iPad mini cases and covers roundup

If you have been unable to resist the lure of a new iPad mini then you’ll be on the lookout for some protection. Since the latest Apple tablet is the most portable in the series, you’ll want to make sure you have a great iPad mini case or cover. There are quite a few options on the market already and we can expect a lot more over the holiday season.

You’ll find iPad mini cases that double as stands, iPad mini covers in various artistic styles, and there are options that focus on safeguarding your diminutive tablet as well. Ideally you’ll find a mix of all three to suit your needs. Sit back, relax, and peruse our selection of the best iPad mini cases.

PADACS Enduro Mini Power Pack Case ($60)

Power is still a major pain point for mobile device owners. The Enduro Mini offers a classic leather-style folio case with a magnetic clasp, which crams in a whopping 8000mAh Li-ion battery pack without spoiling its svelte form factor. That gives you an extra 125 percent charge for your iPad Mini. The battery pack can be fully charged in four to five hours via a standard USB charger. Four LED lights give you an indication of how much juice is available, and you can charge the iPad Mini, iPhone, or a range of other smartphones or tablets via the USB adapter provided. The Mini is held snugly in place by an internal frame, which also allows you to choose the landscape view you want.

Rokform RokShield v3 ($60)

The RokShield v3 is definitely one of the more striking iPad Mini cases we’ve seen. It combines a futuristic look with standard cutouts for easy operation of the tablet, but the real idea here is to give you a functional mounting system. You’ve got the polycarbonate protection you might expect, with a removable rubber bumper, but you also get anti-slip grip pads and a choice of tripods and mounts. A six-position kickstand is included, along with a mounting system that lets you mount your Mini on virtually any hard surface.

Lioncase Folio Shield ($32)

Folio cases are common and you won’t notice anything special about this one at first glance. It has a leather exterior, microfiber on the inside, an array of magnets to sleep/wake the iPad Mini, and a choice of secure viewing angles. It also comes in a range of colors, from classic black to bubblegum pink. The main enticement is the slim profile and the light weight. This case is 90 grams and just 11mm thick. If avoiding extra bulk is important to you, then check this case out.

BookBook Hardback Leather Case ($70)

It certainly isn’t cheap, but you have to acknowledge what a smart idea this case is. It effectively disguises your iPad Mini as a hardback book. The outside is genuine leather and you’ll find suede on the inside. You’ll also find a frame to hold your Mini securely and a kickstand so that you can angle it just the way you want. And it has dual zippers for easy access. That rigid spine, combined with the hard covers, provides decent protection and the disguise helps you to avoid attracting any unwelcome attention.

Griffin IntelliCase for iPad Mini ($40)

A hard shell backing of polycarbonate holds your iPad Mini snugly in place and protects it from bumps while the hinged folding cover protects that touchscreen. The cover automatically wakes your Mini when you open it and puts it to sleep when you close it. It also has a couple of folding positions to choose from for watching movies or working. You can choose from plain colors or patterns for the front, while the back has a tough industrial plastic look.

Knomo iPad Mini Folio ($70)

This case is a winning combination of molded plastic and full-grain leather. It stands up decently for watching movies and there’s a folded position for comfortable typing. The plastic frame is rubberized and it fits the iPad mini perfectly with cutouts for easy access to the headphone and Lightning ports. The Knomo Folio is a premium feeling case with an attractive design and simple embossed logo on the front. The iPad Mini Folio from Knomo comes in classic black, teaberry (pink), or cognac (brown).

iGuy for iPad Mini ($30)

You can anthropomorphize your iPad Mini with the iGuy … y’know, for kids. It’s a brightly colored, squishy foam case with arms and legs. It’s very lightweight and the arms make good handles. It will also safeguard your Mini should your little angel drop it. You’re not going to want to take this out and about, and it’s not ideal for portrait mode, but if the kids are watching cartoons in the house, it’s perfect. If you’ve ever felt like hugging your iPad Mini then this is the case for you.

iPad Mini Ballistic Smooth Series Case ($40)

Here’s a nice slim, snap on case made from TPU. It offers basic protection without bulking up your iPad Mini too much. The rim ensures that you can lay your iPad Mini face down on a table and the screen won’t touch. It has a lined section on the back and a big Ballistic logo. It comes in screaming hot pink or purple for people who want a loud case, but there’s also a charcoal grey or black option. All the varieties ship with four sets of corner bumpers in different colors to provide a bit of contrast.

iPad mini Smart Cover ($40)

Your first option is to order Apple’s Smart Cover along with your new iPad mini. It’s a folding magnetic design that allows the cover to double up as a keyboard stand or give you the perfect angle for FaceTime and watching movies. It is made of polyurethane and has a microfiber lining and it works with the auto-wake function so the iPad will come to life when you open it and go to sleep when you close it. It comes in six colors.

Incipio Lexington Hard Shell Folio Case ($35)

If you’re after a nice leather folio look then this case from Incipio should be right up your street. It has a rigid plextonium frame and a microsuede lining – let’s just say it’s tough on the outside and soft on the inside. The cover has a slot-in tab that holds it in place and it can fold in the middle to create a stand for a viewing angle and an inclined typing angle. It’s the first case in the video, but you’ll see a couple of other options from Incipio in there too.

Moshi VersaCover for iPad mini ($55)

This origami-style, magnetic folding cover has been a big hit for the iPad and the new iPad mini version will be available before Christmas. It can be folded to hold your iPad in portrait or landscape mode at different angles for easy typing or for watching videos. It’s a tough polycarbonate shell on the back and the display is protected by a soft microfiber cover with a clever built-in system of magnets which supports the auto-wake and sleep feature. It comes in four colors.

Dodocase Durables Sleeve for iPad mini ($50)

You get a distinctive look with this hand-crafted sleeve. It is a sage waxed duck canvas exterior with a felt interior and a leather patch for grip. If you have the iPad mini Smart Cover from Apple on your tablet it will actually still fit inside this sleeve. The sleeves are made by hand in San Francisco using traditional techniques and materials.

Belkin Quilted Cover with Stand for iPad mini ($40)

This is a feminine option that looks like a handbag. It has a TPU frame and a soft interior with protective corners to hold your iPad mini securely in place. There’s also a magnetic clasp and it doubles up as a stand with adjustable viewing angles. The exterior is faux leather and it has a distinctive design that’s sure to catch the eye. It comes in black, cream, or red.

Cygnett Black Vector 3D Tough Case ($20)

Here’s a stylish case that won’t break the bank. It has a distinctive etched pattern that mixes gloss and matt to create a stylish effect. It is also slim, impact resistant, and has raised edges designed to protect the screen. You can get this case in black or red and it provides full access to the iPad mini controls and ports so there’s no need to open or remove it.

ZAGGkeys Mini 9 iPad mini keyboard case & cover ($90)

If you’re an Apple addict, but you quite like the look of those Microsoft Surface keyboard attachments, then how about a keyboard case for your iPad mini? This case offers durable protection and flips open to reveal a spacious Bluetooth keyboard. There’s even a kickstand to complete the laptop effect. It also has a rechargeable long-lasting battery and special function keys for easy access to your most commonly used iPad mini features.

Waterfield iPad mini Wallet ($70)

Anyone who travels a lot and wants to take their iPad mini along will love this Waterfield iPad mini Wallet. It has two pouches inside with protective inserts so you can store the tablet and accessories. It’s made from impact resistant nylon with a hard-wearing leather trim. There’s also a back pocket, a handy shoulder strap, and a reliable YKK self-locking zipper. You can get it in six different colors.

Targus Versavu Rotating Case & Stand for iPad mini ($50)

This is a hard shell case with a scratch-resistant lining and it offers a great deal of versatility when it comes to viewing angles. You can actually rotate your iPad mini 360 degrees without removing it from this case. It also offers several stand settings for different angles and silicone strips hold the device in place. There are cutouts for some of the features and a frame for the Apple logo that gives it a touch of style. It comes in red or black.

OtterBox iPad mini Defender Series Case ($70)

It is quite bulky and it’s not especially pretty, but if you’re really serious about protecting your iPad mini then the OtterBox Defender is the way to go. It boasts impact-resistant polycarbonate, foam padding, a screen protector, and a rugged silicone layer. This case also doubles up as stand for portrait or landscape view and there are even plug covers to prevent dust getting into the ports.

That’s it for our iPad mini cases roundup right now. If you think these options are bit too pricy then you’ll find a load of cheap options at Amazon, but we’d recommend waiting for the reviews before you splash out because the first wave of cheap cases for new devices often have flaws.

If you’d like to recommend an iPad mini case or cover, then post a comment.