The best iPad cases

The best iPad cases in Australia do more than just protect the screen of your Apple tablet investment.

Best iPad case
Apple Smart Folio
From$127
iPad models
iPad, Air, Mini, Pro 11/12.9
Colours
Yellow, blue, red, white
Weight
From 240 grams
Best iPad Air case
ESR for iPad Air
ESR for iPad Air
From$19.99
iPad models
iPad, Air, Mini, Pro 11/12.9-inch
Colours
Black, green, grey, blue, cyan
Weight
From 260 grams
Best iPad Mini case
Otterbox Symmetry Series Clear Case
From$63.49
iPad models
iPad, Air, Mini, Pro 10.5-inch
Colours
Clear
Weight
From 80 grams
Best iPad Pro case
Apple Magic Keyboard
From$489
iPad models
iPad, Air, Pro 11/12.9-inch
Colours
Black, white
Weight
From 601 grams
Best iPad keyboard case
Logitech Combo Touch
From$239
iPad models
iPad, Air, Pro 11/12.9-inch
Colours
Light or dark grey
Weight
From 800 grams
Nathan Lawrence
Apr 22, 2024
Icon Time To Read5 min read

So you’ve just bought a new or refurbished iPad. Before you get too attached to your Apple tablet, you really should invest in a case. Contemporary iPad cases offer protection for the front, back and sides of your new investment, helping buffer against accidental bumps and drops. Pricier iPad cases may even enhance productivity alongside protection.

In terms of costs, you’re looking at around $20 for a basic case if all you want is straightforward protection. But if you’re after a case with a keyboard and touchpad, expect to pay upwards of $500 for a top-of-the-line model. Scroll on for a closer look at the best iPad cases and contenders.

Compare the best iPad cases

Best for
Model
iPad models
View more
Colours
Weight
Icon Star Full  LightBest iPad case
iPad, Air, Mini, Pro 11/12.9Yellow, blue, red, whiteFrom 240 grams
Icon Star Full  LightBest iPad Air case
iPad, Air, Mini, Pro 11/12.9-inchBlack, green, grey, blue, cyanFrom 260 grams
Icon Star Full  LightBest iPad Mini case
iPad, Air, Mini, Pro 10.5-inchClearFrom 80 grams
Icon Star Full  LightBest iPad Pro case
iPad, Air, Pro 11/12.9-inchBlack, whiteFrom 601 grams
Icon Star Full  LightBest iPad keyboard case
iPad, Air, Pro 11/12.9-inchLight or dark greyFrom 800 grams

Apple Smart Folio

Best iPad case

iPad models
iPad, Air, Mini, Pro 11/12.9
Colours
Yellow, blue, red, white
Weight
From 240g
Starts at$127

Pricing and availability only accurate as of last page update.

pro
Pros
pro Front and back protection
pro Thin, foldable cover
pro Automatic iPad wake-up and sleep
con
Cons
con Not particularly lightweight
con Potentially fiddly viewing angles
con Comparatively pricey

While third-party options abound, Apple is the first place you should check in with when sizing up an iPad case. Take the Apple Smart Folio, for instance. It offers relatively lightweight iPad protection at a comparatively reasonable price. The Apple Smart Folio is available in a handful of colours, plus it has compatibility across iPad models. Just be sure to pick the right one for your iPad for the perfect fit. We like little features like automatic sleep and wake-up when you close and open the cover, plus more practical features like a foldable cover for different viewing angles.

For a more rugged alternative, consider the Zugu Ultra Slim Protective Cover or the Otterbox Defender Series Case for iPad. If you have an older iPad, like the 9th generation, try the Apple Smart Cover instead.

ESR for iPad Air

Best iPad Air case

iPad models
iPad, Air, Mini, Pro 11/12.9-inch
Colours
Black, green, grey, blue, cyan
Weight
From 260g
Starts at$19.99

Pricing and availability only accurate as of last page update.

pro
Pros
pro Very affordable
pro Pencil 2 holder/charger
pro All-round protection
con
Cons
con May have finger recognition woes
con Pencil trickier to remove
con Limited folding options

Buying an iPad case doesn’t have to cost anywhere near as much as buying the Apple tablet. If you’re after straightforward protection without the bells and whistles, consider the ESR for iPad Air. This budget-friendly iPad case is available for the other mainline iPad models, too, plus there’s a handful of colour options to suit personalisation tastes. The ESR case boasts full-body protection for your iPad, plus there’s space at the top for an Apple Pencil 2. This iPad case also has the same functionality as the Apple Smart Folio above: namely, auto screen on and off on open and close, plus the front cover doubles as a multi-positional viewing stand.

For even cheaper alternatives, consider the PU Case for iPad or the Asgens iPad Clear Case.

Otterbox Symmetry Series Clear Case

Best iPad Mini case

iPad models
iPad, Air, Mini, Pro 10.5-inch
Colours
Clear
Weight
From 80g
Starts at$63.49

Pricing and availability only accurate as of last page update.

pro
Pros
pro The price is right
pro Great drop protection
pro Lightweight design
con
Cons
con Clear means no colour choices
con Rubber edges may discolour
con Reported button alignment woes

It feels like for as long as there have been smartphones and tablets, Otterbox has been offering rugged cases. And the Otterbox Symmetry Series Clear Case is a reasonably priced way to wrap your iPad Mini in a durable, drop-protected case. Those who use other iPad models will also find a Clear Case equivalent, which has a transparent design for those who aren’t particularly fussed about the abundance of colour-coded alternatives. This case is meant for people who want protection without anything covering the screen, and without the desire to have stands for flat-surface viewing. There’s also an Apple Pencil loop to protect your optional digital doodling tool.

Alternatively, invest some more in the Otterbox Defender Case or the Spigen Rugged Armor Pro Case if you also want durable screen protection.

Apple Magic Keyboard

Best iPad Pro case

iPad models
iPad, Air, Pro 11/12.9-inch
Colours
Black, white
Weight
From 601g
Starts at$489

Pricing and availability only accurate as of last page update.

pro
Pros
pro Great-feeling typing and a trackpad
pro USB-C port for charging
pro Backlit keys
con
Cons
con Very expensive
con Adds noticeable heft
con More keys, please

Protecting your iPad is critical for a great case. But given the high performance of iPads, you can consider a case that does more. While not the cheapest investment, the Apple Magic Keyboard is built for those who want to use their iPad for more than just typical tablet tasks. The Magic Keyboard adds wrap-around protection care of a keyboard and trackpad. Front and back protection are sorted, plus you can use your iPad as a MacBook-lite replacement with a freely adjustable screen angle. If you’re running low on juice, the Magic Keyboard also has a USB-C port with pass-through charging. We also like that the Magic Keyboard is compatible with most iPad models.

For alternatives, consider the cheaper Logitech Combo Touch below or cheaper still HOU for iPad Keyboard Case.

Logitech Combo Touch

Best iPad keyboard case

iPad models
iPad, Air, Pro 11/12.9-inch
Colours
Light or dark grey
Weight
From 800g
Starts at$239

Pricing and availability only accurate as of last page update.

pro
Pros
pro Front, back and corner protection
pro Multiple use modes
pro Solid trackpad
con
Cons
con Noticeable extra heft
con Keyboard doesn’t work detached
con More colour choices, please

The Apple Magic Keyboard is a great but expensive iPad case. For an alternative that’s noticeably cheaper and from a renowned peripherals manufacturer, consider the Logitech Combo Touch. As a case, the Combo Touch offers front, back and corner protection. As a productivity peripheral, it caters to four main use cases. Kick out the back stand for counter viewing. Push it out more for comfier sketching. Wrap the front around to the back for straightforward reading. Or convert iPad to a mini-laptop with a keyboard and trackpad. The keyboard is detachable, too, for greater flexibility, and the touchpad sports click-anywhere functionality.

For alternatives, consider the cheaper ESR for iPad Keyboard Case or the Ausdom Magnetic Floating Wireless Keyboard Case.

What to look for in an iPad case

Before you even start looking at iPad cases, you first need to identify the specific model. Either look on the back of your iPad for the model number or jump into Settings, General then About. Google that model number to find out whether it’s an iPad, iPad Mini, iPad Air or iPad Pro. For context, our picks are skewed towards newer models, like the 10th generation iPad, so properly identifying your iPad is critical for a proper case fit.

Now you’re ready to go case shopping. You could start your iPad case search at Kmart, but they didn’t have the best selection at the time of writing. Apple cases are great for comparison but aren’t the cheapest. If you want basic protection, look for an iPad case that covers the front and back. You may also want to consider cases that are rated for drops, particularly if you’re seeking a case for kids.

Alternatively, you can protect your iPad and boost productivity with a keyboard case. Note that keyboard cases typically add noticeable heft to your iPad. For keyboard cases, you may consider one with a detachable keyboard or free control over the viewing angle. Given the popularity of iPads, there are many cheaper third-party brands, so it’s easy to save money by steering clear of bigger names.

icon-expertise

How we choose the best iPad cases

Our iPad case recommendations are based primarily on research, user reviews and our own experience with tablet cases. We wanted to acknowledge the four main models—iPad, iPad Mini, iPad Air and iPad Pro—with their own categories, given the popularity of Google searches around them.

At the same time, we favoured iPad cases that were available for more than one specific iPad model, with bonus points for brands that offer cases for older models and iPad generations. We then narrowed down our list of contenders to include practical categories: from basic protection to more advanced protection and keyboard cases that boost productivity.

We also acknowledge the popularity and quality of Apple peripherals but also seek to offer alternatives, given how expensive Apple products typically are.

iPad cases frequently asked questions

The best place to start iPad case comparisons is with the Apple Smart Folio. There are cheaper options from ESR or more protective ones from Otterbox. Alternatively, consider a Magic Keyboard or Logitech Combo Touch if you want to type.
Sometimes the terms are used interchangeably. Otherwise, an iPad case is typically built to protect the back, front and, ideally, the edges of an iPad. Conversely, an iPad cover may only protect the screen.
You can measure your iPad to determine its size. But when sizing up an iPad for a snug-fitting case, refer to your original receipt or tax invoice to find the exact model so you can pair it with the right case.
Nathan Lawrence
Written by
Nathan Lawrence has been banging out passionate tech and gaming words for more than 11 years. These days, you can find his work on outlets like IGN, STACK, Fandom, Red Bull and AusGamers. Nathan adores PC gaming and the proof of his first-person-shooter prowess is at the top of a Battlefield V scoreboard.

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