Available in three different colors, Belkin’s new Grip Swell for iPad ($50) borrows the wavy two-toned back design of its earlier iPod cases for a much larger iPad silicone skin. With full button coverage — including the Home button — the case has top, side, and bottom holes for everything else; the blue one here has transparent waves interrupting the solid body. No screen protection is included, which is a surprise given that this is the most expensive silicone rubber skin we’ve yet seen for the iPad.
On May 13, 2010, iLounge published The Complete Guide to iPad Cases and Protection, a multi-page comparison of over 70 different iPad cases and film protectors, sorted by genre. The following details were added to this piece by that comparison article; please click on the link above for additional comparative discussion of similar protective options.
The price is crazy high, the rubber is on the rough side—a tear started forming after only a few insertions and removals—and the accessory holes are almost too small for even Apple’s cables. There’s no screen protection, either. But Belkin’s nice wavy rear pattern, partially transparent, partially opaque, feels good in the hand and provides grip missing from other cases; this is also the only iPad case we’ve seen of its type with Home button protection. This is another “so close, yet so far” design.
Our Rating
Company and Price
Company: Belkin
Website: www.belkin.com
Model: Grip Swell
Price: $50
Compatible: iPad (2010)
