Review – The Best iPad Keyboards

Contrary to what some people claim, the iPad is not a media consumption device. The iPad is not incapable of doing “real work”. In fact, most of the writing for this site is done directly on my trusty iPad Air 2. I handle all of AfterPad’s HTML, database management, and coding directly from my iPad.

The only thing I need to do these activities is a great keyboard. And I’ll admit, this is one area the iPad falls behind traditional computers. Laptops have decent keyboards built-in and desktops can use any external keyboard under the sun. For iPads, the selection is much more limited, and much less capable. Most keyboards are cheap, poor quality devices, designed more for their portability than for serious typing.

These keyboards don’t interest me. I do real work on my iPad, and I set out to find the very best keyboards to allow me to do real work. The field isn’t as big as you might expect, and I’ve spent the past several month testing keyboards and narrowing down my choices.

I want to start off by laying out a few of my requirements. I’m only interested in keyboards that meet these conditions; there is a whole world of amazing keyboards out t for would have to meet these requirements, or have a very good excuse for not meeting them.

First, the keyboard must have a Mac key layout. No exceptions on this one. I want to use my thumb to activate the Command key, not my pinky. I’m too old to change.

Second, I’m not interested in a keyboard case. Magnetic covers are fine, but not cases. I don’t want to leave my iPad in a case all the time, and I don’t want to fumble with inserting it and removing it from a case whenever I want to use the keyboard. This requirement removes a lot of compelling options. Clamcase, Logitech, and Zagg make some very well reviewed keyboard cases; they just aren’t for me.

Third, I need to be able to use Forward-Delete. I use the forward-delete functionality a lot. Less in my writing, but constantly in managing the game database. If I have to hold FN plus the regular Backspace key, I’ll live. But keyboards without either the FN key or a true forward delete key are out of contention.

Lastly, I want the size to be manageable. No Huge Keyboards. I have no interest in the number keypad, 50 extra gaming macro keys, or a bunch of obsolete keys like numlock and print screen. For external keyboards, the tenkeyless form factor is the absolute largest I’m interested in – something closer to laptop-sized would be even better.

Those requirements limited my field of interest to three different form factors: keyboard covers, laptop-style external bluetooth keyboards, and ultraportable mechanical keyboards.

The Best iPad Keyboard Covers

First off, I decided to try my chances with a keyboard cover. Unlike a full keyboard case, covers clip on magnetically, and are thus easy to remove when not in use. They’re extremely convenient, as they connect over Bluetooth and can be transported directly alongside the iPad.

Even with the larger iPads, keyboard cases can’t provide a key layout as large as a laptop’s, so provide an inferior typing experience to a full-size external keyboard. Still, the extreme portability and integrated iPad stand provide benefits of their own, which aren’t matched by external keyboards. If you can make due with the inferior typing experience compared with an external keyboard, cover-style keyboards have a lot going for them.

Finding the best cover style keyboard wasn’t difficult. Once you get rid of the low quality Chinese keyboards that make up the bulk of the Amazon results, are only two options worth considering, both of them by Logitech.

The Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover for iPad Air 2

The obvious starting place was Logitech’s “latest and greatest” keyboard cover: the brand new Ultrathin 2 for iPad Air 2. This is the latest in a long, long line of Logitech keyboard covers, stretching all the way back to the first iPad. Somewhere midway through the life cycle of the first iPad Air, Logitech released a major redesign of their Ultrathin Keyboard Cover. This redesign features larger keys, a thinner case, better function keys, adjustable docking angle, and a magnet to sleep the iPad when closed, just like Apple’s Smart Covers.

Theres only one problem: this redesign is worse than it’s predecessor in virtually every way.

The keys on the Ultrathin 2 may be bigger, but they occupy the exact same footprint as it’s predecessor, meaning you aren’t gaining any finger real estate. The “thinner case” simply results in shallower key travel, making for a less pleasant typing experience, without any meaningful gain in portability. The keys aren’t just cramped, they’re also wobbly, which stands in sharp contrast to the stability of it’s predecessor. The adjustable docking angle is a nice idea, but it only adjusts backwards, while the angle is already is too far back as it is.

All of those are unfortunate downgrades, but they pale in comparison to the real deal killer: the keyboard’s hinge. The main benefit of a keyboard cover is it can be quickly clipped on and off. Not so with this keyboard cover. This hinge is designed such that it only opens up to a short, 30-degree angle, requiring you to carefully remove your iPad at a tight angle without scratching the screen against the keys. Absolutely terrible design.

All of these “upgrades” come at a price ranging from $80-$100. Ridiculous. Logitech has a track record of releasing redesigned versions of their products that are significant downgrades on previously-killer products – this keyboard cover is the most egregious example yet.

If, for some reason, you can’t find a better keyboard cover than this, it’s available now for $89 in both space gray and silver aluminum models.

The Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover for iPad Air (First Version)

The good news is, not only can you still get the original Ultrathin Keyboard Cover, but you can get it at significant discounts, since it’s “obsolete”.

What you get with this obsolete hardware is amazing quality (for their size) keys, great built quality, a strong hinge that actually functions correctly, and a long lasting battery. Seriously, it’s like a night-and-day difference. These keys are springy, spacious, and pleasant feeling. None of the shallowness or wobble of the later model.

There are only two downsides to this keyboard. One: the iPad Air 2 rests back at a steeper angle than I’d like. Two: the iPad doesn’t automatically lock when you close the cover. That’s it. Everything else is better than any other keyboard cover I’ve used in every way. Those are unfortunate.

I managed to purchase this keyboard for about $35 on Amazon. It’s currently sold out, but is restocked occasionally. You can also find it being clearanced out at office supply stores and big-box electronic retailers; if you’re looking for a killer keyboard case for an iPad Air or iPad Air 2, finding one of these on sale will likely be both the cheapest and best option available.

You can find the Ultrathin Keyboard Cover in both space gray and silver aluminum models.

Slim External Keyboards

As great as the Ultrathin Keyboard Cover is, after using it for about a month, I concluded that it wasn’t for me. I do almost all of my writing on the iPad, and I just don’t want to deal with the trade-offs associated with a small keyboard size. Maybe once an 12-inch iPad comes out, I’ll reconsider this, but a 10-inch keyboard just doesn’t cut it for me when it comes to long-form writing and database management.

The good news is, I don’t particularly mind bringing an external keyboard with me, if it makes for a superior typing experience. I carry my iPad and accessories in a messenger bag, and there’s plenty of room in there for a small keyboard.

After thoroughly testing all the major models from the big brands, I managed to narrow down my selection to the few contenders most people will want to consider.

The Apple Bluetooth Keyboard

The obvious starting point is Apple’s own Bluetooth keyboard. This keyboard is built with the usual Apple build quality – one solid piece of aluminum, keys with perfect feeling plastic, and brilliant little design aesthetics all around (especially the battery compartment!). I like Apple’s keyboard layout – it works well enough with the Macbooks – so something like that on iOS would be a great starting point.

Unfortunately, Apple did a pretty terrible job with optimizing this keyboard for iOS.

Don’t get me wrong; the build quality is great, the keys are pleasant feeling scissor-style designs, and the battery life is good. It’s a fine keyboard. It just isn’t designed in any way for iOS. No home button, no search functionality, no multitasking switch. Instead you get a bunch of superfluous Mac commands for Dashboard and Mission control.

Worst of all, I experienced occasional Bluetooth stutters. I’d be typing away, and a letter or two might get occasionally dropped, or the shift key might be held a little too long in software. This might be related to the relatively ancient version of Bluetooth used by this keyboard, which hasn’t been meaningfully updated since 2011. Whatever the reason, it isn’t good.

If you already have an old Apple Bluetooth keyboard lying around, you might as well give it a shot with the iPad, see if it works for you. For anyone else, don’t bother. For the $70 or so Apple is asking for this keyboard, you should expect a lot more. Rumor has it Apple is planning on upgrading it soon. From my experience with the current version, this upgrade can’t come soon enough.

The Logitech Easy Switch Keyboard

After my disappointment with Apple’s keyboard, I tested a variety of Logitech’s tablet offerings, eventually concluding that the Logitech Easy Switch was by far the best of the lot. This is not an original conclusion – the Easy Switch is a very highly reviewed keyboard.

In contrast to Apple’s bare-bones bluetooth keyboard, Logitech throws everything in to this but the kitchen sink. Aluminum construction, fully backlit keys, media and home key options, and different Mac and Windows layout versions all headline the feature list. But the most important function, the one that gives this keyboard it’s name, is the multi-device switching capability. The Easy Switch features three dedicated device keys in the top left, and can simultaneously pair with up to three different devices. Switching between your PC and your iPad is as simple as hitting a key.

All of those features are great, but they’re nothing compared to the Easy Switch’s best aspect: it’s a hell of a good keyboard. They keys are perfectly sized, made of a high-quality-feeling plastic, generously spaced, and perfectly springy. Honestly, these might be the best scissor-style keys I’ve ever used. It’s not easy to beat Apple when it comes to this stuff, but Logitech raised the bar here.

The Easy Switch keyboard manages to cram all of it’s features into a very small, portable package. While not as portable as a keyboard cover or case, this external keyboard does not waste space. The fact that it sports a laundry list of great features and is significantly thinner than Apple’s keyboard highlights just how much Apple needs to update their offering.

Honestly, after testing all of these keyboards, the Easy Switch is probably the one I’d recommend to most people. It’s not as portable as a keyboard cover, but it’s not as bulky as a bigger mechanical keyboard – a perfect middle zone. It’s available in both Mac and PC layouts for a list price of $100, though I managed to get mine for $40 at Office Max – deal hunt on this one.

Other Options

Although the Logitech Easy Switch is ultimately my pick in portable keyboard design, I spent some time testing a variety of other keyboards, the more interesting of which I’ll discuss below.

Microsoft makes a pretty good iOS keyboard called the Universal Mobile Keyboard. It has a great design, solid build quality, and springy keys. Unfortunately, it isn’t significantly larger than a keyboard cover. Seriously, it’s just as cramped as the Ultrathin keyboard cover, but without any reason – nothing restricts it to being the same size as an iPad! If Microsoft is targeting people who are already committed to bringing an external keyboard, I’m not sure why they felt the need to make it so small. It doesn’t really make any sense to combine the size disadvantage of a keyboard case with the inconvenience of an external keyboard. I don’t understand who this product is for, but if you think it’s for you, it’s available in both white and black models for about $65.

Logitech had one more potentially interesting keyboard: the Logitech K480 Bluetooth Multi-Device keyboard. Superficially, this keyboard appears to have the same excellent keycaps from the Easy Switch, but in a much cheaper package, while also integrating a stand to hold your iPad and iPhone. Sounds great to me! Sadly, these are not the same keys used by the Easy Switch. These are wobbly, cheap, plasticky keys. A missed opportunity here – I wouldn’t want to type on these for an extended length of time. They look the same, but the feel is all wrong. Still, if you REALLY need an integrated stand, this is about your only option, and it’s worth a look. It comes in black and white versions, and is available for about $49.

I also broke my oath the never use another Belkin product and spent some time with their Secure Wired keyboard. This keyboard is unique in that it attaches to the iPad via Lightning. This appeals to me in theory – bluetooth can be finicky. Sadly, like basically ever Belkin product, the build quality is terrible. Wobbly keys, tiny arrow keys (even though they’re off-set with enough room to be full size!), and zero forward-delete functionality. This feels like a $15 keyboard you’d see a school outfit their classrooms with, but it actually retails for $60. If you absolutely MUST have a wired keyboard for security reasons, this is the best one available. But don’t take that as a recommendation – it isn’t.

Mechanical Keyboards

If you really want to fall down the rabbit hole into insanity, you have to enter the world of mechanical keyboards.

Mechanical keyboards – sometimes known as Clicky keyboards, Gaming keyboards, or Hipster keyboards [citation needed] – include elaborate mechanisms embedded underneath the keys themselves in order to provide a more tactile typing response. Sometimes this response is augmented by an audible “clicking” noise, either from people bottoming-out the keys or from additional clicking elements embedded in the keys themselves.

These are different from the crappy keyboards that dominated PC lineups from the late ‘90s through late 2000s – those are known as Membrane keyboards. The keys themselves have the same external shape as mechanical keyboards, but the actual typing experience is generally unpleasant, with a sort of soft, mushy feel. I’d take laptop-style scissor keys over membrane keys any day – not so with mechanical keys.

If all of this sounds confusing, that’s because it is. The world of mechanical keyboards is reminiscent to the world of audiophile music listening. There are real, tangible benefits to investing some time into both. There are also people who are happy to sell you snake-oil-flavored placebos for outrageous prices. But while the world of audiophile music has at least some objective facts on it’s side (although many choose to ignore them), keyboards are almost entirely a matter of personal preference. These preferences are primarily embodied in the type of mechanism inside the keys, which is known as the key switch.

I didn’t expect to have much difficulty finding an iPad-compatible mechanical keyboard. I was expecting that I’d be able to plug any old mac-compatible mechanical keyboard into the iPad via the Lightning to USB adapter and start typing away without issue. I was wrong.

My first problem was actually finding a mac-compatible mechanical keyboard that wasn’t huge and covered with extraneous keys. I had assumed this would be the easy part, but the vast majority of mechanical keyboards these days are focused around gaming, which is an area in which the Mac still lags behind Windows PCs. Gaming keyboard companies like Razer rarely make Mac-layout keyboards, and when they do, it’s only for the most expensive (and therefore buliest) models. The size of these makes them a non-starter for me, as I want to be able to carry the keyboard with me in a messenger bag or laptop case. Specialist keyboard companies make Mac-optimized mechanical keyboards, but these are very expensive, and still aren’t specifically designed for the iPad. If I’m going to spend between $100 and $200 on a keyboard, I’m not going to tolerate a hacked-together solution.

I was eventually able to settle on one reasonably priced, Mac-compatible mechanical keyboard. While it certainly isn’t the fanciest mechanical keyboard on the market, it would allow me to test exactly how well the USB-to-Camera-Connection-Kit method would function in the real work.

The Rapoo V500 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard

I’d never heard of Rapoo before, but their V500 keyboard covered all the bases. It is mechanical, relatively compact, and fully programmable. Best of all, at $59, it significantly undercuts every other Mac mechanical keyboard, and pretty much any mechanical keyboard.

Now to be clear, this keyboard doesn’t technically have a Mac compatible layout. It is, however, fully programmable. Meaning if you plug it into a Windows PC and install the drivers, you can completely customize the key layout. Importantly, these layout changes are saved directly to the keyboard’s firmware, meaning you don’t have to keep the drivers installed – critical, since the iPad obviously doesn’t have drivers. Anyways, after setting up the keyboard and spending some time with it, I have good news and bad news.

The bad news: It doesn’t work with the iPad using the Lightning to USB Adapter. It simply draws more power than that adapter is capable of providing. You can still use it with the iPad, but you’ll first need to plug the keyboard into a powered USB hub, and then plug that hub into the Lightning to USB cable. Obviously not ideal for something that’s supposed to be portable.

After jumping through those hoops, the iPad will pop up with an error message about the Rapoo keyboard being incompatibe. If you dismiss that message, however, they keyboard will work perfectly fine. All compatible function keys work perfectly, and there is zero lag anywhere. If I were setting up a stationary writing space, and didn’t mind the USB hub requirement, I’d be very happy with this keyboard.

The V500 is a mechanical keyboard with linear switches. Linear switches are different than the usual tactile switches found in mechanical keyboards. In effect, these switches don’t have the “bump” or “click” feedback many typists are used to. Instead, the keys go down silky-smooth, activate about half-way down, and only make a noise if they key itself touches the base of the keyboard. Experienced mechanical keyboard touch-typists will probably never bottom out they keys, resulting in an incredibly smooth, whisper-quiet typing experience.

The good news: If you’re a fan of linear mechanical switches, the Rapoo V500 is a killer bargain. The keys feel outstanding, the fully-programable nature of the keyboard makes it perfect for both gamers and Mac users, and the price is pretty much impossible to beat. This isn’t a viable keyboard for iPad users, but for computer users, this is an amazing find. At about $64.99 in both black and white, this is an EASY recommendation for PC gamers or Mac typists. Just not for the iPad.

The Rapoo KX

I was so impressed with the typing experience of the Rapoo V500, I decided to give another one of their keyboards a chance. The KX keyboard had potential; it uses the exact same yellow linear key switches as the V500, but features a fully wireless connection instead. Not bluetooth, sadly – it requires a small RF transmitter be plugged in via USB. However, the keyboard itself draws power from an integrated battery, rather than from USB. Meaning all the iPad’s Lightning to USB adapter would need to power is the tiny RF transmitter. Worth a shot, right?

I really, really wanted this to work. The build quality of the KX is outstanding, with the face plate constructed out of a solid piece of brushed stainless steel. The keys have flatter, more laptop-style surfaces, but feature the exact same switches as the V500, and are just as pleasant to type on. And unlike the V500, they’re fully backlit. The function keys are a strange, touch-sensitive design, but the keyboard provides haptic feedback via an integrated vibration motor when you touch them – an odd design decision, but it works, since F keys are rarely used.

Sadly, it just doesn’t work with the iPad. The RF transmitter simply requires too much power for the Camera Connection Kit. That would itself be a deal killer for me, but there’s another problem. Unlike the Rapoo V500, the Rapoo KX is not fully programmable. Only the virtual F-keys can be programmed. This means there’s no way to switch the Windows and Alt keys to the Mac layout.

To be honest, if everything else about this keyboard worked with the iPad, I’d be willing to overlook the backwards key mapping. It’s that good. $80 seems like a lot for a keyboard, but in this case it’s an absolute steal. Finding a backlit, wireless, mechanical, metal keyboard for $80 is virtually unheard of. The KX isn’t the keyboard for my needs, but there is a very good chance this is a dream keyboard for anyone trying to set up a gaming PC in the living room or find a perfect keyboard to connect to the Microsoft Surface tablet. If that applies to you, the Rapoo KX is available for about $83 in both white and black. If Rapoo ever makes a bluetooth, Mac version of this keyboard, I’ll buy it immediately.

The Matias Laptop Pro Keyboard

At this point, the list of Mac-compatible small mechanical keyboards was rapidly dwindling. I wasn’t willing to spend a bunch of money ordering a custom Mac keyboard from a boutique manufacturer with the hope that it would work with the Camera Connection Kit. Luckily, there was one option left for a small, bluetooth Mac keyboard. Literally one single option. Enter the Matias Laptop Pro keyboard.

The Laptop Pro keyboard seems to fit the bill perfectly. It’s a fully bluetooth keyboard with a Mac key layout. It uses high-quality mechanical switches. Best of all, it is specifically advertised as being compatible with iPad – no Camera Connection Kit required!

There’s one big downside: at $159, the Laptop Pro keyboard is literally twice the price of any other keyboard on this list. It’s an undeniably a high price to pay for a keyboard, but believe it or not, $160 is not an insane price for a mechanical keyboard. Mechanical gaming keyboards regularly costs above $100, and boutique keyboards like this regularly pass the $150 or $200 mark. Which, by the way, should reinforce just what a great deal those Rapoo keyboards were. Anyways, after coming this far, I wasn’t finishing this review without trying the one keyboard that seemed to fit the bill perfectly.

I’m happy to report that the Matias Laptop Pro is exactly what I was hoping it would be. After a quick, painless Bluetooth pairing, the keyboard started working immediately on the iPad – no warning messages, no wonky adapters. Compatible function keys work perfectly, the dedicated forward-delete key works as it should… I can’t really ask for much more. It’s a little unfortunate that there is no dedicated iOS home button / search / virtual keyboard functionality, but it’s not a deal killer.

Visually, I’ll be blunt: this keyboard is a bit of a mess. Everything about it looks cheap, from the plastic painted to look like metal to the grainy looking keys with too much lettering on them. A highly visible seem runs along the sides of the keyboard where the pieces of plastic connect. For an Apple inspired product, Matias makes some aesthetically horrendous design decisions. Nothing about this looks like $160.

But I’m getting ahead of myself. Looks are nice, but functionality is why you’d get a mechanical keyboard. The typing experience of the Matias Laptop Pro is perhaps it’s most interesting aspect, and it puts this keyboard in a relatively unique position. Rather than using the ubiquitous Cherry switches (and Cherry-style) switches common to PC gaming keyboards and clicky keyboards (including the Rapoo products mentioned above), the Matias Laptop Pro uses a completely different switch with a completely different feel.

These switches are based on switches from Alps, a defunct switch maker responsible for the switches used in Apple’s excellent ‘90s keyboards, among many others. These switches are mechanically very different from Cherry-style switches. Without getting into too much detail, the “feel” of the tactile bump Alps switches provide is more accurate to where they key press is actually registered. At the same time, the keys themselves have a bit more of a wobble to them compared to Cherry switches. These particular keys are of the “quiet” variety. The term “quiet” should be interpreted loosely – while these keys lack additional noise-making components, the very nature of big mechanical keys means this is by far the loudest keyboard in this article. If you type with a lot of force in a crowded setting, you’re going to find yourself getting sideways glances from people nearby.

I have a lot of experience with these switches. I’ve been a Mac user all through the ’90s, and I still have a classic Alps-powered Apple Extended keyboard. Having these keys on the iPad is like a breath of fresh air. It really is that much better than scissor-keys. I’m still not sure where I stand on the Alps vs Cherry debate, but considering this Alps keyboard is the only option for Mac-format bluetooth keyboards, I’m satisfied with this one.

Other Options

As covered above, there aren’t a lot of options when it comes to mechanical keyboards on iOS. If you aren’t looking for a portable keyboard, any gaming keyboard should work, as long as you don’t mind connecting to a powered USB hub via the Camera Connection Kit.

If you are looking for a portable keyboard, but don’t care about having Mac-format keys, Japanese manufacturer Filco makes some interesting products. Unlike Matias, these bluetooth keyboards use Cherry switches, and come in a variety of different styles with varying key noise and tactility. The PC layout makes these a non-starter for me, but Windows users might want to give them a look; they’re tempting.

Conclusion

Before ending this review, I’d like to reiterate one more time: for most people out there, the $20 Amazon Basics keyboard is perfectly fine. Heck, for extremely casual use, the touch screen on the iPad gets the job done. But those aren’t the best options. The best options were what I set out to discover, and I wound up with THREE great choices in three different styles.

The Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover is the best keyboard cover I’ve ever used. The build quality is outstanding and the keys are springy and responsive. The only downside: it’s been replaced with a far, far crappier model. This means finding the Ultrathin Keyboard Cover might be difficult. Still, it also means blowout clearance prices. I got mine for $35 on Amazon – 1/3 the price the replacement model goes for.

If you find the keyboard form-factor too small, but are still looking for something ultra portable, the Logitech Easy Switch is the best by far. Unbelievably great build quality with an aluminum face plate, extremely responsive keys with full backlighting, and three-device pairing with quick switching. These keyboards generally go for $99, but you can probably find one cheaper if you look hard enough – mine was $40 at Office Max.

When it comes to mechanical keyboards, there’s really only one option that works well with the iPad: the Matias Laptop Pro. It may be ugly, but it feels amazing. Using a mechanical keyboard is an entirely different experience from using anything else. If that’s the experience you desire, the Matias Laptop Pro is worth every penny of it’s $159 price tag.