The Best iPad Keyboards of 2026

While no keyboard we tested hit every mark of portability, protection, comfort, and versatility, Logitech's Combo Touch keyboard case came the closest. It's both a standalone case as well as an iPad keyboard and trackpad combo that together turn the iPad Air or Pro into a Microsoft Surface Pro-like device that's great for getting work done.

The Combo Touch's keys are just as big as the ones on Apple's Magic Keyboard. They're just as comfortable to type on, too. The keys feature adjustable backlighting that can be controlled via a pair of Function keys at the top of the keyboard. There are also shortcut keys for things like returning to your Home Screen, display brightness, triggering Spotlight search, media playback, volume control, and locking the device.

The trackpad on the Combo Touch is wider than most of the other trackpads built into the cases we tested, and it's consistently responsive. Scrolling through web pages using the trackpad is easy and smooth. It's precise enough for you to click your cursor between two lower-case L’s without straining your fingers.

The Combo Touch isn't only a great keyboard and trackpad that turns your iPad into a laptop—it's also a great case. When you're done with the keyboard, which connects to the iPad using Apple's Smart Connector (no charging or Bluetooth pairing necessary), you can pull it away and set it aside, all while leaving your iPad protected by the Combo Touch's casing. The case protects all four corners of the device and three out of four of the iPad's sides.

The part that isn't protected houses the Apple Pencil, but that won't do you much good if you don't plan on purchasing the stylus, and even if you do, other cases like the Zagg Rugged Book and Pro Keys with Trackpad have mechanisms for protecting or keeping the Pencil in place.

The back of the Logitech Combo Touch keyboard has a kickstand that props the iPad up at a variety of angles. It isn't as easy to balance on your lap as a case like Apple's Magic Keyboard, but it makes up for this in viewing angles: the Magic Keyboard's hinge is pretty limited in its adjustability. the Combo Touch's sturdy hinge can move almost a full 90 degrees.

The expansive viewing angles afforded by this case come in handy without its keyboard attached, as well. It makes it a great option for those who plan on using their iPad and Mac together via Universal Control, or want to use your tablet to watch a movie.

If you're not a fan of the Combo Touch's Surface-like kickstand, or you just prefer something that more closely resembles a traditional laptop, you should get Apple's Magic Keyboard. It's more expensive than the Combo Touch, and it doesn't offer as much protection, but it doesn't require an app for firmware updates and it's easier to rest in your lap.

The Magic Keyboard attaches to your iPad with an array of magnets on the back of the tablet's display, and the magnets hold the iPad in place securely. There's a hinge about two-thirds of the way down the Magic Keyboard's back panel, and though it doesn't offer as many viewing angles as a traditional laptop, there's still plenty of range for most positions.

Like the Combo Touch, the Magic Keyboard connects to the iPad Air and Pro using Apple's Smart Connector, which allows for keyboard and mouse input without requiring a Bluetooth connection (or an additional battery to keep charged). There's a USB-C port built into the keyboard itself, which can be used to charge your tablet, leaving your iPad's USB-C port free for data transfers. It essentially turns your one-port device into a two-port device without a dongle or USB hub.

The actual keyboard feels as comfortable to type on as recent MacBooks. The keys aren't as spaced out as on a MacBook, but they're about as big, which makes the keys easy to hit despite being so close together. Unlike most other keyboards we tested, though, the Magic Keyboard doesn't have function keys, so you'll have to get acquainted with iPadOS's shortcuts for adjusting things like brightness and volume, though those shortcuts are nowhere near as convenient as having dedicated keys. During testing, we found the Magic Keyboard's trackpad to be consistently responsive and precise.

Three things keep the Magic Keyboard from claiming the top spot: It's expensive, it's heavy, and it isn't very protective as a case. The model for the 11-inch iPad Pro and 10.9-inch iPad Air costs a whopping $300, which is a hefty cost to tack onto an already expensive tablet (the cheapest iPad Air starts at $600, and we only recommend the pricier 256GB model). If you opt for the iPad Pro, the cheapest model starts at $750, so you're looking at a total of at least $1,150 ($150 more than the entry-level MacBook Air).

It's also quite heavy for an accessory. At about 1.3 pounds, the Magic Keyboard weighs more than the 11-inch iPad Pro, which weighs a little over a pound. While the Magic Keyboard only weighs a bit more than the Combo Touch (about 1.2 pounds), the Combo Touch can be separated into two parts depending. on your needs, The Magic Keyboard is a sturdy accessory that doesn't come apart.

Lastly, despite the high price tag, the Magic Keyboard won't protect your iPad from damage as well as the Combo Touch or Pro Keys with Trackpad, both of which serve as cases in addition to keyboards with trackpads. Since the Magic Keyboard attaches directly to the iPad via magnets, you can't use it with a case, so even when the keyboard is closed with the iPad attached, the edges of your device are totally exposed in the event of a drop or fall.