We spend a lot of time testing and using iPad cases, but there are a few we keep coming back to once our testing is done. Here are some of our favorites for the iPad Air, all of which make great gifts.
Apple Smart Cover
For minimum protection, there's Apple's own $39 Smart Cover. This thin polyurethane cover keeps the display protected while still showing off the Air's aluminum back. It stays in place thanks to a magnetic hinge, and folds back into a stand that allows two viewing angles: One for typing, and one for watching video, both in landscape orientation. Plus, the Smart Cover is thin enough that it adds virtually no extra bulk to the Air. Though some argue that the Smart Cover is too thin and that previous models had a better design, it's a solid option for bare-bones safety.—Leah Yamshon
Miniot Cover
If you're in the "I hate the Smart Cover" camp, try Miniot's $94 Cover for the iPad Air instead. Like the Smart Cover, it only protects the Air's Retina display and has a magnetic hinge that keeps it in place. However, the Miniot Cover is made of wood, which gives it a handsome, stylish finish. Instead of folding back into a stand, it rolls up.—Leah Yamshon
Pad & Quill Contega
It seems as though bookbinding-style iPad cases are a dime a dozen these days (OK, more like $1200 a dozen, but you get the idea). Pad & Quill's $100 Contega Case for iPad Air, however, stands out. Like most bookbinding cases, it uses a handcrafted, wooden iPad frame (this one made of Baltic birch) on the inside, and a rigid, book-style cover on the outside. The cover includes the appropriate openings for the iPad Air's back camera and microphone, as well as channels for speaker audio and a pass-through Sleep/Wake button. But the exterior of the Contega is covered in leather instead of cloth, and a clever design allows the Contega to offer a sturdy, multi-position stand. The downside of these differences is that the Contega is heavier than most bookbinding cases, but it's one of the nicest we've seen.—Dan Frakes
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