With the arrival of the 9.7in iPad, Apple’s iconic tablet became cheaper than ever but an iPad is still a sizeable investment – and if you want to ensure your tablet remains in tip-top condition you'll need a case.

Do you want a durable case or a stylish case? A practical case or a rugged one? Whatever your needs, we could have what you're looking for. Below, you'll find our roundup of the best cases you can buy right now for your 9.7in iPad.

Just one point to be aware of: the cases we recommend below should fit the 2017 and 2018 9.7in iPads perfectly, but the older iPad Air 2 and the original are slightly thinner. Most of these cases can be used with older models, but they might not fit quite as perfectly.

Without further ado, here are the best iPad cases you can buy today.

READ NEXT: Looking for cases for the latest iPad? Check out our favourites here

The best iPad 9.7in cases to buy

1. Mofred leather case: Best for minimal chic

Price: £18 | Buy now from Amazon

Mofred’s dual-tone iPad cases are both beautiful and practical. The case features a flip stand that works in both portrait and landscape modes, a magnetic sleep-wake strip and six different classy tan colour combinations. The convenient front pocket seals the deal for one of our favourite iPad cases.

The colour options are black and tan, blue and tan, brown and tan, grey and tan, pink and tan, and purple and tan. For the price, it’s an absolute steal.

Size: Fits iPad 2017, 2018 and 2019 9.7in models

2. Arteck slim folio case with Bluetooth keyboard: Best for versatility

Price: £22 | Buy now from Amazon

Cases with built-in keyboards can be hit and miss, but this is one of the better ones, especially for the price. With a standard Mac keyboard layout, and slightly larger keys than usual, it’s surprisingly comfortable to type on; we prefer it to many more expensive iPad keyboards, including Logitech’s premium offerings.

It does an agreeable job of making your iPad feel like a laptop. Just be aware that the hinge is quite restrictive and doesn’t allow you to angle the display very far back – at least not as far back as you can with your MacBook.

Size: Fits 2017 and 2018 iPad 9.7in models

3. Supcase Unicorn Beetle heavy-duty case: Best for rugged protection

Price: £26 | Buy now from Amazon

If you’re looking for heavy-duty protection, you can’t do much better than with Supcase’s Unicorn Beetle case. With a built-in screen protector and raised edges for extra drop protection, this solid piece of gear will safeguard your iPad from all types of damage. The built-in kickstand is handy too. The only trade-off is that it is, inevitably, quite weighty.

You can get the Supcase Unicorn Beetle in a range of dual-tone designs: we’re particularly fond of the pink/grey model, but other options include black on black, blue and black, gold and black, rose gold and grey, and white and grey.

Size: Fits 2017 and 2018 iPad 9.7in models

4. Spigen Extreme Heavy Armor Shock-proof: Best for drops

Price: £14 | Buy now from Amazon

Folio-style covers aren’t for everyone, but if you’re looking for a more solid, ultra-protective case, Spigen’s Heavy Armor is the perfect choice. Its dual-layer design combines shock absorbency with a hard exterior to prevent scratches and bumps. It’s lightweight, easy to manage and delivers a snug fit with perfect cut-outs for volume and lock buttons.

As befits its military-grade design, the Heavy Armor case comes in a choice of black and gunmetal grey colours – or a more tasteful rose gold if that's more your style.

Size: Fits 2017 and 2018 iPad 9.7in models

5. Ztotop Premium Leather Business Folio Cover: Best for premium feel

Price: From £15 | Buy now from Amazon

Finding a trustworthy case that’s both stylish and offers protection is difficult, but the Ztotop business folio case has you covered. It offers screen, camera and corner protection, providing full 360-degree security. It also comes with other useful features such as multiple adjustment angles for viewing and typing, an elastic leather hand strap and a card pocket for extra storage. You can also customise the cover with various colours before purchase, adding that extra layer of personalisation.

Size: Fits 2019 iPad Air 10.5in model and 2017 iPad Pro 10.5in model

6. JETech Case: Best all-rounder

Price: £9 | Buy now from Amazon

If all you want is a practical, no-frills case to protect your iPad, then the JETech cover will suit your needs. With a simple yet robust and lightweight structure, as well as a synthetic exterior and smooth interior, the JETech ensures that the case is well-protected and comfortable to hold. It also has an auto sleep and wake function with the closing and opening of the case’s panel.

With a tri-fold cover, your iPad can also be used for typing and viewing, providing an extra degree of versatility.

Size: Fits Fits 2019 iPad Air 10.5in model; 2017 iPad Pro 10.5in model