The Moto Z and the Moto Z Force are two of the most powerful smartphones Lenovo has ever released. Each comes with a gorgeous HD display and powerful cameras, not to mention a hefty price tag. Naturally, you’ll want to outfit your smartphone with as much protection as possible, thus allowing you to avoid spending time and money on a replacement or repair should things go awry and your phone gets damaged. Even worse would be having to live with said damage, which could greatly impact your phone’s performance and functionality.
Thankfully, there are plenty of options that can provide your smartphone with as much defense as possible. We’ve found 15 Moto Z cases we can’t recommend enough, each of which is also available for the Moto Z Force. Be it a slim case, a wallet-style case, a rugged case, or one that adds more battery life to your device, there’s something in our lineup for everyone.
OtterBox Defender Series Case ($32+)
When it comes to cases that provide style and, more importantly, protection, you can’t go wrong with OtterBox. The Defender Series Case doesn’t disappoint, as it will defend your Moto Z Force from drops, scratches, and dust. It has an outer layer to take on drops, as well as a two-piece internal shell that provides additional padding, and tabs that cover the ports and speakers. If that wasn’t enough, the case also comes with a built-in screen protector to guard the device’s ShatterShield display, and even a clip-on belt holster to keep your phone close by and easy to grab. Lastly, if you’re worried about anything going wrong with your case, don’t; take comfort in knowing that it’s backed by Otterbox’s 1-year warranty.
Case-Mate Tough Stand ($35)
If you want something a little thinner than an OtterBox, but still desire almost the same level of protection, look no further than Case-Mate’s Tough Case. It’s a lightweight case that has a smoother finish to make it a joy to hold. It features a slim, dual-layer design, but it’s all one piece that’ll give your Moto Z protection from any and all drops that don’t involve the screen. And if you like watching videos on your device, there’s a kickstand built into the back, and metallic chrome buttons to ensure you don’t lose sight of them in this all black case.
Verizon Shell Holster Combo ($30)
Fans of cases that use holsters for portability should be pleased with the Shell Holster case from Verizon. It won’t be as protective as other cases on this list, but it’ll get the job done well enough when it comes to minor drops and scrapes. The case is made of rubber and plastic, and features a crisscross pattern on the back to add extra grip, thereby decreasing the frequency with which you’ll drop your Moto Z Force. The belt-clip can be rotated 180 degrees to suit your positioning preference, and when the time comes to take your phone out of the holster and sit it on a table, you can use the kickstand to keep it from falling over.
LK Leather Wallet Case ($10)
Wallet cases will always be there for smartphones as long as the world needs wallets, and LK’s leather wallet case for the Moto Z Force has every essential feature you’d expect from one of these. It completely covers the device when it’s placed inside the case and closed, with the magnetic strap ensuring the case stays closed while you’re on the move. As with other wallet style cases, it also has slots for credit cards, IDs, and a pouch for physical money, all of which is made using PU leather, meaning it looks and feels as great, as you’d expect. Best of all, there are precise cutouts, so you’ll never need to remove the case to interact with the various ports, speakers, and camera.
Incipio offGRID Power Pack ($60+)
If you’re more concerned about battery life than protection against the outside world, Incipio has a product that’s perfect for you, albeit a little pricey. The company’s offGRID Power Pack is exactly as it sounds: it’s a phone case that charges your phone, ultimately providing your Moto Z or Moto Z Force with an additional 20 hours of battery life. It’s a Moto Mod that easily snaps on to your device, and still allows for normal use of your Moto Z, it just adds a little bulk. It also has an efficiency mode that can be enabled, which will prompt the battery pack to charge your phone automatically, but only when the internal battery is below 80 percent. It won’t boost protection, but it certainly boosts power.
i-Blason Transformer Dual Layer Holster Case ($15)
The i-Blason dual layer case is all about protection, and it certainly looks the part. The sides of the outer bumper, as well as the pattern on the back of the case, add more grip to your Moto Z in order to keep it from slipping from your hand during everyday use. The case also comes with a holster it can clip and lock into, holding it in place while you move around. In the event that it does fall and impact a hard surface, the equally hard exterior of the case and cushioned inner corners will take much of the damage. If the phone ends up face down, the edges surrounding the phone’s display are slightly raised to keep the screen from shattering. Lastly, like many other cases, this one also comes with a built-in kickstand for hands-free video viewing, as well as cutouts for easy access to the ports, camera and speakers.
Cimo Clear Bumper Case ($10)
A clear case like this one from Cimo is all you need if you simply want basic protection without covering up the look and design of your Moto Z. It’s a light and flexible TPU case, meaning it’s easy to slip on and off, but durable enough to take on the typical drops, bumps, and scrapes you’ll experience through everyday use. Raised edges will keep the screen away from surfaces when face down, and despite being a clear plastic, it adds just enough grip to keep your phone from sliding away from you. And because it’s so thin and has cutouts for everything you need access to, you’ll come close to forgetting there’s even a case installed, and you’ll never need to take it off to charge your smartphone or plug in headphones.
NageBee Wallet Pouch Case ($10)
Here we have yet another leather wallet case, but unlike the LK case above for the Moto Z Force, this one is made specifically for the Moto Z. That being said, it still does everything its LK counterpart does, from the slots and pouches for cards and money, to completely covering your phone. It also has a magnetic closing (although without the strap). If anything should go wrong with this case, such as the magnetic closure not working, NageBee backs this product with a 7-day money back guarantee on top of a 30-day warranty.
Speck CandyShell Grip Case ($40)
The CandyShell Grip case from Speck is largely focused on additional grip, but it doesn’t forget to protect the Moto Z in the areas where it counts. From a quick glance at the back of the case, you can clearly see the rubber striped pattern that’ll give you a better grasp on your smartphone, as well as the covered buttons that don’t impede their functionality. The rest of the phone’s outer shell is sleek and smooth to the touch, so it won’t feel like you’re holding a bulky and jagged product. The interior, meanwhile, is softer and features the same rubberized materials as the back pattern, but also has reinforced corners, allowing it to take a beating when dropped at an angle, but without the phone inside separating from it. It’s a bit of a steep price for Speck’s CandyShell, but it’ll do the job; if it doesn’t, it’s backed by both a 1-year warranty and a 30-Day “unconditional” guarantee.
Oeago Hybrid Dual Layer Case ($5)
Oeago’s case for the Moto Z and Moto Z Force comes in two pieces: a silicone inner bumper, and a hard outer shell made out of TPU and Polycarbonate. Combined, the pair add everything you could ask for from a protective case, including better grip, shock absorption, covered buttons, and access to all ports, speakers and the camera. It’s a snap-on case that’s easy to apply, and once it’s on, it’s pretty unlikely to ever come off after impact, regardless of how impressive a fall it was.
Spigen Ultra Hybrid Case ($20)
Spigen’s Ultra Hybrid case is a clear case meant for those that hate covering up their Moto Z Force, but still want to protect it from harm. The TPU and polycarbonate case will do well when it comes to protecting the phone’s back, camera, and sides, and has raised edges surrounding the display and air cushioned corners to deal with falls. To go even further to maintain the phone’s appearance, the case is also equipped to prevent yellowing. Provided it isn’t dropped in mud, or some other substance, the clear, transparent case you start with should be the clear, transparent case you end with.
Zizo Bolt Series Case ($18)
The two biggest assets of Zizo’s case are the included screen protector, and its holster belt clip. Both can be seen as essential to those with Moto Z phones that are often in phone-unfriendly areas, or are constantly on the move. The case is designed to protect your phone as much as it can, as supported by its dual-layer design, shock absorption and impact resistance capabilities. If that wasn’t enough, it’s backed by a Military Grade 810.1-G Certification, meaning it’s been put through the necessary tests. It also has a built-in kickstand, if you ever want to view something, but don’t want to hold your device.
Poetic Revolution X-form Case ($15)
Poetic’s case covers the entire phone, from the screen, to the various buttons and ports. It has a built-in screen protector that doubles as a front cover, which is also resistant to a small amount of water. The sides of the case, as hinted at earlier, have button covers and side grips to keep you from dropping your phone, and also boast reinforced corners to defend against the inevitable drop. The TPU materials used to make the case prevent scratches blemishing its surface, while shock absorption and impact resistance will ensure your phone is never affected by danger from the outside. The Poetic Revolution X-form case is thin, lightweight and incredibly cheap consider everything it’s offering.
Style4U Bling Hybrid Armor Case ($10)
If you want a case that will draw attention and, potentially, start a conversation, Style4U has just the case for you. The company’s name gives it all away, and every case they have to offer supports your expectations. Style4U’s cases are colorful, flashy, and feature unique designs, but don’t forget to protect your phone, albeit in the usual areas all other cases also protect. This case has shock absorption and can take on minor drops as a result of its polycarbonate shell and silicone inner bumper, but maybe don’t test it for yourself by dropping it over and over. Basically, it’s a case that’s all about style, but doesn’t forget it’s meant to keep your phone safe.
Ghostek Covert Protective Bumper Case ($13)
Here’s another clear case that will maintain the appearance of your phone, but goes a step beyond when it comes to protecting one part of it; specifically, the corners. They’re the main things you’ll notice, since they’re a bit larger than the reinforced corners found on some other cases. There are spring cushions to provide a little extra shock absorption, because if you ever drop your phone onto a hard surface it’s most likely to land on one of the corners. There are cutouts for the camera, ports, and speakers, but covers for the side buttons that make them even easier to feel. Despite the larger corners, the case doesn’t add much more to the overall size of the phone, though it does make slight changes to its appearance, thanks to the hexagonal pattern on the back. It also comes with an “explosion proof” screen protector, but we doubt you will ever need to put that particular aspect to the test.
