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Keep Your iPad Protected With Our 9 Favorite Cases

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If you’re in the market to buy a tablet, it’s more than likely that your ideal option would be an iPad. As one of Apple’s core product lines, the game-changing device has assisted people from many walks of life. Nevertheless, narrowing down the cream of the crop in such a repetitive product category can be difficult, which is why we did the hard work for you. After scouring the web, we found some of the best iPad cases for you to pick up and protect your pricey new tablet, so have a look below to find the one that suits your style and needs.

Best iPad Cases Breakdown

Why Should You Use A Case on Your iPad?

Accounting for just how much an iPad does for anyone from medical workers to university professors, it’s only right that we treat the tablet with the same amount of respect and, most of all, protection, that we do our iPhones. At the end of the day, this is a big-budget item, and to overlook its security is simply negligent — and that goes for whether you purchased an AppleCare plan or not. Seeing as the iPad often gets touted around by its owners more often than not, maintaining it properly is even more important, which is why a solid case is arguably the most vital accessory for it — with all due respect to the Apple Pencil. 

What to Look For

Model: First off, you need to make sure the case you get matches the current iPad model you have. You might be able to get away with one that doesn’t match, but to get full protection and the best look, the case should match. Below, we’ll include the compatible iPad generation for the cases we’ve picked, and let you know if they carry it for other generations as well.

Material: The kind of protection you’re looking for will likely determine the material that’s best for your iPad case. If you want a more sophisticated look, leather is a classic and always looks good, but you won’t be getting as much protection as you would with something like a bumper case. 

Protection: Again, style and protection are very much intertwined when it comes to getting a solid iPad case. Although, sleeker, more minimalist cases are becoming better and more protective every year, which means you can usually get the best of both worlds. To be safe, if the case you get doesn’t come with a screen protector, get one yourself (generally a good rule of thumb even without a case).

Style/Features: If you’re out and about with your iPad a lot, a protective case with a rubber bumper will likely be best. Also, if you’re a creative who uses apps like Procreate often, a case with the ability to store an Apple Pencil will be helpful.

Case Made Apple iPad 10th Gen Leather Case

Case Made Apple iPad 10th Gen Leather Case
Pros
  • Reasonable price for quality leather
  • Sizes for nearly every current iPad model (including Air and Pro)
  • Simple and easy to use
Cons
  • Leather is prone to scratches

Best Starter Case: Who would’ve thought anything made of quality leather could be so affordable? Casemade’s entry-level option is crafted from buttery Italian cowhide that will garner a handsome patina as time goes on. Its microfiber felt-lined interior is just as luxurious, assuring that it is sure to keep your iPad screen unscathed and scratch-free.

Compatibility: iPad 10th gen 10.9″ (+ iPad 5th-10th gen, iPad Air 4th-5th gen, and iPad Pro 1st-10th gen)
Material: Cowhide leather
Protection: Everyday protection
Features: Stand

Native Union Stow Slim for iPad Pro

Native Union Stow Slim for iPad Pro
Pros
  • Built-in magnetic closure
  • Place to stow your Apple Pencil
  • Can fit the iPad with the Apple keyboard on it
Cons
  • Designed for transportation

Best Carrying Case: Native Union’s ultra-slim Stow Tablet is crafted with quality in mind, delivering a streamlined design that even comes equipped with a built-in loop to hold an Apple Pencil. With seamless accessibility thanks to its external pocket, this durable, canvas-coated accessory is ideal for someone looking for a sleek touch.

Compatibility: iPad Pro 11″ (+ iPad 7th-9th gen, iPad Pro 12.9″, and iPad Air 4-5th gen)
Material: Textile exterior, quilted interior
Protection: Everyday protection
Features: Apple pencil loop

Moshi VersaCover Case

Moshi VersaCover Case
Pros
  • Front cover is water-resistant
  • Shock-absorbant
  • Three viewing /stand modes offered by the unique design
Cons
  • May take some time to get used to the way it folds

Best Unique Case: Moshi’s VersaCover is essentially a chameleon, albeit a shape-shifter rather than a color-changer. Nonetheless, this versatile, origami-like case is built to accommodate your needs, allowing you to fold it as you please depending on the position you’re sitting in because, at the end of the day, nothing is more important than maintaining good posture when using your iPad. With three different viewing options, including landscape and typing, you can lay comfortably in bed to watch a movie or sit at your desk to jot some notes without ever needing to contort your body.

Compatibility: iPad Air 4th gen 10.9″, iPad Pro 11″
Material: Not listed
Protection: Water-resistant front cover, shock-absorbant
Features: Stand, Apple Pencil holder

OtterBox Defender Series Case

OtterBox Defender Series Case
Pros
  • Military-standard drop protection with raised edges
  • Very good at keeping debris and dirt from getting into the iPad
  • Made with 50% recycled plastic
Cons
  • Built-in screen protector could be a little better

Best Protective Case: When it comes to mobile accessories of any kind, you can never go wrong with anything from Otterbox. The Colorado-based brand’s Defender boasts multi-layer drop protection thanks to its inner shell, outer cover, and built-in screen protector, so your tablet can take a 6-foot tumble and leave you with nothing to worry about. Plus, its charging port cover keeps the iPad’s interior clean, so there’s no need to worry about pesky specks of dust or debris crowding your USB-C.

Compatibility: iPad 10th gen
Material: Polycarbonate shell, synthetic rubber slipcover
Protection: Dirt, scratch, and drop-resistant, screen protector
Features: Stand, drop protection

Mous iPad Pro Case

Mous iPad Pro Case
Pros
  • Four standing angles
  • Nice clean design
  • Spot to store your Apple Pencil
Cons
  • A little on the heavy side

Best Case for Drop Protection: As another mainstay in the accessory space, to label Mous’ design-centric spin on cases as “minimal” would be an understatement. The manufacturer’s iPad Pro Case boasts its proprietary AiroFoam tech to ensure world-class drop protection and shock absorption. At your added convenience, it even features four distinct standing angles, so you can stream all day without a care in the world.

Compatibility: iPad Pro 12.9″ 5th-6th gen
Material: Rubber, AirFoam
Protection: Drop protection, shock-absorbant, screen protector
Features: Apple pencil holder, stand

Nomad Goods Modern Leather Case

Nomad Goods Modern Leather Case
Pros
  • Sleek style, but it comes with a bumper for added protection
  • Made with full-grain leather
  • Will develop a patina
Cons
  • N/A

Best Leather Case: If you’ve been perusing this list or any others like it, you’ve probably been asking yourself when Nomad was going to make an appearance. The humble, SoCal-bred manufacturer is adept at crafting nothing short of perfect accessories to keep our gadgets secure, and its Modern Leather Case reigns as one of the most popular by a longshot. Rounded out with a protective TPE bumper and Apple Pencil compatibly for increased safety and convenience, this razor-thin case is about as classy as it gets.

Compatibility: iPad Air 5th-6th gen, iPad Pro 11″ (2th gen), iPad Pro 12.9″ (4th gen), iPad Pro 11″ (4th gen)
Material: Leather, polycarbonate
Protection: TPE bumper
Features: Apple Pencil holder

Crazy Horse Craft Leather iPad Pro/Air Case

Crazy Horse Craft Leather iPad Pro Air Case
Pros
  • Handmade with Italian leather
  • Lined with wool for both style and protection
  • Convenient inner pocket for an Apple Pencil
Cons
  • Shipped from the EU (it’s fast, though)

Best Wool-Lined Case: If you’re aiming for something luxurious, then look no further. Crazy Horse Craft’s case is finely handmade from Italian vegetable-tanned leather, then finished off with a 100% wool felt interior to keep your tablet from getting scratched in the most opulent way possible. As its color changes over time and the iPad gradually gets older, it may be a sign that it’s time to buy a new tablet for yourself — in that case, at least you’ll know which case to pick up for it.

Compatibility: Every current model
Material: Leather, wool
Protection: Every protection, screen protection
Features: Felt interior, Apple Pencil holder, stand

Shinola Ulitity Medium Journal Cover

Shinola Ulitity Medium Journal Cover
Pros
  • Can also fit one of Shinola’s journals
  • Made in the USA with heritage leather
  • Covert design that looks more natural
Cons
  • N/A

Best Journal-Style Case: While you may be more familiar with the Detroit-based fashion brand’s timepieces, Shinola’s leather goods are some of the best around. This handsome, small-scale leather case is built to take on the iPad Mini and comes equipped with a medium-sized journal to take some handwritten notes, going to show that the written word is not dead after all — even when you’ve got a tablet. Plus, it has a handful of card slots to help keep things organized.

Compatibility: iPad Mini 5th-6th gen
Material: Leather
Protection: Everyday protection
Features: Four card pockets

Apple Smart Keyboard Folio

Apple Smart Keyboard Folio
Pros
  • Apple build-quality and responsiveness
  • Really nice for travelling
  • Lightweight and easy to use
Cons
  • A little pricey for a case

Best Apple Case: Apple’s proprietary Smart Keyboard is sure to please people doing legitimate business on their tablets. It is compatible with any iPad Pro model and later-gen iPad Airs, so the latest and greatest examples from the Silicon Valley manufacturer are built to take advantage of the unique Smart Keyboard. Practically capable of transforming an iPad into a full-scale MacBook, this lightweight addition is beyond convenient.

Compatibility: iPad Pro 12.9″ 3rd-6th gen
Material: Aluminum, plastic
Protection: None
Features: Keyboard, stand

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