Google’s Pixel lineup is often lauded for providing the best that the Android OS has to offer. And who can deny it? Despite its age, the Pixel 2 still punches well above its price class with a Snapdragon 835 processor and speedy Android 10 software.
If you’re invested in the Pixel-powered Android experience, you should protect your device with a durable, hardbody case. Below, we’ve listed a handful of our top picks when it comes to durability, sleekness, design, and grip enhancement.
Caseology Parallax Case
Caseology makes a ton of high-quality cases, but the Parallax is the cream of the crop. It features a dual-layer design that combines TPU and PC (polycarbonate) material, giving your Pixel 2 just the right amount of protection, without making it uncomfortable to hold. The back of the case has a geometric pattern that creates a non-slip yet smooth-to-the-touch texture. The real eye-catcher here though is the hard-shell frame that keeps the whole case intact. This sturdy and durable accessory will keep your phone safe from everyday drops and bumps, and it’s compatible with Active Edge’s squeezes as well.
Incipio Carnaby Esquire Case
For something classy and elegant, suit your Google Pixel 2 up with the Incipio Carnaby case. It’s known for its ultra-soft cotton finish on the back, so holding your device with the case on is like holding your favorite comfy sweater. The case has a co-molded design with a TPU frame surrounding the edges of your device. The pairing of the frame and cotton finish makes for a comfortable mobile experience, whether you’re holding it in portrait or landscape mode. You’ll find tactile buttons on the side, and the back leaves a cutout just big enough for you to easily access the fingerprint scanner.
Crave Dual Guard Case
Bold and rugged are only a few words that describe the Dual Guard case by Crave. Made with layers of high-grade polycarbonate and TPU, the Dual Guard offers some of the best protection you’ll find in a case, without making the phone too bulky to handle. Accommodating the rubberized bumper throughout the case is a herringbone pattern, similar to car tires — but more fashionable. Like car tires, this design gives you a ton of grip and friction when wielding the case. Available in a variety of colors, the Crave Dual Guard case is a great addition to your Google Pixel 2.
Lifeproof Frē Case
If you’re serious about protecting your phone, then you want a serious case. Lifeproof creates some of the most protective cases around, and the Lifeproof Frē is an excellent choice if your Pixel 2 is likely to spend a lot of time outdoors. It’s completely sealed to provide an IP68-rating that protects against the ingress of snow, water, dirt, and dust particles, and it can withstand drops from up to 6.6 feet (2 meters). There’s an in-built screen protector for complete protection, and it’s fairly thin for such a protective case. On the minus side, it’s an expensive case — but it’s an awful lot cheaper than buying yourself a new phone.
Noreve Leather Wallet Case
Wallet cases are a great way to add a luxury feel to your phone, and Noreve is one of the best options when you’re shopping for a leather wallet case. While you can buy a standard leather wallet case, there’s also the option to really make a splash by customizing your Noreve wallet case. You can choose from a wide range of leather types, including synthetic leather and specially aged Patine leather, select a different color, and even add a belt clip. However, expect prices to rise as you opt for more luxurious materials and additions — and this isn’t a cheap case to begin with. Still, if you want a truly unique case, Noreve will help you build one.
Kerf Walnut Wood Case
If you’re looking for something a little different, maybe consider cladding your Pixel 2 in one of Kerf’s specially made wooden cases. Kerf’s cases are crafted from a variety of different woods. We’ve highlighted the Walnut case, but you can choose from a number of other woods too, including African mahogany. It’s lined with soft ultra-suede and comes with full coverage around the edges of the case, as well as clickable wooden buttons. Be wary that wood isn’t a normal material for protective cases, and there’s a reason why: It won’t absorb impacts as well as plastic cases, and it may break when dropped, which can be a very expensive mistake, as this isn’t a cheap case by any standards.
Peel Super-Thin Case
The Pixel 2 is a sleek and beautiful piece of technology, and if you just don’t feel right covering it with so much plastic, then you might be interested in Peel’s super-thin case. Peel has a minimalist philosophy, so it’s crucial to the design of the case that you forget it’s there, and it’s easy to do so. The 0.35mm-thin material is almost transparent and shows through Google’s branding easily — while displaying none of Peel’s own. Being so thin, it’s not going to offer any meaningful protection against drops, but it will help resist scratches against the phone’s casing and keep it looking as good as new. It’s a great case for someone who doesn’t really like cases.
RhinoShield SolidSuit
Protection usually comes at a price, and that price is often size. That’s not so with RhinoShield’s SolidSuit. Made from RhinoShield’s “ShockSpread” material, a blend of polymers formed into various hexagonal shapes, the SolidSuit provides excellent protection while still keeping the case light and thin. According to RhinoShield, the SolidSuit can absorb impacts from 11 feet, surpassing the usual U.S. military drop-test standards. We can’t back that up, but we can say the SolidSuit looks good, feels good in the hand, and should provide excellent protection against a variety of threats to your Pixel 2.
Tech21 Evo Check
More drop protection that hides itself well, Tech21’s Evo Check case achieves drop-proofing that protects from falls of up to 10 feet, without compromising on size. This is achieved through a triple-layer design that combines an outer shell with an inner skeleton to help disperse the energy from shocks, while a final layer of Tech21’s FlexShock material absorbs any remaining energy. It’s a great design, and it means that the case is still thin and lightweight, not adding bulk or weight to your phone. The visual style may not be for everyone, with an emphasized bumper around the edge of the phone and a series of crosses laid over the main panel of the case, but we really like it.
Ghostek Atomic Slim
Looking for more slim protective options? Ghostek offers a great range of protection for the Pixel 2, but our pick has to be the Atomic Slim. It’s extremely tough and uses three different materials in construction to ensure the best possible protection, with the shock-absorbing qualities of the TPU inner bumper, a clear, hard PC back panel for scratch-protection, and a frame of aluminum alloy that gives the whole design a strong backbone. Raised corners and bezels help that protection, as does the 2x Military Grade Standard drop protection. Finally, it feels great, with tactile buttons, and comes in a range of colors to suit your style.
Google Fabric Case
Here’s something a little different. This official Pixel 2 case from Google itself is made from a combination of a tough polycarbonate core with an outer layer of polyester and nylon knit. The fabric feels soft in the hand, provides loads of extra grip, and gives the Pixel 2 a real stylish statement you won’t find anywhere else. The polycarbonate core keeps the phone safe from hazards, and though we don’t think the fabric provides much protection, an inner layer of microfiber that protects your device’s body by adding some shock-resistance. It’s also fully compatible with Active Edge, so you can squeeze to wake your Google Assistant at any time.
Ringke Bevel Case
There’s nothing technically extraordinary about Ringke’s Bevel case. As a TPU case, it covers everything that you’d expect from Ringke — good protection from scratches against the exterior of the case, and some protection against impacts and drops from the soft TPU material. A raised edge around the screen and camera cut-out keep those areas from touching surfaces and getting scratched, and it comes with all the cut-outs for ports and button covers that you’d expect. But this case really caught our eye because of the stunning looking bevel pattern that takes it to another level beyond the usual gel case. It’s a slim, translucent offering that adds another layer of style to your already stunning phone. It’s also available in Smoke Black and Clear if the Rose Gold doesn’t tickle your fancy.
Spigen Neo Hybrid Herringbone Case
Spigen is one of the finest names in device protection, and it’s a measure of a device’s success whether or not the veteran case creators are putting out their full range for it. The Neo Hybrid is always one of the standout designs. We’ve seen the winning combination of TPU and polycarbonate earlier on this list, and the Neo Hybrid doesn’t disappoint in terms of toughness. Drop protection and resistance to outside scratches is heightened with Spigen’s shock-absorbent TPU and hard outer polycarbonate shell. Spigen cases feel and look good, and the Neo Hybrid is no different in this regard, with a herringbone look that brings a whole new style to your Pixel 2, and a weighty feel that screams of high-quality construction.
Speck Presidio Grip + Glitter
The perfect case for anyone who wants to make a statement with their choice of accessories, the Speck Presidio Grip + Glitter is a gorgeous case that offers fantastic protection. Speck’s drop protection pedigree is well known, and Speck claims that the two-layer construction will keep your Pixel 2 safe against drops up to 10 feet — though we don’t recommend you testing that claim. It’s also a looker, if you like the style. The shimmering crystal finish isn’t all style with no substance either, as the pattern on the back aids grip on your phone, making sure you can keep hold of your phone while still looking good. It’s slim in design, and a fantastic choice to keep your phone looking great and well protected — even if it is on the pricey side. Still, Speck’s a name worth paying for.
Moment Photo Case
If prior performance is anything to go by, the Pixel 2 is likely to have an incredible camera. Google is using a whole new method of machine learning to bring out a host of new camera tricks, so why not get a case that complements your shooting style? This case from Moment has been specially designed to facilitate easy use of your Pixel 2’s camera, with curved edges and a textured back that helps you to keep your grip, an attachment for wrist straps, and a durable construction that puts your mind at ease while shooting. The real draw here, though, is Moment’s range of additional camera lenses that clip on top of the case itself, letting you shoot with wide-angle, fish-eye, macro, and a telephoto zoom. While the lenses are on the pricey side, if you’re looking to get serious with your smartphone photography, then this case is worth a look. But even if you’re not interested in the lenses, this is still an attractive case that offers good protection.
Otterbox Defender Case
The big cheese of all the protective cases, Otterbox is quite possibly the best brand you can buy for consumer-level smartphone protection. The Defender case uses a triple-layer construction; a soft inner core, a tough outer core, and a touch screen protector to keep that vulnerable area safe. Built-in port covers keep your ports dirt-, dust-, and lint-free, while the shock-protection actually transfers impacts away from your phone, and into the case. It also comes with a belt-clip holster that can be used as a kickstand, if needed. It’s often not cheap, but if you want real protection, you always go to Otterbox.
