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Jun 04, 2023

Best Google Pixel 7a heavy

Get serious protection for Google's latest budget smartphone

Google's 2023 mid-ranger, the Pixel 7a, is a tempting choice for those who crave the Pixel experience without breaking the bank. Boasting specs that flirt with its flagship sibling, Pixel 7, the Pixel 7a rightfully earns its place among the best budget Android phones you can buy right now. But let's get real—no matter how pocket-friendly this phone or its price tag is, it still needs protection.

The Pixel 7a features a plastic back less likely to shatter on impact, but it's still prone to scratching and denting. While a good screen protector can safeguard your phone's front fascia, the rest is still exposed to the elements. This is where heavy-duty cases come into play, providing the extra protection your device deserves.

Caseology's Parallax features a 3D Hexa Cube design that's attractive, practical, and anything but boring. The two-tone colors complement the style of the Pixel 7a, while the rear surface and textured sides let you keep a solid grip on your phone. It looks and feels great, but don't let the understated design fool you, as it can still handle everyday bumps, scraps, and drops of up to four feet.

Otterbox is a trusted name in protection, and the Otterbox Commuter honors that tradition by delivering a case that goes 3X beyond military-grade drop test standards in a pocket-friendly design that doesn't add too much bulk. You also get port covers to block dust and dirt from getting into your Pixel 7a, plus grippy sides to help ensure you don't drop your phone in the first place. It's also made with more than 35% recycled plastic.

The FNTCASE hybrid case is an excellent pick for rugged on a budget. It offers solid drop protection with reinforced corners and even bundles in a tempered glass screen protector. It's crafted with shock-absorbing TPU mated to a hard plastic outer shell and features a slip-proof texture. The thoughtful addition of raised edges acts as a barrier, safeguarding the camera lenses and screen from potential scratches. It doesn't come with a military-grade rating, though, which might be worth considering.

In partnership with Supcase

The Supcase Unicorn Beetle Pro is a protective case for your Pixel 7a that looks the part. It's not just window-dressing, either; the UB Pro has been tested to protect your phone against drops of up to 20 feet, thanks to its multilayered construction. You also get a bunch of extras packed in here, such as an included screen protector in the front frame, a built-in kickstand that doubles as a ring holder, and a rotating belt clip holster.

Diverging from the norm of standard rugged cases, this case offers a wide range of vibrant color choices. In terms of protection, it's rated for military-standard drop protection and tested for drops from up to 8 feet. The multi-layer design absorbs shocks, and the built-in ring kickstand provides added functionality. This case even features a sliding camera cover and comes with two screen protectors for the ultimate all-round protection.

Spigen's Rugged Armor offers slim and subtle coverage for your Pixel 7a in a design that still distinguishes itself thanks to the carbon fiber accents. Air Cushion technology provides military-grade drop protection, with spiderweb molding — and raised edges around the screen and camera — for absorbing impacts. In addition, grippy sides help you keep hold of your phone.

Dbrand's Grip Case offers you the best of both worlds: the sturdy grip and careful corner cushions of a heavy-duty case and the customization of applying a new case skin when you get bored with your current design. For instance, if you opt for TMNP (Teenage Mutant Ninja Pixels), it comes with four different camera bar skins, allowing your 7a to be any or all of your favorite pizza-loving turtles. The holographic Warzone and Acid also look sublime.

In partnership with i-Blason

While we desperately hoped i-Blason would give us some fun Cosmo Series color options to match the Pixel 7a's fun colors, at least its ArmorBox Lite gets the essentials right. Rather than using a front frame and plastic built-in protector, this kickstand case is easy to apply and comes with two sturdier tempered glass screen protectors.

Most heavy-duty cases hide the fun colors of your Pixel 7a, but that's where the Itskins' Spectrum R differs from the rest. While not the most rugged case on our list, it still offers 10-foot drop protection thanks to its Hexotek shock absorption technology, raised edges around the screen and camera, and textured sides for a good grip. The best part, however, is that it's fully transparent and includes an anti-yellowing and scratch-resistant coating, so it will stay that way.

This case goes beyond protection and expands the possibilities of your Pixel 7a experience by adding MagSafe compatibility. The built-in magnets allow seamless connection to MagSafe chargers, wallets, and other accessories. For protection, it offers a grippy texture and air cushion tech for shock absorption. The raised lips around the screen and camera housing protect against scratches and abrasions. Despite its robust protective features, it maintains a slim and lightweight form factor.

Urban Armor Gear is best known for rugged cases in both design and appearance, but the Scout series turns that slightly on its head with a much more understated design. While it's still unmistakably a UAG case, the lines are cleaner and sleeker, making it feel much more comfortable in hand. UAG hasn't skimped on protection with the more muted design, though; you still get military-grade drop protection with raised edges around the screen and camera.

The Speck Impacthero is a minimalist and pocket-friendly case for your Pixel 7a that delivers durability and protection without adding too much bulk. Its eight-foot drop protection should be more than enough for everyday use, and the usual raised edges protect the screen and camera against bumps and scrapes. Also, a soft-touch coating with Microban protection makes it feel great while holding and reduces stain and odor-causing bacteria to keep things clean.

Nobody likes to see their phone getting banged up, so getting a tough case for your phone is never a bad idea. When selecting the right heavy-duty case, there are several key factors to consider. Durability is paramount, so every case on this list comes with shock absorption and drop-protection features.

Rugged cases generally tend to be bulkier and weightier than regular slap-on cases, so it's worth figuring out how much you are willing to compromise on the in-hand feel of your phone. Although thanks to newer materials and technologies, we're long past the days when rugged cases had to necessarily look like you were wrapping your phone in tactical armor.

Today, many cases offer military-grade drop protection without sacrificing esthetics, and some look so nice that you may have a hard time believing they offer the level of protection they do. Many rugged cases come with extra features like a built-in kickstand, but they can interfere with wireless charging capabilities, so you might need to take off your phone case every time to charge it wirelessly.

Caseology's Parallax case is a great pick for most buyers, delivering fun designs and colors without skimping on protection. It features an especially nice design with its 3D patterns and two-tone colors — while offering grippy sides and durable military-grade four-foot drop protection that should be enough to cover most folks.

Wilderness adventurers and extreme athletes will likely require something much more rugged. That's where Otterbox's reputation could make its Commuter case worth the splurge. It features port covers to block dirt and dust and promises to handle up to 3X as many drops as the military standard certifications. For extreme conditions, then Supcase's UB Pro is a solid choice, with 20-foot drop protection and a versatile set of features for holstering, holding, and propping it up just about anywhere.

Our value pick, the Fntcase, offers a non-slip textured back, reinforced corners for shock absorption, and bundled tempered glass for the screen as well. It doesn't offer the military standard rating for drop protection, but it should suffice for keeping your phone safe against the threats of daily usage. Torras Magnetic Guardian is another well-rounded pick, offering durable protection along with the added benefits of MagSafe compatibility.

Ultimately, what case works best for you depends greatly on your preferences. So, whether you're a self-proclaimed butterfingers or just a realist who acknowledges the unpredictable nature of smartphone ownership, one of these cases will help your Pixel 7a get the protection it deserves.

Ara Wagoner is Commerce Editor for Android Police and a lover of all things cases, Chromebooks, accessories, and Disney. Overseeing our buyer's guides and product selection, Ara has spent 7 years honing her product-picking instincts and reviews while previously at Android Central, bringing a unique flair to her writing (and a lot of TV/anime references). She works full-time on a Chromebook, whether it's at home or while waiting for fireworks at Walt Disney World. Ara loves Android phones so much that she wears a shoulder holster to ensure they're never out of reach, and if you see her without headphones, RUN.

Jesse is a lifelong technology enthusiast who has been exploring smartphones and mobile tech for more than two decades. He started his career change into tech journalism in 2007 with iLounge where he handled roundups and reviews of smartphones, mobile apps, headphones, speakers, smart home devices, and more. He has since written for iDrop News, Lifewire, and Digital Trends, and authored three editions of iPod & iTunes Portable Genius for Wiley Publishing.

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