Best of · Keyboards
Best keyboards for iPad and iPhone
How to pair a Bluetooth keyboard with an iPad or iPhone, what makes a good one for tablet use, and when a case is the better answer.
Our pick: MX Keys Mini for multi-device typing, a keyboard case for travel
Logitech
MX Keys Mini
8.7≈$80-$100
The best compact Bluetooth keyboard for tablets: three devices, instant switching, and excellent key feel.
Pros
- • Pairs with three devices and switches with one key
- • Comfortable low-profile keys with backlighting
- • Compact enough to carry beside a tablet
Cons
- • No trackpad, unlike a keyboard case
- • Membrane mechanism
Apple
Magic Keyboard
8.5≈$100-$150 depending on model
The native option: flawless pairing and system integration, at Apple prices.
Pros
- • Instant, reliable pairing with no third-party software
- • Tight integration with macOS and iPadOS shortcuts
- • Excellent build and key feel
Cons
- • Premium price, and less cross-platform flexibility
- • Limited multi-device switching compared with Logitech's flow features
Apple, Logitech, and others
Keyboard cases for iPad
8.3≈$80-$350
The travel answer: a keyboard that is also the stand and the protection.
Pros
- • Integrated stand and protection in one purchase
- • No separate device to carry or charge issues to manage
- • Trackpad models turn an iPad into a laptop substitute
Cons
- • Attachment is device-specific, so it does not transfer
- • Expensive at the top end, and often heavier
Various
Budget Bluetooth keyboards
7.9≈$25-$50
Perfectly adequate for occasional tablet typing, if you accept the build quality.
Pros
- • Very cheap and often include a basic case
- • Usually support two or three paired devices
- • Good enough for note-taking and email
Cons
- • Mushy membrane keys and flexing cases
- • Inconsistent Bluetooth reliability between models
Tablets turned typing into a problem with three answers: a compact Bluetooth keyboard, an integrated keyboard case, or simply accepting the on-screen keyboard. Which is right depends on whether the tablet travels and whether you need a trackpad.
Pairing, in three steps
- Put the keyboard in pairing mode — usually a dedicated key or a button, held until an indicator blinks.
- On the iPad or iPhone, open Settings, tap Bluetooth, and wait for the keyboard to appear.
- Select it, then confirm the code if one is shown. For multi-device boards, repeat with the next Easy-Switch key for a second device.
What matters for tablet typing
Multi-device support first, because the best thing about a tablet keyboard is switching back to a laptop without repairing anything. Then footprint, since it needs to coexist with a tablet stand on a café table. Then battery life, which is excellent on most Bluetooth boards and mostly a question of whether backlighting is on. Key feel matters least here — you are typing email and notes, not a novel.
| Use case | Best answer |
|---|---|
| Desk use with a tablet stand | MX Keys Mini or Magic Keyboard |
| Frequent travel | Keyboard case with stand |
| Multiple devices | Multi-device Bluetooth board |
| Occasional typing, tight budget | Budget Bluetooth keyboard |
A tablet keyboard is judged by how quickly you can switch back to your laptop.
Device Radar
The verdict
Buy the MX Keys Mini for multi-device tablet typing, an Apple Magic Keyboard if you want native integration, or a keyboard case if the tablet travels and you want a trackpad. Budget Bluetooth boards are fine for occasional note-taking — our wireless keyboards guide covers the wider field.
Questions we get
How do I connect a wireless keyboard to an iPad or iPhone?
Put the keyboard into pairing mode, then open Settings, tap Bluetooth, and select the keyboard when it appears. Most keyboards have a dedicated pairing button or key combination, and many can pair with three devices and switch between them. If it does not appear, check that the keyboard is charged and not already connected to another device.
How do I pair a Logitech wireless keyboard?
Use an Easy-Switch key — one of the numbered keys at the top, held for about three seconds until the indicator blinks — then select the keyboard in your device's Bluetooth settings. Logitech's multidevice keyboards keep three pairings, so you can assign one to a laptop, one to a tablet, and switch with a single keypress.
Can I use a keyboard with an iPhone?
Yes. Any Bluetooth keyboard can pair with an iPhone, and iPadOS and iOS both support hardware keyboards well, including many keyboard shortcuts. The limitation is screen size rather than capability: a keyboard makes far more sense with an iPad, especially with a stand, than with an iPhone.
Is a keyboard case better than a separate keyboard?
For travel, usually yes — a case combines keyboard, stand, and protection, and trackpad models turn an iPad into a laptop substitute. For desk use, a separate keyboard wins: better key feel, more layout options, and it can be shared between devices. Many people end up with both.