iPad Air screen protectors: two sizes, and an antireflective coating worth keeping

The iPad Air (M4) comes in 11-inch (2360 × 1640) and 13-inch (2732 × 2048) versions, measuring 247.6 × 178.5 × 6.1 mm and 280.6 × 214.9 × 6.1 mm. Many listings cover the 11-inch Air and the 11-inch iPad Pro together, because that size is shared — check that the listing names the Air and the size you own.

Apple lists both a "Fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating" and an "Antireflective coating" on the iPad Air's display. The nano-texture glass option is an iPad Pro feature, not an Air one, so ignore listings that imply otherwise.

The practical consequence: a plain glossy protector sits on top of a screen that was already treated to cut reflections. If glare is your reason for buying, choose a matte or paper-feel film rather than clear glass, or leave the screen as it is.

Touch ID lives in the top button on the iPad Air, not under the display, so screen protectors cannot block it — unlike the under-display sensors on many phones. Fit is the only thing to get right.

For drawing and note-taking, see our paper-feel guide, which covers the trade in sharpness and the faster nib wear.

• Apple: iPad Air (M4) tech specs