So you have finally got your hands on one of Apple's most premium tablets. That excellent chip, functional size, and glorious screen stand out in any environment, yet a crack would stand out even more. If you want to avoid having to send it back for repairs and want to type easily on the go, the best iPad Air 5 keyboard cases will sort out both problems — and will look great too.
Given they are such high-end devices, you never want to get into the habit of using an iPad without a case. However, if you are going to pop something over it, you might as well turn your iPad Air 5 into a fully-fledged MacBook replacement, with a great keyboard too. If you aren't too bothered about the keyboard aspect or already have a good wireless option, you could skip out on the keyboard and go for one of the best iPad Air 5 cases.
One of the hardest things about picking a good keyboard case isn't finding them but whittling them down to just a few. Even Apple has its own official recommendation so it's worth spending the time to look around before you land on the best choice. Luckily, we at iMore have taken the stress out of that search for you.
These are the best iPad Air 5 keyboard cases out there right now, and what makes them so good.
Quick List
A bit of Apple magic
Apple's own premium keyboard case has just about everything you could want for your iPad Air 5. The Apple Magic Keyboard offers a smooth typing experience, a trackpad to get the most out of iPadOS, a USB-C port for charging, backlit keys, and front and back protection. The floating cantilever design attaches magnetically and lets you choose your ideal viewing angle.
Simple and effective
This ZAGG option has an adjustable kickstand, ergonomic Pro keyframe design, backlighting in seven colors, 6.6-foot drop protection, multi-device pairing, and year-long battery life, which all add up to make this an excellent choice (if you don't need the trackpad feature).
Despite being very strong, the ZAGG Pro Keys case is streamlined, making it easy to store in a bag.
Most laptop-like
For a true laptop look and feel, go for the Brydge Air MAX+, which we noted in our review is great for complex workflows thanks to the native multi-touch trackpad. Other features include military-grade 4-foot drop protection standards, Bluetooth 5.0 for zero lag, adjustable backlit keys, up to three months of battery life, and 135-degree screen rotation.
Turn around, bright eyes
The dual-axis, rotatable, 360-degree hinge gives you infinite viewing angles so you can flip it around to share your screen with people across from you. This is a lower-priced option that includes a trackpad, so you can get more laptop-like functionality from your iPad Air 5. The colorful backlit keyboard and a handful of color options make this even more fun to use.
Cantilever for less
If you love Apple's floating cantilever design but want to spend a bit less, check out this keyboard case from ESR. The seven-color backlit keyboard includes a full row of shortcut keys and a precision trackpad with multi-touch gesture support.
The stand allows the iPad to sit above the keyboard, holding it up at an adjustable angle. The case can also support the iPad at a horizontal and landscape view, which is great for both typing and video calls.
Extravagantly designed
The Logitech Combo Touch has an adjustable kickstand with 50 degrees of adjustable viewing angles possible here. There's also a large, click-anywhere trackpad so you can use the whole surface to work. Its keyboard is backlit and auto-adjusts to your environment, while there's a series of iPadOS shortcut keys to simplify how you use it. There's even a home for your Apple Pencil.
Q&A
Which of the best iPad Air 5 keyboard cases should you pick?
We're always going to consider Apple accessories to be one of the best options since they are created by Apple engineers specifically for Apple devices. The Apple Magic Keyboard is sure to delight with its floating cantilever design that allows you to adjust your iPad Air 5 to the angle that works best for you. You also get a fabulous typing experience, a trackpad that takes full advantage of iPadOS, a USB‑C port for pass-through charging, and both front and back protection.
If what you really want is to turn your iPad Air 5 into a miniature laptop, the Brydge Air MAX+ Wireless Keyboard Case with Multi-Touch Trackpad will get you about as close as you can get. If you're using this out in the wild, people might even ask you where you found such a tiny laptop. The Bluetooth 5.0 gives you a fast connection so you can just open up your "laptop" and get to work. The multi-touch trackpad enhances functionality, and the protective case even has antimicrobial technology!
If you have another kind of iPad, you should take a look at the best keyboards for iPad mini 6 or the best wireless keyboards list. We've also got a huge selection of iPad case guides, like our best cases for the iPad Pro (2021) list or our more general best iPad case library of options.
Can an iPad Air 5 with a keyboard case entirely replace my MacBook?
There isn't a cut-and-dry answer to this age-old question. The best answer I can give you is "maybe." It depends entirely on what you actually DO with your MacBook. If you're primarily doing web browsing, emails, social media, writing (documents, spreadsheets, keynote/powerpoints,) and even some more intensive creative pursuits such as film/music/photo editing, you may very well be able to entirely replace your MacBook with your iPad, at least while traveling.
Only you know exactly what your workflow entails, and if using just an iPad will pain points that outweigh the iPad Air's lightweight convenience.
Will keyboard cases made for other models fit my iPad Air 5?
Be sure to check any cases before you buy them, not all iPad cases fit all iPads. However, the iPad Air 5 is the exact same size as the iPad Air 4, so iPad Air 4 keyboard cases will also fit your iPad Air 5. The 11-inch iPad Pro is nearly the same size as well, so many of those cases will also fit.
