Today we bring you a little help finding the best iPad case to suit your needs, budget and most importantly the way you use your Apple tablet. While we may suggest some great iPad cases here, we cannot know if our recommendations are exactly right for you. How you use your device is the key to finding the best iPad case to suit your needs. Style and design is not the only thing you need to be thinking about. There is far more to consider.
Sleeves, Skins, Pouches, Cases and Covers
The first thing to think about is just how you want to use your device. Do you want something that protects it all the time, or just when it is being carried around? Do you want to have a little protection all the time, or lots? Does you iPad mostly stay at home, safe and sound, needing only a smidgen of extra protection from dust and dirt? Are you the clumsiest tablet owner in the world, or do you live in the company of unruly toddlers that enjoy throwing your gadgets around? Thinking about all of this should help you come up with the best solution for caring for your tablet.
Sleeves, Pouches and Carry Cases
These are for those of you that want protection for your tablet when you aren’t using it. Safety when carting your iPad around, not when you’re actually having fun using it.
For those that want to use it as Apple intended, unencumbered by additional cases and covers an iPad pouch is the answer. A simple pouch such as the Saddleback Leather iPad pouch is basically just a pocket to put your gadget in. These are great for when it’s left on your desk, or being carried around in a secure back-pack or bag. Most will be a tight fit, maybe coping with a shell covered iPad but probably not.
An iPad sleeve will usually come with a secure closure. Most popular are simple zip up neoprene sleeves, but you can get a little bit more experimental too. You might have extra pockets for peripherals, cards and papers. These will cope with carrying around your iPad in your hands. Great for getting on the plane luggage light! Many will accommodate an iPad that is protected with an additional skin or shell too but it is worth checking if this is what you need.
An iPad carry case will offer the most protection. Extra pockets, straps or handles for carrying the device. You should be able to fit an iPad that is wearing a folio cover or skin into these easily. These are basically small laptop bags, so may be soft sided or hard shell, but should offer great padding and a secure fit so your tablet isn’t floating around inside. If you’re a regular traveller you might want to look for one that allows you to use the device whilst still inside so you don’t have to find somewhere to put your case whilst sitting on a crowded train for example.
iPad Skins and Shells
These are the most common solutions bought today, giving some bump protection, and improved grip to the device at all times. There are a variety of designs of offer, but we suggest you avoid the cheapest options and read customer reviews as the fit can vary hugely, and frankly a poorly fitting skin is pointless. Your iPad was an investment and you don’t need to spend a fortune to ensure it is looked after properly.
Skins
These are usually silicone or rubber and will hold the device extremely snugly. You want a good fit with great access to all the controls as your tablet will be inside this extra case at all times. Basically the iPad simply sits inside a silicone framework which means the back, corners and front edges are giving some extra shock absorption and you can get a better grip on the device. The touch-screen however is not shielded from anything so most users apply a good quality transparent screen protector too.
If you carry your device around inside another bag you’ll need some form of sleeve or case to look after it and make sure nothing scratches the display. Textured designs such as the iPad Pixel Skin are great for giving extra padding and improving grip even further. The only drawback for some is silicone’s remarkable ability to attract dust and lint, but frankly a quick rinse over (after removing the iPad of course 
) shouldn’t cause too much work!
iPad Skins are so thin and lightweight that many cases will easily hold a tablet inside its protective skin.
iPad Shells
These are skins with a little more protective power. Usually hard cases they fit a lot like a skin, but tend to come with a removable screen guard included. Choose one where the front panel can be mounted on the back or you’ll be left with a spare piece of iPad sized plastic to house or lose on the commute.
By combining a polycarbonate skeleton with a silicone outer products like the Otterbox Defender iPad case provide exceptional protection for the device inside. Shells do add a little weight and bulk to the device, but not much and most will fit easily inside a carry case or zippered sleeve.
Folio Covers and iPad Cases With Stands
Now we get onto the more protective and versatile stuff. These are the traditional cover we often think of. Often made of leather these give the iPad the look of a large planner when shut, but open out into all manner of variables providing support for the iPad to make typing or watching movies without a docking station more comfortable.
The cheapest leather is often pretty low quality, but you don’t need to pay a fortune for something great. Just check customer reviews so you know the fit is going to be good and that access to controls will be comfortable and easy.
Simple flip stands such as the Marware Eco-Flip for iPad are the simplest solution, folding over to hold the tablet horizontally. But if you want the most versatile offering something like the Tuff Luv iPad Case range might be cool. You can flip, swivel and basically stand the iPad however you like!
These kinds of iPad covers and cases remain on your device constantly. This gives peace of mind if you like to drop your gadgets, but of course does add weight and bulk to the item you are carrying around which is something to think about before buying.
iPad Case Types
Hopefully this little introduction to the various types of iPad case available will help you find the perfect way to make your iPad look great, feel good to use and last a whole lot longer!
