Top 7 Best-Selling Viola Cases: Based On Budget

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

1. Viola cases under $300 (student / budget-friendly cases)

2. Viola cases over $300 (professional / high-end cases)

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

We’re not suggesting that a $250 case is as good as an $800 case simply because it sells more and has higher reviews.

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

Price: $139, weight 6 - 7 lbs.

Pros

• Offers durability, protection and style but without the bulk and weight of an oblong case.
• Available in fixed sizes - 15"- 17" viola.
• Covered with a durable zippered cover with a small outside accessory pocket.
• Fits most carry-on dimension restrictions for air travel.
• 5 different interior colors available.

Cons

• No backpack straps.
• No space for sheet music.

Price: $235, weight: approxmate 4.6 lbs.

Pros

• Light and compact case that is great for travel.
• Beautiful velvet interior.
• Thermo-shell that is tough and resistant to heat.
• Water-resistant cover.
• Padded suspension system.
• 2 detachable Neoprene backpack straps incuded.
• Available in fixed sizes - 15"- 17" viola.
• Ribbons behind the bows that you can slide pictures under.
• Cushion block on the top of the case that keeps the instrument down, rather than using velcro straps around the neck that can scratch the strings.

Cons

• Only 1 interior color available.
• No space for sheet music.

Price: starting at $269, weight 9 lbs.

Pros

• Adjustable, fits violas from 15” to 16½”.
• Temperature-resistant wooden shells.
• Large zippered pouch for sheet music.
• Water-resistant canvas covers.
• Includes Hygrometer and humistat

Cons

• Slightly heavy at 6 lbs.
• Only 1 should strap. Backpack straps sold separately.

Price: starting at $297, weight 5.1 lbs.

Pros

• Affordable and lightest oblong viola cases you can find.
• Adjustable, fits violas from 15” to 16½”.
• Detachable outside pocket for sheet music.
• Accessory pocket under neck of instrument.
• Weather-resistant hard foam protection.
• No use of toxic glues. No odor.
• Great suspension system.
• Unique latches that are quick and easy to open.

Cons

• Simple backpack straps. They'd not padded.
• No subway handle.

Price: $411, weight 6.4 lbs.

Pros

• Durable and weather-resistant canvas cover.
• Comes with 2 backpack straps.
• Large external pocket for sheet music on the backside of the case (so it doesn't become top heavy).
• 4 Bow holders.
• Removable accessory pouch.
• You can lock the case.
• Velcro strap for shoulder rest.
• Has subway handle.
• Weather-resistant re-inforced foam shell.

Cons

• Closes easily. The strap that holds the case open at 90 degrees is tight. After time, it'll loosen slightly so the case remains open at 90 degrees.

Price: starting at $329, weight 4 - 5.3 lbs.

Pros

• Reflective strips along the case that can reflect car lights at night.

• Designed to be worn as a backpack with the attached backpack straps. Which means they’re more comfortable on your shoulders.

• Sheet music compartment on the backside.

• Water-resistant canvas covers.

• High quality Japanese zippers.

• Subway handle.

Cons

• Interior pocket for shoulder rest is very tight. Can only fit a Kun style shoulder rest.
• Accessories pouch is quite small. No space for pens or pencils, only rosin.
• Can only fit 2 bows.

Price: starting at $762, weight 4.2 - 6 lbs.

Pros

• Most popular case among professional violists.
• Lightweight cases.
• Extremely tough & durable Hightech shells (Bam's own patented design).
• Several colors & styles to choose from.
• Subway handles.
• Numerical locks.
• Much more temperature-resistant than metallic cases (these aren't metal cases, they just have metallic looking exteriors).
• Padded shoulder straps for extra carrying comfort.

Cons

• Definitely more on the expensive side.
• Many styles may be out of stock. Please double check with us!

Now that we’ve taken a look at some of the best viola cases we have, which one is right for you?

Weight, protection, or durability? If you were working with a budget and you had to choose 2 out of the 3 qualities, which 2 would it be?

On the other hand, if you do have the budget you could have all 3 important qualities of a viola case. Now it’s just a matter of style and personal preference.

Do you travel a lot? Do you live somewhere humid? Do you have a large shoulder rest? Do you need space for sheet music? Is this case for an elementary school student or a professional orchestral violist? Is it a gift?

Being the only site dedicated to instrument cases, we know a thing or 2 about viola cases.

Browse around our site. Chat with us. Call us. Email us. We're here to help you, or your loved one, find the perfect case.

Read on to learn more about what makes a great viola case....great!

1. Lightweight
2. Protective
3. Durable
4. Functional
5. Weather-Resistant
6. Stylish

Through years of selling cases, we have never heard someone asking for a heavy case!

Lightweight cases are important for instrumentalists because heavy cases can cause bad posture over time.

If you’re carrying your case on a daily basis, you definitely don’t want it affecting your posture in the long run.

A super lightweight viola case is any case under 5.5 lb. Heavy cases can go up to 10 lb.

The weight of a case also directly impacts the price.

Lighter materials are generally cheaper. But it’s also less protective. Think of a styrofoam case. It’s definitely light, but you can crack your instrument just by sitting on the case.

So for case makers, the trick is to find the lightest materials without sacrificing protection. And this process can get quite expensive.

A protective viola case is a must! If the case doesn’t do a good job protecting the instrument, it’s going to be much more costly to replace the entire instrument if anything happens.

We generally recommend the tried-and-true materials such as wood and fiberglass. Along with some of the super materials out there such as polycarbonate, thermoplastic, or BAM’s signature Hightech shells.

Keep in mind though, materials come in all shapes and sizes. Bobelock fiberglass viola cases are extremely protective and durable.

But there are unbranded fiberglass cases out there at very affordable prices promising fiberglass protection.

Often times, these cheap cases may only be using paper-thin fiberglass layers on the outside. So you may not be getting the true fiberglass protection of a Bobelock case.

And this brings us to our next point - durability.

Durability is a measure of how long the case will last. Reputable cases can last for decades.

And a case is only as durable as it’s components. For example, a case may be made of tough wooden shells. But if the case is using cheap zippers that break within the year, the case is pretty much useless when it can’t close anymore.

So how do you tell if a case is durable? By the brand. A brand is reputable for a reason.

Great brands pay attention to the overall quality and workmanship of their cases.

As mentioned before, we recommend staying away from unbranded cases.

Every musician wants a lightweight, protective, and durable case. But they may have different needs when it comes to functionality.

And by functionality, we mean the extra features a case may have.

This includes sheet music pockets, removable accessory pouches, space for large shoulder rests, rainproof zippers, combination locks or key locks, adjustable or non-adjustable viola cases, and so on.

Some musicians may prefer certain features over others. So it really comes down to personal preference.

Last but definitely not least, is how weather-resistant the viola case is. The viola really is a fragile wooden box that is heavily affected by the temperature and humidity of the environment.

Some temperature damages can negatively affect the tone of the viola. Especially the older instruments.

Carbon fiber is an example of a case that doesn’t do very well under the sun. It is metal, so it basically turns the case into an oven.

Wooden cases are great against humidity and temperature damages. As well as fiberglass, since it is a type of plastic that doesn’t absorb heat.

BAM Hightech cases are also designed to be as strong as carbon fiber, as light as carbon fiber, but doesn’t absorb heat like carbon fiber.

Some of the BAM Hightech cases may say black carbon or silver carbon, but that’s simply the look! The case itself is not metallic.

Stylish viola cases aren’t a must. But hey! It’s a case that you’ll be using for a long time. Pick a style that you’ll be proud of carrying for years to come.

These are definitely some of our best-selling viola cases, but there are a lot more options you will find at greatviolincases.com.

Just because a case doesn’t get sold as much, does not make it a lesser case.

For example, some of our hot pink viola cases are great cases! We just don’t have as many musicians looking for hot pink cases.

Either way, we do hope this article has given you a better idea of what type of viola case you’re looking for.

And as always, take our onlinesurvey to get recommendations based on your specific needs.