If you still own one of the old MacBook Pro models, then you already know that Apple’s line of premium laptops are built to last. There are only a few parts on the MacBook that won’t hold up to heavy use. You may eventually need to replace the hard drive or the battery. More likely you’ll have to deal with the keyboard lettering wearing away completely.
Here are some of our favorite keyboard covers for making your old laptop last. The keyboard covers on our list work with 13-inch and 15-inch so-called “Old MacBook Pro” models, which have a row of function keys and a CD-R drive.
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Amazon Customer Reviews
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Amazon Customer Reviews
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Amazon Customer Reviews
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1. UPPERCASE GhostCover Ultra-Thin Keyboard Cover
Pros:- Precise fit without obstructing keyboard backlight
- Easy to clean
- Only 0.12 mm thin
Cons:- Shows dirt easily
- Twice as expensive as other covers
- Apple has warned against using keyboard covers
If you are looking for the best MacBook keyboard cover for minimalists, then the UPPERCASE GhostCover Ultra-Thin Keyboard Cover is a clear winner (pun intended).
This transparent and ultra-thin keyboard cover is the closest thing to an invisible keyboard cover you’ll find. Its design is perfectly clear and is made from the slimmest silicone material on our list at only 0.12 mm thick.
If you want to maintain the look and feel of your laptop without leaving it vulnerable to key wear down and crumbs, then this cover is worth spending a little extra on.
The only downside to its clear design is that it shows dirt easily. The silver lining, though, is that the silicone cover is easy to clean with water.
Looking to improve your typing experience even further? Consider an angle-adjustable MacBook Pro stand for improved ergonomics.
Find more UPPERCASE GhostCover Ultra-Thin Keyboard Cover information and reviews here.
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2. KEC Keyboard Cover
Pros:- Lots of color options
- Cover stays in place
- Durable and easy to clean
Cons:- Colored keys obstruct backlight
- Not particularly thin
- Design can wear off you use your nails
This stylish MacBook Pro keyboard cover from KEC is a reliable way to keep your keyboard looking new and free of debris well beyond the intended lifespan on the device. There are a number of attractive pastel designs but my personal favorite is the Rainbow Mist design shown here.
KEC’s covers are not the thinnest but they conform tightly to the keyboard, giving the keys very natural travel and keeping them safe from aggressive typists. Like all silicone covers, this one is easy to remove and wash. Unfortunately, the design can mute the backlight of the keyboard ever so slightly, but this shouldn’t be an issue unless you already have trouble seeing.
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3. Kuzy Keyboard Skin
Pros:- Fits multiple sizes of MacBook, as well as wireless keyboard
- Every key is individually molded and specially printed
- Thin
- Easy to remove and clean
Cons:- Not compatible with European Keyboard Layout MacBook
- Some find keyboard backlight is slightly obscured
- Not all colors/color combinations will appeal to you
This gray ombre keyboard skin from Kuzy is a nice option for those who want a little bit of color, but still want their keys to match the overall design of the MacBook Pro.
Not a fan of the gray ombre keyboard cover pictured above? Clear, solid-color, and rainbow color covers are also available. Every key is individually molded and specially printed on clear silicone. This keyboard cover skin is ideal for protecting your keys against wear, tear, crumbs, stains, and spills.
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4. TopCase 2-In-1 Hard Case & Keyboard Cover
Pros:- Hard case cover
- Easy to read
- Lots of color options
Cons:- Case could be more rugged
- Some users have reported plastic case gets brittle in colder temps
- Some keyboard covers aren’t a perfect color match to exterior case
Looking for a MacBook Pro keyboard cover that comes with a matching hard case? This is a low-cost way to get two accessories at once. There are lots of color options to choose from so you can coordinate the exterior of your MacBook with your keyboard cover.
While this may not be the most rugged MacBook Pro cover around, opting for the TopCase 2-In-1 keyboard cover and hard case is still much better than leaving your laptop completely unprotected.
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5. Mosiso Keyboard Cover
Pros:- Easy to apply and remove
- 1-year warranty
- Backlight shines through keys
Cons:- Design sometimes does not line up with key letter placement
- Artistic designs can eventually wear off
- Busy designs can be distracting
This Mosiso keyboard cover isn’t particularly thin but you can count on it to stay in place and keep your keyboard easy to type on. It is fairly easy to get used to the silicone feel of covered keys, especially when they perfectly conform to the shape of your keyboard. It sits flat but it is still easy to remove if you need to clean it.
As is the case with all graphic designs, the one on this Mosiso keyboard cover can eventually come off. Thankfully, the company offers a 1-year warranty against this, which makes it a good option for aggressive typists.
Find more Mosiso Keyboard Cover information and reviews here.
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6. Mosiso Shortcut Keyboard Cover
Pros:- Easy to apply and remove
- Waterproof and dustproof
- 1-year warranty
Cons:- Busy designs can be distracting
- Apple has warned against using keyboard covers
- Limited color options
This Mosiso Shortcut Keyboard Cover is the perfect MacBook Pro keyboard cover for the power user in training. This fairly plain keyboard cover from Mosiso adds a ton of information to your keys, using color coding and text to demark dozens of hotkeys and hidden functions on your keyboard. It shows everything from simple commands like cut, copy, and paste, to more complex functions like window navigation.
As for the keyboard cover itself, it offers everything you need out of a basic cover. It has a smooth silicone surface, it conforms tightly to the keyboard surface, and it minimally affects key travel. This is a great option for not only making your laptop last longer, but also for allowing you to get more out of each use.
Find more Mosiso Shortcut Keyboard Cover information and reviews here.
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7. iCasso 2-In-1 Hard Case & Keyboard Cover
Pros:- Keyboard cover doesn't slip
- Durable and easy to clean
- Unique design options
Cons:- Case material holds fingerprints easily
- Busy design can be distracting
- Cover hides Apple logo
This iCasso MacBook Pro keyboard cover and hardshell case combo is specifically designed for the MacBook Pro Model A1278, which has a row of function keys and a CD-R drive. The hardshell case snaps on easily and comes with add-on feet you can apply to give your laptop a little more airflow from beneath.
As for its keyboard cover, you’ve got a fairly standard silicone cover which has a matching design with whatever case design you choose. This wood one is my personal favorite. The backlight shines decently through them and they have a nice soft feel on the hands. Using a keyboard case does slightly change the feel of your keyboard, but then again, so does spilling water on it. Which one would you rather have?
Find more iCasso 2-In-1 Hard Case & Keyboard Cover information and reviews here.
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8. Masino Ultra-Thin Keyboard Cover
Pros:- Larger font
- Easy to apply and remove
- Cover fits perfectly
Cons:- Design intrerrupts backlights
- Font is kind of ugly
- Takes a while to flatten out
This unique Masino Keyboard Cover takes certain liberties with Apple’s keyboard designs for better or for worse. The interesting thing about this keyboard is that it uses a totally different font from the traditional MacBook Pro keyboard. This has a few implications.
While I certainly don’t think the font they chose looks professional, it is easier to read from a distance, even when you consider that the backlight won’t come through clearly. Whether you like the new font or not, it’s hard to deny that larger characters make for easier hunt-and-peck typing.
This cover also makes your life easier by fitting tight to the keyboard such that it does not slip or slide during use. It might take a while for it to flatten out on your first few uses, but from there, it’s smooth sailing.
Find more Masino Ultra-Thin Keyboard Cover information and reviews here.
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9. iBenzer Keyboard Cover
Pros:- Lots of colors to choose from
- Durable silicone
- Easy to remove and clean
Cons:- Not compatible with some MacBook models
- Some users find texture of keyboard cover distracting
- Slightly reduces backlight brightness
Available in 15 colors, the iBenzer Keyboard Cover comes in shades like gold, white, cyan, silver, and magenta. The keyboard skin is completely washable with water, or you can opt to use a mild detergent for a deeper clean. This keyboard cover can also stand up to deep disinfecting, which is great for germaphobes.
Find more iBenzer Keyboard Cover information and reviews here.
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10. DHZ Ultra-Thin Keyboard Cover
Pros:- Unique designs
- Waterproof and dustproof
- Food-grade silicone
- Thin design
Cons:- Busy designs make keys less visible
- Some users have reported that keyboard cover gets worn out easily
- Takes a while to flatten out
If you want one of the best MacBook Pro keyboard cover options for unique designs, then you will definitely want to peruse DHZ’s line-up of silicone keyboard skins. There are lots of other options besides this Panda design. Our other favorites use famous painting designs such as Starry Night and Big Waves.
Find more DHZ Ultra-Thin Keyboard Cover information and reviews here.
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11. Ruban 2-In-1 Hard Case & Keyboard Cover
Pros:- Includes a hard shell laptop cover
- Ultra-thin
- Lots of colors to choose from
Cons:- Only compatible with specific MacBook models
- Cover takes a while to flatten out
- Colored keys obstruct key backlight
This silicone keyboard cover from Ruban ships with a matching snap-on plastic hard shell for your laptop, which makes it all the more important that you know what model and size MacBook you have. This particular combination of keyboard cover and case is specifically for the Macbook Old Retina 15-inch model with no CD-R (Model: A1398).
If this isn’t the exact model you have, you can still probably find the appropriate Ruban Keyboard Cover model for you by digging around their Amazon page. It may be worth to do so too, as the keyboard cover is higher quality than you usually get in these 2-in-1 packs. It is thin and comes in a variety of colors to match the included cover. The main downsides of this keyboard cover are that it can take a while to flatten out properly and the colored keycaps slightly obstruct the backlight. If you are visually-impaired, you are better off with a clear cover.
Find more 2-In-1 Hard Case & Keyboard Cover information and reviews here.
Do You Really Need a Macbook Keyboard Skin?
A protective sleeve and a carry case for your MacBook are both no-brainers, but do you really need a MacBook keyboard cover to go with it?
If you want to use your MacBook for years upon years like so many have gotten away with doing before, then the answer is yes. A MacBook Pro keyboard cover is a crucial purchase because it prevents the lettering on your keys from wearing off. Once that happens, you're looking at a substantial replacement job to keep your laptop going.
These silicone keyboard covers are also great at preventing food crumbs and liquid from building up behind the keys, which is another culprit of dead keys and mushy buttons.
Considering that these keyboard covers are available for a fraction of the price of a MacBook, they certainly never hurt to have.
If you need more information on how to identify which MacBook you have, then you should reference Apple's support page for a guide on how to identify which MacBook model you have.
See Also
15 Best Macbook Pro Cases: Your Buyer’s Guide