Here are some of the best cases for Apple's 2018 iPad Pro that you can buy now
It might be tempting to use a new iPad Pro naked, especially if you've paid for AppleCare+. The brute fact however is that iPads are fragile and expensive -- you should get a case as soon as possible if you want to be genuinely mobile. These are some of the better early options.
If you absolutely must have a case right away, the simplest bet is Apple. There are two options: the first is the Smart Keyboard Folio, which is sold in 11-inch ($179) and 12.9-inch ($199) versions. It's probably wiser to get a separate keyboard, especially given Apple's exorbitant prices, but of course the benefit is that you'll always have your keyboard with you, and you'll never have to charge or pair.
Apple is also selling keyboard-free Smart Folios, which cost $79 for 11-inch iPads and $99 for 12.9-inch models. We'd recommend against these unless you literally have no other choice, since you're paying a lot for relatively little protection.
One better folio option is Speck's Presidio Pro, which costs $59.95 for an 11-inch size and $89.95 for 12.9 inches. It's not only cheaper, but protects against drops up to 6 feet, and includes a cradle for the second-generation Apple Pencil.
While not strictly a case, Waterfield's 13-inch Tech Folio Plus ($149) should be able to hold your iPad and most (or all!) of its accessories. You can choose either ballistic nylon or waxed canvas, and if you want it to replace a backpack, you can spring extra for a strap. All versions have a carrying handle.
DODOcase was one of the first companies to make any kind of iPad case, and the first to specialize in a book-style folio design. This year, the best option from them is probably the Two-Tone, costing $64.95 in any size. It includes a loop for an Apple Pencil or other stylus, and comes in four color combinations: black/charcoal, dove gray/indigo, green/gunnysack, and granite/merlot.
Even if it's not glamorous, Belkin's Air Protect Always-On Sleeve should fit an 11-inch iPad Pro and guard it against light bumps and scratches. The kicker is the price, since it costs $34.99 or less.
If your demands aren't stringent, some budget cases on Amazon will save you from burning a deeper hole in your wallet. ProCase, for example, has the $12.99 Smart Case, a thin folio with an Apple Pencil cradle, and the $10.99 Slim Case which is effectively a shell with a foldable lid.
ESR's Urban Premium Folio Case ($18.99) has an Apple Pencil loop, and grooves for propping up an iPad for viewing. The faux leather Intelligent Premium Business Case ($20.99) adds features like a hand strap and a pocket for storing cards and papers.
JETech even has a $9.99 basic folio if all you care about is blocking dust and scratches, and occasionally propping up your Pro.
If you can afford to, we'd actually recommend waiting a few weeks. Some of the big names in accessories are working on updates -- Griffin, for example, is preparing three new rugged Survivor cases, and Otterbox is working on a refreshed Defender.
Logitech's previous iPad Pro keyboard cases have been some of the most popular, so we wouldn't be surprised to see new versions before the end of the year.
Pad & Quill, a high-end case maker, is preparing revisions of its luxury Contega Thin and Oxford Leather cases for delivery in early December. In addition to saving $10 when you reserve your spot in line, every Pad & Quill case is currently an additional 10% off with the exclusive coupon code insider.
Apple
If you absolutely must have a case right away, the simplest bet is Apple. There are two options: the first is the Smart Keyboard Folio, which is sold in 11-inch ($179) and 12.9-inch ($199) versions. It's probably wiser to get a separate keyboard, especially given Apple's exorbitant prices, but of course the benefit is that you'll always have your keyboard with you, and you'll never have to charge or pair.
Apple is also selling keyboard-free Smart Folios, which cost $79 for 11-inch iPads and $99 for 12.9-inch models. We'd recommend against these unless you literally have no other choice, since you're paying a lot for relatively little protection.
Speck
One better folio option is Speck's Presidio Pro, which costs $59.95 for an 11-inch size and $89.95 for 12.9 inches. It's not only cheaper, but protects against drops up to 6 feet, and includes a cradle for the second-generation Apple Pencil.
Waterfield
While not strictly a case, Waterfield's 13-inch Tech Folio Plus ($149) should be able to hold your iPad and most (or all!) of its accessories. You can choose either ballistic nylon or waxed canvas, and if you want it to replace a backpack, you can spring extra for a strap. All versions have a carrying handle.
DODOcase
DODOcase was one of the first companies to make any kind of iPad case, and the first to specialize in a book-style folio design. This year, the best option from them is probably the Two-Tone, costing $64.95 in any size. It includes a loop for an Apple Pencil or other stylus, and comes in four color combinations: black/charcoal, dove gray/indigo, green/gunnysack, and granite/merlot.
Belkin
Even if it's not glamorous, Belkin's Air Protect Always-On Sleeve should fit an 11-inch iPad Pro and guard it against light bumps and scratches. The kicker is the price, since it costs $34.99 or less.
Budget brands -- ProCase, ESR & JETech
If your demands aren't stringent, some budget cases on Amazon will save you from burning a deeper hole in your wallet. ProCase, for example, has the $12.99 Smart Case, a thin folio with an Apple Pencil cradle, and the $10.99 Slim Case which is effectively a shell with a foldable lid.
ESR's Urban Premium Folio Case ($18.99) has an Apple Pencil loop, and grooves for propping up an iPad for viewing. The faux leather Intelligent Premium Business Case ($20.99) adds features like a hand strap and a pocket for storing cards and papers.
JETech even has a $9.99 basic folio if all you care about is blocking dust and scratches, and occasionally propping up your Pro.
Coming soon
If you can afford to, we'd actually recommend waiting a few weeks. Some of the big names in accessories are working on updates -- Griffin, for example, is preparing three new rugged Survivor cases, and Otterbox is working on a refreshed Defender.
Logitech's previous iPad Pro keyboard cases have been some of the most popular, so we wouldn't be surprised to see new versions before the end of the year.
Pad & Quill, a high-end case maker, is preparing revisions of its luxury Contega Thin and Oxford Leather cases for delivery in early December. In addition to saving $10 when you reserve your spot in line, every Pad & Quill case is currently an additional 10% off with the exclusive coupon code insider.
Comments
this is the first year I haven’t seen a number of them on Amazon before the new iPad came out. Our iPads are coming tomorrow, And we feel uncomfortable without one.
Note: I got the Moko but it won't come until next Friday 19 Nov. The ztotop is available now. The Moko looks better to me.
I’m really resisting the urge to trade in my 10.5 for a 2018 12.9, but if I was looking for case, I would be looking for a magnetically attached back cover only. Something just a little thicker than the camera bump. So a waiting game, and something like this won’t come out for a long while.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0744J2CLL
I see they have a version coming out next month for the new 11" iPad Pro. Under $25.
https://www.amazon.com/SUPCASE-Protector-Kickstand-Full-Body-Protective/dp/B07K1RBSWP
I don't see a updated one for the 2018 12.9" iPad Pro. Strange! The only problem is it's NOT compatible with the new Apple Pencil. It won't stick and it won't charge if you are using this case. That kind of sucks for those that want to use one.
I find it silly in general to spend $80-$100+ on a case!!! It's mostly all profit.
Just drop it into my leather sleeve with the Pencil & off I go. I do use a screen protector though. Provides a bit more bite for sketching.
spigen, a major case maker has said that their current 2018 iPad Pro cases will not allow charging the Pencil, and that they are redesigning the cases to do that, and that they will be available by the end of the year.
i believe that while case makers got the usual sizes before release, as they usually do, through back channels, that is, not from Apple, they were caught by the new Pencil, which apparently, none of these unofficial sources knew anything about. That screwed them up. So they either had to drop the cases before release, or release ones that don’t allow charging the pencil
it may be possible, if these cases are plastic, to cut out an area to allow the Pencil to sit on the edge. I’m going to look, again, and see what’s now out there. Yesterday, some cases began to show. If I find something that looks as though I can operate on it, I’ll buy it. No way I’m going to wait weeks, or a couple of months for this. I really doN’t like the Folio style wraparound cases with the cover.