The Best Affordable Cases for Every Conceivable iPad Model

You’ve already dropped a few hundred the latest and greatest iPad, but you don’t have to spend a fortune buying the official Apple iPad case. Here are five affordable cases for every modern iPad model, including options with built-in keyboards and kickstands.

Which iPad Do I Have?

Before you buy an iPad case, you need to know exactly what model of the iPad you’re using. This is easier said than done—Apple puts out a new iPad every few months, and older models are still sold as new or refurbished today.

So, here’s how to figure out which iPad you’re using:

• Check the Model Number: If you have your iPad on hand right now, then flip it over and look under the iPad logo. There should be a model number (the letter “A” followed by a string of numbers). You can use this model number to find your iPad on Apple’s Online Identifier. (To make things easier, press CTRL + F or CMD + F on your keyboard to quickly search for your model number on Apple’s Identifier page).
• Use Apple’s Online Identifier: If you know what your iPad looks like (but you can’t get the model number right now), then you can trace it in Apple’s Online Identifier. Simply start by finding its model (Pro, Air, etc.), figure out what size you have, and then identify which year it was manufactured.
• Check Your Receipt: Are you waiting for your iPad to come in the mail? Have you already wrapped it up for a gift? Check the receipt! It should specify your iPad’s year, size, and model.

Now that you know what you’re looking for let’s get into it. Here are five of the best affordable cases for every modern iPad.

Standard iPad (2017-2019)

Standard iPad 5th or 6th Gen (2017-2018)

The 5th and 6th generation standard iPads are the same size and shape, so they’re capable of fitting in the same cases. The main difference between these iPads is that the 6th gen model works with the Apple Pencil, while the 5th gen model doesn’t.

• Best Overall: The JETech slim folio case is thin, soft, and simple. It sports a kickstand for multiple viewing, drawing, or typing angles. Oh, and it comes in a bunch of different colors.
• Slim: The Poetic transparent case is slim, inexpensive, and unobtrusive. It’s like having an iPad case without any of the hassles.
• Pro Folio: The Ztotop Folio case has a built-in pocket, a stylus loop, a kickstand, and a professional-looking design. It’s an excellent option for anyone who wants a stylish, practical iPad case.
• Keyboard Case: BAIBAO’s iPad keyboard case is soft, lightweight, and features a kickstand and a removable wireless keyboard.
• Superior Protection: We could all use some extra protection in our life. The Spigen Tough Armor case gives your iPad two layers of military-grade protection at an incredibly low price.

Standard iPad 7th Gen (2019)

The 7th gen model of the standard iPad is larger than its predecessors, and it’s the newest member of the iPad family. So be prepared to spend a bit more than you’d expect on an affordable case, especially if you want a keyboard case.

• Best Overall: The ESR ReBound Slim case is made from a thin, flexible rubber and sports a folio-style kickstand easy typing, drawing, and table-top viewing.
• Slim: HBorna’s thin and clear case protects your iPad without getting in your way. It’s lightweight, soft, and it doesn’t obstruct any of your buttons or ports.
• Pro Folio: The Ztotop Folio case has a built-in pocket, a stylus loop, a kickstand, and a professional-looking design. It’s a great option for anyone who wants a stylish, practical iPad case.
• Keyboard Case: CRUBON’s iPad keyboard case sports a carbon-fiber pattern, a holster for your Apple Pencil, and a kickstand for a laptop-like experience.
• Superior Protection: Spigen’s Rugged Armor case is thin yet rugged. It’s a dense armor case with cushioned edges, a built-in kickstand, and raised edges to protect your screen.

iPad Mini and iPad Air (2019)

iPad Mini 5 (2019)

The iPad Mini is one of the most popular tablets in the world, and there’s no shortage of affordable cases for the device. Get ready—you’re going to be surprised by how cheap these cases are.

• Best Overall: ESR’s iPad Mini case is made of thin, flexible rubber and sports a folio-styled kickstand for easy typing, drawing, and table-top viewing.
• Slim: The Case Army clear case is made from lightweight silicone that won’t get in your way. It’s practically invisible, and it doesn’t obstruct your iPad’s buttons or ports.
• Pro Folio: Ztotop’s leather folio case for the iPad Mini has a built-in pocket, hand strap, and stylus loop. It’s a stylish yet inconspicuous case that’s perfect for school or work.
• Keyboard Case: Alpatronix’s iPad Mini keyboard case is surprisingly cheap, yet it’s built with a leather exterior, a kickstand, and a removable wireless keyboard.
• Superior Protection: Spigen’s Tough Armor case is less than half an inch thick, yet it provides military-grade protection for your iPad Mini’s screen and body.

iPad Air 3 (2019)

The iPad Air 3 is sort of the middle-child of the iPad family. It was released early in 2019, so it’s easy to find great cases that won’t break the bank. Oh, and it’s the same size as the 10.5-inch 2017 iPad Pro (so you don’t need to buy another case if you’re jumping between models).

• Best Overall: JETech’s slim folio case is thin, soft, and simple. It comes in a bunch of different colors, and it sports a kickstand for multiple viewing, drawing, or typing angles.
• Slim: Spigen’s Thin Fit iPad Air case is just 0.35-inches thick, and it’s made from a material that feels similar to the iPad’s metallic body.
• Pro Folio: Ztotop’s leather folio case for the iPad Air has a built-in pocket, hand strap, and stylus loop. It’s a professional, stylish option for people who take their iPad Air on the go.
• Keyboard Case: The JUQITECH iPad Air keyboard case is made of soft suede-like material and features a magnetic holster for your Apple Pencil. It comes in a variety of funky colors, and its wireless keyboard is removable.
• Superior Protection: Trying to keep your iPad Air as safe as possible? The Beetle Defense SUPCASE is built with two layers of protective armor and even features a built-in screen protector.

iPad Pro (2017-2018)

iPad Pro 10.5-Inch (2017)

The 10.5-inch iPad Pro has been around longer than most of the iPads on this list, and it’s the same size as the iPad Air 3. So it’s not too hard to find a good case for the device. (If you’re jumping between this and the iPad Air 3, you technically don’t need to buy a new case.)

• Best Overall: ProCase’s iPad Pro case is super thin, it comes in a ton of different colors, and it features a kickstand for different viewing angles. For the price, it’s a no-brainer.
• Slim: Spigen’s super thin iPad Pro case is built to protect your iPad without getting in the way. It’s a great option for anyone who wants an ounce of inexpensive, unobtrusive protection.
• Pro Folio: Ztotop’s leather folio case for the iPad Pro has a built-in pocket, hand strap, and stylus loop. It’s a stylish option for people who take their iPad Air out and about.
• Keyboard Case: The JUQITECH iPad Pro keyboard case is made of a suede-like material and comes in a variety of colors. Like other iPad keyboard cases, it features a Pencil holster and a removable wireless keyboard.
• Superior Protection: The Unicorn Beetle PRO is built to protect your iPad Pro’s screen and body without getting in your way. It’s a surprisingly thin case that features shock-absorbing bumpers, a front casing, and a kickstand.

iPad Pro 12.9-Inch (2017)

These larger iPads occupy a weird market space. For whatever reason, their cases cost a bit more than you’d expect. Thankfully, this 12.9-inch 2017 iPad has been around for a while, so the cases are a little cheaper than they were just a few months ago.

By the way, the 2017 and 2018 12.9-inch iPad Pros have a different thickness, so they can’t wear the same cases.

• Best Overall: The iPad Pro ProCase is super lightweight, it comes in a variety of colors, and it features a nice little kickstand and front cover.
• Slim: The lightweight OtterBox Symmetry case is sleek and transparent. It doesn’t obscure any of your ports or buttons, and it even features an Apple Pencil holder.
• Pro Folio: Ztotop’s leather folio case for the iPad Pro has a built-in pocket, hand strap, and stylus loop. It’s a stylish, professional option for your iPad Pro.
• Keyboard Case: ProCase’s iPad Pro keyboard case is built to look and feel like the official Apple iPad keyboard case. It’s thin and lightweight, it has an adjustable kickstand (with a surprising amount of range), and it even has a built-in Pencil holder.
• Superior Protection: SUPCASE’s Unicorn Beetle PRO is a surprisingly thin case that’s made with shock-absorbing technology. It covers the back and front of your iPad Pro, and it even has a built-in kickstand.

iPad Pro 11-Inch (2018)

Apple gave the cheaper iPad Pro an extra inch, probably to force you into buying a new case. Oh well, there’s plenty of affordable cases on the market that’ll help you get by—even if you’re looking for a cheap alternative to Apple’s laughably expensive keyboard case.

• Best Overall: ProCase’s soft iPad Pro case is super lightweight, stylish, and affordable. It features a front cover, a kickstand, and an unobtrusive Apple Pencil holder.
• Slim: Henology’s clear iPad Pro case is practically invisible. It’s less than an inch thick, it’s made of durable rubber material, and it doesn’t obstruct any of your iPad Pro’s ports or Apple Pencil charging capabilities.
• Pro Folio: Ztotop’s leather folio case for the iPad Pro has a built-in pocket, hand strap, and stylus loop. It comes in a ton of different colors, and it’s the ideal folio case for school or office work.
• Keyboard Case: CHESONA’s iPad Pro keyboard case is surprisingly affordable and lightweight. It features an Apple Pencil holder, a PU leather exterior, and a detachable wireless keyboard.
• Superior Protection: The SupCase UB Pro provides a ton of protection without getting in your way. It’s a shock-resistant case with a front panel, a kickstand, and an Apple Pencil holder.

iPad Pro 12.9-Inch (2018)

Everybody loves the big iPad Pro. But for whatever reason, case makers like to charge extra for 12.9-inch iPad Pro accessories. That said, this is the top-of-the-line iPad, and the case market for it is pretty competitive. These are some of the best iPad cases we’ve come across, even if they cost a little extra.

By the way, the 2017 and 2018 12.9-inch iPad Pros have a different thickness, so they can’t share cases.

• Best Overall: ProCase’s soft iPad Pro case is built with a stylish, soft cover, a kickstand, and an Apple Pencil holster. It offers a great mix of protection, style, and usability.
• Slim: HBorna’s transparent case is made from a soft, shock-absorbent material. It’s super thin, super lightweight, and it doesn’t obscure any of your buttons, ports, or Apple Pencil charging features.
• Pro Folio: The Ztotop Folio iPad Pro case is shockproof, and features a kickstand, a leather exterior, and a stylus holster (that works with your iPad’s built-in stylus magnet). It’s more expensive than some of the cases in this list, but it’s a high-quality deal.
• Keyboard Case: Keyboards for the 2018 12.9-inch iPad Pro can get pretty expensive. If you want the most bang for your buck, we suggest spending a little extra on the CHESONA keyboard case. It’s made of nice leather material and features a kickstand and Pencil holder.
• Superior Protection: The SupCase UB Pro protects your iPad Pro without getting in your way. It’s a shock-resistant case with a front panel, a kickstand, and an Apple Pencil holder.

And that’s all there is to it. This is a pretty long list, but it should be easy to boil your way down to a good, affordable case once you know what you’re looking for.