Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad 2021 vs ZAGG Pro Keys 2: Which Keyboard Is Better?

Tested using Methodology v1.3.1

Updated Sep 04, 2025 03:23 PM

See Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad 2021 Review

Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad 2021 Picture

ConnectivityWired

Size Compact (65%)

Switch Type Scissor

N-Key Rollover (NKRO) No

Hot-Swappable Switches No

ConnectivityWireless

Size Compact (75%)

Switch Type Scissor

N-Key Rollover (NKRO) No

Hot-Swappable Switches No

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iPad

Our Verdict

Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad 2021

ZAGG Pro Keys 2

The Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad 2021 and the ZAGG Pro Keys 2 are folio keyboards designed for use with iPad devices. Both have different sizes available to accommodate different sizes of iPads. The major difference between them is that the Apple has a noticeably more premium build quality but is only compatible with iPads and connects with a Smart Connector, drawing power directly from your iPad. On the other hand, the ZAGG has an internal rechargeable battery and connects via Bluetooth. This means it's also compatible with other non-Apple devices, including other computers, phones, and tablets. Additionally, it has backlighting, which the Apple lacks.

Variants

Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro 11" (Black)
Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro 11" (White)

Pro Keys 2 (iPad Air 11 (M2)/iPad Air 10.9 (4th & 5th Gen))
Pro Keys 2 (iPad Air 13 (M2))
Pro Keys 2 (iPad Pro 11 (M4))
Pro Keys 2 (iPad Pro 13 (M4))

Review

See ZAGG Pro Keys 2 Review

Check Price

Black

Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro 11"

Walmart.com

iPad Air 11 (M2)/iPad Air 10.9 (4th & 5th Gen)

Pro Keys 2

White

Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro 11"

iPad Air 13 (M2)

Pro Keys 2

iPad Pro 11 (M4)

Pro Keys 2

iPad Pro 13 (M4)

Pro Keys 2

Main Differences for

Gaming

Threshold

0.10

Gaming

3.1

6.7

Computer Compatibility

0.0

Data Transmission

0.0

3.3

Backlight Features

6.0

4.0

Backlight Clarity

9.0

6.0

Build Quality

8.5

7.5

Full Comparison

Gaming

3.1

6.7

Office

6.4

7.0

Mobile/Tablet

4.2

7.5

Programming

5.8

7.0

Entertainment / HTPC

4.2

6.1

Raw Performance

0.0

6.8

Design

Dimensions

Top Picture

Size

Compact (65%)

Compact (75%)

Height

0.2" (0.5 cm)

0.3" (0.8 cm)

Width

9.8" (24.9 cm)

10.0" (25.3 cm)

Depth

7.7" (19.5 cm)

7.9" (20.1 cm)

Depth With Wrist Rest

N/A

Weight

1.32 lbs (0.600 kg)

2.20 lbs (0.997 kg)

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Build Quality

8.5

7.5

Build Quality Close Up

Keycap Material

ABS

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Ergonomics

7.0

Side Picture

Curved/Angled

Split Keyboard

Key Alignment

Staggered

Minimum Incline

0°

Medium Incline

N/A

Maximum Incline

N/A

Home Row Height

6.3 mm (0.2")

8.5 mm (0.3")

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Hardware Customizability

0.0

Customizability Overview

Replaceable Cherry Stabilizers

Stabilizer Fixation

Non-Customizable Design

Spacebar Stabilizer Size

Non-Customizable Design

Size Of Right Mod Keys

Non-Standard

Hot-Swappable Switches

Switch Stem Shape

Non-Customizable Design

Switch PCB Socket

Non-Customizable Design

North-Facing Cherry MX Interference

Non-Customizable Design

Backlight Features

6.0

4.0

Backlighting Picture

Brightness Max

Backlighting

Yes

Brightness Min

RGB

Per-Key Backlighting

Yes

Effects

Software Controllable

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Backlight Clarity

9.0

6.0

White Shot

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Cable & Connector

Connectivity

Wired

Wireless

Detachable

Yes (Wired Only Keyboard)

Yes (Charge Only)

Length

N/A

1.6 ft (0.5 m)

Connector (Keyboard side)

Apple Smart Connector

USB type-C

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Wireless Versatility

0.0

9.5

Bluetooth

Yes

Bluetooth Multi-Device Pairing

Proprietary Receiver

Battery Type

No Batteries

Rechargeable

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Macro Keys And Programming

0.0

Dedicated Macro Keys Count

Onboard Macro Programming

Macro Programming With Software

Extra Features

Media Keys

No Media Keys

Dedicated

Trackpad / Trackball

Yes

Scroll Wheel

Control Knob

USB Passthrough

Numpad

Windows Key Lock

Lock Indicator

Caps Lock

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In The Box

Bundle Picture

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Typing Experience

Typing Quality

7.5

6.5

Key Spacing

18.0 mm (0.709")

15.5 mm (0.610")

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Typing Noise

9.1

Typing Sample

Average Loudness

33.3 dBA

44.3 dBA

High Pitch Clicks

Switches

Wobble Video

Switch Name

No Marketed Name

Switch Type

Scissor

Feel

Tactile

Analog

Keystrokes

Key Switch Actuation Graph

Operating Force

60 gf

65 gf

Actuation Force

36 gf

44 gf

Pre-Travel

0.8 mm

1.1 mm

Total Travel

0.7 mm

1.1 mm

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Performance

Single-Key Latency

0.0

6.7

Single-Key Latency Graph

Best Connection

N/A

20.2 ms

Best Connection Std Dev

N/A

±5.2 ms

Wired

N/A

Receiver

N/A

Bluetooth

N/A

20.2 ms

PCB (Estimated)

N/A

19.6 ms

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Multi-Key Latency

0.0

7.4

Latency Video

Multi-Key Latency Graph

Connection Evaluated

N/A

Bluetooth

Key Press

N/A

15.3 ms

Key Release

N/A

18.2 ms

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Data Transmission

0.0

3.3

Multi-Key Raw USB

Connection Evaluated

N/A

Bluetooth

USB Polling Rate

N/A

Effective Update Rate

N/A

90 Hz

N-Key Rollover (NKRO)

Multiple Keys Per USB Report

N/A

Chord Split

0.0

8.6

Chord Split Graph

4 Chord Split Delay

N/A

3.9 ms

8 Chord Split Delay

N/A

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Software and Operating System

Configuration Software

Software Tour

Software Name

No Software

Software Windows Compatible

Software macOS Compatible

Onboard Memory

Profiles

No Profile

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Computer Compatibility

0.0

Windows

Not Compatible

Fully Compatible

macOS

Not Compatible

Fully Compatible

Linux (Ubuntu 22)

Not Compatible

Fully Compatible

Media Key Compatibility

Not Compatible

Windows, MacOS & Linux

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Wireless Mobile Compatibility

3.3

Android

Not Compatible

Fully Compatible

iOS

Not Compatible

Fully Compatible

iPadOS

Fully Compatible

Media Key Compatibility

iPad

Android, iPhone & iPad

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Check Price

Black

Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro 11"

Walmart.com

iPad Air 11 (M2)/iPad Air 10.9 (4th & 5th Gen)

Pro Keys 2

White

Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro 11"

iPad Air 13 (M2)

Pro Keys 2

iPad Pro 11 (M4)

Pro Keys 2

iPad Pro 13 (M4)

Pro Keys 2