No one reasonably expects their iPad case to take a hit from Thor’s hammer and have the tablet come away unscathed, but a good case should withstand everyday drops and scratches. The material of your ideal case will be a matter of preference, but depending on how you use your iPad, you might want something more durable or lightweight. Rugged hard-shell cases can give your iPad a coat of armor that absorbs the impact of bumps and drops and shield it from scratches and abrasions. Soft nylon cases can be tough and offer some cushion, while remaining light enough to carry around. Material and protection: There are sleek leather cases that add low-profile durability. For each pick below, we’ve listed versions (where available) for the iPad, iPad Air, and iPad Pro.īest overall | Best less expensive | Best keyboard case | Best less expensive keyboard case | Best for turning your iPad into a laptop | Best heavy-duty | Best sleeve | Best leather | Best illustrator handle To find the best case or sleeve for all sorts of people, we talked to 11 tech experts, art directors, illustrators, artists, and other folks with great taste about their favorites for security and style, and also tested a few ourselves. And, of course, the nicest cases will look good, too. (We’ve all been there, picking up our precious tablet with careful, concerned movements as if we’re investigating a crime scene, only to be flooded with relief when we don’t see any cracks.) The right case can also improve your iPad’s functionality by letting you position it at different heights or angles. The right iPad case protects your investment from accidental spills and drops, and it might even stop the Wilhelm Scream from running through your head the next time your iPad slips out of your hands. While the ways we use our iPads are unique (a college student jotting down notes in a classroom, an illustrator painstakingly creating a new drawing, a grandparent trying to sign up for Netflix, a kid buying a few extra lives for a mobile game while their parents aren’t paying attention), we do all share one need: a case.