Enter the MagSafe Accessory World
I have been testing MagSafe accessories for years, and you should totally take advantage of the vast ecosystem with your new Pixel. Whether you want a magnetic wallet or phone tripod, we have plenty of WIRED-tested recommendations in our guides. Most of them should work without fail on the Pixel 10 series. Here they are:
Other Screen Protectors to Consider
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Zagg Glass Elite, Glass Elite Privacy, and XTR4 for $60: I have tested these screen protectors from Zagg on the Pixel 10. Zagg has a new streamlined installation process that’s very easy to apply; my application was perfect. The Glass Elite uses aluminosilicate glass that isn’t too thick nor terribly thin, and the edges are rounded so they don’t feel sharp. (They don’t quite extend all the way past the bezels.) I don’t love the notch for the selfie camera because it stands out quite a bit. The Glass Elite Privacy is a two-way privacy screen protector, meaning folks on either side of you on a train can’t see what you’re looking at (though someone standing above you can). Text can look a bit fuzzy if you look closely with this protector, and you take a small hit to overall screen brightness, but it’s an otherwise solid option. Finally, the XTR4 covers more of the display, uses a stronger tempered glass, and strips away blue light (though whether that’s really helpful isn’t set in stone). Sadly, for all of these, you only get one in the box.
Spigen GlasTR EZ Fit Tempered Glass Screen Protector for $20 (2 Pack): This is the best bang for your buck when it comes to screen protection. Spigen gives you two in the box, and its application tool makes it impossible to make a mistake when installing the tempered glass protector. There’s even a squeegee tool to push out air bubbles. All that for $20.
UAG Glass Shield Screen Protector for $40: UAG includes the usual wet wipe, dust removal sticker, and microfiber cloth, and there’s a plastic shell you place on top of your Pixel to use as a guide when applying the tempered glass screen protector. It’s not the easiest method I’ve tried, as there’s room for some error (and potential to get grime or a smudge on the underside as you apply), but it was fairly quick and painless, and the air bubbles disappeared quickly.
Zagg Glass Elite Camera Lens Protector for $20: Usually, I don’t think you need to worry about covering up the glass of the camera module, but anecdotally, Pixel phones tend to see more scratches here than other devices. May as well cover it up! This Zagg one does the job, though be careful with the application. Mine is slightly askew because the application tool is bigger than it needs to be. Get it right, and it should keep your lenses looking pristine.
Other Cases We Like
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Bellroy Pixelsnap Leather Pixel Folio for $75: A serviceable folio case for the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, this case spruces up your folding phone with leather in various colors. There’s a slot on the inside of the flap that lets you store a credit card or two, and the flap magnetically sticks to the front edges of the Fold to stay shut. It’s an elegant look, but the bend when you flip the folio open is a bit too thick and makes holding the phone feel a bit wobbly. Using it with the phone fully open isn’t too bad, but the whole thing doesn’t feel that protective.
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Casetify Impact Magnetic Case for $52: Casetify still leaves a bad taste in my mouth after it was caught stealing artwork from Dbrand and JerryRigsEverything. Its cases are still solid, with a thick and grippy bumper and clicky buttons. It is one of the few places that offer an insane amount of design options for Pixel phones (if you can trust they weren’t stolen).
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Casetify Pixel 10 Pro Fold Impact Magnetic Case for $60: This case is more protective than the Bellroy above, but the lip around the screen is a little too thick for my taste. It makes it hard to swipe in from the edges of the screen. If you don’t mind that, then you’ll appreciate that Casetify doesn’t use adhesives all over the case, but only in one spot (it provides extra stickers in the box if it comes off). It’s one of the only folding case options with dozens of fun designs to choose from. The $60 price is cheaper than many of its peers, and there’s a magnet for Pixelsnap wireless charging. It’s a shame the clear version Casetify sent me attracts so much dust and lint.
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Zagg Crystal Palace Lite for $30 and Crystal Palace Snap for $49: A super-simple, no-frills clear case, this Zagg option will do the job. There are two versions of the case. If you don’t care about the Qi2 magnetic function of your Pixel, go for the Lite, as it doesn’t have magnets baked into the case. (No Qi2 magnetic accessories will stick to it.) I’m not sure why you’d want to kill that functionality, especially since you can get magnetic cases for less than $20. Alternatively, you can buy the Crystal Palace Snap, which adds the classic magnetic ring on the back. It also has textured edges for better grip. Either way you go, the buttons are responsive, the edges are nicely raised over the screen, and the clear back shows off your Pixel’s color. I still think Dbrand’s Ghost Case 2.0 is the better clear case, because the Snap seems to pick up scuffs easily.
Zagg Rainier Snap Magnetic Case for $70: Also available for the Pixel 10 Pro XL, this rugged case has two pieces. Plop your Pixel into the thick back piece, and snap the front polycarbonate frame over it. It feels very rugged and protective without adding too much bulk, but the design leaves a lot to be desired. (Just a bit too tactical for me.) There’s a sizable lip over the screen for great glass protection, even if it means swiping in from the edges is a bit trickier. The buttons are responsive, but require a tiny bit more force to press. At least there are built-in magnets, so you can take advantage of Qi2.
Mous Clarity Pixelsnap Case for $70: This is my second-favorite clear case after Dbrand’s Ghost 2.0. There’s a thick bumper around the phone to absorb impacts, a solid magnetic connection, and a nice lip around the screen to keep it off the ground. The buttons are clicky, too.
OtterBox Symmetry Clear Pixelsnap Case for $60: This is a nice, clear case that’s also Pixelsnap-certified. The cutouts are accurate, the edges are slightly raised over the screen, and it offers a decent grip. If you prefer a completely clear case without a separate bumper, this will satisfy.
Spigen Parallax, Nano Pop, and Liquid Air Pixelsnap Cases for $19: I’ve tried several Spigen cases, and the Rugged Armor is my favorite this year (see above). These other options have different designs, but they’re solid cases for the money. I found the Parallax slippery, and the sides also felt a bit cheap. The Nano Pop had a decently grippy texture on the edges, but the Liquid Air is one of my favorite Spigen designs. The buttons are just a little stiffer than I’d like. These are minor nitpicks, though. They’re great cases for under $20, especially considering they’re all Made for Google–certified.
UAG Pathfinder Pixelsnap Case for $60: Someone probably likes how this case looks. That person is not me, but clearly, there’s a market for this styling. If you fall in that camp, there’s not much to complain about the Pathfinder, except I found the buttons slightly stiffer than usual. It checks off all the other boxes, with a raised lip over the screen, but I just don’t find it that attractive (sorry).
Burga Tough Case for $50: This is one of the few nonmagnetic cases I’ve tested for the Pixel 10 series. Burga doesn’t have its Pixel 10 cases listed on the website yet, but says it plans to add them soon. If you absolutely don’t care for Qi2 and magnets in these phones, this is a perfectly fine case, and Burga has tons of designs you can choose from. The exterior is a hard plastic shell, but the phone is wrapped in a soft rubbery shell that absorbs impacts. The buttons are fairly clicky—not the most responsive—and there’s a solid lip around the screen.
Poetic Guardian and Poetic Revolution Case for $25: Poetic sent me two of its cases to test for the Pixel 10 series. One thing to note is that Poetic includes a screen protector that embeds itself into the case, like old-school cases that offered full protection. Unfortunately, the screen protector quality is really not great (there’s a visible circle cutout for the fingerprint sensor, and it looks jarring. Sliding your finger on it just doesn’t feel great. You can thankfully opt not to use it; use the plastic frame that comes in the box instead. The Revolution doesn’t have any magnets but has a built-in kickstand and a cover that can completely protect your cameras; I find this a little extreme, so I don’t care for it. It also, in my humble opinion, looks hideous. The Guardian looks much better, with a thick bumper, raised edges, and a covered port. The buttons are a little stiff, but at least it has built-in magnets for Qi2 (not certified).
Avoid These Cases
Photograph: Julian Chokkattu
Peak Design Gnar Case for $60: I have historically liked Peak Design’s cases, but that hasn’t been true with the new Gnar case for the iPhone 17 range and the Pixel 10. The edges of the phone feel way too slippery, and they also push in a little too much into the front screen, which disrupts my screen protector and creates a small air bubble. The lip around the display is also very lackluster, and I find it a little too hard to pull out the flap that protects the USB-C charging port. I don’t love the two-tone material choice on the back; it feels cheap and dull. The SlimLink square adds an extra layer of security for the Pixelsnap magnetic attachment, but you’ll have to pair it with relevant SlimLink docks and mounts to get the most out of it. I think you should just stick with the Everyday Case if you want to make use of Peak Design’s mounts.
