Also: The best cheap tech gifts under $100 to give for the holidays Whatever your reason for choosing an iPad Air, you probably want to protect it. If you’re spending upwards of $600 on your new Apple product, you don’t want to deal with any issues. That means buying a case or a cover, but they’re not all created equal. For example, you may need the durability to take your iPad to the job site or a cover that can fold into multiple kickstand configurations. You might be on a budget, too. Ultimately, finding your ideal case requires some shopping around. We’ve rounded up the best iPad Air cases and covers to not only protect your tablet but also add flare and let you use it more productively. More:
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It’s hard to beat a case coming straight from the manufacturer. When you choose the Apple-designed Smart Folio for your iPad Air, you’re not just guaranteed a perfect fit. You also get functionality that can make it easier to both protect and use your tablet, like the ability to charge your Apple Pencil with the case on. The Smart Folio also comes with an automatic wake-sleep feature, which means that whenever you open the case, your iPad Air display automatically wakes up. When you close it, the tablet goes to sleep, saving battery (although you might not need it since the latest generation has up to 10 hours of battery life). The Smart Folio attaches to your tablet magnetically. That keeps the design slim and lightweight, but it does leave the edges of your iPad Air exposed to damage if you drop it. Also: iPad Air (2022) review: So good I almost regret buying my iPad Pro The cover of the Smart Folio features a tri-fold design that comes in eight color options. That lets you roll it up to serve as a small bump to make it easy to type on the surface of your tablet. Alternatively, you can fold it as a stand to hold the iPad Air almost vertical for easy viewing. The main drawback here is the price. At $79, this case is not even close to the most affordable cases out there. That said, buying the case straight from Apple can give you peace of mind about fit and functionality – and can streamline the process, since you can purchase it as you buy your iPad Air. Some people use their iPads to scroll on the couch, but others need a tablet in the field. Whether you work in construction, utilities, or another boots-on-the-ground industry, you might want your iPad Air to be able to venture out with you. Enter: the OtterBox Defender Series Pro Case. To learn more about this case, you can dig into our review on the iteration of the OtterBox Defender for the iPad Pro. If you’d rather spend less on your iPad Air cover, this option from Timovo rings in at a very affordable $9.35. It does almost everything the Smart Folio does: It’s a magnetic cover that includes automatic wake-sleep functionality and allows for Apple Pencil charging. It also has a tri-fold design that enables different stand configurations. The case is lightweight, which could be a perk or a drawback, depending on your needs. Its somewhat flimsy nature means the case is anything but bulky, but it also won’t offer much protection if you happen to drop your iPad Air. On a positive note, the Timovo Slim Stand Protective Cover boasts many color options, along with pattern options so you can choose the perfect style for you. These colors all apply to the front cover, but the back of the case is translucent (so people can easily spot that Apple logo). While all of these cases can serve as a stand for viewing your iPad Air in landscape orientation, you might need – or want – to view it in portrait orientation. With the VersaCase, you can do both. In fact, the award-winning, origami-inspired nature of this case means you have a wide range of options for converting your tablet’s cover into the right kickstand for your specific needs. The design is so great we were excited about it all the way back in 2014, and we still think it’s leading-edge today. It’s similar to other cases in that the cover is magnetic, but this one can do more. The magnet of the VersaCover is so strong that you can use it to “hang” your iPad Air on a vertical surface, whether that’s the whiteboard at your office or your kitchen fridge. Also like a lot of these other magnetic flip-cover cases, the VersaCover has limited drop protection. It does, however, have a little flap to go over your Apple Pencil to keep it in place while in transport. This cover blends a lot of the key features of other cases – like a magnetic closure, automatic wake-sleep, and a foldable cover for multiple stand options – with some new perks. For starters, the back of the case is thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), which means it absorbs shock. If you drop your iPad Air in this case, it will offer a level of protection. Plus, the TPU portion offers a slot for your Apple Pencil, so you’ll get a safeguard for it, too. This Holimet case comes in some traditional-looking leather finishes (namely, black and brown), but the leather is vegan, so you don’t have to worry about any animal cruelty ramifications. If you want a more modern look, the case also comes in pink or blue vegan leather, along with a caramel brown, dark black, dark slate blue, and green finish with a modern arced design. If you’re looking for something a little more simple, this clear case from Fintie provides both slim and lightweight protection as well as shockproof bumpers for added durability. The transparent back means you can let your unique iPad’s color shine through, while the colored bumpers (in black, purple, or rose gold) compliment the clear backing. It also supports wireless charging, so you can place your 2nd gen Apple Pencil to the side of your iPad Air and it will charge even through the case. This iPad Air case is perfect if you prefer a standalone case that will still protect your tablet without the need for a kickstand or cover. To take your iPad Air to the next level, this folio case from Logitech was actually made for Apple tablets and comes with a pretty impressive keyboard setup. The attached keyboard includes a high-precision trackpad that uses multi-gesture controls to navigate the iPad Air even faster. And its backlit keys mean you can see your work even in dim lighting. The keyboard also has helpful iPad OS shortcuts so you can access the Home screen, Siri, Search, media controls, and more with one single tap. The case’s foldable design and adjustable kickstand allow for four modes (type, view, sketch, and read) with a 40-degree range of angles. Plus, the case instantly pairs with your iPad Air via a Smart Connector and sources its power directly from the device. It also pairs with the Logitech Crayon or Apple Pencil (2nd gen) and charges them wirelessly on the side of the case. As far as protection goes, this Logitech case exceeds military-grade standards to protect your iPad Air from bumps, scratches, and spills. From there, though, you’ll see that a lot of the covers function fairly similarly. We’ve got multiple choices with magnetic covers, auto wake-sleep functionality, and versatile kickstand configurations. To a large extent, finding the ideal cover comes down to identifying which one you like the look and features of best. Finally, because we know style matters, we generally looked for cases that give you color options. That way, you can pick one that suits your personal aesthetic. Investing in a good iPad Air case is investing in your iPad Air. It’s also worth noting that Apple doesn’t build in the same level of water resistance as many people might expect. While their later-model iPhones generally offer some water resistance, they make no such claim with their iPad Air. Long story short, your new tablet and water don’t mix. Long story short, more iPad Air cases come to market all the time. Fortunately, the cases and covers we listed here don’t have to be price-prohibitive. You could absolutely buy one of the more affordable options now, then upgrade as iPad Air protection technology advances.
