The Pixel 7 may fit almost perfectly in your hands, but to keep a good grip on it, you'll want one of these cases.

Just as the Google Pixel 7 is a series of small refinements after last year's overwhelming overhaul, Pixel 7 cases needed very few improvements over its Pixel 6 predecessors. After adapting to last year's Cylon of a camera bar, these cases better know how to handle and minimize that thickness into more robust air cushioning or a more textured profile.

From the heaviest of heavy-duty cases to the lightest, cleared cases to show off that lovely lemongrass color, these are the best Pixel 7 cases you can buy right now.

We've seen Midnight Green Liquid Air models for the Pixel 6a and the Galaxy S22 series this year; finally, Pixel 7 owners are getting Spigen's best case in glorious Navy Blue! The triangular pattern here feels soft while still providing good purchase for your fingers or palm, while air cushioning inside keeps everything safe and shatter-free after smaller drops and dings.

Bellroy has long been a lifeline for Pixels when it comes to premium cases, and it's brought more colors than ever to the Pixel 7. Not only are we getting the same Terracotta brown and Black versions that we've always relied upon, but we're getting two shades of green and a just darling Blue Daze to give your Pixel 7 some much-needed color. Microfiber-lined, this leather wraparound case will age gracefully over the long life of your Pixel 7.

This Pixel 7 case's mesmerizing rear texture may be famous, but the bumper texture is far more alluring. Wide, well-refined grip pads across the sides of this phone have finally achieved goldilocks status: they're not so tight that they feel abrasive, and they're not too subtle to provide ample grip. Color selection is a bit varied this year, but the early favorites are the Burgundy and an Ash Gray that should give the Lemongrass Pixel 7 a more Hazel appeal.

While beefy, macho cases may be the norm, one of the last decade's most dependable drop-resistant case series is the i-Blason Cosmo Series. Drop tested up to 10 feet, these dual-layer cases come in three classic marbled colorways at launch, and more designs are in the works, like the Butterfly design its Pixel 6a case got. I'm partial to the purple, but Pink Marble is the tried and true classic and the gold of the Ocean Marble plays well with the Lemongrass's gold frame.

Pela's the first and best name in sustainable Pixel 7 cases. These 100% compostable covers are made with ethically sourced natural materials like flax fiber and plant-based biopolymers, resulting in a case that's not just great for protecting your phone — drop tested over 10 feet — but for reducing plastic waste and carbon emissions. That's part of why Pela's prices are so high, but these super-soft cases are worth every penny. There's also a wide variety of colors and patterns to choose from.

If you and your clumsy fingers need more security for your precious Pixel 7, Incipio's Duo offers up to 12-foot impact resistance. Staying subtle and relatively slim — unlike the macho tanks that dominate this category — the Duo still feels as solid and sturdy in the hand while being easy to hold for longer periods. Available in black or red, this Pixel 7 case will keep you covered for years to come.

Tudia's Merge Series is back to its classic design after experimenting with a new design for its Pixel 6a offerings, and we're happy for the return to form. Now available in six colors — including the classic Rose Gold and a newer Hunter Green — this case may be old-school, but it gets the job done without any muss, fuss, or fractured glass.

Folio wallet cases are classic, but they also get in the way in a few annoying ways, which is why VFS Design gives us something more durable and dependable with its Pixel 7 case. This card slot case uses stainless steel covers for its slide mechanisms to avoid wear and damage that plastic-only CS cases endure, and not only is the card cover covered in a non-slip texture for easy grip, it also sports a kickstand that you can use upright for video calls or TikTok or horizontally for games and Netflix.

Dbrand may be considered by many a skin company, but the beauty of its Grip case is that it's capable of being both. With a low-profile, hard plastic exterior with ridged edges that make it easy to, well, grip, your Pixel 7, there's something to be said for paying a premium for a product as good as this. The Pixel 7's metallic camera bar may be less prone to breaking than its predecessors, the extra thickness you get from the Grip case makes for a more durable, less wobbly phone.

If you're getting the Lemongrass colorway, a clear Pixel 7 case is the only way to go. Ringke's Fusion series isn't as rugged or intrusive as the Fusion-X, but it gives us more structure and better showcases the Pixel 7's design than Spigen's Ultra Hybrid or Google's first-party cases. While I prefer Matte Clear for a less smudge-prone look, this crystal Clear version will better display your phone's design.

While the Pixel 7 isn't as ginormous as the Pro, it can still be a pain to hold it up the whole time you're on a video call or watching a video. Kickstand cases like the Poetic Revolution give your hands a break while better utilizing the space already required for a robust rugged Pixel 7 case. Dust flaps at the bottom of the case will also keep debris out of your USB-C port if you do a lot of yard work with your phone in your pocket.

Using a very similar design to the Poetic Neon that we adored so much for the Galaxy S22, this Pixel 7 case is a simple dual-layer case that comes in 7 two-tone color combos. Designed to add ample guards around the camera bar and the screen to help you avoid shatters and scratches, RMCOR also goes one step further by bundling a tempered glass screen protector and camera lens protector in the box with the case.

Teloxy's clear case aims to keep your Pixel 7 as slim as it can while still adding grip and scratch protection. The lip provides around the screen, and the camera bar is as slim as the rest of the case. It's still enough to help your phone avoid scuffs and avoid bulking up your phone in your pocket. Despite the minimal design, you can still easily see the air-cushioned corners for a little impact resistance.

If the Parallax is too busy in the design department, the Nano Pop is the exact opposite: a simple, solid case with a two-tone color scheme and invisible grip pads across the sides. The Avo Green is Caseology's color scheme of the year, pairing excellently with the matte gold frame of the Lemongrass Pixel 7. This is the case I wear most often on my own phone, as it's smooth enough to get in and out of my pocket quickly but still grippy enough that I never worry about dropping it.

When your phone is already as big as the Pixel 7 and can already hold your digital wallet, adding your physical one to it just makes sense. This vegan leather folio has three card slots alongside the normal cash flap, plus grommeted anchor points for a phone strap at the top and bottom of the hinge for a little added prop protection. The triangular pattern across the front of the folio looks sharp without being too flashy, and the six colors all look well-dyed.

There are legions of cases out there, but your Google Pixel 7 can only wear one at a time. While the instinct to show off your shiny new flagship is strong, I recommend you fight it — at least until you can get a Pixel 7 screen protector installed to protect that 6.3-inch screen. Slimmer clear cases like the Ringke Fusion and Teloxy allow you to showcase that oh-so-interesting Lemongrass colorway, but they also can't have as robust air cushioning or impact resistance without obscuring the design. That's why brands with robust clear cases add gel inserts on the inside (like Ghostek) or outside (like Casetify) of their cases to get the kinetic absorption they need.

If you don't need much protection, that's fine, but most of us do because Murphy's Law is especially cruel to technology; all it takes is one bad bounce. The Incipio Duo and i-Blason Cosmo Series are drop tested to over 10 feet, meaning they should be able to withstand a couple of drops whether you drop them from chest height, head height, or (potentially) even off your second-floor balcony. Incipio aims not to draw the eye with its more subdued Duo design, but i-Blason is all about catching eyes with the Cosmo Series' swirly marble mosaics. You also get the benefit of a built-in screen protector with the Cosmo.

If you don't want bulk but still want a little cushioning, Spigen's Liquid Air and Caseology's Parallax offer that up in spades. I prefer the Parallax for the extra grip across the sides, but the Liquid Air essentially erases the Pixel 7's camera bump, making it a sleeker, smoother experience while still being easy to grip.

If you're looking for a great Pixel 7 Pro case, we have options for you, too.

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.