Which MacBook case should you choose? A guide to models, materials and styles

A MacBook will happily work for years, but its aluminium is unforgiving: a backpack with keys in it, a café table or a knock on the train leaves marks that never go away. A hard-shell case stops that wear and, as a bonus, turns a laptop that looks like everyone else's into one you recognise at a glance. This guide walks you through choosing yours in three steps: model, material and style.

1. Identify your model before you buy

Cases are made to fit each chassis exactly, so the first thing to do is find out precisely which MacBook you own. Turn the laptop over and look on the underside for the line beginning "Model A" followed by four digits (for example, A2681 on the 13-inch MacBook Air M2). That number is the one to pick in the selector on every product page.

If you can't find the number or the label has worn off, our guide Which MacBook do I have? explains how to find it under "About This Mac". One tip that saves returns: two MacBooks with the same screen size can have different chassis (the 13-inch Air M1 and M2 don't share a case), so trust the number, not the size.

2. Choose the material to suit how you use your MacBook

All of our cases come in two parts: a top shell in the finish you choose and a matte, translucent bottom shell with ventilation grilles and rubber feet. What changes from one model to the next is the material of the top shell, and that's where the real decision lies.

Smooth faux leather: the office choice

If you work with clients or in an office, a faux-leather top shell with a fine grain gives a sober, professional look, close to that of a leather sleeve, but with no extra weight and easy to wipe clean with a damp cloth. Black goes with everything and hides signs of use.

MacBook Case in Black Faux Leather

A discreet grained finish, ideal for meetings and everyday office use; also available in brown.

Braided and woven: texture you can feel

Braided top shells have real relief, not a flat print. They're the favourite of anyone who carries their MacBook around all day: the texture stops it sliding across the desk and makes the laptop easier to grip when you pull it out of your bag.

MacBook Case in Black Braided Faux Leather

Non-slip braided relief; also available in beige, pink, green, blue, mustard and wine red.

Crocodile effect: made to be noticed

Crocodile embossing on faux leather is the pick for anyone who wants their MacBook to stand out without resorting to loud colours: the scale pattern plays with the light, and in shades like red or bottle green it looks striking.

MacBook Case in Red Faux Crocodile Leather

Scale relief in a deep red; the same texture comes in black, white, brown, green and purple.

Printed: marble, animals and patterns

Printed cases have the design built into a hard shell with a soft-touch feel. Marble is the classic that never gets old, and the cow, zebra and cat prints are the favourites for gifting. They're rigid, thin and light.

MacBook Case with White Marble Design

White marble with grey veining: elegant, light and easy to match.

Teddy fleece: the softest of all

The fleece top shell is the one that surprises people most when they touch it. It's a favourite with students and anyone working from home: it cushions the laptop against small knocks, doesn't slide off the sofa and cleans up with a soft brush.

MacBook Case in Beige Teddy Fleece

Soft, padded top shell in beige; also in brown, pink and leopard.

Glitter: sparkle without going over the top

Glitter cases have a textured, sparkling finish that catches the light, resists dust and wipes clean easily. Pink is the classic; black looks surprisingly elegant.

MacBook Case with Rose Glitter

Textured sparkling finish in pink; also available in black and in red glitter.

3. What's in the box and how to fit it

• Two parts: a top shell in your chosen finish and a matte, translucent bottom shell. The price always includes both.
• No adhesives: each part snaps on with small clips along the edges. It goes on in a minute and comes off just as easily when you want to clean the laptop.
• Ventilation: the bottom shell has ventilation grilles and rubber feet that lift the laptop slightly off the desk.
• Full access: ports, the MagSafe charging port and the lid notch stay clear; you never need to remove the case.

Before fitting it, wipe the MacBook with a microfibre cloth so no dust gets trapped between the case and the aluminium.

4. Complete the protection

The case protects the outside; the keyboard and the screen are the other two areas that take the most punishment. A silicone keyboard cover keeps crumbs, dust and spills out from between the keys, and a screen protector keeps the display free of scratches and fingerprints.

MacBook Keyboard Cover – Classic Black Design

Thin, washable silicone; available for Spanish or English keyboard layouts (EU and US).

HD Clear Screen Protector for MacBook

Crystal clear with no loss of sharpness; also available in matte anti-glare and anti-blue-light versions.

You can browse every model in our MacBook cases, keyboard covers and screen protectors collections. We ship from Spain across the European Union and to the UK.

Frequently asked questions

Does a case make the MacBook run hotter?

Not if the bottom shell is ventilated. Ours have ventilation grilles and rubber feet that lift the laptop off the desk, so air keeps circulating underneath.

Can I close the MacBook with the keyboard cover on?

Yes. The silicone keyboard cover is very thin and the MacBook closes normally. For complete peace of mind, take it off when you put the laptop away for several days.

Does the same case fit the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Air?

No. Each size and each generation has its own case. That's why you choose your MacBook's model number (Axxxx) on every product page; if you're unsure, message us before ordering and we'll check it with you.

Will the case scratch the aluminium?

The inside is smooth and uses no adhesive. To stop dust acting like sandpaper, clean the laptop before fitting the case and take it off now and then to wipe it down.

Which material lasts longest?

Printed hard shells and smooth faux leather stand up best to daily rubbing in a bag. Fleece and glitter are designed for people who put feel or style first and take a little more care of their laptop.