WIRED's latest roundup of AirPods cases deliberately skips food-shaped and licensed-character designs, concentrating instead on cases that add utility or durability. The guide reflects a crowded accessory market where differentiation increasingly comes from function rather than novelty.
The dbrand Grip Case takes the top spot at $45 (discounted to $35), offering a rubber shell with more than 40 swappable skins and an optional lanyard. For tougher conditions, UAG's Scout case adds a thick rubber layer and carabiner for $35, while ESR's Orbit Hybrid Case brings MagSafe magnets and a shock-absorbing shell for $16.
Other picks include Nomad's Horween leather case, ESR's flip-open Pulse FlickLock, and Bandolier's leather clip-on pouch. The guide also covers a Casetify case for AirPods Max. Because this is a single source, there are no conflicting opinions to weigh; the recommendations reflect one publication's testing.