All an iPad is, is an expensive glass screen. So protecting your iPad with a screen protector seems like a no-brainer, but do you need one?
A screen protector for an iPad is a must-have, especially without an iPad case. iPads cost between $329-$1649. So spending $6-$11 for a screen protector that protects the screen from damage without impacting the iPad functionality is a no-brainer. In addition, it could save you hundreds of dollars in repair costs.
I’m not lying. I just dropped my iPad on its side. Even worse, it wasn’t attached to the magic keyboard while writing this post and taking the screen protector on and off, so it could have happened without a screen protector.
Luckily my iPad was protected!
I guarantee the iPad screen would have smashed if it was not protected.
I’m so grateful the screen protector was on; otherwise, I would need to spend $599 on iPad service vs. $6 on another three screen protectors!
If you need more convincing (you shouldn’t!), this article will detail why you should protect your iPad.
4 Reasons Your iPad Needs a Screen Protector
1. Screen Protectors Protect Your iPad From Damage
The above photo says it all. If you ever drop an iPad, even with a magic keyboard at an awkward angle, the glass WILL smash!
All Apple glass is gorilla glass, a brand of chemically strengthened designed to be thin, light, and damage resistant. It is extremely scratch resistant and harder than carbon steel.
Does this mean the glass doesn’t break or scratch? Of course not! Have you or anyone you know dropped an iPhone at a bad angle, which caused the glass to break? The iPad is the same, except you are less likely to drop your iPad as often as your iPhone as typically they are not used on the go.
However, I dropped my iPad today because it got caught in a cable. These freak accidents happen enough to justify purchasing a screen protector, which you can get for a bargain on Amazon.
If you are not careful with your Tech (like me) and slap your iPad in a backpack (see below), anything hard like hard will scratch your iPad, especially if you don’t have a screen protector or a case like the Magic Keyboard.
If you don’t want to use a screen protector, it is good to know if it’s worth repairing a broken iPad screen or buying a new iPad altogether. You can learn the repair costs in my helpful article.
2. Screen Protectors Mostly Do Not Effect the iPad Experience
Look at the above photos. I bet it’s difficult to tell which image has an iPad screen protector.
The iPad screen is beautiful, I can understand if a screen protector made the colors look washed or ugly, but this is nowhere near the case.
I don’t even notice the screen protector when I use my iPad. Even now, with a cracked screen protector on the top left of the screen, it doesn’t affect my use.
Suppose you BREAK your iPad screen! That is a different story. The cracks on the screen will slowly become worse, eventually making your iPad unusable.
The screen protector doesn’t make a difference with anything you do on the iPad, watching movies, playing games, or playing games.
The only time a screen protector will affect your experience is when you use the Apple Pencil on the screen protector.
The touch screen cannot be used when air bubbles build up beneath the screen. It’s most noticeable with the Apple Pencil, as the technology requires precise movements.
3. Screen Protectors Are Easy to Take Off
Unlike an iPhone, where it is difficult to set up screen protectors correctly, an iPad is a very big screen. So you can easily put one on and take it off within seconds.
You can see my YouTube video, where I demonstrate putting on and taking off the screen protector. It was JUST before dropping my iPad.
If you are a designer or an artist, usually, your iPad will be mounted on a stand where it doesn’t need to be protected. So simply remove the screen protector, do your drawings and then put it back when you need to carry your iPad.
For a great price, you can look at the best iPad stands on Amazon.
Want to keep your iPads healthy? Discover the best percentage to charge your iPad to keep it working as long as possible in my helpful article.
4. Screen Protectors Can Save You Hundreds of $$$
| iPad Pro | AppleCare+ service fee | Out-of-warranty service fee |
| iPad Pro 12.9-inch (5th generation) Wi-Fi | $ 49 | $ 699 |
| iPad Pro 12.9-inch (5th generation) Wi-Fi + Cellular | $ 49 | $ 749 |
| iPad Pro 12.9-inch (4th generation) | $ 49 | $ 649 |
| iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation) | $ 49 | $ 649 |
| iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2nd generation) | $ 49 | $ 599 |
| iPad Pro 12.9-inch | $ 49 | $ 599 |
| iPad Pro 11-inch (3rd generation) Wi-Fi | $ 49 | $ 499 |
| iPad Pro 11-inch (3rd generation) Wi-Fi + Cellular | $ 49 | $ 549 |
| iPad Pro 11-inch (2nd generation) | $ 49 | $ 499 |
| iPad Pro 11-inch | $ 49 | $ 499 |
| iPad Pro (10.5-inch) | $ 49 | $ 449 |
| iPad Pro 9.7-inch | $ 49 | $ 379 |
Just look at the $ prices for an iPad screen repair! Do you know how much a screen protector costs? $6-$11 for three sheets of protected glass.
An iPad is not cheap. You will spend between $329-$1600 for an iPad. Even an entry model like the great iPad 8th generation is worth protecting. I cannot imagine how bad I would have felt if I dropped my M1 iPad Pro, destroyed the screen, and had to pay $499, which I don’t have to replace!
I think the $6-$11 to protect your iPad with a screen protector is a no-brainer. If you decide to go unprotected, don’t go crying to me when you drop it! I warned you.
You don’t need a screen protector if your iPad is permanently attached to a stand in your studio. Still, you will take your iPad out and about, and you only need to drop it once for irreversible screen damage.
Aside from the iPad screen, the battery is the most important iPad feature. Do you know the tell-tale signs that show your iPad needs replacing? To learn for sure, you can read my helpful article.