8 Best-Selling Cello Cases: Based On Budget

We have broken down our best cello cases into 2 budget categories:

1. Cello cases under $600 (student / budget-friendly cases)

2. Cello cases over $600 (professional / high-end cases)

Keep in mind that we’re recommending the best cello cases we can find within each budget category.

We’re not suggesting that a $600 case is as good as an $1000 case simply because it sells more and has higher reviews.

In general, affordable cases will sell more because there are more students than professionals.

• Weight: 14 - 16 lb.
• Price: $545
• Wheels: With Wheels
• Size: ¾, full-size, extra-large

Pros

• Made of really tough and durable fiberglass shells.
• Very popular among students.
• Several exterior colors to choose from.
• Lots of options for interior colors as well! Quite rare for a cello case.
• Pull-handle on the back of the case. Easy to pull and push your case with.
• Full suspension of the instrument.
• Rubber feet on the backside of the case. So if you lay it flat, the surface will not get scratched.
• Handles on both shoulders of the case.
• Several size options.

Cons

• Slightly heavy for a cello case.
• Only comes with one shoulder strap. However, a Bobelock padded V-strap is available for extra carrying comfort.

• Weight: 4.8 lb.
• Price: $353
• Wheels: No Wheels
• Size: Full-size

Pros

• Extremely light. Perfect for cellists who consider weight more important than protection.
• Water-resistant and tear-resistant exterior fabric.
• Great against dangerous temperatures.
• Zipper tracks are waterproof as well.
• Accessories pocket along the outside along with sheet music pocket.
• Reinforced protection for the bridge.

Cons

• Not as protective as hard cello cases.

• Weight: 8.6 lb.
• Price: $1,194
• Wheels: No wheels
• Size: Full-size only

Pros

• Incredible value for its weight and protection.
• Several colors to choose from.
• Made of heavy-duty thermoplastic shells. Incredibly strong, but doesn’t heat up like carbon fiber cases.
• Features a sling at the bottom that suspends your cello. So if you drop your case, the cello doesn’t knock against the bottom of the case.
• Only 4 latches to keep the case securely closed.
• One of the latches is a combination lock. So you can lock your case!
• Easy buckle to secure the neck of your cello.
• Secure magnetic button that keeps your bows in place.
• Air-tight seal. Protects against water seeping in on a rainy day.

Cons

• No pocket for sheet music.
• Only for full-size cellos.

• Weight: 10.1 lb.
• Price: $686
• Wheels: With wheels
• Size: Full-size only

Pros

• Made of protective and durable polycarbonate shells. Polycarbonate is also used to make shatterproof glass!
• Polycarbonate is a type of plastic. Which means it’s more temperature-resistant compared to carbon fiber.
• Beautiful woven exterior pattern.
• Only 4 latches to keep the case securely closed.
• One of the latches is a combination lock. So you can lock your case.
• Easy buckle that secures the neck of your cello.
• Adjustable interior padding.
• Magnetic buttons to secure your bows.
• 3 handles on this case. One on the top of the case.
• Air-tight seal.

Cons

• Handle on the top of the case for pulling it on its wheels. This may be a little awkward for shorter players. You’ll find it easier to push the case, rather than pulling it.
• Only 4 colors to choose from.

• Weight: 12-13 lb.
• Price: $866 - $907
• Wheels: Wheel, No wheels
• Size: Full-size only

Pros

• Made of protective and durable ABS shells.
• ABS is a type of plastic, so it’s more temperature-resistant.
• Air-tight seal.
• Buckle to secure the neck of your cello.
• Full suspension of the instrument with its interior pads.
• Unique design on the back. There are 3 rubber patches, so if you place the case flat on its back, the case itself doesn’t get scratched.
• Sheet music pocket on the inside.
• The backpack straps are slip-resistant, padded, and comfortable. They’re surprisingly better than some of the $1,000+ cases.

Cons

• Slightly on the heavier side, weighing 12 -13 lb.
• 8 latches to open the case.
• Only 3 colors to choose from.

• Weight: 9 lb.
• Price: $639
• Wheels: With Wheels
• Size: Full-size

Pros

• One of the only cello cases under 10 lb.
• Very popular among students.
• Several exterior colors to choose from.

Cons

• Not very scratch resistant.

• Weight: 10.5 lb.
• Price: $699
• Wheels: No wheels
• Size: Full-size only

Pros

• Made of protective and durable polycarbonate shells that are also scratch-resistant.
• Buckle to secure the neck of your cello.
• Unique exterior woven texture.
• Great value for its protection and durability.

Cons

• Only 3 colors to choose from.
• Interior padding is pretty simple.

There’s a lot to consider when it comes to purchasing the best cello case.

And here at Great Violin Cases, we would say it’s even more challenging to find the perfect cello case that’ll suit your needs compared to finding a great violin case (pun intended).

With violin cases, there’s generally a lot more options. You get a variety of materials to choose from. And the weight of these cases are usually between 3 - 8 lb.

Cello cases however, can range between 5 - 18 lb. The instrument itself is already quite heavy, so ideally you’re looking for a lighter case.

However, the lighter you go, the more expensive it gets. So your options are more limited depending on your budget.

Plus with heavier cases, you generally want to have wheels. But depending on where you live, you might be wheeling the case through dirty streets, uneven pavement, mud, etc.

Violinists don’t really need to think about wheeling their cases, or carrying heavy instruments with heavier cases that may ruin their posture.

Cellists need to take a lot more into consideration. As so do the case makers behind these cello cases.

Which is why we have created this article on some of the best-selling cello cases we’ve seen through our business.

Over the past few years, we’ve had the fortunate opportunity of learning from our cellists which cases have served them the best, and which cases have not.

And we do our best to exclude cello cases from our site that do not provide the value or protection our customers need.

We understand the most important factor when it comes to choosing a cello case - budget!

From students to professionals, everybody has a different budget in mind.

Our goal here is to recommend the top cases within each budget category.

So if you had a budget of $500, we’ll make sure to recommend the top 3 cases you can get with a budget of $500.

We’ve also included a pros & cons list for each case. So that you can really understand all the features of the case, and decide for yourself if it fits your needs!

What is a lightweight cello case? Any case under 10 lb.

Ultra light cello cases can weigh less than 6 lb. That’s lighter than most violin cases!

Why is weight such an important factor when choosing a cello case? Heavy cases lead to bad posture.

Now you can get a heavier case with wheels. But for cellists living in cities, or often traveling with their cases, wheeling around is not much fun when the case tips left and right due to uneven roads and steep curbs.

Carrying the case on your back is more ideal and convenient when maneuvering the busy city streets.

To learn more about Lightweight cello cases, check out our article on why you should invest in a light cello case.

Who doesn’t want a protective cello case! A case that can take a real beating. And keeps your instrument fully protected even if you drop the case down a flight of stairs.

We definitely do not suggest throwing your case down a flight of stairs, but accidents do happen.

And being prepared with a sturdy case is definitely a worthy investment.

A protective case means a tough and sturdy shell. One that is puncture-resistant.

We definitely do not recommend styrofoam cases. Or any cello case under $150, even if they say they’re made of wood or fiberglass.

Materials come in all shapes and sizes. Cheap fiberglass often means thin fiberglass. Same with cheap wooden cases.

We also suggest avoiding cases with no brand name. There may be a reason these cases don’t want to build a reputation.

Durability is a measure of how long the cello case will last you.

You can get the strongest and lightest cello case out there, but if the latches are made of cheap plastic and break within a year, the cello case will be very hard to use if you can’t close it.

So when we look at the durability cello cases, we’re looking at all the small components as well. Along with the “wear and tear” factors of the materials used.

Does it rip easily? Is it water-resistant? Are the seals air-tight? Etc.

Durability is also a huge factor when it comes to budget. $1000 is definitely a lot of money. But it’s more affordable than replacing a $300 case every few years.

The cello is a fragile wooden instrument. Leave it under a hot sun and the tone could change for the worse.

Traditionally, wooden cases have been great in protecting orchestral instruments from dangerous temperatures. And they still are today!

Some of the most valuable violins in the world are protected by Negri and Musafia wooden violin cases.

For a cello case however, that’s a lot of wood! Which means sturdy wooden cello cases can get very heavy.

Carbon fiber cello cases are some of the lightest and most protective cello cases in the world. But they’re metallic. Which means they absorb temperatures.

You definitely do not want to leave a carbon fiber cello case in the trunk of your car.

And on the opposite side of the materials spectrum, there’s styrofoam. It’s great against dangerous temperatures, since it doesn’t absorb heat like carbon fiber.

But you could break the styrofoam case just by sitting on it.

As you can see, building a cello case that is light, protective, and temperature-resistant can be a challenge.

However, with advancements in technology, case makers are able to create sturdier, more durable, lighter, and temperature-resistant cases using materials like composite fiberglass, thermoplastic, special ABS, polycarbonate, etc.

A functional cello case really depends on the needs of the cellist.

Some cello cases may feature sheet music pouches on the inside, or backside of the case.

Some cases may have more handles. And this is important. We have seen cello cases with wheels but no handles to pull the case!

Also, how many latches does the case have? Some cases feature airtight seals with only 1 to 3 latches.

Other cases may feature up to 8 latches. It definitely feels safer, but could take awhile to open before and after each rehearsal.

Even the backpack straps are important! You don’t want cheap backpack straps that may dig into your shoulders.

So cases with padded backpack straps are definitely a bonus.

Thank you for taking the time to check out this article.

Now it’s time to choose acello case based on your needs!

Do you live in a crowded city where you prefer to carry your case, rather than wheeling it around?

Are you on a tight budget? Is weight more important to you than long-term protection?

Would you prefer to lock your case?

Do you live in inclement weather? Does it get humid, hot, cold, or dry?

Definitely take all this into consideration. And of course, pick a case that you like!

Remember, you may be carrying this case for decades, be sure topick a color or style that you’ll be happy with!