The 7 Best Keyboards For iPad - Spring 2022 Reviews

The best keyboard for iPad Pro that we've tested is the Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad 2021. This folio board only works with iPads as it uses the Smart Connector to connect with and draw power. It comes in two size variants, 11 inch and 12.9 inch, so it works with either size of iPad Pro you own. The 11 inch model we tested is also compatible with the fourth-generation iPad Air.

Its design is similar to a MacBook keyboard, though it lacks dedicated media keys. However, it does include a trackpad, so you don't always have to rely on the touchscreen for navigation. There's also a USB-C port on the side of the keyboard, which you can use to charge your iPad. Also, if you tend to work at night, every key is individually backlit with a bright white, so they're very visible.

Unfortunately, it's only designed for iPads and can't connect to any other device like an iPhone. Also, while the folio offers additional protection on the iPad's back and front, it doesn't cover the sides. That said, it's a great choice if you use an iPad as your main workstation as it allows you to use it as a scaled-down MacBook.

If the price tag is a tad too steep, check out the Logitech Folio Touch. It only works with the 11 inch iPad Pro, but it's much cheaper and has many of the same features as the Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad 2021, like a trackpad for gesture support. It uses the Apple Smart Connector feature to connect with and draw power from the iPad, meaning you don't have to worry about charging it separately. The row of dedicated media keys allows you to skip songs or change the volume without going directly into a media app on your iPad, so you won't have to disrupt your workflow to skip that song you can't stand. Unfortunately, while it does have white backlighting, it doesn't get as bright as the Apple, and the keys aren't individually lit. Also, its typing quality is only okay, and its small size means your fingers may feel more fatigued after long sessions.

If you want a keyboard designed specifically for an iPad Pro, the Apple keyboard is a surefire bet. If you'd prefer to spend less money and you don't mind compromising a bit on the performance, check out the Logitech.

If you have an iPad with a 10.2-inch screen, the best keyboard we've tested is the ZAGG Pro Keys. This keyboard comes with a nice magnetically removable case that wraps around the whole iPad to offer protection along its sides and back. Though we tested the 11-inch model, it comes in a variety of sizes to suit different generations and models of the iPad, and we expect our test results to remain consistent.

It connects using Bluetooth, and you can pair it with another device simultaneously, which is great if you have a multi-device setup. It's fully compatible with iPadOS and iOS, and most keys function when paired with other operating systems. It has two incline settings for your iPad, depending on your preference, and has backlighting that comes in seven different colors, which is a rare but fun feature for this keyboard style.

Unfortunately, like most folio keyboards, the keys are small and close together, meaning they feel cramped to type on. It could also result in more typos, especially if you're typing quickly since it's easier to nick a key on accident. Also, its backlighting doesn't get too bright, so it might not be a good choice if you tend to work in the dark, as the key legends are harder to see. That said, it's a great choice if you're looking for a keyboard for your 7th, 8th, or 9th generation iPad.

If you'd prefer a keyboard that isn't a folio-style that wraps around your iPad, the Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad is the best portable keyboard for iPad we've tested. It's Apple's latest release of their popular Magic Keyboard series, replacing the Apple Magic Keyboard 2017, and it adds a few extra features and size variants.

We tested the full-size version, but there are two different compact variants with and without the Touch ID support. Touch ID only works on Mac computers with the new M1 chip, but we've read reports that even the new iPad Pro with the M1 chip doesn't support Touch ID. To be safe, go for the variant without the Touch ID. Besides the Touch ID, our results are valid for any of the models, and the typing quality feels great.

It connects to any device via Bluetooth, but it only supports one device at a time which is disappointing if you have a multi-device setup. It also lacks backlighting, so the keys are hard to see in the dark. If these aren't an issue for you, it's one of the best keyboards for iPad that we've tested.

Most dedicated iPad keyboards only work with iPad or Apple products, which can be a downside if you're in a multi-device setup with an iPad and a Windows laptop. Fortunately, the best Bluetooth keyboard for iPad that we've tested is the Logitech MX Keys Mini. It's a compact 75% version of the popular Logitech MX Keys that connects with up to three devices over a Bluetooth connection and lets you switch between devices at the touch of a button.

Its small form factor and light weight make it highly portable, so it's a great option if you're looking for a keyboard to bring between home and office settings. The keys are individually-lit with bright white backlighting, making them easy to read in the dark, and it has a sensor to turn off the backlighting after inactivity to save battery life. It also has media and mobile-specific hotkeys like a speech-to-text function and an emoji key.

Unfortunately, the software isn't available on iPadOS, meaning you can't reprogram keys directly on your iPad, and there's no onboard memory to save your settings if you adjust them on a system that has the software. With that said, it's an excellent choice if you're looking for a board with good typing quality to use in a multi-device setup with an iPad.

The best mechanical keyboard for iPad that we've tested is the Keychron K7. While most of the keyboards on this list use scissor or membrane switches, this keyboard has mechanical switches that offer more tactile feedback and a different typing experience. You can buy it in three different low-profile switch types: tactile Brown, clicky Blue, or linear Red, or you can get a hot-swappable version to replace the switches with the ones you want without having to solder.

Thanks to the low-profile keycaps and switches, this board is comfortable to use without a wrist rest, as you don't have to extend your wrists upwards to use it. Its thin profile is also nice if you want a board to carry around as it doesn't take up too much space. The full RGB backlighting illuminates the keys well, so you can see them in the dark, and you can even program some lighting effects directly on the board.

Unfortunately, it doesn't have companion software, so you can't customize settings or remap keys. Also, the F3 and F4 function keys don't work on iPadOS, but every other key works as intended. Also, it has ABS keycaps, which are prone to becoming slippery from finger oil over time. With that said, it's still a great choice if you prefer the feeling of mechanical switches and want a performant board to use with your iPad.

If you're looking for a budget option to toss into your bag with your iPad, the best budget keyboard we've tested is the Logitech K380. This simple, compact board doesn't take up too much space on a desk or in a bag, and it's lightweight, so it's very portable. Although the frame and chassis are entirely plastic, it feels well-built and solid, meaning you don't have to worry about it breaking while on the go.

It connects wirelessly with Bluetooth and supports multi-device pairing with up to three devices, so you can connect it with your iPad, MacBook, or other devices and switch between them easily with a hotkey. Also, the keyboard has a low profile that helps relieve tension in your wrists caused by tilting them upwards to type. Overall, the typing quality feels good and responsive, and the board is compatible with every operating system.

Unfortunately, the Logitech Options software is only available on Windows, so you can't reprogram functions keys on your iPad. Also, this keyboard lacks backlighting, so you'll have a hard time seeing your keys in the dark. With that said, it's a great choice if you're looking for a budget option to use with your iPad.