The 4 Best iPad And iPad Pro Keyboards - Fall 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 and 4th and 5th-generation iPad Air 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, 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 sit with your iPad on your lap, like a laptop, the keyboard is very stable and doesn't flex or flop over easily. However, this keyboard has a downside: the case doesn't wrap around the sides of the iPad and instead leaves them exposed. If you're planning on traveling 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 sometimes 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 has size variants to fit 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models and 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 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 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 many additional features, and thanks to all its size variants, it's the best mid-range option for iPad Pro that we've tested.

For the best option at a budget price point, we recommend the ZAGG Pro Keys. There's a fairly wide price difference between this pick and our best mid-range pick above. While folio-style options are available between these two, spending a bit more or a bit less will get you a better product. The Pro Keys is a folio-style keyboard 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 bought and 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 plan 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 Bluetooth, 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 to cafes or other tight working spaces, check out the Logitech K380. It's much more portable and typically more affordable. However, it doesn't have a device tray or stand for your iPad, so you'll have to get a separate case or get creative in how you prop it up.