Best iPad cases: Covers, shells and keyboards for every iPad on sale now

The iPad is a light and elegant slice of technology. Whether you're picking up a new iPad Air (M2) or iPad Pro (M4) or you've got an older model, protection is important. Keep your investment safe in a case, particularly when you're taking your iPad on the go. 

If you're looking for an older model not mentioned in this article, search the site, because we have roundups for every iPad released in recent years. And while this article divides up the cases by iPad model, many of these cases mentioned here are also compatible with or available for other models. Sleeves in particular are not model-specific, as long as the size is similar. Here are some of our favorite cases for each model.

Best cases for iPad Pro with M4 chip

Best cases for iPad Air with M2 chip

Best cases for 12.9-inch iPad Pro with M2 chip

Best cases for the 11-inch iPad Pro with M2 chip

The best iPad Air 5 cases

Best iPad 10.9-inch 2022 (10th generation) cases

Best 10.2-inch iPad 2021 (9th generation) cases

Best iPad mini 6 cases

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Q & A

What makes a great iPad case?

Of course, protection is important. But do you need to protect the screen, the edges, the back, or all three? This will depend on how you use your iPad, but generally, all-over protection is ideal. However, you might be willing to sacrifice some amount of shielding in order to have a sleeker, lighter case. You also might slide your iPad and its case into a sleeve for further protection while traveling. Ultimately, that's up to you, so consider how you use (and potentially misuse) your best iPad

Which of the best iPad cases is best for you?

First and foremost, you'll want to make sure that the case you're choosing is compatible with your iPad model. Don't guess and figure it will be "close enough," a case that doesn't fit properly or allow your iPad to function properly is no protection at all. Then you just want to choose the level of protection, form factor, and style that works best for you. Remember that many of the styles that you see under one iPad section are also available for other iPad models as well, check the listing to find out. If a particular case is good for one model, it's good for all of the models. 

When it comes to choosing the best case for your needs, it's always a good idea to keep in mind how you'll be using your iPad. We're always partial to Apple designs, like the beautiful cantilevered Magic Keyboard that works with several different models. If you're going to be using your iPad for work or school, a keyboard design like this with a trackpad is going to help you get the most out of your iPad. 

What if I want my case to do more?

Consider any added functionality that might be useful for you. Many cases have a folding a stand to prop up your iPad at various angles. Keyboard cases allow you to touch type quickly, but might be overkill if you don't need that. Some keyboard cases even have a trackpad for a more computer-like experience. If you use an Apple Pencil, you'll probably want to choose a case that stows it safely (and allows charging, if you use the Apple Pencil 2 or Apple Pencil Pro.)  

What about sleeves?

What's nice about sleeves is that you don't have to buy a new one every time you buy a new iPad. Sleeves are generally compatible across all iPad models, as long as the size matches up. An 11-inch sleeve, for example, will fit any 11-inch (or 10-inch for that matter) iPad model. A 13-inch sleeve will literally fit any iPad at all, though of course it won't be so snug for smaller models.

Obviously, a sleeve only protects your iPad as long as the iPad is inside, so it's more for protection during transport than use. But many sleeves have enough space for the iPad in a case, so it's double protection on the go.

Do I need an expensive case?

Not really. We also like less expensive designs from tried and true brands like tomtoc, ESR, Spigen, and more. We often use these cases from cheaper brands in our personal lives and they suit us just fine. As long as you get the features you need, whether it's drop protection, Sleep/Wake functionality, a folding stand, a keyboard, an Apple Pencil holder, or whatever, the price doesn't always mean a better case. Choose the case that suits your budget and style.

Karen S Freeman
Contributor

Karen is a contributor to iMore.com as a writer and co-host of the iMore Show. She’s been writing about Apple since 2010 with a year-long break to work at an Apple Store as a product specialist. She's also a contributor at TechRadar and Tom's Guide. Before joining iMore in 2018, Karen wrote for Macworld, CNET, AppAdvice, and WatchAware. She’s an early adopter who used to wait in long lines on release days before pre-ordering made things much easier. Karen is also a part-time teacher and occasional movie extra. She loves to spend time with her family, travel the world, and is always looking for portable tech and accessories so she can work from anywhere.