The 8 Best Guitar Cases – The Complete Guide to Cases and Gig Bags

Last Updated: June-12-2018
We gave our chart and article on the best guitar cases a complete overhaul, replacing some older models with some of the most popular cases around. This included adding the super-premium Levy’s Leathers LM18-BLK Gig Bag, the travel-proof Acoustic Flight Case from Gator Cases, and the very affordable Faswin Adjustable Acoustic Gig Bag.

At both ends of the spectrum, if you buy either an expensive guitar or a starter pack, chances are it will arrive with a case, which is essential for both storing and transporting the instrument.

However, the vast majority of guitars do not come with a bag of any sort. Thankfully, buying a case to suit your guitar isn’t as complicated as buying a guitar or an amp. Still, there are plenty of things to consider when purchasing a guitar case – whether that’s a hardshell case or a gig bag for an acoustic or an electric guitar.

To help, we have put together a chart of some of our favorite cases on the market today, in all price ranges, as well as a short guide to finding a great match for your guitar. Let’s get started!

The Top 8 Best Guitar Cases:

Image	Guitar Cases / Rating	Summary	Check Price
+ -	Levy’s Leathers LM18-BLK Deluxe Electric Gig Bag Total of 4.70/5	The height of luxury in a soft leather gig bag!	Amazon
+ -	Fender Deluxe Molded ABS Strat-Tele Cas Total of 4.82/5	The best way to protect and transport any Strat or Tele.	Amazon
+ -	Gator Cases Molded Acoustic Flight Case Total of 4.85/5	This hardshell TSA-approved case offers ultimate acoustic protection.	Amazon
+ -	Music Area WIND20 Waterproof Electric Gig Bag Total of 4.77/5	A stylish gig bag offering protection from the elements.	Amazon
+ -	Gearlux AC107 Tweed Acoustic Hardshell Case Total of 4.75/5	Great vintage style from this hardshell acoustic case.	Amazon
+ -	ChromaCast CC-EHC Electric Hardshell Case Total of 4.72/5	A basic case offering solid protection for any electric guitar.	Amazon
+ -	Ibanez 541 PowerPad Acoustic Gig Bag Total of 4.80/5	One of the best gig bags around – definitely the most stylish!	Amazon
+ -	Faswin Adjustable Acoustic Gig Bag Total of 4.45/5	A cheap and cheerful solution for any guitarist on the move.	Amazon

Types of Guitar Cases

For both acoustic guitars and electric guitars you will usually find both gig bags (soft) and cases (hard). The style you go for will depend on your budget as well as your traveling habits. Let’s take a closer look.

Soft Gig Bags
Gig bags can mean anything from the basic economy textile gig bags you find bundled in with beginner packs right up to premium all-leather soft cases that cost a few hundred dollars.

In general, these softshell cases are the lighter and more affordable option. They also tend to come with backpack straps, which makes them a smart choice for travelling, as it leaves your hands free for other things (maybe carrying an amp).

Unless you are using one of the aforementioned textile gig bags, which are usually nothing more than a plastic sheet, gig bags tend to be pretty well padded and resistant to the elements (some are even fully waterproof), although rarely are they as protective as a hardshell case.

They also offer external pockets, which can hold accessories such as books and magazines, spare strings, capos, cables and even laptops. So, you don’t need to carry a separate backpack, as you can cram all your essentials into one gig bag.

Ultimately, if you find you don’t travel much further than around your city, a gig bag is probably all you need.

Hardshell Cases
As the name suggests, a hardshell case is one with a hard exterior, usually made from plastic, wood or a lightweight metal. These cases are certainly heavier and bulkier than gig bags, but they offer maximum protection to your instrument.

In general, if it is an acoustic hard case, it will tend to be cut to the shape of an acoustic guitar, while hardshell electric cases are traditionally oblong in shape. These cases will also offer accessory pockets, although they are inside the case as opposed to outside pockets.

If you are checking a guitar onto a flight, it is necessary to have one of these hardshell cases as they will keep the guitar securely in place, while offering ample protection from baggage handlers, turbulence and baggage carousels. Some cases will even come with TSA-approved locks, which is a smart addition for modern air travel.

Additionally, hardshell cases triumph when it comes to maintaining proper humidity. Hardshell models are far better at protecting a guitar from atmospheric elements, so – if you have an expensive solid-wood guitar – keeping it in a hardshell case with a good humidifier will do wonders for keeping it in optimum condition.

What to Look Out for When Buying a Guitar Case

The main purpose of a case is to protect the guitar when in transit or storage, so the main thing you should look for is how much padding it offers. Thankfully, unless you are buying a basic economy bag, most cases will come with at least 10 to 15mm of padding, which is ample to protect the guitar from minor bumps and knocks. However, unless the case features a hard shell, this padding probably won’t protect it from big falls.

The outer material is equally as important, especially when determining whether or not it is waterproof. Most cases and gig bags will at least be water resistant, so if you are caught in a sudden shower your guitar won’t be damaged. But hardshell cases made of plastic or a vinyl-covered material offer the best protection from the elements.

You will also want to ensure the case is well made, with strong handles and/or straps. There is no point in having a decent, waterproof bag if it is likely to drop off your back because the straps weren’t sown on strongly enough!

Make sure that the instrument sits snugly inside the case. With some cases – especially soft gig bags – there is usually a little wiggle room, but you don’t want too much, otherwise the guitar will move around and become vulnerable to damage. Therefore, a strap to hold the neck in place inside the case is always a good addition.

As we mentioned earlier, most cases will have at least one large pocket. Look for a case that will accommodate all your accessories, including cables, maintenance tools, plectrums, a tuner, a capo, batteries, a metronome and a strap. You can also find some cases with multiple pockets, including an easy-access pocket for a smartphone/wallet, which is always handy.

Finally, if you are buying a hard case in particular, make sure it will fit your guitar. Whereas gig bags tend to be more universal, hardshell cases mostly fit a specific size or shape. So, if you have a Les Paul, you will probably need a different hard case to your pal who owns a Strat. Of course, there are some universal hardshell cases, but be sure to do your research before buying!

What to Spend on a Case

Now you know what to look out for, how much should you actually spend on a guitar case?

As we have seen, a very good padded gig bag can be picked up for under $20, a decent hardshell case can be found for around $50, while higher-end cases can reach up to $300 plus.

While the final amount you spend will be largely down to your budget, you should look at the case in relation to what you have spent on the guitar. If you have just bought your first guitar for under $200, chances are a $20 case will suit it just fine.

However, if you have just splurged $5,000 on a high-end masterpiece, you would be sensible to invest another few hundred on a good case to help protect it from the elements and damage while travelling or in storage.

The Final Word

While buying a case isn’t a risky purchase, it is still worth spending some time reading reviews and – if possible – trying out the case for yourself to ensure it fits your instrument and offers you the features you need from a bag. We hope you have enjoyed this article and have been inspired by the awesome models in our chart – maybe even found your perfect match!