What’s the best case to protect your iPad Pro? Unlike iPhone cases, iPad Pro cases offer way more regarding functionality
At Mobile Reviews Eh!, we base everything we do on actual usage which means our reviews and content take FOREVER to come out. But rest assured, when we publish something, you can be confident that you will know the best and worst parts of the product.
The list below has ten of the best iPad cases that we’ve used for the iPad Pro (9.7 inch). We’ve got other lists for Slim, Tough and Waterproof iPhone 6(s+) cases.
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#1 – Urban Armor Gear (Amazon)
#2 – Apple Silicone Case + Smart Cover (Amazon)
#4 – Speck StyleFolio Pencil (Amazon)
#5 – Thule Atmos (Amazon)
#6 – Moshi VersaKeyboard (Amazon)
#7 – Poetic Revolution (Amazon)
#10 – ESR Cloth/Leather case (Amazon)
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If you’re looking for all the cases that we’ve reviewed for each class, you can find them here for slim cases and tough cases.
We evaluate all the cases, in the same manner, to ensure consistency and each product get used for at least a week before we sit down and create a review for the product.
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#1 – Urban Armor Gear
The Urban Armor Gear is the best case for the iPad Pro in our opinion. There’s a lot of extra versatility packed into this case but unlike some of the other cases, it does it without the extra bulk.
The case itself isn’t small, but the thickness of the case isn’t consistent as it is much thinner in some areas which help keep the iPad feeling thin. If we had to be picky, the Urban Armor Gear does feel as tight as the Apple cases.
The texture of the case is great. We didn’t have any worries about the case slipping out of our hands. One of the best features of the case is the removable cover. If you don’t need the cover, just take it off. The cover works with the Apple Smart Keyboard as well.
Another great thing about the case is the Apple Pencil holder. We initially thought that the small elastic piece was almost like an afterthought but after using the Poetic Revolution with its in-the-way Apple Pencil Holder, we changed our mind.
#2 – Apple Silicone Case + Smart Cover
The default Apple cases. Grippy, slim and everything fits well with the iPad which is expected since they’re Apple made. The edges of the iPad are well protected which isn’t the case when compared to cheaper products from MoKo and JETech.
The smart cover fits well against the screen which makes the entire setup feel very solid. Our biggest gripe with the Apple Case and Smart Cover is the cost. It’s a $140 to get both of these products which are so very, very, very offensive. The Apple cases are great if you can swallow that $140 pill or do you spend $15 on a MoKo or JETech?
#3 – Moshi MetaCover
The Moshi MetaCover is a beast of a case. In fact, this is the biggest and one of the heaviest cases that we’ve reviewed which might be a big turn-off for some. With that being said, if you don’t travel much with your iPad, the MetaCover is worth looking at because of the versatility.
First of all, the MetaCover comes with a VersaCover which allows you to put your iPad into portrait mode. If you don’t need the VersaCover, you can always remove it and use the MetaCover as a typical case. The case insert is quick thick and can easily take a drop if you’re accident prone.
And the best part is that you can mount your iPad. Moshi has magnetic, and sticky mounts which allow you to put your iPad up anywhere so if you’re using your iPad to run home automation features the MetaCover is for you.
#4 – Speck StyleFolio Pencil
Some of you might be surprised to see this case at #4, especially if you’ve read some of the Amazon reviews about it but our rating system takes into account extra features like the Apple Pencils as well as added protection from having a physical latch.
All these things add up to in the scoring system which is why this Speck StyleFolio is #4. If you’re an avid Apple Pencil user, consider getting this case. It’s much bigger than a normal slim case, but it will provide significantly more protection than any standard case.
The exterior of the case is covered with leather (we don’t think it’s real leather) and adds to the handling of the iPad when it is buttoned up. The case includes a slot for the Apple Pencil and Apple Pencil stand which is why we say it is a great case for the avid Apple Pencil user.
#5 – Thule Atmos
The Thule Atmos X3 and X4 are some of our favourite iPhone cases. Thule tried doing something different with the Atmos’s for the iPads, but we’re still not convinced if it works well.
BUT out of all the cases we’ve reviewed, this is the only case that has a hard screen protector, so if you’re looking to take your iPad into rougher situations, the Atmos would be a good choice.
The design of the case is a little different as the front sits into the back using a series of hinges which allows the case to have lots of different viewing angles but the pieces don’t fit tightly enough. This will not be issue for some but if you use your iPad while lying down, the case doesn’t fit tightly enough that it might slip and smack you in the face.
#6 – Moshi VersaKeyboard
If you’re looking for a decent keyboard setup, go with the Moshi VersaKeyboard. Moshi decided to design the VersaKeyboard in the same vein as a normal desktop setup, rather than to turn the iPad into a laptop like certain Zagg cases do.
We love how we can setup the keyboard in a preferred orientation unlike the Apple Smart Keyboard or the Logitech Keyboards. We’re able to spend way more time working on an iPad Pro with the VersaKeyboard than the other products listed above.
The VersaCover on the VersaKeyboard is awesome as it allows you to view your iPad in portrait mode which is something most cases won’t allow you to. The case’s corners are a little loose for our liking but this has been a goto case for the last few weeks and we haven’t had any issues with it.
#7 – Poetic Revolution
Poetic always surprises us because they produce great cases for only a few bucks, and they don’t feel cheap like some of the other cases on this list. The Poetic Revolution is one of the tougher cases on this list but will do a great job protecting your iPad from drops if you’re accident prone.
The Poetic Revolution isn’t drop-rated but we’ve seen enough cases to know which ones can take a hit, and the Revolution is one of them. This case has a built in screen protector as well, but a downside is that there isn’t a TouchID cover so dust and debris will collect between the screen and protector over time.
This is one of the cases that we’re not terribly impressed with the design as the Apple Pencil holder, although a nice add-on seems really out of the way. If you don’t plan on getting an Apple Pencil, the Poetic Revolution might not be for you.
#8 – JETech
The JETech case is an Apple Silicone Case + Smart Cover alternative. The biggest pro for this case is the price. It is a fraction of the cost of the regular Apple cases.
You do get what you pay for as the cover on the JETech doesn’t fit as tightly as the Apple Smart Cover and definitely feels lighter and thinner. The cover does extend over the back of the soft rubber coated plastic which helps with screen access.
This case tends to expose more of the iPad so if you know you’re going to be bashing the edges of your iPad a lot, get the MoKo case or spend the extra $100 bucks for the Apple cases.
#9 – MoKo
The MoKo case is an another Apple Silicone Case and Smart Cover alternative. Like the JETech, the greatest pro about the case is the cost.
It has a nice matte coating on the back which helps wth the grip and the cover mimics the smart cover, but it doesn’t fit as tightly as the Apple Smart Cover does. One of the things we noticed for the cover was that it sits quite flush with the edge of the case which makes the cover a little more tedious to open.
On the flip side, the edges of the iPad are well protected which improves the overall protection of the iPad.
#10 – ESR Cloth/Leather
Now we’re not sure which ESR case we have as the ordered from Amazon said: “Leather and Instant on compatible” whereas the one we got was cloth and doesn’t work with the instant on.
Regardless, we like this because of how simple it is. It has no added versatility, but the front and backs fold together nicely so it doesn’t feel like the iPad has a lot of bulk to it. The cloth texture is quite nice and greatly improves the handling of the iPad when it is in the case.
Aaron’s wife also says the ESR is the most professional looking iPad case out of the group of cases we’ve reviewed.
Have any questions for our “Top 10 iPad Pro Cases (9.7 inch version)” post? Leave them below or ask them on our Google+ page or our Facebook page or our About Us page.
baconcow
June 7, 2017 at 3:24 am
Surprised to not see any of the four Otterbox cases on here for the iPad Pro 9.7″.