Menu
 

BestReviews is reader-supported and may earn an affiliate commission. Details

Best iPad Screen Protectors

Updated October 2023
Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
JETech Screen Protector for iPad Pro 12.9 in
JETech
Screen Protector for iPad Pro 12.9 in
Check Price
High-tech Protection
Bottom Line

Made for the latest iPad Pro models. Prevents screen damage without hampering any of the Pro’s features.

Pros

Protective layer of 0.33 millimeters of tempered glass that still allows for Face ID and Apple Pencil integration. Scratch-resistant and comes with dust removal and easy installation kits. Highly transparent and the iPad will retain the same level of touch sensitivity.

Cons

The iPad Pro’s screen will need to be properly cleaned before installation to prevent spots and bubbles.

Best Bang for the Buck
Ailun Screen Protector Compatible for iPad Mini 4 and 5
Ailun
Screen Protector Compatible for iPad Mini 4 and 5
Check Price
Compact Protection
Bottom Line

Simple and sleek, this screen cover will prevent surface damage to iPad Mini 4 and 5 models.

Pros

Resists scratches, shattering, and smudging from everyday use. Installation kit comes with measures to prevent bubbles or dust from getting under the protector’s surface. Comes with 2 screen covers.

Cons

Only compatible with iPad Mini 4 and 5 models; will not work with older versions.

amFilm Glass Screen Protector Compatible With iPad Air 4, iPad Pro 11
amFilm
Glass Screen Protector Compatible With iPad Air 4, iPad Pro 11
Check Price
Easy Breezy Installation
Bottom Line

A reliable protective screen that’s compatible with the iPad Air 4 and the iPad Pro 11.

Pros

Screen protector leaves room on the edges of the device to accommodate all styles of cases. Resilient. Accommodates all forms of daily use and has a coating to reduce fingerprint smudges. Comes with 2 screen covers.

Cons

Can slightly reduce touch sensitivity, making it less than ideal for tablets used for drawing.

JETech Screen Protector compatible with 8th and 7th Generation iPad
JETech
Screen Protector compatible with 8th and 7th Generation iPad
Check Price
Dependable Protection
Bottom Line

From a trusted brand, this screen protector is the gold standard for 7th and 8th generation iPads.

Pros

Offers a high level of scratch and shatter resistance without sacrificing transparency or touch sensitivity. Made from tempered glass, almost unnoticeable after installation. Anti-fingerprint coating will reduce smudges from regular use. Video-guided installation option.

Cons

With the tempered sheet covering the full screen, the iPad may fit less easily in some custom cases.

Zagg InvisibleShield Glass Screen Protector for Apple iPad Pro 9.7, iPad Air 2, and iPad Air
Zagg
InvisibleShield Glass Screen Protector for Apple iPad Pro 9.7, iPad Air 2, and iPad Air
Check Price
A Surefire Safeguard
Bottom Line

Highest quality of tempered glass provides unmatched durability.

Pros

Perfect for all ages, from toddlers to adults for protecting their iPad. Abrasion-resistant and smear-proof, it will add years to your tablet. Features Nano-memory technology.

Cons

A few users reported difficulty attaching this screen protector to their device.

Why trust BestReviews?
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

54
Models
Considered
134
Consumers
Consulted
22
Hours
Researched
Category cover

Buying guide for Best iPad screen protectors

Since the first iPad, Apple has relied on Corning — the makers of Gorilla Glass — to provide the glass panel screens for their tablets. Although Apple and Corning don’t comment on the specific type of glass used in their production, iPad screens have long had a reputation of being damage and scratch-resistant. Unfortunately, regardless of how well-engineered it may be, glass is still glass. Even the toughest glass can still scratch or break.

Tablets are especially vulnerable since, unlike computers, touch is the primary form of interaction. Under the right circumstances, dirt or particulates on the tip of your finger, stylus, or an Apple Pencil can scratch your iPad screen. In addition, because the iPad doesn't come with a case, the screen is always exposed by default. Accidentally placing or dropping an iPad face-down on a rough, damaging surface is easy, and something can be placed or dropped on an iPad screen with similar results.

Many users want an extra layer of defense to help protect their iPad. Screen protectors are an excellent, low-cost way of doing that.

Content Image
There are two main types of plastic protectors, TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) and PET (polyethylene terephthalate). If you’ve decided on a plastic protector, look for one made with TPU for best results.

Key considerations

The single biggest consideration when choosing a screen protector for your iPad is the material it’s made of. The two types of material primarily used are glass and plastic, each with its own set of advantages.

Glass

The biggest advantage to glass screen protectors is how they look and feel. Similar to your iPad screen, a glass protector offers a high level of clarity, without washing out your device’s colors or HD. Similarly, glass protectors offer the best feel, in terms of the touch interface. Like the iPad display, your finger slides smoothly across a glass protector.

This material also lends itself well to edge-to-edge screen protection, although the added thickness may keep the iPad from fitting into some cases, since most glass protectors are 0.3mm to 0.5mm thick. (In contrast, plastic protectors are as little as 0.1mm.)

In general, glass is a sturdier material than plastic and offers a higher degree of protection — with some caveats. Specifically, glass protectors suffer from the same limitations as the glass they’re protecting. While there are different levels of quality and toughness, including ones made from Gorilla Glass, a glass protector can still be chipped or cracked. If it does crack, there’s a good chance the crack will rapidly spread, similar to a crack in an automobile windshield.

If the damage to the protector is severe enough, it may chip and fracture apart, causing even more damage to the screen.

Plastic

Plastic screen protectors offer a different type of durability. The thicker the material, the more durable they are and the more they protect your iPad from both scratches and impacts. In effect, a thicker, plastic protector provides a small degree of shock absorption. While they scratch much easier than glass protectors, there’s virtually no risk of a scratch to the protector damaging your iPad in any way.

On the downside, plastic protectors are known for being fingerprint magnets. Also, scratches can ensure they quickly take on a grungy look, which will detract from the appearance of your iPad.Another disadvantage of a plastic protector is the feel of it versus a naked screen or glass protector. Plastic protectors, especially low-end ones, aren’t as smooth as glass and your finger won’t track as easily.

Features

Anti-glare

If you plan on using your iPad outdoors, or in areas with very bright lights, you should look for a screen protector with an anti-glare coating.

Privacy

Some screen protectors double as an added privacy feature by making it difficult to see what’s on the screen unless you’re looking directly at it. This is a good option if you’re frequently in situations where you need to look at sensitive information without the people next to you seeing it.

Ultra-clear

An ultra-clear protector is designed to be as transparent as possible, using the finest materials. As a result, these products are the best at maintaining the color, clarity, and HD of your naked screen, while still offering that added layer of protection.

Oleophobic coating

Oleophobic coating helps keep fingerprints from sticking to glass protectors. Not all oleophobic coatings are the same. Cheaper options have a coating that is sprayed on, while the coating on more expensive covers is statically applied. The difference is not as big as you may think, however, as the cheaper coatings last for a month, while the more expensive ones only last for three.

Content Image
Did you know?
Some plastic protectors tout “self-healing” properties. This feature, usually found in TPU protectors, means the plastic is soft enough to absorb light scratches and slowly return to normal.
STAFF
BestReviews

Price

Because of the range of options and materials, the price of screen protectors can vary from $1 for a pack containing several to well over $35 for a single one.

Inexpensive

The quality of the plastic will be fairly low, with a noticeable reduction of the iPad screen color, clarity, and HD. These protectors often come in a pack of five for as little as $1, or a couple of dollars at most.

Most tempered glass protectors are multi-layered, containing silicon and PET layers for added protection.

STAFF
BestReviews

Mid-range

Mid-range options will have additional features designed to make using a screen protector more seamless. These products will run several dollars apiece for a plastic protector and in the mid-teens for a glass one.

Expensive

The most expensive options are upwards of $10 for a single plastic protector and $35 for a glass version. These are the best of the best, with the finest oleophobic coating, anti-glare, and the most transparent materials. Glass models will also be high-strength Gorilla Glass or another comparable technology.

Content Image
Did you know?
Tempered glass is made by superheating and rapidly cooling glass. Because the outer surface is under compression and the inner surface is under tension, tempered glass breaks into chunks rather than shards.
STAFF
BestReviews

Tips

  • If you use an Apple Pencil and miss the feel of writing on paper, a plastic protector may help. While nothing will perfectly mimic the feel of a pen on paper, a plastic screen protector offers more “grab” for your Pencil than a glass screen. This makes it a closer experience to pen and paper.

  • Many glass screen protector kits will include a wet cleaning cloth to use before applying the protector. Be sure your iPad screen is completely dry before you put the screen protector on. Otherwise, the moisture strapped underneath will create a rainbow shimmering effect.

Content Image
Tempered glass protectors often have a shatterproof layer that holds the pieces in place if your protector breaks. This helps prevent them from causing any damage to the screen underneath.

FAQ

Q. Can I reuse a screen protector?

A. That depends on the quality of the screen protector and the material it’s made from. Cheaper plastic protectors are often one-and-done applications, while thicker, more expensive plastic protectors can be reused. The same is true for more expensive glass products.

Q. What happens if my glass protector cracks or breaks?

A. More expensive products from reputable companies often come with a warranty and will replace the screen protector with a new one.

Q. Will a glass screen protector impact my Apple Pencil use?

A. It might, depending on how you use your Apple Pencil. Some users report lines that are wavy and not perfectly crisp in drawing apps when using a glass protector. Your mileage may vary, as much of this depends on the quality of the glass.