The 5 Best iPad Air Cases On Earth Today
iPad Air cases offer the perfect mash-up of style, functionality, and protection. These cases come in various attractive colors and designs, allowing you to pick your favorite style. Some feature classics like black or white or more vibrant ones like blue and pink. Others are more sophisticated, with a metallic or glittery finish that gives a shiny and glamorous look.
The best iPad Air cases in 2023
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The best iPad Air cases are protective, lightweight, and versatile.
Whether you have a fourth- or fifth-generation iPad Air, we’ve rounded up our top picks for your tablet below, ranging from slim folio covers that fold into different positions, rugged cases to protect from drops and scuffs, and keyboard cases that let you use the tablet like a laptop.
Overall, the best protective case for the iPad Air is the Otterbox Defender case, an ultra-durable option with a built-in screen protector. Our favorite budget option is the low-cost yet sturdy Fintie Hybrid Slim case, which has a compartment for the Apple Pencil.
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Otterbox’s ultra-sturdy Defender series of cases offers top-of-the-line protection and includes a built-in screen protector.
Apple’s straightforward folio case provides a strong magnetic connection to your iPad as you adjust it into a variety of positions.
For a sophisticated and personalized look suited for professional settings, we love Nomad’s Modern Leather case that will patina with use over time.
With a clear polycarbonate rear panel and a folio cover that adjusts into a stand, this Otterbox case is protective and not too bulky.
A light yet durable case, the Fintie Hybrid has an interior slot for the Apple Pencil and comes in a wide variety of chic colors.
This rugged case from Urban Armor Gear has military-grade drop protection and a cover that you can convert into a stand.
The folio cover on this case has raised edges for added screen protection and can be adjusted into a stand with four different viewing angles.
A backlit keyboard, military-grade drop protection, and a high-precision trackpad place this keyboard case ahead of the rest.
ESR’s thin Rebound case protects your iPad Air from everyday scuffling and includes a detachable magnetic cover that you can use as a stand.
Available in six different colors, this case has a soft-touch cover with a clear back to show off your iPad, along with air cushion padding for protection from drop damage.
For a minimalist keyboard case without a trackpad, look no further than this official keyboard folio that offers two comfortable viewing angles.
What to look for in an iPad Air case
First and foremost, you should make sure that an iPad Air case is directly compatible with your particular iPad Air model, and not with other iPad models that differ in size. Our list contains cases meant for the latest model of the tablet, the fifth-generation iPad Air (one of the best iPads you can buy), but they’re also each compatible with the fourth-generation iPad Air, which has the exact same dimensions.
Between reliable protection of the tablet’s screen and cameras, weight, style, and function, there are plenty of other factors that could influence your decision to purchase a particular case.
If you’re looking to use an Apple Pencil, compatibility with Pencil charging will likely be a key factor in your decision — luckily for you, all of the cases on our list are compatible with the wireless charging capability of the second-generation Apple Pencil while it’s magnetized to the side of a fourth- or fifth-generation iPad Air. Some of the cases have slots for the Pencil within the case itself, while others have a magnetic flap or unobstructed space on the tablet to keep the Pencil more accessible.
Eve was a former Tech Fellow with the Reviews team, focusing on consumer technology. She comes with background at a connected fitness tech startup, where she worked directly with consumers translating complex technological information into accessible, user-friendly material. She has also worked in public radio at WBUR Boston, where she produced segments on broadband internet access and smart-home technology. Prior to working at Insider, Eve has also worked in documentary film production for episodes of PBS’ American Experience, museum operations in Prague, Czech Republic, and at a Persian/French bakery in Cambridge, MA. She double-majored in Art History and Peace and Justice Studies at Wellesley College, concentrating on visual media as it relates to representation and social activism. She was an editor for the Wellesley Review and is an Anchor Point Fellow. Reach out to her on Twitter @eve_montie.
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The 5 Best iPad Air Cases On Earth Today
iPad Air cases offer the perfect mash-up of style, functionality, and protection. These cases come in various attractive colors and designs, allowing you to pick your favorite style. Some feature classics like black or white or more vibrant ones like blue and pink. Others are more sophisticated, with a metallic or glittery finish that gives a shiny and glamorous look.
As for functionality, it goes beyond the basic access to ports, buttons, and cameras. The best iPad Air cases feature a kickstand and support the Touch ID function. One with a wallet or cardholder eliminates the need to carry cash. But if you don’t fancy extra slots, you can always opt for an alternative design.
iPad cases typically offer some level of protection to your devices. They are made of materials that can absorb shock, like silicone, TPU, or polycarbonate. Some have raised edges around the screen and camera for additional protection against falls. A case with a textured surface or grip can be a good choice as it easy and safer to hold. As with any iPad Air case, some trade-offs are unavoidable. Here are our top five iPad Air cases in 2023:
- Best Overall: Apple Smart Folio (4th and 5th Gen)
- Best for Design and Style: iMieet New iPad Air Case
- Best for Protection and Durability: OtterBox’s Defender Series (4th and 5th Gen)
- Most Versatile: Logitech Folio Touch iPad Keyboard Case
- Best Budget Option: ProCase iPad Air Case (5th and 4th Generation)
Best Overall: Apple Smart Folio (4th and 5th Gen)
- Adequate front and back protection
- Automatically wakes up and sleeps with iPad use
- Easily folds into different positions
- Compatible with iPad Air (4th and 5th gens)
Nothing quite beats an iPad Air case designed and manufactured by Apple, a true definition of perfect form and function. The design is sleek, with colors ranging from black and deep navy to English lavender and white. But it’s not just the looks that make it an excellent fit.
The Apple Smart Folio packs a punch when it comes to functionality. One of its standout features is the automatic wake and sleep function. Open it, and your device springs to life and is ready to use. And when you flap to close the case, your iPad automatically sleeps.
While this feature is common in most iPad cases, Smart Folio uses sensors that make it more effective. As such, you can squeeze more battery life beyond the 10 hours of juice. Did we mention you can charge the Apple pencil with the case intact?
The case is quite versatile too. Whether you want to read, type, make Facetime calls, or watch a movie, you can adjust the stand anytime. The tri-fold design folds into small bump that makes it easy to type. You can create an almost vertical stand ideal for watching videos. Not to forget, this case perfectly fits the 4th and 5th generation of iPad Air.
Another impressive feature is that the case attaches to the iPad Air magnetically. As such, you can easily remove or attach it to the iPad. Doing so doesn’t compromise security as the connection is strong enough to hold the case firmly in place. The only downside is that the magnetic case exposes the edges. For this reason, you may want to invest in additional protection against falls.
While the features might justify the price, the Apple Smart Folio isn’t the cheapest case on the market. Depending on the color, you can get it for between $48 and $74. Black is the most affordable color, and electric orange is the most expensive.
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| Pros | Cons |
| Front and back cover with a magnetic that ensures a secure attachment. | Costs more than other comparable models. |
| You can charge the Apple pencil with the case intact | Inadequate edge protection from drops or falls |
| Slim, lightweight and portable case | |
| Tri-fold design makes it handy for typing, watching, and reading. |
Best for Design and Style: iMieet New iPad Air Case
- Versatile case with Pencil Holder
- Slim and lightweight design
- Made of durable TPU
- Support Touch ID and iPad 2nd Pencil Charging
- Trifold Stand Smart Case (Sky Blue)
Design and style go hand in hand, and the iMieet New iPad Air case doesn’t slouch in either. This case is the perfect balance of functionality and aesthetics. It’s an excellent choice for anyone who wants to make a statement. The case comes in a range of 37 color options, some of which are vibrant.You can also find less pronounced colors like dark green, black, brown, and midnight green.
Imieet’s precise cutouts give the iPad a sleek and polished look and perfectly fit its ports, sensors, cameras, and speaker. These cutouts ensure easy access to the ports and other accessories without compromising protection. Also, the case is lightweight and slim, so you can comfortably carry it around.
Most iPad cases often feature low-quality materials that quickly develop scratches and stains. But that’s not the case with the iMieet New iPad Air Case. The TPU material stands out, and doesn’t develop stains even on the brightest color options like mint green, sky blue, and light purple. But that doesn’t mean you should expose it to the flaws. Because the material is scratch resistant, it will maintain its mint condition for a long time.
Another exciting feature is the built-in pencil holder and side charging. Although it doesn’t come with an Apple pencil, the case is compatible with the 2nd generation Apple pencil. On the side is a magnetic attachment that firmly attaches the case to the iPad. This case has touch ID functionality, and like the Apple Smart Folio, it has auto wake and sleep capabilities.
While this case has aesthetic appeal, it doesn’t offer the best protection. The corners aren’t reinforced for protection. For this reason, the iPad can easily crack in case the edge hits the ground in a fall. Moreover, the cutouts around the camera are not raised, thus exposing the lens to damage.
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| Pros | Con |
| Over 37 colors options for buyers | Lacks sufficient edge protection. |
| Made of scratch-resistant TPU material, which prevents the case from bumping. | |
| The built-in pencil holder is compatible with the second-generation Apple pencil. |