Update 7/10/19: Apple’s 2019 MacBook Air features the same dimensions as the 2018 model. The 2019 MacBook Pro also has the same dimensions as previous versions so all the sleeves and cases below remain great options.
Whether your shiny new Retina MacBook Air is arriving tomorrow or you’re planning on picking one up soon, keeping it protected is probably on your mind. Follow along for a look at the best cases and sleeves for Retina MacBook Air as well as the MacBook Pro.
As we discussed in our comparison post, the 2018 MacBook is lighter, slimmer, and has a reduced overall footprint compared to the previous MacBook Air. This is important to keep in mind as you look for cases and sleeves that are marketed as “made for MacBook Air.”
The new 13.3-inch Retina MacBook Air is about an inch less wide and deep as the previous generation, giving it the same dimensions as the 13-inch MacBook Pro except for thickness.
With this in mind, let’s look at the best cases and sleeves for the 2018 MacBook Air.
Tomtoc 360 Sleeve – $20
Some manufacturers are already noting which cases are the best fit for the new 2018 and 2019 MacBook Air. The Tomtoc 360 Sleeve is one of those and offers great padded protection and a snug fit.
It features reinforced edges with the company’s CornerArmor, includes a pocket on front for accessories, and is specifically designed for the 13.3-inch Retina MacBook Air and MacBook Pro. It’s highly rated with 4.7/5 stars on over 3,000 reviews.
AmazonBasics Sleeve – $9
If you’re looking for a simple, affordable option that will still offer good protection, it’s hard to go wrong with an AmazonBasics Sleeve. It won’t be quite as snug a fit as the Tomtoc or other choices, with dimensions just a bit bigger than the Retina MacBook Air. But it’s available in five colors starting at just $9.
At half the price of the Tomtoc above, you’re giving up reinforced corners and an exterior pocket. But this sleeve still has a 4.5/5 star average rating from over 10,000 reviews.
Incase Sleeves – from $28
Incase hasn’t officially updated its lineup of hard shell cases and soft, protective sleeves for the Retina MacBook Air, but there are still some options if you want to pick one up that’s a good fit now.
Any of the Incase sleeves for the 13-inch MacBook Pro (labeled as the Thunderbolt 3 – USB-C model on the website) will work well since the new Retina MacBook shares the same dimensions.
The basic sleeve starts at $28 (new colors are likely on the way since many options are out of stock at the time of writing). The premium Icon sleeve goes for $70.
iBlason Frosted Hard Shell – $25
As one of the first companies to offer a hard shell for the Retina MacBook Air, i-Blason offers a simple, clean approach with its hard shell case.
Featuring a matte, frosted finish, the transparent case includes venting and rubber feet on the underside, a precise fit, and easy access to the headphone and USB-C/Thunderbolt 3 ports.
Woolnut Leather Sleeves – $89
If you’re looking for a premium leather sleeve, Woolnut makes a great product. Available in a warm cognac color alongside a clean black option, we’ve previously reviewed Woolnut and found its sleeve to be a better option than Apple’s, at half the price.
Even if both were identically priced, the softer feel in the hand and ability to charge while inside the sleeve would be solid arguments in favor of Woolnut.
Mosiso Sleeve – $13
With a similar style to Tomtoc and Incase, Mosiso’s sleeve is another great choice for the money. With plush padding, an outside pocket and a 4.6/5 star rating with over 1,000 reviews on Amazon, this sleeve may offer the most bang for your buck.
Be sure to check out our roundup of the best USB-C/Thunderbolt 3 accessories for the new MacBook Air. We’ve also taken a look at the best cases for the new iPad Pro as well.
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