Apple’s iPadOS continues to improve in the areas of trackpad support and keyboard shortcuts, so full keyboard support is not available natively from Apple. The OS also continues to get more capable, making a combination of the iPad and a keyboard worthy to serve as the primary computing device for some people. Also: The best iPad accessories
The Apple Magic Keyboard is our best overall pick. Apple released the Magic Keyboard in early 2020 with a new unique form factor with a floating cantilever design and magnetic attachment to your iPad. You can find the perfect viewing angle with this keyboard for iPad, but it is very expensive. The keyboard supports Multi-Touch gestures and the cursor functionality of iPadOS. There is a USB-C port on the side of the Magic Keyboard hinge that you can use to charge up the iPad so that you can use the iPad port to connect to another device. The Apple Smart Keyboard Folio has been the standard for Apple’s iPad keyboards for years, providing a slim, sleek keyboard option to take with you wherever you go. The keys are integrated with the material and are well-spaced for accurate typing. It takes a bit of usage to get comfortable with the limited travel and response. There is no trackpad on this keyboard for iPad and no function row, but Apple optimizes the keys to fit the width of the iPad you are using it with. Two viewing angles are supported by the keyboard, and it folds up easily to protect the front and back of your iPad. The Smart Keyboard from Apple is the most basic keyboard from the company, but it’s also quite expensive when the iPad it connects to is just twice the price of the keyboard. It’s a simple solution with protection limited to the front of the iPad, but it is lightweight and works flawlessly. The keyboard supports usage for typing and for viewing videos. It’s stable under most conditions, but may be a bit difficult to use consistently on a lap. Brydge makes elegant, refined keyboards for many types of tablet computers, and its Apple iPad models are gorgeous and functional. The Max Plus line is available for iPad 12.9 and iPad 11-inch models, and all connect via Bluetooth. Brydge uses Bluetooth 5.0 and its firmware to create an Instant-On connection that makes any lag associated with Bluetooth something you will never have to worry about again. A SnapFit case protects the iPad and can be used outside of the keyboard. It snaps securely in place to the keyboard via strong magnets. 135-degree screen rotation is supported, and the premium aluminum Brydge keyboard really makes the package feel like a laptop. A well-sized, multi-touch trackpad is provided on the keyboard and supports all of the gestures you need to turn your iPad into a productivity powerhouse. The Brydge Air Max Plus keyboard is not made out of aluminum as we see with most of the Brydge keyboards, but it’s designed to protect your iPad and be used in the field. It’s constructed of rugged plastics with a bumper shell case for your iPad that protects it while out and about. The SnapFit case can be used outside of the keyboard. It snaps securely in place to the keyboard via strong magnets. 135-degree screen rotation is supported and the premium aluminum Brydge keyboard really makes the package feel like a laptop. A well-sized, multi-touch trackpad is provided on the keyboard and supports all of the gestures you need to turn your iPad into a productivity powerhouse. The keyboard and case also contain an antimicrobial ingredient to inhibit the growth of bacteria. The Logitech Combo Touch keyboard case includes everything you could want in an iPad keyboard, including Apple Smart Connector and a very large multi-touch trackpad. You can use it with the keyboard attached for typing, or you can remove the keyboard portion and flip out the back for viewing or sketching. You can also hold it in portrait orientation in reading mode. An integrated cover with a Surface-esque rear hinge piece protects the edges of your iPad and serves as a capable solution without the keyboard attached. The keyboard has a lovely fabric finish and well-spaced keys that help you enter text as fast as you desire while also using the large trackpad to navigate around your iPad. 16 levels of keyboard backlighting ensure you can use the keyboard in any condition. Something rarely seen in an iPad keyboard is the full function row along the top of the keyboard to improve your efficiency. Other keyboard manufacturers tend to fill in the gaps in Apple’s solutions, such as a full-function row, larger trackpad, rugged protection for the iPad, and more. All Apple keyboards, and the Logitech one, connect the iPad to the keyboards via Apple Smart Connector technology. With these keyboards, power is provided by the iPad, so there may be an impact on your tablet if heavy usage of backlighting takes place.
