The best MacBook Air cases and sleeves will help prevent your expensive laptop should it get damaged. And given that MacBooks cost thousands, and can be very tricky and time-consuming things to repair, that makes them a very good investment indeed.
Whether you have the very latest Apple MacBook Air 15-inch M2 or an older model, owning a more robust case for your MacBook Air can help prevent a cracked screen or internal damage. And some of them look pretty cool too!
So how do you choose the best MacBook Air case? First, decide how worried you are about damaging your device. Some of the products in this guide are strong enough to withstand big drops, while others may only protect against more minor bumps and scuffs.
Also, do you need the case to be waterproof? And what about functionality: are you looking for extra handy side compartments or carry handles? Consider the look of the case too, because there are many different styles to choose from.
Below, you'll find the best MacBook Air cases and sleeves available today, all in one handy place. Then once you've found one for you, consider also investing in one of the best laptop stands, which help keep a MacBook from overheating if you use it on your lap.
Best MacBook Air cases in 2024
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Best soft sleeve overall for MacBook Air
1. Incase ICON Sleeve with Woolenex
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This Incase ICON Sleeve provides complete surface and side protection for your 13-inch MacBook Air. It offers a little more protection than the leather Apple sleeve option above, as the Incase sleeve features a shock-absorbing Tensaerlite bumper.
The bumper has been molded and sewn to each side and provides maximum impact protection with minimal weight. The sleeve comes with upper and lower compression panels that are form-fitted to firmly secure your MacBook Air while you're on the move. The 3mm-thick cushioned interior with plush, faux-fur lining helps to keep your device safe, and looking shiny and new for longer.
There's a secure magnetic closure that prevents unwanted slips and keeps out everyday dust and debris. The exterior of the sleeve is made from durable Woolenex – a special material that works well at repelling moisture, mildew, and chemicals. The case feels great and holds, and is slim enough to pop into a backpack easily enough for further protection, should you need it.
Budget soft sleeve for MacBook Air
2. JETech Laptop Sleeve
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This sleeve case from JETech might be inexpensive, but it's nicely made, using good materials so you can rest assured that it's durable enough to look after your expensive tech. The exterior fabric is splash-proof making it easy to clean and helping to keep your MacBook Air safe inside.
It's also constructed using a shock-proof sponge and inner foam that helps to cushion your device and effectively protects it from unwanted scratches and shocks. While the sleeve has its own handle – which is great if you're after a lightweight case – the sleeve's design is slim too, so you could easily slip it into a dedicated laptop bag or backpack if you wanted to add some further protection.
The case is functional too and features an extra zippered front pocket for other items or valuables. While others might offer better protection against big drops, this is a great case that has a carry handle – something that's lacking on many other sleeves, and it comes in a selection of colors.
Best leather sleeve for MacBook Air
3. Apple Leather Sleeve
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This sleeve is crafted from sumptuous, high-quality French leather that exudes luxury and being an official product, it fits your MacBook Air like a second skin. The quality of this product is unparalleled – which is only right, given the high price tag.
As soon as you open the box, you're met with a beautiful smell that comes from top-class leather (not that overpowering, offensive one that you tend to find on cheaper leather). Not only is the leather tough and durable, but the case will develop a wonderful patina over time.
There's a choice of muted, sophisticated colors, and the sleeve's details are neat and stylish, from the stitching around the edge of the case to the debossed Apple logo on the top. There are even four impressions of the base that line up with the feet on the bottom of your MacBook Air.
The case comes with a soft microfibre lining that gently encases your device, ensuring it's protected while you're out and about. Of course, if you need a highly protective case, you should look elsewhere – but for everyday use, this sleeve case cannot be beaten. And it's slim enough to pop into a dedicated laptop bag, should you need further protection.
Best faux leather sleeve for MacBook Air
4. MoKo MacBook Air sleeve
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In a world that's increasingly embracing veganism and broader sustainability, many will prefer faux leather to an actual dead cow. In which case, we'd recommend this lovely briefcase-style sleeve: it's made from premium PU leather and a soft felt interior, giving it a smart, professional look, and is also available in a smart black color.
This faux-leather case is slim and lightweight and will fit into most briefcases, backpacks and bags with ease. It's also waterproof and features a built-in card slot, and a magnetic seal to keep your tablet secured in place when the case is closed.
Best hard case overall for MacBook Air
5. Incase 13-inch Hardshell Case
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Looking for something that's protective of your MacBook Air without being too heavy and cumbersome? You'll find that perfect sweet spot with this hardshell case. Rather than being made with ABS plastic, as is typical, it's crafted from premium Bayer Makrolon polycarbonate. This durable material is remarkably lightweight yet offers your MacBook Air reliable protection from scratches and impacts.
This form-fitting MacBook case features a stylized textured dot design throughout the interior that shows through the surface and precision cutouts, for full access to ports, lights and buttons. And it comes in a huge range of colours. So while it's not the cheapest, it does represent excellent quality.
Budget hard case for MacBook Air
6. Mosiso MacBook Air Shell Case
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This heavy-duty, plastic hard shell case comes with beveled ridges and a keyboard skin, offering your laptop good protection all around, against spills, scrapes, and scratches, while the TPU bumper will help to safeguard your laptop further should you accidentally drop it. For a plastic case, this feels really satisfying to hold too.
The thin rubber cover for the keyboard feels a little odd to work with, but if it's not to your liking, you don't have to use it (however, it could help to guard against expensive repairs after a little keyboard spillage). There's a multitude of color options, from Living Coral to Marsala Red (pictured here); the shell is semi-transparent, so your Apple logo will shine through, but the design might not suit everyone.
The case is simple to fit on (and remove), and you have full access to all buttons and features, so recharging it isn't a problem. As it encases your MacBook Air, there are two rows of vents on the underside for safe heat disbursement to help prevent your laptop from overheating. The case also has four silicone feet to help to keep it cool, as it creates a little bit of space between your MacBook Air and your desk.
Best briefcase for MacBook Air
7. UZBL EVA Always On Work-in Protective Laptop Sleeve and Case with Carrying Handle
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This durable, rugged case from UZBL (pronounced "usable") fits most 13-14-inch laptops and doubles as a carry case, with a shoulder strap for comfortable, convenient carrying. It comes with interior clips secured to an elastic slide, and bottom straps to ensure your MacBook Air stays nestled safely – even if you forget to zip your EVA case shut, or if it falls off a desk.
Also inside, you'll find corner tabs that lock onto your device's edges, keeping your MacBook Air fastened inside the case at all times, and soft padding that provides an inner cushion.
The hard outer EVA (Ethylene-vinyl acetate) shell retains its rigid shape and provides shock-absorbing protection from impacts and scratches. Some cheaper cases of this sort of design tend to lose their shape quickly, but this case is well-built and solid.
Best tough case for MacBook Air
8. Urban Armor Gear Rugged Case
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If you're out and about, and want to be sure of protecting your MacBook Air from drops, you're going to need something with military-grade protection. We recommend this rugged case from Urban Armor Gear. It's made with armor shell, with impact-resistant soft core and bumpers, and a non-slip tactile grip that makes you less likely to drop it, even in wet or slippery conditions. It meets military drop-test standard MIL STD 810G 516.6, and while at 394g it's not the lightest, the protection you're getting is immense.
Best rubberized case for MacBook Air
9. Mektron Heavy Duty Rubberized Hard Case
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If you're looking for a shockproof, shell hard case, this one from Mektron takes some beating. The Heavy Duty Rubberized Hard Case Cover combines a hard shell with protective, shock-absorbing ridges on the front and back of every corner, ensuring that your device is safe from accidental scuffs, scratches, and drops.
It's easy to fit onto your MacBook Air – it fits perfectly – and turns off and on as expected when you shut the cover and open the cover-up. All the ports are accessible. The protective casing means that it’s nicely protected from scratches while you're out and about.
There are some good touches here too: it has rubberized feet that offer additional functionality, enabling you to tilt the laptop to make typing and viewing easier, and there are vents on the underside to make sure your MacBook remains cool.
As expected, this case will add a little bulk to your MacBook Air, but if you're after drop-protection, you should consider this case – it's great value for money.
How to choose the best case for MacBook Air
Why do I need a MacBook Air case or sleeve?
A case or sleeve helps protect your MacBook Air from scratches, dings, and minor impacts, preserving its appearance and resale value.
A case typically covers the laptop while in use, offering all-around protection, while a sleeve is a slim, soft pouch for storing and transporting your MacBook. The latter probably won't protect it from drops, but will stop the laptop from getting scratched or scuffed.
Some cases and sleeves come with additional pockets or compartments for carrying accessories such as chargers, cables, and small items.
Does a MacBook Air sleeve cover every model?
No, MacBook Airs come in different sizes, so you'll need to choose a case or sleeve designed for your specific model.
How snug should my Macbook sleeve be?
A Macbook sleeve needs to be tight enough so that it doesn't move around inside it but not so tight it's a struggle to get it in. To be sure you get the right size case, measure your laptop diagonally as sometimes just knowing the screen size isn't enough.
What material is best for a MacBook Air case or sleeve?
The best material is the one that will protect your Macbook the most and there are a few options depending on your style. Neoprene-style cases are lightweight, usually at least splashproof and come in a range of funky patterns and colors.
Leather laptop sleeves look smart so are perfect for use in business environments, they don't always have the best padding though so this is something to look out for.
Plastic or hardcase shells are great for protecting your laptop at all times as you don't need to take them off to use them. The heavy-duty ones can also be good at absorbing any impact just in case the worst happens and its dropped or falls off a surface.