If you’re impressed by Apple's latest iPad, you’re not alone. The iPad Air 5 is set to be one of the top consumer-focused tablets on the market, with its new M1 chipset, 5G, and upgraded front-facing camera with Center Stage. If you’re dropping $600 or more on a new iPad Air, you’ll want to ensure you protect that gorgeous 10.9-inch display from scratches, scuffs, and impact. That’s where a durable protective case comes in, and there are already some great options available to choose from. We’ve done the hard work and rounded up nine of the best iPad Air 5 cases and covers for you right here, from slim folios to rugged options.
ESR Rebound Magnetic Case
- Easy magnetic attachment
- Supports Apple Pencil 2 pairing and charging
- Supports auto sleep/wake function
- Slim and lightweight
- Choice of 10 colors
- Magnets aren't the strongest
ESR's Rebound Magnetic case is one of the most popular iPad Air cases around, and with good reason. Powerful magnets hold your iPad firmly in place, and the case folds out into a kickstand that's adjustable to two viewing angles. The case itself offers all-around protection in a slim, lightweight shell, with support for the Pencil 2's pairing and charging, plus a fold-over clasp for added protection. Some reviewers do mention that the magnets here aren't the strongest, so this may not be the best choice for you if you travel a lot with your iPad. This case comes in a choice of 10 colors.
UAG Metropolis SE Series Case
- Military-grade drop protection
- Folds into kickstand for hands-free viewing
- Integrated Apple Pencil holder
- Compatible with Apple Pencil pairing and charging
- Rugged style may not be to all tastes
The first case on our list is a sleek, featherlight option from Urban Armor Gear. Don’t be fooled, though, as inside this sleek shell is some serious 360-degree protection. The soft, impact-resistant core meets military-grade drop-test standards and protects your iPad Air should the worst happen. The smooth folio cover comes in three shades — olive, Mallard (a vivid blue), or black — and supports the tablet’s auto wake/sleep function to conserve battery life. The folio cover also doubles as an adjustable stand for hands-free calls or watching videos. There’s an Apple Pencil holder too, which is compatible with Apple Pencil pairing and charging. The rugged style may not be to all tastes, but we think it looks pretty futuristic.
MoKo Trifold Case
- Great if you can't choose between a clear case or leather
- Huge choice of colors and designs
- Supports wake/sleep functionality
- Compatible with Apple Pencil charging
- Doesn't offer the best drop protection around
- Magnets on the back aren't very strong
Our next case comes in a huge array of 16 colors and patterns, so there’s sure to be one that suits your tastes. We’d opt for the metallic navy blue version, pictured. The case features a clear, hard PC back shell, a durable PU leather front cover, and microfiber lining to protect your iPad screen from scratches and scuffs. The front cover has wake/sleep functionality and folds back into a kickstand for hands-free viewing, and the case is compatible with Apple Pencil charging. On the downside, the rear magnets aren't very strong, so don't hold the case securely, and there are better options out there for drop protection, though for the price, this is still a great buy.
OtterBox Symmetry Series 360 Case
- Clear PC back with folio cover
- Folds into adjustable viewing stand
- Supports sleep/wake functionality
- Limited lifetime warranty
- Only comes in black or gray colorways
- More expensive than some options
Otterbox is known for its protective phone cases, so why not grab one of its tablet cases too? The Symmetry Series 360 case comes in Starry Night (black) or After Dark (light gray) colorways. There’s a clear, scratch-resistant polycarbonate back that shows off your iPad Air’s design, with a folio cover that folds over the screen, offering 360-degree protection on the go. The folio folds back into an adjustable stand for viewing or making Zoom calls and supports sleep/wake functionality thanks to the included magnets. All Otterbox cases also come with a limited lifetime warranty, so this may be the only case you ever need for your iPad Air 5. The downside? It only comes in black or dark gray, so it's not the most colorful case around.
Fintie Hybrid Case
- Flexible TPU bumper for drop protection
- Folds out into handy viewing stand
- Wide range of designs and colors to choose from
- Supports sleep/wake function
- Integrated Apple Pencil holder (supports charging)
- Viewing stand only offers one angle
Fintie’s Hybrid Case is the perfect option for those who can’t decide between a clear case and something with a bit more personality, as it comes in 20 different designs and colors. The clear hardshell back and flexible, colored TPU bumper keep your iPad Air 5 safe from drops and bumps, while a soft microfiber lining protects the screen from scratches. The tri-fold cover folds out into a handy viewing or keyboard stand — though there's only one angle available — and features built-in magnets for auto sleep/wake when you open or close the case. There’s even an Apple Pencil holder that supports the Pencil’s wireless charging. What more could you need?
Apple Smart Folio
- The complete Apple experience
- Choice of eight colors
- Thin, light, and high quality
- Supports sleep/wake function
- Folds out into kickstand
- More expensive than some options
- There's better drop protection out there
Apple’s classic Smart Folio comes in a choice of eight colors. True, it will set you back $79, but it’s specifically designed to snugly fit the iPad Air 5, and it’s made with the high-quality materials you’d expect from Apple. This thin, light folio case offers all-round protection for your new tablet with auto wake/sleep function. It attaches magnetically to your iPad Air and folds out into an adjustable kickstand for reading, typing, or video calls. If you’re after the complete Apple experience, this is the case to get.
SwitchEasy Origami Wallet Case
- Slim, form-fitting case
- Genuine high-quality leather
- Supports sleep/wake function
- Four different stand positions
- Only two colors to choose from
Available in Navy Blue or Pastel Green (pictured), SwitchEasy’s Origami Wallet case is a slim, form-fitting case made from genuine premium leather. With its soft leather outer and microfiber lining, it provides 360-degree protection for your iPad Air 5 and even features raised bumpers inside the case for added protection should you drop your tablet with the case open. The magnetic closure supports your tablet’s auto sleep/wake function to conserve battery life, and the origami design of the case folds into four different stand positions in landscape or portrait mode for comfortable viewing, typing, reading, or hands-free video calls.
Olixar Leather-Style Stand Case
- Planet-friendly choice
- Professional style is great for work
- Reinforced corners and anti-fall protection
- Folds out into multi-angle viewing stand
- Slim, so doesn't offer the best drop protection
For those who prefer vegan leather, Olixar’s leather-style stand case is a budget and planet-friendly choice. Available in a choice of classic black or rose gold, this sleek case looks professional enough for the office or client meetings. It’s lightweight, slim, and features interior slip pockets for meeting papers, documents, or travel tickets. With its padded leather-style outer and microfiber interior, your tablet stays safe from scratches and scuffs, while a robust plastic frame with reinforced corners and anti-fall protection ensures your iPad is also protected from drops and impact. The case folds out into a viewing stand that can be adjusted to various angles for viewing or typing.
Spigen Tough Armor Pro Case
- Air Cushion technology for shock absorption
- Integrated Apple Pencil holder
- Reinforced corners guard against drops
- Slim profile
- Quite expensive
Spigen is known for its rugged, protective cases, and the Tough Armor Pro case for the new iPad Air 5 is just about the best protection you can get. This case offers advanced shock absorption thanks to Air Cushion technology, with a 2mm lip around the screen and reinforced corners for enhanced drop protection. It even packs a built-in Apple Pencil holder while maintaining a relatively slim, sleek profile. It’s one of the more expensive cases on our list, but it’s worth every penny if you’re looking for extreme protection for your new tablet.
MaxCases Extreme-X Case and Screen Protector
- Impact absorbing bumpers
- Integrated Apple Pencil holder
- Hand strap and shoulder strap
- Adjustable kickstand
- Not the best-looking case
The final case on our list is another rugged option — this time with an included screen protector for 360-degree protection. This case features enhanced corner protection and impact-absorbing bumpers to keep your iPad safe from drops and impact, with an integrated Apple Pencil holder, rotating hand strap, and handy shoulder strap for hands-free carrying. The built-in kickstand can be adjusted to two different angles for viewing, reading, video calls, and more.
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