The Best iPad Air keyboards
Slim, portable, easy to use: Three of the best small-bag-friendly ways to type with the iPad Air.
- Nearly 20 years writing about tech, and over a decade reviewing wearable tech, VR, and AR products and apps
Microsoft's Surface Pro 3 may be the most fully fledged way to mesh a tablet and laptop, but if you own an iPad there are ways to at least work on the go with a keyboard and feel somewhat productive. I'd recommend a larger-screened iPad over a smaller one if you're doing serious typing, because larger, better keyboard accessories match well with them.
Suddenly there are a lot of new keyboard options for iPad Air owners, but my recent three favorites are all keyboard covers: the new Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover for iPad Air , the Belkin Qode Thin Type Keyboard , and a low-cost newcomer: the Anker TC930 Ultra-Thin Keyboard Cover .
All three latch on the side of the iPad Air and act as a thick cover when not in use, then lie flat and act as a dockable Bluetooth keyboard when put on a table. There are standalone and keyboard cases, too, but I prefer keyboard covers...although, be forewarned: they're not very lap-friendly.
Here's what I loved and wasn't so hot about for each.
Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover ($100, £90)
Why it's good: The name's the same, but the newest Ultrathin has an adjustable angle, letting you push the iPad back just a little bit more. The keyboard feels great to type on: it's my favorite for writing on an iPad.
Why it's not: Some people may not love how plastic-feeling a lot of the new Ultrathin feels. The bend-back mechanism feels a little flimsy and hard to adjust, too.
Belkin Qode Thin Type Keyboard Case ($100, £80, $110 AU)
Why it's good: Belkin has a very worthy Ultrathin competitor in the Qode Thin Type. It's almost all metal, very sturdy, and automatically pairs with the iPad once it's popped in the groove. A lot of iOS-specific keys make multitasking easier.
Why it's not: Typing doesn't feel as good, for me, as on Logitech's crisper, flatter keys. It's close, though.
Anker TC930 Ultra-Thin Keyboard Cover ($80, £70)
Why it's good: Though it retails for $80, Anker's case can be bought online for a third of what Logitech's or Belkin's does (at least as of this writing). It feels as sturdy as Logitech's keyboard, and has the same type of on switch.
Why it's not: Key responsiveness isn't as good: I found I got some repeating keys. iOS-specific keys require pressing the Fn key at the same time.
Check out the video above for some cross comparisons. Happy typing!