How to Find the Best Viola Case

• About
• Latest Posts

Hannah Haefele

Hannah has been a part of the music world since she was six! As an adult, she's an avid flutist with her own music blog and Youtube channel. She loves sharing her knowledge of instruments, musical theory, and her original arrangements with everyone that is interested.

Latest posts by Hannah Haefele (see all)

• Cecilio CCO 400 Review and Guide - February 21, 2022
• Cecilio CCO 500 Review and Guide - February 17, 2022
• Cecilio CCO 600 Review and Guide - February 9, 2022

Are you tired of lugging around your viola case, a bag for sheet music, and a bag for accessories? Consider how to find the best viola case to cut down your load.

Then, you’ll be able to carry just one thing and fit everything you need inside. And you won’t have to worry about losing or forgetting your essentials.

How To Find The Best Viola Case

No matter why you want one, you need to know how to find the best viola case. Some viola cases are great for some players and violas, but they may not work well for you.

You should consider a lot of factors to help select a viola case that works for your perfect viola. Then, you will be able to keep your instrument safe in storage and transit.

Here are some things you should think about to narrow your search for the ideal viola case.

Consider Your Viola

First, you need to figure out the measurements of your viola. Like other string instruments, not all violas are the same size, which means not all viola cases are the same size.

Be sure to take measurements of the instrument to see what size it is. If you just bought the viola or if you still have your receipt, you can also refer to that for the details.

Then, you’ll be able to find a case where the space for the viola will be the perfect size. You shouldn’t worry about having to stuff the viola in the case or have it slide around a lot.

Compare Materials

You may come across viola cases that use a variety of materials. Some cases have fabric on the outside, while others are plastic, fiberglass, or carbon fiber.

All materials can be useful, so it may come down to a personal preference. Other factors, like your budget, can also play a role in deciding what material your case should be.

If you like how one material feels over another, you can prioritize that in your search. But you may want to avoid fabric if you frequently need to bring your viola through rain since the material can absorb that moisture.

Remember Interior Materials

While the materials that make up the outside of the case matter, so do the interior materials. You should look for a case with a soft material, such as velvet.

That way, you don’t have to worry about something scratching your viola when it’s in the case. Be sure to check that the soft material covers the entire inside of the case.

If there are any cracks in the velvet, you may want to find a different case. That shouldn’t be a problem when shopping for new cases, but it may come up if you find a used one.

Decide On A Shape

Viola cases either contour to the shape of the instrument, or they’re rectangular. A contour can be nice because it saves on space outside of the case.

But it also means you may not have as much room to store your accessories. In that case, you may want a rectangular case so that you can keep everything you need together.

Rectangular cases may also feature a larger outside pocket because there’s more room. That can be nice if you need a safe place to store your sheet music.

Examine Your Storage Space

To help decide which shape is best for your viola case, consider where you plan to keep it. While a rectangular case may have more room inside, you can’t put it in as many spots in your home.

Think about if you have a ton of extra room for your viola case to sit. If not, you may want to go with a contoured case, and you can get a separate bag to store your accessories.

Then, you’ll be able to make the most of the space you have at home. And you can still have a convenient place to keep your rosin, extra strings, and other necessities.

Don’t Forget Accessories

Speaking of accessories, you should consider if the case you get will have room for certain things. At the very least, you should be able to keep your bow and shoulder rest in the case.

Then, you won’t forget to bring them to a lesson or rehearsal. You can borrow other things, like rosin, but it’s hard to share a bow or shoulder rest when another player needs to use them.

If you want to make things easy on yourself, get a case with room for all of your accessories. But if you can’t get something that big, find a bag to store what doesn’t fit in the case.

Prioritize Durability

When shopping for a viola case, you may want to get something stylish. However, it won’t matter how good the case looks if it doesn’t protect your viola.

You should look for a case that will hold up and won’t break with the slightest scratch. If a case won’t stay in good condition, neither will your instrument.

Make sure the case can open and close easily so that you can get in and out of it. And don’t forget to check the durability of the latches and other features.

Understand Security

Another thing to consider is how secure the case will be. Consider if you might want a case that comes with a lock or if you’ll want to add a lock to the case.

You don’t need a lock, but it can come in handy if you’re flying with your viola. Just make sure you know how to get the lock open to access your instrument.

However, you want to make sure the instrument will stay secure without a lock. Consider if the latch might fall open in transit and cause your viola to fall out. If so, avoid that case and look for another one.

Think About Carrying Options

You may also want to think about how you will be able to carry the case. A lot of violists like to use a case with backpack straps to carry the instrument on their backs.

But you can also get a shoulder strap to hang the instrument off one of your shoulders. Finally, you can get a case with just a handle to hand-carry the viola.

If you want to have options, look for a case with multiple straps and a handle. That way, you can carry the viola in the way that makes the most sense in a given situation.

Weigh The Case

Because of the materials or other factors, some cases are much heavier than others. Be sure to consider the weight of the case without anything in it.

If you already struggle to carry it for long periods, you won’t want to use it with your viola. But if the weight is the only issue, you may want to use the backpack straps to distribute the weight.

Then, you can still use the case and enjoy its benefits. However, you won’t have to mess up one shoulder or hand from all of the extra weight.

Evaluate Your Budget

Finally, you can easily spend a ton of money on a viola case. So consider if you can afford to splurge on a high-end case or if you need something more budget-friendly.

If you’re a new violist, you may want to stick with an affordable case. On the other hand, an advanced player might prefer a case with more features or storage space.

Don’t be afraid to research cases before you choose one. Then, you can get an idea of how much your dream case will cost you, and you can make sure you have enough money to buy it.

Best Viola Cases

While it’s nice to know how to find the best viola case, that may not help you if you don’t know where to start. You can find a surprising number of viola cases, and you might not know which ones to try.

When looking for the best viola cases, I looked for cases that were of good quality. I found cases from reputable brands, and I compared cases that use different materials and are at different price points.

That way, there will, hopefully, be at least one viola case that works for you.

ProTec Viola MAX Shaped Case 16 to 16.5″

The ProTec Viola MAX Shaped Case 16 to 16.5″ is an excellent choice for a full-sized viola. Its frame is lightweight and can resist impact to keep your instrument safe during transit.

Soft velvet padding also helps your viola stay safe, so you can take the case anywhere. Plus, the zipper closure means you don’t have to worry about a latch breaking and causing your viola to fall out.

This case features a handle on the side as well as at the top of the viola. And you get straps to carry it on your back or a shoulder, so you can be comfortable when using the case.

Pros

• Durable
• Multiple handles and straps
• Easy to use
• Protects your viola
• Soft materials

Cons

• Only for full-sized violas

ProTec Viola MAX Shaped Case 15 to 15.5″

If you have a slightly smaller instrument, try the ProTec Viola MAX Shaped Case 15 to 15.5″. It fits instruments between 15 and 15.5 inches, so it’s great for smaller or younger players.

The case has a lot of the same features as the larger version from ProTec, so it’s nice and durable. You also get plenty of straps to choose from to help carry the case.

And, like the other case, this one has an exterior pocket to store things like your keys. That way, you can only carry what you need when going to a rehearsal or concert.

Pros

• Great features
• Flexible
• Durable
• Protective
• Great for smaller instruments

Cons

• Not for full violas

ProTec Deluxe Viola PRO PAC Case

If you don’t like the look of a shaped case, give the ProTec Deluxe Viola PRO PAC Case a try. It features a soft interior that is molded to fit a viola, though it doesn’t specify what size.

You get a handle and a shoulder strap, so you can carry the viola however you like. And the case even has a pocket on the outside that can store sheet music.

There’s also an ID tag to help differentiate your case from someone else with the same one. Unfortunately, this case costs significantly more than some others.

Pros

• Plenty of storage space
• Extra pockets
• Protects your viola
• Durable
• Looks good

Cons

• Somewhat expensive

Crossrock ABS Molded Case

The Crossrock ABS Molded Case is an excellent choice if you want a simple viola case. It uses ABS resin, so you don’t have to worry about the case getting wet.

On the inside, the lining can help keep your viola safe, and you can attach backpack straps. Plus, the case comes in two sizes, so it can fit either a 15 or 16-inch model.

While it’s not cheap, it’s not as expensive as some cases. However, it doesn’t have any outside pockets, so you’ll need a separate bag for your music and accessories.

Pros

• Slim design
• Durable
• Can get wet
• Protects your instrument
• Easy to use

Cons

• No zipper closure

Toshira Viola Case

If you’re on a tight budget, give the Toshira Viola Case a try. You can use it to store your 16-inch viola, and it has a contoured shape to keep from taking up a ton of room.

There’s a zipper and an extra button closure to make sure the viola stays in the case. Plus, you have plenty of straps to carry the case in your hand or over your back.

And you can use the pocket to store your sheet music for a lesson or rehearsal. Then, you don’t have to worry about forgetting anything you need to play.

Pros

• Good fit
• Great design
• Plenty of handles and straps
• Easy to carry
• Nice pockets

Cons

• Only available in one size

BAM High Tech Contoured Viola Case

On the opposite end of the price spectrum, you have the BAM High Tech Contoured Viola Case. This case is perfect for professionals and other serious players who need the best case out there at any cost.

The silver carbon material makes the case lightweight, and it comes with a convenient carrying strap. Meanwhile, the inside of the case has a pocket for accessories and two bow holders.

While this isn’t a great option for beginners, it can come in handy for advanced musicians. You shouldn’t have to ever buy another viola case again unless you get another viola.

Pros

• Excellent quality
• Places for bows and accessories
• Looks good
• Easy to use
• Perfect for professionals

Cons

• Very expensive

BAM Panther Contoured Viola Case

Another option from the same company is the BAM Panther Contoured Viola Case. This black case looks good and can fit in on any orchestra stage.

It features a handle on the side and top of the case, so you can carry it in multiple ways. Like the other case, this one isn’t too heavy, so it’s great if you can’t handle a ton of weight.

You can use the case to store your bow and other accessories as well. Then, you shouldn’t have to leave any necessities at home when you head off to a rehearsal.

Pros

• Looks good
• Durable
• Great for professionals
• Space for accessories
• Easy to use

Cons

• Pretty expensive

Tonareli Viola Oblong Fiberglass Case

The Tonareli Viola Oblong Fiberglass Case is an excellent lightweight choice, but it’s not as expensive as BAM cases. It can hold a larger viola, so you can use it throughout your musical journey.

This case comes with accessory pouches, so you can store things like rosin and extra strings. And there are spots to place your bows for easy access.

Depending on the person, you may like or dislike the bright green design. On the one hand, it will be easy to find, but it can stand out if you want to keep it on stage with you.

Pros

• Plenty of storage space
• Fits most violas
• Good design
• Easy to use
• Decent quality

Cons

• Somewhat expensive

FAQs About How To Find The Best Viola Case

Final Note On How To Find The Best Viola Case

Knowing how to find the best viola case is critical for keeping your instrument safe. To help choose a case, make sure to measure your viola to determine the size.

Then, you can look for a case that fits your needs and budget. Soon enough, you’ll be able to store and transport your instrument without much stress.

For more interesting readings check out: 

• Viola vs Violin Explained: What’s the Difference?
• Cello vs Bass Explained: What’s the Difference?
• Violin Sizes Explained: All You Need to Know!