iMore's authoritative guide to the very best cases and covers for the iPad
Looking for a great case to protect your iPad investment? The new iPad is only slightly thicker than the iPad 2, and while come cases are custom made for one or the other, many now also fit both. But which of those cases are best for you and for your needs?
That's where iMore comes in! Here's your authoritative guide to the top iPad cases, be they hard cases, soft cases, books cases, charging cases, eclectic cases, and more!
Whether you're new to the iPad or just looking for a away to change up the old black and white base colors, check out the cases below. And as always, this is only the beginning. We'll be adding more categories and cases soon, so check back often!
Best Protective cases for iPad
Otterbox Defender for iPad
The Otterbox Defender is full plate armor for your iPad. With triple layer protection, it's the ultimate iPad case for those who need their iPads ruggedized for work, travel, or just for kids. It even comes with a shield-like front cover that can double as a typing or movie-watching stand.
$34.95 - Buy now
OverBoard waterproof case for iPad review
I absolutely love waterproof cases like the OverBoard for when I'm traveling. They work exceptionally well to keep your iPad or iPad 2 clean and dry, and can double as a handy place to store some cash and credit cards as well. They also work great at home, letting you enjoy a relaxing soak in the tub while reading, surfing the web, or playing your favorite iPad game.
$44.95 - Buy now
Best hard cases for iPad
Case-Mate POP! Case with Stand for iPad
If you want your iPad to finally be able to stand up on its own, then the Case-Mate Pop! Case is for you. Wonderfully grippy, nicely protective, the Case-Mate Pop! Case for iPad is everything you could want in a movie-watching, note-typing, kickstand-packing accessory.
$39.95 - Buy now
Incipio Smart feather Ultralight Hard Shell Case for iPad
If you like the Apple Smart Cover (see below) but want some additional protection on the back of your iPad to keep that aluminum safe and scratch free, then the Incipio Smart feather Ultralight Hard Shell is for you. It adds as little bulk, for as much protection as possible, and comes in over a dozen colors to add some flair to your iPad.
$29.95 - Buy now
Best book cases for iPad
Pad & Quill Octavo Luxury Case for iPad
The Pad & Quill TheOctavo Luxury case brings everything you know and love about the original Octovo, only now swathed in genuine leather the color of French roast. If the regular Octavo harkened back to an academic's moleskin, this one presents as an executive's journal or ledger.
$119.99 - Buy now
DODOcase Classic for iPad
DODOcases are hand-bound, artisanal cases for the iPad that wrap the latest in aluminum and glass and computer innovation, with the wood and cloth craftsmanship that stretch back to antiquity. You can place your iPad into a DODOcase, snap the elastic closed, slip it under your arm, and stroll down any boulevard or into any coffee shop and be indistinguishable from academics or hipsters alike, until you unsnap the band, fold back the cover, and start tapping away.
$49.99 -- Buy now
Best cover cases for iPad
Apple Smart Cover for iPad
If you're a minimalist at heart, Apple's Smart Cover is such a fantastic case for those who want their iPad as naked as possible. It's light, it attaches magnetically, it automagically (automagnetically?) puts your iPad to sleep when you close it and wakes it up when you open it. And if you want to protect the back as well, check out the Incipio Smart feather Ultralight Hard Shell Case (above).
$39+ - Buy now
Choiix Wake Up Folio for iPad
The Choiix Wake Up Folio for the iPad is just like Apple's Smart Cover but includes a back plate to protect the aluminum backing of your iPad. That extra back case also means it won't fall off the way Apple's Smart Cover often does. In fact, the iPad 2 snaps right in and fits snuggly and securely enough that you can lift it by the cover, something impossible with Apple's original.
$39.99 - Buy now
Best skin and film cases for iPad
BodyGuardz for iPad
If you've got the Apple Smart Cover on the front, but want only the barest possible protection on the back, BodyGuardz for iPad is it. Literally. We've taken nails, stones, and children to it and almost a year later, BodyGuardz have kept our iPads sensationally scratch free for years now. BodyGuardz won't stop drops or bumps, but it will kill scratches dead.
- $19.95 - Buy now
BodyGuardz Armor Carbon Fiber for iPad
Skins don't have to be transparent. This one has the look and texture of carbon fiber and because it's slightly thicker, it's even easier to apply.
$19.95 - Buy now
Best alternative cases for iPad
White Diamond case for iPad
White Diamonds makes iPad cases with artistic prints embedded with Swarovski crystals. They have both patterned and artistic versions, including Angels Calling by Vince Fraser, a Rainbow collection by Livius Dietzel, and a Nafrotiti also by Vince Fraser. The crystals are well embedded, and the entire case is shiny and spectacular.
Variable - Buy now
Best Bluetooth keyboard cases
Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover for iPad
If you're looking for a ultra portable, ultra stylish, ultra functional Bluetooth keyboard for your iPad, one that's as well designed as it is built, then look no further -- the Logitech Ultrathin Keybord Cover is it.
$98.95 - Buy now
Adonit Writer Plus keyboard for iPad
The Adonit Writer Plus keyboard is the thinnest and best possible keyboard that includes the security a full case. There's no such things as the best of both worlds, but the Adonit Writer Plus keyboard is the best balance of the two, and that's going to appeal to a lot of users.
$99.99 - Buy now
Your favorite iPad cases?
Did we miss any of your favorite iPad cases? If so, leave a comment! We'll be updating this post often, so your pick could be next!
Rene Ritchie contributed to this article
Reader comments
Best iPad cases
Incipio Smart Feather + Apple Smart Cover is almost the perfect combo. Maximum protection with minimal bulk. The only thing the Smart Feather needs is a magnet on the back to hold the Smart Cover in place when it's folded back and it truly would be perfect.
+1 that would be PERFECT.
incase makes a magnetic snap case just like you're describing. i have it, and love it.
That bodyguard skin for the back looks nice.
Belk iPad case is awesome and the poetic is awesome and very cheap $20 on amazon and offers amazing thinness and protection
Portenzo? you guys should review Portenzo hehe
wELL wELL wELL
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007I6HZXE
I actually like this case, I went through a few and this case really is one I liked. It's only available in black but nonetheless still a nice case - inexpensive too.
I bought the bear motion leather case for my wife's 2. It's quite nice.
Speck Smartshell!
I do the Incipio+Smart Cover and it works quite well. My only complaint is that my Incipio fixes the Smart Cover in place, which end up being a bit of a hassle when you want to get rid of the heavy Smart Cover. I wish I had gotten the model that leaves the smart cover unattached.
This can be annoying, but it can also be a feature to some. The first time my daughter flipped the cover open and the iPad went falling, leaving her holding it only by the hanging smart cover (which was thankfully locked in place by the feather case), I was extremely thankful for this design.
I strongly suggest the Pad and Quill Contega case. It's not the luxury
leather like the octavo, but still outstanding quality leather and has to notches on the cover for standing upright. I think I love it almost as much as the new Ipad.
Here are a few reviews I did of my favorite cases. check it!
Incase Magnetic Snap Case
Targus Vuscape Case
Along with the Leather smart cover!
Boobshot!
I use the Speck PixelSkin HD in black. I love it. It covers everything, it acts as a smart cover (with magnet) and it has a snap clip to keep things closed. The textured pattern looks better in person, and it supplies the skin with a nice grip.
https://www.speckproducts.com/tablet-ipad-cases/the-new-ipad/pixelskin-h...
I can't believe how little Otterbox cases are now ($35) as compared to when the original iPad debuted ($100).
I'm tempted all over, again.
Regarding keyboard cases you might want to mention something with more angle options like the Clamcase or the CruxLoaded.
The Incipio feather with the smart cover is great. I have the iPad engraved, and got a transparent version. Looks great. I can still put the iPad in a keyboard with the Incipio back case on. The smart cover does not get in the way. Looks sleek, and a great combo.
My favorites are still the iPad Soul Sleeve and DoDo Case. Honestly, I don't know why more soft cases like the Soul aren't featured more? Very strange since they provide a LOT more protection than your average plastic molded case. Am I the only with a kid who drops my iPad when they get a hold of it?
If you can find them, the first gen Apple iPad cases go nicely on the third gen iPad, not being overly loose. You lose the camera, but my iPhone has a better camera (and is easier to use) anyway.
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As far as book covers go, I really like the FlightPad from Dapp. It's nice to have a variety of materials and prints available that go beyond basic colors. I actually like how it's a book cover without a snap-on case, those tend to be a bit bulky for my taste.
http://www.getdapp.com/
Hey, I think there is a bit of false advertising here. We are using cocos2D for a game right now (we got forced to), and we saw the rendering code.
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