Other Good Cases and Accessories
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.
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Spigen Rugged Armor and Tough Armor for $20+: These cases are also available for the Pixel 9 Pro XL. Interestingly, the Pixel 9a version of Rugged Armor and Tough Armor features MagSafe magnets on the back, allowing you to use the phone with magnetic accessories (it worked on a Qi2 charger). The cases for the rest of the Pixel 9 series do not have magnets. The Rugged Armor has a nice textured back and grippy edges, though these areas 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.
OtterBox Defender Series for $55: 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, a wet wipe, a dust removal sticker, and a microfiber cloth. 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 $30: 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 Google Pixel 9a Premium Glass Screen Protector for $40: I tested this on the Pixel 9a, but it’s available for the Pixel 9, 9 Pro, and 9 Pro XL. You only get one tempered glass screen protector, but the box turns into the applicator tool, and OtterBox includes a wet wipe, a microfiber cloth, and dust stickers. I always find that the tab you’re supposed to attach the protector to doesn’t always connect properly. Still, my installation was accurate with no air bubbles.
Spigen Thin Fit Case for $17: If you want to spend as little as possible on a case but still want MagSafe functionality, this Spigen case will do the trick. But I must warn you, this is the most generic phone case you’ll find. Functionally, I have no qualms about the thing. But it’s plain, boring, and feels like a crime to cover up my Pixel’s pretty color. It’s also available for the Pixel 9a and Pixel 9 Pro XL.
Spigen GlasTR Tempered Glass Screen Protector (2 Pack) for $19: I tested this screen protector for the Pixel 9a, but it’s also available for the Pixel 9 Pro XL. I initially screwed up my first application—when I removed the back adhesive, the protector misaligned slightly, causing it to install slightly askew on the phone. Good thing it comes with a spare. Things were much smoother the second time around, though both times I was left with a lot of air bubbles. Spigen includes a big squeegee to get rid of them, which is nice.
OtterBox Symmetry Series for $31: 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.
UAG Scout Case for $30: I tested this case for the Pixel 9a, and it’s rather unremarkable. I’m not a fan of the odd rectangular bump on the back, and I don’t find it all that grippy. There are no magnets either. But the buttons are clicky, with raised edges around the screen and accurate port cutouts. You can also get it for the Pixel 9/9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL.
Latercase Thin Case for $59: As soon as I popped this case on the Pixel 9a, I could see smudges from my fingers on the back, and it put me off. I spent a few seconds wiping it down, and after some time, the smudges came back. The aramid fiber texture seems to attract ’em. It’s a thin case designed for people who hate thick cases, but I find it a little dull, and there are no magnets inside, so no access to magnetic accessories. The top, bottom, and right edge with the buttons are also exposed, so it isn’t doing much. Check out the other colors, though. It doesn’t look bad in crimson.
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 $52: 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.
Avoid These Cases
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OtterBox Thin Flex Series for $41: 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. The edges around the screen are also comically large, and I also found it hard to access the phone’s buttons. It’s not great.