The Pixel 4 is an ambitious Google smartphone that will remain competitive years beyond its release date. Between industry-leading cameras and an ultra-smooth user experience, the Pixel 4 is here to stay. That’s why we scoured the web to find the best Pixel 4 cases for keeping your phone looking fresh. These are our top picks.
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1. Spigen Tough Armor Pixel 4 Case
Pros:- Military-grade drop protection
- Built-in kickstand
- Wireless charge compatible
Cons:- Generic design
- Could be grippier
- Limited color options
If you close your eyes and imagine a phone case, you will probably see something shockingly close to the Spigen Tough Armor.
That’s because the Tough Armor case perfects the mold rather than attempting to break it. It is an exemplary defender case that offers both military-grade drop protection as well as added features.
So on top of a raised protective bezel and air-cushioned corners, you also get clicky button covers and a built-in kickstand. To complete the package, you also have support for wireless charging. The Spigen Tough Armor case is definitely one of the best Pixel 4 cases around.
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2. Speck Presidio Grip Pixel 4 Case
Pros:- Military-grade drop protection
- Grippy design
- Lots of color options
Cons:- Grippy material attracts dirt
- High price tag
- Mushy button covers
The Speck Presidio Grip is an iconic phone case that offers, drop protection, added grip, and extra style points to your Pixel 4 phone.
For most, the military-grade drop protection is the Presidio Grip’s biggest selling point, but the grippy PC backplate is actually this case’s first line of defense. Just note that as the rubbery material slowly peels off over time as it has done on past models, Speck’s lifetime warranty will have you covered.
This case works well with wireless charging and has responsive button covers so you will never have to remove it to access any of your phone’s functionalities.
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3. VRS Design Damda Glide Pixel 4 Case
Pros:- Holds 2 credit cards
- Lightweight and durable
- Wireless charge compatible
Cons:- Limited color options
- Could be grippier
- Limited impact resistance
You know how every day you have to check for your phone, wallet, and keys before you leave the house? Well, you can make that process 33% easier by switching to a wallet case for your Pixel 4, such as the VRS Design Damda Glide.
This wallet case opens up a lot more room in your pockets since it has a hidden card slot in the back that is perfect for holding an ID and a credit card. It eliminates the need for carrying a full-size wallet around unless you need to keep your punch card collection handy.
It is made from durable TPU plastic, which offers efficient shock absorption without adding too much weight. It has a raised bezel and supports wireless charging as well, making it an all-around practical case option.
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4. Ringke Fusion X Pixel 4 Case
Pros:- Military-grade drop tested
- Grippy design
- Large raised bezel
Cons:- Clear plastic discolors easily
- Limited color options
- Does not work with edge-to-edge screen protectors
The Ringke Fusion X is one of the best Pixel 4 cases for the user who wants to strike a balance between protection and portability. This phone offers military-grade drop protection while remaining overall quite slim.
It does so using a bumper frame design that adds extra padding on the edges of your phone. That is where your phone is most likely to hit the ground in a fall. Your Pixel 4’s broadsides are also covered by this bumper frame, as it creates a raised bezel that catches the (hopefully flat) ground before your phone screen will.
Meanwhile, the back of the case consists of a clear PC backplate that resists scratches without interfering with your phone’s ability to wirelessly charge. If this case only came in as many colors as the Pixel 4 does, it would be a no-brainer purchase.
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5. OtterBox Defender Series Pixel 4 Case
Pros:- Rubber port cover
- Military-grade drop tested
- Wireless charge compatible
Cons:- Bulky design
- High price tag
- Limited color options
Even if the last phone you bought was the iPhone 1, you would still be familiar with the name OtterBox. The OtterBox Defender case represented the gold standard of protective cases years before the competition even showed up on the scene.
Even though its design has changed quite a bit, it is still a reliable choice for drop protection. It may not have a built-in screen protector anymore but it still has military-grade drop protection and a raised protective bezel. It also still has a rubber port cover to keep lint from gathering in your phone’s USB-C charging port.
It may not be waterproof like its predecessor but it works with wireless charging (plus the Pixel 4 is IPX8 water-resistant anyway). It is a little bulky and pricey compared to other options but it is still one of the best Pixel 4 cases available.
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6. ESR Metal Kickstand Pixel 4 Case
Pros:- Clear and durable
- Built-in kickstand
- Wireless charge compatible
Cons:- Clear plastic discolors easily
- Limited impact resistance
- Limited color options
The ESR Metal Kickstand Case adds extra drop protection and a built-in way to prop up your Pixel 4 without radically changing the look of the phone. By those graces alone, it is definitely one of the best Pixel 4 cases around. Most cases come off as visually dominating, especially when they cover the sleek edges of your phone with fake carbon fiber.
Conversely, the only part of this ESR case that isn’t clear is its metal kickstand, which enhances media viewing in both portrait and landscape modes. The clear TPU material offers basic protection for the phone from drops and scratches, though it probably won’t stand up to larger drops. As long as you are careful with this case and don’t need ten different color-accented options available, this is a solid Pixel 4 case.
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7. Ghostek Exec 4 Pixel 4 Wallet Case
Pros:- Holds 2 cards plus cash
- Military-grade drop protection
- Raised protective bezel
Cons:- Bulky design
- Not wireless charge compatible when card slot is attached
- Limited color options
The Ghostek Exec 4 may look somewhat spartan but it brings all of the best qualities of a defender case to its wallet case design, allowing it to protect your money as well as your phone.
This dual-layer case is made with both rubbery TPU and durable PC plastics that meet military-grade standards for durability. It offers drop protection from 2 meters in height and is resistant to scratches. On top of this, it also has a removable rear card slot that can hold approximately two cards plus cash.
The only downside to this case design is that it struggles with wireless charging through the dual-layer frame and rear card slot. The card slot can be removed if you feel like slimming down your load but I would have also accepted a belt clip.
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8. Google Knit Fabric Pixel 4 Case
Pros:- Grippy design
- Stylish
- Compact
Cons:- Limited color options
- High price tag
- Limited impact resistance
Considering that almost all of Google’s promotional material depicts the Pixel 4 in one of their proprietary Knit Fabric Cases, this is a clear sign that this case is meant to be your first choice among protective options. At least according to Google.
From this humble author’s unbiased viewpoint, there are several cases that offer better protection for a better price. That said, there aren’t many cases that can match the impeccable style of these Google Knit Fabric cases. They come in a variety of different colors to match those of the Pixel 4, including Could Be Coral (pictured), Blue-ish, Sorta Smoky, and Just Black.
While these cases do lack in raw drop protection, they make up for it in portability and grip, so those who are fairly careful with their stuff can still consider this as a viable case option.
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9. Caseology Parallax Pixel 4 Case
Pros:- Slim and durable
- Grippy design
- Wireless charge compatible
Cons:- Front bezel could be larger
- Limited impact resistance
- Trim wears off easily
If you are generally pretty careful with your stuff then the slim and stylish Parallax case from Caseology should be more than capable of protecting your Pixel 4 from daily wear and tear. This hybrid case keeps it slim all-around by using an air-cushioned bumper frame design to protect your phone’s most vulnerable corners.
The only place this case falls somewhat short is the front bezel, which leaves little room for error in the instance of a face-down drop. Otherwise, the rest of the phone is well covered from damage. The rear PC backplate sports a 3D geometric design that adds a cool abstract style to your Pixel 4 while also improving your grip on it. Despite not being the most protective Pixel 4 case out there, the Caseology Parallax is still a personal favorite.
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10. Snakehive Pixel 4 Leather Wallet Case
Pros:- Holds 3 cards plus cash
- Lots of color options
- High-quality materials
Cons:- Limited impact resistance
- Bulky design
- High price tag
Card slot cases may be convenient when you only need your ID and your go-to credit card, but they tend to feel underwhelming when you like to come prepared with a more fully-packed wallet. This Snakehive Leather Wallet Case is a better choice for the elite wallet case enthusiast.
Its main advantage over smaller card slot cases is its ability to hold up to three cards plus cash in its leather folio cover. This folio cover may add bulk to your phone but it also provides a great protective cover from scratches, especially as you slip your phone in and out of your pocket.
This wallet case is less useful when it comes to direct drop protection but it provides some extra padding all the same. Plus, since the cards are stored on the front of the phone, you will have a much easier time utilizing the Pixel 4’s wireless charging capabilities. A wallet case of this size (and price) isn’t for everyone, but it is certainly worthy of your consideration.
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11. Olixar NovaShield Google Pixel 4 Case
Pros:- Air-cushioned drop protection
- Raised protective bezel
- Wireless charge compatible
Cons:- Clear plastic discolors overtime
- Could be grippier
- Side buttons do not stick out enough
The Olixar NovaShield Case is a well-rounded hybrid design that provides air-cushioned drop protection for your Pixel 4 without totally covering its beautiful design. The clear backplate is great for showing off the naked beauty of your Pixel 4, especially if you got one of the exciting new colors such as ‘Maybe Pink’, ‘Sky Blue’, ‘Slightly Green’ or ‘Really Yellow.’
The only opaque plastic is on the case’s TPU bumper frame, which uses air-cushioned pockets to disperse shock across its surface rather than directly into your new phone. The case has a raised protective bezel and supports wireless charging but I wish that Olixar had added a little more grip to the edge of the case. This gripe aside, the NovaShield is still a reliable case pick.
Do You Really Need a Pixel 4 Case?
If you find yourself wondering whether you need a protective case, then it's time to do some quick math. How many hours a day do you spend on your phone? This article from Inc. reports that the average person spends about 4 hours a day using their phone.
If you exceed this figure, then you are more likely to drop your phone than the average person. And as it is, dropping one's phone on the ground is one of the most commonly cited reasons for getting a new phone.
Phone cases may not be foolproof at protecting their contents but considering that the odds are stacked against you, you should take every precaution you can to protect your new phone, including getting a glass screen protector and one of the best Pixel 4 cases.
The Pixel 4's chassis is made from Gorilla Glass with a light matte finish, meaning even the plastic-made Pixel 3a is considerably more durable.
Whether you go with full-on protective case or a slimmer case for resisting scratches, you will see a long-term difference when you use one of the best Pixel 4 cases.
See Also
7 Best Google Pixel 5 Cases: The Ultimate List