The best iPad Air cases are protective, lightweight, and versatile.
Whether you own a fourth- or fifth-generation iPad Air (which have the same dimensions), 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.
Among the best iPad Air cases for protection, our top pick 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 storing and magnetically charging the second-generation Apple Pencil.
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Otterbox’s ultra-sturdy Defender series of cases offers top-of-the-line protection against drop damage and includes a built-in screen protector.
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Apple’s straightforward folio case provides a strong magnetic connection to your iPad as you adjust the folio’s cover into various positions.
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A light yet durable case, the Fintie Hybrid has an interior slot for charging the second-gen Apple Pencil and comes in up to two dozen colors and designs.
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For a minimalist keyboard case without a trackpad, look no further than this official keyboard folio that offers two comfortable viewing angles.
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Available in six different colors, this case has a soft-touch cover with a clear back to show off your iPad and air-cushioned padding for protection from drop damage.
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A backlit keyboard, military-grade drop protection, and a high-precision trackpad place this Logitech keyboard case ahead of the competition.
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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.
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With a clear polycarbonate rear panel and a folio cover that adjusts into a stand, this Otterbox case is protective and not too bulky.
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This rugged case from Urban Armor Gear has military-grade drop protection and a cover that you can convert into a stand.
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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.
What to look for in an iPad Air case
First and foremost, you should ensure that an iPad Air case is directly compatible with your particular iPad Air model, 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). Still, each case included above is compatible with the fourth-generation iPad Air, which has the same dimensions.
Between reliable protection of the tablet’s screen and cameras, weight, style, and function, plenty of other factors 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 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 accessible.