The ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X handhelds bring new levels of power and portability to Windows gaming PCs, packing in console-level features into a small package. With even the cheaper vanilla Ally costing $599 and the more expensive Ally X hitting a full $999, it's also a PC that requires some measure of protection, but there isn't a case or cover included in the box. Instead, you'll have to turn to one of the dozens of cases available online, whether that's the lone official option from Asus itself or a third-party design made to fit the Xbox Ally's prodigious dimensions. I've rounded up some of the best options to make that choice clearer.
TL;DR: These Are the Best Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X Cases
I've been testing PC gaming handhelds and the cases that hold them for the last half-decade, and I've got a good sense of the brands and designs that are best poised to stand the test of time, protecting your Xbox Ally and potentially adding on some convenient extras for years to come.
There are a good range of options here, from slimmer bags designed to simply carry the console itself, to roomier cases that offer plenty of space to add in other accessories you may want to bring with you. Many of them include memory card spaces, a holdover of being Switch and Switch 2 case designs, but the best models also include handier slots for tucking in charging cables, docks, and other accessories.
1. Jsaux Carrying Case
The Best Xbox Ally X Case
Product Specifications
Dimensions
12.5" x 6" x 2.9"
Weight
0.67 pounds
Extra Features
Memory card slots
PROS
Soft plush interior lining
Slimline design
Reasonably priced
CONS
No space for extra accessories
This Jsaux slim case is our top choice, offering great protection for the Xbox Ally or Xbox Ally X while taking up minimal space. That means there's only room for a few MicroSD or full-size SD cards to be held inside, rather than having a special cavity for extra docks, chargers, or other accessories, but I think that's a reasonable trade-off for anyone that largely uses their Xbox handheld as just that, a handheld.
There are a few niceties here, including a soft inner lining that feels pleasant to touch, extra raised cavities to protect the thumbsticks, and a small handle that means you can carry the case easily in one hand. However, this is still probably best used as a true travel case, packed within a larger bag or backpack.
For the money, this is a great case that absolutely nails the essentials that doesn't overstuff extra features that you may not need.
Best Premium Case
Product Specifications
Dimensions
12.6" x 6.1" x 3.9"
Weight
1.06 pounds
Extra Features
Water Repellent Coating, Detachable Accessory Pouch, Portable Stand, Memory Card Slots
PROS
Plenty of features, including water resistant coating and fold-up stand
Detachable accessory pouch is a smart value-add
Official accessory, so fits perfectly
CONS
Relatively pricey
If you prefer a high-end case for your high-end PC gaming handheld, this official option from Asus is excellent. It combines a slim travel case with a detachable accessory pouch, letting you bring everything in one combined unit or leave the accessories at home to travel lighter. The case itself has a water-repellent coating that should save the unit from accidental splashes or light showers, while the memory card sleeve inside can be folded up to serve as a makeshift stand. There's also a fleece inner lining that keeps the console safe and protected while in transit.
This is a thicker and heavier case than our No. 1 pick, and it costs more too, but it does also give you plenty of added functionality. If you have a bunch of accessories for the Xbox Ally that you'd like to keep in one convenient place, this is a great way to go about it.
3. Tomtoc Shoulder Bag Carrying Case
Best Shoulder Bag
Product Specifications
Dimensions
12.8" x 5.9" x 5.1"
Weight
1.1 pounds
Extra Features
Removable W Structure, Detachable Shoulder Strap, Extra Pockets
PROS
Roomy, expansive design suits a wide range of handhelds
Extra pockets provide a space for all sorts of tech and accessories
Detachable shoulder strap means this could be your only bag
CONS
Takes up a bit more space in a backpack than its peers
The Tomtoc Shoulder Bag is an absolute classic, with a roomy design that can accommodate a wide range of gaming handhelds, including the Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X. If you have more than one handheld, then this is a great option given its versatile sizing.
The bag's W-shaped internal structure can be left alone to provide extra protection and rigidity around the vulnerable thumbsticks of your handheld, or removed to save space and weight. I kept this installed throughout my testing, and still found I had plenty of space to pack in cables, a dock, a wall adapter and other accessories without the bag feeling overstuffed.
This is a shoulder bag, but you can also remove the strap to save some space if you're planning to keep this in a larger bag or backpack most of the time. I found myself doing this on one trip, and ended up placing all of my tech inside to simplify my packing, which worked well.
4. DBrand Killswitch
Best Always-On Protective Case
Product Specifications
Dimensions
11.5" x 4.9" x 2.1"
Weight
0.32 pounds (case), 0.22 pounds (travel cover)
Extra Features
Impact Resistant, Travel Cover, Kickstand, Stick Grips, Screen Protector, Skins,
PROS
Adds drop protection and extra grip
Includes kickstand, travel case and screen protector
Choice of interesting skins
CONS
Makes the console slightly heavier
If you prefer a cover to a case, then DBrand make the best option available right now, a variant of the Killswitch case that debuted with the original Switch and has been developed for subsequent gaming handhelds. The idea is that the case provides both protection and extra grip, making for a more comfortable gaming experience with relatively little added weight or heft. You also get a choice of skins, including fun X-ray designs in two colors, to change the look of your device.
While the default allocation includes the case, a kickstand, and a skin of your choice, you can also add on a travel cover which provides extra protection while the Xbox Ally or Xbox Ally X is not being used. Other add-ons include stick grips and screen protectors, both of which are well-implemented.
I've been using a DBrand case for my Switch 2 since the console released, and I've found that it makes a big difference to ergonomic comfort. The Xbox Ally is already a more comfortable device, thanks to its thicker frame, but extra grip and extra protection is always welcome.
How to Pick the Best Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X Case
Thus far, most of the Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X cases that we've highlighted are relatively similar. That means you can't go too far wrong, though it is worth considering where you fall on the "everything I need" to "slim and stylish" spectrum. If you have a penchant for packing portable chargers, extra cables, and other sensible Xbox Ally X accessories all in the same bag, then it makes sense to go for a larger option. However, if you're likely to pack this extra gear elsewhere, or leave it at home, then going for a slimmer option means that you can leave more space in your bag for other things – or get away with a smaller bag altogether. The Tomtoc carrying case above includes a strap, making it a great choice if you want a standalone case that doesn't need to be shoved into a larger bag.
We've constructed this list to favor cases and bags that specifically call out compatibility for the Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X, due to their bigger width versus prior PC handhelds, but it's worth also checking other cases that you may have purchased for other handhelds, including the Switch and Switch 2. The larger of these may be able to pull double duty as an Xbox Ally or Xbox Ally X carrier, though we still recommend picking up something that's specially shaped to fit these unique consoles.
It's also worth bearing in mind that there's a big size difference between the ROG Xbox Ally consoles –including the ROG Xbox Ally X and ROG Xbox Ally that are the focus of this article – and the similarly named ROG Ally X and ROG Ally. These slightly older devices lack the "Xbox" part of the name, and are significantly slimmer: 1.28 inches for the 2023 ROG Ally, 1.45 inches for the 2024 ROG Ally X, and 2 inches for the Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X models. That means the thicker Xbox Ally handhelds are unlikely to fit in most cases built for the non-Xbox Ally devices.
Will is deputy tech editor for IGN, specializing in PC hardware, sim racing and display tech. He has been publishing about games and technology since 2001 (age 12). Will was formerly Deputy Editor at Digital Foundry. He is currently playing Battlefield 6.
