You have an iPad 10.2 in an iPad 10.2 case; a sturdy 10.2 inch iPad case that fits it like a glove. But now you’re in the market for a brand new iPad mini, and you wonder, what I the best iPad mini case in 2022?
The iPad mini is the most portable of Apple’s iPad lineup, and it can honestly go with you everywhere. While that’s a good thing, it also means that it is more likely than a larger iPad to be dropped, bumped, or scratched. A great iPad mini case can protect your iPad when you’re out and about and serve as a stand when you’re hanging out at home.
Here we’ll look at three very different iPad cases: a minimal case that weighs just 100 grams, a kid-friendly case in cheerful colors, and a sturdy, professional case that provides your iPad with what it needs for your busy, ever-mobile lifestyle.
Best Minimalist iPad Case
Maybe you bought the iPad mini because of its low weight and small form factor, and you hate the idea of putting a clunky case on your slim, lightweight device. If that’s you, the Apple Smart Folio may be a good choice.
While this case is too thin to offer serious drop protection, it will protect your device from random bumps and scratches. There’s a fold over cover for the screen as well as back protection, and the cover can function as a iPad stand with several angle options. This case weighs only 100 grams, and it comes in five color options— Electric Orange, White, Black, Dark Cherry, and English Lavender.
The Apple Smart Folio isn’t cheap, but it is definitely worthy of the Apple name. It’ll fit your iPad like a glove, and it’ll be much longer lasting than the ten dollar imitations you can find on Amazon. If you want a lightweight low profile case and you don’t care about shock protection, this is the one to get.
Best iPad Mini Case For Kids
If your iPad mini was meant for younger kids, you might be in the market for a different kind of case altogether. Something brightly colored, extra bulky, and extra-good at protecting the iPad against falls. If you’ve got a toddler, the iPad just might be pelted across the room as part of a barrage of balls, blocks, and rolled-up socks. If you’ve got a nine-year old, it could be involved in a skateboard accident when riding along in your child’s backpack.
One great option is the Otterbox Trusty Case. It comes in two color options, blue (Slinky) and pink (Jumprope), and is especially designed for the younger generation. Users report it is durable and holds up to frequent misuses. There’s a silver additive in the polycarbonate backing to reduce microbial growth, and the built-in screen protector is easy to wipe down with a wet wipe. A sturdy kick stand at the back doubles as a car mount that holds the iPad up at perfect viewing height behind the front row seats in your car.
Best Protective iPad Case
But maybe this is your iPad mini, not your kid’s, and you’d still like a shock-protective case to protect against accident. You don’t need to be three years old to drop your iPad on the concrete, and devices belonging to the older and more mobile generations actually go on more adventures than kid devices. If you drop it, you drop it from a full four or five feet, rather than barely one your toddler lets go from.
The great news is, you don’t need enormous rubber bumpers or a huge quantity of extra weight to keep your iPad safe. All it takes is some careful engineering.
When shopping for an iPad case, look for one with Military drop spec; to be exact, you’re looking for something that’s been certified by Military Drop Test Standards (MIL STD 810G 516.6) That means it’s been tested and proven to actually protect your device when it’s dropped from a four-foot height. To pass the test, a device is dropped 26 times, with testing for damage after each drop.
The Zugu Muse case for the iPad mini is one really nice case that meets this standard. Zugu makes cases for pretty much every iPad that exists; if you have a 10.2 iPad, you can buy a 10.2 iPad case. But for the mini, you’re going to want to go with the case designed for your exact model. That’s different for the sixth generation than for 4&5, so buy carefully.
The Zugu Muse case for the iPad mini is made of microfiber, faux leather, and polycarbonate. The stand has seven viewing angles, so you should be able to find your perfect angle for that movie night or FaceTime call. All of those are landscape; if you use your tablet in Portrait mode, you’ll still be able to use your stand to keep it upright or recline it at an angle of about 20-30 degrees.
You can charge your pencil with the case on, or slip the pencil into its own little slot when it is finished charging. There’s a front flap to protect the screen, and it locks magnetically into both open and closed positions. The magnets in this case are strong enough to stick your iPad mini up on the refrigerator if that’s what you want— a great place to stay safe from spills and mess when you’re trying to follow an online recipe.
So which iPad case will you be buying? Will it be the slim form folio case, the bumper-built OtterBox, or the Zugu case for shock protection? We’d love to hear what you end up with—- let us know in the comments!
