The best iPad Pro 12.9 cases

If you’re looking to protect your new  iPad Pro, then the Smart Folio from Apple is the obvious place to start – it’s new to the Apple Store and fits the latest iPad Pro only (4th gen, 2020 model), though it looks fairly similar to what was the Smart Cover.

As seen before on the iPad Air and iPad mini, the Smart Cover, or Folio now, clips magnetically to the side of the iPad Pro, and protects its screen.

Lifting the flap turns the iPad Pro on, and closing it switches it off again. The Smart Cover can be folded into a triangle and used to hold the iPad Pro vertically, or raised horizontally.

It is a fairly simple case, so you are paying mostly for the brand. There are other cases from alternative brands that look identical and perform the same but which cost much less (we’ve pointed a few out here too).

Pick it up for £99/US$99 from Apple directly, or for around £93.98/ US$99 from Amazon.

If you’re looking to buy a new iPad, be sure to check out our iPad buying guide.

Available exclusively for the 4th-gen iPad Pro, the Magic Keyboard transforms the way you use an iPad – so much so that we gave it a standalone review. 

Although Apple also calls its wireless iMac keyboard a ‘Magic Keyboard’, this is an altogether different product. 

The cantilever hinge gives the impression that the iPad Pro is floating above the keyboard, and it also gives you plenty of space to type on the much-improved keyboard. It also means you can easily adjust the angle of the screen to suit your workflow. 

Complete with backlit keys and a built-in touchpad, the Magic Keyboard makes the iPad Pro closer to a laptop replacement than ever before. 

It’s a premium accessory with a price tag to match. You can buy it now for £349/ US$349. 

This Apple Smart Keyboard Case is for the 3rd Gen model for £199/ US$199 but you can find plenty more cost effective options here.

Like the Smart Folio it clips magnetically to the side of the iPad Pro, although now a Smart Connector on the side of the iPad Pro forms a physical connection providing power to the keyboard.

Lifting the iPad Pro Smart Keyboard flap turns the iPad Pro on, only now the flap contains an additional fold that reveals a keyboard. The keys are easy to type on, and have little give making it feel almost like a natural keyboard.

You can fold the flap around to stand the iPad Pro up vertically, although the extra flap makes the process a tad complicated. It’s also expensive, far more so than buying a regular case and a Bluetooth keyboard. Even so, this is the screen protection device and keyboard that integrates the best with the iPad Pro.

The Smart Keyboard is also available from Amazon for around £195/ US$190.

As beautiful as Apple’s premium tablets are, their fragility means that people may be hesitant to use them outside the home. 

OtterBox aims to address that, as its Rugged Protection cases clearly have durability in mind. The plastic shell completely encases the 3rd gen device, protecting it from any potential impacts.

The rubber edging means grip is not compromised, and this is even detachable to allow space for the Apple Pencil. The choice of materials means the case remains relatively lightweight, not adding the bulk which can be seen with metal alternatives

This case is perfect for travelling, but without a stand or hinge, there is limited functionality while in the case. Luckily, it is easy to take out and start using once you reach your destination.

Pick it up directly from Otterbox for £89.99/ US$116.96 or from Amazon, where you can also find options for the 2nd generation model.

The premium experience with Noreve’s case begins with the unboxing, revealing a drawstring bag perfect for transporting your iPad Pro 3rd generation.

Although the manufacturers describe the design as unique, this will be familiar to anyone who has used a folio case in the past, with a magnetised seal and cutouts for cameras and input/output ports. There is also a handy space for the Apple Pencil and option to connect an external case is befitting of Apple’s top-end tablet, however its price reflects that at iPad Pro 12.9in Leather case. Noreve also has options for older 12.9in iPad models.

We like the Pipetto iPad Pro Origami case as an alternative to Apple’s. It offers something a little different from the staid range of plastic, leather and silicone offerings.

What’s interesting about this case is that the flap folds into five different stand positions to allow different angles and heights. Like the Smart Cover, it also turn the iPad Pro on and off (when you fold and unfold). It’s available in a range of different colours and also comes with a  lifetime warranty from Pipetto.

The 3rd Gen model costs £39.95/ US$49.95 directly from Pipetto, and it’s available on Amazon as well. There’s a version for the 1st and 2nd Gen models on Amazon too ( £39.28/ US$34.99).

Apple isn’t the only company making keyboards, of course, and the Logitech Create is a viable alternative. At £109.99 it comes in cheaper than Apple’s offering, and in our opinion is a better keyboard to boot, if thicker and heavier.

Keep in mind, this case is for the 1st Gen. 12.9in iPad Pro. Unfortunately, it’s currently unavailable in the US. 

For the 2nd generation there’s the Slim Combo ( £119/ $149.99) and for the 3rd, there’s the Slim Folio Pro for £109/ US$129.99. 

It does turn the iPad Pro into a large touch-screen laptop, though, which is both a good and a bad thing. It’s not as easy to detach as the Smart Keyboard, so it feels more of a permanent addition.

Still, the keyboard itself is a lot better than Apple’s standard one, with keys much more akin to a traditional keyboard – and it’s backlit.

Casemade’s Leather Case for the iPad Pro offers the opportunity to protect your iPad without adding too much bulk because let’s be honest, the 12.9in iPad Pro is already pretty heavy! 

The Leather Case is made from 100 percent Italian cowhide leather, providing users with a cover that’s soft to the touch and will continue to look good over time as it ages. It offers full access to all ports and features of the iPad Pro, meaning that you’ll never really have any reason to remove it from the case.

Along with the smart wake/sleep functionality the case offers, it doubles up as a stand for the iPad Pro with two viewing angles, although we have to admit that the soft leather doesn’t do the best job at keeping the hefty 12.9in iPad Pro upright. 

Casemade has options for the 3rd Gen 12.9in iPad too (pictured), 2nd Gen and 1st Gen ( all £49.90/ US$74.90) iPad Pro tablets.

You can also find this 3rd gen version of this case on Amazon UK.

The Inateck case was originally designed for the MacBook Air, but it works a treat with the iPad Pro. It’s more of a carry case than the most of the protective covers we have in this round up.

You place the iPad Pro inside the Inateck Case, which also folds into a stand that you can use to keep the iPad Pro upright (UK version only).

The Inateck sleeve case fits all models of the 12.9 in iPad Pro. Pick it up for £12.99/ US$13.99 from Amazon.

If you’re looking for a case for your iPad Pro, but have spent all your money on the device, then this case from Mofred is a good option. It works with the 1st and 2nd Gen iPad Pro tablets (not on the 3rd Gen model).

It’s a stylish, faux-leather case that wraps around the iPad Pro and can be used as a stand. It also comes with a screen protector and stylus – what’s not to like?

Available on Amazon for £9.99/US$19.99.

This simple case from Khomo is affordable and a good option if you want a case that auto wakes and sleeps your iPad Pro while also functioning as a stand. It also comes with a nifty the Apple Pencil holder.

Apple currently doesn’t make a case that protects the front and back of the iPad Pro, you have to buy two separately – so this is a good all-round option.

This case is available for the  2017 and 2018 models of the iPad Pro. Prices start at £22.99. It’s currently unavailable in the US. 

Rugged protection for the iPad Pro doesn’t come much better than this specialist case from Urban Armor Gear. The company only makes rugged, durable cases for all manner of phones and tablets. 

We like that this case also has a clip so you don’t lose your Apple Pencil – Apple still doesn’t make one of its own cases that allows you to store the expensive and easy-to-lose accessory.

This case fits the iPad Pro 2018 model ( £70.08/ US$59.95), but there are models for the 2nd and 1st generation models too ( £65.64/ US$34.99).

As with other STM cases, we love that the Atlas also has space to store the Apple Pencil, one of tech’s most expensive yet easy to lose accessories. The case bears a low profile, which is great for designers and casual users who want to keep the tablet’s slim figure for carrying around.

It’s also very versatile, with the stand and hinge able to support any landscape viewing angle – it’s great not to be restricted in how you view your iPad. Unlike the Dux, it also covers the screen when not in use, and is probably the best choice around if you don’t want a keyboard case.

Pick it up from Amazon for £5.99/ US$19.95.

If you still want to see other cases for the iPad, check out our round-up of the  Best iPad cases and the  Best tough, rugged and waterproof iPad cases. And if you’re after a keyboard for your iPad,  here’s our take on the best ones.