iPad Air Third party keyboard case comparisons - Magnetic

[revs]

With iOS 26 i’m quite tempted to try out a Magic Keyboard style case. I might not use it much, but i’m pretty curious.

Obviously the Apple/Logitech/Belkin ones are going to be pretty decent.

But what about all the cheap knock offs on Amazon? Are any of them surprisingly good, good value for money?

I wonder if they are all a bit big and heavy, or have awful trackpads.

I guess i’m considering buying something cheap, and if it was a thing I used a lot then I’d look at an Apple one or Logitech/belkin.

 

[Spinarelo]

I love love love the Logitech combo touch. Has everything I need and is way more versatile than Apple's... keyboard is magnetic, uses the smart connector so you don't have to worry about charging it, has a real case with a kickstand, keyboard is very responsive with a full trackpad... and light up keys. Don't bother with the cheap Amazon options. Spend a little more and get this one.... trust me you won't regret it

 

[revs]

I don’t like the fact you have to put a case on the iPad, I like to use mine caseless. So I’d never use it as I’d have to be putting the case on and off.

 

[revs]

So as an update - I bought the Belkin Pro Keyboard for iPad (£99), which is their Magic Keyboard knock off.

I ended up returning it because the trackpad needed a lot of force to click, and when using tap to click even the lightest touch would cause a tap - making typing impossible as any movement near the trackpad would cause a tap and steal focus.
It also didn’t feel like Belkin quality, more like they rebranded one of the many Chinese versions.

I like the idea in general, so I’ve bought one of the Inateck models on Amazon, as it was £50. Cheap enough that if the trackpad is a bit more useable then I’ll be happy. I’ll update here on how that one is.

I don’t think I’ll use the case much, but if I do, I’ll upgrade to the Apple one at some point - although I’ve read reviews that also mentioned it being too easy for even the Apple trackpad to get tapped while typing. So maybe this is an OS level thing.

I think what I really want is for Apple to make the Magic Keyboard Folio for the iPad Air! (No the Logitech models are not the same - I don’t like cases that need the iPad to be in a case, I like being able to have it naked and use the magnets)

 

[revs]

Updating my own thread for anyone else searching for reviews.

I got their Inateck Magnetic Keyboard model (KB09119) for £52 on a prime day deal. So far I much prefer this to the Belkin.

Good vs the Belkin:
- There’s the option of a UK layout.
- Tap to click doesn’t accidentally happen as much, but it does happen (to be fair I’ve heard it also happens with the Apple keyboard)
- The trackpad click is much lighter and nicer, to the point I could turn off tap to click
- Although it seems cheaper, I prefer it. It’s got a firmer keyboard with squared off plastic, and that is nicer to me than the Belkin. It is similar in size and shape to the iPad itself.
- This feels lighter

Not so good:
- The trackpad isn’t as smooth in motion. Maybe the Belkin one was glass, I can’t remember.
- no OS level battery monitor
- You can only physically click the trackpad in the bottom left or right corner

I’d pick this at the same price point as the Belkin. But at half the price, easily this one.

If you think you’ll use this kind of case a lot - and don’t have another machine, you should probably go for the Apple case. But for me, I’m not sure how much Ill use this, if at all - I just want to see how productive iOS26 can be - so I wanted something cheap to play with, but not useless.

I had high hopes for the Belkin as its a better brand, but I think they just did some tweaks and rebranding of one of the Chinese cases and its not noticeably better.