This $50 iPad Keyboard Cover Works Like Apple’s Magic Keyboard

CHESONA iPad Keyboard Cover

Convert your iPad into a mini laptop.

What we like

Good typing experience
Provides adequate protection
Extremely affordable
Backlighting
Trackpad gestures work as intended

What we don’t like

Needs to be charged separately
Can only be used on a flat surface
Occasionally light lag or delay when typing

After picking up a used iPad Pro, I wasn’t willing to spend $300 – more than I paid for the iPad – on Apple’s Magic Keyboard. Then I found an affordable keyboard cover on Amazon with backlit keys and a trackpad for just $50. I was initially skeptical, but I’ve been using the CHESONA iPad Keyboard Cover for a few months and can’t wrap my head around anyone splurging on Apple’s official keyboard case.

Content

Solid Build Quality

I didn’t have a lot of expectations from the CHESONA iPad Keyboard Cover in terms of the materials used in its construction. After all, I paid a fraction of what I would have for the official one. However, I was pleasantly surprised when I unboxed it.

Just like the Magic Keyboard case, this one, too, has quite a bit of heft. This is primarily because the case has a built-in battery pack to power the keyboard. Unlike the Magic Keyboard case that draws power from the iPad via the connector pins on the rear, this one uses a separate battery.

What’s also different from the official case is the way the keyboard attaches to the iPad. Instead of magnetically snapping onto the back of the iPad, there’s a silicone case inside which the iPad snugly fits into, and the keyboard magnetically attaches to the case.

Convenient to Use

The front and rear of the case have a fabric finish that feels nice to the touch. There’s also a foldable stand that lets you rest the iPad horizontally when typing, just the way you would prop up a laptop screen.

Overall, I am extremely happy with the way the case feels in the hand. It doesn’t feel cheap at all. What bothers me slightly is that the case is thick and heavy. I would go as far as saying adding the case almost doubles the thickness and weight of the iPad.

The thickness didn’t really matter, but I could feel the added weight every time I carried the iPad in my backpack.

More Protective Than the Magic Keyboard

One aspect where this cheap iPad keyboard one-ups Apple’s Magic Keyboard is protection. The Magic Keyboard securely protects the back and screen from scratches. However, if you drop your iPad, get ready for dents on the aluminum edges.

On the other hand, the CHESONA iPad Keyboard Cover not only covers all the edges, but also has a large lip on the screen to protect the iPad even if you drop it in the open position.

Slight Cost Cutting in Terms of Design

One clear advantage of the Magic Keyboard is the way it’s designed. It doesn’t need any support on the rear, as the base has a counterweight to keep the iPad in position. However, my affordable case doesn’t have such a fancy design.

Instead of the floating design of the Magic Keyboard, the case has a kickstand on the rear to keep the iPad inclined at a convenient angle. While this isn’t necessarily a bad design, it means you always need to keep the iPad on a flat surface to use it properly. I tried working on the iPad with the kickstand open on my lap, but it was rather uncomfortable, and the iPad kept moving around.

Even Keeps the Apple Pencil Safe

While the design may not be as ergonomic or attractive as the Magic Keyboard, there’s a secret element that’s even better than Apple’s offering. This affordable keyboard has a slot tucked away at the bottom to house the Apple Pencil, something that the Magic Keyboard lacks.

Thanks to this, it’s easier to carry the iPad with the Apple Pencil. With the Magic Keyboard, you have to rely on the magnets on the side of the iPad to keep the Pencil in place – something that’s risky since the Pencil can fall at any time. However, the Magic Keyboard charges the Apple Pencil when it’s attached, unlike the CHESONA.

Surprisingly Good Typing Experience

You’re buying a keyboard case to type, so the core functionality – the typing experience – matters more than anything else. I’m happy to report that typing on the affordable keyboard has been pleasant.

The key travel is more than I expected, and the keys are spaced out adequately. I am a touch typist, so it did take me a while to get used to the layout, but I felt right at home once I was familiar with it.

There’s a Touchpad, Too!

When I was looking for a keyboard case for my iPad, I was clear about one thing: I wanted one with a trackpad, as I planned on using it as a laptop replacement for short travels. I wasn’t expecting much from the trackpad, but I was pleasantly surprised. It works as expected without any major issues. It could’ve been smoother, and there is a slight jitter sometimes when moving the cursor quickly, but these are quirks I can ignore given the price point.

It’s also worth mentioning that unlike the Magic Keyboard, where you can simply tap the trackpad to select/click on something, you have to physically compress it on the CHESONA, which is slightly annoying.

Lots of Perks With a Few Quirks

What I found to be one of the most impressive aspects of the keyboard is that the keys are backlit. I work in the dark often, making typing with backlit keys much easier. Several laptops that cost upwards of $500 don’t even have backlit keys.

Another feature I like is the iPad’s screen automatically turning off when I close the case. These small bits add to the entire user experience.

Everything isn’t perfect, just as you would expect from any gadget, let alone one that costs a fraction of the official one. The keyboard needs to be charged separately via a USB-C port, unlike the Magic Keyboard, which draws its power from the iPad.

I found this to be the most annoying aspect of the keyboard, as many times, I forget to charge the case. There have been times when I pulled out my iPad to work, only to realize the keyboard didn’t have any charge. There is an LED on the keyboard to indicate when the battery level is low, which is helpful, but I wish there was a way to charge both the iPad and the case via a single port.

Needs to Be Switched on Manually

Since the keyboard works independently, there is a switch that needs to be toggled on every time before using the keyboard. You also need to remember to turn the switch off after using the keyboard to avoid battery drain. There are no such shenanigans on the Magic Keyboard. It starts working without the press of a button.

Moreover, the CHESONA iPad Keyboard Cover pairs via Bluetooth with your iPad, so you have to keep Bluetooth enabled at all times after you pair the keyboard manually. Notably, there’s also a slight delay between when the keyboard is switched on and when it connects to the iPad.

The Bluetooth version used on the keyboard seems to be an older one, so you may face connectivity issues at times. During my usage, the keyboard would automatically disconnect for a few seconds while I was typing. This was one of the most frustrating aspects as it would break my workflow.

I also experienced slight latency at times when typing. The text on the screen would appear a few milliseconds after I pressed the keys. This wasn’t too big a deal for me, but I can see it being an issue if you plan on using it as your primary work machine.

Should You Buy an Affordable Version of the Magic Keyboard?

Like me, if you only plan on using your iPad as a makeshift computer occasionally or when traveling, the Magic Keyboard is quite an expensive investment that probably won’t provide as much value in the long run. In such cases, the $50 CHESONA iPad Keyboard Cover I picked up makes a lot of sense.

However, if you’re someone who’s planning to replace their laptop with a cellular iPad so you can work from anywhere, the Magic Keyboard is more practical and integrates seamlessly with the iPad. Is it worth four times the extra cost, though? Debatable. But, if you can afford to pay for the extra convenience it offers, go ahead. The new versions have a metallic construction, so they should last a long, time.

Depending on whether you have the iPad Pro, standard iPad, or the iPad Air, there are several affordable keyboard cases you can buy, like the ones from Runelk and Chesona. If you can spend a little more, I would recommend Logitech’s keyboard cover, as it provides excellent functionality with reliability.

All images by Sumukh Rao.

Sumukh Rao –
Contributor

Sumukh has a knack for simplifying tech for the masses and helping consumers pick the right gadgets with his in-depth insights and reviews. He decided to hide his engineering degree in the closet to pursue his passion for writing. Over the past 6 years, he has contributed with guides, reviews, and detailed opinions to notable publications like TechPP, XDA-Developers, and Guiding Tech.

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