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The Pixel 3a, which is more or less a low-cost version of the Pixel 3, was met with great enthusiasm by Google fans on a budget. But just because the Pixel 3a is relatively inexpensive doesn’t mean you should skip getting a protective case for it. This powerful smartphone is worth keeping in one piece, which is why we rounded up the best Pixel 3a cases for the job.
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13 Best Pixel 3a Cases: The Ultimate List
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Amazon Customer Reviews
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Amazon Customer Reviews
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Amazon Customer Reviews
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Price: $19.99 Shop at Amazon | Shop now Read our review |
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Amazon Customer Reviews
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Amazon Customer Reviews
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Price: $6.99 Shop at Amazon | Shop now Read our review |
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Amazon Customer Reviews
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Our Unbiased Reviews
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1. Spigen Tough Armor Pixel 3a Case
Pros:- Built-in kickstand
- Military-grade drop protection
- Slim and durable
Cons:- Limited colors
- Shows scratches
- Not grippy
The Spigen Tough Armor case offers military-grade drop protection and a handy media kickstand in a simple form factor that works for all occasions. It has a raised bezel on its front and back to extend its rugged protection to your Pixel 3a’s front screen and rear camera, though it isn’t particularly grippy or scratch-resistant. However, if your main goal is keeping your phone safe, then this durable hybrid design is always a solid pick.Find more Spigen Tough Armor Pixel 3a Case information and reviews here.
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2. Google Knit Fabric Pixel 3a Case
Pros:- Stylish
- Compact
- Grippy design
Cons:- Limited impact resistance
- High price tag
- Limited color options
While Google’s aftermarket accessory suite has offered multiple case molds to past Pixel models, you can still purchase their signature Fabric Pixel 3a Case for its iconic look and decent protection.
This compact case has a knitted fabric material that adds some grip to the case. It doesn’t do much for protecting from drops, though. It comes in three colors: Carbon, Fog, and Seascape, but the lack of other official Google cases leaves me wishing they had more options.
Find more Google Knit Fabric Pixel 3a Case information and reviews here.
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3. Olixar Tough Bumper Pixel 3a Case
Pros:- Slim and durable
- Air-cushioned bumper frame
- Raised bezel
Cons:- Clear plastic yellows over time
- Not grippy
- Mushy button covers
The Olixar Tough Bumper Case combines a reliable hybrid case mold with a clear PC backplate to deliver style and protection in balance.
This case maintains an overall slim profile by only reinforcing the most vulnerable parts of your phone, specifically its edges. This case has an air-cushioned bumper frame that helps disperse shock across the surface of your phone.
The case also has a raised bezel to further protect the front screen and rear camera. Considering that this case lacks grip and has somewhat mushy button covers, it is far from perfect, however, it is still a solid protective option for the Pixel 3a.
Find more Olixar Tough Bumper Pixel 3a Case information and reviews here.
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4. Incipio NGP Google Pixel 3a Case
Pros:- Raised bezel
- Grippy design
- Drop-tested design
Cons:- Clear plastic yellows over time
- Shows scratches
- Limited colors
The Incipio NGP Case for the Pixel 3a sports a unique design and three-foot drop-tested protection to help your phone stand out and stay functioning.
Considering its fairly slim profile, this isn’t the most rugged protective case out there, but the grippy material that makes up its lower half help prevent drops before they even happen.
The case has a raised bezel to protect the broad sides of your phone, further increasing its value as a protective case. While it comes at an attractive price, it does show scratches easily, so it won’t last forever. Realistically, it will last at least as long as your Pixel 3a, though.
Find more Incipio NGP Google Pixel 3a Case information and reviews here.
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5. OtterBox Symmetry Series Pixel 3a Case
Pros:- Slim and durable
- Dual layer design
- Easy to install
Cons:- Limited impact resistance
- High price tag
- Not grippy
There is little to say about the OtterBox brand that I haven’t already said a thousand times. They are the most-recognized case brand for a reason.
Even the Symmetry Series Case, their slimmest offering for the Pixel 3a, is made with two layers of protective material. It has a synthetic rubber sleeve to absorb shock and an external polycarbonate shell to prevent scratches.
The case snaps on easily and adds minimal bulk to the phone, making it a straightforward option for daily users. The Symmetry isn’t as grippy or protective as OtterBox’s larger cases, but it is more than enough to protect your Pixel 3a from daily wear and tear.
Find more OtterBox Symmetry Series Pixel 3a Case information and reviews here.
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6. Speck Presidio Grip Pixel 3a Case
Pros:- Grippy design
- Comes in a variety of styles
- Military-grade drop protection
Cons:- High price tag
- Grippy material attracts dirt
- Case is weak near charge port
The Speck Presidio Grip is an iconic case design for its unique style, grippy design, and military-grade drop protection.
The rubber strips on this case’s backplate help keep it in your hand and off the ground, but they are also known to attract dirt over time. Considering the importance of solid shock dispersal, it is easy to look past this case’s flaws, as it is ultimately one of the best Pixel 3a cases you’ll find.
Find more Speck Presidio Grip Pixel 3a Case information and reviews here.
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7. anccer Ultra-Thin Pixel 3a Case
Pros:- Ultra-slim design
- Lots of color options
- Grippy design
Cons:- Limited impact resistance
- No bezel
- So-so materials
At only 0.03 inches thick, the anccer Ultra-Thin Case is one of the slimmest options for Pixel 3a fans looking to keep scratches off their new phone.
As you may guess from its compact size, this case is not intended to protect from drops or bumps. It is pretty much only for preventing scratches and adding some grip to your phone.
Still, this ultra-thin sleeve is one of the best Pixel 3a cases for minimalists.
Find more anccer Ultra-Thin Pixel 3a Case information and reviews here.
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8. Vinve Carbon Fiber Hybrid Pixel 3a Case
Pros:- Slim and durable
- Grippy design
- Raised bezel
Cons:- Generic design
- Mushy button covers
- Limited colors
You might call the Vinve Carbon Fiber Case generically designed but I call it tried and true. This hybrid case may sport a fairly plain OEM design but it is one with a track record for preventing impact damage.
The case is made from a single layer of TPU, which has a brushed metal texture that adds some grip the back of the phone. It has a raised bezel that makes this case effective at protecting your phone’s screen, even if it is a little plain.
Find more Vinve Carbon Fiber Hybrid Pixel 3a Case information and reviews here.
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9. Dretal Carbon Fiber Hybrid Pixel 3a Case
Pros:- Grippy design
- Slim and durable
- Raised bezel
Cons:- Mushy button covers
- Limited colors
- Generic design
If the Dretal Carbon Fiber case looks familiar, that’s because it is almost identical to the Vinve case we reviewed above. That means that this is an equally well-rounded budget case.
It is grippy, slim, and durable, even though it lacks the bells and whistles of more premium phone case options. If you need a plain and simple protective case with a proven track record, this is an easy option to go with.
Find more Dretal Carbon Fiber Hybrid Pixel 3a Case information and reviews here.
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10. Idea Line Slim Fit Pixel 3a Case
Pros:- Slim and durable
- Responsive button covers
- Stylish design
Cons:- So-so materials
- Limited impact resistance
- Minimal bezel
The Idea Line Slim Fit Pixel 3a Case is a stylish case with a professional-looking faux leather design that matches any occasion.
It is made of a slim and durable layer of TPU. It isn’t thick enough to provide serious impact resistance but it does well at resisting scratches and small bumps. Its button covers are responsive but its protective bezel is fairly small.
If you are concerned with keeping your phone screen in one piece, you may want to complement this case with a protective screen cover. However, its slim design will work fine for minimalists.
Find more Idea Line Slim Fit Pixel 3a Case information and reviews here.
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11. totallee Clear Pixel 3a Case
Pros:- Clear TPU material
- Slim and lightweight
- Grippy design
Cons:- Minimal impact resistance
- Clear cases discolor over time
- No front bezel
Though totallee’s first run of lightweight clear cases for the new Pixel phone had some fit issues, they are now shipping a fully compatible version of their ultra-minimalist Pixel 3a case.The totallee Clear case is one of the thinnest and lightest cases we reviewed, making it perfect for the user who wants to forget they even use a phone case. It is made with a thin layer of flexible TPU. It has a rear bezel for preventing damage to the camera but not enough of a front bezel to protect the front screen. If you decide this is the right case for you, you may want to consider pairing it with a protective screen cover as well.Find more totallee Clear Pixel 3a Case information and reviews here.
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12. Gritup Ring Grip Pixel 3a Case
Pros:- Built-in ring stand
- Magnetic mount compatible
- Included screen protector
Cons:- Limited impact resistance
- No front bezel
- Limited colors
If you want a Pixel 3a case with a surefire way to keep your grip on this 5.6-inch phone, then the Gritup Ring Grip Pixel 3a Case is an easy choice. Its main draw is its built-in rotating ring, which functions as a grip for your phone and a makeshift media viewing stand. The ring has a magnetic base that also works with magnetic car and bike mounts. The downside of this case is that its low-profile design doesn’t offer much of a bezel to protect the front screen. Instead, you get an included screen protector, which is a nice touch, but something you might ignore altogether since it is a fairly low-quality accessory.
Find more Gritup Ring Grip Pixel 3a Case information and reviews here.
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13. ESR Metal Kickstand Pixel 3a Case
Pros:- Clear design
- Built-in kickstand
- Raised bezel
Cons:- Not grippy
- Shows dirt easily
- Clear plastic yellows over time
The ESR Metal Kickstand Series is a clear and lightweight case that protects your phone without even seeming like it’s there.
Its transparent design is great if you don’t like the look of cheesy PC phone cases, though you should know that clear cases will easily show dirt. They even discolor slightly after long-term UV exposure.
However, if you don’t leave your phone outside regularly, this won’t be an issue. One major plus to this case is its built-in kickstand, which works in both portrait and landscape orientation.
Find more ESR Metal Kickstand Pixel 3a Case information and reviews here.
Do You Really Need a Pixel 3a Case?
As each new generation of smartphones grows more powerful and expensive, the demand for inexpensive alternatives rises — almost paradoxically. With the release of the Pixel 3a, Google joined manufacturers like Apple and OnePlus in establishing a market for midrange, performance-based phones.
Even though the Pixel 3a was benchmarked against the 2018 phone market, it still performs comparably within the current Android ecosystem. And since it sits so uniquely on the cusp of the current-gen, it is possibly the best deal out of any Google phone. That said, yes you should still cover your Pixel 3a with a case if you want it to last more than a year.
That is because the Pixel 3a had to cut costs somewhere and that fell on the phone's case. The Pixel 3a is made of polycarbonate while the flagship Pixel models have a coated glass backplate. The 3a also lacks water resistance, thus creating an even wider gap in construction quality.
Ultimately, neither phone design is solid enough to handle repeated naked drops. If you want to ensure your phone is safe from impact damage, you need a proper protective case. Of course, you can also find ultra-thin cases to protect from scratches without adding extra bulk.
Whichever style you prefer, you'll be sure to find the best Pixel 3a cases for your needs in our list above.
See Also
11 Best Google Pixel 4 Cases: Your Ultimate List