IPad Keyboards: The Best Keyboards For The Apple Tablet

2023 Author: Sheila Hailey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-11-26 15:18

I had already tested numerous iPad keyboards, and the original Apple Smart Keyboard was used for different tablet generations. It is and remains the best thought-out keyboard for the iPad. There are keyboards that offer a slightly better typing experience, especially products for the desktop computer. The Smart Keyboard is great for a keyboard that is water-protected and suitable for on the go and at the same time forms the protective cover for the display and stand! Disadvantage - it is expensive:

APPLE Smart Keyboard for iPads with 10.2 and 10.5 inches

Now from € 179.00 at Mediamarkt Similar offer at Amazon price can now be higher. Price from 2020-27-07 00:35 a.m.

The Apple Smart Keyboard is connected to the iPad via the connector on the long side. Stand function and folding mechanism are slightly different depending on the version. Those who have an iPad 10.2, iPad Air 10.5 or iPad Pro 10.5 are lucky - here we like the folding mechanism better than for the newer iPad Pro models (see notes below). If you have an older 9.7 iPad or iPad Air, you cannot use this keyboard due to the lack of an interface. See all models available on Amazon.

Logitech Keys-to-Go: The affordable go-to keyboard for iPads and more

If you have an older iPad, want to use the keyboard on other devices (e.g. Apple TV) and / or want to pay little, take a look at Logitech's Keys-to-Go, for example. It is a classic, compact and water-protected Bluetooth keyboard. In my experience, the typing feel is not as good as that of the Apple keyboards, but it is good enough (see review). The buyers at Amazon rate the product very well. It is no longer the latest model, but the price has dropped:

LOGITECH Keys-To-Go

Now from € 51.85 at Saturn Similar offer at Amazon price can now be higher. Price from 2020-27-07 1:27 a.m.

With Bluetooth 3.0 it is no longer up to date, but the battery lasts a long time even without the energy-saving Bluetooth LE.

Satechi: Keyboard for iPad and Mac

If you want to use the keyboard for the iPad primarily in your home office or want to use a keyboard with the best possible typing feel while on the go, you can connect a desktop keyboard to the iPad. Some products such as the Satechi Bluetooth Keyboard can remember multiple Bluetooth pairings. Use the Bluetooth buttons 1, 2, 3 to choose which device should receive the text inputs - very convenient! In the test, the Satechi Bluetooth Keyboard scored on GIGA with a very good rating of 85 percent.

SATECHI wireless Bluetooth keyboard

Now from € 49.99 at Mediamarkt Similar offer at Amazon price can now be higher. Price from 2020-26-07 10:05 p.m.

iPad keyboard: Further information

If you want to buy a cheap iPad keyboard, pay attention to the ratings in the store in addition to the compatibility. We have already had enough unsatisfactory products with sharp edges or wobbly buttons. If you want to use the hardware keyboard frequently, you'd better spend a little more.

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The iPad Pro will take on a special role in 2018 (i.e. with Face ID instead of a home button): Via the USB-C connection, wired keyboards - just with a USB-C connection - can be used. The above-mentioned Satechi keyboard should therefore be connectable to the iPad in addition to Bluetooth (we couldn't try it). For these professional tablets, Apple also offers an alternative to the smart keyboard, the Apple Magic Keyboard. It offers a trackpad and the scissor mechanism known from the MacBook. At 339 euros, however, it is very expensive, the current build quality is controversial. And the iPad Pro including keyboard is bigger / thicker than the iPad Pro 10.5 with the Smart Keyboard.

By the way: With a hardware keyboard, some keyboard shortcuts known from Mac can be used on the iPad. For more information and many tricks for the on-screen keyboard, see our tips for the iPad keyboard.