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Roderick Scott is a writer who reviews smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches. He has tested 160 phones over 16 years. shockproof tablet case
After a new round of testing, the ESR Shift Magnetic Case is our top pick for the M4 iPad Pro.
After spending at least $1,000 on an iPad Pro, you would be wise to protect your investment.
We’ve tested a number of cases for Apple’s newest tablets, and we’ve found that the ESR Shift Magnetic Case (for the 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Air, and for the 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Pro) offers a better balance of protection and price than Apple’s official cases do.
The ESR Shift model offers a detachable case, nine viewing angles, and a pocket for your Apple Pencil.
ESR’s Rebound model is a basic yet solid case with two stand modes plus Apple Pencil charging and storage.
The ESR Shift model offers a detachable case, nine viewing angles, and a pocket for your Apple Pencil.
Also available for these iPads:
The ESR Shift Magnetic Case provides full protection, stylus storage, a detachable inner case, nine viewing angles, and strong magnets to position your iPad. We haven’t come across many cases that offer such features for the price.
ESR’s Rebound model is a basic yet solid case with two stand modes plus Apple Pencil charging and storage.
Also available for these iPads:
The ESR Rebound Magnetic Case looks like an official Apple case but costs half the price. It includes an Apple Pencil holder, too. If you’re on a budget and don’t need the full protection of our top pick, it’s a great option for covering your iPad Pro.
If you want to turn your iPad Pro into a laptop, you need a keyboard case. Our favorite is much cheaper than Apple’s option.
Here’s what we look for in a great iPad Pro case:
For our 2024 round of testing, we tried 14 cases on both iPad Pro sizes, checking each case for fit and function. We tested the strength of each case's magnets by testing whether we could hang each tablet by its folio cover and stick each case to a refrigerator and other metal surfaces. We also used each case for extended typing and drawing sessions for a minimum of two weeks, which helped us determine how well each stand could support additional pressure.
I’m a Wirecutter staff writer, and I’ve reviewed smartphones, tablets, and accessories—including those for iPhones and iPads—since 2010.
For this guide: I researched dozens of iPad Pro cases from various well-known and lesser-known case manufacturers. I spent at least two weeks typing and drawing on iPads covered by each of the most promising cases.In 2024, I tested a total of 14 cases. Some I received directly from companies, while Wirecutter purchased others.Like all Wirecutter journalists, I review and test products with complete editorial independence. I’m never made aware of any business implications of my editorial recommendations. Read more about our editorial standards. AdvertisementSKIP ADVERTISEMENT
The ESR Shift model offers a detachable case, nine viewing angles, and a pocket for your Apple Pencil.
Also available for these iPads:
The ESR Shift Magnetic Case for the 11-inch M4 iPad Pro, 13-inch M4 iPad Pro, 11-inch M2 iPad Air, and 13-inch M2 iPad Air is made of TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane, a rubber-like, flexible plastic) and encapsulates your entire iPad Pro, leaving only the port, mics, and speakers partially exposed; its folio can automatically put your iPad’s screen in wake and sleep modes. This ESR case offers nine different viewing angles, as well as rear or side storage for your Apple Pencil and strong magnets to hold your case in place. It’s thin enough for you to carry it easily and stable enough for you to use it on your lap.
It gives you tons of ways to position your iPad. Similar to our current pick for the best iPad Pro keyboard case, which is also from ESR, the Shift Magnetic Case consists of two separate pieces: a protective case for the iPad and a folio portion with a magnetic stand. The magnets and stand are strong and give you flexibility in positioning them, allowing for nine angles in total: six for viewing and three for drawing or writing. You can also set up the case in portrait mode or in either of two landscape viewing angles, including a raised screen view, which brings the iPad Pro a few inches closer to your face.
It has not one, but two Apple Pencil storage options. On the side of the case is a shallow indentation where a Pencil can magnetically attach. Or, if you’re okay with adding a bit of bulk to the tablet, an elastic pocket on the rear fits a Pencil. The case doesn’t block the Pencil’s wireless connection or magnets, so you can still sync and charge your stylus while protecting your tablet.
The raised screen-view placement doesn’t feel secure. I recommend using only the standard landscape and portrait views for this case.
ESR’s Rebound model is a basic yet solid case with two stand modes plus Apple Pencil charging and storage.
Also available for these iPads:
The ESR Rebound Magnetic Case is basically a generic version of Apple’s Smart Folio for the iPad Pro. The front trifold cover can put your iPad Pro in sleep/wake mode, and it can fold into two stand modes, one for viewing and one for writing. The Rebound Magnetic Case is made entirely of TPU (a flexible, rubber-like plastic), and its strong magnets keep an iPad Pro securely attached. It doesn’t feel like the most premium case, but it is lightweight and solid. It also grants you Apple Pencil storage and easy access to your tablet’s ports, buttons, and speakers.
It has Apple Pencil storage. A magnetic flap on the side holds and charges your Apple Pencil while you’re on the go. Even Apple’s own entry-level Smart Folio case lacks the option for stylus storage, and it costs more than double what ESR charges for this case.
The case offers little protection. In build and coverage, the ESR Rebound Magnetic Case is on a par with Apple’s Smart Folio. However, it doesn’t provide the complete protection that our top pick offers, as it doesn’t cover the iPad Pro’s top or bottom, or a chunk of the tablet’s right side.
If you’re prone to drops and spills: The Otterbox Statement Series Studio case is lightweight and protects every area of your tablet while offering stylus storage, drop protection, an adjustable stand that provides multiple viewing angles, and a detachable case that you can use with or without the folio cover. However, this case’s $120 price tag is higher than what most people need (or want) to pay.
Apple’s Smart Folio feels more premium and better built than copycats, and it offers four different viewing angles. But it provides minimal protection for its extravagant price tag of $80 for the 11-inch version and $100 for the 13-inch model. For a fraction of the price, our budget pick offers a nearly identical design and adds a magnetic clasp for Apple Pencil storage.
The Burton Goods Magnetic Leather Case is a well-crafted leather case with a microfiber interior and an internal leather pocket for document storage. It feels premium, it securely stores an Apple Pencil, and it keeps your iPad in place with strong magnets. The downside is that its limited viewing angles make it ideal only for watching video.
The Pitaka MagEZ Folio 2 case is a minimalist option for watching videos or drawing on your iPad Pro. It has a strong magnet, and its plastic cover transforms into an origami-style folio with multiple viewing angles. But the case offers zero protection around the iPad Pro's corners and lacks stylus storage.
The ProCase Smart Case is your average folio case in which the smart cover flips into a stand. It’s a simple design comprising a hard plastic shell with corner protection and a TPU folio cover. It offers no Apple Pencil storage, though, and its corners block the mics and leave the top, bottom, and sides completely exposed and unprotected from drops and spills.
The Speck Balance Folio was a previous pick, and it remains a great case. It offers multiple viewing angles and a built-in camera shield, but it leaves the right edge of the iPad Pro exposed. Our new top pick provides more protection and versatility for nearly the same price.
Spigen’s Rugged Armor Pro is a TPU case with a cover that folds into a kickstand and a built-in Apple Pencil holder. The case is on the thinner side, and its kickstand doesn’t hold as firm as those of other cases we’ve tested—I wouldn't trust my $1,000 iPad Pro to survive any drops in this case. Spigen’s Ultra Hybrid Pro is essentially the same case but with a clear plastic shell on the rear; we worry that any clear plastic case will turn yellow over time.
The UAG Metropolis SE is a lightweight yet rugged TPU case. It has an adjustable kickstand with four viewing angles, stylus storage, reinforced corner bumpers, and a folio cover that can place your iPad Pro in sleep or wake. However, several areas of the case leave parts of the tablet exposed, which can be risky if you drop it.
Zagg’s Crystal Palace Folio is a clear TPU case with an attached plastic folio cover. It protects every corner of your iPad Pro, including the area for your stylus. Our concerns lie with the likelihood of the clear TPU portion of the case turning yellow over time, despite Zagg’s claims of anti-yellowing technology, in addition to how well the folio cover may stay attached to the rest of the case.
The ZryXal Smart Case offers everything you may need in a simple iPad Pro case. Its TPU build offers complete coverage on all sides and corners, plus a dedicated area to place your stylus. However, our picks have stronger magnets and a more secure folio cover.
Nick Guy contributed additional reporting to this guide. This guide was edited by Caitlin McGarry and Signe Brewster.
Roderick Scott is Wirecutter's staff writer reporting on smartphones, tablets, and accessories. He is the former publisher of TechGuySmartBuy, where he reviewed everything from phones to headphones to smart speakers to cars. He is also a former aspiring songwriter, music producer, and A&R working with local talent.
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