Your Switch Will Get Scratched Without a Case
The Switch’s screen is plastic, not glass. It scratches from literally anything — keys in the same bag, the dock’s rails, even the Joy-Con rails if you’re not careful. A case is not optional. The question is which kind: a hard shell for travel, a slim cover for daily use, or something in between.
Tomtoc Switch OLED Case — Best Overall
Tomtoc makes the best all-around Switch case. The OLED version fits the Switch OLED specifically (it won’t fit the standard Switch — check which model you have). It has a hard shell exterior, a soft interior with a screen protector flap, 10 game card slots, and a mesh pocket for cables and small accessories. The zipper is smooth and doesn’t catch on the interior lining (a problem with cheaper cases).
It’s compact enough to throw in a backpack but protective enough that you don’t worry about the Switch inside. There’s also a standard Switch version and a Lite version. Around $15-20.
Hermitshell Travel Case — Best Budget
For under $15, the Hermitshell case provides a hard EVA shell, elastic straps to hold the Switch in place, game card storage, and a zip closure. It’s not as refined as the Tomtoc — the interior is simpler and the elastic stretches over time — but it protects the console effectively. Available for all three Switch models. If you’re buying cases for multiple Switches in a household, this is the cost-effective pick.
Mumba Heavy Duty Case — Best for Kids
If your Switch is going to be handled by children, get the Mumba case. It’s a bumper-style case that wraps around the Switch console itself (not a carrying case). The thick TPU bumpers on the corners absorb drops, the built-in stand is more stable than the Switch’s kickstand, and the case doesn’t interfere with dock charging (though it’s too bulky to fit in the dock — you’ll need to remove it for TV mode).
It’s ugly. It adds bulk. It will survive a drop onto concrete. That’s the trade-off, and for kids, it’s the right one.
Orzly Carry Case — Best for Travel
The Orzly case is slightly larger than the Tomtoc, which means it holds more: the Switch, the dock, the power adapter, two Joy-Con grips, and game cards. If you travel with your full Switch setup (not just the tablet), this is the case that fits everything. The interior compartments are well-organized with elastic straps and mesh pockets. The outer shell is semi-hard — not as rigid as a Pelican case, but enough for airline carry-on.
What About Screen Protectors?
Get one regardless of which case you choose. The Switch OLED has a glass screen (finally), but the standard Switch and Lite have plastic screens that scratch easily. Apply a tempered glass protector (for OLED) or a PET film protector (for standard/Lite) before putting the Switch in any case. The case protects the body; the screen protector protects the screen. You need both.