Pelican Cases are the most popular protective case on the market today. They offer protection against drops, bumps, and scratches and are extremely tough and rugged. The company has been around for years and has built a huge following. However, Pelican cases may be expensive for some so we’ve created a list of the best alternatives that have similar quality.
Pelican hard cases are durable but expensive.
If you’ve ever used a Pelican hard case then you know they’re tough as nails and weatherproof. I personally recommend Pelican cases every chance I get, but they can be expensive. You can easily drop a few hundred dollars on a single case. While it will last through years of adventures, it’s easy to understand why someone would want to shop for a cheaper alternative. Not everyone can afford to buy a premium Pelican case so we put together a list of some great alternatives.
Other companies make comparable cases cheaper.
There are lots of other companies making similar hard cases at lower prices. However, you want to research and find a great case that’s durable and well-made versus a cheap knockoff that will break after a few seasons. This may include reading reviews, this article and maybe even seeing the protective cases in person. You may have a hard time finding a wide selection of hard cases in stores because their inventory may be limited to a few top brands. In fact, you have a better chance at finding a Pelican case than other competitors because they’re so damn popular.
If you decide to go with an alternative, then you need to find one that has great reviews from people who have actually used them in the field. If you’re looking for a camera hard case, it may be helpful to join photography groups on social media and ask around. Professional photographers have tried multiple protective cases and will have some tips for you.
Where to find Pelican cases.
If I’ve talked you into buying a Pelican case instead of finding a cheaper alternative, you can find them in these three places:
- Pelican.com is the best place to buy Pelican products because they have a wide selection and are extremely helpful when it comes to customer service. They also have a great return policy and you can be sure to get an authentic Pelican case and not a knockoff.
- Amazon.com is always a great place to shop for hard cases including Pelican products.
- Your local sporting goods store such as Academy, Bass Pro Shop, or maybe even Walmart will have a few different Pelican cases, but their selection may be limited.
Pelican cases are used by professionals.
Pelican Cases are designed to keep your device safe from scratches and dings. They also provide protection against drops and bumps. And because they’re made with high-quality materials, they’ll last longer than other cases. Professionals that rely on their hard protective cases to keep their tools and instruments in perfect condition often opt for Pelican cases because they’re known in many industries as the absolute best you can buy.
The Pelican Cases website states that “Pelican Cases are built tough.” That’s true. These cases are made from durable plastic and rubber, which means they won’t break easily. In fact, if you want to protect your phone, tablet, or laptop, Pelican Cases are the case to get if it’s within the budget. If not, there are plenty of other hard cases you can substitute them for.
Hard cases don’t have to cost a fortune.
You can still find a great hard case without breaking the bank. In fact, you may be able to save around $50 to $100 depending on the size of the hard case you’re purchasing. This could be a game-changer if have equipment that you need to protect but don’t have the cash to invest in a Pelican case.
The best thing about hard cases is that they come in many different sizes and shapes. Some are designed to fit specific items such as laptops, while others are meant to hold everything from a laptop to a tablet computer. If you want something that’s going to last, then you’ll want to invest in a quality hard case. However, if you’re looking for a cheap alternative, then there are plenty of options available just don’t try to go too low and end up with a cheap piece of plastic that won’t protect your expensive equipment. It’s better to err on the side of caution when choosing the best hard case for your gear.
Here are the best Pelican hard case alternatives:
Nanuk 945 Waterproof Hard Case with Lid Organizer
If you transport expensive gear or sensitive tools you need a waterproof hard case that can take a beating and still protect your items. The Nanuk 945 fits the bill and is a great Pelican case alternative. In fact, many people like the Nanuk lineup of hard camera cases better than Pelican. The great thing about this particular Nanuk hard camera case is that it has a lid organizer that’s perfect for those extra accessories you never know what to do with. It has multiple pockets that allow you to stay organized. The interior padded dividers do an amazing job of keeping your items secure and in place.
Nanuk hard cases are IP67-rated waterproof as well as shockproof and dustproof to give you the best protection possible. It even has a pressure equalizer inside the case. The retractable pull handle is a nice touch and the wheels make it easy to maneuver your case.
What we like:
The lid organizer is hard to beat and makes this one of the most comprehensive hard cases on the market. The pouches give you plenty of ways to keep your gear organized and ready to use. The interior padded dividers provide extra protection to your gear and we were glad to have them!
Our Recommendation:
If you want a hard camera case that has numerous organizational compartments to separate your gear, this is the hard case for you.
|
|
Condition 1 Hard Case
Condition 1 makes great hard cases that are watertight and can be submerged for up to 30 minutes in 3 feet of water. While you will hopefully never drop your case in the water accidents do happen and it’s definitely happened to someone before. Not only is this case waterproof, but it will also keep moisture away from your electronics or whatever you decide to carry. It features a spring-loaded latch to keep the lid secure and you can attach locks to keep people out. These hard cases are crushproof and you can stack them on top of each other to save space. I know plenty of people who use this exact case to store photography equipment such as drones to keep them safe while filming.
What we like:
Condition 1 hard cases are a great alternative to Pelican cases and are comparable in durability, available sizes, and ease of use. The first time I picked it up I could tell it was made tough and would do a great job at protecting my camera gear.
Our Recommendation:
Buy the Condition 1 if you want a no-nonsense hard case that will last you for years.
|
|
Eylar Protective Hard Camera Case 16”
I’ve always been a fan of Eylar hard camera cases. They come in plenty of sizes, colors, and configurations so you can get exactly what you need. It’s perfect for camera equipment, tools, handguns, scientific instruments, and more. Made with polypropylene, this camera case is IP67 waterproof and features a rubber gasket to make a waterproof seal. Eylar cases have great foam options and this particular model comes with 3 layers of foam each layer a different variation such as a solid layer, pull and pluck layer that you can customize and an egg-crate top layer. Seriously, check out the cool colors they have in some of the smaller sizes!
What we like:
I’ve always been a fan of Eylar products due to their craftsmanship and affordability. Plus, they come in a wide variety of colors and I’m really partial to the bright blue on another size hard case. The interior protective foam is one of my favorite features and I could tell just by feeling it that it would cradle my expensive gear and keep it protected while I travel.
Our Recommendation:
Eylar hard cases cost less than half of what you would spend on a Pelican, so we say buy one of these instead if you’re on a budget.
|
|
Seahorse 920 Protective Equipment Case
Seahorse may sound like a strange name for a protective case, but I can assure you they make incredible well-built cases. They’re watertight, and airtight and will keep dust away from your gear. You can drop them in water and fully submerge them in up to 3 feet of water for half an hour and your gear will still be adequately protected. I personally like the wide track wheels for easy maneuvering and the built-in telescoping tote handle is a nice addition. The Seahorse 920 protective equipment case comes with a lifetime warranty.
What we like:
The wide wheels and telescoping handle are a huge selling point for me because I travel with my expensive camera gear and electronics often. I was able to load the Seahorse 920 with gear and roll it with ease.
Our Recommendation:
This is a great mid-range hard case that makes transporting camera equipment, drones, and other items simple. We recommend this hard case to anyone who travels often with their gear and doesn’t want to lug it around.
|
|
Monoprice Weatherproof Hard Case
This hard case by Monoprice is about as tough as they get! It measures 20.1” x 10.9” x 6.8” and can hold plenty of items. It can be submerged underwater up to 3 feet and will keep out water, dust, and other particles that may hard your gear. The polypropylene construction is tough as nails and is UV-resistant as well as shockproof. It’s important to buy a hard case that’s shockproof because you will drop it at one point. One feature I highly enjoy is the fully customizable foam interior inserts that allow you to organize your gear exactly how you like.
What we like:
The Monoprice hard case is a great cheap option that will still get the job done.
What we don’t like:
The latches could be better. I’ve busted my knuckles more than once while opening the case. That’s a small issue, but I prefer latches on other cases.
Our Recommendation:
This is a good cheap option for a hard case. It has what you need and won’t break the bank. It’s great to throw in your trunk or the back of your truck to store items.
|
|
Durabox Travel Hard Case with Foam
The Durabox is a tough hard case that’s perfect for traveling. It’s TSA compliant and is great for your carry-on. You can secure it with two padlock points to keep people honest while you travel. You can fly with this hard case due to the manual pressure relief valve that lets you adjust interior pressure once you change altitude. This is important to have if you fly often. You can fully submerge this case in up to 5 feet of water for 30 minutes and it will still continue to protect your valuables. Durabox comes in 5 different models that can protect all types of electronics, jewelry, guns, camera equipment, drones, and important documents.
What we like:
It’s TSA-compliant! This is a huge feature for those of us that travel all the time with our gear. It makes the perfect carry-on if you’re like me and want to keep your expensive electronics close to you and don’t trust others to handle them.
What we don’t like:
The latches feel cheap, but other than that, it’s all good.
Our Recommendation:
Get this case if you fly often!
|
|
Lykus HC-3810 Hard Case
The Lykus HC-3810 is a tough box that features customizable foam with multiple sizes to choose from. We chose this case as a Pelican case alternative because it has outstanding reviews and is made with amazing quality control. Many hard cases use recycled Polypropylene resin, but Lykus makes their cases with new Polypropylene that will likely last longer. You get 2 pieces of interior foam that are customizable to fit your items perfectly. It’s the perfect tough box for cameras, drones, jewelry, and even firearms.
What we like:
The Lykus hard case is made with new Polypropylene and will probably last longer than other hard cases in the same category. I was able to pick one up for under $50 which is perfect for those on a budget.
What we don’t like:
This is a great little hard case and the only negative I experienced while using it is the latches feel cheap. That doesn’t mean they won’t keep the case latched tight, they just felt cheap when I used them.
|
|
HUL Military Style Hard Case with Pluck Foam
The HUL is a no-nonsense hard case designed with your needs in mind. It’s everything you need to fully protect a large number of cameras and other important equipment that you want to keep safe. The Pick N’Pluck foam is a great way to fully customize your hard box and create a tight fit for your items. It has a pressure equalization valve to keep water and other impurities out of your box. The HUL hard cases are great for traveling with lenses with plenty of extra room and it only weighs 7 lbs.
What we like:
I picked up a HUL hard case for under $30 and it did exactly what I got it for – transported my GoPro and other small cameras over rough terrain.
What we don’t like:
There is no bottom layer of foam. It has one piece of Pick N’Pluck foam that can be worked to get two pieces. It may not even be a big issue for most people, I just prefer to have more than one piece of foam. However, it’s perfect for the price! I’ll be picking up a few more of these soon.
|
|
Koah Weatherproof Hard Case
Koah may be one of the lesser-known hard cases, but they’re quickly gaining a following due to their low prices and injection-molded design. They’re perfect for transporting cameras, photography equipment, firearms, and ammo. Not only is this a durable case for cameras, but it also prevents your electronic devices from short-circuiting. This hard case is super easy to open and features tough latches that keep it closed.
What we liked:
The Koah hard case is extremely lightweight and only weighs 1 pound which makes it perfect for small cameras and other devices. It’s easy to carry around and offers amazing protection. If you’re looking for a cheaper version of a Pelican case this is a great option.
|
|
Meijia Weatherproof Protective Hard Case Small
Meijia makes a wide variety of protective hard cases that range from small to large with wheels. This particular Meijia hard case is small, but the perfect size for camera equipment, drones, and other electronics. It comes in 4 different colors such as black, desert tan, green, and yellow. Personally, I like the yellow case because it’s easy to find for photo shoots. The Meijia case measures 11.65” x 8.35” x 3.78” and will keep your expensive gear dry and ready to use at a moment’s notice. The soft grip handle fits nicely in your hand and makes long trips more bearable when you have to tote your gear far. The latches are large and made with reinforced stainless steel to make them last longer. It even has a pressure valve that does a great job of releasing built-up air pressure while keeping water from entering your case. We highly recommend Meijia hard protective cases for all types of items.
What we like:
I picked up a Meijia hard case for around $30! You can’t beat that price! It’s the perfect size hard case to fit on the back of a motorcycle or to transport small cameras, drones, and pistols. I love the fact that it’s TSA-compliant and I can bring it on trips.
What we didn’t like:
No product is perfect and I had one issue withe Meijia hard case: you can’t really lay it flat on a table with the lid open because it is slightly top-heavy. This isn’t a huge issue but some may not like that fact. However, the price is perfect and I can look past a few imperfections.
|
|
Eylar Protective Hard Camera Case
We had to include this Eylar hard camera case in this list because it’s a great contender, but I also love the colors they come in! It’s a great way to organize your gear aside from owning 10 solid black cases. It’s rated IP67 waterproof and can survive being dunked underwater up to 3 feet deep for a limited amount of time. It comes with 4 layers of protective foam which includes a bottom layer, a top egg crate, and 2 pull and pluck cubes that you can customize. Overall, this is a great and fun hard camera case that can withstand the outdoors and travel.
What we liked:
First, I absolutely love the color selection of this Eylar hard case! You can choose from numerous bright colors which is a change of pace from the droves of solid black cases I have around the shop. The 4 layers of foam are the first thing that stuck out when I was choosing a new hard case. That’s a lot of protection! I pay a lot of money for my equipment and this case does a tremendous job of protecting them, especially drones. The stackable design is handy when you own multiple Eylar hard cases and the lockable fittings keep people honest and protects your items from theft. I highly recommend this fun hard case to anyone that wants to protect their equipment and doesn’t need a huge hard case.
|
|
Jerome is an avid outdoorsman who moonlights as an attorney when he’s not creating the world’s greatest online content.