It’s available in black, white, dark green, dark blue, and salmon pink and fits the 10.2-inch iPad (ninth, eighth, and seventh generations), the iPad Air (third generation), or the 10.5-inch iPad Pro. Compatibility: iPad (ninth, eighth, and seventh generations), iPad Air (third generation), 10.5-inch iPad Pro | Material: TPU | Water Resistant: No | Design: Folding kickstand, front cover only | Screen Protector: Yes Magnets in the front cover automatically trigger the sleep and wake functions on the iPad, and it folds around the back to convert into a stand, either for watching videos or typing directly on the touchscreen. It also clips on and off the iPad easily enough that you can take it off when you’re at home and want to use the device naked, yet it easily snaps right back on when you need it. In a world of mono-colored cases, Fintie offers the SlimShell Case in a refreshing selection of unique artistic designs and patterns, including marble, a galaxy print, a Van Gogh painting, and a composition notebook. Compatibility: 10.2-inch iPad (9th Generation, 8th Generation, 7th Generation) | Material: TPU | Water Resistant: No | Design: Folding kickstand, built-in pencil holder | Screen Protector: Yes A silicone outer shell protects against drops, with a second hard inner shell offering an extra layer of protection. Around the back, a 360-degree rotatable hand strap lets you hold the iPad in any orientation so you can tap away on your screen without fear of dropping it. Behind the hand strap, there’s a rotatable kickstand for viewing the device at any angle, whether you’re participating in FaceTime or Zoom calls or watching the latest shows on Netflix or YouTube. There’s even a removable shoulder strap included, so you can tote your iPad around without needing to put it into a separate bag. The strap can be attached to carry the iPad in a traditional laptop bag style or vertically like a messenger bag. There’s also a slot on the back for storing your Apple Pencil, and it includes a screen protector for the front. Compatibility: 10.2-inch iPad (ninth, eighth, and seventh generations) | Material: Polycarbonate, silicone | Water Resistant: No | Design: Rotatable kickstand, built-in pencil holder, removable shoulder strap | Screen Protector: Yes Like Apple’s Smart Cover, the Smart Keyboard isn’t technically a case since it doesn’t offer any protection for the rear of your device. Instead, it attaches magnetically to the side, docking up with Apple’s Smart Connector (those three dots on the side of the traditional iPad models). This physical connection means you don’t have to worry about the hassles of Bluetooth pairing or batteries. The Smart Keyboard also has magnets in all the right places. It folds over the front of the iPad when not in use, both protecting the screen and putting the device to sleep. When you want to type, it folds underneath to create a stand behind the iPad, using minimal space for the keyboard and keeping your fingers within easy reach of the touch screen. Best of all, when you don’t want a keyboard, you can easily remove the cover or wrap it around the back of your iPad to keep it out of the way. Compatibility: 10.2-inch iPad (ninth, eighth, and seventh generations), iPad Air (third generation), 10.5-inch iPad Pro | Material: Polyurethane | Water Resistant: No | Design: Full-size keyboard with folding stand, front cover only | Screen Protector: Yes Thick but lightweight EVA foam provides an excellent level of shock protection, along with a raised edge on the front to protect the screen from scratches and drops. EVA is the same foam you find in high-end sneakers, and it’s BPA-free. The Fintie Kids Case also converts into a stand for propping the iPad upright to watch videos, FaceTime with family, or play games. The case is available in seven fun colors and fits the 10.2-inch iPad (ninth, eighth, and seventh generations), the iPad Air 3, and the 10.5-in iPad Pro. Compatibility: 10.2-inch iPad (ninth, eighth, and seventh generations), iPad Air (third generation), 10.5-inch iPad Pro | Material: Ethylene-vinyl acetate | Water Resistant: No | Design: Convertible stand that can become top handle | Screen Protector: No In addition to a protective pocket for your tablet, there’s also space for USB cables, earbuds, and other small accessories. Four elastic straps let you secure larger items, while a mesh bag provides storage for other small gadgets and cables. There’s also a card slot for credit cards or business cards and even a place for a small, A5-sized notebook. The exterior of the portfolio features a patented groove design that makes it comfortable to securely grip when you’re carrying it, and there’s also a convenient wristband to make sure you don’t drop it when you’re on the go. An EVA hard shell provides drop protection of up to four feet, while water-repellent fabric and quality YKK zippers ensure everything remains protected and accessible inside. Compatibility: Tablets measuring between 10 and 11 inches | Material: Ethylene-vinyl acetate | Water Resistant: Yes | Design: Padfolio with elasticized compartments and side handle | Screen Protector: No But there’s a lot more to BookBook than just its looks. A soft microfibre interior protects the iPad on the front and back, and it also offers multiple display mode angles for typing directly on the screen or watching movies. There’s also a slot inside to hold your Apple Pencil. When you’re done, just lay it back down, fold the case closed, and zip it up, and your iPad is safe against the elements and everyday bumps. Compatibility: 11-inch iPad Pro, fourth-gen. iPad Air | Material: Leather, microfiber | Water Resistant: No | Design: Portfolio with an integrated kickstand and built-in pencil holder | Screen Protector: Yes
Design
Almost all iPad cases can be used as a stand to prop up your device, but make sure they allow the angles and orientations you’re looking for. Many work great in landscape mode but can be awkward if you want to use your iPad in portrait orientation for things like FaceTime calls. Also, consider whether you want a slot for your Apple Pencil or pockets to store additional cables or documents. If you plan to use your iPad on the go, you also may want to look for a case with a strap or handle on the back so you can hold it securely while you’re working with it.
Protection
Since the primary reason for buying a case is to protect your iPad, you want to make sure your choice can handle whatever you plan to put your iPad through. If you usually carry it in a laptop or messenger bag, you may be fine with just a cover, but if you want to tote it around by itself or be able to toss it into a backpack, you need something more rugged to protect it from dents, scratches, and potential drops.
About Our Trusted Experts
Jesse Hollington is a tech journalist with over 10 years of experience writing about technology, with especially strong expertise in all things iPhone and iPad. Jesse previously served as Editor-in-Chief for iLounge, authored books on the iPod and iTunes, and has published product reviews, editorials, and how-to articles on Forbes, Yahoo, The Independent, and iDropNews.
