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.
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