Review: Top iPad Cases

When I first found out that I had won an iPad 2 for my son through A4cwsn my excitement turned to panic in a matter of hours. I went from joy and elation to the inevitable “oh my gawd what if he drops it” to “what if he throws it”. I ended up making a list of ten cases that were noted as ‘the best’ and eventually after reviews and watching youtube video after video I narrowed it down to five. From five to three. From three to the top two until finally I settled on “the one”. Since that time more cases have come out and we’ve seen the iPad 3 go buh-bye (good riddance) and the release of both the iPad Retina (4) and the Mini (cute but not powerful enough IMO for the price tag – at the current price I would have expected more…MY OPINION). I’ve touched about every case out there in some capacity. I feel I have a pretty good idea on what is durable for my family. I have even changed my mind on a brand that I had all but written off. So this is my genuine take on the cases I recommend for different purposes and different versions of the iPad.

I have tried a lot of cases since my fiance is a bit of a tech “nut job” . Seriously, some of you may have husbands/fiances/significant others that buy boats and go fishing or others that may get in a tree stand to shoot your Thanksgiving dinner, however; mine hangs out at HHGregg and the like. Seriously. If he’s MIA I only have to check the local advertisements to see why. I both love him for it and get aggravated because of it. It’s pretty much something we laugh about on a daily basis. Because of his love of all things that emit a glow I have been given a unique opportunity to see tablets and cases that I may never have before. I was able to put my hands on the new Surface a month before it was released to the general public since he has a friend that (well you get the idea). Anyway, we differed on our likes for the iPad 2 cases. In the end though he succumed to my way of thinking as normally happens since everything I had pointed out that was good about this one case was ‘right’ and everything ‘bad’ about the others ended up being just that – ‘bad’. So here’s my take on cases for all things iPad:

iPad 2 For every day use:
So my number one top of the line use it everyday case goes to Gumdrop Drop Tech Series Cases OR the Gumdrop Designer Series Cases. They’re easy to get on (plus.plus.plus) and they come in great colors depending on which series you purchase from. The silicone rubber outside is strong and pliable and after almost a year no port is missing a piece – nothing – it still looks brand new! I would like to have the option with the Designer Series to switch out/change the screen frame color (since that little yellow sponge cartoon I cannot stand is associated with the yellow case I have and due to the blue screen frame color. I love the colors together and never dreamed that “my man” or “my kids” would take to calling it ‘that’…*thanks.dear*).

The price to me is affordable compared to so many others on the market that tout the durability of this one (which I do not agree with where the 2 is concerned – I found and can prove they were poorly made and in a matter of weeks port covers were missing/torn etc). Again, let me stress that the cases port covers are STRONG! They need to be in my home. My son likes to flip the port covers repeatedly and another popular brand (or two) could not stand up to this. The port covers were thinner or cheaper – not so in the Gumdrop. I also love the grooves of the case itself. If you’ve got an iPad 2 that your children pick up or maybe you have it for use for your child(ren) especially if you have a child or children with special needs then you know that sometimes they tend to ‘drop’ things. Gumdrop cases have grooves as I call them. It’s not slick. So a child carrying this or even myself for that matter is able to hold onto it much better.

The screen can be purchased without having to buy a whole new case. Turns out I have not had to replace the screen (another plus) as I thought may be an issue (due to my children’s use). I really thought screens were going to be something that had to be replaced often. Not so much (for us but I do hear horror stories so I really like that I have this option available without the need to purchase a whole new case just to get the integrated screen cover). The sound is not suppressed nor does it sound muted or flat it almost seems like it pushes it up when I lay it flat (another brand we cannot hear it when flat and holding it makes it sound muffled) and trust me I have to ask my kids to constantly “turn it down” *lol* The Gumdrop has so many pluses and I have no negatives for it. The Drop Tech Series and the Designer Series is: $59.95 (currently the pink/white is on sale for $34.99) and the military edition is: $69.95. Visit their website: www.gumdropcases.com

iPad 2 For added protection and waterproof:

I’ve been lucky or I am lucky. My son treats his iPad 2 with the utmost care and concern that you would a newborn baby. However, I had the pleasure recently to see up close and personal an awesome case that I have no trouble recommending. It’s waterproof – take it in the tub the ocean the pool – a spill, well that’s not a problem; shockproof – look your iPad 2 can FLY and it becomes a frisbee or better yet just an object to throw (hopefully NOT at your head)! The Lifedge case is my recommendation for you. The colors are super vibrant which kids (and adults) will really like. It’s durable and strong and takes a beating to put it mildly. It’s not coming off when you get it on (you can and it’s not that bad but I’d like to see this one stamped “CHILDPROOF”) and for good reason! Your iPad is safe and secure and you’ll feel and breathe easier with the Lifedge case. I have only one thing I ask of the manufacturers over at Scantron – give me a port (somehow) for my earbuds or headphones. I know that could possibly take away from the waterproof factor although I have seen this available on another brand with similar protection but I do not like the other brand nor am I recommending it. I love that there is a strap on the back of the case which makes it secure in my hand – and the sound is not suppressed either. It’s like bringing the outdoors to the inside introducing them as one with real life issues that happen and occur along the way especially if you have kids (or child(ren) with special needs). Lifedge is located in the UK yet your items arrive quickly and I feel it is worth every penny if you are in the market for a case that offers great protection from drops (including the shock) and waterproof. I converted the price to roughly $158 US dollars (you can also order a mounting kit if needed) – the Lifedge is also available for the iPad 3/retina display 4 . Visit their website: https://www.lifedge.co.uk/

If you have an iPad 3 in all honesty I hope you took Apple up on their offer and returned it for the retina display 4. I never liked it and for good reasons since it was pulled relatively quickly. I will say it here: if you have one DO NOT and I repeat DO NOT PURCHASE A CASE SAYING iPAD 2 / 3 – no matter how good a deal, it is NOT worth it (they really fit the 2 and NOT the 3 … that small difference of width for the battery can even cause your screen to have a small pocket – thin yes but you can feel it as it will create issues with the receptiveness of the touch screen and an iPad case that offers an integrated screen protector ends up warped – no thank you!

Let’s say you DO have an iPad 3:
Here’s where I get to eat my words. Buy the newly redesigned Otterbox. There I said it – I said I never would utter those words again, however; after their disastrous efforts and designs on the iPad 2 Otterbox has an outstanding case for the iPad 3 that fits great, offers wonderful protection and yes, has a stand (a great one – not a cheap flimsy one that feels cheap looks cheap). I really like this case. I like it alot. Not as much as the case on my 2 however, since Gumdrop only offers cases for the 2 / 3 at this time as in the SAME case which the 3 does NOT fit properly (as I stated above) I am all in for the Otterbox on the 3 (and that puts us into the retina display 4! They even offer a variety of colors now (yay) and it’s a solid/durable case … did I mention I really like it *lol* Right now this case is available with free shipping directly from Otterbox $89.95 (defender series): https://www.otterbox.com/

Currently, a lot of the cases are starting to show up as iPad 2/3/4 compatible. I disagree with that due to the teeny size difference between the 2 and 3, however; as far as I know between the 3 and 4 it should not be an issue (since they truly are the same size). Some of you may wonder why I did not list another well known name into this mix. It’s my preference. I have a child on the spectrum. That child has sensory issues. Perhaps I have sensory issues. I found it ‘slick’ feeling and my son said it felt greasy. He was right. Other than that maybe it would be a good fit for you and your family. I just know that I had issues with their previous models and the 3 did not impress me so I won’t even say their name. The one that I have termed a “greasy snake” IS the redesigned version. I also did not care for the cheap stand. You can fill in the blanks for this manufacturer.

I would like to give a shout out to Big Grips Cases and Stands. I love the colors of these cases and the feel/look/design. You need a screen protector (some don’t use – I choose to use) at least in our case we do – there’s something to be said about a child touching or sneezing upon an iPad that makes me cringe (germaphobe *lol*) so I want that screen protector. I love that this case offers a stand – and that it is child-friendly. I think since my son takes great care of his iPad it would work for him – if he kept it at home. He doesn’t … it’s dragged around to school, therapies and everywhere like a security blanket. I am scared of the trip over your own feet or small rock (my son has some coordination issues). That being said I know a lot of families that this works great for. The Big Grips Case and Stand (set) is $49.95 and that is an awesome price: https://biggrips.com/

I don’t know a lot about the Gripcase USA iPad Case except to say this is one of the neatest looking child-friendly cases I have seen. It’s the one case I have not had the opportunity to see in person. Again, you’ll need a screen cover (if you want one and I recommend ZAGG screen covers). Gripcase has several color choices and they are $39.99 and you can get a stand for $19.99. https://www.gripcase-usa.com/iPad-2nd-3rd-and-4th-Generation_c_7.html for covers made by Zagg: https://tinyurl.com/4ec2o4g and they’re available for all iPads.

New Product on the Market:

A new company, domeo products, has come out with functional and affordable cases that are offered in several colors.  They offer the Loft Folio that is a slim iPad case with built-in multi-stand system, the Tri-Lounge that offers multiple viewing angles with an innovative 3-sided design and the Recliner Folio that offers Bubble Protection to keep the screen from getting scratched. We liked the cases because they allow you to angle the iPad as we do alot of work on the computer utilizing the iPad at the same time.  I like that some of the cases are made with a type of sturdy canvas so easy to keep clean whereas they also offer leather cases if you don’t need to worry about little fingers.  The prices range from $69 to $39 for the Grip Mini Folio – yes they even have one for the new iPad Mini! You can read more at www.domeoproducts.com

iPad Mini
Right now, I’m going back to the tried and true Gumdrop. Again, as the original it’s available in an assortment of colors and is available as the Gumdrop Drop Tech Series or the Shockdrop Designer Series: https://www.gumdropcases.com/ipad-mini-cases.html and either series is $59.95. The Gumdrop offers shock absorption, drop absorption and they’re rugged with port covers – as with the 2 I recommend it – especially since the Mini is very thin.

Photo courtesy of Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/lilyliphotography/8213306012/sizes/z/in/photostream/