Best iPad Air Keyboard in 2023? Combo Touch vs. Magic Keyboard 

I compared both a few months ago, and decided to go with the Logitech keyboard. I like the extra protection, and I have found that in some cases I don't bother with my laptop and instead now just take my iPad; something I hadn't considered before this purchase. It's heavier than I expected, but love it! The function keys were an amazing bonus! I think I made the right choice.

I wanted a blue iPad Air 5 but the only one the Apple Store had in cellular & 256 GB was Starlight. I also bought a Combo Touch, so you can hardly see the colour. I'm really impressed with the accuracy of the trackpad. Before acquiring the Combo Touch, the Apple Pencil 2 was prone to falling off its charging perch. It's better secured when the Combo Touch is used because the Pencil location becomes fully recessed when the keyboard is closed, making it a bit harder to dislodge the Pencil. But I'm clumsy, I need more security than that. When not in use or charging, it's stored in a self-adhesive fabric pouch mounted just above the lower edge of the Combo Touch's kickstand.

Don’t forget on the Logitech you can attach the keyboard “backwards” and put the flap in the groove below the keyboard for a more stable setup.

I chose the Combo Touch for the detachable keyboard (greater flexibility) and the function keys. The fabric look and touch is smart too.

Both good choices. I think the lack of protection on the Magic Keyboard case would sway me over to the Combo Touch.

Great video, first time watching, I’ve watched 2 of your videos on keyboards for my iPad Air, you have helped me decide on the Logitech Combo

Amazing review. Thanks a lot 😇 🎉

I got the Combo Touch and instantly was disappointed at the size and weight added. However, after using it for a week I realized the tradeoff was well worth it, there are so many great things you can do with your iPad once you have this, especially if you use remote desktop.

Thanks Mike. Good concise delivery of useful info. I watched a bunch of keyboard comparison videos and liked yours the best.

Great video - one of the best side by side comparisons I have seen! I went with the Magic Keyboard for the cantilevered design and extra USB-C charging port. Form and Function as you said. Thanks for this video!

I purchased the Combo Touch with the 12.9 M1 a few days ago. For my use this made more since

Thank you so much, that was really helpful

Beautiful, thank you so much. I desperately needed to se this video.

I just got one for the 12.9” iPad Pro and I really like it.

Thank you for this informative video 🎉. Buying a case for my daughter and needed some key facts. Got them! Glad I found your channel. All my best wishes for you and your channel. Ps great voice, clear and easy to listen to😊 from Qc, CANADA

Do you find you need another case for when you don’t really want or need to use the keyboard or do you find taking off the keyboard itself is enough? I usually like having my screen covered on my iPad when I’m not using it but I don’t think I’ll need to use the keyboard very often, but would like to have the option of it for when I do need it.

I like the Magic keyboard for iPad Air 5 use the Pitaka magnetic case for added protection and extra security, use it everyday.

Very good video! Helped a ton, Thanks

Was just looking at these two case/keyboards and happened to stumble upon your vid. For a while I have just been plugging in a USB dongle for a wireless keyboard and mouse. Which, while it gets the job done, I feel I could improve on that system. Interestly enough, I have a friend who has the Apple Magic Keyboard to go along with his iPad Pro and another who has the Logitech one to go along with her iPad Air. I think they are both the perfect target demographic for these products. The one who owns the Magic keyboard prefers everything to be simple and clean as well as just work perfectly. However, he only uses the case on occasion as he swaps it out with another case while on the go as the Magic Keyboard gets in the way while taking notes with the Apple Pencil. The one who owns the Combo Touch has to stick to a slightly higher budget, much prefers one size fits all solutions, and (respectfully) is a bit of a clutz. She also loves watching movies in bed so having the keyboard constantly attached to the iPad can be cumbersome. Anyways, I know both of them don't regret their purchases. So, I'll just have to see which case would be a better fit for me. BTW, Great video! The quality felt on par with the likes of Dave2D and similar tech channels. I hope you can keep it up and go far in the RU-vid space!

I have the combo touch and I love how the case feels when ur not using it with the keyboard. It’s nice and flat and you have a built in kickstand that makes it very useful. Also the keyboard feels amazing and compared to other apply keyboards and MacBook Air keyboards, it’s a very nice feeling in comparison. Nice and lite but also a great typing feel and function rows make it really easy to rarely have to touch the screen to do anything

I see that the Logitech Combo Touch has a very tight USB type C cutout. I’m wondering about the USB port compatibility, i.e. a larger USB type C cable, like on the Sandisk Ultra SSD, will it fit the USB cutout on the Combo Touch?

retro! thanks for explaining both pros and cons of the two keyboards. exactly what I was looking for!

I had the combo touch logitech for ipad pro 11" and somehow after 6 months there are some bugs and issues. I recommend apple original accesorries rather than other product

Had both but stayed with combo touch. Works better for me.

Great video…. Very nicely explained

Great review. One thing that i don’t see comments is about space needed to use both. I’ll use it a lot in an airplane and the desk is small. So I think the apple keyboard probably will fit better. Am I right? One other thing, the Logitech has light on the keys?

I chose the combo touch for my ipad air 5 gen. It works flawless, plus I picked it up new in an ebay auction for $85.00

I start law school 1L in a few days! 🎉 I found this video to be extremely helpful and watched it 3x. I received a $100 gift card from Apple after purchasing my iPad Air (Pink, not blue 😂) and I have to say I’m going to go with the LogiTech keyboard because it provides a 2-in-1 a built in case so I don’t have to buy one and additional key functions on the top row. Does it also have a charging port?

What a nice informative video! Just the case by itself (without the keyboard attached), do you know how heavy it is?

After watching your videos on the subject I will pick the Combo Touch for my new iPad Air 5th Gen 😃 Thank you!

In addition to my comments below, I was influenced by the lower price. The Combo Touch is excellent value.

Bought the logitech for my son who will be off at school next year, mainly bc of protection. Love the magic keyboard and I have one but always fear the potential risks of damage.

Its amazing to me that I can see a product (magnet sheet to view magnetic field) and can just open new tab and order and thing will come to my door. Wow. Also. thank you for review. Magic keyboard is a bit expensive and shaky.

Very good review!!! I’m currently trying to save up for the magic keyboard. I had the Logitech in the past and while I really liked it, I didn’t care for the large footprint as I have kind of a small desk depth wise. Retro!!!

What is the difference between combo and folio touch?

Very good review, I am cost sensitive and like the extra protection, so will go with the Logitech. Plus, Logitech is Swiss, which is super cool 🙂!

This is the most perfect review for the keyboard options I've seen. I was just about to cancel buying myself an iPad Air 5 just because of how expensive the magic keyboard is, and I was thinking that with the iPad itself, the magic keyboard and the apple pencil it would total up to a new MacBook air or something, but now I'll get the iPad and the logitech keyboard thanks to you! I have a question though, you said the logitech keyboard doesn't get charged or have a battery, so how does it work?

Great review! Going to buy Combo Touch :)

Thank you very much for the excellent review. Could you please tell me if the protective glass on the iPad interferes with using the Combo Touch case?

The Logitech with my iPad Pro 11” wouldn’t’t fit in my ideal travel tech case. So I have the Magic KB. I have fairly small fingers for a man, so typing on the Magic KB is no issue, nor is the smaller trackpad, considering it’s about the same size as that on the MS Surface Pro KB, (that was much derided for its small trackpaed by Apple) which I used before my Surface Pro 4 died and I bought an 11” M1 iPad Pro. With the Apple Pencil onboard, it’s a very snug fit, which is perfect, as it keeps the Pencil in place, chard]ging.

The cost and minimal protection of the magic keyboard are what sold me on the Logitech combo touch. I bought one for my iPad Air 3 and just bought another with a iPad Air 5 . It’s a solid keyboard case and the best on the market IMO.

Great video ❤

Love the magic keyboard but I would not pay the full price for it, no matter how great it is

I have the combo I like how when I’m not using the keyboard I still have protection and a stand.

The blue, and the other colours for the iPad are really nice, but I’m a bit boring with my technology and always go with the closest to black there is. I have the Combo Touch so the colour is covered up anyway.

Is anybody facing Combo keyboard trackpad freezing issue?..i got a last week and really disappointed with this issue

awesome video! ill get the logitech for sure

Great analysis and comparisons. 👍🏻Thanks Mike. ***Retro***

Hey, can I store the Apple Pencil on the Magic Keyboard or on the IPad Air itself while using the Magic Keyboard?

Bought the combo touch :( arrived with a crack on the seam, replaced it just to receive a second one with the same defect. I ended up getting the magic keyboard

Thanks for the review, I just clicked on buy. I got the logi. :)

I can't give up on Apple's white magic keyboard. Fancy!

⌚ Timestamps 👀 [00:00] - Start [00:41] - Video Context [00:59] - Pricing and Availability [01:35] - Compatibility [02:09] - Features [07:35] - Trackpad [08:25] - The Best [10:36] - The Best for Most People

Which thunderbolt cable did you attach during the video. I have not been able to find one that fits in the usb-c slot because the case opening is a little small. Thanks.

Michael, question…. On the combo touch for the iPad Air, are the speaker grills (on the iPad itself) being blocked in any way?

is there long battery life? and can you turn the iPad upright ?

Would you like me to compare sub $150 keyboards for the iPad Air 5?

any updates on the new 13" ipad air versions

Does this fit in the 5th generation iPad air?

Is the combo touch available for M2 iPad Pro??

Combo touch, bigger track pad win, short cut keys win, removable keyboard win, iPad protection win, built in kickstand win, stays looking cleaner than magic keyboard win!!!!

With the magic keyboard can you use it if the iPad Air has a smart folio

The Logitech is the better deal. The Apple keyboard still has the rubber coating that will wear and will bubble and peal. The Logitech is lower cost and it functions just as good, if not better than the Apple offerings.

Combo is the best over all

I like both, but Magic Keyboard all the way! Since I have gotten my iPad Pro 11 2021 and the MK for iPad I have not touched my laptop. I really do not go places where it would get damaged and I take really good care of my devices so I do not worry much about protection. It is always well padded. #Retro_Stickers_I_Likey! #RETRO

Yes I am on the blue team I just got the blue

I am on team blue 256 version

Awesome video! Did I just find a new favorite RU-vidrs 👀👀👀 Would you consider reviewing the Zaggs ProKeys case (w/trackpad)? Literally no real reviewers have tried this keyboard case and it's like $130 (last I checked)

On your four year comparison for "daily cost" I think you need to back up and consider the device you are using this with - the iPad Air 5. The highest SKU is $799, so the Magic Keyboard is 38% of the cost of the iPad - that seems like a very high ratio for a keyboard that really lacks in features compared to the less expensive Logitech Combo Touch.

Imo is the folio touch far more better than the combo touch bcos, the ft (folio touch) has an safety strap for the Apple pen gen 2/Logitech crayon. I ask you one question, do you think removing the keyboard adds any benefit? I would even argue that it’s a con bcos you can lose.

I will choose the Logitech because of the function keys.

I am sitting on my couch with my legs crossed and the Logitech Combo Touch on one leg. I am still on the fence if I am going to keep it or get the Magic.

With Amazon’s discount, the Logitech keyboard is $150 less than Apple’s. I am strongly considering it over the Magic Keyboard.🍎

i am team blue too

Retro sticker 😍

I found the ESR keyboard to be a great alternative to the Magic Keyboard. I like it a lot better.

retro!

Team blue!

Retro 🙏🏻

“Such as you and ME”

I’m on the move & place orders standing next to the customer so the Magic Keyboard wins hands down … as the other one flops & is not solid.

I am coming from the future. The edges of the logitech Combo Touch will get damaged after a year and a half of use or so. The case is still usable, but it doesn’t look good. I decided to buy the apple one now, but i am buying a refurbished one.

Logi-TECH!!!!!!!!

retro

Retro

RETRO!

#teamBlue

You compared the two as if the Logitech combo was $200, Yet it is widely available at about $150. Add in the extra flexibility and protection of the Logitech and the nearly identical quality and experience and it's not much of a contest at 1/2 the cost. Logitech all day long.

The iPad works amazingly the box came a little dirty, ru-vid.comUgkxUGaHtKW8MwCql2fPyIm9-ftTqSMzKFFA no plastic wrap, but the box was sealed and had everything else in the box along with the wrapping, the iPad itself is gorgeous, I got the yellow 64g game storage is good for me along with Socials and school stuff. No scratches or marks came with the charger and box fast speed, and if you are buying a pen get the 1st gen don’t make the mistake I did !!

Retro!

Don forget the peeling problems... if you don't clean the magic keyboard you have a problem I promise "^^

You need protection, it’s a tablet, get the Logitech.

Retro