A year after its launch, the iPad Pro is still the absolute best tablet money can buy, thanks to the might of its M1 chip, the quality of its Liquid Retina display, and the versatility of its onboard cameras, as well as other great features. Accessory-Friendliness: If you’ve already transformed your iPad Pro into a legit laptop replacement by investing in the excellent Magic Keyboard, keep an eye out for a case that can accommodate this pricey accessory.
If you’re shopping for one, I recommend looking for an onboard trackpad and support for the iPad’s Smart Connector.
The Naked Truth: Does Your iPad Really Need a Case?
You were probably excited when your iPad Air 4 first arrived; ultra-lightweight and fresh new color – you know it was worth the money. From smartphones to food packaging and bicycles, manufacturers use aluminum, given its good strength-to-weight radio. Compared with other materials, like titanium and stainless steel, aluminum is the softest. If you slide your iPad across a table or put it in your bag, and you may end up with a long faint scratch on the shell. Since the iPad is not as easy to grip as an iPhone, nor as significantly weighted to stay still if knocked like a MacBook. Given its size and weight, when an iPad falls, it could deal a fatal blow. Drops, knocks, and sibling-related battles are standard risks with kids, and the iPad will fare no differently than their other toys. Some feel that as long as the device is up and running, a faint blemish is not a big deal, while others like to keep everything immaculate.
For example, the Apple Smart Cover can work as a stand, protects the front and the back of the iPad while also saving battery with the wake/sleep function. There are very few Magic Keyboard compatible cases available as they require a more complex manufacturing technique. Made from aramid fiber, the MagEZ Case offers seamless functionality between your iPad and Apple Magic Keyboard. If you are using your iPad Pro/Air with the Magic Keyboard, then the PITAKA MagEZ Case is a perfect fit.
Use the built-in security and privacy protections of iPad
Built-in security features help prevent anyone but you from accessing the data on your iPad and in iCloud. To take maximum advantage of the security and privacy features built into iPad, follow these practices: Let iPad create a strong password if Sign in with Apple isn’t available For a strong password that you don’t have to remember, let iPad create it when you sign up for a service on a website or in an app. Use the built-in authenticator for two-factor authentication For sites and apps that offer two-factor authentication, you can get automatically generated verification codes on iPad without relying on SMS messages or additional apps to provide the codes.
Better understand the privacy of your browsing activities in Safari and help protect yourself against malicious websites Safari helps prevent trackers from following you across websites. You can also review and adjust Safari settings to keep your browsing activities private from others who use the same device, and help protect yourself from malicious websites. This prevents websites from seeing your IP address and location and network providers from collecting your browsing activity. To learn more about how Apple protects your information, go to the Privacy website.
The best iPad cases in 2022 to protect your tablet
As well as providing a shield for your iPad, you can also use the case to ensure your device is at the best angle to work on, watch content or make video calls. Apple Smart Folio The best case for the new iPad Air 5 (and other models) Specifications Materials: : Polyurethane Colours: : Black, Cyprus Green, Deep Navy, Electric Orange, Mallard Green, Pink Citrus, White Weight: : 180g Today’s Best Deals View at Currys (opens in new tab) View at Amazon (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Fits perfectly + Feels and looks great Reasons to avoid – No edge protection – High price tag We were disappointed to find that Apple doesn’t make a leather iPad case, but we got over it when we found this excellent offering from Casemade.
JETech Case The best cheap iPad case Specifications Materials: : PU, PC, Microfibre Colours: Black, Blue, Green, Light Purple, Matcha Green, Misty Blue, Navy, Pink, Purple, Red, Rose Gold, Yellow Weight: : 125g Today’s Best Deals View at Amazon (opens in new tab) View at Amazon (opens in new tab) View at Amazon (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Good value for money + Aesthetically pleasing Reasons to avoid – Not the best protection
It doesn’t feel as nice or as well-made as the Apple case – it’s definitely a lot more plastic in feel and we wouldn’t count on it lasting for years – but it’ll provide your iPad with a layer of protection from damage, work as a stand and wake it up and put it to sleep when you open or close the cover. OtterBox Defender One of the best iPad 9 cases for extra protection Specifications Materials: Polycarbonate, Synthetic Rubber, Polyester Colours: Black Weight: Not stated Today’s Best Deals View at Amazon (opens in new tab) View at Amazon (opens in new tab) View at Amazon (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Tough and rugged + Handy port covers + Available for most iPads Reasons to avoid – Adds a lot of bulk It’s a rugged but low-profile case that provides three layers of protection, including a solid inner shell and a tough outer slipcover. This case will easily withstand drops, bumps and shocks and even features port covers to keep out dust and dirt.
Like the Smart Folio, it attaches magnetically and provides decent enough protection, but the main feature here is the full-size keyboard that instantly turns your iPad into a much more productive device.
Catalyst Waterproof iPad Case The best iPad case for complete protection against the elements Specifications Materials: Not stated Colours: Stealth Black, Red Weight: 400g Today’s Best Deals View at Amazon (opens in new tab) View at Amazon (opens in new tab) View at Amazon (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + IP68 waterproofing + Drop protection + Screen protector included Reasons to avoid – Limited Pencil compatibility Almost as expensive as the Apple Smart Keyboard Folio, the main benefits of this case are drop protection of up to four feet and IP68 waterproofing, which means your iPad should survive in up to two metres of water. It’s easy to fit and comes with its own screen protector; bear in mind though that if you use a Pencil it won’t pair or charge through this case, so it’s one you’ll probably want to keep for when you’re taking your iPad out and about.
Quite a few of the cases featured here overlook the iPad Mini, but if that’s your preferred size and you need something to give it some protection without bulking it out too much, we think the ProCase is the perfect option for you. It’s made of ABS material that’ll help your Mini to withstand bumps, scratches and shocks as well giving it a lovely tactile texture.
The Best iPad Pro Cases
This is one of the few cases we tested at any price that allows a full charging and syncing connection for the Apple Pencil, without sacrificing protection for the other edges.
The Very Best iPad Cases
While the ways we use our iPads are unique (a college student jotting down notes in a classroom, an illustrator painstakingly creating a new drawing, a grandparent trying to sign up for Netflix, a kid buying a few extra lives for a mobile game while their parents aren’t paying attention), we do all share one need: a case. (We’ve all been there, picking up our precious tablet with careful, concerned movements as if we’re investigating a crime scene, only to be flooded with relief when we don’t see any cracks.) To find the best case or sleeve for all sorts of people, we talked to 11 different tech experts, art directors, illustrators, artists, and other folks with great taste. Rugged hard-shell cases can give your iPad a coat of armor that absorbs the impact of bumps and drops and shield it from scratches and abrasions.
Pay attention to whether the case covers the edges, corners, and buttons too, so they don’t get damaged if your iPad sees a lot of jostling, whether in your bag while you’re on a train or from a kid who demands to play games on it all the time. If you intend to bring it on daily commutes, a cumbersome or too-heavy case can quickly get annoying — plus, who wants to cover their sleek Apple gadget with an eyesore?
Other design features to consider are a keyboard, which is great for note-taking students or anyone who sends a lot of emails or frequently types up documents. Some cases have dedicated Apple Pencil holders to keep the tool handy while traveling or commuting, and to offer extra security to folks who don’t want to lose a $130 stylus.
The latest Apple Pencil can magnetically attach to the side of your iPad, but if you are using an older model you may want your case to have a dedicated spot for it. You may also want to look for a specific type of closure, from a magnetic or Velcro fastener to an elastic band that goes around the whole case, again depending on how you personally use your iPad. “The Folio case is a little pricey, but it’s lightweight and easy to fit into your bag or on your lap while you are irresponsibly drawing in bed.” Harry Hembley, the illustrator behind the popular “lil bean” Instagram account, likes that the Folio “folds to the perfect angle for daily drawing.” He also likes the case’s simple-but-nice sueded interior finish. I’ve been using the Combo Touch for about a year, and the case is a study in thoughtful design, from its grippy and protective outer shell to its conveniently detachable trackpad and keyboard (which draws power from the iPad, so there’s nothing to plug in or recharge).
There are also no shortcut keys on the Folio keyboard to adjust screen brightness, volume, and other settings, and the case is a little less protective around the edges and corners than the Logitech. Targus VersaVu iPad Case $55 now 27% off $40 Canvas and plastic with front and back covers and edge protection | Cover folds into a stand | Includes a stylus holder | Magnetic flap closure Illustrator Maggie Stephenson recommends the Targus VersaVu iPad case for its security and reliability.
“The exterior is non-slip and has a comfortable and cool feel that you’ll appreciate if you have to hold your iPad for a long period of time,” she says. She also likes that the case accommodates the Apple Pencil really well, helping it to stay attached to the iPad’s magnetic smart connector.
“It has a cool magnetic smart cover that automatically wakes and puts my iPad to sleep when I open and close it, which helps save battery life,” she says. Pack & Smooch TabStrap $111 Leather and wool with minimal back cover | Handle doubles as a stand | Includes a stylus holder | No front cover or closure Instead of a case, illustrator and YouTube creator Stefan De Groot prefers the TabStrap, which is kind of like a phone loop on steroids. It rotates 360 degrees, so you can spin your screen without taking your hand out of the strap — a feature De Groot finds very useful for illustration. The TabStrap ultimately functions like a painter’s easel combined with a palette, letting you view your work at different angles while keeping a grip on your iPad at all times. It also serves as a low-profile stand, in case you want to prop up your iPad to watch a video or position it at a gentler angle for drawing. Some of our latest conquests include the best women’s jeans, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, ultra-flattering pants, and bath towels.
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