8 Expert-Approved iPad Air Cases and Covers to Protect Your Slate
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The iPad Air is the best iPad for most consumers, offering a mixture of best-in-class power and a class-leading platform at an agreeable price. Now available with an 11- and 13-inch screen, the slate also features a sleek aluminum housing that's compatible with a vast selection of protective cases. These cases can protect against scratches and drops and ensure the iPad Air stays in pristine condition during daily use.
Similar to the best iPhone cases, iPad Air covers come in various styles, from ultra-thin snap-on accessories to folio covers to rugged options that can make the device virtually indestructible. Today's market is chock full of high-quality cases and covers from Apple and countless third-party makers, so choosing a case for yourself or as a gift to an iPad Air owner can be overwhelming. To help you find the best for your needs and budget, or help you find the right gift for your tech-loving friends, we're always keeping a close eye on this vast product category.
The Best iPad Air Cases and Covers
Best Overall: OtterBox Symmetry Series 360
Best Budget: Spigen Air Skin Pro
Best Rugged Case: OtterBox Defender Series
Most Minimalist: Apple Smart Folio
Best Keyboard Case: Apple Magic Keyboard
What to Consider
Compatibility
You should know that cases for the new iPad Air with an 11-inch screen also fit the 5th-generation iPad Air, as well as the 4th-generation model from 2020. The last three iterations have identical measures down to a tenth of a millimeter, so you shouldn't worry about compatibility.
Apple introduced a 13-inch version of the slate this year, so we made sure that every case we picked is available for both screen sizes. If you are considering ordering the Apple Magic Keyboard for a 13-inch Air, you need the version of the accessory that fits the previous iPad Pro with a 12.9-inch screen. The latest Apple Magic Keyboard only works with the thoroughly updated iPad Pro.
Form Factor
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. A snap-on case will protect the back of the slate and treat you to unobstructed access to its Retina display. Such accessories are also lightweight and great for interacting directly with the iPad's touchscreen and using it with an Apple Pencil. However, they won't protect the device's screen as reliably as a folio case.
The folio case will guard your tablet when you or the gift recipient don't use it. Its screen cover also brings additional convenience by serving as a viewing or a typing stand. Having a stand with adjustable viewing angles is also handy for connecting an external keyboard (and mouse) to the iPad Air.
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
The iPad has been part of my daily gadget routine for over a decade — I got my first one back in 2012. In the years that followed, I used multiple versions of the slate for work, studying, and unwinding during my free time. I've always used a case with any iPad not only to keep it in top shape but also to enhance its ergonomics depending on my needs.
For this guide, I handpicked cases and covers from Apple and leading third-party makers like OtterBox, Speck Products, and Spigen, to name a few. My selection includes various form factors, ranging from minimalist folios to snap-on covers all the way to one with an integrated keyboard and trackpad.
Whether you are looking for a case to use at home, for productivity, or on the go, you'll find it among the thoroughly scrutinized products below. Any of the picks is also an excellent tech gift option.
Symmetry Series 360 Case for 11-inch iPad Air (4th, 5th, and 6th 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 device's screen when it's not in use.
Our favorite thing about the OtterBox Symmetry Series 360 case is its thinness without skimping on toughness. Like the Symmetry Series iPhone cases, this cover won't add unnecessary bulk to keep your device damage-free.
OtterBox has also equipped the case with a convenient Apple Pencil holder. Best of all, the clear case will showcase the colors of the iPad Air. A blue version is also available.
This is a great gift for a dad or a kid with iPads or who perhaps share an iPad, thanks to the rugged durability and tech-forward design.
More: Our In-depth Review of the Latest iPad Air
Symmetry Series 360 Case for 11-inch iPad Air (4th, 5th, and 6th Generation)
amazon.com
$60.69
Air Skin Pro Case for 11-inch iPad Air (4th, 5th, and 6th Generation)
The Air Skin Pro case by Spigen is the best for safeguarding the iPad Air without breaking the bank. It brings a mixture of minimalist design with a transparent back, price-defying versatility, and equally impressive drop protection. The latter is stellar, thanks to the brand's shock-absorbing Air Cushion tech.
Unlike most rivals, including those in higher price tiers, the Spigen Air Skin Pro has a detachable screen cover, allowing you or the gift recipient to toggle between snap-on or folio case depending on the usage scenario.
Consider the Spigen Rugged Armor case if you are looking for even more durability and don't mind its decidedly utilitarian looks. On the other hand, the Ultra Hybrid Pro case trades a non-removable screen cover for more color options.
Air Skin Pro Case for 11-inch iPad Air (4th, 5th, and 6th Generation)
amazon.com
$33.99
Balance Folio Case for 11-inch iPad Air (4th, 5th, and 6th 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. And like phone cases from the brand, the Pro Folio can also keep germs away, thanks to Microban antimicrobial treatment. This functionality is a must-have if you or the giftee plan to use the iPad Air on the go or share it with friends, colleagues, or household members.
According to its maker, the case can protect the iPad Air from drops up to 4 feet. We also like the accessory's magnetic cover for protecting the iPad’s rear camera, its handy Apple Pencil Slot, and its sturdy folio closure.
Balance Folio Case for 11-inch iPad Air (4th, 5th, and 6th Generation)
amazon.com
$38.99
Defender Series Case for 11-inch iPad Pro (4th, 5th, and 6th Generation)
OtterBox Defender Series phone and tablet cases have been synonymous with best-in-class toughness for years. The updated version of the iPad Air case will make the metal slate almost completely impervious to damage, thanks to a shock-absorbing multilayer build and a built-in cover for the device's USB-C port. It also has an integrated screen protector for keeping the iPad Air's Retina display damage-free.
What's more, the Defender Series case comes bundled with a screen cover that doubles as a versatile landscape and portrait viewing stand. This is a welcome upgrade, as the (still available) previous version of the accessory has a screen cover that's nowhere near as versatile.
Defender Series Case for 11-inch iPad Pro (4th, 5th, and 6th Generation)
amazon.com
$89.95
BookBook Hardback Leather Cover for 11-inch iPad Air
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.
BookBook Hardback Leather Cover for 11-inch iPad Air
amazon.com
$69.99
Smart Folio for iPad Air 11-inch (4th, 5th, and 6th Generation)
Apple's own Smart Folio deserves your attention for its impressively slim profile and 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.
This updated version of the Smart Folio offers more adjustable viewing angles than its (still solid) predecessor. As usual, the cover also feels great in hand and is easy to clean.
Apple offers the product in denim (pictured here), charcoal gray, sage, and light violet color options.
Smart Folio for iPad Air 11-inch (4th, 5th, and 6th Generation)
amazon.com
$79.00
Leather Folio
The Nomad leather folio will give the iPad Air the look of a luxury item without adding unnecessary bulk. The accessory is crafted from full-grain genuine leather. Its exterior will develop a patina over time, ensuring that your or the gift recipient's slate looks and feels unique. You can order it in black or brown.
When it comes to durability, the Nomad leather folio is reliable for keeping scratches from the iPad Air's back and front from damage, but not its sides. The accessory is as minimalist as the Apple Smart Folio, so I wouldn't recommend it to accident-prone personalities.
Leather Folio
nomadgoods.com
$100.00
Magic Keyboard for iPad Air (4th, 5th, and 6th Generation)
Apple’s Magic Keyboard is the best 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 a laptop's.
Available in black or white, the accessory has an elegant cantilever design with easy-to-adjust viewing angles. A USB-C connector for charging is also on board, so you or the gift recipient can use the iPad connector for linking additional accessories.
Magic Keyboard for iPad Air (4th, 5th, and 6th Generation)
amazon.com
$249.99
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