Editor's note: We regularly update this buying guide to reflect the latest accessories on the market and to remove products that are no longer available. We've noted recent additions and removals in each section.
For serious typing sessions—or if you just can't get the hang of the iPad's onscreen keyboard—an external keyboard offers the tactile advantages of real keys without sacrificing the iPad's portability and touchscreen features.
The iPad supports almost any Bluetooth keyboard, but there are many, many keyboards on the market that are specifically made for use with the iPad. These tend to be designed for portability, and they usually include special iPad-function keys for adjusting volume and screen brightness; controlling media playback; opening iOS's Spotlight-search screen; going to the Home screen; and more. Some even offer dedicated buttons for cut, copy, and paste. Most iPad keyboards are integrated into some sort of protective case, although a few are standalone models; regardless of the design, most include rechargeable batteries that last for weeks or months on a charge.
(We published the first edition of this buying guide back in December 2011 after testing roughly three dozen iPad keyboards. We published a major update in March 2013 after testing several dozen more, and this update incorporates the evaluation of a good number of products released in the past half-year.)
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