Best Picks
If you're planning on using your iPad while out and about, check out some of the best rugged, tough and waterproof cases around
By Lucy Hattersley
MacworldJUL 27, 2020 4:50 pm PDT
If you’ve just bought a brand new iPad, of course you’ll want to keep it in pristine condition for as long as possible. But what if you know you’ll be taking it out and about with you, on hikes or in the rain? Perhaps you’d just
In those scenarios, our regular iPad case round-ups simply won’t fit the bill. What you need is something extra rugged and tough which can withstand the rigours of some of the more demanding elements of everyday life.
If that’s what you’re after, you’ve come to the right place.We’ve scoured the net for some of the best on the market that are also available across a number of different iPad models, so you don’t have to.
Many of these cases are military-grade, so you can be sure they’ll be up to the task. Look out for some waterproof options too.
Griffin Survivor All-Terrain
Price When Reviewed:$79.99
Best Prices Today:$89.99 at Griffin
If you’re after a durable case for your iPad, the Griffin Survivor All-Terrain is a great option. It’s been tested against conditions for the US Department of Defence (MIL-STD-810) and offers great wind, rain, and dust protection.
The Survivor hasalso got silicone cladding to protect against vibration, so it’s a great protective case for those working with industrial machinery.
Check out Griffin’s entire iPad collection here, which includes rugged options for lots of different generations.
Typhoon Dry Case
Price When Reviewed:$59.99
Best Prices Today:$59.99 at Amazon$59.99 at Typhoon
If you’re looking for the best case to use when taking your iPad to the beach, havea look at the DryCASE. Unlike most cases, this is a clear waterproof bag that’s vacuum-sealed.
You use the hand-pump to remove all the air from the bag, and the tight seal keeps it dry even when underwater. It’s completely usable inside the bag, and comes with a neoprene armband so you can grab hold of the DryCASE while doing water sports.
The casedoesn’t offer much physical protection, but it’s easy to use and keeps your iPad safe from sand and water. US visitors can find asimilar case here for the iPad Pro.
Otterbox Defender
Price When Reviewed:$89.95
Best Prices Today:$59.95 at Amazon$89.95 at Otterbox
We like the Otterbox Defender as it’s one of the few iPad cases that manages to be truly protective while offering a sense of style. It’s just a bit better-looking than many of the military offerings around.
Cut-out areas expose the Home button, cameras and sensors (as well as the Apple logo on the rear), helping the Ottberbox Defender look more Apple-esque than other protective iPad cases.
It’s still rugged, though, with dual-layer cushions and three layers of protection. It also covers the ports and a shield stand covers the screen (or props up the iPad).
On Amazon, the Otterbox is available for numerous iPad sizes, as well as the mini and pro versions. Check these out on Amazon UK and Amazon US.
MoKo Heavy Duty Case for iPad
Price When Reviewed:$17.99
Best Prices Today:$15.26 at Amazon
Here’s a seriously rugged case from Moko.You can expect an anti-slip body and rigorous shock absorption: the case features a two-layered structure that combines a polycarbonate shell with a TPU frame.
The MoKo case also includes a screen protector that snaps onto the front of the case, keeping the iPad insulated from scratches and dust. The design also conveniently bundles in a built-in stand.
You can also get the MoKo Heavy Duty case for the 9.7in, the Air range and the Mini range. Find these on Amazon UK and Amazon US.
Urban Armor Gear Folio
Price When Reviewed:$59.95
Best Prices Today:$49.95 at Amazon$59.95 at Urban Armour Gear
The Urban Armour Gear is a great-looking iPad protective case made from lightweight material. It protects the iPad against knocks and scratches, and makes it much easier to hold.
It’s also a lot lighter than other iPad cases, so it doesn’t add too much to the weight. It’s even got a nifty clip for the Apple Pencil.
Availability in the US varies, though you can find it for a few different models on Amazon– be sure to check it fits the model year of your iPad.
For the full range, see Urban Armor Gear’s website.
Spigen Tough Armor case
Price When Reviewed:$27.99
Best Prices Today:$26.99 at Amazon
If you’re not prepared to drop a lot of money on your tough case, then consider this option from Spigen.
Spigen produce good cases all round for a cheap price, and their tough armour case is no exception. Coming in a choice of three colours – gun metal, black and rose gold – this case offersdual-layered protection and a built-in kickstand.
You can find Spigen’s entire range of iPad cases on Amazon UK and Amazon US.
Supcase Unicorn Beetle Case for iPad 7th Generation
Price When Reviewed:$29.99
Best Prices Today:$29.95 at Amazon
If you’re looking to deck out your iPad in a lean and mean rugged case in a bold colour, look no further than Supcase’s Unicorn Beetle.
It wouldn’t be a rugged case if it didn’t protect your device from drops, bumps, scratches and dust – which it does – but it also includes cut outs for easy access to ports, camera and buttons.
It sandwiches your iPad between a polycarbonate shell with TPU frame and a screen protector, similar to MoKo’s case, and also comes with a built-in stand.
Timecity
While the latest iPad Pros have a premium look and feel, there’s no reason why they can’t be transformed into a more heavy duty device.
Timecity’s offering is a great option to do just that, coming complete with a built-in stand and an Apple Pencil holder which supports wireless charging.
In terms of protection, the case comes with three layers of shockproof support, while the front has raised edges to ensure all-around protection .
In addition to the standard black option pictured, you can also pick up this case with eye-catching blue, green, rose and sky blue highlights.
With the iPad Pro 2018 sporting the same size screen, it means this case is also compatible with the older model.
You can buy it now from Amazon, where there’s also a version for the 12.9in model. It’s currently unavailable in the US.
