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The 14 Best iPad Cases You Can Buy in 2024

It's the smart thing to buy and you know it.

By Christine Flammia and
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Every product was carefully curated by an Esquire editor. We may earn a commission from these links.

Having an iPad is like having a laptop, smartphone, gaming device, illustrator, e-reader, and even TV in one—real nice. It's a hefty investment you'll use and show off, or use to show off. (It can cost half a grand, mate. Show it off.) By extension, not protecting an iPad is definitely a mess-around-and-find-out situation you do not want to put yourself in. I personally messed around once, and I found out the hard way that it sucks when you damage your device. Let's just not repeat ourselves here.

  • Smart Folio for iPad Air

    Best Basic iPad Case

    Apple Smart Folio for iPad Air

    $79 at Amazon
    Read more
  • Case for iPad

    Best Budget iPad Case

    JETech Case for iPad

    Read more
  • 11" & 13" Stow Tablet Sleeve

    Best iPad Sleeve

    Native Union 11" & 13" Stow Tablet Sleeve

    Read more
  • Combo Touch for iPad

    Best Keyboard iPad Case

    Logitech Combo Touch for iPad

    Read more
  • iPad Customization Cases

    Best Customizable iPad Case

    Casetify iPad Customization Cases

    Read more

Most of the time, simply putting a case on your iPad will work. Spills, drops, bumps, scratches, and cracks—as long as you don't Hulk out on it—can be averted with just a case. But the right case will do so much more. It'll prop an iPad up to an ergonomic viewing angle. Turn it into a whole makeshift workstation. And make it look much better than it is.

We've included 14 of the best iPad cases below, many of which come with different iterations compatible with both the latest and older iPad releases. Once equipped, you're free to mess around and find out.

    Best Basic iPad Case

    Apple Smart Folio for iPad Air

    Smart Folio for iPad Air
    Best Basic iPad Case

    Apple Smart Folio for iPad Air

    $79 at Amazon
    Pros
    • Easy to use
    • Foldable
    Cons
    • Pricey for what it is

    Shop for iPad

    Shop for iPad Pro

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    No-frills, intuitive, and fully compatible. Does the quality (polyurethane, which is decent, but not luxe) necessarily jibe with the high price? Not really. But hey, it's made by Apple, so you know it's dependable.

    Best Budget iPad Case

    JETech Case for iPad

    Case for iPad
    Best Budget iPad Case

    JETech Case for iPad

    Pros
    • Cheap
    Cons
    • A bit flimsy

    Shop for All iPad Models

    It's got the same sleek light trifold design as the Apple Smart Cover, except with far more color options. And it's not lacking durability nor the auto sleep/wake function. You can expect a lot here.

    Best iPad Sleeve

    Native Union 11" & 13" Stow Tablet Sleeve

    11" & 13" Stow Tablet Sleeve
    Best iPad Sleeve

    Native Union 11" & 13" Stow Tablet Sleeve

    Now 14% Off
    Pros
    • Added storage for cords
    • Well-made
    Cons
    • Might be a tight or loose fit depending on iPad model

    A sleeve offers both protection as portability, and Native Union's sleeve has a simple magnetic closure for seamless access as well. The external front pocket (who doesn't love an external pocket?) makes accessing essentials like cables even easier.

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    Best Keyboard iPad Case

    Logitech Combo Touch for iPad

    Combo Touch for iPad
    Best Keyboard iPad Case

    Logitech Combo Touch for iPad

    Now 23% Off
    Pros
    • All-in-one case
    Cons
    • Pricey
    • Angle not adjustable

    Shop for iPad Pro & Air

    If being able to turn your iPad into more of a laptop at will is important to you, Logitech's keyboard case is worth it at this price. More importantly, it doesn't require charging. Just connect it and go on typing or tracking on the pad.

    Best Customizable iPad Case

    Casetify iPad Customization Cases

    iPad Customization Cases
    Best Customizable iPad Case

    Casetify iPad Customization Cases

    Pros
    • Personalizable
    • Added corner protection
    Cons
    • No front protection

    A case donning your own moniker can really make a statement. Casetify allows you to customize text, font, layout, and color on the case so the iPad (across models) is yours truly. Moreover, there's the ultra impact option that offers extra protection, and a roller option for better usage.

    Best Useful iPad Case

    Fintie Rotating Case for iPad

    Rotating Case for iPad
    Best Useful iPad Case

    Fintie Rotating Case for iPad

    Pros
    • Great for multiuse
    Cons
    • Not the cutest

    Shop for All iPad Models

    It'll rotate and swivel 360 degrees to lend you an ergonomic landscape or portrait viewing. Just snap your iPad in and roll with it. And the dual-layer build isn't too shabby in terms of sturdiness and protection.

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    Best Durable iPad Case

    UAG Metropolis SE Series iPad Pro Folio Case

    Metropolis SE Series iPad Pro Folio Case
    Best Durable iPad Case

    UAG Metropolis SE Series iPad Pro Folio Case

    Pros
    • Virtually indestructible
    Cons
    • Bulky look

    Urban Armor Gear makes rugged iPad cases that can brave anything: drops, crushes, stampedes, chainsaw massacres. Okay, we exaggerate. But they are super strong. The Metropolis SE Series is a futuristic style highlight, but the other models aren't lacking in flair either.

    Best iPad Case for the Office

    Nomad Goods Modern Folio & Case for iPad Pro & Air

    Modern Folio & Case for iPad Pro & Air
    Best iPad Case for the Office

    Nomad Goods Modern Folio & Case for iPad Pro & Air

    Pros
    • Satisfying open-book feel
    • High-quality materials
    Cons
    • Pricey

    You might take a liking to Nomad's lustrous dark sheen that makes an iPad look even more costly than it already is. The brand's fresher, glossier take on Apple's OG iPad cover and folio is also well-suited to protect against bumps and general wear.

    Best iPad Portfolio

    Leatherology iPad Portfolio

    iPad Portfolio
    Best iPad Portfolio

    Leatherology iPad Portfolio

    Pros
    • Great for organizing all your stuff
    Cons
    • Pricey
    • Can feel heavy with iPad and paper

    This leather pad-folio does it for business people and anyone who packs light and neat. Its big side pocket will come in handy, its small tech and card pockets will come in handy, its paper pocket and note pad will also come in handy. Overall, it comes in handy!

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    Best Techy iPad Case

    ZAGG Rugged Book for iPad

    Rugged Book for iPad
    Best Techy iPad Case

    ZAGG Rugged Book for iPad

    Now 24% Off
    Pros
    • Great for remote work
    Cons
    • Bulky

    Shop for iPad Pro & Air

    Shop for iPad Mini

    Zagg's Rugged Book is a whole tech gadget on its own: detachable keyboard case, multi-device pairing ability, and military-grade drop protection. While we often refrain from judging a book by its cover, this one's fit will be lit for sure.

    Best Full Protection iPad Case

    Speck Balance Folio Case

    Balance Folio Case
    Best Full Protection iPad Case

    Speck Balance Folio Case

    Pros
    • Protects from drops up to 4 feet
    • Latch closure
    Cons
    • Heavy

    Speck's Balance case clicks your tablet into place and then wraps around and—key here—has a latch to keep it closed tight. This is great for people who get bothered by the magnetic closure of other cases, which are easily detatched.

    Best Half Shell iPad Case

    STM Half Shell iPad Case

    Half Shell iPad Case
    Best Half Shell iPad Case

    STM Half Shell iPad Case

    Pros
    • Simple
    Cons
    • Not the most protective against drops

    Clear cases can contour the sharp lines of your tablet while putting up an all-angle defense. STM's clear case series lets you show off the Apple logo without feeling the weight of a bulky case.

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    Best Adjustable iPad Case

    MOFT Float Slim Stand & Case

    Float Slim Stand & Case
    Best Adjustable iPad Case

    MOFT Float Slim Stand & Case

    Pros
    • Adjustable height & angle
    Cons
    • Not top-notch quality

    MOFT takes all of its design cues from origami to come up with smart, efficient ways to make its stuff work well. This iPad case looks and acts like a normal case when folded up, but the back comes off to create an instant stand with adjustable viewing angles.

    Most Luxe iPad Holder

    Thom Browne Tablet Holder

    Tablet Holder
    Most Luxe iPad Holder

    Thom Browne Tablet Holder

    Pros
    • High-quality fabric
    Cons
    • Won't protect against scratches while in use
    • Pricey

    This tablet holder means business. While it's not going to protect your iPad while in use, the sleeve will get you where you gotta go with padded protection and clean minimalist flair.

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