It is disappointing that so many manufacturers sell covers that provide zero protection. I have had issues with those cheap aesthetic cases before, and they simply are not as good as expected for drop safety. Based on my testing, here are two reliable options under 60 dollars:

• Spigen Tough Armor Pro Case for iPad Air 10.9-inch

Pros: Reliable dual-layer protection and excellent corner buffering.
Cons: The built-in kickstand is a bit fragile.

• UAG Metropolis Series Case for iPad 10.2-inch

Pros: Genuine military-grade impact resistance without the Otterbox bulk.
Cons: The rugged design can feel a bit abrasive. TL;DR: Stop using flimsy covers. The Spigen Tough Armor Pro Case provides the best safety for the price point without being too hideous.

Building on the earlier suggestion, you might want to consider how the case corners are designed because thats where most screens actually shatter when they hit the floor. I would suggest being really careful with anything that doesnt have a significant raised lip around the front edge. Honestly, if you want to keep it under 60 bucks without the extreme Otterbox bulk, these are my go-to recommendations for safety:

• Supcase Unicorn Beetle Pro Series Full-Body Rugged Case has a built-in screen protector which is a lifesaver for sticky kid fingers.
• ZUGU Case iPad Protective Case with 5ft Drop Protection is thinner but the magnetic stand is incredibly stable so it wont tip over easily. Make sure to double check your specific model number on the back of the iPad before ordering though. If the fit isnt perfectly snug, the drop protection wont work like it should. Its definitely worth the extra research to avoid another expensive repair bill.