One of the best iPad keyboards of 2023, examined and reviewed Specific Instances

An iPad could be a laptop computer substitute, relying in your workload, however you’ll want an iPad keyboard to maximise its potential. A keyboard is likely one of the most helpful iPad equipment as a result of it considerably modifications the pill’s capabilities. Typing turns into simpler, and shortcuts like copy (CMD + C), paste (CMD + V), and reduce (CMD + X) can be utilized to govern textual content with out touching the display screen. Many productiveness apps on the iPad assist their very own keyboard shortcuts to simply entry settings with out touching the pill’s show. One of the best iPad keyboards will assist prolong its usefulness and assist you to take full benefit of this extremely highly effective gadget.

How we selected the very best iPad keyboards

We take product testing very critically at PopSci and have had the chance to get hands-on time with most of the iPad keyboards we’re recommending. We surveyed the handfuls of iPad keyboard choices and narrowed our choices to suit each use case and funds. We put every keyboard by way of its paces by typing, swiping their trackpads, and carrying them round to gauge their weight.

To search out the very best iPad keyboards, we addressed the primary causes you may decide one up. Writers and creatives could have extra aggressive wants than people who need a better approach to sprint off emails or want keyboard typing to tapping on a display screen. We additionally ensured that our case suggestions have been accessible in several sizes to accommodate completely different iPad fashions. And iPad keyboards differ fairly considerably in price, so we have been additionally aware to have suggestions at each worth level.

One of the best iPad keyboards: Critiques & Suggestions

Whether or not you bought your iPad for enjoyable, extra inexpensive processing, or productiveness on the go, including an iPad keyboard can up the usefulness and ease of use for each productive work and your extra enjoyable time on an iPad, like browsing the web or texting buddies. Once you’re selecting the best keyboard, there are a variety of issues to think about. Choices embrace a trackpad, for true use with out touching your iPad display screen, quite a lot of charging choices, folio instances, exterior keyboards, and extra. That can assist you kind by way of all of it, we’ve achieved the legwork to search out the very best iPad keyboards for everyone’s wants.

Right here’s the one factor the technological fats cats don’t need you to know: You may pair any Bluetooth keyboard to the iPad. Equally, you may join any wired keyboard to its USB-C or Lightning port, and it’ll work routinely. We’ve elected to go hands-on with purpose-built keyboards for the iPad but in addition included customary Bluetooth keyboards. Whether or not you wish to bounce from primarily utilizing a pc to a pill or wish to breathe some new life into an iPad that’s been underused, we’ve rounded up the very best iPad keyboards in your wants.

Specs

• Appropriate fashions: iPad Professional 12.9 (Gen 3. Gen 4. Gen 5. Gen 6.), iPad Professional 11 (Gen 1. Gen 2. Gen 3. Gen 4), iPad Air (Gen 4), iPad (Gen 10)
• Trackpad: Sure
• Weight: 2.42 kilos
• Connectivity: Magnetic Apple Sensible Connector
• Perform keys: No
• Backlit keys: Sure
• Keyboard Model: Folio keyboard case
• Trackpad: Multitouch trackpad
• Energy: Sensible connector attracts energy from iPad

Professionals

• Quiet keyboard switches
• Good keyboard really feel
• Strong development

Cons

• Solely works with iPads
• Doesn’t give protecting protection

The Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad is the flagship mannequin of iPad keyboard instances and is available in quite a lot of sizes for various fashions. As such, it has the match and end you’d anticipate. The standard and ease of use are the identical because the iPad itself, nevertheless it comes with a excessive price ticket to match. 

Slightly than plugging on this keyboard case, the keyboard connects to your iPad with the Apple Sensible Connector, which additionally permits it to attract energy out of your iPad, so that you don’t need to cost the keyboard individually. This does, after all, restrict your keyboard use to iPads, although, so that you received’t be capable of hyperlink this to different units, and your keyboard will draw down the battery of your iPad. 

The keyboard case covers the again of the iPad however received’t cowl the perimeters, so if safety is an enormous concern, you may want one thing extra strong. The underside is rubberized although, so that it’ll keep in place, and the good-looking “floating cantilever” design permits you to modify your viewing angle, and simply appears to be like superior. 

The texture of the keyboard and touchpad are satisfying and can make you happy to make use of Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad day after day for work or rest. 

Finest professional: Logitech Combo Contact

Specs

• Appropriate fashions: iPad Professional 12.9 (Gen 3. Gen 4. Gen 5. Gen 6.), iPad Professional 11 (Gen 1. Gen 2. Gen 3. Gen 4.)
• Trackpad: Sure
• Weight: 1.72 kilos
• Connectivity: Magnetic Apple Sensible Connector
• Perform keys: Sure
• Backlit keys: Sure
• Keyboard Model: Folio keyboard case
• Trackpad: Multitouch trackpad
• Energy: Sensible connector attracts energy from iPad

Professionals

• Snug keys
• Responsive trackpad
• Instant connectivity

Cons

Should you’re in search of efficiency much like the Apple Magic Keyboard, however at a lower cost level, this keyboard folio from longtime Apple associate Logitech (makers of mice and different equipment we love) is an ideal match. 

The Logitech Combo connects to your iPad by way of the Apple Sensible Connector, much like the Magic Keyboard, to provide seamless connectivity and energy. This makes packing and utilizing the combo a breeze. The combo additionally provides a kickstand on the again to mean you can prop your iPad up and even permits you to change the viewing angle for the best consolation. In case you are constructing out your iPad ecosystem, you’ll additionally get pleasure from that the combo comes with house to retailer your Apple Pencil, which is nice for many who use their iPads for drawing or different artistic work.

Your creativity will solely be aided by the flexibleness of the Combo. It provides extra safety than the Magic Keyboard, because of a case that wraps throughout the perimeters of the iPad, and if you end up touring the keyboard covers the display screen. If you wish to use your iPad with out the keyboard although, you may detach it from the folio case and get the identical edge safety with out the keyboard in your approach.

The trackpad is straightforward to make use of, although some may discover that the small keyboard keys laid out shut collectively can result in some unintended button presses and typos. 

Specs

• Appropriate fashions: All iPad fashions
• Trackpad: Sure
• Weight: 2 kilos
• Connectivity: Bluetooth
• Perform keys: Sure
• Backlit keys: Sure
• Keyboard Model: Folio keyboard case
• Trackpad: Multitouch trackpad
• Energy: USB-C rechargeable inner battery

Professionals

• Inexpensive and straightforward to make use of
• Strong safety with keyboard flexibility
• Lengthy battery life

Cons

• Have to make use of the iPad touchscreen
• Bulkier than some choices

Should you don’t want a trackpad however nonetheless need keyboard efficiency, this Zaggs choice offers you all of the keys you want, together with arrows and iPadOS-specific perform keys, for an inexpensive worth. 

Whereas this case is a bit wider and heavier than different folio keyboard case choices on this listing, it does give strong full-edge safety for our iPad. In case you are in search of a bit extra streamlined use, although, the keyboard detaches from the case, so you may extra simply use the iPad whereas enjoyable or drawing. And, if drawing is your factor, this case additionally has a slot for an Apple Pencil inbuilt.

If you end up utilizing the iPad for work, although, the case has two viewing angles to maintain you snug. The keyboard keys themselves are very quiet, although they’re a bit small and may result in some typos. For a little bit of enjoyable, the keyboard keys are backlit with seven completely different colours you can cycle by way of for no matter colour matches your vitality. 

And if you wish to use your keyboard for units that aren’t your iPad, the Zaggs keyboard attaches by way of Bluetooth to a number of units concurrently, permitting you to cycle by way of your iPad, pc, and even your cellphone.

Specs

• Appropriate fashions: iPad Professional (12.9-Inch Gen 3. Gen 4.)
• Trackpad: Sure
• Weight: 1.1 Kilos
• Connectivity: Bluetooth
• Perform keys: Sure
• Backlit keys: Sure
• Keyboard Model: Folio keyboard case
• Trackpad: Multitouch trackpad
• Energy: Rechargable battery

Professionals

• Most laptop-like
• Wonderful construct high quality
• Many viewing angles

Cons

Should you’d like to show your iPad Professional right into a MacBook primarily, Brydge’s 12.9 Professional+ Wi-fi Keyboard is the best accent. The keyboard is comprised of aluminum and has the identical keyboard structure as Apple’s laptops. It connects to your iPad wirelessly over Bluetooth, held securely to the pill by slotting it into two clips on prime of the keyboard. As soon as put in, you may tilt the keyboard ahead and backward with pinpoint precision. Should you’ve delay getting an iPad keyboard due to the shortage of flexibility, this keyboard design solves that difficulty.

We discovered each the keys and trackpad on Byrdge’s keyboard to be very responsive. Each key press was registered, and we very hardly ever had a dropped character. Our expertise with this keyboard’s trackpad was comparable; we felt we had whole management over the iPad’s cursor. Actions, swipes, and clicks have been all registered, and scrolling, particularly, felt clean. Brydge launched software program updates by way of its iPadOS app to repeatedly enhance efficiency as Apple up to date its working system.

One of the best factor about Brydge’s keyboard is that it makes the iPad really feel similar to a MacBook technically. The worst factor about Brydge’s keyboard is that it makes the iPad really feel similar to a MacBook bodily. The additional weight and thickness from an added Brydge Professional+ is noticeable when carrying the iPad round each by itself or in a bag. The iPad Professional’s comparatively skinny and lightweight design is compromised—although you may simply detach the iPad at any time. Should you’d like your iPad Professional to feel and appear like a next-generation MacBook at a decrease price than many options, nevertheless, Byrdge’s 12.9 Professional+ Wi-fi Keyboard is your best option.

Specs

• Appropriate fashions: All iPads
• Trackpad: N/A
• Weight: .9 kilos
• Connectivity: Bluetooth
• Perform keys: Sure
• Backlit keys: Sure
• Keyboard Model: Compact exterior Keyboard
• Trackpad: No
• Energy: 2x AAA batteries

Professionals

• Number of colours
• Small and straightforward to journey with 
• Inexpensive

Cons 

• Keys are a bit small
• Have to interchange batteries 

In contrast to different entries on this article, the Logitech K380 is a correct exterior wi-fi keyboard slightly than a keyboard case. Due to this, you get a whole lot of versatility that comes with not having your keyboard connected to your machine. 

Chief amongst this flexibility is the power to connect this keyboard to 3 units and swap by way of them with the push of a button. It makes it supremely handy to maneuver between your iPad, MacBook, and even your cellphone. The keyboard additionally comes with a full slate of keys that make the keyboard extra handy, together with playback management, brightness keys, and quantity keys. 

Whereas this keyboard doesn’t connect to your iPad, it’s nonetheless supremely straightforward to carry together with you anyplace you go. That’s as a result of the compact keyboard weighs lower than a pound and is available in a compact and durable construct that simply matches in your lap or a tabletop. 

Some may not like that this keyboard requires two AAA batteries (we advocate rechargeables) slightly than makes use of an inner battery; nevertheless, the low energy calls for imply you shouldn’t want to interchange these batteries for greater than a 12 months, even with heavy use. 

Do you like to maintain issues within the Apple ecosystem for max compatibility and/or aesthetic causes? The Apple Magic Keyboard, pictured right here, is one other fabulous choice.

There’s an overabundance of iPad keyboards accessible in 2023, that are designed to go well with each kind of particular person or potential use case. Under, you’ll discover what we weighted most closely when deciding which iPad keyboards to check. We additionally thought-about price and worth and made certain to have choices that might go well with a variety of budgets. Be aware: Most of our testing was carried out on a 12.9-inch iPad Professional.

Appropriate fashions

Apple has 4 strains of iPad: iPad, iPad mini, iPad Professional, and iPad Air, which have otherwise sized shows. You’ll must just remember to’re getting an iPad keyboard that’s suitable with the mannequin you may have. That is clearly labeled on every iPad keyboard’s product web page. Should you’re uncertain of which iPad mannequin you may have, you’ll find that data by opening the settings app in your pill, tapping on “Basic,” then tapping on “About. The iPad’s mannequin title would be the third piece of data listed.

Trackpad

Many iPad keyboards launched after 2020 have a built-in trackpad to imitate the expertise of utilizing a laptop computer extra completely. A cursor will seem whenever you contact an iPad keyboard’s trackpad, and you should use it similar to the one on a laptop computer or desktop pc. You may scroll by way of internet pages or apps, swap between apps, choose textual content, and 1000’s of different instructions or gestures. Should you intend to show your iPad right into a laptop computer substitute, getting a keyboard with a trackpad will make the transition lots smoother.

Weight

One of many iPad’s best strengths—particularly in comparison with a laptop computer—is its lightness. You’re going so as to add bulk and weight by attaching a keyboard, which will likely be noticeable whenever you carry it round in a bag or backpack. We’ve famous the load of every iPad keyboard we’re recommending because of this. One metric to remember as a degree of comparability: Apple’s 13-inch M2 MacBook Air weighs 2.7 kilos.

Connectivity

An iPad keyboard could be related to the pill within the following methods: by plugging in a cable, pairing over Bluetooth, or utilizing the iPad’s magnetic pins. Every connectivity choice has execs and cons, however there’s no considerably higher or worse connectivity technique.

Typing necessities

Not all keyboards are created equal. In case you are trying to do lengthy phrase processing in your iPad, be sure to get a extra strong keyboard that can allow you to kind comfortably for prolonged intervals of time. In case you are simply utilizing your iPad keyboard as an inbetween, it is perhaps extra worthwhile to economize and go for a less expensive, much less ergonomic keyboard. 

Perform keys

All the iPad keyboards we’re recommending have a row of perform keys on prime. These keys mean you can modify the iPad’s brightness and quantity or entry different helpful system settings on the push of a button.

Backlit keys

Should you plan on utilizing your iPad for productiveness duties in any respect hours of the day and night time, it could be useful to get one with backlit keys. This may mean you can kind extra simply when working in areas with out a whole lot of gentle.

iPad utilization

Will you be typing, or do you intend on performing some drawing as properly? A keyboard connected to your iPad could be cumbersome if you end up utilizing your iPad as a pill and never typing. If that’s the case, contemplate a folio with a keyboard that may detach or a very exterior keyboard that enables unhindered use whenever you’re not typing. 

iPad safety

Contemplate if you’ll be treating your keyboard as an iPad case as properly. If that’s the case, how a lot safety do you want? In case you are consistently throwing your iPad out and in of your bag, be sure to have again and edge safety. If, nevertheless, it’s simply an in-between workstation at dwelling, you might be able to get away with a keyboard that doesn’t supply any, or simply minimal, safety. 

FAQs

Remaining ideas on the very best iPad keyboards

Apple continues to enhance each iPad {hardware} and iPadOS in ways in which make the pill a viable laptop computer substitute for an increasing number of individuals. The introduction of trackpad assist in 2020 was its final main push on this space, and it allowed the corporate (and third events) to design iPad keyboards that have been far more Mac-like than earlier than. Whether or not you’ve bought an older iPad you’d prefer to try to use in new methods or have gone all-in on the iPad productiveness way of life, a keyboard isn’t a mandatory accent, nevertheless it does open up use instances for the pill that wouldn’t in any other case be attainable. It’ll have the most important influence in your typing pace, and lots of widespread purposes have begun constructing keyboard shortcuts into their software program to make it simpler (and quicker) to entry key capabilities. And iPad keyboards with trackpads flip the iPad right into a professional laptop computer competitor in lots of cases; in any case, the most recent iPad Professionals run on the identical processor as the latest MacBooks. If you wish to get essentially the most out of Apple’s pill, we strongly counsel pairing it with a keyboard.

Why belief us

Standard Science began writing about know-how greater than 150 years in the past. There was no such factor as “gadget writing” after we revealed our first difficulty in 1872, but when there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for on a regular basis readers means we might have been throughout it. Right here within the current, PopSci is totally dedicated to serving to readers navigate the more and more intimidating array of units in the marketplace proper now.

Our writers and editors have mixed a long time of expertise protecting and reviewing shopper electronics. We every have our personal obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video video games to cameras and past—however after we’re reviewing units exterior of our fast wheelhouses, we do our greatest to hunt out reliable voices and opinions to assist information individuals to the easiest suggestions. We all know we don’t know all the pieces, however we’re excited to reside by way of the evaluation paralysis that web purchasing can spur so readers don’t need to.