The iPad is getting ever more powerful, and a good add-on keyboard can help you turn your iPad into a real rival for a conventional MacBook laptop
When the iPad was first launched, it was primarily intended as a device for entertainment–for tasks such as web browsing, streaming video and gaming. In recent years, though, Apple has increasingly turned the iPad into a productivity tool, both for routine office work, and also for creative users who work in fields such as graphics, video and design.
The big drawback here, of course, is the iPad’s lack of a physical keyboard–but, of course, Apple never misses the chance to sell some expensive peripherals and accessories, and it has been quick to release a number of keyboards designed specifically for the iPad. Currently, Apple sells two kinds of iPad keyboard: the Magic Keyboard and the Magic Keyboard Folio. The former is an all-in-one keyboard and cover that encases the iPad, and the latter is a two-part keyboard and stand. Some of Apple’s iPad keyboards are designed for specific iPad models and some are available in different sizes for use with several different iPad models.
Of course, there are also plenty of alternative keyboards available from rivals such as Logitech, which are often cheaper than Apple’s own keyboards, and may provide additional features too. So here’s our guide to the best keyboards that can help you to get some serious work done with your iPad.
This article covers keyboards that can be used with a variety of iPad models, we’ve included links so you can find the model that works with your iPad. You don’t have to use a keyboard designed specifically to work with an iPad though–any Bluetooth keyboard will connect to and work with an iPad, and this can often be a cheaper solution. So if you are looking for a wireless keyboard check out our round-up of the best Mac keyboards.
Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro
Pros
- Perfectly designed for iPad Pro
- Function key strip
- Larger trackpad
Cons
- High price
- Cover material attracts dust
- For: 11-inch iPad Pro M4, 13-inch iPad Pro M4
Apple introduced a brand new keyboard alongside the M4 iPad Pro models in 2024, while it seems to consider the existing Magic Keyboard good enough for the M2 iPad Air.
The Magic Keyboard for the iPad Pro M4, comes in white or black for both 11-inch and 13-inch configurations. It is aluminum on the inside, which (if you choose the black model) makes it look similar to a current MacBook Air when in use.
A strong magnet holds the iPad Pro tightly in place and three contacts connect to the keyboard. Like all Apple iPad keyboards the iPad doesn’t connect via Bluetooth, but via the three contacts of the Smart Connector.
You don’t have to pair the keyboard with the iPad and it does not require its own power supply, which allows it to be compact and light. There is a USB-C port on the joint, but this is a pass-through port, only for charging. Thus, the USB-C port at the base of the iPad Pro remains free.
When open, the cantilever design smoothly adjusts to multiple viewing angles. The keyboard is sturdy. The keys are pleasant to type with. Along the tip is a strip of 14 function keys (including screen brightness, volume controls and other features), the older model lacked this, although the 10th generation iPad keyboard (below) shares this feature.
Apple has also improved the trackpad for this model. It is now larger, made of glass and works much more precisely and reliably than the trackpad on the standard Magic Keyboard and the Magic Keyboard Folio. It delivers haptic feedback and works with Multi‑Touch gestures.
When folded up the case provides front and back protection for your iPad. The outside of the 658g/1.45lb case is rubberized, so it’s quite grippy and can’t slip out of your hand easily. However, this surface is unfortunately also more sensitive to dirt than the aluminum inside, and the black cover seems to attract dust. At least this can be wiped off.
Pick the correct model for your iPad:
Logitech Combo Touch
Pros
- Light
- Large trackpad
- Function keys (including screen grab and Siri triggers)
Cons
- Doesn't match the Apple Magic Keyboard quality
- For: 11-inch iPad Pro M4, 11-inch iPad Air M2, 13-inch iPad Pro M4, 13-inch iPad Air M2
- Logitech also sells versions of the Combo Touch for iPad (10th gen) and older iPad models.
Previous models in the Combo Touch range were all very similar, simply varying in size to accommodate different iPad models, and the different types of Smart Connector that Apple has introduced over the years. However, the new 2024 edition has had a bit of a redesign and is available for the latest 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Air and iPad Pro with M2 and M4 processors that were launched in May this year.
It still retains the detachable, two-piece design of previous models, with a separate case and keyboard panel. You can use the iPad in the case without the keyboard, just to provide some extra protection when you’re holding the iPad in your hands or carrying it around, and there’s a cut-out section on the case that leaves room to attach an Apple Pencil. The case also has an adjustable stand that will allow you to sit back and watch video while the iPad sits on a desk or table.
When you’re ready to do some work you can simply use the Smart Connectors on the case to attach the keyboard panel and start typing. That’s business as usual for the Combo Touch keyboards, but these redesigned models for 2024 are quite a bit lighter than their predecessors. The keyboards for the 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Air weigh 495g and 686g respectively, and–as with Apple’s new Magic Keyboard–the iPad Pro version is even lighter, at 474g for the 11-inch model and 660g for the 13-inch model.
The trackpad on these new keyboards is larger as well, which makes it easier to use multi-finger gestures for tasks such as zooming in on photos, or flicking from one photo to another. The keyboard feels firm and responsive, and there have been some changes to the Function keys as well. The keys that previously activated the on-screen keyboard and Search have been replaced with keys for capturing screenshots and using Siri or dictation, and the key that used to lock the iPad screen now switches to Do Not Disturb mode. So while it might not have the luxurious materials and build quality of the new Apple Magic Keyboard, the Combo Touch for 2024 provides a lightweight and versatile keyboard/case combo at a considerably lower price than its Apple rival.
Pick the correct model for your iPad:
- 13-inch iPad Pro, M4: $259/£259. Buy from Amazon US / Amazon UK
- 11-inch iPad Pro, M4: $229.99/£229.99. Buy from Amazon US / Amazon UK
- 13-inch iPad Air, M2: $229.99/£229.99. Buy from Amazon US / Amazon UK
- 11-inch iPad Air M2: $199.99/£199.99. Buy from Amazon US / Amazon UK
- iPad (10th gen): $159.99/£159.99. Buy from Amazon US / Amazon UK
ESR Rebound 360
Pros
- Can position iPad in landscape or portrait mode
- Competitive price
- Function keys
Cons
- Heavy
- Small trackpad
For: 11-inch iPad Pro M4, 13-inch iPad Pro M4
Most keyboards designed for the iPad stick with a conventional landscape (horizontal) design, but ESR’s competitively priced Rebound 360 has a handy trick up its sleeve as it allows you to place the iPad in either landscape or portrait (vertical) mode. The Rebound 360 is available in a variety of sizes, including models for the 2024 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Pro and iPad Air, and ESR also provides U.S. and U.K. keyboard layouts as well. Just take care when ordering, though, as there’s an older model – simply called the Rebound – which is limited to landscape mode only.
Like most iPad keyboards, the Rebound 360 has a hinged stand that allows you to adjust the viewing angle. However, the iPad itself is held in place by slotting it into a detachable magnetic case. This allows you to remove the iPad while it’s in the case and rotate it between portrait and landscape modes as required, perhaps using portrait mode for typing or scrolling through long documents or web pages.
You can also just remove the iPad while it’s in the case and hold it in your hands when you want to use it as a tablet, and then attach it to the keyboard again when you need to get back to work. The only disadvantage of this design is that the keyboard is heavier than some of its rivals, weighing in at a full one kilogram.
The keyboard is well built though, providing good protection for the iPad when you’re traveling. There’s a magnetic clasp to make sure that the screen isn’t exposed accidentally, and the clasp can also be used to hold an Apple Pen or stylus in place as well.
The trackpad is a little small, perhaps, but the keyboard itself is ideal for working on the move, with firm keys that feel smooth and responsive when you’re typing. There’s a row of Function keys that can be used to adjust volume and brightness, Play/Pause for music and video, and activate the Lock screen. Like most keyboards, the Rebound 360 has a Function key that lets you adjust the level of the backlight, but there’s also a key that lets you change the color too.
If you get carried away with the colorful backlight then the battery will only last for about two weeks, but you can extend that to around three months of daytime use without the backlight, and we like the fact that the backlight turns itself off automatically after 90 seconds of inactivity to help save power.
Pick the correct model for your iPad:
Logitech Folio Touch
Pros
- Protective loop for Apple Pencil
- iPad specific function keys
- Connection to the iPad via Smart Connector
Cons
- Only available for some iPads
- For: iPad Air 11-inch (M2) and iPad Air (gen 4 – 5)
The Folio Touch is the little brother of Logitech’s Combo Touch. Both combine all-round protection for the iPad and a full-fledged keyboard with trackpad – both have succeeded.
The mounting of the iPad in the Folio Touch case is easy and the rubber corners keep the iPad secure at all times, the fit is good. Thanks to the connection via the Smart Connector on the back, the Folio Touch does not require its own battery or connection via Bluetooth.
There is a row of iOS specific keys along the top row offering a home button, volume control, a search key, and screen locking.
The keyboard is firmly connected to the case, but, if you do not need the keyboard, you can fold it onto the back of the iPad. Otherwise, the construction with the fold-out stand is identical to the Combo Touch. So, in addition to a position for the disc, it also offers a desk position for drawing.
There is a loop to attach the Apple Pencil, which is a good solution because the Pencil may detach if you only rely on the magnet. This is the main advantage over the Combo Touch.
Pick the correct model for your iPad:
iPad Air 11-inch (M2) and iPad Air (gen 4 – 5): $159.99/£169.99. Buy from Amazon US / Amazon UK
Apple Magic Keyboard Folio
Pros
- Function keys
- Keyboard less suited to long periods of typing
Cons
- Only available for iPad (10th gen)
- For: iPad (10th generation)
The Magic Keyboard Folio is only available in a single size and is only compatible with a single iPad model–the 10th generation standard iPad with the 10.9in display. It’s priced at $249/£249 (down from £279 at introduction).
That’s a fairly steep price given that the iPad is, after all, the entry-level model in the range, but when introduced the Magic Keyboard Folio boasted an entirely new design that set it apart from Apple’s other iPad keyboards. Some of the new features have since been adopted by the 2024 Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro (the function key row, for example).
The key difference between the Magic Keyboard and the Magic Keyboard Folio is that the latter comes in two parts, with a stand that attaches to the back of the iPad magnetically, and a separate keyboard panel that can be removed altogether when you simply want to use the iPad in tablet mode. We assume that Apple believes that users. of the standard iPad won’t always want to have their keyboard attached.
The keyboard panel is wafer-thin, so it’s best suited to basic tasks such as typing out emails rather than writing longer documents for school or for work. It does include a trackpad, though, which means there’s no need for a separate mouse or trackpad, which allows you to control most of the iPad’s main features right from the keyboard rather than having to reach forward to keep tapping the screen all the time.
When you don’t need to type you can simply detach the keyboard panel, leaving the back panel in place. This acts as a stand for the screen, allowing you to lean back and adjust the viewing angle for watching video or chatting with friends on FaceTime. You can also fold the stand flat when you’re holding the iPad in your hands, so that it acts as a protective cover the back panel of the iPad. And, when you’re traveling, you can re-attach the keyboard panel so that it protects the screen as well.
Pick the correct model for your iPad:
Apple Magic Keyboard
Pros
- Folds to provide protection
- Multi-touch trackpad
Cons
- Price is the same as the newer version
- No function keys
- For: 13-inch iPad Air M2, 11-inch iPad Air M2, 12.9-inch iPad Pro (gen 3-6), 11-inch iPad Pro (gen 1-4), iPad Air (gen 4-5)
Along with the Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro and the Magic Keyboard Folio, Apple makes one more keyboard for iPads called the Magic Keyboard. That’s actually quite a confusing name because there is also a Magic Keyboard that is designed to be used with Macs (although you can use the Mac version of the Magic Keyboard with an iPad–you can use any Bluetooth keyboard with an iPad).
Of course, what sets the iPad version of the Magic Keyboard aside from the Mac keyboard is the fact that it’s made for the iPad and it folds up to protect the iPad. And the main difference between this Magic Keyboard (and the Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro) and the Magic Keyboard Folio is that the latter comes in two parts so that the keyboard can be separated from the stand, while this model is one unit that folds up around the iPad when closed providing wrap-around protection for both the iPad screen and the back panel.
Like the newer Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro, this Magic Keyboard features an adjustable magnetic stand that holds the iPad firmly in place. The stand also tilts so that you can easily alter the angle of the screen for up-close work or sitting back and watching video.
The keyboard itself feels firm and comfortable to use–as a full-time writer I’d prefer a little more ‘travel’ on the keys, but it’s fine for general day-to-day use for writing emails and web browsing. A trackpad is included which makes using the iPad much almost like a conventional laptop, and you’ll rarely need to lift your hands away from the keyboard in order to use the iPad’s touch-screen controls. There’s also a USB-C pass-through connector on the keyboard, which allows you to charge the iPad via the keyboard and leaves the iPad’s built-in USB-C port free for connecting other devices, such as a memory stick for transferring files.
There are two different sizes available, starting at $299/£299 for the model that fits the 11-inch iPad Air (M2) as well as the 11-inch iPad Pro (1-4 gen), and iPad Air (4-5 gen). The larger model costs $349/£349 and fits the 13-inch iPad Air (M2) as well as the 12.9-inch iPad Pro (3-6 gen). While this model fits the 2024 iPad Air models it is important to note that it wasn’t designed for them–this isn’t a new iPad keyboard, it’s just lucky for Apple that the older model fits the new iPad Air. It’s a shame because the Magic Keyboard Folio for the older 10th-generation iPad gets a better keyboard than the 2024 iPad Air, thanks to its row of function keys.
Pick the correct model for your iPad:
Zagg Pro Keys for iPad (10th generation)
Pros
- Removable keyboard
- Compact compartment for Apple Pencil
- Robust
- Good keyboard
Cons
- No trackpad
- For: iPad (10th generation)
The Zagg Pro Keys offers a combination of a robust protective case and a removable keyboard. The model we reviewed was for the iPad 10th generation, but there models for the 2024 iPad Pro and iPad Air are expected.
The connection to the iPad is via Bluetooth and due to the correspondingly necessary battery, the Pro Keys weigh between 450 and 650 grams, depending on the model.
The protective cover has rubberized edges and offers fall protection from two meters. The protective case is connected to the keyboard via magnets, if you do not need the keyboard you can remove it and still use the cover to protect the iPad.
There is a compartment for the Apple Pencil.
The layout of the keyboard corresponds to common compact keyboards, but the buttons are sufficiently large so it’s not to compact for comfortable typing. In the top row are various function keys: including buttons to switch between two devices, the home button, a button to put the iPad into sleep mode, a button for an overview of all active apps, a globe to switch between emoji and a keyboard language, media control and volume. When you close the keyboard, it automatically goes to sleep.
A backlight makes typing possible in low light. There are seven background colors to choose from and the brightness can be controlled in three levels.
The biggest drawback with this model is that it lacks a trackpad.
iPad (10th generation): $99.99/£99.99. Buy from Amazon US / Amazon UK
Keys-To-Go 2 for iPad
Pros
- Slim, lightweight design
- Sturdy but comfortable keyboard
- Wraparound cover
- Good battery life
Cons
- No backlight
- No stand
- Screwdriver needed to replace batteries
Logitech’s Keys-To-Go 2 is a portable keyboard designed for iPad users who want a basic keyboard, rather than a full-size keyboard that includes a trackpad, stand, and protective, wrap-around cover like the Logitech Folio and Combo Touch options above. Available in two versions, the standard version is suitable for Windows and Android devices, as well as iPad and Macs. It comes in light grey, dark grey or Lilac blue. There’s also a version designed specifically for iPad, which is still compatible with Windows and Macs, but has a more Apple-centric keyboard layout. That is the model we tested. The price of both versions of the keyboard is the same.
The Keys-To-Go 2 For iPad is designed specifically for iPad, offering a more Apple-centric layout with Apple’s standard Command and Option keys. It also includes a full row of Function keys, allowing users to pair the keyboard with up to three devices via Bluetooth, control brightness and volume, and take screenshots.The keyboard also offers layouts for various languages, including U.S., U.K., French, German, and Swiss.
The keyboard does not have a trackpad or numeric keypad, so business users may prefer the larger Combo Touch or Apple’s Magic Keyboard.
Despite its compact design, the Keys-To-Go 2 is sturdy and responsive, with a firm, responsive keyboard panel that doesn’t flex like some cheaper keyboards. The individual keys use a scissor mechanism for easy travel and are large enough not to feel cramped while typing. It does not act as a stand, so a stand or other way to support the iPad is required. Logitech offers customization options through its Options+ app, but this app is only available for Mac or Windows PCs.
The keyboard measures 9mm thick, 250mm wide, and 105mm deep, and weighs only 222g. It can be easily slipped into a backpack or carrying case alongside the iPad, and the keyboard does not provide a protective cover for the iPad.
For more advice about accessories and software for your Mac, iPad or iPhone see all our Best Picks.
Author: Cliff Joseph, Contributor
Cliff Joseph is a former editor of MacUser magazine and a freelance editor with 30(ish) years experience of Mac and PC technology. He first used a Mac working as a magazine sub-editor and found it so much better than using scissors and a pot of glue to make the words fit on the page that he become a convert to the Mac overnight. He has spent the rest of his career following the ups and downs of Apple (and is old enough to remember the time Apple came close to going bust). Cliff writes many of MacWorld’s games reviews - and is currently exploring options for getting Diablo IV to run on a Mac…