Updated April 2021 –
A brand new iPad can set you back a pretty penny. The latest 2021 M1 chip equipped models feature a dizzying array of state of the art technologies. Those technologies, the glass screen and the aluminum rear panel need to be protected.
Anytime you drop upwards of a thousand dollars on a flashy new tablet, you’re going to want to make sure you keep that new hardware safe. This is where a good protective case or cover comes in.
After 10+ years of iPads, the world is littered with poorly engineered, poorly constructed, substandard cases. Maybe you’ve seen some on other sites? Maybe you’ve even owned one yourself and are looking for a better experiecne?
Types of iPad Covers
Unfortunately, many of the manufacturers who were making decent covers have closed up shop and moved on. This makes finding a good quality iPad cover harder than ever. This is why we wrote this blog post.
Apple tablet owners are spending hours, days, even weeks looking all over the internet for the best iPad case to meet their needs. If you’ve found this post, welcome. It is our hope that we can supply you with some concrete things to look for when shopping for a top quality case.
When it comes to selecting the best iPad cover, you’ll want to closely evaluate the materials, protection, style, durability and ultimately the value. All of these aspects of the design will add up to your perception of the overall quality.
However, with so many designs, styles and options to choose from, how do you decide which one is right for you? The professionals at MacCase created this check list to assist you in finding the best leather iPad cover to meet your needs.
What Size is My iPad?
When the iPad first launched, it was a one-size-fits-all type of modern marvel. But now, over a decade after the first generation launched, Apple tablets come in an array of different sizes and models. Which, means you can’t just go out and buy any ole iPad cover anymore — you need to get a cover that fits your specific model.
Before you buy a case, triple check to make sure the cover you chose fits the size of Apple tablet you own. If you’re concerned about the size of your tablet and want to confirm which size you have before finding the best iPad case, check this post about how to measure an iPad for a case.
Many Apple tablet users struggle with the question of whether magnetic iPad covers are safe. A protective cover that contains magnets is safe to use with your Apple tablet. Apple themselves use a large number of magnets to attach their own keyboards to the tablets. Moreover, many third party case companies have been using magnets to attach things to Apple tables since their introduction in 2010.
One of the Best iPad Cover Materials: Leather
When it comes to materials none is as sophisticated or as timeless as leather. If you’re tired of purchasing a fake leather case every 6 months, maybe it’s time to step up to the real thing. That said, not all leather cases are equal. Before you make your selection, there are a few things to consider first.
Top grain, full grain, vegtable tanned, analined, semi-analined and bonded are just a few of the choices when it comes to the type of hides available. Which type of leather you choose will affect the overall quality, durablity and longevitity of your iPad cover.
Be wary of what what is often described at “PU leather”. PU leather is not leather at all. It’s plastic, pure and simple. The “PU” stands for polyurethane. There is nothing natural about it and posses none of the warmth and smell of the real thing.
The latest trend in cut and sew materials is to describe plastic or vinyl sheets used to make cases as “vegan”. As if the material is somehow made from plants. It’s not. It’s typically polyvinyl chloride or PVC. It’s definitely not leather and don’t be fooled into thinking it’s somehow better for the environment. it’s not that either. It’s just marketing hyperbole.
Best iPad Case for Protection
An iPad covers primary purpose is to keep your device safe from scratches, drops, bumps and other accidents that could damage your device. No matter how pretty an iPad cover may be, the best case will first and foremost protect.
The level of protection you needs depends on the type of environment you and your Apple tablet will be moving though on a regular basis. Someone working in a law office will need a different level of protection than some working on a construction site everyday.
Think about the environment you’ll be moving through and how else besides yourself might be using the tablet. This will help you figure out the level of protection you’ll need.
Your case or cover should be sturdy enough to protect your tablet in the environment you plan on using it in. Loose or flimsy Apple tablet screen covers are usually great for protecting the screen of your Apple tablet from scratches, however won’t protect it from a fall.
When choosing a leather case for your iPad, make sure the attachment method is secure. The best case will not only secure the Apple tablet in a safe, concise way but will also protect the corners and edges at the same time.
For iPad Pro models that can charge the Apple Pencil along the outside edge of the tablet, make sure the case you choose will protect the Apple Pencil in the charging position when the case is opened and closed. You don’t want to loose your $100+ Pencil due to a design flaw in the case.
Style Matters
Let’s face it, you want your Apple tablet to be protected and look good at the same time. Trendy and gimmicky looking cases are not always a good fit, especially in a professional environment.
While the style of any product can be a subjective thing, most people will tell you they know something is beautiful when they see it. Style points do matter and the best leather iPad cover will feature a classic, elegant style that is neither bland nor trendy.
This is easier said than done. Often products are over-styled or plastered with crazy colors or graphics to hide the fact that the designers didn’t know how to create a case that was simple, elegant and timeless. Everyone wants a cool iPad case but one person’s “cool” is another’s trendy, childish cover.
If you’re some who appreciates quality product design and if you’ve purchased an Apple tablet vs. an android branded one you probably are, then look for a case design that reflects your taste. Fortunately, with all the options available, you should be able to find a handsome leather iPad cover to meet your aesthetic sensibilities.
Built To Last: Leather iPad Cover Durability
Durability is a tough thing to try and get a handle on before you purchase any product. We only know something is durable after the passage of time, not before we buy it.
There are several ways to check on durability before purchasing. Read the reviews and find the oldest one you can find. If a review is more than five years old and the company is still making the product, there is a good chance the product is solid and will last.
Why?
Because the Apple portable case market is really tough. If a substandard product is not performing and the reviews reflect that, chances are the product and company would not have lasted 5 years.
Another excellent way to test durability before making a purchase is to ask someone who owns one. You’ll get the feedback you want pure and unfiltered. Lastly, ask yourself what your perception is of the cover you are interested in. If it’s made of plastic and the price is $9.99, how long do you really think it will last?
Many times, price will be a helpful indicator of durability. Materials, which we have spoken of earlier, also affects durability. In product design, just like in life, many aspects are related.
Materials matter. Our aforementioned plastic case for $9.99 is not expected to last very long. Both the price and materials speak to this. A $100+ leather iPad cover should last you at least as long as you own the tablet.
If you’re looking for a professional leather iPad case, than hopefully the overall quality and price will reflect this. If you resell the tablet when upgrading to a new model, you can offer the case as part of the sale and re-coup some of the initial cost.
A Good Value
Which brings us to value. The most important factor for choosing the best leather iPad cover is value. What are you really getting for your money? As mentioned, it’s worth paying a little extra for better protection. But what about evaluating the value of the design, materials and functionality?
The components of what makes something a good value are many. You can almost break it down like a math equation: Good design + good feature set + good protection + high quality materials + long term durability + X factor of how the case makes you feel ÷ the price = a good value.
Value is a lot like durability in a sense that if something is more expensive it will be hard to judge the value before purchasing. Everyone can expect a $9.99 cover to be a terrible value. It’s junk and will not last. But how long should a $150 case last? In the end, a well made, more expensive case will always be a better value.
What people don’t often consider when shopping for “cheap” products is the value of their time. How much is your time worth? Is the time you spend looking for case after case because you perceive a low cost case as being a better value really one? Could you spend that time with friends or family instead of perusing sites like amazon for another lost cost, poorly made iPad cover?
In the end, a product that honors the value of your time and respects your time represents a great value. All we really have is time and then we don’t.
Best Quality Leather iPad Cover
Quality is an often overlooked issue when making a purchase for a cover. People are being trained to buy in discount, not value or quality.
While there is a plethora of low end, cheap cases available, Apple’s tablets are the premium product in that market. Do you really want to put the most expensive tablet in the world in the cheapest case you can find?
If not, then finding a well crafted, handmade leather cover should be a priority. Look for cases where the quality is visible on every panel and in every stitch. The best leather cover for iPad will provide an experience greater than the sum of it’s parts.
This is the “x factor” mentioned the equation above. This is the experience of the overall design, the functionality, the materials, how well the case protects and how it makes you feel. All of these things add up to the quality of the case but more importantly, the quality of your experience.
Key things to look for in a quality cover are materials, feature set, reviews, and price. Again, how much quality can any manufacturer deliver if their case is $9.99? Or $19.99? But at $150 you expectations are raised and the case need to deliver on that promise.
How much quality do you need? Again, you purchased the most expensive tablet computer on Earth. That should provide you with your answer. If you spent $1500 on a suit, would you pair it with a $30 pair of shoes or a $5 tie? If you’re a professional or someone who appreciates things of a certain quality, choosing the best leather iPad cover you can find supports an overall lifestyle choice.
Cover Options
A good tablet case can do so much more than keep your device safe. A folio style case can include everything from a stand to hold your device upright to a full keyboard. Tablet cases beyond the folio style can also include additional features like storage compartments and shoulder straps.
Before you make your final selection, make sure the cover you choose includes all the extra features you’ll need to get the most out of your device. Do you need an iPad case with a Pencil holder? A pencil case, a place to store the AC adapter, business cards or documents are all popular options many customers look for in a top quality design.
Maybe you don’t need a full on case. If you’re using the Apple Smart Keyboard Folio, which in and of itself is a case, all you need is a cover. Apple’s Keyboard Cover is a bit depressing with it’s industrial gray color and plastic feel. A beautiful leather cover will not only enhance the overall look but your user experience as well.
Finding the Best iPad Case for You
So you may bed asking yourself, “What is the best iPad cover?”
Another way to get a sense of the overall quality, durability, protection, and value of the product is to call the company and talk to someone. Try to speak to someone knowledgable and who has experience using the model you are interested in. If you get a run around or a series of voice mails, maybe it’s not the case for you.
Of course you can expect them to wax poetically about how awesome the product is. Your job is to get a sense of how the person is taking about the product and how they are talking to you.
Are they just going through the motions? Can you hear a real sense of passion in their voice? Do you get a sense they really care about helping you? Do they have a deep understanding of the model you’re asking about or just telling your what you want to hear?
These things matter. Not only when purchasing a case or cover but if there is a problem. The higher the price the more this matters.
While this is by no means an exhaustive list, we tired to cover the most important aspects of finding the best leather iPad Pro case. By following these tips, you’ll be able to choose the perfect case to meet your needs.
Are you ready to buy a case? We can help! In 1998 MacCase created the Apple specific case market and has since remained at the forefront of Apple portable protection. Our Premium Leather iPad cases and covers have been the gold standard in Apple tablet protection since 2010.
We have stunning and sturdy premium leather cases, so you’re sure to find one that works for you.
“Finding the best leather iPad cover is easy…”
Additional Posts on Similar Topics
• How to Measure an iPad For a Case
• 8 Things to Consider When Shopping for an 11-inch iPad Pro Folio
• How to Buy the Best Quality iPad Pro Case
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