The Best Pixel 9 Cases, Tested and Reviewed (2024) | WIRED

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Google says its new Pixel 9 smartphones are twice as durable as their predecessors, with Corning's Gorilla Glass Victus 2 enveloping a 100 percent recycled aluminum frame. But glass is still glass. There are still good odds that even a 4-foot drop from your hand to the pavement will result in a cracked screen. Protect your investment! These Pixels are among the most expensive to date, so it's worth finding a nice case or screen protector to keep them pristine.

Fair warning: Having a case on your phone doesn't mean it's invincible. It just reduces the chances of a cracked screen. I've tested a handful to find the best Pixel 9 cases, whether you own the Pixel 9 Pro, the Pixel 9 Pro XL, or even the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, and these are my favorites. You'll also find a few handy accessories to round out your new smartphone experience. Be sure to read my Best Pixel Phones guide for more tips and recommendations.

Note: Pixel 9 cases work with the Pixel 9 Pro, as they have the same dimensions. You'll see manufacturers selling the same case for both and separate ones for the Pixel 9 Pro XL.

Updated October 2024: We've added new cases from UAG and Peak Design.

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How We Test Cases

I install every case I recommend in this guide on a Pixel 9 smartphone, ensuring the buttons feel nice and clicky, the holes for the ports, mics, and speakers are accurately cut out, and there are no disruptions to cellular connectivity or wireless charging. Some cases have a magnetic ring inside, mimicking Apple's MagSafe system that lets you attach the iPhone to other magnetic accessories, like a MagSafe wireless charger, car dock, or tripod. Your experience might differ when attaching these cases to third-party accessories designed for MagSafe; to that end, I've tested many of these MagSafe Pixel cases and vetted the magnetic strength on various accessories.

Unfortunately, I don't do drop tests. There are so many variables, and I have a limited number of devices. In my experience, a protective case can still leave you with a cracked screen.

If you want a traditional case with decently raised edges over the display and a thick bumper that's not slippery, then Dbrand's Grip case is the way to go. This is a MagSafe case, meaning there's a ring of magnets on the back, allowing you to attach your Pixel 9 to various MagSafe accessories like magnetic wireless chargers (your mileage may vary on how well it stays put and charges). I tested it with several MagSafe chargers—the magnets in the case adhered strongly, and my device recharged.

It has accurate cutouts for the microphones and speakers, the buttons are super clicky, and the edges around the display and camera bump are raised, keeping those precious elements from touching surfaces. Dbrand has lots of fun designs too, from standard flat colors to one called Toxic Waste. Go crazy!

This is my favorite Pixel 9 case so far. It is a thin case that doesn't offer much durability, but it's great for folks who want something stylish and slim with MagSafe support. The MagSafe connection on this Mous case is pretty strong; I've used it with Peak Design's MagSafe car charger to dock my phone, no clamps required. There's a soft inner to protect your phone from scratches, and the polycarbonate case has a soft-touch texture that's pleasant to touch. I'd suggest pairing this case with a screen protector, since the edges of the case don't rise past the display much. There are no dedicated buttons on the case—there's a recessed gap for the Pixel 9's buttons, which means they don't protrude.

Spigen's Liquid Air is a longtime favorite because it looks elegant and feels nice despite costing so little. If you don't want to spend much but want some protection, this case should cover your bases for basic dings and scratches. The edges around the screen are raised, meaning the display won't touch a surface, and the buttons are satisfying to press. There's even some texture on the power button, making it easy to distinguish.

You bought your phone from Google, so why not the case as well? Google's official Pixel 9 case is affordable and simple and lets you precisely color-match your phone. Seriously, don't hide that beautiful pink or wintergreen Pixel 9 in a boring black case. The camera bump all but disappears with this case installed, and I like the metallic buttons. The screen is well-protected, and the silicone is nice and soft. A microfiber lining keeps the back of your Pixel scratch-free. Google says this case's polycarbonate shell is made with 75 percent recycled plastic, though the entire case is made with at least 42 percent recycled materials.

Of the few cases I tested for the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, Google's official case is my favorite. (Though I prefer going case-less completely.) It's thin and lightweight, though don't expect much protection from steep drops.

If you're frequently affixing your phone to something, say, a bike handlebar or electric scooter, then look at Peak Design's Everyday Case. Its SlimLink tech leverages Apple's MagSafe technology and is my favorite mounting system, though it requires you to use the company's case with its accessories, like the Universal Bar Mount. It adds more security to the mount so your Pixel won't fly off when you ride over a pothole, and yet it's easy to remove the phone from the mount with a single button press. I prefer the version without the finger loop, but this case has clicky buttons, a thick bumper, and a pleasant fabriclike texture on the back.

The Mous Limitless 5.0 is nearly identical to Dbrand’s Grip—even the MagSafe strength is similar—but I'd say the Dbrand is slightly grippier, and it has more designs to choose from. That said, Mous also has different styles, like speckled fabric or a walnut back. The case doesn't add much bulk and makes the camera bump flush with the back of the phone. The buttons are responsive, there's a spot to attach a lanyard, and the cutouts for all the ports are spot-on.

When I first tested this screen protector, I had to freehand the installation, but I surprisingly was able to line it up perfectly on two Pixel 9 models. Now, the company sells it with an “idiot-proof” application tool that resembles the ones I've used from brands like Smartish, and it looks even easier to apply. That does mean the price has gone up a bit.

The tempered glass covers the entirety of the display, and it even protects the selfie camera. (I haven't noticed any issues with the Pixel 9's face unlock or selfie photos.) It's not obvious that it's installed either, with smooth edges that don't stick out. You get two screen protectors in the box, dust removal stickers, alcohol wipes, and a microfiber cloth. There's a squeegee tool to remove air bubbles.

OtterBox's Commuter Series is the classic case that strikes an excellent balance between design, bulk, and protection. You get two pieces, a rubber slipcover that first goes over the Pixel 9, and then a polycarbonate hardshell that attaches to the exterior. It feels sturdy and strong, with clicky buttons, and the USB-C charging port is covered too. Wireless charging still works fine. It's made with more than 35 percent recycled plastic.

Spigen's clear case lets your Pixel's design shine through, but with any clear case, you'll have to be wary of smudges. It's still a feature-packed case, with responsive buttons and a lanyard attachment point, but the best part is the MagSafe ring on the back that enables magnetic functionality. (If you don't care for it and want a pure clear case, Spigen's Ultra Hybrid is a good option.)

The UAG Plyo Pro ($50) is another good clear case, though the MagSafe connector is much thicker, so perhaps it's not as clear as you might want. It's also heftier, with more bulk around the edges, but that might make it a bit more protective than the Spigen.

Pela has long been synonymous with eco-friendly—its cases are made from flax shive and a plant-based biopolymer, and they're 100 percent compostable. The company prioritizes ethical manufacturing and is a Certified B Corp, meaning its claims have been vetted by a third party.

Pela's Pixel 9 cases are wonderfully soft and surprisingly grippy. There's an indent to access the power button, which makes it easy to distinguish it from the volume rocker. (The rocker is quite responsive.) The edges around the camera module and display are raised enough to protect those surfaces. Best of all, Pela can go toe-to-toe with the likes of Casetify in the sheer amount of designs you can choose from. The only thing I will note is that some of these designs can feel a bit sticky on the back.

Google no longer sells its Pixel Stand wireless charger, but this one from Nomad is a great alternative. It's important to note that this wireless charger will only work if you use a MagSafe case. Many cases we recommend have the magnetic connector that will allow you to attach the Pixel to this charger and recharge. Again, it will not work without a MagSafe case. If you don't have one of those and don't plan on buying one, a simple wireless charging stand like this one from Spigen will do the trick just fine.

The best part is this charger supports the Qi2 standard, so there's some future-proofing here as the Pixel 10 and beyond will likely support the standard and you'll be ahead of the curve.

Read our Best Wireless Chargers guide for more.

The Pixel 9 series has solid battery life across the board, but none of these devices will take you through a second day on a single charge. It's a good idea to keep a portable battery charger around just in case, and Nimble's Champ Series 2 is our favorite. You can choose from different capacities—the bigger the battery the more times you can recharge your phone before needing to top up the battery. These come with a bright lanyard loop for easy toting, and Nimble uses bioplastics (90 percent recycled plastic) and plastic-free packaging to reduce the environmental impact where possible. You get a USB-C cable in the box.

The Pixel 9 series can charge faster than ever, but each model charges at specific speeds. The Pixel 9 charges at 27 watts, the Pixel 9 Pro charges at 30 watts, and the Pixel 9 Pro XL charges at 37 watts. While the first two can recharge up to 55 percent in 30 minutes, the Pro XL can recharge up to 70 percent. Google says to achieve those speeds on its largest phone, you'll need to use its 45-watt charging adapter which I have not yet tried.

Instead, you can get a reasonably fast charge with something as slim and lightweight as Nomad's 65-watt charger. This thing is my go-to charger which I take everywhere, because the prongs fold up flat and it has enough power to juice up a MacBook Pro. There are also two USB-C ports, and if you have two devices plugged in it will divvy up 45 watts to the left port and 20 watts to the right one. That's plenty for most personal devices.

When your Pixel is about to die, this little gizmo can save it. I keep it on my keychain at all times, and it acts as a very tiny USB-C to USB-C cable. Plug one end into your phone and the other into another USB-C source, like a laptop, PC, charging adapter, or even a friend's phone, and you can get your device enough juice to tide you over. (Make sure you choose the charging settings on your Pixel when it pops up and ensure you're not charging the other device.)

It supports up to 60 watts of fast charging, which means you can use it to charge a laptop if you have a powerful enough charging source, and it doesn't look any worse for wear despite months of use on my enormously large keychain with a bajillion other tchotchkes.

The world of Pixel accessories grows every year. Here are a few other cases I've tried and liked, just not as much as the ones above.

OtterBox Defender Series for $65: This is arguably the most protective case for the Pixel 9 series. It has a hard shell that splits into two pieces, wrapping around the front and back of the phone, and you click them in place. Then add the rubber slipcover over the top and the holster, which lets you affix the phone to the belt. The holster's clip can also double as a kickstand in a horizontal orientation. Even the USB-C charging port is covered up. I think the OtterBox Commuter I recommend above gets you nearly there in terms of durability, but if you want to maximize protection and like holsters, go for the Defender.

UAG Tempered Glass Screen Protector for $35: This tempered glass screen protector (also available for the Pixel 9 Pro XL) was very easy to install. It comes with an applicator tool as well as a wet wipe, dust removal sticker, and a microfiber cloth. I think the Dbrand I recommend above is a better value because you get two in the box and it's cheaper, but UAG's option is a solid alternative.

Pela Liquid Screen Protector for $60: I'm cautiously optimistic about this one because I haven't had much experience with liquid screen protectors. Pela sends a little vial with this liquid magic inside. First, clean your phone with a microfiber cloth. Then, pour a third of the contents in the vial onto the cloth, and wipe the phone down. Wait two minutes, and then wipe away any excess. This liquid supposedly protects from scratches, drops, and even impact, and is oleophobic to reduce smudges. You'll need to reapply it every 12 months, so save the rest that's in the vial. I'll report back if I have any issues. The good thing is Pela will pay for any screen repairs provided you were using a Pela case and this liquid screen protector simultaneously.

OtterBox Symmetry Series for $50: This is a perfectly fine case that's just a bit unremarkable. The buttons are easy to press, the cutouts are accurate, and there's good protection from the raised edges. It's just not unique in how it looks and doesn't offer any other interesting features.

UAG Pathfinder MagSafe Case for $55: This was a weird one. I like this case, even with its somewhat rugged look. But the MagSafe did not work at all on the Pro XL case. I suspect I got a dud, because I tested the same case for the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro, and magnetic wireless charging worked perfectly. Outside of this blip, this case offers clicky buttons and lots of indents for a satisfying grip. The cutouts are accurate, and the lips are raised decently on the display, though they could stand to be more protective of the camera module.

Spigen Rugged Armor and Tough Armor for $16+: These cases are also available for the Pixel 9 Pro XL. The Rugged Armor has a nice textured back and edges, though these areas do tend to attract smudges and marks. The edges are nicely raised to protect the screen and cameras, and the buttons are clicky. The Tough Armor, on the other hand, is smoother and has a kickstand on the back. Annoyingly, this kickstand only works for landscape orientation, so it's not the case to buy if you watch a lot of TikTok.

Thinborne Aramid Fiber Super Thin Case for $70: This case isn't for drop protection because it's incredibly thin. It's a nice option if you hate cases but want to protect your device from scratches. That said, it's really difficult to take it off (unless you have long nails). It also smudges way too easily, so I constantly found myself wiping it down. There's a MagSafe magnetic ring baked in, but it struggled to reliably adhere to other MagSafe accessories—the magnets just aren't strong enough. At least you do get a screen protector in the box, though you need to freehand the installation.

Casetify Impact Case With MagSafe for $58: Casetify has an endless number of designs you can choose from, and while it has come under fire for how it acquires some of those designs, there are not many places you can go to get a Pixel 9 case with Spider-Man on the back or one that makes your phone look like a film camera. These cases have MagSafe rings inside, so they should work with most MagSafe accessories. I just don't love how prominent the Casetify logo is on the back.

OtterBox Thin Flex Series for $60: As soon as I installed this svelte case, I started trying all the buttons. The power button is not blocked by the case, but the volume rocker is, and unfortunately, it is incredibly hard to press. Or rather, it's not that it's hard to press, it's that you barely feel anything when you press the rocker, which is just as frustrating. It's an otherwise solid case, though the edges by the hinge are a bit sharp.

UAG Plyo Pixel 9 Pro Fold Case for $60: Nothing about this case screams $60. It feels cheap, and I hate that the left edge on the front has so much flex in it. The edges around the screen are also comically large, and I also found it hard to access the buttons on the phone. Not great.

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