Top Ten Best iPad Cases - Folio iPad Case Review

Looking for the best iPad case you can buy? I think I’ve found it! I’ve gathered together the ten best iPad folio cases based on user popularity and reviews, and brought them together here in one place for your searching convenience. Tuff-Luv, CaseCrown, Lila Pix, M-Edge and more –I’ve got them all, and I’ve done all the research for you!

The appeal of the folio case for the iPad is multi-fold. It beats a shell or skin case in that many of these cases offer some type of self-standing options, in addition to offering built-in screen protection against dust and casual accidents. It’s also great for mobility purposes, an on-the-go folio case that easily travels with you.

The only real drawback of using a folio case to hold your iPad is that your iPad cannot be fitted into either of the docking devices without removing it from the case. Most other iPad case options have the same challenge, though some shells or skin cases are dockable or can be easily modified to become so.

In choosing a good folio case you're looking for four main things. Adequate protection for your iPad is necessary to a level consistent with your usage and needs, easy accessibility to all ports and controls as well as to the light sensor, performance and long-lasting quality.

You may want your folio case to double as a stand for video watching or a frame for picture viewing, you may want it secure enough for dependable use while commuting. Whatever your needs are, the case you choose should not only perform to meet those needs satisfactorily, but should also be of a quality that will last you for a good while and still look good.

There actually are some affordable cases out there which function quite nicely. There are also some less affordable iPad folio cases, which also function quite nicely, and look fantastic. We’ll start at the more practical end of the spectrum.

The DMS Leather Flip Book -also sold under the names Acase and CTC Store or Chi-tek, makes my Top Ten Best iPad Folio Cases review for its simple good looks and high functionality. With a 4 ½-Star overall rating on Amazon -under all three of its names, this iPad case comes highly recommended by users and outside reviewers alike.

It isn’t real leather, however, but the “leather-like” material has a pretty good feel to it, and it comes in black, tan or red. There is a striped elastic strap running vertically down the back of this iPad case which is less than aesthetically desirable, but it serves as a multi-purpose handle which allows you to attach the iPad to the back of a car seat for backseat video watching. This feature is great for travelling with children. Or adults, as the case may be, but I would worry that this strap might stretch out of shape if used for that purpose.

The case offers some side protection for the iPad, which is held in place by two corner elastic anchors on the inner side and a partial lip on the outer side of the folio. All ports are accessible, but unfortunately one of the straps does interfere with volume control.

The case does flip into an adjustable stand which will hold the iPad at various angles. You can type on it as well, or set it for viewing videos on the coffee table while you lounge on the couch.

The DMS Leather Flip Book is a very good, well-recommended, highly functional, affordable iPad folio option.

The Flip iPad case by CaseCrown comes in a variety of colors, cover materials and even offers a choice between the Horizontal Flip and the Vertical Flip, the Stand Flip or the Preppy Flip. For the wide range of options available category, this iPad case may just be the winner. This iPad folio case comes in black, white, tan, pink, green, red and blue, in leather or canvas. Multiply those 14 choices while you decide between the various Flip style options, and you've got alot of decisions to make.

It's a good case all in all, and the wide color range makes for some beautiful options, but there is one fairly serious design flaw in the Horizontal Flip. There is nothing holding the iPad in place at the top of the case. The iPad slides in from the top into an interior partial frame casing which provides good side protection to the rest of the iPad, but the iPad could very easily slide right out of this folio case if not held slanted upwards at all times. This design flaw is only noted in the Horizontal Flip.

Additionally, however, there is an issue with the light sensor being covered. If you're using the iPad outdoors at times, or traveling/commuting with it, this could be a real hassle. You'd have to remove the iPad unit from the case to readjust the screen brightness every time you felt a change in the lighting. Once set it will remain there, but initial resets could get annoying. This problem does not exist on the Preppy version with its corner attachment straps. These straps do not offer much side protection though.

 The Vertical closes over on the top, so isn't at risk of losing the iPad, but does suffer from covered light sensor. The Flip Stand as well blocks the light sensor, holding the iPad almost in a sleeve style folio that opens at the side.

All but the Flip Stand feature interior pockets. Use lightly to avoid harming the screen. A fairly good iPad folio case for the price, but beware of the shortcomings in the design options.

The Elan Passport iPad case is a nice looking, black leather folio case. Its features are slim to none, it has a row of business card slots and one larger pocker inside the front cover. Made of real leather, it has a tab closure and micro-suede interior.

Corner straps leave the iPad sides exposed, but do hinder access to a few of the controls. Nonetheless, it's a good looking folio that will serve its purpose well as an affordable, basic case for professional use.  

This same basic folio is marketed under a couple of names. Its either the Elan Passport by Griffin or the DermaPad Leather Folio. Though marked with a higher list price on Amazon, both sell for between $20.00 and $26.00.

This offering from Yoobao or A Young Life is winning good reviews. Genuine pig leather is the word, inside and out. It's a nice, soft leather, with a great look and feel to it. The case has a good fit and precisely cut access holes for all ports, controls and features. The cases are nice looking, with contrast stitching detail, the black is smooth and supple, while the brown option is rich with red and yellow undertones.

The case has a magnetic closure, and in the newer versions there's a hidden inner strap that secures the iPad inside its partial framing case. The A Young Life (AYL) versions of the case always will have this strap, the Yoobao versions may or may not. Check to be sure it specifies a 'Secure Flap' if that's important to you. Reports are that with or without the Secure Flap, the iPad tends to stay held snugly in place.

Another difference between the Yoobao and AYL versions of this pigskin case is that the Yoobao version has a Yoobao logo on the upper right corner of the front cover. The AYL version features no such logo.

This seems to end the differences. Both feature the three-way stand feature. The front cover is folded back and secured on a catch-flap which allows the folio to be stood up as a viewing stand either horizontally or vertically, or to be laid back at the perfect angle for typing.

The partial framing case when closed does still leave the right corners of the iPad exposed, however the snug fit keeps the device held in place away from the edges of the front and back covers of this case, so bumping or scratching is unlikely to occur.

The case appears to be well-made, there is a slight gapping around the touchscreen that some report along the top and bottom edges of the framing device. Of those who report this, most say it isn't a problem. Design and construction otherwise appear to be very well done, and the quality of material seems good.

It's a darned goodlooking, affordable pigskin 'leather' iPad case. Just be sure to pick the version best for you. If you want the Secure Flap with no logo on the front cover, choose the version from AYL. If you want the Yoobao logo, be careful about whether or not the Yoobao case you choose has the Secure Flap or not. On Amazon, they are stating in clearly in the item name titles.

This beautiful folio iPad case is much like the DMS Flip Folio above marketed under several names, but thus one is done with real leather. The cowskin is both rich and simple, the look sleek, sophisticated and sexy, but the design is basically the same.

The iPad rests on a rigid panel that attaches to a separate adjustable panel which wraps around and becomes the front cover of the case when closed. This gives the iPad good back support and adds to the stability of the case when used as a stand. Speedbumps are used to hold the iPad in angled position, along with the textured grip of the material.

This textured grip also adds to usability on the outside of this iPad case, though its much subtler. The case feels good in your hands, and the elastic band serves as a good hand rest. This exterior band can also be used to attach the case to the back of a car seat headrest for backseat video viewing.

Heat resistant, highly functional and versatile, this DMS Leather Book iPad Case has a good design and quality materials. Did I mention that it's great looking?

This little beauty is by M-Edge, a company which has had alot of experience manufacturing cases for e-readers like Kindle. This e-reader background shows up in the ergonomic feature of the backstrap, designed for holding comfort. Consumers have always rated M-Edge products very highly, and it looks like that trend will continue with their iPad line.

The iPad is held in place with leather and elastic corner straps, which do hold the iPad safely and snugly in place. This lacks protection to the sides of the iPad, but does give easy access to all ports.

A tab closure doubles as a stand strap, allowing for some adjustment in the angle of the iPad. Interior pockets allow for holding a few papers.

One feature of the M-Edge Executive iPad case is the elastic bands in the spine of the case. These make it easy to tuck in a stylus or ear buds out of the way, without pressing against the screen of the iPad or needing to carry them separately.

Nice textured finish, plush gray interior, all ports and controls are accessible.

The Multi-View from Tuff-Luv offers the user the ability to set the iPad horizontally at five different angles, ranging from a 20 degree angle to a 70 degree angle. The stand feature works with a five snap strap and a back support for extra stability. Looks great as a photo viewer.

The iPad is held in this folio case by an open frame design that allows full access to ports and controls, but still provides plenty of protection to the sides of the iPad. The iPad fits in snugly and securely. For protection of the iPad, this case ranks very high.

The Tuff-Luv Bi-Axis Multi-View Napa Leather Case just takes it one step further, including a vertical stand option in the design.

Good looking, quality iPad folio cases, providing great versatility and protection. Faux "veggie" leather, but worth the price.

This sleek little black book -or leder etui- by Lila Pix of Vienna is a top quality iPad folio case. Made of quality textured leather with a suede lining, the iPad is held securely in place with leather corner straps at the bottom of the iPad and an anchored leather band across the top.

This leaves open access to all ports and controls, and the attractive, classic folio case doubles as a stable stand with its snap closure. The slightly padded construction provides good protection for the iPad.

The ZipBook by Sena offers quality leather construction in a folio design with a zipper closure for extra carrying security. With elastic corner straps to hold the iPad in place in the ZipBook, all ports and controls are fully accessible. The integrated kickstand makes for easy video watching or photo viewing.

Sena cases are long lasting cases, the leather softens nicely with use. With shock absorbant padding and the zipper closure, the Sena ZipBook is perfect for on-the-go usage.

This iPad folio case is a luxury, no doubt. Hand-crafted in Spain by skilled leather artisans under EU labor guidelines, this well-made iPad case is covered in smooth, high-grade Spanish leather. The interior is also lined in soft leather, stamped with the Piel Frama name in the tradition of top quality leather designers.

Piel Frama has been making leather products for 65 years, and beginning in 1984, they were among the first luxury leather companies to offer their cases for cell phones. And they've been doing it well ever since.

Since this is a short review here, you can read more about the excellent quality and craftsmanship and the attention to detail in the designs of Piel Frama cases by clicking through one of the links here. These cases hold to high standards, and though expensive, the prices are quite good for a genuine Spanish leather iPad case this well-made and functional.

The classicly simple Piel Frama iPad folio case holds the iPad in a snug frame casing, offering superior protection to all sides of the iPad. As you'd expect from a high quality product, however, they've missed no ports or controls, providing access or cutouts for everything right down to the light sensor. That is indicative of a level of attention to detail that is usually not shown in the framing cases.

The standard case will fold back to make a basic stand for video viewing, and it also offers a low typing angle, but the biggest strengths of this folio lie in the protection it offers during casual use and web browsing and for running around with. Plus for the fashion-conscious among us, they offer the Piel Frama iPad folio case in several different colors making it easy to coordinate with your costume du jour.

If you're serious about needing a folio case that will work as a viewing stand for watching slideshows or videos on your iPad, you may want to hold out for the upcoming Piel Frama iPad Cinema Case. The new Cinema case will work as a folding flip-case, providing for a very stable viewing stand. 

A slim document pocket is located behind the iPad, which is unique, in all three versions of the Piel Frama iPad case: the Premium Leather Folio, the newer Cinema Case, and in the Exotic Leather versions shown below. The Premium Leather folios come with your choice of tabless magnet closure system or tab-snap.

Two words. Truly beautiful. The Piel Frama Luxury Leather Exotic iPad folios are the most stunning iPad folio cases, and the pricing of these exotic-looking skins definitely reflects that. A splurge no doubt, they feature all the quality, protection and versatility of their standard and also very sumptious leather folios shown above, but with exotic leather finishes on their exteriors.

These luxury Piel Frama luxury leather iPad folios come in three finishes, all of which are handmade from top-grade Spanish cow skin. There's an alligator look in a rich, deep brown, my personal favorite, or a sleek black alligator version with a higher gloss in the leather. For the more adventurous or playful among us there's an ostrich skin version -all three are very distinctive. A tastefully classic iPad case that's sure to get appreciative stares.