If you just picked up a new iPad Air or an iPad Mini, or if you're shopping for someone who has, you'll probably want a case for it to make sure it's safe on the go, in your bag, or on your desk. Whether it's a rugged case you need, a soft case with pockets, or a keyboard case, you have options. Here are five of the best, based on your (readers’) nominations.
Earlier this week we asked you which iPad cases were the best to keep your tablet safe while you use it or while you travel. You had plenty of nominees, but we could only pick out the top five. Here's what you said, in no particular order:
1. DODOcase
Cases by DODOcase don't come cheap, but they're some of the best handmade, sharp looking cases you can put your iPad into. Prices vary depending on the design and materials you want used to make the body of the case, but almost all of DODOcase's offerings provide full folio-style protection with a wooden body that your iPad rests comfortably into and a firm board cover that flips over the screen to keep it safe when it's not in use. The cases are also flexible enough to be used in portrait or landscape mode, both standing up or resting on their back. Ideally though, this is the type of case that makes your iPad look like a book and easy to slide in and out of a bag or briefcase without damaging the tablet itself.
Prices on the iPad Air versions vary, but you're looking at between US$65 and US$85 depending on the colours you want, and perhaps more if you're interested in their folio case (that has a pad and room for other papers inside), or customization and printing options. You can check out all of their iPad Air cases here, and all of their iPad Mini cases here.
2. Apple iPad Smart Case
Apple's own iPad Smart Case brought in a number of nominations, largely because you can buy it at the same time right when you get your iPad, and because you're guaranteed a solid fit and a full-body case. The iPad Smart Case specifically is a full-body case with a polycarbonate backing to protect the sides and back of your device, and a Smart Cover-style flap that protects the screen when not in use, folds up to be an impromptu stand, and will wake your iPad from sleep or put it to sleep when the cover is opened or closed.
The iPad Air versions of the Smart Case come in a variety of colours but will set you back US$79. You can check out all of the colour options here. The iPad Mini version is US$69, and they're available here. If you're not interested in spending that much and just want the cover, Apple's Smart Cover is only protects the screen, but it's US$39 for the iPad Air version and and the same price for the iPad Mini version.
3. Griffin Intellicase
Much like Apple's own Smart Case (although the Griffin version came first), the Griffin Intellicase offers full-body protection for the back and sides of your iPad and a magnetic screen cover that will wake or sleep your device when the cover is opened or shut. The back is polycarbonate, and the flip cover is polyurethane. The flip cover folds up nicely to be an impromptu stand, and the Intellicase comes in a variety of colours. The only downside is that the Intellicase isn't currently out for the iPad Air, the latest full-sized iPad model on store shelves. However, if you're getting any iPad older than that, you can get a great case for US$60. If you have an iPad Mini, you can choose from colours and designs at US$40.
If you are looking for a Griffin alternative much like the Intellicase for your iPad Air, the US$50 Crosshatch Folio for iPad Air is a good option, and includes a spot to slide a document or two into place, and the affordable US$30 Slim Folio for iPad Air is all fabric, but still offers the same all-sided protection and flexible screen cover.
4. Snugg Executive Case Cover and Flip Stand
If you have a lot to carry around in addition to your tablet, the Snugg Executive Case Cover and Flip Stand may be up your alley. It's definitely a bulkier case, but it adds both protection and storage space for credit cards, business cards, documents, pens, a notepad, a stylus, and so on. It's a full-body folio-style case, so you get polyurethane and leather around the body of your case and as a screen cover that's flexible enough to fold over itself and into a slot on the back of the case so your iPad stands up - ideal for watching video, reading, or typing with both hands. The slot on the back is even large enough to get your hand through, so you can hold it with one hand securely and use it with the other.
The Executive Case Cover is available in a number of colours, and it's available for all models of iPad (including the iPad Mini) except the iPad Air. It'll set you back US$40, either direct from Snugg or over at Amazon. If you're looking for something similar for your iPad Air, Snugg offers the US$30 iPad Air Case Cover and Flip Stand which doesn't offer quite so much room for other papers, but still folds up nicely, gives you a slot for a stylus or a pen, and still offers full body protection.
5. Logitech Folio and Keyboard Folio
If you're looking for solid protection that won't break the bank, but is also from a well known peripheral manufacturer, you can't go wrong with Logitech's folio-style cases, and their keyboard folio cases, if you want to do a little typing on the go. Logitech's keyboard folios are well regarded as some of the thinnest, longest-lasting, and still functional and solid to use on the market, and they don't add a ton of width or bulk to your tablet at the same time. The Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover earned a lot of praise when it was launched, but it was specifically the US$50 Folio for iPad Air, the US$50 Folio for iPad Mini, and US$50 Folio for iPad (previous generations) that earned your nominations - all of which don't have keyboard, but do offer full body protection, and flexible screen cover that doubles as a stand, and multiple colours to suit your tastes.
If you do need a keyboard, there were nominations for the US$100 Keyboard Folio for iPad (previous generations), the US$90 PU Leather Keyboard Folio for iPad Mini, the US$100 "Tech Fabric" Keyboard Folio for iPad Mini, the US$100 Ultrathin Keyboard Folio for iPad Air, and the US$150 FabricSkin Keyboard Folio for iPad Air, all of which essentially make up Logitech's entire family of keyboard folio cases for various generations of iPads (they're just all at different links and at slightly different prices depending on the iPad you have and the fabric you want). You have a variety of choices and colours, and the various fabrics and case materials all function generally the same, although the "FabricSkin" and "Tech Fabric" offer water resistance and super-thin typing surfaces when compared to Logitech's older keyboard folios. All of the models are Bluetooth, rechargeable, and feature long-lasting batteries that can be recharged while still in use if you're close to an outlet. Logitech's Keyboard Folio is the only case with a keyboard in this roundup, but we did an entire roundup of iPad cases not too long ago if you want more options.
Honourable Mention: Pad and Quill Cases
The honourable mention this week goes out to Pad and Quill Cases, a line of hand-crafted high-end cases for iPads, iPhones, Kindles, Macbooks, and Macbook Airs that are all bound in wood and leather. If you're looking for a high-quality case and you're also willing to pay a premium for it, check them out. Their iPad Air cases range from around US$60 to US$100 depending on which ones you're interested in, for example.
Top image: iPad Smart Case. Photo by Tatsuo Yamashita.
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