If you just picked up a new iPad Air or an iPad Mini, or if
you're shopping for someone who has, you'll probably want a case for it to make
sure it's safe on the go, in your bag, or on your desk. Whether it's a rugged
case you need, a soft case with pockets, or a keyboard case, you have options.
Here are five of the best, based on your nominations.
Earlier this week we asked you which iPad cases were the
best to keep your tablet safe while you use it or while you travel. You had
plenty of nominees, but we could only pick out the top five. Here's what you
said, in no particular order:
DODOcase
Cases by DODOcase don't come cheap, but they're some of the
best handmade, sharp looking cases you can put your iPad into. Prices vary
depending on the design and materials you want used to make the body of the
case, but almost all of DODOcase's offerings provide full folio-style
protection with a wooden body that your iPad rests comfortably into and a firm
board cover that flips over the screen to keep it safe when it's not in use.
The cases are also flexible enough to be used in portrait or landscape mode,
both standing up or resting on their back. Ideally though, this is the type of
case that makes your iPad look like a book and easy to slide in and out of a
bag or briefcase without damaging the tablet itself.
Prices on the iPad Air
versions vary, but you're looking at
between $65 and $85 depending on the colors you want, and perhaps more if
you're interested in their folio case (that has a pad and room for other papers
inside), or customization and printing options.
Apple iPad Smart Case
Apple's own iPad Smart Case brought in a number of
nominations, largely because you can buy it at the same time right when you get
your iPad, and because you're guaranteed a solid fit and a full-body case. The
iPad Smart Case specifically is a full-body case with a polycarbonate backing
to protect the sides and back of your device, and a Smart Cover-style flap that
protects the screen when not in use, folds up to be an impromptu stand, and
will wake your iPad from sleep or put it to sleep when the cover is opened or
closed.
The iPad Air versions of the Smart Case come in a variety of
colors but will set you back $79. You can check out all of the color options
here. The iPad Mini version is $69, and they're available here. If you're not
interested in spending that much and just want the cover, Apple's Smart Cover
is only protects the screen, but it's $39 for the iPad Air version and and the
same price for the iPad Mini version.
Griffin Intellicase
Much like Apple's own Smart Case (although the Griffin
version came first), the Griffin Intellicase offers full-body protection for
the back and sides of your iPad and a magnetic screen cover that will wake or
sleep your device when the cover is opened or shut. The back is polycarbonate,
and the flip cover is polyurethane. The flip cover folds up nicely to be an
impromptu stand, and the Intellicase comes in a variety of colors. The only
downside is that the Intellicase isn't currently out for the iPad Air, the
latest full-sized iPad model on store shelves. However, if you're getting any
iPad older than that, you can get a great case for $60. If you have an iPad
Mini, you can choose from colors and designs at $40.
If you are looking for a Griffin alternative much like the
Intellicase for your iPad Air, the $50 Crosshatch Folio for iPad Air is a good
option, and includes a spot to slide a document or two into place, and the
affordable $30 Slim Folio for iPad Air is all fabric, but still offers the same
all-sided protection and flexible screen cover.
Snugg Executive Case Cover and Flip Stand
If you have a lot to carry around in addition to your
tablet, the Snugg Executive Case Cover and Flip Stand may be up your alley.
It's definitely a bulkier case, but it adds both protection and storage space
for credit cards, business cards, documents, pens, a notepad, a stylus, and so
on. It's a full-body folio-style case, so you get polyurethane and leather
around the body of your case and as a screen cover that's flexible enough to
fold over itself and into a slot on the back of the case so your iPad stands
up—ideal for watching video, reading, or typing with both hands. The slot on
the back is even large enough to get your hand through, so you can hold it with
one hand securely and use it with the other.
The Executive Case Cover is available in a number of colors,
and it's available for all models of iPad (including the iPad Mini) except the
iPad Air. It'll set you back $40, either direct from Snugg or over at Amazon.
If you're looking for something similar for your iPad Air, Snugg offers the $30
iPad Air Case Cover and Flip Stand which doesn't offer quite so much room for
other papers, but still folds up nicely, gives you a slot for a stylus or a
pen, and still offers full body protection.
Logitech Folio and Keyboad Folio
If you're looking for solid protection that won't break the
bank, but is also from a well known peripheral manufacturer, you can't go wrong
with Logitech's folio-style cases, and their keyboard folio cases, if you want
to do a little typing on the go. Logitech's keyboard folios are well regarded
as some of the thinnest, longest-lasting, and still functional and solid to use
on the market, and they don't add a ton of width or bulk to your tablet at the
same time. The Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover earned a lot of praise when it
was launched, but it was specifically the $50 Folio for iPad Air, the $50 Folio
for iPad Mini, and $50 Folio for iPad (previous generations) that earned your
nominations-all of which don't have keyboard, but do offer full body
protection, and flexible screen cover that doubles as a stand, and multiple
colors to suit your tastes.
If you do need a keyboard, there were nominations for the
$100 Keyboard Folio for iPad (previous generations), the $90 PU Leather
Keyboard Folio for iPad Mini, the $100 "Tech Fabric" Keyboard Folio
for iPad Mini, the $100 Ultrathin Keyboard Folio for iPad Air, and the $150
FabricSkin Keyboard Folio for iPad Air, all of which essentially make up
Logitech's entire family of keyboard folio cases for various generations of
iPads (they're just all at different links and at slightly different prices
depending on the iPad you have and the fabric you want). You have a variety of
choices and colors, and the various fabrics and case materials all function
generally the same, although the "FabricSkin" and "Tech Fabric"
offer water resistance and super-thin typing surfaces when compared to
Logitech's older keyboard folios. All of the models are Bluetooth, rechargable,
and feature lonbg-lasting batteries that can be recharged while still in use if
you're close to an outlet. Logitech's Keyboard Folio is the only case with a
keyboard in this roundup, but we did an entire roundup of iPad cases not too
long ago if you want more options.
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