Tablet, Smartphone protectors: Which reign supreme? - WKRN, Nashville News, Nashville Weather and Sports

Smartphones and tablets are some of the biggest investments most people have and there are hundreds of ways to protect those gadgets we rely on so much.

One of the first things you need to buy for an iPad or any other device is a cover or case. The covers cost a small fortune, so don't take a chance on just any generic one.

There are different styles for different situations. For instance, you may want more than just one.

It is hard find better protective cases than Otter Box. They offer protection from some of the most rugged conditions.

The Defender cases are incredibly tough and time and time again they've proved to protect any device from drops or falls.

The brand's utility series latch works in conjunction with an Otter Box case. It comes with a hand grip and a strap for your leg or the back of a car seat.

If you want to look professional or just classy, the Bear Motion leather case is one of the best.

The case is 100% leather, so it should last for a long time.  It fits snug with magnets in the corner to take advantage of Apple's smart cover design.

There are two pockets on the inside, and with the folio opened, they can also be used to hold onto the device.  It also has the built-in stand.

Bear Motion is also one of the highest rated companies on Amazon when it comes to customer service. And since its leather, this case smells good too.

For students fortunate enough to take an iPad to school, the binder sleeve from Griffin is interesting. It comes with three holes so it can fit into a 3-hole binder just like a pencil holder. There's a little bit of padding to keep the back from getting scratched.

It fits nicely between sheets of paper and its snug with Velcro to keep your iPad from slipping around. Since it's going into a binder, it's like having another case to protect it.

Finally, it's not a case but it does hold an iPad. The Campfire from X-Doria props up an iPad with a bean bag type backing and makes reading or checking Facebook in bed a lot easier. Not only that, but you can wrap the bean bag material around the iPad, sort of like an air-bag.

iPad owners have to be very specific about the size.  iPad 2 cases were not designed for the iPad 3.

There's just a tiny difference in the specs, but it's just enough to give the new iPad a little too much wiggle room.