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Otterbox Defender iPad Hard Case Review
Get 10% off your entire order and free shipping at Otterbox using this discount code: amipic1010p Hurry because this offer expires very soon!! If you’re in need of a rugged case that puts all the other puny iPad cases to shame then OtterBox has you “covered.” OtterBox takes iPad protection seriously and nothing is more evident than that in their OtterBox Defender series for the Apple iPad. OtterBox sent us a review unit to play with and we certainly put it through its paces. Read on to see if this case manages to make your hard-bodied and soft-touch iPad fantasies come true…
A Little Otter History
OtterBox was formed in 1998 by Curt Richardson and their first product offering was designed to be waterproof. Curt and his wife later used this fact and named their brand new company after the fun and waterproof mammal, the Otter. Later, OtterBox expanded their product line into 4 distinct offerings: the Impact series, the Commuter series, the Defender series, and their classic Waterproof series. That brings us to today’s product review, which is the Defender series for the iPad. (We’ve also done a review on the smaller, lighter, and less intense OtterBox Commuter iPad Case).
First Impressions…
It’s apparent from the moment the bright yellow box is opened that this case isn’t messin’ around. Included in the package is the 3-layer polycarbonate and silicone case, a hard polycarbonate cover, a cleaning cloth, a clear adhesive screen protector, a cardboard squeegee, and instructions in pictorial form all packaged in a black paper pulp tray. The actual case is make up of 4 pieces: a soft silicone outer layer, a two piece hard plastic inner shell, and a hard polycarbonate cover with a trick up its sleeve. The whole case weighs in at 12 ounces of hardcore iPad protection (340 grams for our metric friends).
Installation is straight forward enough with the included picture instructions. First, the clear screen protector is installed with the aid of the cardboard squeegee and (thoughtfully included) cleaning cloth. Then the two piece hard carbonate case is snapped together. There is a felt type coating inside the two pieces to protect the iPad from damage from the case while inside. After the case is assembled, the silicone skin is wrapped around the whole assembly and wiggled into position. The fit is very (very) tight so the iPad isn’t prone to rattle around in the case or get scratched up from the case itself. The whole iPad plus case weighs in at over 2 pounds and feels built like a tank!
The outer polycarbonate hard cover is secured in place with an innovative bump-and-indent system. There are 4 hard nodules poking out from the silicone skin with small indents. There are 4 matching wings on the outer shell with small bumps that lock into the indents quite securely. The cover can be snapped on the back for normal use and snapped onto the front over the screen for impervious protection during transit. Finally, 4 silicone pads on the surface of the hard cover secures your iPad in place on flat surfaces. No more knocking the iPad off the table!
To Our Impression
The whole package is extremely well made, well designed, and complements the iPad’s style very well. The soft silicone skin gives a really nice feel to the iPad and provides a solid grip during use. One nice touch is that the Apple logo on the back of the iPad peeks out from a clear membrane. While OtterBox designed the Defender series for maximum protection, they also designed it for maximum use. You see, each port and button is accessible through the silicone skin which helps keep dust and dirt from getting inside the iPad. Even the home button is completely protected by a nice and responsive silicone plug. OtterBox’s genius engineers even designed the hard case to be used with Apple’s official dock. On the back is a removable hatch that is large enough to accommodate Apple’s dock. This hatch lets the iPad charge up and sync while still encased in the case.
If all this functionality wasn’t enough, OtterBox included one additional feature that really took it from ultimate protection to ultimate case. On the hard cover’s inside is a built in scissor stand. By utilizing two of the hard cover’s wings the iPad can be propped up in landscape orientation for serious work or serious play. This attention to design is carried throughout the whole case and really makes the OtterBox worth the price tag.
So how well does the Defender defend the iPad? Well, the included screen protector saves the iPad’s big and beautiful screen from scratches, the hard polycarbonate skeleton and cover protects it from impacts, and the soft outer silicone skin cushions it from occasional drops and falls. This case is like three cases in one!
So What’s The Catch?
The biggest negative that this case has going for it is also its biggest strength; the fact that it’s so tough and intense. If the iPad was general issue for the military there is no doubt that the OtterBox Defender would be the case that it came in. No other case on the market even comes close (well, Otterbox’s Commuter series) to the level of protection, durability, and functionality that the Defender series provides. If you demand ultimate protection for your iPad, then the OtterBox Defender is the case you simply have to buy. Act now and get free shipping!
19 Responses to “Otterbox Defender iPad Hard Case Review”
What Do You Think?
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love it! what is the price and when can I buy it!
Funny you mentioned the Military in your review! I happen to be in Afghanistan and I bought the Otterbox for my iPad and my iPhone! I love these products! The duct and sand storms that blow thru here are really intense. I wouldn’t even dream of trying another product for my i-Stuff. Way to go OtterBox for making a really great product here. The $80 price tag was WELL worth it.
Thanks for the review Dale! And stay safe out there! Perhaps you should also invest in one of those Kevlar iPad cases too (http://blog.parabellumcollection.com/collection/ipadcase)…
Couldn’t agree more. Twas a little bit of an extensive operation to get it on, but love the protection, look and functionality of the case. Was able to apply screen protector with a broken hand and only have one or two small bubbles that can’t be seen when the iPad is turned on. Meh, I can deal with it. The screen installation tool is better than most, and will be kept.
Solid, usable cover that doubles as a stand is a nice touch. Being able to use it to cover the screen is great as well.
The bottom on mine did loosen up after coming off and on a few times. Still stays on when I need it to, doesn’t take two hands to remove it when I don’t. Good.
If you’re ‘pad stays on the living room table or bed stand to watch movies, save yourself a couple of bucks and get the apple case. If you take it into the big rough world to do real work, and want to ensure that it remains protected at all times, buy this case.
I have the otter box defender for my I phone. I’ve had it on for a year. I’m a carpenter and artist and work in a very dirty shop. When I take my phone out to clean the case my phone looks like brand new a year later. This case is well worth the money. I’ve never had any phone last this long, especially one this fragile. I just got an Ipad and being my 5 year olds favorite new toy I already have a new case on order. I highly recommend!!
I first must say I love Otterbox products.I am in the Canadian military and have always used Otterbox.I have the defender cases for my Blackberry & iTouch and they stand up to anything.
When my screen protector on my Blackberry was badly scratched due to sand, the Otterbox company quickly sent me 2 free replacements…outstanding!
When I bought my 64gig 3G iPad,I thought of no other case then the Defender!
I’ve been using otterbox for my iPad for about two weeks now and I love it! It is sleek and well built, very clever design. I like the removable screen cover/stand – very easy to use while on the go. It does add some bulk – but not a deal breaker (for me, anyway). I find that the design allows for a much better grip. Highly recommend if you want to really “cover your bases”.
Wish they had different colors to pick from
My 4yr old is home schooled, and does alot of his work in the virtual classroom… so I bought him a iPad for xmas, and Im looking for a tough case… Could this be the one?
When I bought my i-Phone I wanted the best protection and I can’t be happier with the otter cover. However, when I bought my i-Pad I was concerned at how fragile it looks. Many would tell me what would happen if it fell or a dropped it. I did buy a cover but again it was too flimsy. Then I recently discovered that otter made a case for the i-Pad and I immediately ordered two as my Mom also owns an i-Pad. It’s the BEST!!! True that my i-Phone and i-Pad look like something Batman would use! LOL … It has that kinda look, also very military grade look. You feel like you went from carrying around delicate china to a mini tank and I love it!!!! It’s fully functional and makes for a better grip. Bulkier and heavier but the protection is worth it and the price is well worth it! Thank otter for superbly made and excellent products!
I bought this case for use in Afghanistan. It works great. I never worry about the iPad getting damaged.
Is this model really Waterproof? The article dances around the issue and mentions that Otter makes other waterproof cases, but never specifically says that this specific model is Waterproof. Also, the reviewer never tests this critical aspect. I need something I can take on sailing trips and expose to rain.
Unfortunately, the Defender is not waterproof. There are a few waterproof cases on the market but they tend to be little more than glorified plastic bags.
I just got the Defender model for my iPad. Looks good but it appears that the ruggedness of the case also reduces the strength of my Wi-Fi connection. A real drawback.
Bought mine from Amazon for 49ish bucks. It feels like the Panasonic rugged laptop series. But compared to what cases sell at the stores where can you go wrong on the price for an Otterbox. It’s made well and does the job!
I bought a few cases only to return them. I wanted a sleek case that covered the screen when not in use that also had a stand. Which is the official case. But I also wanted protection. And after much thinking. I got this case. And I love it. I think it’s sleek. Not iPad without the case sleek. But pretty slim. Its on amazon for 50. So. That’s 40 cheaper than anywhere else.
Let me the first to say that the Otterbox Defender IS NOT compatible with Zagg Invisibleshield. I can not get the defender shell off.
Outstanding product! My 3 yr old has skipped my IPad off the floor a dozen times, I have no worries with the defender case protecting it.
While I am a huge fan of the Otterbox’s Defender Series case for the ipod 4g, mainly due to the fact that with the iPod case I didn’t have to go through the hassle of installing a screen protecter, the lack of the built-in screen protecter in the Defender Series for the iPad 2 was rather disappointing to me. No one wants to deal with all the bubbles that often show up in the middle of the screen protecter after the application. let alone the replacement of them when they come off.
For those of you who are looking for an extremely sturdy case with a built in screen protecter, I would suggest taking a look at the Griffin Survivor for the iPad 2. It is a Military-Duty case that protects your iPad 2 from rain, dirt, sand, shock and vibration. Take a look. Same price as the Otterbox Defender and the same concept, but better and with more features.