Best cases for the 12.9-inch iPad Pro (2021) in 2023

The 12.9-inch iPad Pro (2021) with the M1 chip is quite the powerhouse. It has a big, beautiful Liquid Retina XDR display, slim form factor, and 5G connectivity. With iPadOS 16, you'll even get a limited version of Stage Manager. The M1 iPad Pro is perfect for both work and play, either in the office or on the go. 

That's why you'll want to buy a case right away that'll keep it protected against any knocks and scrapes. Annoyingly, you can't simply use an old iPad case for your new one most of the time as they all vary a little in size and width. With that in mind, always check the listing carefully to be sure your iPad model is compatible when you're buying a new case. On that note, if you have another type of iPad and you're looking for case inspiration, check out our definitive best iPad cases guide, which covers cases for every model. 

It' a great time of year to kit our your tech with new cases and accessories as Black Friday is nearly here and many deals have already started to roll in. You might even find some of the best iPad cases in our list below reduced for the big day, so keep your eyes peeled. 

The best cases for the iPad Pro to protect your investment

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Which of the best cases for the 12.9-inch iPad Pro (2021) should you buy?

Apple's 2021 12.9-inch iPad Pro is a powerhouse device and it's certainly an investment worth protecting. If you just want a simple, inexpensive case, I'd recommend the Soke New iPad Pro 12.9 Case 2021 with Pencil Holder. Your entire iPad Pro is protected, both the front and the back. The front cover folds conveniently out of the way and acts as a stand. This case comes in many color options ranging from bright to sedate. The Apple Pencil slot also keeps your stylus secure while it charges.

If you need your case to do more than just protect your iPad, consider Apple's top-of-the-line Magic Keyboard. Not only does it look amazing but it gets your iPad as close to computer functionality as you can get, especially with Stage Manager. It works with the iPad like a dream; they are literally made for each other.

While you're at it, don't forget to protect that gorgeous screen. We've rounded up the best screen protectors for the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, so you can keep the screen pristine. If you prefer sleeves for your 12.9-inch iPad Pro, you can pick one made for earlier models because they will be interchangeable.

Whichever case you buy, be sure to check the listing carefully to make sure the case will fit your iPad model. Though fourth and fifth-generation 12.9-inch iPad Pro models have very similar dimensions, they are not exactly the same. So, some older 2020 12.9-inch cases are not interchangeable with the newer ones. However, the latest iPad Pro with M2 chip will work with any cases from 2021's iPad range – although we doubt many people will be upgrading so soon.

New to the iPad? Read our iPad beginner's guide, which covers everything you need to know about how to set up and get started with your new iPad, mini, Air, or Pro.

Karen S Freeman
Contributor

Karen is a contributor to iMore.com as a writer and co-host of the iMore Show. She’s been writing about Apple since 2010 with a year-long break to work at an Apple Store as a product specialist. She's also a contributor at CNET. Before joining iMore in 2018, Karen wrote for Macworld, AppAdvice, WatchAware. She’s an early adopter who used to wait in long lines on release days before pre-ordering made things much easier. Karen is also a part-time teacher and occasional movie extra. She loves to spend time with her family, travel the world, and is always looking for portable tech and accessories so she can work from anywhere.