Leveraging the identical M2 processor present in Apple’s Mac lineup, each Apple’s 12.9-inch and 11-inch iPad Pro fashions pack energy and productiveness, particularly due to an iPadOS that enables for Stage Supervisor assist. With Stage Manager, you’ll be able to run a number of windowed apps, even on an exterior monitor, and as soon as iPadOS 17 launches this fall, you will even be capable to join a webcam to the pill as one other workflow booster.
Nevertheless, Stage Supervisor’s potential is not fairly full with out the addition of a keyboard and trackpad that converts both iPad Professional mannequin right into a two-in-one laptop computer.
Because the launch of trackpad assist in iPadOS 13.4, we have seen various corporations and accent makers introduce keyboards designed for the iPad Professional, some with a trackpad, and a few with out. Under you will discover our prime picks for the very best iPad Professional keyboards we are able to discover.
Best iPad Pro keyboards: Our top picks
Apple/ Pocket-lint
Apple Smart Keyboard
1. Best iPad Pro keyboard for portability
$161 $179 Save $18
There’s nothing quite like Apple’s own accessories, including in the case of this great keyboard attachment, though it doesn’t come cheap.
- Stylish and compact
- Spill-resistant fabric keys
- Minimal impact on battery life
The Apple Smart Keyboard is a compact keyboard that attaches to the back of the iPad Pro utilizing a collection of magnets that maintain the iPad Professional in place, whereas additionally lining up the pill’s Good Connector. The connector facilitates offering energy to the keyboard, in addition to a approach for info to move to and from the keyboard again to the iPad Professional.
There are two distinct viewing angles you’ll be able to place the iPad Professional to fit your wants, be it typing out an extended e mail or drawing on the display utilizing the Apple Pencil. Whenever you’re performed typing, the Good Keyboard Folio folds down, performing as a protecting case.
Not like Apple’s Magic Keyboard (learn beneath for extra on that), the Good Keyboard Folio lacks a built-in trackpad, so you will must proceed tapping and swiping on the iPad’s display with a view to choose gadgets and navigate the interface. Those who maintain their jet gas espresso just a little too near their laptop computer will even be glad to listen to that the keys are lined in a spill-resistant woven cloth.
Apple/ Pocket-lint
Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad Professional
2. Greatest iPad Professional keyboard for productiveness
$250 $299 Save $49
It could be expensive, however we predict that is the very best keyboard and trackpad expertise you may get on the iPad Professional – it is simply not in many individuals’s finances.
- Trackpad built-in
- Premium feel and appear
- A number of viewing angles
- Backlit keys
- Very costly
- Can impression battery life
Apple’s Magic Keyboard is undeniably costly however can be a fairly very good little bit of equipment. Your iPad Professional seems to magically float above the desk due to robust magnets in each the iPad and the case portion of the keyboard. There are a number of viewing angles simply by tilting the iPad Professional.
Communication and energy are dealt with by Apple’s Good Connector, and that features the flexibility to cost the iPad Professional by way of the Magic Keyboard’s USB-C port that is constructed into the hinge of the keyboard itself. Charging by way of the keyboard’s USB-C port frees up the iPad Professional’s USB-C/Thunderbolt port to attach equipment and even an exterior monitor.
The Magic Keyboard can be the one keyboard from Apple that features a trackpad, changing the iPad Professional into extra of a laptop computer than a pill. The keys are additionally actually nice to sort on, however simply notice that the premium really feel does come at a $300 premium price ticket.
Logitech/ Pocket-lint
Logitech Combo Contact
3. Greatest iPad Professional keyboard for college students
$200 $230 Save $30
The Logitech Combo Contact is an element protecting case, half keyboard/trackpad, and it is unbelievable. It is extra inexpensive than Apple’s Magic Keyboard whereas nonetheless boasting a few of the similar options.
- Has a row of media keys and machine controls
- Nice typing expertise
- Removable case with built-in kickstand
- You may’t apply it to your lap
- Bulkier than related choices
The Logitech Combo Contact is just like Apple’s Magic Keyboard in that it provides a backlit keyboard and trackpad expertise that is powered by the iPad Professional’s Good Connector, however that is the place the similarities cease. As an alternative of connecting to the keyboard by way of magnets, the Combo Contact has a tough shell case that stays connected to your iPad always.
Higher but, you’ll be able to detach your iPad Professional and the case that is defending it from the keyboard at any time, providing you with the choice to make use of the pill as, effectively, a pill. On the bottom of the case is a kickstand, just like what the Microsoft Surface line has, which offers a number of viewing angles. The issue with the kickstand is which you can’t actually use the complete equipment – iPad Professional with the keyboard connected – in your lap.
Zagg / Pocket-lint
Zagg Professional Keys
4. Greatest iPad Professional keyboard for multitasking
$138 $200 Save $62
Zagg’s Professional Keys wi-fi keyboard for the iPad Professional makes use of Bluetooth to connect with your pill, and might even be paired to and management a second machine on the similar time. Moreover, the keyboard is removable, leaving a case in your iPad for further safety.
- Nice worth
- Can hook up with a number of units
- Doubles as a protecting case
- A Bluetooth connection might be laggy
The Zagg Professional Keys keyboard for the iPad Professional line is without doubt one of the extra inexpensive choices, however nonetheless grants you a wi-fi backlit keyboard that may hook up with your iPad Professional and one other machine on the similar time, equivalent to your iPhone or Mac, permitting you to modify between each units with a press of a button. In my expertise, Bluetooth keyboards can have a little bit of lag between key press and when it registers on the iPad. Usually it is solely while you first get up the iPad and keyboard, but it surely’s one thing to bear in mind when going this route.
There is a case that covers your iPad Professional for added safety for drops of as much as 6.6-feet, based on Zagg. The case would not have any form of stand constructed into it just like the Logitech Combo Contact, nonetheless. As an alternative, the case magnetically attaches to the keyboard, which has two totally different viewing angles.
Zagg estimates the keyboard’s battery life lasting as much as a yr with an hour of day by day use. In different phrases, that estimate is correct for minimal use, so plan on having to cost the keyboard all year long.
Logitech / Pocket-lint
Logitech Keys-To-Go Bluetooth Keyboard
5. Greatest iPad Professional keyboard for cellular use
$58 $70 Save $12
Logitech’s Keys-To-Go provides a slim, and really transportable Bluetooth keyboard that works with the iPad Professional. It is thought for somebody who needs a keyboard, however already has a case or would not need the additional bulk of an connected keyboard accent.
- Nice value
- Extremely-portable design
- Good battery life
The Logitech Keys-To-Go Extremely-Transportable Keyboard is appropriate with each iPad Professional fashions because of it utilizing Bluetooth for connectivity. It is impressively skinny and lightweight design makes it straightforward to toss into your bag alongside your iPad, and even carry round inside your coat pocket.
Regardless of its small dimension, there is a devoted row of keys for controlling machine settings and media playback, together with a house button to get you again to the iPad’s residence display at any time. Uniquely, it is also battery powered, which Logitech estimates three months of battery life in case you use the keyboard for 2 hours daily.
Greatest iPad Professional keyboard: The underside line
The perfect iPad Professional keyboard, in my view, is Apple’s Magic Keyboard with trackpad. It merely provides the very best, full-featured expertise you may get with the iPad Professional. Sure, it is also the costliest choice, however with that you just get a direct connection between the pill and the keyboard by way of Apple’s Good Connector, a backlit keyboard, plus an additional port to maintain your iPad’s Thunderbolt free for an exterior monitor, storage or perhaps a webcam as soon as iPadOS 17 is obtainable. Nevertheless, Logitech’s Combo Contact is a worthy contender that means that you can avoid wasting cash whereas additionally getting nearly all of the identical expertise because the Magic Keyboard, however saving you some money within the course of. And in case you actually simply need a keyboard, there’s all the time Logitech’s Keys-to-Go Bluetooth keyboard that is as compact as it’s succesful.
Apple/ Pocket-lint
Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad Professional
Editor’s Selection
$250 $299 Save $49
It could be expensive, however we do suppose that that is the very best typing expertise you may get on the iPad Professional – it is simply not in many individuals’s finances.
- Model
- Apple
- Backlight
- Sure
- Battery
- Powered by way of Good Connector
- Num Pad
- None
- Suitable Gadgets
- 11-inch iPad Professional, 12.9-inch iPad Professional
- USB Passthrough
- Sure. USB-C for charging the iPad Professional
- Constructed-in trackpad
- Premium feel and appear
- A number of viewing angles
- Backlit keys
- Very costly
- Can impression battery life
How did I select these iPad Professional keyboards?
I’ve used some type of an iPad as a laptop computer alternative – full with a keyboard accent – because the iPad Air 2 was launched in 2014. Extra not too long ago, At the moment, I am utilizing a 12.9-inch iPad Professional with Apple’s Magic Keyboard. Nevertheless, I’ve additionally used virtually all of the keyboards on this record, and for these I have never personally used, I used to be in a position to choose them based mostly on evaluations and direct consumer suggestions.
Are Bluetooth keyboards higher for the iPad Professional?
It relies upon. If you’d like a keyboard that can be utilized with extra than simply your iPad Professional, then a Bluetooth keyboard is the way in which to go, since you’ll be able to pair it with any Bluetooth-capable machine. Nevertheless, there might be some lag when utilizing a Bluetooth keyboard with the iPad Professional, which is irritating in case you’re a frequent typer.
Can I exploit a Bluetooth mouse with the iPad Professional?
In case you determined to get a keyboard that lacks a built-in trackpad, you’ll be able to completely nonetheless pair a wi-fi trackpad or mouse with the iPad Professional and use it as you’d with every other pc or laptop computer. Personally, I want utilizing a trackpad as a result of iPadOS is best fitted to gestures and swipes.
Why ought to I exploit a bodily keyboard with the iPad Professional?
By including an actual keyboard to your iPad Professional, you do not lose out on any options, however you do achieve further display house as a result of software program keyboard not taking over a portion of the display. Autocorrect nonetheless works, and you’ll make the most of lots of the similar keyboard shortcuts which can be current on the Mac, instantly in your iPad. To not point out, it is a lot simpler to sort lengthy emails or paperwork utilizing an actual keyboard as an alternative of tapping on the pad’s glass.
Trending Merchandise
