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The best iPad Pro keyboards should provide solid protection for your iPad, ease of use, and versatility, while coming in at a reasonable price and of course offering a great typing experience. A device like the iPad Pro is many things to many people, so your specific needs will determine which kind of keyboard works best for you, but as you can see from our selections, there are a lot of great options to choose from.
One thing that is certain is that if you do any serious amount of typing on your iPad Pro, the on-screen keyboard just isn't going to cut it, and you'll definitely want to go with a hardware keyboard of some kind. While most iPad Pro keyboards come with attached cases that are designed to provide some level of protection for your iPad, others focus more on the keyboard and typing experience, leaving you to find other ways to protect your iPad.
For most people, a big part of the reason of choosing an iPad instead of a more traditional laptop is the ability to use it as a tablet, so it's also important that an iPad Pro keyboard can stay out of the way when you don't need it, either by folding discretely behind the iPad or by allowing you to remove it entirely.
With a lot of high-quality keyboards already under their belt, Logitech’s Slim Folio Pro checks all of the boxes for a best iPad Pro keyboard. Thanks to Logitech’s solid scissor-switch keyboard design, the Slim Folio Pro's keys are nice and responsive, and you’ll be able to type for hours without fatigue. It’s a standard Bluetooth keyboard, so you’ll need to pair it with your iPad, but once it's connected, the keyboard is very easy to set up and use. There's also a magnetic dock that holds the keyboard in an upright position and acts as a power switch, automatically preserving battery life when it’s not in use. Since part of the front cover folds back to form a stand, this keyboard also makes for a great portable option.
It’s also one of the more versatile keyboard cases. While most iPad keyboards focus primarily on typing, the Slim Folio Pro is convenient for drawing or reading since you can fold the keyboard to place it flat or in your hand. It also has a full collection of iPad-specific keyboard shortcuts for quickly going to the home screen, adjusting the brightness of the backlit keys, controlling media playback and volume, and more. Plus, the magnetic latch that closes the case also gives you a storage loop for your second-gen Apple Pencil.
Fintie’s basic keyboard case is a worthy alternative to some of the higher-end iPad Pro keyboards on the market. For the price, the keyboard provides a reasonable typing experience along with a protective case for your iPad Pro, and the detachable keyboard is a bonus, as you can use the slim folio case by itself. The keyboard is decent and responsive, with nice tactile response and no lag.
It’s also available in a wide variety of colors and styles, and while the ultra-slim design isn’t the most protective, it does securely hold the iPad Pro in place and the outer leather cover helps keep a solid grip. There’s also a slot in the back for your Apple Pencil.
If you’re looking for something with more flair, take a look at IVSO’s keyboard case, which features a faux leather exterior that’s available in a variety of color options. The case includes an integrated keyboard with decent tactile feedback and comfortability, as well as a smart stand that offers multiple viewing angles. Although a bit wide, an integrated slot below the iPad Pro provides storage for the Apple Pencil — it’s also not in an ideal charging position, although a cutout on top allows you to charge the Apple Pencil when you’re using your iPad Pro.
In addition to setting up the case for upright typing, you can also easily fold the keyboard under the tablet to sketch or read. A full four-sided plastic frame holds the iPad Pro securely in place while still providing access to all ports, and magnets in the front of the case can automatically put the iPad to sleep when the case is closed and wake it up once it's opened.
While most iPad keyboard cases offer basic protection against scuffs and scrapes, Zagg's Rugged Book Go is a solid choice if you’re constantly on the move with your iPad. Designed to take a beating, the case is rated for six-foot drop protection. Despite this, the Zagg is still a surprisingly lightweight case with a well-designed keyboard that’s second only to Logitech’s. The keys are full laptop-style with good tactile feedback, so long typing sessions won’t be a problem. And, not only is the keyboard backlit, but you’ve got seven different colors of lighting to choose from. There’s also a very secure slot to hold the Apple Pencil in position against the magnetic charging port, so it’s always ready to go when you need it.
The keyboard is detachable, and since the kickstand is on the case and not on the keyboard, you can even type at a short distance from your iPad. Plus, Zagg’s keyboard offers the ability to pair with a second device, so it can be used as an iPhone or computer keyboard as well.
Comfortable to type on
Integrated trackpad
iPad Pro can be easily removed
Expensive
Can't be used in Portrait mode
No Apple Pencil holder
Apple's new Magic Keyboard for the iPad Pro is designed for those who are looking to turn their iPad Pro into a more serious productivity tool. While it's not as fun and whimsical as some of the other options on this list, it's built from the ground up to provide a pro typing experience while also taking advantage of all of the newest features that iPadOS has to offer.
The design of the Magic Keyboard actually differs quite a bit from Apple's Smart Keyboard folio and other iPad Pro keyboards we've seen. Strong hinges and magnets hold the iPad Pro suspended above the typing area while also letting it be easily removed when you want to pick it up to use as a tablet. It also uses the Smart Connector to connect with your iPad Pro rather than Bluetooth, so you'll never need to worry about pairing it or charging it. In fact, although the Magic Keyboard includes a USB-C connector, it's only there to charge your iPad Pro so you can keep the main USB-C port free for other accessories.
Beyond the design, however, the Magic Keyboard offers something we predicted was coming and that few other iPad Pro keyboards provide right now: a trackpad. Apple has always made consistently great trackpads, and it's applied that expertise to its new iPad Pro keyboard, which is not only responsive and well designed, but also supports the usual gamut of multi-touch gestures, from two- and three-finger swipes to pinch-to-zoom. Apple has also finally done justice to a first-party iPad Pro keyboard with cleanly backlit keys that auto-adjust to ambient lighting, plus a great typing experience that's surprisingly close to using a MacBook.
Although Brydge doesn't offer the most protective solution, the Brydge Pro is one of the most durable iPad keyboards on the market. It's designed similarly to a MacBook keyboard and feels almost exactly like typing on a laptop, with responsive keys that have just the right amount of tactile feedback. Made from a solid aluminum construction, its design helps keep the iPad Pro and keyboard securely in place when typing without the need for a rear stand — also making it useful when you're typing in your lap.
The iPad Pro slips into two hinges on the keyboard, effectively creating a laptop-style clamshell design that can be adjusted to any angle, including a tablet mode where the keyboard stays tucked behind the iPad. Plus, the keyboard can be removed for when you want to use your iPad Pro without the burden of a case. While prior Brydge keyboards left the rear of the iPad exposed, the new 11-inch iPad Pro version includes a magnetic snap-on cover to protect the back of your iPad from scratches.
Apple’s Smart Connector is arguably one of the most underused features of the iPad Pro — an intelligent docking connector found on the lower rear of the iPad, which facilitates the connection of accessories such as keyboards and charging docks. The new Smart Keyboard Folio provides a physical connection to the Smart Connector by adding a flap that also doubles as protection for the back of the iPad.
Although most iPad Bluetooth keyboards provide long battery life, Apple’s Smart Keyboard Folio doesn't need to be charged to pair with the iPad. It draws its power from the iPad Pro, although not any more than a Bluetooth connection would, and there’s no need to do anything other than plug it in. Beyond that, however, it’s a fairly minimalist keyboard design, featuring little protection for the encased iPad Pro, but the keyboard is also one of the more thinner options, as it doesn't require space for batteries or Bluetooth radios.
While many iPad Pro keyboard cases feature slots for your Apple Pencil, Zagg’s Slim Book Go offers the most versatility. Most keyboard cases simply have a loop or holder outside of the case, and while this is an ideal position for charging the new second-gen Apple Pencil, it’s not the most well-protected spot when you’re carrying your iPad Pro around.
Slim Book Go provides three places to put your Apple Pencil: on the top of the iPad Pro for charging, a storage slot at the base of the cover, and a holder at the top of the keyboard for setting it down. While the storage slot makes the case a little wider than most, it's the safest way to carry this expensive accessory. The case and keyboard also feature a lightweight, portable design, and although it’s not the slimmest case from Zagg, it does offer nice laptop-style keys for a comfortable typing experience. The case also includes the same seven-color backlight and multi-device pairing as Zagg’s other keyboards, plus it’s detachable so you can also use the keyboard with your iPhone.
Since the iPad supports any Bluetooth keyboard, you don't have to limit yourself to just iPad keyboards. If a keyboard's quality is more important to you than portability, Apple’s Magic Keyboard 2 is just as solid of an option for iPad users as it is for Mac users. By using an Apple keyboard, you can use special function keys to control features like brightness, media playback, and volume control on the iPad. It’s also worth noting that a standard keyboard gives you an ESC key — which can be useful in many iOS apps but isn’t found on most iPad keyboards due to limited space for other special functions.
You can also use the Magic Keyboard 2 completely standalone and prop your iPad Pro up using any case you like. There are also a number of cases available that are designed for the Magic Keyboard 2, such as the Studio Neat Canopy or Fintie Carrying Case for Apple Magic Keyboard, although they work as iPad stands rather than cases and aren't designed for portable use.
Logitech's Slim Folio Pro offers the best combination of a quality keyboard and a protective case, but if you're looking to use your iPad Pro for serious work, Apple's Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro could easily be worth the higher price of admission.
Jesse Hollington is a tech journalist with over 10 years of experience writing about technology, with an especially strong expertise in all things iPhone, iPad, and Apple. Jesse previously served as Editor-in-Chief for iLounge, authored books on the iPod and iTunes, and has published product reviews, editorials, and how-to articles on Forbes, Yahoo, The Independent, and iDropNews.
Protection - The iPad Pro is a great device, but with an all-glass front, it's not the most ruggedly built, and keep in mind that most keyboards are designed to encase your iPad Pro as well, so if you're frequently on the road you'll want to be sure to pick a case that offers an appropriate amount of protection against drops, bumps, and scuffs.
Typing Experience - Let's face it, if you're investing in an iPad Pro keyboard, you're doing it because the on-screen keyboard just isn't cutting it, so you'll want to make sure that the keyboard you pick is easy to type on. While it may not matter as much if you're only planning to dash off the occasional email, if you plan to do any long-form writing, you'll want to look to companies with established track records in designing great keyboards.
Ease of Use & Versatility - There are a lot of different ways to use an iPad Pro, so few companies are trying to build a "one-size-fits-all" solution. While some cases allow you to detach the keyboard or remove the iPad entirely to make it easy to switch into a more traditional tablet mode, they may be more awkward to use or compromise on typing experience or protection.