The world of Pixel accessories grows every year. Here are some cases I’ve tried and liked, though not as much as the ones mentioned above.
OtterBox Defender Series $65: This is easily the most protective case for the Pixel 9 series. It has two separate hard shells that wrap around the front and back of the phone and snap into place. Then you attach a rubber slipcover to the top, put on a holster, and secure the phone to your belt. The holster clip doubles as a kickstand when held sideways. The USB-C charging port is also covered. The OtterBox Commuter, which we recommended above, is mostly satisfactory in terms of durability, but if you want maximum protection or prefer a holster, choose the Defender.
OtterBox Symmetry Series $50: This is a decent case, just a little unobtrusive — the buttons are easy to press, the cutouts are precise, and the raised lips provide good protection — but it’s not particularly unique in appearance or offer any other interesting features.
Spigen Rugged Armor and Tough Armor from $16 onwards: These cases are also available for the Pixel 9 Pro XL. The Rugged Armor has a beautiful texture on the back and edges, but these areas are prone to smudges and marks. The edges are nicely raised to protect the screen and camera, and the buttons are clicky. The Tough Armor, on the other hand, is smoother and has a kickstand on the back. Unfortunately, the kickstand only works in landscape mode, making it less of a buy for those who watch a lot of TikTok.
Thinborne Ultra-thin Aramid Case ($70): This case is not intended as drop protection because it is so thin. It is a good option for those who don’t like cases but still want to protect their device from scratches. However, Really It’s hard to remove (unless you have long fingernails). It gets dirty easily and had to be constantly wiped down. It has a built-in MagSafe magnetic ring, but it’s hard to get it to attach reliably to other MagSafe accessories; the magnets aren’t very strong. At least it comes with a screen protector in the box, but you have to install it freehand.
Casetify Impact Case with MagSafe, $58: Casetify has a ton of designs to choose from. They’ve been criticized for how they get some of their designs, but there aren’t many places you can get a Pixel 9 case with Spider-Man on the back, or a case that makes your phone look like a film camera. These cases have a built-in MagSafe ring, so most MagSafe accessories should work with them. I just don’t like how the Casetify logo on the back is too obvious.
