The 4 Best Keyboards For iPad - Winter 2023 Reviews

The Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad 2021 is the best keyboard for iPad we've tested. As its name suggests, it's Apple's flagship model and is available in different sizes for the 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models. It uses Apple's Smart Connector feature to connect to the iPad and draw power directly from it. While this means the keyboard isn't compatible with any other mobile device, it means you just have to worry about charging your iPad and not the keyboard separately.

The folio case attaches with a strong magnet on the back that holds your iPad in place. The keyboard part has a rubber exterior, so the whole unit stays firmly in place on desks or other hard surfaces. Plus, if you tend to sit with your iPad on your lap, like a laptop, the keyboard is very stable and doesn't flex or flop over easily. However, if there is a downside to this keyboard, it's that the case doesn't wrap around the sides of the iPad and instead leaves them exposed. If you're planning on traveling around a lot with your iPad, you might want the side protection offered by our next pick, the Logitech Combo Touch.

If you're looking for a mid-range folio keyboard that offers good protection for your iPad, we recommend the Logitech Combo Touch. It's got similar features and is frequently closer in price to our first pick, the Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad 2021, but lately, it's gone up and down in price and may be considerably cheaper when you're reading this. It comes in size variants to fit 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models as well as 4th and 5th-generation iPad Air models. It also uses Apple's Smart Connector for power, so you won't have to charge the keyboard as it'll draw power straight from the iPad. On the back of the case, there's a sturdy kickstand you can use to prop your iPad up at a comfortable viewing angle.

The keycaps have a nice soft-touch coating to add some grip, which is helpful as the tile-like keycaps can be a bit slippery. There's also a trackpad for on-screen navigation, so you don't have to get fingerprints on your screen, and there's even a slot to hold an Apple Magic Pencil. Overall, this folio keyboard has a lot of additional features, and thanks to all its size variants, it's the best mid-range keyboard for iPad Pro that we've tested.

For the best option at a budget price point, we recommend the ZAGG Pro Keys. This folio-style keyboard is compatible with 10.2-inch iPads, but there are versions suitable for 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro and iPad Air models. While the unit we tested doesn't have a trackpad, you can buy a version that does. Since it doesn't use Apple's Smart Connector, it's one of the best Bluetooth keyboards for iPad available on the market, thanks to its wireless versatility and multi-device pairing ability. You can pair it with up to two devices simultaneously, which is helpful if you use a laptop or another device alongside your iPad.

Inside the folio case, there's a slot for your Apple Pencil, so you won't have to worry about losing it. If you sit with your iPad on your lap often, the iPad stays propped up even without the support of a table or desk beneath it. It also has multi-color backlighting with seven different colors you can cycle through. Overall, it's a versatile keyboard with plenty of different size configurations available to suit the currently available iPads.

If you're planning on using your iPad as part of a larger, multi-device setup, you may want a more permanent solution at your desk. The Logitech K780 is an excellent choice for a wireless, standalone keyboard to use with your iPad. Along the back, there's a tray with a rubber coating that provides a good grip for holding your devices. The tray runs the whole length of the keyboard, so you can easily hold an iPad and a smaller mobile device, and the tray provides a slight tilt, so their screens stay at a good viewing angle. It connects wirelessly with up to three devices using a Bluetooth connection, and you can switch between devices using the F1-F3 function keys.

Since it uses two AA batteries for power with an advertised battery life of 24 months, you don't have to worry about carrying around charging cables or frequently needing to recharge. The typing experience feels satisfying thanks to the well-spaced keys, rounded keycaps, and low-profile design. Alternatively, if you don't want a full-size unit, as you plan on bringing your iPad around with you to cafes or other tight working spaces, check out the Logitech K380. As a compact unit, it's much more portable, but it doesn't have a device tray or stand for your iPad, so you'll have to get a separate case for your iPad or get creative in how you prop it up.