The Best iPad Cases for Protecting Your Device

Key Specs
• Material: Polycarbonate
• Compatible With: 7th and 8th gen, 10.2 in. display, 2019 and 2020 versions

For those who put their iPads through hell—or for those of us with small children who do—there’s the OtterBox Defender Series, which brings the protection of an imaginary armored tank to your electronics. With a scratch-proof body that has two meters of drop protection and a built-in screen protector, it can hold up to a feral toddler’s abuse. Port covers over all the jacks prevent any dust and dirt from getting inside. And that protection lasts a really long time—I’ve had my OtterBox iPad case for three years with no signs of wear and tear.

Key Specs
• Materials: Faux leather, microfiber, fiberglass
• Compatible With: 4th gen, 10.9 in. display, 2020 Air

Lots of otherwise decent cases are held back from greatness by their unreliable stands. The Zugu Alpha Case, however, isn’t one of them—it’s a winner not just for its overall high quality and solid list of features, but especially for its secure, magnetized stand with eight angle options. Made of microfiber, fiberglass, and vegan leather, the case provides plenty of long-lasting protection from general wear and tear, as well as drops up to five feet. It’s got a small window to hold your Apple pencil, a sleep/wake cover, and a magnet so powerful you can use it to stick your iPad to the fridge. That said, it’s a fairly streamlined and non-bulky case that doesn’t feel heavy inside your bag.

Key Specs
• Materials: Silicone
• Compatible With: 5th and 6th gen, 9.7 in. display, 2017 and 2018 New iPad

Kids are on their tablets more and more these days—and those tablets are starting to show the weariness we all feel. To keep the technology your kid relies on looking fresh and operating smoothly, you need a case that can handle some abuse. This sturdy, inexpensive silicone case is built to withstand a six-foot drop and has convenient, kid-friendly carry handles. Just note: You’ll have to buy the screen protector add-on for full, child-proof impact protection.

Key Specs
• Materials: Varies with color
• Compatible With: 7th gen, 10.2 in., 2019; 8th gen, 10.2 in. 2020

This sturdy folio case would make our picks list even if it didn’t cost less than a Waffle House breakfast (the black version was $9.99 at last check). Made of a durable and flexible TPU plastic, the case protects your tablet from dings and scratches without chipping or cracking over time, like harder plastic cases tend to. It fits your tablet like a custom-made glove while still being easy to attach and remove. The screen cover’s magnetic closure wakes your iPad when you open it and puts it to sleep when closed. And when you want to prop up your iPad into viewing mode (at a 65-degree angle) or typing mode (at a 30-degree angle), the cover folds into thirds to make a triangular stand that doesn’t collapse.

Key Specs
• Materials: Plastic
• Compatible With: 7th and 8th gen

Sure, the Apple Magic Keyboard case is a techno marvel, but you don’t have to spend near-laptop prices to turn your tablet into a functional laptop. The Logitech Combo Pad costs far less than Apple’s model and offers most of the same functionality, including a trackpad. In addition, the Combo Pad’s backlit keyboard also features brightness and volume controls, as well as other helpful keys, such as a play/pause button. The case itself is sturdy and durable-feeling, and can be used with or without the keyboard.

Key Specs
• Materials: Polycarbonate
• Compatible With: 2017 9.7 in. iPad, iPad Pro, iPad Air, iPad Air 2

Speck’s Balance Folio is a sleek, inexpensive case made from faux leather and hard TPU plastic. The case doesn’t excel in any one area, but it checks all the standard boxes and does a little of everything well. Overall, it’s durable and solid-feeling, with raised edges on the inner case to protect the screen and four feet of drop protection. It’s easy to snap your tablet into the case, where it offers sleep and wake functionality when the screen cover is clipped shut or opened. Grooves on the inside of the screen cover allow you to set it up at many different angles in viewing mode.

Key Specs
• Materials: Rubber
• Compatible With: 6th gen, 9.7 in., 2017 and 2018

Whether you spend a lot of time outdoors and don’t want to worry about rain or water damaging your tablet, or you actually want to take some underwater videos, the Shellbox has you and your iPad covered. The rubber case is easy to put on and take off, and fully sealed to provide IP68 protection against water and dust—it’s sand-proof, dust-proof, snow-proof, and fully submersible to a depth of 6.6 feet for up to an hour. It’s also fall-proof up to two meters, so in addition to all that maritime protection, it’s rugged enough to handle calamities on land, as well. The case still gives you access to all the ports and buttons and is relatively slim, with an included lanyard for carrying and an attachable stand.

If you like the look and feel of leather or just like to treat your iPad like a classy, leather-bound book, this is the case for you. Made of natural Italian cowhide leather, the Casemade elevates your tablet experience without sacrificing any of the toughness or functionality of a less aesthetic shell. The case has a sleep/wake function when you open the screen cover, easy access to all the ports, and a durable and snug-fitting but flexible polymer mold that makes snapping your iPad in or out a breeze. The case’s cover folds back and hooks into itself for a secure, triangular stand. It’s a bit on the expensive side compared to plastic models, but it feels great in your hands and looks lovely on your desk or bookshelf.