It’s important to protect your acoustic guitar. This is why you need to examine the best acoustic guitar cases for your instrument. You don’t want to damage your acoustic guitar, so give it the protection that it deserves with a great case.
I’ve played acoustic guitar for many years, and I’ve used many different cases. It can be frustrating trying to find the right case. This guide to acoustic guitar cases will help you find quality products.
Quick Look: Best Acoustic Guitar Cases
★ #1 Best Acoustic Guitar Case Overall: Gator Hardshell ★
- Best Cheap Acoustic Guitar Case: CAHAYA Gig Bag
- Best Acoustic Guitar Case Under $500: Gator Molded Flight
- Best Acoustic Guitar Case Under $100: Fender Flattop Acoustic Case
- Best Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar Case: Gator Hardshell Case
- Best Locking Case: Gator Molded Flight Case
- Best Gig Bag Acoustic Case: Gator Transit Gig Bag
A great case can save you many hassles, especially when going to lessons or traveling. You don’t want to scratch your instrument, so ensure that it’s protected with a quality case.
What Is an Acoustic Guitar Case?
An acoustic guitar case is used to protect your instrument. You don’t want to leave your acoustic guitar out when not using it because it’s easy to get damaged. There are several different cases that you can choose from.
Some cases come with an accessory pocket or compartments for small guitar accessories. Not every case has an accessory compartment, but many of them do.
Types of Acoustic Guitar Cases
There are several different types of acoustic guitar cases that you need to be aware of. Here is what you need to know.
Hardshell Acoustic Case
The hardshell acoustic guitar case is made out of high-impact plastic. They can withstand a lot of bumps and bangs without too much difficulty. They tend to have sturdy handles and solid latches.
Gig Bag/Softshell Acoustic Guitar Case
The gig bag is a softshell case. This is ideal if you are going to guitar lessons. They usually have straps on the back so you can carry your instrument with you. Most of them have zippers and some padding inside.
Combo Hard/Soft Case
Some cases are both softshell as well as hardshell. These case have decent protection but not as much as a hardshell case. They tend to have zippers as well as shoulder straps.
Airplane Acoustic Guitar Case
The airplane acoustic guitar case is especially designed to carry your acoustic guitar on an airplane. It offers more protection than even a hardshell case. Professional musicians use these to protect their instruments.
Things to Consider When Choosing an Acoustic Guitar Case
Many factors go into choosing the right acoustic guitar case. Here are some of the things you must consider before you buy.
Size
It’s important to get the right size case for your acoustic guitar. For example, if you have a dreadnought style acoustic guitar, you can’t get a case designed for a smaller student guitar.
Make sure that your instrument will fit in the case you buy. Most manufacturers make a wide range of case sizes that fit different acoustic guitars.
Protection/Padding
You want a case that has decent protection. Most acoustic guitars should be in a hardshell case if they’re going to be stored. If you want to take your instrument to lessons, a gig bag is preferable because it’s portable.
Price
A basic gig bag costs between $30 and $100. Hardshell cases tend to cost from $75 to $200 and up.
Latches/Zippers
Hardshell cases tend to have latches that secure the guitar. Expensive cases may come with locks as well as the latch. Gig bags tend to come with zippers that close the case.
Storage
You’ll probably want to have a case that has some sort of storage compartment. Hardshell cases have compartments inside for small accessories. Gig bags tend to have an accessory pocket on the outside with a zipper.
10 Best Acoustic Guitar Cases
This guide to the 10 best acoustic guitar cases will help you find something for your instrument. I’ve tried to pick a wide range of cases.
So you should find something that works for you.
1. Gator Hardshell Dreadnought Case
- Size: Acoustic dreadnought
- Storage: Inside compartment
- Latch/zipper: Latch
- Locking: No
- Best for: Those that want a low-cost acoustic dreadnought case
For those looking for a low-cost case for their acoustic dreadnought guitar, Gator makes a wide range of cases. The Gator Hardshell Dreadnought case offers hardshell protection for your instrument. The inside is soft, and is has a storage compartment.
✅ Fits most dreadnoughts
✅ Latch closure
✅ Solid protection
✅ Inside compartment
❌ No lock
❌ Outside material can peel
Why I Recommend It
I’ve used Gator cases in the past and had one for one of my acoustic guitars. This is a decent case that won’t cost you a whole lot of money. It’s perfect for beginners that want to protect their instruments.
The inside of the case is soft, and the guitar’s neck will sit in a cradle, so it’s protected. The storage compartment is large enough for small items such as a guitar tuner, strings, peg winder, etc.
2. Ibanez Powerpad Gig Bag
- Size: Dreadnought gig bag
- Storage: Outside compartment
- Latch/zipper: Zipper
- Locking: No
- Best for: Guitar students going to lessons
The Ibanez Powerpad Gig Bag Case is the perfect solution for a guitar student. There’s plenty of storage on the outside of the case. There’s a large compartment on the bottom and a small one at the top. This gig bag also has shoulder straps.
✅ Shoulder straps
✅ Sturdy handle
✅ Outside storage pocket
✅ Zipper
❌ Not a much protection as hardshell
❌ Zipper can catch
Why I Recommend It
I like this Ibanez case because it has extra storage. There’s a small compartment on the top of the case for items such as picks or a set of strings. On the bottom, there’s a larger compartment for music papers.
Inside this bag is some good padding, so your instrument will be protected. I also like that it has large and comfortable shoulder straps, so guitar students can take them to their lessons.
3. Crossrock Hardshell Acoustic Case
- Size: Dreadnought
- Storage: Inside compartment
- Latch/zipper: Latch
- Locking: No
- Best for: Those that have expensive guitars
If looking for increased protection for a valuable acoustic guitar, try the Crossrock hardshell case. The Crossrock Hardshell Acoustic Case has a hydrometer, solid handle, shoulder straps, and superior protection for your acoustic guitar.
✅ Solid construction
✅ Good latches
✅ Interior compartment
✅ Inside hydrometer
❌ High cost
❌ Not ideal for beginners
Why I Recommend It
The Crossrock case is a pretty nice case for any expensive acoustic guitar. The hardshell fiberglass exterior is capable of protecting your instrument from even the most serious bangs and bumps.
There’s a decent accessory pocket inside, great shoulder straps, and a secure handle. You won’t have to worry about your acoustic guitar when it’s protected inside this case.
4. Fender Flattop Acoustic Guitar Case
- Size: Dreadnought
- Storage: Inside compartment
- Latch/zipper: Latch
- Locking: No
- Best for: Those that want an intermediate case for their guitar
If you own an average dreadnought, the Fender Fat Top Acoustic Guitar Case is an excellent choice. It has a solid handle, good latches, padded protection inside, and a compartment to store your accessories.
✅ Solid latch
✅ Good protection
✅ Sturdy handle
✅ Inside compartment
❌ Outside material may peel
❌ The compartment could be bigger
Why I Recommend It
I’ve used Fender cases before, and I’m always impressed with them. My electric guitar is protected with a Fender case, and their acoustic cases are pretty good too.
This one has a solid handle and a nice velvet-like interior to protect your instrument. It’ll fit most standard dreadnought acoustic guitars. This one comes in at a modest price, so you’ll save money.
5. CAHAYA Acoustic Gig Bag
- Size: Dreadnought
- Storage: Outside pocket
- Latch/zipper: Zipper
- Locking: No
- Best for: Those that need a solid gig bag
The CAHAYA Acoustic Gig Bag is a solid choice for not a whole lot of money. It has a solid handle, shoulder straps, and plenty of room on the outside pocket for your accessories. The inside has padding to protect your guitar.
✅ Good straps
✅ Solid handle
✅ Storage pockets
✅ Straps
❌ A bit big
❌ Zipper could be better
Why I Recommend It
I’m impressed with the CAHAYA gig bag. This case has plenty of room for your acoustic guitar. I like the solid shoulder straps, and it has a good handle. The inside of this case will give your guitar the protection that it needs.
What I like most is the outside compartments on this case. You get plenty of room for all your accessories and music books. This is one of the best acoustic gig bags because it’s low cost with plenty of features.
6. Gator Molded Flight Acoustic Case
- Size: Dreadnought
- Storage: Inside compartment
- Latch/zipper: Latch
- Locking: Yes
- Best for: Travel and guitar security
If you’re traveling or need security for your guitar, you need a proper locking mechanism.The Gator Molded Flight Acoustic Guitar case is excellent for anyone that wants added security. Your instrument will be well protected with this case.
✅ Lock
✅ Solid handle and latches
✅ Storage compartment
✅ Soft interior
❌ Expensive
❌ Could use more foam
Why I Recommend It
This Gator case is the perfect option if you’re traveling. It will give your acoustic guitar maximum protection. I’ve used their products in the past and was satisfied with the protection the case provided.
If you aren’t traveling, you still get great security because there’s a locking mechanism. The inside of the case is soft, so it will protect your guitar. This is one of the best acoustic guitar travel cases for your instrument.
7. SKB Acoustic Guitar Case
- Size: Dreadnought
- Storage: Inside compartment
- Latch/zipper: latch
- Locking: Yes
- Best for: Travelers or extra guitar security
You need a sturdy and dependable acoustic guitar case. SKB Acoustic Guitar Case has a locking latch, so your instrument is protected. The inside is soft and padded, and there’s a storage compartment. This case gives your guitar the protection that it needs.
✅ Lock
✅ Solid construction
✅ Good handle
✅ Storage compartment
❌ Expensive
❌ It may not be enough for flights
Why I Recommend It
I’ve used SKB cases before, and they offer a decent level of protection. If you move your guitar around all the time to different locations, this can be the ideal case.
It might not offer quite enough protection for a long flight. You always have to be careful when carrying acoustic guitars on a flight. This is still good for shorter trips as the hardshell exterior will protect your guitar.
8. Gator Transit Gig Bag
- Size: Dreadnought
- Storage: Outside pocket
- Latch/zipper: Zipper
- Locking: No
- Best for: Those that want a higher quality gig bag
The Gator Transit Gig Bag is a quality gig bag for anyone that has an acoustic guitar. It has decent shoulder straps, an outside pocket for your accessories, and a roomy interior for your guitar. It’s perfect for anyone that’s taking lessons.
✅ Outside pockets
✅ Shoulder straps
✅ Water resistant
✅ Solid handle
❌ Expensive
❌ Straps could be better
Why I Recommend It
I’ve used quite a few Gator cases, including one similar to this. There’s plenty of room in this case. You get a nice large accessory pocket on the front for music papers. There’s a smaller one up top for picks and other small accessories.
This one has a sturdy handle, and it also comes with a shoulder strap so you can carry it with you to your lessons. It has plenty of room and a soft interior to protect your instrument. There’s a neck cradle to keep the guitar neck stable.
9. ChromeCast Pro Series Gig Bag
- Size: Dreadnought
- Storage: Outside pockets
- Latch/zipper: Zipper
- Locking: No
- Best for: Those that need lots of storage
The ChromeCast Pro Series Gig Bag is for any acoustic guitar player that needs plenty of storage for their accessories. This case has lots of storage pockets on the outside. It has a quality zipper, handle, and padding inside it.
✅ Great storage pockets
✅ Good handle
✅ Strap to keep the guitar stable
✅ Room for stand
❌ Could use more padding
❌ A bit expensive
Why I Recommend It
If you’re going to lessons, this is the ideal case. There are three large pockets on the outside for all of your smaller accessories, such as picks and a tuner. There’s also a larger pocket for a small guitar stand.
The bag is made with a solid handle, zipper, and decent padding inside. You’ll be ready to go to your lesson with everything you need with this excellent gig bag case for your acoustic guitar.
10. Crossrock Gig Bag
- Size: Dreadnought
- Storage: Outside pockets
- Latch/zipper: Zipper
- Locking: No
- Best for: Those that need extra storage
The Crossrock Gig Bag is perfect for students that are going to lessons. There is a decent amount of storage on the outside of the bag. It will fit most dreadnought guitars, and it comes in at a good price.
✅ Great storage
✅ Solid handle
✅ Backpack straps
✅ Low price
❌ Needs extra padding
❌ Zipper can catch
Why I Recommend It
Some gig bags can be expensive, and if you don’t have a lot of money, this can be an issue. This bag has a decent amount of storage inside, an excellent handle, and room outside for papers and other small guitar accessories.
It has shoulder straps so students can carry their instrument with them to their lessons. It could use a little more padding, but this case will be suitable for the first-time student with an acoustic guitar.
Best Acoustic Guitar Case Brands
There are several different manufacturers of acoustic guitar cases. Here are the main ones that you should be aware of. All of these manufacturers make excellent options.
Gator
My favorite manufacturer is Gator. They make a wide range of cases, including acoustic and electric. They have Golden Gate bags as well as solid hardshell cases and even ones for traveling on airlines.
Crossrock
If you’re searching for cases that are molded with fiberglass and other solid materials, look to Crossrock. They have a wide range of solid hardshell cases for acoustic guitars.
SKB
SKB makes solid and reliable acoustic guitar cases. Their products are made with solid molded plastic. They’re ideal if you want to go traveling with your instrument. Many of my guitars are in an SKB case.
CAHAYA
This company makes solid and reliable gig bag style cases for your acoustic guitars. Their cases have solid handles and large straps so you can take your guitar with you wherever you go.
Crossrock
This company makes high-end molded guitar cases. If you want plenty of protection for your instrument, pick up one of these. They’re perfect if you want to go traveling and need to protect your valuable acoustic guitars.
Acoustic Guitar Case Aesthetics & Build
There are few things you need to know about an acoustic guitar case before you buy one. Here are the main points to keep in mind.
Material
Most cases are made with impact plastic, fiberglass, or some type of nylon. Make sure that it’s will built so your guitar will be protected in the best way. You also want to ensure that the inside is soft enough to protect the guitar.
Color
Cases usually come in black, brown, or tweed. You can get a few other colors, but these are the basic colors you’ll find on the market.
Storage
You should make sure that your case has some sort of storage. Hardshell cases usually have a small compartment inside for accessories. Gig bags have more storage on the outside of the bag with zippered enclosures.
Softshell or Hardshell Case?
If you can afford it, I suggest a hardshell case. This offers maximum protection. Gig bags are fine for going to and from lessons, but make sure that the bag has a good zipper.
A case with a latch is easier to get your guitar in and out of. The downside is that they’re heavier and harder to carry to lessons. Some cases with a latch are also locking, so your guitar will be protected.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Here are a few commonly asked questions that people ask about acoustic guitar cases.
How Much Do Acoustic Guitar Cases Cost?
Acoustic guitar cases vary in price. The best acoustic guitar cases tend to cost over $100. Here is what you need to know before you buy.
- Basic gig bag: $30-$125
- Hardshell case: $50-$200+
- Flight Case: $150+
What Are the Best Acoustic Guitar Cases?
Here are my top three choices when it comes to acoustic guitar cases. These would all make great choices no matter your playing level.
CAHAYA Gig Bag: Best for Beginners
It’s a solid and dependable big bag. I like the large shoulder straps on these bags. You get plenty of storage on the outside of the bag, and they don’t cost all that much, so it’s great for those on budgets.
Gator Hardshell Acoustic Case: Best for Average Players
For the average player, I suggest a Gator Hardshell Acoustic Case. You can get these for all different sizes of acoustic instruments. They have decent storage inside, protection for the instrument, and a solid outer layer.
SKB Acoustic Guitar Case: Best for Professionals
I’ve used SKB cases in the past for a lot of my guitars. They’re well put together, and you get good protection on the inside and a nice storage compartment for small accessories. Your guitars will be well protected with this type of case.
Where Are the Best Acoustic Guitar Cases Made?
Most acoustic guitar cases are made in the United States. Always purchase from a major manufacturer, as this will ensure that you get a quality case.
Where to Buy Acoustic Guitar Cases
There are several places where you can pick up an acoustic guitar case. Here’s what you need to know before you purchase.
Amazon
I like shopping for guitar cases and other accessories on Amazon. They have excellent shipping, a great selection, and you can read reviews of products before you purchase.
Online Music Retailers
Online music retailers such as Sweetwater and Guitar Center are two alternatives to Amazon. They have an excellent selection, quality customer service, and you’ll get your order quickly.
Your Local Music Store
You can also pick up a guitar case at your local music store. Your local store may not have everything in stock, so it’s not the best option, but most guitar stores will have several cases in stock.
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In Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed this guide to the best acoustic guitar cases. Make sure that you protect your acoustic guitar from damage. A hardshell case offers the best protection, but a gig bag is perfect for going to lessons.
Please comment, like, and share this article. I like reading your comments, so feel free to ask anything about music, and I’ll get back to you. Now, grab your acoustic guitar out of your new case and start playing.