The Nexus 7 is arguably the leading Android tablet, and for good reason. It's slim, trim, powerful, and affordable. If you want to keep it safe though, you'll need a decent case or protective sleeve for it—one that'll protect it from drops, bumps, or other things in your bag. This week we're looking at five of the best Nexus 7 cases, based on your nominations.


Earlier in the week, we asked you which Nexus 7 cases were the best. You responded with tons of great suggestions, but a few stood out above the others, either because of the protection they offered, the price, or the look and feel. Here's your favorite picks, in no particular order:

What's the Best Nexus 7 Case? The Nexus 7 is arguably the most popular and powerful Android tablet on the market, but if you want Read more


The polls are closed and the votes are counted! To see which of these great Nexus 7 cases you thought was the best for your money, head over to our hive five followup post to see and discuss the winner!

MoKo Slim-Fit Multi-Angle Case


The MoKo Slim-Fit Multi-Angle Case is actually available for the Nexus 7 (both old and 2013 versions) and the Nexus 10, and features soft polyurethane "leather" outer cover binding and hard plastic backing and side protection to keep your tablet safe from drops and dings. It also features a padded cover and microfiber interior so you don't scratch or scuff the body of your tablet. The Slim-Fit case is available in dozens of colors to suit your style, a sports a handgrip in the back you can slide your fingers into while you use the tablet with the other hand.


When you want to set it on your desk, the case can be set in two different configurations—a flatter typing angle where you can work with the tablet, and a more upright angle that's suitable for watching video, reading, or video chatting. Those of you who nominated the MoKo case praised it for being a full cover that protects your tablet on all sides, supporting auto-on and off when you open or close the case cover, and of course, the price. Both Nexus 7 models are available at Amazon for $17.

Poetic Slimline Case


Poetic's Slimline series of cases are available for a variety of tablets, including both old and new iterations of Google's Nexus 7. All of the Slimline cases offer auto-sleep and wake when you close and open the case, full-body protection for the back and sides of the case (with cutouts for access to ports, like most other cases here), and a soft, padded front that's also flexible for use in landscape mode, whether you're typing and working with the tablet or sitting back and watching videos or reading. The cases all feature a hard rubberized outer shell for the back, and the front has a microfiber interior so it doesn't scratch your screen.

Those of you who praised the Poetic line of cases noted the company's exceptional customer service if you have problems with their cases, their flexibility, and the strength of the front cover—which unlike a lot of cases, it capable of keeping the tablet firmly in landscape mode while you use it without sliding all over the place. Some of you also noted that the cover magnets are strong and firm, so the case won't just fall open (which would simultaneously wake your tablet and waste your battery). The price is right too; a Slimline will set you back $15 for the new Nexus 7 and $13 for the original Nexus tablet at Amazon.


Devicewear Ridge


Devicewear makes a number of cases for a variety of devices, all of them quality crafted folio designs that are flexible and can keep your tablet safe while simultaneously serving as a multi-angle stand when necessary. All of their cases are remarkably slim and light, and made from a soft-but-authentic-feeling polyurethane leather material (the company specifically markets its leather as animal-friendly, since no animal products are used in manufacturing it). They also sport cover magnets that auto-sleep and wake your Nexus when you close or open the case, and even though the leather actually isn't leather at all, it has a premium feel. The case backing is a firm plastic shell that your tablet snaps into securely, and the cover can be adjusted to keep the screen right where you want it.

Those of you who nominated the Ridge noted that premium feel at an affordable price, multiple standing positions (up to six different angles!), and the fact that it works with a Qi wireless charger. The sheer fact that it's so easily adjustable and highly customizable makes it a strong contender. If you're interested in one, they're available direct from Devicewear for $40 for the new Nexus 7 and $50 for the original, or you can get a break at Amazon and grab one for $25 for the 2013 Nexus 7 and $15 for the original Nexus 7.


Portenzo Book Case


If you're a fan of book-style cases that keep your tablet safe on all sides but look like a notebook and less like a folio, the Portenzo Book Case for Nexus will definitely pique your interest. Each Portenzo case is handmade from maple wood (with hand-sanded corners to ensure a perfect fit), cover magnets so your Nexus will auto wake or sleep when you open or shut the case and can be configured to order with a simple elastic strap, a camera opening so you can use your tablet's rear camera without having to take it out of the case, additional magnets to keep your case in place while you use it, and more. The Portenzo even sports a space for your stylus if you use one, and you can order a stylus with the case if you like. Add on the optional "Intellistand" and you'll get a case that can transform into a landscape mode stand whenever you need to use it that way.

More than a few of you highlighted the Portenza cases as a more affordable, customizable option to other more popular book-style wooden cases, and specifically praised the company's attention to detail, the the firm wooden cases being particularly good for travel, and the special cutouts for all of your ports that won't sacrifice side protection. If you're interested, they'll set you back $60 direct for the new Nexus 7 or $40 for the original Nexus 7. If you want the Intellicase option, add $10, and if you want the camera opening in the rear, add $5 to whatever configuration you choose. If you want to add tougher magnets to the case closure, that's another $10. For the price though, you get a highly personal, customized, handmade case with just the features you need.


RooCASE SlimShell with Origami Cover


RooCASE actually makes a number of cases for the original Nexus 7 and for the new Nexus 7, but the one that earned the most nominations is the RooCASE SlimShell with the Origami Cover. In short, the SlimShell is RooCASE's slimmest model (and only available for the new Nexus 7), and the Origami Cover is designed to fold at multiple angles to make for the perfect soft-shelled case design. The specially designed cover can fold up almost like a triangle, which keeps the tablet secure on a work surface both in portrait or landscape mode while you use it, or you sit back and watch video or read. The case body is polycarbonate, and the case cover is a soft polyurethane with a microfiber inner lining. The SlimShell also supports auto-sleep and wake thanks to the magnets on the inside of the case, and it comes in a variety of colors to choose from.


A number of you rallied behind it because of that Origami Cover, specifically because it keeps the tablet upright both in landscape and portrait mode, which is a much overlooked feature in affordable cases. Plus, many of you noted that it's exceptionally thin and won't add a ton of bulk to your Nexus while you carry it around, which is a huge plus. Finally, the price is very definitely right—you can snag one for $10 at Amazon.

Now that you've seen your top five, it's time to put them to an all-out vote to decide the community favorite.


The honorable mention this week goes out to Google's Nexus 7 Case. It's guaranteed to fit, it's $50, and it looks sharp. It's available in a number of colors, and function-wise it works as a simple folio, as a typing stand, or as a media stand you can use while you're watching movies or in a Google Hangout with someone else. If the others here are too fancy for your tastes, go for the simple, basic, made-by-Google-for-Google option. I'm partial to the white one with red trim.


Have something to say about one of the contenders? Want to make the case for your personal favorite, even if it wasn't included in the list? Remember, the top five are based on your most popular nominations from the call for contenders thread from earlier in the week. Don't just complain about the top five, let us know what your preferred alternative is—and make your case for it—in the discussions below.

The Hive Five is based on reader nominations. As with most Hive Five posts, if your favorite was left out, it didn't get the nominations required in the call for contenders post to make the top five. We understand it's a bit of a popularity contest. Have a suggestion for the Hive Five? Send us an email at tips+hivefive@lifehacker.com !

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