Brydge 10.5 Keyboard for iPad Air (2019) | Aluminum Bluetooth 4.2 Keyboard with Backlit Keys (Space Gray)

After reading all the negative reviews about this keyboard I feel like I had to write a review. First of all I have the iPad Pro 10.5 . Maybe that makes a difference, I don’t know. People are complaining about missing keystrokes— that was obviously a concern of mine as well, I have used Bluetooth keyboards before where that happened and it made the keyboard worthless. I have not experienced anything like that on my Brydge. I have been typing on this thing for a week and it hasn’t missed a single keystroke. Not one. I type really fast as well. As everyone else has pointed out, the build quality is fantastic. The typing experience is really good. Nice tactile feel. Decent key travel. It is very heavy, and makes the entire ‘unit’ (ipad+keyboard) at least 3x heavier than the iPad alone. It is actually necessary though, if it wasn’t heavy, it would tip over very easily. This thing is very sturdy and the hinges are really strong, they hold the iPad at whatever angle you set it , no problem. But, there is one concern. These things really grip the ipad, they are really damn strong. My concern is that the ipad is not designed for this and closing the ipad down like a laptop lid repeatedly puts strain on the display and might damage it. I have used a screwdriver to loosen them a little bit but that doesn’t really help much — when you push the ipad down to close it, you can see the lcd display “ripple” like you are pressing really hard on it. Which is not good. If they had made the hinges just a little further out toward the edge maybe it wouldve been better , as they are , they end flush with the edge of the display. Another thing, and this isn’t a negative strike for the keyboard, but not having a touchpad is weird. I just want to let people know that, obviously I understood it didn’t have a touchpad, but when you actually are using it, I found myself reaching for a touchpad repeatedly and realizing there isn’t one. Other people complained that the keyboard takes too long to connect ... I don’t have this issue either. It takes 3 key presses and the keyboard is connected and working. That’s really not an issue to me, just tap it three times it wakes up and connects. It’s not as good as instantly connecting but it’s really not a hassle either. The top row of command keys are actually super useful. You can just press play from any app and your iTunes will start playing. People also complained about not being able to access the dock ... i can still access the dock, I guess my fingers aren’t that fat. Also there’s a command key specifically for the dock so you can just press that and it minimizes your app. Press it twice and it shows all the apps you had open just like if you were to press the home key twice. But then you have to use the touch screen to navigate and select stuff. It would be amazing if this thing had a touchpad, you’d essentially have a tiny MacBook , but it’s pretty darn close. The backlit keyboard is nice, it’s a necessity for me. I am not sure if it’s a quality control problem, maybe some people are getting bad units, but mine is flawless. I was ready to ship it back if it had any of the issues people described but I haven’t experienced any of them. Perhaps they have some radio interference messing with their Bluetooth connection. Oh i forgot to add, it makes watching movies and stuff in bed/on the couch wayyyy better because it sits up like a laptop. You also can’t use a standard case on this, and Brydge wants you to buy one from them that’s $40 which is ridiculous to me. I am just going to cut my case so that it fits. All in all I am really happy with it.

When I purchased my iPad I purchased the apple Smart Keyboard and AppleCare at the same same. I had intermittent problems with keyboard not being recognized by iPad. One day after about a year it quit working all together and when I called Apple they had me take it to an authorized dealer who confirmed it was dead then they sent me to an Apple store who would not fix or replace and tried to sell me another one. I left Apple store feeling a little pissed because before they helped me I witnessed another customer smashing his iPhone on the concrete floor - I thought sure they were going to help me after that but no! Anyway I came home and started looking for an alternative. I found this Bridge keyboard and read the reviews and pulled the trigger. I just love it! Yes it makes the iPad a bit heavier but I don’t care - I almost always use it with a keyboard anyway and it is super easy to take off if you want to read on it etc. And now yes I can actually use this on my lap like a laptop - amazing. I love the the quality and it is an awesome backlit keyboard that feels and looks like like a Mac. Love it - very hi quality real aluminum.Not disappointed at all. Have had it a few months and still have to recharge. Will buy again if I get the bigger iPad since the apple iPad keyboards are crap. This keyboard is way more worth the price than the apple keyboard.

Nice keyboard and makes my iPad look and feel like an actual laptop. That said, it is HEAVY!! Makes everying actually heavier than my other laptops. But I like it because it keep the iPad upright and doesn’t use any back support (which much the other can flop around).

The Brydge 10.5 Keyboard for iPad Air is a game-changer for anyone seeking enhanced productivity and versatility on their iPad. With its sleek aluminum design and premium build quality, this keyboard seamlessly integrates with the iPad Air, transforming it into a sleek and stylish laptop-like device. The backlit keys offer a responsive and comfortable typing experience, whether you're typing emails, documents, or chatting with friends. The adjustable viewing angles and sturdy hinge design provide flexibility and stability, allowing you to find the perfect angle for typing or viewing content. Additionally, the keyboard connects effortlessly via Bluetooth, eliminating the hassle of wires and cords. Whether you're a student, professional, or casual user, the Brydge 10.5 Keyboard enhances your iPad Air experience, making it easier and more enjoyable to work, create, and communicate on the go.

This is my second time buying this keyboard because I love the design and it matches my iPad perfectly. However, it is cheaply made, and the keys fall off even after light use. Very frustrating will not be buying this product again.

This is my first iPad keyboard. I bought this for my 10.5 iPad Pro on the photos and strong reviews, and am happy to report this keyboard has not disappointed. Item arrived on time and with very high quality packaging. I was immediately impressed with the quality of the keyboard’s fit and finish. It has the look, feel and quality of an Apple keyboard (intended as a compliment) - this keyboard just belongs with the iPad Pro. It actually looks and feels a lot like my MacBook Air keyboard- only smaller. It seems far more substantial than any of the other iPad keyboards I researched. I’ve been impressed with the performance of the keys and the battery life. The only drawback I’ve seen to far is the inability to upswipe for multi-tasking while the iPad is connected to the keyboard in the horizontal position. It’s a minor ding that I hope Brydge can address in future product updates. Time will tell on the durability, but it is aluminum (like the MB Air’s), so I expect it will hold up well. I also bought the Brydge case, and have been happy with that as well. Overall, I would definitely recommend the Brydge keyboard to anyone who really wants to complete their iPad Pro setup.

The Brydge keyboard is an excellent companion to my iPad Air 10.5. Looks, feels and performs like an Apple product. My iPad is now my go to device over my MacBook.

This is my second purchase for the same keyboard which I received on 16 November 2024. I made this second purchase because I liked the feeling and touch when using the keyboard. A great I/O device. Having said, hope it does not fail again, which the first purchase did after one month of usage.

Calidad y acabados excelentes, de primera. Parece un producto de Apple hecho para el iPad. El diseño, conexión y funcionamiento perfectos.

Brydge has done what Apple couldn't. Go for this keyboard case with closed eyes; you won't regret.

Having seen this back when looking for a keyboard alternative to the official Apple one, the original price of £120 odd always proved just too much for me to justify buying. I was also concerned seeing some of the reviews about the keyboard being sometimes unreliable. Seeing the recent 50% price drop was enough to get me to take a chance, and am happy to report that this is the 'series ii' version, where any of the reliability issues have been ironed out. For the keyboard itself, it is wonderfully tactile and feels almost as god as an actually MacBook in terms of quality of typing. Connection and set up was super quick, and I've charged the keyboard once so far upon arrival, and it still has about half charge left after two weeks (I don't think I charged it to full either). It's been a genuine help to productivity as it makes typing so much easier and actually enjoyable. In terms of what other people have said about the iPad sitting too low in order to swipe up for the dock - I can confirm this is the case although it is possible to have the iPad sit higher in the holders in order to access. However, I've found that using the keyboard shortcut is easier. the grips themselves have a firm hold on the ipad so there seems little danger of it slipping out unintentionally. All in all a great product, particularly for the current price of £60