Types of Tablet Cases – Popular Styles of Tablet Cases and Covers

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You’ve gone and bought a new tablet(s), and now you’re wondering how and if you need to protect these new pieces of expensive technology, and you’ve landed here, thanks! This guide will try and inform you, from experience, which are popular styles of tablet cases and covers. Cases and covers that can add to the experience, productivity, and be an extension of your personal or corporate brand. Choosing a case or cover is important and and a number of things should be taken into account. Firstly we recommend thinking about how you’re going to use the tablets, whether they’re in a home situation in your living room for example, or whether they’re to be used for business, and will be carried around and moved on a daily basis. Another consideration here is how and what they are going to be used for. If they’re going to be used for casual browsing in a home environment, then there will be different functionality requirements than if for example they’re going to be used for sales reps on the road all the time presenting to customers. And again differently than if they’re going to be used for someone for productivity and lots of typing. 

Here we list the most popular styles of tablet cases and covers available on the market, for most tablets.

Hard Tablet Cases

As their name suggests, hard tablet cases are a hard case. Typically they are made from a hard polycarbonate plastic, from 1-3mm thick, and they are molded to the exact shape of the device, allowing easy access to all ports and buttons. They are a great way to protect the tablet without adding bulk or weight to the device.

Pros

Lightweight and protective of the back and sides, allowing easy access to all buttons and ports.

Cons

Given that they are not the most popular case style, only very popular tablet versions have hard cases available. They are also not helpful in providing any functionality features, and they do not protect the screen of the tablet

Gel Tablet Cases

Gel Tablet cases are exactly like the hard cases for tablets. They are thin and form fitting, keeping the original form factor of the tablet. Great for bump and scratch protection mainly.

Pros

Slim, light and form fitting, they protect from bumps and scratches, a little bit more so than hard cases

Cons

They don’t add functionality to the device, such as stands, and they don’t cover the front of the tablet.

Leather and Folio Tablet Cases

Some of the names used to denote tablet cases in styles that are the most popular with tablets. These cases are typically front and back covers, protecting the front and back of the devices.  They are usually quite light, made from a durable material such as a PU/vegan leather, or real leather, and come in a range of colors. The leather/folio style case is one that has a number of features, which apart from protection, are full and easy access to all ports and buttons, and viewing and typing stands. The viewing and typing stands are probably the most sought after features, as this allows multiple different uses of the tablet, from media consumption (viewing stand) to productivity (typing stand) for business use. As this type of style is the most popular style for tablets, these are usually available for most tablet versions. However it is worth researching at the same time as your tablet, because you don’t want to buy a tablet only to realize that there isn’t a case available for it in the style that you want.

Pros

Covers and protects the whole device, durable materials usually, quite light and easy to use, and multiple features and functionalities

Cons

Some of them can be a bit bulky, and some available as ‘universal’ cases don’t have proper openings for cameras and/or buttons/ports. Check before you buy that there is a case available

Tough Tablet Cases

Again, similar to the hard and gel cases, these are limited to the very popular tablet versions, so if you want one of these style of cases, it’s worth finding one before you purchase your tablets, so you’re not left with a table without a case that fits your usage. 

Tough is a subjective word, in that most cases are tough to an extent. Tough tablet cases when spoken of in this light, are usually tablet cases that protect a bit more than usual, usually the corners, and whole device. They can come in a range of form factors and colors

Pros

Very protective

Cons

Can be heavy, can be unattractive to look at

Children’s Shockproof Tablet Cases

Usually made from EVA, which is essentially a lightweight rubber feeling foam that is very protective. These shockproof tablet cases are popular in early school/educational settings as they are very protective. They usually have a handle or two so they can be easily held by small children’s hands, and they can be easily cleaned. They come in a range of colors, making them a fun case as well.

Pros

Very protective, lightweight, easy to hold, fun to use.

Cons

They don’t protect the screen, so it’s worth looking for tempered glass screen protectors to use in conjunction to protect the screen.

Keyboard Tablet Cases

Looking to use your tablet as productively as possible? Typing really quickly on the screen of a tablet can be seriously difficult. If you’re going to be using the tablet for writing a lot, a keyboard case can be a great addition to it, without having to go all out for a big laptop. They are available for most popular tablet versions, and usually are in a black, they’re pretty easy to set up and use, and the keyboard battery lasts for a long time.

Pros

They can turn your difficult tablet typing experience into a pleasurable one. They protect the whole tablet, front and back, and are quite slim when packed up so maintaining portability of the device.

Cons

They do add bulk and weight to the device, so can take away from the light and slim form factor of the device. We’d recommend getting a keyboard case only if you’re sure you’ll be using it a lot for typing. Otherwise a good option is to get a regular slim case and a separate full-size bluetooth keyboard that you can use when you need a keyboard for typing, which will further improve productivity and words per minute.

Tablet Skins

Skins are an effective way to protect tablets from scratches, but mainly to cost-effectively add a customization or personalization to the device. Made from a durable vinyl material, they come in matte and gloss finishes, and can be fully customized quite cost-effectively. 

Pros

Lightweight, cheap and easy to customize

Cons

They don’t protect the device from more than light scratches

Tablet Sleeves

Sleeves are another option to protect the device. Sleeves are a great way to protect devices when in transit, as the device cannot be used while in the sleeve. They usually come in neoprene or real or faux/vegan leather, in a range of colors and styles. They are usually quite light, stylish and good looking.

Pros

Protects the whole device, looks great, gives protection while in transit but allows the device to be easily removed and used in its original form

Cons

They don’t protect the device when it is being used, as it must be taken off to allow the tablet to function.

So, above is a brief outline of the most popular tablet cases and covers available for most popular tablet versions. One thing to keep in mind, is that if you already have a tablet case or cover style in mind, do some research before you buy your tablets, just to make sure the style/color etc is available for your tablet.

At CustomLogoCases, we make custom tablet cases and covers for all popular tablets. We customize them with logo printing and embossing, make them in different materials, different finishes, and many different styles. If you’ve got any questions on different styles of tablet cases or covers, or you’d like to investigate custom branded tablet covers, get in touch with us and we can give you our advice, send you some samples, quickly and obligation free.