I researched for weeks to find the best iPad 2 case and after countless hours reading reviews and looking up manufacturers, I finally came upon this Roocase folio case and the Zoogue iPad 2 case ([...]) . For this review, I will compare and contrast these 2 cases, since from my perspective they represent the best options.
Both cases are made from genuine leather and have approximately the same bulk. Both employ the smart sleep feature (which I LOVE), and both have similar designs. Neither case has a vertical stand option, but since 98% of apps work in the horizontal position, it is not a huge negative.
Here are the things that differentiate them....
Zoogue:
Pros:- The Velcro option for this stand makes any viewing angle possible. It wouldn't seem like 1/8 of an inch would make a difference, but with this case, I could adjust the angle by infinitesimal degrees to find that perfect spot. And, because the case employs Velcro, once you put in position, it stays in position! You don't have worry about typing or touching the screen only to have the case slip out of place and fall back.
-The car strap is wonderful, and we did use it for positioning on our seat backs for viewing some movies and TV episodes while traveling in the car.
Cons:
- The Zoogue case only comes in light pink, black and dark grey. That is fine for most, but since we were purchasing cases for the entire family (2 kids and 2 adults), color choices became necessary. I wish it would come in vibrant colors like blue, red, green, etc.
- The car strap, while wonderful, does stretch out a bit, and you have to make sure to fasten it tight when not in use, otherwise it can flop a little.
- The Velcro (especially the light pink) does attract some dust and debris.-nothing terrible, but worth noting
- at $49.95, the cost was a little steep. I used a coupon to get free shipping, but the price was high, and if I had had to purchase 4 of them, that would have been $200.00. Hard to swallow.
This brings me to why after purchasing a Zoogue case, I purchased the Roocase for the rest of the family (and then one for myself)
Roocase:
Pros:- I love the magnetic strap for closing the case. I cannot tell you how nice it is to pick up your case and not worry that the cover is flopping open and closed (and thereby waking your iPad and then putting it back to sleep over and over). The Zoogue case doesn't have a super convenient way to ensure the case stays closed. You can pull the car strap over the front, but that was not conveniently easy.
- I love the magnet stand that clicks back into place when you are done. Again, it is a sleek design that I love. The Zoogue case stand secures back into place with Velcro. But for this particular feature, they only used a tiny square of Velcro that over time I could see no longer being as effective in keeping the stand closed.
- I love that there were 4 color choices (we each now have a different color case so no more "you have my iPad!" arguments). And While I wish the Roocase also came in a greater variety of colors (blue, green, brown etc), the light pink was perfect for my youngest daughter, black for my husband, magenta for me and red for my teenager. It worked for our family.
- at $29.95, it came in $20 cheaper than the Zoogue case and with prime membership, I got free 2 day shipping
Cons: - While the case does allow for multiple viewing angles, nothing surpasses the Zoogue case flexibility, and so many times I have been disappointed that I could not find that absolute "perfect" angle (I know I am a little OCD :). Also, while the stand is very sturdy and in most positions will not slip out when the iPad is typed on, the lowest viewing angles do tend to slip out of place, or not work at all. Most people won't find that an issue, but for me, it can be very annoying.
In the ideal world, there would be a case that would combine the best of both features- more color options, a magnetic closing strap and magnetic closing stand, but using Velcro for the stand positioning feature (and if it were a truly perfect world, also still incorporating the car strap feature). I own both, and to be honest you can't go wrong with either case!