Spigen Urban Fit iPad Case review: Protection and style

Whether you own the latest iPad Pro (2021) or an earlier model, or an iPad Air or iPad, you'll want to protect it with a good case. One of the best cases for my 11-inch iPad Pro I have found so far is the Spigen Urban Fit iPad Case, which comes in a number of sizes for different iPad models.

The case is solid, sturdy, and protective. The cover folds around the back to use as a stand, and it has Sleep/Wake functionality. There's a slot for Apple Pencil where you can store it flat or place it sticking upright if you prefer. A pencil groove on top of the case lets you charge your Apple Pencil without removing the case.

Spigen Urban Fit iPad Case: Price and availability

Spigen's Urban Fit iPad Case is available for the 2018/2020/2021 11-inch iPad Pro, 2018/2020 12-inch iPad Pro, 2019/2020 10.2-inch iPad, and 2020 10.9-inch iPad Air. There are three different colors: Black, Rose Gold, and Military Green. You can find the Urban Fit case at retailers like Amazon and Best Buy, as well as Spigen's own site. At all of the retailers, the case ranges from $45 to $55, depending on which size you purchase.

Spigen Urban Fit iPad Case: What's good

I like the look and feel of this protective case. It's made from canvas-like fabric, flexible TPU (Thermoplastic polyurethane) edges, a honeycomb TPU interior for extra cushioning, and soft microfiber inside the front flap to protect the screen. This secure and well-fit case is easy to put and take off. Button covers over the Sleep/Wake, and volume buttons work as expected. Precision cutouts for the microphones, camera module, and speakers mean everything works as intended.

Sleep/Wake functionality is pretty much expected from cases these days, and the Spigen Urban Fit iPad Case delivers. Like the Apple Smart Case, the front flap can be folded behind the iPad to serve as a horizontal stand. You can set it up at a high angle for watching videos or at a lower angle for typing and drawing. Either way, an Apple Pencil or similar-sized stylus will fit securely into a slot or can be placed upright if you prefer. A second spot for the Apple Pencil, a grove on top, is where you'd place the Apple Pencil for charging on the iPad Pro and iPad Air models.

I'd consider this a medium-weight, medium-protection case. You can go ultra-light and not get as much protection, or you can go heavy-duty and add some weight to your device. For most people, the protection this case offers will be plenty. If you want an iPad case for your kids or perhaps you're taking your iPad into a more perilous situation like a construction site, you might prefer a more heavy-duty case for your iPad.

Spigen Urban Fit iPad Case: What's not good

While some cases offer a secure slot for the Apple Pencil over the magnetic connector to charge inside it, the Spigen Urban Fit case does not. Instead, it offers several different places to put your Apple Pencil: a secure slot at the bottom for storage and transport, a hole for sticking your Apple Pencil upright, and a groove on top for charging your Apple Pencil. You may see that as a flaw or a feature, depending on how you tend to use and charge your Apple Pencil.

I like the canvas-like fabric that covers the case, but it may not appeal to everyone. I've been careful with it to avoid staining, but it might be difficult to clean if something were to spill on it.

It is heavier than some of my other favorite cases, but that also means it's more protective. Generally, the lighter a case is, the less protective it is. This one is right about in the middle.

Spigen Urban Fit iPad Case: Competition

The ESR Smart Case for iPad Pro is an ultra-light option. It's basically just a rectangle that folds around your iPad, held in place by magnets. It's the minimalist option.

The ESR Trifold Smart Case for iPad Pro is one of my favorite cases. It's lightweight, but it offers a complete snap-in back cover and a front flap with Sleep/Wake functionality that also folds into a stand.

Of course, Apple's own Smart Cover is the one that all the rest are modeled after. You certainly can't go wrong with an Apple case for your Apple device, but Spigen and ESR do offer much cheaper options.

Spigen Urban Fit iPad Case: Should you buy it?

• You want a protective case for transporting your iPad and Apple Pencil
• You like the canvas fabric style
• You want a case that converts into a stand as needed

• You don't like the look
• You want the Apple storage slot over the magnetic connector
• You want an ultra-light or a super heavy-duty case

This is a great choice for the person who wants a case that sits in the middle of the spectrum between lightness and protectiveness. This is also a great pick if you have an Apple Pencil that you want to store with your iPad. It's not for you if you want that Apple Pencil to charge while it's in the storage slot or if you want a case that's lighter (or more heavy-duty) than this one.

This medium-weight case is light enough for most people and yet offers a decent amount of protection. The Apple Pencil slot at the bottom keeps your Apple Pencil safe for transport. There's also a hole that you can put your Apple Pencil sticking straight up for when you're picking it up and putting it down frequently. Most importantly, an Apple Pencil groove over the magnetic connector lets you charge your Apple Pencil 2 while your iPad Pro or iPad Air is in the case. The TPU case "skeleton" and honeycomb pattern inside the case's back are protective, while the canvas-like fabric covering offers a more unusual aesthetic.

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