Best iPad Keyboards  | Review - video Dailymotion

Tom's Guide

Trying to turn your iPad into a “laptop replacement”? Whether you want the premium feel of the Magic Keyboard, a more affordable alternative like the ESR Rebound 360, or the ultra-rugged Zagg Rugged Book, @paulantill tested the best iPad keyboards you can buy today to help you figure out which one actually delivers. If you’re upgrading to iPadOS 26 and ready to multitask like never before, here’s the best way to unlock the iPad’s full potential. This roundup breaks down the productivity experience, design, protection, and value each case offers. Perfect for iPadOS 26 multitaskers, writers, students, or remote workers.

Transcript

00:00iPads these days pack some serious power, especially for Pro and Air models.

00:04But no matter how great the specs are, one thing is always holding iPads back from being a true

00:09productivity machine. A solid keyboard. With iPadOS 26 bringing better multitasking and

00:15productivity features, pairing your iPad with the right wireless keyboard unlocks its full

00:20potential and makes it way closer to a laptop replacement. So here are the best keyboards

00:24that I've tested that covers the bases. From premium to budget, some with integrated cases,

00:29a few standalone keyboards, and a couple with surprisingly useful features. And as always,

00:34I have everything featured in this video linked below if you want to check them out.

00:38We're kicking things off with the most recognized iPad keyboard you can buy today,

00:42the Apple Magic Keyboard. And yes, before you head to the comments, I know it's crazy expensive

00:47starting at $250 depending on which iPad model you need. But if you're more serious about turning

00:52your iPad, iPad Air, or iPad Pro into a true MacBook alternative with zero compromise,

00:59this is the one to beat. Other keyboards offer solid alternatives, but Apple's Magic Keyboard

01:05nails the buy once, cry once mentality about investing in a good quality keyboard. You get

01:10a full function row, aluminum palm rest, and a large haptic trackpad that feels super premium.

01:16The typing experience is excellent. The floating cantilever design makes it easy to adjust your iPad

01:21angle, and it connects instantly with a smart connector. No pairing and no charging required.

01:26There are a few trade-offs, like offering no protection when the keyboard is detached.

01:30Not to mention this thing is heavy. For example, if you've got the larger 13-inch

01:35iPad Pro with the Magic Keyboard, that combo almost weighs as much as a MacBook Air, which is just wild.

01:40At first glance, this might look like another Apple Magic Keyboard, but the ESR Rebound

01:47Magnetic Keyboard Case 360 adds a few clever twists at less than half the price.

01:51This iPad keyboard supports rotating your tablet and typing in both landscape and portrait mode,

01:58which comes in handy depending on what you're doing. The keyboard connects over Bluetooth and

02:02has its own battery that charges via USB-C, so you can use it wirelessly or even pair it with other

02:07devices. You do lose that pass-through charging and there's no function row at the top, which is a

02:13minor inconvenience that I really haven't missed though. What I really like is that the keyboard and case

02:17are separate, so when you pop the iPad off, it's still well-protected. But notice that the standalone

02:23case doesn't have its own kickstand, so you'll need the keyboard attached for adjustable angles.

02:27Otherwise, you get a magnetic strap to secure your Apple Pencil, some nice color options, and way more

02:34flexibility. Again, the keys and trackpad aren't as quality as Apple's, but for the price, it's still a

02:40strong pick. The Logitech Combo Touch goes for a different approach with an iPad keyboard that detaches from

02:46the case when you don't need it. You still get a solid backlit keyboard, a much larger trackpad,

02:52and smart connector support, so no charging or Bluetooth pairing required, which is a big plus.

02:57This one's great if you still want that classic iPad experience. You can flip the keyboard around

03:03to the back or pop it off completely, and the case itself has a built-in adjustable kickstand.

03:08The downside? The keyboard only works when attached, so no wireless or multi-device connectivity here.

03:14While you get similar keys to the Magic Keyboard, relying on a kickstand means that it's less stable

03:19on your lap or on less-than-perfectly-flat surfaces, where the keyboard can come loose a bit too easily.

03:24But for something lightweight, flexible, and easy to switch between typing and tablet mode,

03:28the Combo Touch is one of the better hybrid picks out there. And for just $160,

03:32it's a great deal, but you can also find it on sale for less.

03:35For the simplest, most budget-friendly iPad keyboard pick,

03:39the Omotan Bluetooth keyboard is a solid little companion. It's usually priced at under $20

03:44colors on Amazon and pairs easily with any iPad or Bluetooth device. You get a full function row,

03:49and arguably the most ergonomic typing experience on this list thanks to the raised back feet and

03:55full-size keys. I'm sure a lot of people, including the over 20,000 people who reviewed this on Amazon,

04:00like this because it looks really similar to the Bluetooth Magic Keyboard Apple Cells for Mac.

04:05You could keep it simple and on-brand with the silver, but there are a bunch of other fun colors

04:11colors that you can pick from. It's definitely not premium with its plastic build and body flex,

04:16especially with more aggressive typing, but it gets the job done on a budget. It's our most

04:21affordable option on the list, but still might be the best choice if you type for longer periods of

04:26time on the go. I have another more traditional wireless iPad keyboard pick if you're willing to

04:32spend a little bit more, $80 to be exact, and it's the Logitech K780. This is the desktop-style

04:39champion meant for typing across all your devices. It's less about creating a laptop-like iPad experience

04:46and more about simplifying your workflow across tablet, phone, and even computer. It's a full-size

04:51keyboard with a cradle that keeps your iPad or phone upright in either orientation, and it connects

04:57via Bluetooth to up to three devices. You just tap the easy switch button to jump between them.

05:02It's powered by two AAA batteries, and it's rated for up to two years of use. Now, this is our heaviest

05:08and largest keyboard on the list, so it's meant to stay as part of your desk setup. But if you

05:13regularly switch between your devices during the day and frequently work from the same spot, the K780

05:18helps streamline your workflow. Because it doesn't directly attach to your iPad like some of our other

05:23picks here, you never have to replace it if you upgrade your tablet or switch devices. The Logitech

05:29Folio Touch is a $160 iPad keyboard that takes a fully wireless approach, connecting via Bluetooth

05:35to up to three devices and running on a coin cell battery, so no charging required. It's slim,

05:41lightweight, and magnetically attaches to the back of its case when you're not using it. One limitation,

05:47though, is that the case offers no side protection for your iPad, and the magnetic keyboard

05:51attachment, while cool, can get knocked loose if it's upside down. I've even had it fall off just when

05:56pulling it out of my bag, which is why you see the P key missing. While there's no trackpad,

06:01it might not be a deal breaker if you use your touchscreen a lot like me or you prefer using

06:06a wireless mouse. Just don't expect to use this comfortably on your lap since the keyboard doesn't

06:11physically attach to the case, so it's pretty much desk-only use. This is our most unique keyboard pick,

06:17but if you're like me and want a super portable wireless iPad keyboard for touch-first workflows,

06:23this one covers the basics. So if you've made it this far and are thinking that none of these look

06:29protective enough for how you treat your iPad, this zag rugged book is built like a tank. With

06:34this magnetic hinge that opens like a laptop, it reminds me of those mini netbooks from 2008,

06:39chunky, utilitarian, but incredibly reliable. It features a detachable case for your iPad that you

06:44can also use backwards for better stylus support. This iPad keyboard still connects via Bluetooth and

06:50charges via USB-C. It also supports seven colors of backlight, but it loses that built-in mouse. This

06:56also is drop-resistant up to 6.6 feet, but this one offers even more protection. While it's one of

07:02the heaviest iPad keyboards you can buy, it'll help keep your tablet safe no matter where you take it,

07:07all for $150 or less depending on the iPad model. Speaking of iPad models, the most important thing when

07:14shopping for a lot of these iPad keyboards with cases attached is to make sure you're getting the right

07:19one for your specific iPad. If you're not sure what kind of iPad you have, you can quickly check by

07:24opening Settings, General, About, then look for Model Name and Model Number. If you really want to unlock

07:31the full productivity of your iPad, there's a keyboard on this list that'll make the experience smoother,

07:36faster, and way more enjoyable. Let me know which one you're considering or if there are any others

07:41that I should try next time. If you found this video helpful, consider subscribing. For more cool tech,

07:46you can find us everywhere at Tom's Guide, and you can follow me to see what other cool tech I'm testing.

07:50Until the next one, I'll catch you later.

Best iPad Keyboards | Review

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