An iPad can handle far more than streaming and casual browsing, but the right keyboard makes it much easier to write, study and work without reaching for a laptop. The best iPad keyboard case gives you a steadier setup for long emails and documents, and cases with a trackpad make navigating iPadOS feel closer to using an actual laptop.
The best iPad keyboard depends on how, and where, you use your tablet, and this guide is here to help you find just the case to fit your style. Apple’s Magic Keyboard is the premium choice for compatible iPads, with a responsive typing experience and a built-in trackpad, but it isn't the only route to a productive setup. The more affordable Logitech Slim Folio is also a great choice, while the ESR Rebound case is an amazing alternative.
No matter your budget, our case guide will help you find an iPad keyboard model that fits the bill. Here’s our list of recommendations from several top manufacturers.
Best iPad keyboards available right now
Why you can trust Tom's Guide Our writers and editors spend hours analyzing and reviewing products, services, and apps to help find what's best for you. Find out more about how we test, analyze, and rate.
Best overall iPad keyboard case
There are a couple of things that stand out: First of all, the Magic Keyboard offers a wonderful typing experience, which feels close to the experience of typing on a real MacBook Air. Another aspect of the keyboard that is key is that it has a very good-quality trackpad, which allows for multi-touch gestures. Plus, the Magic Keyboard looks great: It has what Apple calls a cantilever design, which allows the iPad to almost look as if it’s hanging suspended in mid-air above your keyboard.
Another nice feature of the model is that it can quickly detach from the case. In fact, inserting and removing the iPad is easy to do, and because it connects via Apple’s smart connector (the three dots on the back of your iPad), you’re up and running very quickly. No need to wait while you pair your devices.
It’s not perfect. It’s quite pricey. It also doesn’t connect via Bluetooth, and you can’t use it in a detached state. Some might also find it a bit heavy. You can attach your Apple Pencil to the exposed side of the case so that it is magnetically attached to the iPad. However, there is no strap around the pencil for extra security.
As we mentioned, it uses Apple’s smart connector to connect quickly. It also allows the keyboard to be powered by the iPad itself. Some have noted, though, that this drains the battery life of the iPad more quickly. The keyboard features one USB-C port for passing power through to the iPad, which is located on the left side of the keyboard’s hinge.
The Apple iPad Magic Keyboard case we tested is compatible with iPad Pro 12.9-inch 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th generation models. Currently, there are also Apple Magic Keyboard models for iPad Pro 11-inch and 13-inch models, and iPad Air 11-inch and 13-inch models.
The regular iPad doesn't work with this keyboard. While Apple does sell a Magic Keyboard Folio that does roughly the same job, it has a two-part design with a removable keyboard deck and a regular stand instead of the all-in-one cantilever the more expensive iPads can use.
Best rugged iPad keyboard case
One very distinctive feature of the Zagg Rugged Book is that it’s one of the best cases for offering different viewing angles.
That’s because the hinge swivels on this model, which lets you adjust the screen just the way you would a laptop screen. And since the hinge is magnetized (which allows you to separate the iPad from the keyboard), you can flip it around so it’s facing away from the keyboard in “video” mode—which is something you might do when giving a video presentation.
There are three other modes, as well: keyboard mode (with the iPad facing you), book mode (with the keyboard in the back of the iPad) and case mode (when the iPad keyboard case is closed).
It has a few minor flaws: One downside of the rugged design is that it makes it thicker than competing models. However, that’s really just a quibble—it’s not significantly thicker. However, like most iPad keyboard cases, this model was a bit tricky to remove from its case.
This model is powered by a non-removable lithium-ion battery, which can be charged using a USB-C connector and charging in a 5V USB outlet. We tested this rugged iPad keyboard case with the iPad Air, but it will also work with the 11-inch iPad Pro.
Best budget iPad keyboard case
Although we consider this a great budget iPad keyboard case, that’s not due to a lack of features.
Overall, this model does a great job all around and could be an ideal traveling iPad keyboard case, particularly for students. For instance, we like that the setup was quick and easy and that most of the top row of keys include shortcut keys for your iPad, such as a Spotlight key, home screen, and more.
The keyboard case itself is very lightweight, which also makes it quite easy to carry around. Plus, there’s also a holder for holding your stylus, like an Apple Pencil or Logitech Crayon.
This case is powered by replaceable batteries—it takes 2 coin-like CR2032 batteries. We tested this Logitech with the iPad (10th generation), but there are also older versions available for older iPad models, as well as the iPad Air (3rd generation).
Best Magic Keyboard alternative
ESR's keyboard case gives you an unexpected degree of freedom with its rotating section, which allows you to work with your iPad vertically as well as horizontally. This is useful if you're working in a Word document or need to monitor social feeds, and want your screen oriented to fit rather than in the default landscape view.
Looking at the keyboard deck itself, you'll find a trackpad that supports iPadOS' gesture controls and shortcuts, and backlit keys that we found wonderful to type on. There's also a magnetic clasp that will hold your Apple Pencil or other stylus securely, which, along with the rest of the case, has been given a premium finish to match your premium tablet.
This isn't a super durable case, so you'll have to be careful if you're trying to work somewhere other than a nice sturdy desk. But if you are sure you'll take good care of your iPad, then the ESR Rebound is a great alternative to the Apple Magic Keyboard.
Best for work
The Typecase keyboard immediately stands out with its 360-degree swivelling design, giving your iPad similar flexibility to a two-in-one laptop. While it means you can't remove the keyboard or easily take the iPad out of the case, as you can with some other keyboards on this list, it also means you may not need to when it's time to use your tablet like, well, a tablet.
Although it doesn't feel like an especially luxurious product, it is still an excellent typing surface, with iPadOS shortcut support on the function row and in the trackpad. There's also a loop on the left side of the keyboard for your stylus when it's not magnetically attached to your tablet.
For a productivity-based accessory, it's odd that the backlighting has so many color options rather than a plain white. But turn this off, and you can easily get to work with little distraction.
What to look for when buying an iPad keyboard
Believe it or not, you can use most keyboards — including one you might have bought with a desktop computer — with an iPad. But you’ll need to have a USB-C adapter, unless the keyboard itself is USB-C, so that you can plug your keyboard into the USB-C port of your iPad. However, other specially designed keyboards are tailored to your iPad and avoid any added wires.
iPad keyboards come in two types: iPad keyboard cases or stand-alone keyboards, most of which are QWERTY-style keyboards.
- iPad keyboard cases: These types not only come with a keyboard but also mostly or entirely enclose the iPad, offering an added benefit—protection. There are even cases that offer a more rugged exterior or design to protect your iPad from damage.
- Stand-alone keyboards: These models, as the name implies, don’t cover or enclose the iPad, and connect to your iPad via Bluetooth. We haven't included any in this guide since they're not iPad-specific, but rest assured you can likely use any existing wireless keyboard you have with your iPad.
Best iPad Keyboard: FAQs
Is the Apple Magic Keyboard worth it for an iPad?
The Apple Magic Keyboard is worth the extra cost if you want the closest experience to using a small laptop and own a compatible iPad. It's our best overall pick for good reason, with its comfortable keys, multi-touch trackpad, sturdy floating design and Smart Connector setup, plus a USB-C port for pass-through charging. It is less compelling if price matters more, though, but that's where our other picks come in.
Do iPad keyboard cases need Bluetooth pairing or charging?
It all depends on the keyboard case. Smart Connector models such as Apple’s Magic Keyboard connect and draw power through the iPad, so they do not need Bluetooth pairing or a separately charged keyboard battery. Bluetooth keyboard cases must be paired and use their own power source. For example, the Zagg Rugged Book has a rechargeable battery, while the Logitech Slim Folio uses replaceable CR2032 batteries, which can be annoying to get (but they last a while).
Do I need a trackpad on an iPad keyboard?
No, but a trackpad makes an iPad feel more like one of the best MacBooks when you edit documents, navigate apps or use iPadOS gestures. Choose one if you expect to work at a desk and want pointer control without repeatedly touching the display; the Magic Keyboard, ESR Rebound and Typecase Touch are the trackpad-equipped options we recommend. A keyboard without one can still be a better fit for budget-minded buyers or anyone who mainly types notes and messages, though.
How we test iPad keyboards
We test iPad keyboard cases similarly to how we test the best keyboards, but with the addition of seeing how easy they are to set up with an iPad, their durability and whether they're portable enough to travel with.
Along with this, we test each keyboard case's typing capabilities, such as how comfortable it is to use with an iPad and how fast we type. As our own Mike Prospero does on each case, we use the Speed Typer iPad app and time ourselves three times to get an average score for both speed and accuracy.
Price is also a major factor, since Apple's own Magic Keyboard is the most expensive you can get. While that has set the standard, you can get great value for more affordable keyboard cases, depending on what you want to sacrifice. From there, we can decide whether it's an iPad keyboard case worth buying.
