The 5 Best iPad And iPad Pro Keyboards - Black Friday 2024

The Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad 2021 is the best keyboard for older iPad models we've tested. As its name suggests, it's Apple's flagship model, available in sizes compatible with the 11-inch iPad Pro (1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th gen), the 12.9-inch iPad Pro (3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th gen), as well as the 4th- and 5th-generation iPad Air. It connects with Apple's Smart Connector feature and draws power directly from the iPad. While this means the keyboard isn't compatible with any other mobile device, you don't have to worry about charging your iPad and keyboard separately.

The overall build quality is excellent with premium-feeling materials. The folio case attaches with a strong magnet on the back that holds your iPad in place, and the keyboard part has a rubber exterior, so the whole unit stays firmly in place on desks or other hard surfaces. It's also sturdy enough to use on your lap without flexing or tipping over. The typing experience feels responsive and satisfying, with tactile scissor switches that are also very quiet and unlikely to bother those around you. The only downside is that the case doesn't cover the sides of the iPad, leaving them exposed. If you're frequently traveling with your iPad, you might prefer the added side protection offered by the Logitech Combo Touch.

The best keyboard for Apple's newest iPad Pro (M4) models is the Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro (M4). Note that these keyboards are only compatible with the 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Pro (M4) models. Apple has changed the location of the Smart Connector pins with the design of the M4 models, so you can't use this keyboard with older iPads.

If you're familiar with previous generation Apple Magic Keyboards for the iPad, this keyboard offers a similar typing experience but introduces several small changes. These changes include a higher-quality aluminum keyboard case, and a slightly larger trackpad, now made of glass. It also has a redesigned cantilever hinge that provides better viewing angles and more space for your fingers to access the new dedicated row of function keys at the top of the keyboard. One final thing to consider is that, much like the Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad 2021, this keyboard's folio cover doesn't wrap around the sides of the iPad. If you frequently use your keyboard on the go and would benefit from some added side protection, you may want to consider the Logitech Combo Touch below.

If you're looking for a mid-range folio keyboard that offers edge protection for your iPad and a detachable keyboard portion, we recommend the Logitech Combo Touch. It has similar features and is sometimes only marginally cheaper than our first pick, the Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad 2021, but it also frequently goes on sale for significantly cheaper. Note that the Combo Touch has specific variants compatible with select iPads, including older 11-inch iPad Pro (1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th gen), 12.9-inch iPad Pro (5th and 6th gen) models, and iPad Air (4th and 5th gen) models. Lastly, Logitech has a closely related product called the Logitech Combo Touch for iPad Pro which is compatible with the 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Pro (M4) models. Just note that these are a bit different with a slightly thinner design and some material changes, including a new metal covering instead of fabric.

Just like the Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad keyboards above, the Logitech Combo Touch uses a Smart Connector. You won't have to charge the keyboard as it'll draw power straight from the iPad. That said, it has a more traditional folio case design with rubberized edges that can protect against small bumps and scuffs when you're out in the world. 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 big trackpad for on-screen navigation, so you don't have to get fingerprints on your screen, and there's even a cutout in the folio for charging an Apple Magic Pencil. Overall, this folio keyboard doesn't quite feel as premium as the Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad options above. However, it offers the same foundational features with a bit more protection for your iPad and a detachable keyboard—all at a mid-range price point and with variants compatible with all iPad models.

For the best keyboard for iPad 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 ZAGG 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. Unlike the pricier Logitech Combo Touch and Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad 2021, it doesn't use Apple's Smart Connector, so you'll need to charge this board separately. If that isn't an issue, 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 often sit with your iPad on your lap, 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 any model iPad you have via Bluetooth connection. 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, 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 Pebble Keys 2 K380s, which has a 75% compact layout. This smaller form factor makes it more portable, and it's typically more affordable to boot. 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 up your mobile devices.