Supcase’s Unicorn Beetle Pro Rugged is an unassuming but protective case for AirPods

Summary

The Supcase UB Pro Rugged case for AirPods 2 offers great protection with its shock-absorbing material and carabiner attachment.
While ensuring excellent protection, the UB Pro Rugged case for AirPods 2 increases the size, making it challenging to fit in a pocket.
Users willing to forgo pocket storage in favor of protection will find the Supcase UB Pro Rugged a great investment for their AirPods.

We’re all familiar with phone cases and the perks they can provide. With the cost of smartphones now over $1,000 in many cases, it makes sense why users want to protect their devices. Up until recently, I never put much thought into applying the same logic to my AirPods. While they’re certainly not as expensive as my

iPhone 16
, AirPods are a treasured necessity when leaving the home. With this in mind, I’ve started to use the Supcase’s Unicorn Beetle (UB) Pro Rugged case to protect my AirPods 2 while running errands and traveling.

The UB Pro Rugged for AirPods 2 adopts many design conventions from Supcase’s iPhone case catalog and its Apple Watch accessories. The company has created a small protective shell for the AirPods 2 case to protect them from accidental damage. It also sports a useful optional carabiner attachment so you can carry the UB Pro Rugged case on a bag or even a belt loop.

This $15 case is a good investment if you regularly go hiking or camping. With the UB Pro Rugged, any potential damage incurred by dropping the AirPods 2 can be mitigated. Plus, the case is designed to access your AirPods earbuds and charging ports without any fuss. The only downside to using the UB Pro Rugged is the sheer size and bulk of the case. Forgoing the comfort of throwing your AirPods 2 in your pants pocket, the UB Pro Rugged can otherwise be a great accessory.

The case also works for the first generation AirPods. There isn’t a version of the UB Pro for the third-generation or fourth generation AirPods yet.

Supcase UB Pro AirPods 2

Supcase’s UB Pro Rugged case for AirPods 1 and AirPods 2 is a bulky yet protective case. Comprised of shock-absorbing TPU and unbending polycarbonate, the UB Pro case protects your AirPods from drops or bumps. There’s also an included carabiner attachment to use.

Brand: Supcase
Material: Polycarbonate
Price: $15.80

Price, availability, and specs

Supcase’s AirPods 2 case has a thoughtful design

Supcase’s UB Pro Rugged for AirPods 2 can be purchased on the accessory maker’s official website for $15. It’s available in various colors, including black, dark green, metallic blue, metallic red, and more. It’s compatible with both the standard AirPods model and the AirPods 2. Across the market, there are a handful of reputable AirPods cases. Most are simply just flashy, though some leather cases can provide modest protection. Supcase’s model prioritizes protection and security.

The only gripe I have with the design is that since there’s no built-in hinge, the top portion pushes the bottom out of its case only slightly when opening the case.

The UB Pro Rugged for AirPods 2 ships with two separate pieces. The body of the case slides over and secures the main component of the AirPods 2 charging case. A secondary piece slips onto the top portion of the AirPods 2 charging case. Separately, the AirPods 2 can function as they typically do. You can open the lid, remove your earbuds, and close the lid. The only gripe I have with the design is that, since there’s no built-in hinge, the top portion pushes the bottom out of its case only slightly when opening the case. Once I close the case, I have to consistently push the sides of the UB Pro Rugged back together, removing the back between the seams.

Supcase has also made sure that the UB Pro Rugged does not cover the charging port of the AirPods 2 case. The small cutout of the bottom ensures that most charging cables can still be used without removing the UB Pro Rugged case. Additionally, there’s a subtle cutout on the rear, allowing the charging status light to be seen.

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Built to withstand drops and other accidents

With shock-absorbing TPU, you can protect your AirPods 2

I’m not necessarily a clumsy person, but I have occasionally dropped the case for my AirPods 2. Whether it’s pulling the case out from my pocket on the street or dropping it at the gym, these accidents have occurred. Using the UB Pro Rugged has given me some peace of mind that if it happens again, my AirPods 2 charging case will be protected.

Based on how the UB Pro Rugged feels in my hand, it’s clear that Supcase has put a lot of effort into making the protective case sturdy and protective. It feels like a solid shell that can easily withstand drops and bumps is now encasing my AirPods 2. Whether it’s the corners or either side of the flat surface, the UB Pro Rugged is made to protect against minor damage.

The thoughtful part of the UB Pro Rugged is how secure the case is to the AirPods 2. Throughout my testing, I’ve attempted to find ways the AirPods 2 charging case might slip out and compromise the protection. While it’s not impossible, making the base portion of the UB Pro Rugged fall off the AirPods 2 charging case is a challenge. On the other hand, the top half is securely fastened to the point where it’s almost too difficult to remove.

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With great protection comes an increase in size

Say goodbye to keeping the AirPods 2 in your pocket

One of the reasons I’ve always gravitated to Apple’s AirPods is the slim and compact design of the earbuds and charging case. Whenever I leave my home, my AirPods 2 come with me because it’s easy to throw them in my pocket or backpack. With the UB Pro Rugged, I’ve now had to forgo the former. When using the UB Pro Rugged, my AirPods 2 are too bulky to store comfortably in my pocket. The case is far too big now. So, I’ve now had to think of alternatives, which mainly means I’m storing the case in a bag.

Fortunately, the UB Pro Rugged comes with a carabiner that makes it very easy to attach my AirPods 2 to my bag for easy access. Sometimes, when I don’t want to carry a bag, I opt to attach the UB Pro Rugged to a belt loop to keep with me on a walk. While I’m able to make this work for me, I’m fully aware it might not make sense for everyone.

The UB Pro Rugged sure lives up to its name with a rugged and protective design. It certainly isn’t a product that’ll fit everyone’s lifestyle. However, as far as my first foray into using a case for my AirPods 2, Supcase has the bar raised pretty high. It checks off all the boxes I’m looking for when it comes to protecting my wireless earbuds.

This story was inspired by Supcase’s products.