Protect Your iPad Air With One of These Cases

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The iPad Air is the best iPad for most consumers, offering Apple’s powerful M1 chip, an agreeable price, and powerful software. It also features a sleek aluminum design that’s compatible with a vast selection of protective cases. These cases can protect against dings and drops, and ensure the iPad Air stays in pristine condition during daily use.

Similar to the best iPhone cases, iPad Air cases come in various styles, from ultra thin snap-on accessories to folio covers to rugged options that can make the device virtually indestructible. The iPad Air case you choose depends on your needs. A more rugged case will protect the iPad Air on a job site. In contrast, a keyboard case is excellent for anyone who uses the tablet as a laptop replacement. Since we're constantly reviewing and testing different iPad Air cases, we can recommend our top-rated picks with the utmost confidence.

The Best iPad Air Cases and Covers

What to Consider

Picking a durable or functional case isn’t a decision that should be taken lightly. You’ll be using the case daily, so it’s worth finding one that fits your workflow. You should consider a rugged case if you use your iPad Air in extreme environments (or if you have kids). A case with a kickstand or keyboard may be a better option if you use the tablet for work or school. Considering these features will help you find the case that's right for you. Cases for the 5th generation iPad Air are compatible with the 4th-generation model released in 2020.

Style

Choosing between a folio or a snap-on case is an important decision to make, as each offers a distinct set of benefits over the other. The snap-on case will protect the back of the slate and treat you to constructed access to its Retina display. However, such an accessory won't protect the device during drops as reliably as a folio case.

The folio case will guard your tablet when you don't use it. Its screen cover also brings additional convenience by serving as viewing or a typing stand.

To choose the best case for your iPad Air, it’s important to consider how you're planning on using it. For example, if you plan to use a Magic Keyboard or a Smart Keyboard Folio with your slate, you should consider a cover that can accommodate these accessories.

On the other hand, consider a standard folio with adjustable viewing angles if you plan to connect an external keyboard (and mouse) to your iPad Air. Snap-on cases are typically the most lightweight and best for interacting directly with the iPad’s touchscreen and using it with an Apple Pencil.

Durability

Most cases we selected will reliably guard your iPad Air against scratches and light drops. If you plan to use the slate in more challenging circumstances and environments, look for products that meet or exceed the military durability requirements. And remember that the more rugged a case is, the bulkier it will be.

Available at a wide range of price points, our favorite protective cases and covers will keep your iPad Air in top shape and make it much easier to handle and less likely to slip out of your hands accidentally. Find the best iPad Air cases for your needs and budget among these extensively tested accessories.

How We Selected

We’ve been using iPads for years, taking them to coffee shops, libraries, and trips, among many other places. And as tech enthusiasts who like to keep their gadgets in pristine condition, our current iPad Pros have been safely snuggled in cases from day one.

Since we’re avid case users, we’ve relied on our previous knowledge using Apple’s tablet and various cases over the years to make the best picks. We also tapped into insight from Best Products’ test team, market research, and user and critic reviews. When evaluating each pick, we considered all the essential features we listed above and secondary features like brand reputation and price.

Symmetry Series 360 Case for iPad Air (4th and 5th Generation)

The OtterBox Symmetry Series 360 is our favorite iPad Air case. It's elegant yet offers excellent protection against scratches and drops. With a built-in magnetic folio cover that doubles as a viewing stand, the accessory will also protect the slate when it's not in use.

Our favorite thing about the OtterBox Symmetry Series 360 case is its thinness without sacrificing the iPad Air's protection. Like the Symmetry Series iPhone cases, this cover won't add unnecessary bulk to your device.

OtterBox has equipped the case with a convenient Apple Pencil holder, too. Best of all, the clear case will showcase the cool new colors of the iPad Air. The case comes in blue as well.

More: Our In-Depth Review of the Latest iPad Air

Pro Folio Case for iPad Air (4th and 5th Generation)

The Speck Pro Folio Case is a robust alternative to our top pick, offering full front and back protection, a place to store the Apple Pencil, and a multi-angle stand.

Speck claims the case protects the iPad Air from drops up to 6 feet, and there’s an interior liner to prevent scuffs on the device. Like our favorite phone cases from the brand, the Pro Folio can also keep germs away, thanks to Microban antimicrobial treatment.

One of the features that helps Speck’s case stand out is the magnetic cover for the iPad Air’s rear camera, providing extra protection from dust and scratches. When you need to take a picture, simply move the cover. There are a lot of clever touches that make the Pro Folio such a good option, and a worthy runner-up to our top pick.

Slim Stand for iPad Air (4th and 5th Generation)

The ProCase Slim Stand is a durable, functional, and minimal case for the iPad Air—and it’s only $20 (or less on sale). The hard rear cover features a translucent design, while the front foldable cover makes for a sturdy stand. The case is lightweight and adds minimal bulk, while providing excellent protection against dings, scratches, and drops.

There are cutouts for the cameras, speaker, ports, and buttons, as well as room to magnetically attach the Apple Pencil. The ProCase Slim Stand is available in several colors, including black, navy, and purple.

Defender Series Case for iPad Air (4th and 5th Generation)

The OtterBox Defender Series is the best rugged case for the iPad Air. The drop-proof accessory has a soft inner shell, a rugged exterior cover, and a rugged display cover that doubles as a viewing stand. Design-wise, we also like that the case has a cutout for the Apple logo on the back.

Other key features of the product include a port cover to keep dust and lint away and effortless access to the Apple Pencil charging dock. Otterbox backs its creation with a lifetime warranty.

BookBook Hardback Leather Cover

The BookBook cover by Twelve South is a characterful and discreet option for storing and protecting your iPad Air. When not in use, the accessory looks like a book with a hardback cover.

Twelve South crafted the BookBook from full-grain leather with distressed accents for a vintage look. Interacting with it transported me back in time, reminding us of books we read growing up.

Rather impressively, the BookBook can fully accommodate an iPad Air with a Magic Keyboard or a Smart Keyboard Folio. A crushproof spine, a convenient internal pocket for documents and small accessories, and a dual zipper closure round up the product’s key features.

Nomad Rugged Case for iPad Air (4th and 5th Generation)

If you want to protect your iPad Air with a leather case without a folio cover, this Nomad offering is the best worth your attention. The snap-on rugged case is made from genuine Horween leather, so it will develop a unique patina as it ages.

While testing it, we liked how the case transformed the iPad into a luxury object without sacrificing its ergonomics. Nomad offers a pricier version of the case with a folio cover as well.

The accessory has a polycarbonate frame with a rubber bumper to protect the slate from drops and an interior with a microfiber lining. It also features precise cutouts for the device’s Touch ID fingerprint sensor, the USB-C connector, and the Apple Pencil charging dock.

Smart Folio Case for iPad Air (4th and 5th Generation)

Apple's own Smart Folio has an impressively slim profile and an understated design. It attaches magnetically to the slate and offers excellent protection for its back and its screen when not in use. It also doubles as a dependable viewing or typing stand.

The cover is made from a single piece of high-quality polyurethane, so it feels great in hand. Another bit we like about the material is how easy to clean it is.

Apple offers the product in black, white, green, lavender, orange, dark cherry, and two shades of blue.

iPad Magic Keyboard Case (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th Generation)

Apple’s Magic Keyboard is the best case/keyboard combo if the iPad Air is your primary work device. It attaches magnetically to the tablet and works instantly, offering an excellent backlit keyboard and trackpad that rivals some laptops.

A pass-through USB-C port is located on the keyboard’s hinge, which you can use to charge the device. Meanwhile, the case features a cantilever design, allowing you to adjust the tablet to the perfect viewing angle.

There are a few downsides: the case impacts the iPad Air’s battery life, and it’s pricey. But it’s well-made and elevates the iPad Air, making it the best case/keyboard combo available.

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