If you’re in the market for a cheap tablet, it’s hard to go wrong with Apple’s latest basic iPad. The new iPad (2020) has seen some serious upgrades, thanks to the powerful A12 Bionic processor and the new iPadOS 14, and those improvements make it the tablet to buy if you’ve got $300 to spend. But just because it’s affordable doesn’t mean it’s disposable. Protect it with one of the best iPad (2020) cases and covers.
Tech21 Evo Play2 with Pencil Holder
iPads can take a bit of rough of tumble — and they’re an excellent choice if you’re looking for a good first tablet for an older child — but they have durability limits. Thankfully, Tech21’s Evo Play2 case can seriously increase your iPad’s toughness with all-around protection against scratches, bumps, and drops. It’s thin and lightweight, and it has a chunky rotating handle and kickstand on the back to make picking it up a breeze. There’s even a holder for the Apple Pencil, if Pencil use is important. It’s a great durable case that doesn’t scream “kid-friendly” as much as other options do, which should make it more palatable for older kids.
Torro Leather Smart Cover
The smart cover is an iPad mainstay, but they don’t always look quite this good. Torro specializes in high-end leather cases, and its smart cover for the 2020 iPad is no exception. Designed and handcrafted in the U.K. from genuine cowhide leather, each Torro leather case is a gorgeous product, with an embossed microfiber lining and a durable silicone frame to add bump- and drop-proofing. There’s an elastic strap to hold it closed, and the anti-slip stand can rest in three viewing angles. It’s on the more expensive side, but if you want the best, then you can’t go wrong here.
Kate Spade New York Envelope Folio
The basic iPad may not be the best looking of Apple’s newest range of iPads, but it doesn’t have to stay that way. Transform your ugly duckling into a swan with Kate Spade New York’s Envelope Folio. It’s decorated with an attractive but subtle pattern, and the envelope fold means your iPad is fully protected from dirt and scratches, as well as providing some protection against bumps and drops as well. It’s a gorgeous case that’s more for style than protection, but it still offers some protection and has a loop for your Apple Pencil as well. An excellent case, but the high price may put some off.
Speck Case-E Run Kids Case
Being capable, big, and relatively simple to use, the iPad is an excellent tablet for kids, and this case from Speck will keep it well protected from them. It’s made from a soft and absorbent EVA material, and it’s protected against drops from up to 6 feet, which should mean it’ll resist most that kids can throw at it. It’s playfully colored, and the funky headphones work as a carrying handle, a stand, and even a way to secure the tablet onto the back of a headrest in the car. It even has a built-in antimicrobial treatment. It’s a little bit expensive, but if it means you don’t have to replace a tablet after your kid drops it, this is definitely a bargain.
Lifeproof Wake Rugged Case
While you’re unlikely to be taking your iPad up any mountains, some people will absolutely appreciate getting as much protection as they possibly can on their device. Lifeproof’s Wake case is drop-proof from up to 2 meters (6.5 feet) and offers a super-grippy texture on the back panel that makes keeping a hold of your large tablet a lot easier. It’s a super-thin case, and it comes with button covers to keep those areas safe as well. While it’s not as protective as some of Lifeproof’s waterproof phone cases, this is still one of the best options out there to keep your tablet protected.
Olixar Folio Smart Case
If you don’t need a case with all the bells and whistles, then why not save a bit of money by buying a fairly basic case with everything you might need to keep your stay-at-home superstar iPad protected? Olixar’s folding folio case uses a front cover and case to keep your iPad safe from all angles, and this combination keeps it safe from smaller drops, bumps, and scratches. The front cover folds to provide a kickstand at a high or low angle, and the cover triggers the iPad’s sleep/wake function, saving battery. While it’s not as flashy as some other cases, it’s also a lot more reasonably priced, making it a great option if you’re on a budget.
Otterbox React Series Case
Otterbox is well known for its big, bulky cases that can protect against pretty much anything you can throw at them, but it also excels at providing slim protection too. The React case has a slim, one-piece design that uses a clear polycarbonate back with a synthetic rubber bumper to protect against scratches, dirt, and bumps. Raised edges protect the display and the camera lens from scratches and dirt, and it’s been made to work perfectly with Otterbox’s screen protector for full protection. This slim protection makes it perfect to slip into bags, and it should protect against most everyday hazards — though you may want something heftier if you’re worried about more serious drops.
Poetic Explorer Case
Poetic specializes in offering solid protection at budget prices, making it a good choice for protecting your budget iPad. Poetic’s Explorer case has three layers of protection, and uses an interior bumper made from shock-absorbing TPU, a built-in screen protector, and a folding folio cover with a secure magnetic closure to ensure full, 360-degree coverage. Raised bumpers are built into the hard outer frame, there’s a dedicated space for the Apple Pencil, and a grippy interior material that allows your case to rest in several different viewing angles. It’s an extremely good price, but some may find the very rugged style a put off. If that’s you, look at some of the more stylish options on this list. But if that’s not a problem for you, this is a great case.
Moshi VersaCover Case
Looking for a slim, stylish case with a number of versatile stand options? Moshi’s VersaCover is an iPad classic, and it’s come back for the eighth-generation iPad. If you’re unfamiliar with this case, it’s a slim, folio case with an understated and minimalist design. It comes with a strong case with an absorbent bumper, to protect against bumps and shocks, but its real secret weapon lies within the cover itself. Based on origami, the folio cover can be folded to create a stand for easy typing, or viewing modes for both landscape and portrait orientations. It works well, protects well, and looks great, even if it is a little expensive.
Griffin Survivor AirStrap 360 Case
iPads are large, and while they’re well weighted to help you keep a grip, they’re still all too easy to drop. Griffin’s Survivor case doesn’t just give you excellent protection, it also offers a hand-strap, making it even harder to drop your tablet. The Velcro strap is easily adjustable, and holds gently but tightly onto your hand, and leaves your other hand free to use your iPad’s display. The hand-strap doesn’t mean Griffin has skimped on the rest of the protection though, and it claims the Survivor’s TPU rubber can protect against drops from 8 feet (2.5 meters) onto concrete. That’s some serious protection.
[U] Lucent Series Case
UAG’s range of cases are strong, but they haven’t always been the best-looking covers around. Not so where the Lucent Series is concerned. This case from UAG is made from a hard outer shell and a soft inner core that’s completely clear, except where it connects to the folio cover. The effect is quite striking, and when combined with the contrasting dot pattern on the cover, it lends your iPad a show-stopping style. It’s slim and light, like UAG cases always are, and while it’s certainly on the more expensive side, the protection on offer and the overall style imbued is a potent combination.
Spigen Tough Armor Tech Case
What sort of case post would this be without Spigen? Spigen has made some of our favorite cases for smartphones and tablets alike, and the Tough Armor has been a mainstay of its ranges. The Tough Armor Tech is the evolution of that case, and it’s a great choice for your iPad. It’s a dual-layer case and uses a flexible TPU core with a hard outer shell of polycarbonate to protect against scratches, dirt, and drops. It has a cool sci-fi aesthetic, and there’s a built-in kickstand on the back, which comes in very handy for watching movies on the go. It’s not a bad price either.
Gear4 Battersea Case
If drops are your largest concern, then Gear4’s Battersea case should be your choice. Drop protection is paramount in many of Gear4’s cases, and that’s why the Battersea case offers drop protection of up to 8 feet (2.5 meters), insulating your device against the worst of drops with Gear4’s D3O material. It’s slim, and the design is understated. Excitingly, it also comes with a built-in stand, the Infinity Angle stand. This stand holds and supports your tablet in a number of different angles — hence the name. It’s certainly not a cheap option, but if the understated design and strong protection is attractive, then this is a great choice for you.
