Best Google Pixel Phones (2024): Which Model to Buy, Cases and Accessories, Reduced Features
Unless you can find one Pixel 6 series For $300 or less, you’re better off buying one of the newer phones we recommend above. Any older Pixel is no longer worth buying. (The Pixel 5 support window has ended.) You can still find some of them at various retailers, but unless they’re practically free, stick with any of the models above.
The best Pixel cases and accessories
This silicone case lets you color-match your Pixel phone. It’s durable, pleasant to the touch, and has raised edges on the front to protect the screen. It is made of recycled plastic. And while older cases were prone to dust and dirt, the improved Pixel 8A case is more resistant to them. I also like that the charging port is a bit more open as it makes it easier to swipe up from the screen.
Totallee is known for Ultra thin caseand the one I tried for the Pixel 8 almost felt like you had nothing on the phone. It won’t protect the phone from anything other than everyday scratches. I recommend choosing the clear case instead. It offers buttons and raised lips around the edges of the screen. Plus, the Pixel phones’ colors shine through quite well.
This is best if you regularly attach your Pixel to the handlebars of your bike or electric scooter. Peak Design’s mounting system allows you to attach your phone to it magnetically Universal bike rack ($50), and it remained in place. After nearly a year of testing, I have yet to see a phone fall out of the car using this mounting system. It uses Apple MagSafe systemso it works with many MagSafe Accessories, even wireless chargers. The company also has a number of other products magnetic accessorieslike one attach car air vent. The case itself is nice; I just wish the edges were raised a little higher to protect the screen better. It comes in more colors than ever.
This is one of the best clear cases you can find for the Pixel, especially at this price. The buttons click very smoothly, the Pixel’s colors show up clearly, and the back doesn’t feel too sticky like some other clear cases. Totallee’s clear case offers a little more protection but is almost twice the price.
Pixel phones don’t have a great track record when it comes to screen durability—they scratch easily. We first tested this protector for the Pixel 5A and it worked well. Installation is easy and includes a squeegee to remove air bubbles. You get two screen protectors for the price (some only include one, check the product page), along with a microfiber cloth, cleaning cloth, and anti-dust sticker. by Spigen screen protector for Pixel 8A very similar in terms of what you get as well as the sign up process and affordable pricing.
This screen protector was really easy to apply and created almost no air bubbles for me. You only get one protector, but alcohol wipes are included to clean the screen, a microfiber cloth, an application tool, and a squeegee. Problem? It’s not tempered glass but a mixture of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a cheaper material that often isn’t as impact-resistant.
You only get one screen protector here and it’s very expensive. Zagg claims that this protector is five times more durable than traditional screen protectors, and I haven’t seen many scratches on the Pixel I’ve applied it to, but take this with a grain of salt. Application is simple with the included application tool, but Zagg doesn’t include a squeegee so you’ll have to use your fingers to push air bubbles out. It comes with anti-dust stickers, wet wipes, and microfiber cloth. For Pixel Fold, the screen protector is for the external display only.
This is another expensive protectant from Zagg and is easy to apply. It’s significantly thicker than any of the other screen protectors in this guide, so if you drop your phone often, you might want to invest in this type of screen protector. You get a wet wipe, microfiber, and dust removal pad, along with an application tool to easily place the protector in place.
Wireless charging is available on all Pixel phones mentioned in this guide. Google’s own Pixel Stand is one of the best wireless chargers because it’s simple. The kickstand doesn’t slide around, the phone stays put, and enables some cool features, like the ability to turn the screen into a digital photo frame and quick access to the Google Assistant. It is made from 39% recycled materials and is largely eco-friendly packaging. Ours Best wireless charger manual has more options, including original and cheaper Pixel base.
This charging adapter is all you need to recharge your Pixel, no matter what model you have. The latest high-end Pixel phones don’t come with a charger in the box, so if you don’t have a spare USB-C charger you should pick one up. The prongs of this one are foldable so it’s also great for traveling.
These cases are expensive but they have raised bezels and provide good protection around the edges. The buttons are easy to press, and you can choose from several design options for the back, including walnut, leather, bamboo, silver pearl, and aramid fiber. (I love walnuts.) What makes this case special is that it MagSafe support—yes, the magnetic system for Apple accessories. I have used Mous Limitless 5.0 with some success MagSafe Accessoriesjust like the Belkin wireless charger.
This is a dual-layer case—with a soft silicone inner layer and a hard outer shell. The buttons are a bit difficult to press but not too difficult. There’s a slight bump in the camera module and the edges around the display are slightly raised. I don’t think it’s worth the $50, but what makes it worth it is the amount of amazing designs you can choose from.
It’s slim, has a nice texture, retains easy-to-press buttons, and has precise cutouts for ports and speakers. What’s not to love? Well, it’s a bit dull, crushing the Pixel’s unique design, but I still think this case is one of the more attractive cases in Spigen’s lineup. The edges aren’t significantly raised so don’t expect much screen protection. The The Thin Fit case is even dullerbut it does the job.
Want a kickstand to prop your Pixel up? This Spigen case has a built-in kickstand to do the trick, though unfortunately it only works in landscape mode — not great for hands-free TikToks. Its thick backplate offers good protection around the edges, although there isn’t much protrusion, so you’ll still want to pair it with a screen protector.
I used the Pixel Fold case from otter box And spot, but the case I keep coming back to is the official one from Google. The soft silicone is much nicer than the hard plastic on the others, and it doesn’t add bulk. It’s two separate parts and there’s a recess on the side so you can access the buttons and fingerprint sensor.
Casetify is where you’ll want to go if you want your Pixel phone to stand out even more. There are countless designs to choose from, and the Impact case has tough bumpers, grippy edges, and responsive buttons. The edges around the screen are also raised quite high.
I only tested the Grip case with the Pixel 7 Pro, but it has easy-to-press buttons and extremely grippy edges (hence the name). I don’t think I’ve ever felt a more compelling case. It feels strong but quite thin. You can choose an eye-catching design but you will have to apply this “skin” to the back of the case yourself. There’s a lot of room for error here so be careful and Watch Dbrand’s installation video for tips. The Pixel 8 series version of this case adds more MagSafe supportso you can use your Pixel with MagSafe Accessoriesbut I haven’t tried it yet.
The Denali case for the Pixel 8 series has graphene embedded inside, which Zagg claims improves durability. I found graphene does a better job of transferring heat in demanding tasks, so if you regularly push your Pixel to the limit this might be a good case to try, even if it A bit boring in the design department. For older Denali cover models, D30 material (best known for its use in motorcycle transmissions) hardens on impact for better drop protection. The camera bar has raised edges all around and the buttons are easy to press, but the edge protection is a bit fuzzy on the front.
It takes a bit of effort to install this case on the Pixel, but once you do, it’s arguably the best protection you’ll find. There’s an internal two-piece polycarbonate shell that covers the top and bottom of the Pixel, then a thick neoprene cover on top to ensure extreme durability. The buttons are surprisingly clicky, even though the entire phone is thicker, wider, and heavier. It’s made from more than 50% recycled plastic and has a holster you can tuck it into to carry your Pixel with pride on your belt. (The leather case can be used as a stand.)
This is another beautiful clear case for the Pixel series. I like the textured power button, which makes it easy to find when you’re not looking, and the case has spots to attach a lanyard (not included). It’s not as stain-resistant as Ringke claims, but it’s easy to clean.
These are adorable cases with several designs to choose from. I usually just try Cyrill’s Ultracolor cases (available for many types of Pixels) and they are solid. The new styles are fun with easy-to-press buttons, precise cuts, and extra protection around the corners. Each case includes a wrist strap so you can keep your Pixel close at hand.
Our favorite Pixel software features
There are some key features on Pixels that you won’t find on any other Android phone. Some of these features are only available on select Pixels—those powered by Google’s Tensor chip are more capable. Here’s a quick breakdown:
