The 10 Best GPS Cases
Editor's Notes
June 15, 2020:
During this round of updates, while many of our previous selections maintained their positions, we did decide on removing the Evecase Sleeve due to availability issues, and replacing the Case Logic MGPS-2 with the Case Logic GPSP-6 Professional — a stylish alternative from the same company. We also removed the Bgjoy Travel Bag — noting that our rankings included similar options like the AmazonBasics RFQ227 that were available for less than half the price, and the Garmin Universal — feeling that a simple sleeve design like that one hardly merited its expensive price. Some of our new additions include the Pelican 1020 Micro Case — a crush-proof model with an IP67 dust and water resistance and a limited lifetime warranty, the Spy Tec M2 — a magnetic model designed for tracking devices that’s still suitable for GPS storage by virtue of its rugged design, and the RiderMount Sunshade — which has a built-in sun visor and can attach directly to the handlebars on your motorcycle.
A few things to think about for this category:
Size: This consideration is a balancing act in this category, as a case that’s too large can be just as frustrating as a case that’s too small. While you want a model that’s sufficiently sized to accommodate your GPS unit and maybe some mounting accessories, every cubic inch in excess of that minimum size is just lost space in your backpack or glove compartment. Ultimately, it’s going to be up to you to decide how much space you need, and pick a case accordingly. While sleek models like the AmazonBasics RFQ227 and Caseling Hard offer adequate space for some, users with more gear to pack are likely to prefer a bigger option like the Co2Crea Hard Shell or Bovke Hard Shell
Protection: While all of our selections should offer protection sufficient to protect your GPS from light bumps during transport or even a small splash, for users gearing up for rugged activity, you might want to be a bit more selective about the option you pick. Basic models like the AmazonBasics RFQ227 and Caseling Hard will help guard against scratches, but you wouldn’t want to depend on them for any heavy-duty usage, especially with hard shell models like the Spy Tec M2 and crushproof Pelican 1020 Micro Case available to you.
The 1020 also outdoes much of the competition when it comes to wetproofing, with an impressive IP67 dust and water resistance that means it can be safely submerged in one meter of water for up to 30 minutes — a feat not as easily achieved by zippered models with water-resistant exteriors, like the iTrek HDCSXL5A and Caseling Hard.
Transportation and Installation: While large models like the Bovke Hard Shell and Khanka Soft Storage include convenient handles that allow users to haul them around like a lunch box, some smaller models like the Case Logic GPSP-6 Professional and Caseling Hard come with useful wrist straps to decrease the likelihood of a drop.
The RiderMount Sunshade is designed to accommodate the GPS unit for your motorcycle, and it comes with a swiveling mount that can be attached directly to your handlebars, while the Spy Tec M2 – which was designed for use with GPS trackers – is equipped with a pair of magnets that make it simple to mount against any smooth metal surface on your boat. The Pelican 1020 Micro Case comes with a carabiner, making it easy to attach to your tool belt or tool bag.