KHOMO iPad mini 1 2 3 Case - Dual Series - Ultra Slim Carbon Fiber Cover with Auto Sleep Wake Feature for Apple iPad mini 1st, 2nd and 3rd Generation

An accessory is something that complements or enhances the original product. It should be like a good relationship - it enhances what is already there, and makes it more of what it already is. So - any review of a case for Apple’s iPad mini has to start with an understanding & appreciation of the nature of the mini itself. The mini (obviously) has never been for “Size Queens (or Kings).” While using any iPad has always been a Visual experience (going back to the very first one from April 3, 2010); using an iPad mini has always been more of a Kinesthetic experience (going back to its very first generation in November 2, 2012). It’s always been “The One-Handed-iPad.” Don’t believe me ? Check out the original reviews from 2012: [...] Jason Snell of Macworld sums it up eloquently in a paragraph here: [...] The mini has always been more about Touch, Feel & Weight as it has been about sight. All of that has always made the discussion about the smaller screen size a non-starter. So an accessory should enhance that user experience. Does the KHOMO iPad Mini 4 Case pass that test? …Kind Of…(lol) The iPad mini 4 is THE lightest iPad ever made by Apple, weighing in at 10.72 oz. Even Apple’s own Smart Cover (front only) adds 2.48 oz = 13.2 oz. to that Kinesthetic experience (but it flips back and gets out of the way - mostly). Apple’s “house brand solution” of the Silicone Case+Smart Cover fits perfectly, but just makes the whole thing TOO heavy, and destroys the products very raison d'être. KHOMO’s closest competitor, the MoKo case adds 2.3 ounces on top of Apple’s Smart Cover alone. The KHOMO comes in somewhere in the middle…adding a mere 2.1 ounces (not bad) on top of Apple’s Smart Cover alone, and believe it or not, you can feel the difference between the two in your hand while using the device. The KHOMO case is a tremendous value for the price point. It shipped inside a padded mailing envelope - adequate protection for what the product is. The manufacturer packaging is more substantial than the competing MoKo, which ships only in a clear sealed bag. The nicely designed cardboard sleeve validates the “Premium Quality” branded on it, along with the expected desiccant & foam filler. * The Red/Black model I received didn’t have the advertised “Sound Boost” feature, but traditional cut-outs for each of the stereo speakers * The cut-outs in the case are accurate & functional, if not surgically precise, like Apple’s * There is a "standard gray" interior micro-fiber, as opposed to Apple's color-matched micro-fiber * The shell (back) is a rigid un-padded plastic that “snaps” firmly around all sides of the mini * The shell does pickup fingerprints, but then, that’s something we’ve all gotten used to since 2010 * The auto-sleep/wake function works well * The multi-fold case proved stable in both positions when the cover is rolled back * The case is well-engineered and the cover aligns perfectly with the edges when closed (…which, unfortunately we can’t say about Apple’s own Smart Cover when used without its intended mate: the Silicone Case) * Unlike other reviewers, I experienced no “strange smell,” and was able to use the case immediately without letting it “air out” * It comes in 16 color combinations ! For a product intended to be “serious” protection, they made it as FUN, playful & non-intrusive as possible. For someone who’s a tough case critic, who’s returned a couple of cases in less than a year - the fit, weight, and color of the KHOMO enhances my iPad mini experience, but in a way that makes me “Think Different.” It adds as much as it takes away. It’s a great value for a very reasonable investment. I can see why professional reviewers rate it so highly. [...] [...] ..and If you still value lightness in user experience, but protection while carrying - I still say consider a "combo solution," like an Apple Smart Cover slipped inside an inCase City Sleeve for travel.

Hello reader, I wanted to initially create a video review that will show you clearly how this looks on the ipad mini but because the video reviews do not work on the ipad, i figured for people who are looking for this case for the ipad on the ipad itself, to actually WRITE a review instead. To start with, I am one of those who people who hates Otterbox for the very same reason people love it for. They are sturdy and last a long time and because of that they bulk to the device. I would rather buy other good quality cases that dont cost as much and change them once in 6 months or so to make sure I continue to love the product as I did when I brought it. It just makes me feel like I have a fresh feel to the product everytime I change the case. Thats just me. That said, this case is great. It may actually last more than 6 months but I will not feel guilty about changing it if I only spent this much. This is my 3rd case for the iPad mini. The other cases were also good but i really wanted to try the smart cover for a while now and did not want to spend on it as much buying it from apple ever since i had my iPad 2. I saw all the awesome reviews for the case and decided to try it for the impressive price tag. Sure enough the item desctiption is accurate. All the ports are accessible, very very well. The smart cover itself is great. The 4 folds instead of the 3 from apple i think is working well. I am not sure why apple made it 3 folds anyway. The case just adds this slim lining to the mini itself making it come very close to holding the magical device by itself but just feeling secure about it. There is a neat grip to the case. The smart cover works like a charm. I really use (abuse) the sleep/wake function on close/open of the cover. I have hardly ever used the power button to put it to sleep even with my old cases. The only thing that I would want more is something that will hold the cover securely when you open it all the way to make it easy while reading books in the bed. But that is not a show-stopper for me. That will only be a great addition. If you are like me looking for a cover that will last 6 months or so and want a secure/snug yet slim lining to your device, go for it. If my opinion drastically changes because of the products quality, you will see an update above the review. If you dont, ALL IS GOOD.

This is a great case. It looks REALLY sharp on my white iPad Mini. Pros: - Perfect fit. The iPad Mini snapped right in, and fits snugly and securely. - Protection. This case is the perfect balance between protection and what I'll call "slimness." It offers more protection than many other "portfolio" style cases which leave the edges exposed, yet does not add significant bulk. My iPad Mini is only fractionally bulkier with the case than without it, and the weight difference is noticeable but very minor. That being said, this is definitely not the most protective case on the market. Not that it's flimsy or weak, it just won't offer the same protection as say an Otterbox. (Which is fine with me; I'm looking for protection from household use and the occasional fall onto carpet or table top. I don't need an overbuilt case that can withstand being driven over by a tank.) - Smart Cover Sleep function works every time. The magnet is strong enough to keep the cover closed even when held upside down and puts the iPad to sleep/wakes it up every time. - Color options. This case is available in a variety of colors and appear to be identical. Reviews for other colors were helpful for me in deciding to go with this case. I wanted to leave feedback for others looking at this case since there are far less reviews for whatever reason. The gray color really looks classy with my white iPad Mini. Not sure how it would look with the black iPad. Cons: - The Smart Cover is really stiff out if the box. Not really a con, but it does take a little bit of plying before it will fold back into the stand. Once folded into a stand, the stiffness makes it seem somewhat precarious the first few times. It gets better with use, just keep an eye on it the first few times because it could potentially fall. Overall, I highly recommend this case and would definitely buy it again. It obviously does not come with any front glass/screen protector (for some that may not be an issue) so I also added an ArmorSuit MilitaryShield screen protector. For $26 in all, I couldn't be more pleased with the look and protection of my iPad Mini.

I gave this product 4 stars as there a few minor things I wish were different. The case fits like a glove and seems to offer very good protection for my iPad mini. The only real issues I have with it is that the cover on the front doesn't have a soft micro fiber on the side that lays on the iPad mini screen like the Apple iPad smart cover has. The cover is polyurethane on both sides which doesn't allow it to work as a screen cleaner, this also makes the cover a bit thicker then the Smart Cover from Apple. The only other minor issue is that it's a little bit heavier then I thought it would be. Not bad but it does add a little weight to the otherwise very light iPad mini. Over all I think this cover is a great cover for the iPad Mini and personally I like it better then the $39 Apple Smart Cover (which I returned). If you like removing the case while using the iPad mini this might not be the best case for you as it is a little hard to remove due to the way it fits it so nicely (not too hard, but it doesn't fall out either). The only other small issue isn't really due to the design of the case, but more to do with Apple's lightning connector adaptor. The cut out on on the case for the lightning connector works just fine, but if you try to use the 30 pin dock connector to lightning connector attachment you will have to remove the iPad from the case as it won't fit. So if you're just using the lightning charging cable that came with the iPad mini it will work fine, but if you try to attach the adaptor that converts a 30 pin cable to the lightning connector then you'll have to remove the iPad from the case. For the price you'll be hard pressed to find a better cover, for that matter I think you'll be hard pressed to find a better cover at 2 or 3 times the price! Over all this is a great case and I highly recommend it! If you have a choice of sellers to buy from I'd recommend Onix Electronics (I'm not affiliated in any way with them, but I purchased through them and they ship very fast, I had a small issue and they were very fast to respond to my email and resolve the small issue. They provided great customer service!)

I read a ton of reviews if ipad mini cases on amazon prior to making this purchase and am very satisfied with this decision. While I like the Smart Cover, I wanted to be able to protect the back of my ipad and I also wasn't thrilled with the idea if spending $40 on a cover. I love how this cover has the magnetic front similar to the Smart Cover but still has a back to it and although the back appears to be plastic, it has that "soft feel" to it so once it is on your ipad you can't really tell what material it is. I saw a lot of other complaints with the other low price alternative comparable covers that stated that the magnetic front didn't work properly and/or the holes for the volume, charger plug, etc were not in the right place and that the product looked like it was made by a child. I bought this case on the suggestion of another reviews who had bought all the competitive cases and raved that this was the best by far. I can tell you that the holes for volume, charger, etc. as all in the correct place and are all there with very smooth edges. This case is of such great product quality that I do believe that apple could easily sell this product for over $40 (mostly because I think having the back is advantageous). The only one complaint I have is that after using my mini without a case for a week it now feels heavy with the case on, with the ipad mini only weighing 0.68 lbs and the shipping weight of this product being 0.3 lbs the case inevitably makes the ipad mini feel significantly heavier. However, I do think that this extra weight is worth it considering the great protection it provides. The only other slight negative is that the back cover seems to leave marks from oil residue from your fingers. I am sure that they would come off if you wipe down the back on a regular basis, and it honestly doesnt bother me all that much, just worth noting. Overall I highly recommend this case to anyone looking for a Smart Cover type case with a back. Great quality product!

2019 Update: I review a product only when I really, really like it or really do not like it. I am updating my review because this case continues to be my favorite ever. I decided I wanted to update to a new color, so I ordered the twill pink cover for my iPad mini 4. As before, the fit is perfect, and the design is excellent...a very clean look. I love the twill cover, will help to hide fingerprints, plus it is a nicer look IMO than the smooth front cover. The price was $10 (although I got the case for free because I had Amazon Rewards points). I cannot recommend this case strongly enough...amazing design/functionality, price, durability, Love, love it! When I purchased my iPad mini 4 last year, I decided to invest in Apple's very expensive cover (front and back) because I thought I would have a cover that fit well and was indestructible--I expected it to last as long as I have the iPad. It did fit well, and it had a luxurious feel to it. However, the smart cover did not fit well with the back cover--there was a gap on both sides, so the smart cover slipped and sometimes came off. Still, I liked it...until I dropped my iPad one day and the indestructible back cover turned out not to be indestructible after all. A corner cracked. I glued it down, but a few months later, the glued-on piece fell off. That's when I went looking for a different cover. I chose the KHOMO iPad Mini 4 case in red. I liked the clean design, and the case received good customer reviews. I paid $100 for the Apple case, and just $15 for the KHOMO. When I received it, I didn't like the color as much as I expected...the picture on Amazon looks to be an orangey red, the case is actually more of a pinkey red. I also prefer a two-color look (with the back more neutral), but I did not like the 2-color choices offered, so I went with a monotone case. As I began to use the case, I discovered things I liked: 1) The sound really is better--the speakers are not covered, and the design of the case seems to project the sound so it seems louder (as advertised); 2) When I fold the cover back to form a stand, the triangle is held in place by a magnet; 3) When the iPad is in the stand position, it is a bit stiffer...which means the stand holds better. When I touch the screen, the stand does not collapse (as it often did with the Apple cover). I did discover quickly that the KHOMO cover shows fingerprints (both front and back), so I spend a lot of time cleaning it. This case is a good value and is designed well. As I said, I would prefer the option to choose my favorite front color and combine it with a taupe back color--having the bright color on both front band back is not as appealing IMO. I would recommend this case.

3.5 stars The positive: The case appears to be well made and is very sturdy. The panels fit together well and the materials used on each portion of the case are well integrated. Cutouts for all the myriad sensors, speakers, buttons, and switches about the periphery of the Ipad are perfectly placed, allowing full accessibility. The materials used are comfortable in the hands - the back of the case is TPU, as is the front of the cover, and it feels great in the hand. It's a smooth matte texture with a very slight grip to it, so no worries putting it on the arm of your leather recliner. The attachment point of the cover to the body of the case is at a very good location, and appears (again) well constructed. When folded back flat against the rear of the case, it's very comfortable to hold, and the seam doesn't create a "bulge" at the edge that would be uncomfortable and/or wear badly. The cover has a soft felt-like material on the inside, and it's got a nice thickness to it that gives the feeling of quality. I've used some cases that have paper thin covers with the obligatory magnets inside, and those crease and degrade very quickly. This case is not like that at all. There is a rim that surrounds the ipad on the top, bottom, and right side that provides pretty good "bumper" coverage in case of light taps on the side, which adds a nice bit of grip for your thumb on the side of the ipad (in one-handed landscape mode). The negative: The primary reason I penalized this case as much as I did is because of the stand functionality that is touted by many reviewers here. Be aware: contrary to many other review statements, the cover does NOT stay folded properly when you place it on your lap. It unravels just like every other ipad mini case I've used, resulting in the ipad laying nearly flat on your lap, and thereby making the stand functionality useless. This could have been fixed in one of several ways in order to keep the triangular "stand" that is formed from the folded cover intact when using the ipad: 1. Give the front cover 4 panels instead of 3 - this extra panel (along with an extra set of magnets to keep them locked together) ensures that the triangular stand doesn't unravel when you put the weight of the ipad on it. 2. Add a ridge of some sort to the bottom of the case itself that the edge of the cover is supported by when resting it. This is the method used by most of the similar cases for the larger ipad, and it works great, and gives the added flexibility of multiple stand configurations. Slight downside is that you lose the nice smooth bottom of the case with the addition of the ridge. 3. (this is what I would recommend to manufacturers of cases like this one for the ipad mini) embed a set of magnets on the left side of the back of the case. These will lock with the magnets in the outermost segment of the cover. I've focused on this quite a bit, but there are a few other negatives to this case as well. It's much thicker than I thought it would be. I'd estimate that it's between 2-3mm thick (on each side). This adds pretty considerably to the overall thickness of the ipad, and really kills a lot of the super slim feel. I was hoping this case would be razor thin. Realizing that the cover probably can't be much thinner and still be well constructed, if I had my "druthers", I'd take the thickness out of the back. Cases like this don't really provide drop protection anyway, so I'm really looking for them to be as thin as humanly possible. Just something on the surface so I don't need to worry about the metal on the back of my ipad when I need set it on brick/concrete/other hard surfaces that could scratch it. This extra thickness also recesses the buttons and switches on the sides, making them more difficult to actuate. Lastly, the case has a not-inconsiderable weight to it that, when combined with the already relatively weighty ipad mini retina, makes it a bit too heavy for the size. Overall, this case is very solid and feels great in the hand, but I'm disappointed by the fact that it doesn't have the advertised stand functionality (for practical purposes), and it's a bit heavier than I was hoping. Since there are many inexpensive folio/stand cases similar to this one, I'll likely buy another one in the hopes that it'll improve where this one has let me down. For now, I'll continue to use this one.

Mine is still brand new so I can't comment on longer-term performance, but so far I'm extremely happy with this case which replaces the Apple cover I had previously. Happy with it for what it cost and happy with it for how it functions and looks. Mine is red and the color is slightly less orange than Apple's, but is still a true red. The inside of the cover is grey, not red like Apple's, but you only see this when the cover is open. The back of the case is of a hard plastic and the cover material is slightly softer, although not as soft as Apple's. I'm hoping this helps this cover stay clean as the reason I had to replace my Apple cover was because it was horribly dirty and nothing I tried would clean it. Someone at my Apple store said this was because the neoprene used for the cover was porous and so I'm hoping this Khomo will be more dirt resistant. Although the Khomo front and back are of different materials, the colors match exactly. I don't use the cover as a stand so I can't comment on that functionality. The case fits my iPad mini perfectly and everything works -- access to plugs, camera lens, volume controls, etc. and the magnet sleep/wake cover works exactly as it should. This is an excellent value and great looking case and I'm hoping it successfully wears over time.