Top 9 Best-Selling Violin Hard Cases: 

Pros & Cons List

 
We recently came across an article on the best selling violin cases where we saw the best 
violin cases ranging between $150 to $1000, and we asked ourselves...​what? 

How can there be such a wide-range in price on the best-selling cases? If a $150 case is as 
good as a $1000 case, can we just get the $150 case and call it a day? ​Sure we can!  

But we’d probably end up pretty disappointed and looking through the return policies. 

Now we’re not suggesting everybody to go buy $1000 violin cases. But we want to make 
sure that we create an article about ​the best violin cases within different budgets​. AND ​the 
pros and cons​ of each case. 

Yes, a $1000 case is most likely better than a $150 case. BUT if your budget is $250, ​what is 
the best violin case you can get based on your needs. 

 
For example, a $299 ​Bobelock violin case​ is as protective and durable as some $800 violin 
cases. But it’s also twice as heavy. 

However, to a violinist who is more budget conscious, and doesn’t mind the extra 3-4 lb, a 
Bobelock violin case would be an ideal case for him. 

This is why we have created a short list of the ​best selling violin cases based on 3 different 
budget categories. 

But before we get to that list, let’s first dive into the qualities of a violin case that makes it a 
great violin case. 

What Are The Qualities Of A Great Violin 

Case? 
1. Lightweight 

2. Protective 

3. Durable 

4. Functional 

5. Stylish 

Lightweight 
What is lightweight for a violin case? Any case under 5 lb. If it gets under 4.4 lb, that’s 
impressive. 
 
Weight is probably the biggest factor when it comes to determining the price of a case. For 
many of the top case brands in the world, such as​ ​Bam violin cases​ or ​Gewa violin cases​, the 
goal is to engineer the most durable and protective cases without sacrificing weight.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
This is not easy! Which is why the engineering and manufacturing process of these 
lightweight cases can be pricey.  
 

Protective 
Great protection is a must.​ Why spend money on an un-protective case? Protection is 
determined by the type of material used, and the brand behind the case. 
 
Did you know a $100 plywood violin case is often times more protective than a $150 
fiberglass case? That’s because cheaper processes are used to keep the cost of a fiberglass 
case below $150. 
 
A company can be using paper thin fiberglass and still call it a fiberglass violin case. Which 
is ​why the brand that ensures the quality of their fiberglass cases is a really important 
factor. 
 
Check out our post on ​fiberglass violin cases​ to learn more. 

 
Durable 
A durable violin case ​can last you for decades​, making it a worthy investment. 
 
The biggest issue we see with durability is not the case, but all the small components that 
are on the case. 
 
A great case with cheap plastic zippers will still need to be completely replaced if those 
zippers wear out within the first year. 
 
Again, the ​brand determines the quality of workmanship and materials used to build the 
case. 
 

Functional 
This is where things get personal. Now every violinist obviously wants a light, durable, and 
protective case. But functionality can vary from one violinist to the next. 
 
Here’s a list of some of the functionalities a case can have? 
 
1. Spacious accessory pocket​ - often times for larger shoulder rests, tuners, cleaners, 
etc. You’ll usually find these with ​oblong violin cases​. 

2. Zippered music pouches​ - some cases have full-zippered pouches on top of the 
case for sheet music. Some of the more modern cases have smaller sheet music 
pouches on the backside. 

3. Combination locks or key locks​ - Some cases feature number locks instead of key 
locks. This is good for musicians who want to lock up their cases and not have to 
worry about forgetting their keys. 

4. Hygrometers​ - You’ll generally find these with more traditional wooden cases. If the 
case doesn’t have a hygrometer, no worries. Digital hygrometers are fairly easy to 
find. Here’s an article that goes into further detail on​ ​violin case hygrometers​. 

5. Zippers or clasps​ - You’ll generally find zippers on traditional wooden cases, and 
clasps on more modern cases. 

6. Removable accessory pouches​ - This feature has been growing in popularity. The 
pouch is usually secured to the case by velcro. Which means you can take the whole 
pouch out of your case and bring it with you to your music stand, keeping all your 
 accessories in one place. This is very useful for orchestral musicians who do not 
want to run back and forth between their stand and their case for accessories. 
 

Stylish 
 
This is what makes a violin case stand out! Some violinists will prefer the look of a genuine 
leather violin case over the standard black canvas cases that can get lost in a sea of black 
cases. 

 
 
Now that we understand the aspects of a great violin case, let’s dive into some of the 
reasons that people need a new violin case.
 
 

The Reasons Violinists Need A New Case 

For Travel 
 
This is one of the most common answers we get. Traveling musicians ​need a case that’ll 
meet airline regulations​, and able to withstand the harsh temperature changes that can 
happen during travels. 
Violinists generally go for slim ​contoured violin cases​ that don’t attract too much attention 
when it comes to boarding a plane. ​The last thing we want is to check-in our violin cases 
under the plane. 
 
Check out our post on the ​top violin cases for travel​. 
 

Light & Easy On The Shoulders 

 
Violin cases can get pretty heavy. And over time, they can really start weighing down on the 
shoulders. 

This can​ be a problem for young students if they’re used to carrying heavy cases.​ This can 
put a lot of stress on one side of the body, causing issues with posture over time. 

This is when violinists will prioritize weight over protection. 

It’s A Gift! 
We actually sell quite a lot of cases during Christmas. Family members know how 
passionate their loved ones are for music. 
 
A case is a great gift because it’s something that violinists will definitely love.​ It’s 
personal, it’s something that can be used everyday, and it’s usually a luxury that student 
violinists won’t think of getting for themselves. 
 
People who buy cases as a gift generally go for something nicer, a little more stylish. 
 
 A case that’ll make the violinist go “wow” when they open the box. 
 

 
 

Old Case Is Falling Apart 

And last but not least, sometimes a violinist​ needs a new case because their old one is 
simply falling apart. 
 
For these violinists, we generally recommend thinking of everything that was wrong with 
the old case, and ​what you would want different in your new case. 
 
Was the old case too heavy? Were the zippers too flimsy, and possibly the reason why you 
need a new case? 
 
Or did you simply get a nicer violin that deserves a nicer case? 

Finding Your Ideal Violin Case 

Now that we understand the aspects of a great violin case and some of the top reasons for 
buying a new violin case, it’s time to consider your ideal violin case that will fit your budget 
and your needs. 
 
 
At Great Violin Cases, whenever someone asks us to recommend a violin case for them, the 
first question we always ask is - ​what is your budget?  
 
And this is how we have structured our list of top-selling cases. 
Best Selling Violin Cases Based On Budget 
We have broken down our best violin cases into 3 budget categories: 
 
1. Violin cases over $500 
2. Violin cases between $250 - $500 
3. Violin cases under $250. 
 
Keep in mind that we’re recommending the best violin case we can find within each budget 
category. 
 
We’re not suggesting that a $250 case is as good as an $800 case simply because it sells 
more and has higher reviews. 
 
In general, cheaper cases will sell more because there are more students than 
professionals. 
 
The $250 case may be more suitable for the large majority of young students, but it will 
definitely not be ideal for a professional violinist traveling the world. 
 
 
Best-Selling Violin Cases Over $500 

Gewa Air 2.1 Oblong Violin Cases 

Price: starting at $588, weight: 4.4 lb. 

Pros 

● Less than 4.5 lb. Very light for an oblong case. Easy to carry. 
 ● Thermoplastic shells. This is Gewa’s success of engineering an extremely protective, 
durable, and lightweight case using more affordable materials compared to carbon 
fiber. ​Probably the best oblong violin case you will find under $600! 

● Spacious. Can fit any size shoulder rest. 

● Lots of colors to choose from. 

● Attached sheet music pouch on the backside. 

● Comes with 2 neoprene backpack straps. More comfort on the shoulders. 

● More heat-resistant. Thermoplastic shells do not absorb heat like carbon fiber cases 
do. 

● Gewa’s patented swivel bow holders. These bow holders are very durable. You don’t 
have to worry about your bow falling on your violin because of loose bow holders. 

Cons 

● Oblong cases in general aren’t as ideal for traveling musicians. Especially for 
musicians traveling on budget airlines with strict carry-on regulations. However, you 
can checkout the ​Gewa Air 1.7 contoured violin cases​. 

● No hygrometer. We also notice that almost all modern cases do not have 
hygrometers. 

● No case covers. Which can be useful in really cold climates. 

Bam Hightech Contoured Violin Cases 

Price: starting at $576, weight: 3.5-3.9 lb. 

Pros 

● Less than 4 lb. Very light. Easy to carry. 

● Comes with 2 neoprene backpack straps. More comfort on the shoulders. 

● Compact. Great for traveling musicians. 

● Lots of styles and colors to choose from. 

● Hightech hard shells. Incredibly protective and durable. As protective as carbon fiber. 

● More heat-resistant. Hightech shells do not absorb heat like carbon fiber cases do. 

● Bam case cover​ options. A great addition for violinists in cold climates. 

● Patented interior foam core. Basically a hard foam that serves as a suspension 
system. The suspension “suspends” your violin, so that the instrument doesn’t touch 
the case. If you dropped the case, the violin will not feel the impact.  

Cons 

● It’s compact. There’s no space for larger shoulder rests, such as a Bon Musica 
shoulder rest. 

● No space for sheet music. This is true for almost all contoured violin cases. 

● It’s not scratch-proof. These cases can still scratch. Which is why Bam came out with 
their polycarbonate scratch-resistant​ ​L’opera violin cases​, and rubber-layered ​Bam 
Panther violin cases​. 
 

Negri Venezia Oblong Violin Cases 

​Price: starting at $796, weight: 6.4 lb. 

 
Pros 

● Beautiful traditional wooden violin case. 

● The Negri brand is well known for its workmanship. 

● Large zippered canvas sheet music pouch. 

● Luxurious suede interiors. 

● Wooden shells are great against inclement weather and humid weather. 

● Large interior accessory pocket. Can fit large shoulder rests as well. 

● Scratch-resistant exterior canvas. 

Cons 

● Not as light as the Gewa Air or Bam Hightech cases. 

● Exterior color only comes in black. 

Best-Selling Violin Cases Between $250 and $500 

Bobelock Corregidor Oblong Violin Cases 

​Price: starting at $299, weight: 8 lb. 

Pros 

● Beautiful traditional wooden violin case. 

● As protective and durable as the $700 Negri wooden cases. Probably ​the most 
protective and durable oblong case you’ll find under $300. 

● The Bobelock brand is well known for its durability. 

● Large zippered canvas sheet music pouch. 

● Luxurious velvet interiors. 

● Wooden shells are great against inclement weather, and humid weather. 

● Two large interior accessory pockets. Both can fit large shoulder rests. 

● Protective suspension system. The suspension “suspends” your violin, so that the 
instrument doesn’t touch the case. If you dropped the case, the violin will not feel the 
impact. 

Cons 

● Heavy. Which is what makes the case more affordable. 

● Exterior color only comes in black. 

● Backpack straps aren’t really designed for comfort. We would suggest getting the 
Bobelock Comfort V-strap​ with the case. 

 
 
Super Light Contoured Violin Cases 

 
Price: starting at $385, weight: 3.3 lb. 
 
Pros 

● Incredibly light! Only 3.3 lb. 

● Made in Japan. Known for precise workmanship. 

● Durable components. Such as the Rainproof zippers and Swiss lock. 

● Deep sheet music pouch. Most contoured cases do not have zippered 
compartments for sheet music. However, this case has an extendable music pouch 
on top of the case that can still fit standard-size sheet music. 

● Hard foam core construction makes the case good against inclement weather. 

Cons 

● No space for shoulder rest. 

● Interior looks a little too simple. 

● Accessory pouch is really small. Only enough space for rosin. 

 
 
Tonareli Cello-Shaped Fiberglass Violin Cases 

 
Price: starting at $269, weight: 5.6 lb. 

Pros 

● LOTS of colors to choose from 

 ● Spacious pocket under the instrument for accessories and shoulder rest. This is quite 
rare for contoured violin cases. 

● Velcro bow holders. Don’t have to worry about swivels coming loose over time. 

● Sturdy fiberglass shells. 

● Tonareli case covers​ available. Great against cold climates and also protects the 
case from scratches and spills. 

Cons 

● New-car smell. We have received comments that the case has a new-car smell 
when it is first opened. We suggest airing it out for 2-3 weeks before putting the 
instrument in. 

● No space for sheet music. It does come with a sheet music pouch. But comments 
also suggest that this pouch works better for the ​Tonareli oblong fiberglass violin 
cases​, instead of the shaped cases. 

● Not as protective as the ​Bobelock fiberglass violin cases​. 

Best-Selling Violin Cases Under $250 

 
Howard Core CC450 Oblong Violin Cases 

 
Price: starting at $239, weight: 6 lb. 
 
Pros 

● Spacious. Can fit shoulder rests of any size. 

● Large removable accessory pouch. 

● Textured exterior shells, which makes scratches look less obvious. 

● Combination lock to open the case. 

● Padded sheet music pouch on the backside. Which allows for more comfort on the 
back when carrying the case like a backpack. 

Cons 

● Not as protective as the fiberglass cases. 

● Even though the case is scratch-resistant, it still seems to scratch fairly easily. The 
lined texture does help the scratches look less obvious. 

Pedi Niteflash Oblong Violin Cases 

 
Price: starting at $229, weight: 5 lb. 
 

Pros 

● Backpack straps are attached to the case. This makes it easier to carry compared to 
other cases where you have to attach the backpack straps with D-rings. 

● 3 Accessories compartments. 1 Large and 2 small. 

● Reflective strips on the case. At night, car lights will reflect off the case, making it 
safer to carry at night. 
 ● The exterior canvas is 100% waterproof. So it doesn’t soap up rain water. 

● The structure of the case is designed to take a lot of pressure. You can stand on the 
case. 

Cons 

● The large accessory pocket is not as large as we hope. You have to stuff a shoulder 
rest in there at an angle. 

● Very simple standard cases. Doesn’t look like much from the outside. 

● Only 2 bow holders. 

Gewa Bio-S Oblong Violin Cases 

 
Price: starting at $130, weight: 5.7 lb. 
 
Pros 

● Simple but stylish exterior shells. Made of flax, so it looks like a fabric case. 
● Very spacious accessory pocket. Can fit shoulder rests of any size. 
● It is an environmentally friendly case. It can be recycled. Good for the planet. 
● There’s an option to get the case with a sheet music pouch. 

Cons 

● Not as protective as some of the fiberglass and hard shell cases. 

 ● Only 2 bow holders. 
● Only comes in 2 colors - gray and brown. 

Which Violin Case Is Right For You? 

Now that we’ve taken a look at some of the best violin cases we have, which one is right for 
you? 

What Qualities Are Most Important To You? 

Weight, protection, or durability? If you were working with a budget and you had to choose 
2 out of the 3 qualities, which 2 would it be? On the other hand, if you do have the budget 
you could have all 3 important qualities of a violin case. Now it’s just a matter of style and 
personal preferences. 

What Other Considerations Do You Have? 

Do you travel a lot? Do you live somewhere humid? Do you have a large shoulder rest? Do 
you need space for sheet music? Is this case for an elementary school student or a 
professional orchestral violinist? Is it a gift? 

Take Our Online Survey 

If you haven’t had a chance to do so, you can take our ​online survey​, and one of our team 
members will help you find the case you’re looking for. Take the guesswork out of finding a 
case!