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 iPad Pro with the
01:36Magic 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. This iPad keyboard supports
01:54rotating your tablet and typing in both landscape and portrait mode, which comes in handy depending
01:59on what you're doing. The keyboard connects over Bluetooth and has its own battery that charges via
02:04USB-C, so you can use it wirelessly or even pair it with other devices. You do lose that pass-through
02:10charging, and there's no function row at the top, which is a minor inconvenience that I really haven't
02:14missed though. What I really like is that the keyboard and case are separate, so when you pop the
02:19iPad off, it's still well protected. But notice that the standalone case doesn't have its own kickstand,
02:24so you'll need the keyboard attached for adjustable angles. Otherwise, you get a magnetic strap to
02:30secure your Apple Pencil, some nice color options, and way more flexibility. Again, the keys and trackpad
02:36aren't as quality as Apple's, but for the price, it's still a strong pick. The Logitech Combo Touch
02:42goes for a different approach, with an iPad keyboard that detaches from the case when you don't need it.
02:48You still get a solid backlit keyboard, a much larger trackpad, and smart connector support,
02:54so no charging or Bluetooth pairing required, which is a big plus. This one's great if you still want
03:00that classic iPad experience. You can flip the keyboard around to the back or pop it off completely,
03:05and the case itself has a built-in adjustable kickstand. The downside? The keyboard only works
03:11when attached, so no wireless or multi-device connectivity here. While you get similar keys to
03:16the Magic Keyboard, relying on a kickstand means that it's less stable on your lap or on less than
03:20perfectly flat surfaces, where the keyboard can come loose a bit too easily. But for something
03:25lightweight, flexible, and easy to switch between typing and tablet mode, the Combo Touch is one of
03:30the better hybrid picks out there. And for just $160, it's a great deal, but you can also find it on sale
03:34for less. For the simplest, most budget-friendly iPad keyboard pick, the Omotan Bluetooth keyboard
03:40is a solid little companion. It's usually priced at under $20 on Amazon and pairs easily with any
03:46iPad or Bluetooth device. You get a full function row and arguably the most ergonomic typing experience
03:52on this list thanks to the raised back feet and full-size keys. I'm sure a lot of people,
03:57including the over 20,000 people who reviewed this on Amazon, like this because it looks really similar
04:03to the Bluetooth Magic Keyboard Apple Cells for Mac. You could keep it simple and on-brand with the
04:09silver, but there are a bunch of other fun colors that you can pick from. It's definitely not premium
04:14with its plastic build and body flex, especially with more aggressive typing, but it gets the job
04:19done on a budget. It's our most affordable option on the list, but still might be the best choice if you
04:25type for longer periods of time on the go. I have another more traditional wireless iPad keyboard pick
04:32if you're willing to spend a little bit more, $80 to be exact, and it's the Logitech K780.
04:38This is the desktop-style champion meant for typing across all your devices. It's less about creating
04:43a laptop-like iPad experience and more about simplifying your workflow across tablet, phone,
04:49and even computer. It's a full-size keyboard with a cradle that keeps your iPad or phone upright
04:54in either orientation, and it connects via Bluetooth to up to three devices. You just tap the easy
05:00switch button to jump between them. It's powered by two AAA batteries, and it's rated for up to two
05:05years of use. Now, this is our heaviest and largest keyboard on the list, so it's meant to stay as part
05:11of your desk setup. But if you regularly switch between your devices during the day and frequently
05:16work from the same spot, the K780 helps streamline your workflow. Because it doesn't directly attach to
05:22your iPad like some of our other picks here, you never have to replace it if you upgrade your
05:26tablet or Switch devices. The Logitech Folio Touch is a $160 iPad keyboard that takes a fully wireless
05:33approach, connecting via Bluetooth to up to three devices and running on a coin cell battery,
05:39so no charging required. It's slim, lightweight, and magnetically attaches to the back of its case
05:45when you're not using it. One limitation, though, is that the case offers no side protection for your
05:50iPad, and the magnetic keyboard attachment, while cool, can get knocked loose if it's upside down.
05:55I've even had it fall off just when pulling it out of my bag, which is why you see the P key missing.
06:00While there's no trackpad, it might not be a deal breaker if you use your touchscreen a lot like me,
06:05or you prefer using a wireless mouse. Just don't expect to use this comfortably on your lap since
06:10the keyboard doesn't physically attach to the case, so it's pretty much desk-only use. This is our most
06:16unique keyboard pick. But if you're like me and want a super portable wireless iPad keyboard for
06:21touch-first workflows, this one covers the basics. So if you've made it this far and are thinking that
06:28none of these look protective enough for how you treat your iPad, the Zag Rugged Book is built like
06:33a tank. With this magnetic hinge that opens like a laptop, it reminds me of those mini netbooks from
06:382008. Chunky, utilitarian, but incredibly reliable. It features a detachable case for your iPad that
06:44you can also use backwards for better stylus support. This iPad keyboard still connects via
06:49Bluetooth and charges via USB-C. It also supports seven colors of backlight, but it loses that built-in
06:56mouse. This also is drop-resistant up to 6.6 feet, but this one offers even more protection. While it's
07:02one of the heaviest iPad keyboards you can buy, it'll help keep your tablet safe no matter where
07:06you take it. All for $150 or less, depending on the iPad model. Speaking of iPad models, the most
07:13important thing when shopping for a lot of these iPad keyboards with cases attached is to make sure
07:18you're getting the right one for your specific iPad. If you're not sure what kind of iPad you have,
07:23you can quickly check by opening Settings, General, About. Then look for Model Name and Model Number. If you
07:30really want to unlock the full productivity of your iPad, there's a keyboard on this list that'll make
07:35the experience smoother, faster, and way more enjoyable. Let me know which one you're considering
07:40or if there are any others that I should try next time. If you found this video helpful, consider
07:44subscribing. For more cool tech, you can find us everywhere at Tom's Guide, and you can follow me
07:48to see what other cool tech I'm testing. Until the next one, I'll catch you later.
08:00Bye.
08:01Bye.
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