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PCMag UK

The Best Apple iPad Air 2 Cases

Ajay Kumar
 & Ajay Kumar Contributor

Our team tests, rates, and reviews more than 1,500 products each year to help you make better buying decisions and get more from technology.

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The original Apple iPad Air See it at Amazon UK was a revelation in late 2013—it was supremely thin and light for its size and came equipped with Apple's 64-bit system-on-a-chip. It was the cream of the crop, and that's to say nothing of the iOS app ecosystem, which still has the best apps for tablets. So how did Apple follow up that smash hit? Make it thinner, faster, and more feature-packed than ever, of course.

If you’re not digging either iPad Pro, but you need more screen than the 7.9-inch iPad mini 4 provides, the 9.7-inch iPad Air 2 falls right in the spot. It's perfectly sized to fit in a bag, and it's still the only tablet in Apple's current lineup to earn our Editors' Choice award.

But the slim and light design of the iPad Air 2 comes at a cost: durability. Although you can’t exactly call the tablet fragile, it's not built to withstand a hard drop to the floor. So it’s a good idea to add an extra layer of protection to your precious iPad in the form of a case. Just about every case—whether it's made from foam, leather, polycarbonate, or rubber—will protect your tablet to some degree. Some cases are super-rugged for field work, while others add a thin layer of protection along with a healthy dose of style. And while we wouldn't recommend using an iPad for PC-level productivity, there are plenty of good keyboard-equipped options available as well.

These are our 30 favorite cases for the iPad Air 2. Remember, you don’t want that slate go naked for too long. If you’re not in the market for an iPad Air 2, check out our list of the The Best Tablets.

This article originally appeared on PCMag.com.

Apple iPad Air 2 Smart Case

Your best bet for a classy, minimal case that still manages to add functionality is the iPad Air 2 Smart Case from Apple . There's nothing new here over Smart Cases past, but this one will fit your new iPad like a glove and prop it up for your next Netflix binge.

Ballistic Tough Jacket Tablet

The Ballistic Tough Jacket has reinforced corners to protect against dings, and its raised bezel makes for extra protection if you drop your iPad Air 2 face down.

Belkin QODE Slim Style Keyboard

The QODE case adds a full-QWERTY keyboard and front-to-back protection for the iPad Air 2. If you're a tablet power user, this is the case for you.

Booqpad Case

The Booqpad Case is a stylish folio that can house both your iPad Air 2 and a notebook. It's perfect for students and professionals that still value taking notes with good old-fashioned pen and paper.

Brydge 9.7

A stylish keyboard case with a lightweight aluminum body, the Brydge 9.7 is a great add-on for productivity while retaining a measure of style. It features backlit keys and a 180-degree hinge to make typing easy, whether it's at a desk or on your lap.

CaseCrown Omni Case for iPad Air 2

Similar in look to Apple's own Smart iPad Cover, the CaseCrown Omni provides a solid level of protection while keeping your iPad thin, has a Sleep/Wake feature, and is made of protective and easy-to-grip rubber matte coating with a hard polycarbonate frame.

ClamCase Pro for iPad Air 2

This case might be pricey, but it'll transform your iPad into a veritable laptop thanks to its full QWERTY keyboard. On top of that, a 360-degree hinge lets you prop the iPad up in almost any position imaginable.

Cygnett Slim for iPad Air 2

This simple folio case provides low-profile protection and multi-angle stand functionality. An elastic strap holds the cover closed when in transit, while silicon dots on the inside let you prop the iPad up at far more angles than Apple's Smart Case.

Dodocase Leather Tablet Portfolio

Not a fan of the wood finish on Grovemade's sleeve? The Dodocase counterpart uses American made leather with a waxed canvas interior for added style. There's also an organizational pocket inside to keep your cords in check.

Felix FlipBook Air 2

The Felix Flipbook Air 2 is a svelte, stylish case that makes your iPad Air 2 look like a notebook, with a hinge that lets you prop the tablet up to watch video.

Griffin Survivor All-Terrain

The Survivor All-Terrain is one of the most rugged cases you'll find, designed to meet standards for military grade products. Four layers of shock and shatterproof materials protect the iPad without covering the Touch ID sensor.

Grovemade Walnut iPad Sleeve

While not made specifically for the iPad Air 2, the sleeve design is sure to fit the slightly thinner new iPad. It's made from strategically cut panels of wood, making it flexible without losing that old-world charm.

Gumdrop FoamTech Case

Do your kids use your tablet? Slip it into the Gumdrop FoamTech Case, which fits snugly around the iPad Air 2 and keeps it protected inside a very grippable foam body.

Gumdrop Hideaway Case for iPad Air 2

Need some serious protection for your waifish tablet? The Gumdrop Hideaway has an intense molded rubber exterior and rigid internal frame that together can withstand drops from six feet onto flat concrete.

Incipio Tuxen

The Incipio Tuxen uses a more rigid polycarbonate shell than the Octane and features a microsuede lining. The magnetic closure stays put when closed and activates the iPad's Sleep/Wake function like Apple's own Smart Cover.

Incipio Octane Folio

The Incipio Octane combines above-average drop protection with a protective cover. The TPU bumper absorbs shock, while the translucent back shows off that aluminum build. It's also available in bold colors like cyan blue and pear yellow.

Kensington KeyFolio Thin X3 for iPad Air 2

Among the thinnest and lightest keyboard cases out there, the Kensington KeyFolio Thin X3 provides solid protection with a six-row keyboard, and even has a 1,650mAh battery in it that you can charge your phone with.

Logitech AnyAngle

The Logitech AnyAngle features a clever folding front flap that can hold the iPad Air 2 up at nearly any angle. Durable fabric repels water and stains, while the wrap-around case protects the iPad's body from bumps and scratches.

Moshi VersaKeyboard Case

The Moshi VersaKeyboard Case is a neat-looking origami case that comes with a detachable Bluetooth keyboard. When not in use, the keyboard can slide into the case's polycarbonate frame. Weighing in at only 13.4 ounces, it's a lightweight but sturdy addition to any iPad.

New Trent Gladius

The New Trent Gladius is a clamshell case with a rubber outer shell, a built-in screen protector, and a metal arm on the back. The arm is connected to a 360-degree rotation mechanism, letting you adjust the slate to any orientation, while a durable leather handle makes it easier to hold.

Otterbox Defender Series Case

The gold standard in smartphone and tablet protection, the Otterbox Defender Series is a rugged and tough case that has triple-layer protection for your tablet and port plugs that lock out dust and dirt.

Pad & Quill Aria

This luxurious case combines a sturdy wood frame with full grain leather to instantly class up your iPad and protect it along the way. The leather flap folds back to act a stand for the iPad, too.

Poetic DuraCase

Poetic's DuraCase is not only one of the more affordable options out there, but it's also one of the more feature-packed. With a unique rotating hinge mechanism, the DuraCase provides protection along with the ability to prop your iPad up in both portrait and landscape orientations.

Speck Durafolio iPad Air 2 Case

A slim but durable option that lets you stand your iPad up, the Speck Durafolio iPad Air 2 case even passes MIL-STD-810G drop test standards, so you don't have to sacrifice protection in the name of style.

Snugg 360 Bluetooth Keyboard Case

The Snugg 360 has plenty to offer when it comes to both productivity and protection. In addition to keeping your tablet safe, it features a built-in keyboard for getting some real work done.

Speck iGuy

Fun, colorful, and very durable, the Speck iGuy wraps your tablet in protective soft foam (with little arms!), keeping it lightweight while still boasting Military Standard 810G drop resistance.

Twelve South BookBook Case

The Twelve South BookBook case looks like a leather bound cover, while a rigid spine, reinforced corners, and padded interiors provide both protection and luxury.

Urban Armor Scout Folio

With an impact-resistant soft core and a hard outer shell that's easy to grip, the Urban Armor Scout Folio is water-resistant and meets military-grade standards for tough field work.

X-Doria SmartStyle for iPad Air 2

This understated folio case from X-Doria offers stand functionality with a bit more style. The front cover is made from a waxed canvas instead of synthetic materials like some other folios out there. Magnets inside also activate the Sleep/Wake function on your iPad.

Zagg Rugged Book Case

Multiple layers of protection and a backlit Bluetooth keyboard make the Zagg Rugged Book Case a tough contender if you've got field work to do, not to mention its ability to switch between book, keyboard, and case modes.

About Our Expert

Ajay Kumar

Ajay Kumar

Contributor

Ajay has worked in tech journalism for more than a decade as a reporter, analyst, and editor. He got his start in consumer tech reviewing hundreds of smartphones and tablets at PCMag as a Mobile Analyst, and breaking the hottest Android news at Newsweek as a tech reporter. 

In his most recent role, he’s worked in content marketing for a B2B SaaS company and in a PR capacity at an AI startup. Previously, he was Managing Commerce Editor at Android Police and Section Editor, Mobile at Digital Trends, where he spearheaded his team's coverage of breaking news, features, reviews, roundups, deals and more. He also worked at Lifewire as a Tech Commerce Editor, putting together tested best-of lists and assigning product reviews. 

As an avid tech enthusiast and traveler, Ajay loves tinkering with the gaming PC he built, adding new smart home devices to his apartment, and scoping out ancient ruins in new countries.

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