OtterBox unveils Xbox accessories for on-the-go gaming

(Paradigm credit: OtterBox)

OtterBox is a household proper name when it comes to telephone cases, just the company has never really delved into gaming accessories — until at present. During CES 2021, OtterBox announced a meaning lineup of mobile gaming gear, including clips, cases and controller shells. The gear is all optimized for Xbox One and Xbox Series X controllers, which are more useful than ever for mobile gaming, thank you to cloud gaming services like Google Stadia, Nvidia GeForce Now and, of course, the Xbox Game Streaming app.

Since at that place's no physical CES expo this twelvemonth, Tom'south Guide met with OtterBox digitally to acquire all about the visitor's kickoff foray into mobile gaming. Generally speaking, the accessories on offer are a little on the expensive side, but aim to solve issues that cheaper mobile gaming gear doesn't. If these accessories are anything like OtterBox's standard phone cases, we imagine they'll also be fairly difficult to kill.

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OtterBox Mobile Gaming Clip

Gaming clips are the backbone of any mobile gaming setup, since they allow y'all attach your telephone and your controller to a unmarried appliance. The OtterBox Mobile Gaming Clip seems convenient, every bit it attaches to an Xbox controller and whatsoever kind of mobile telephone without blocking the charging ports on either. You lot tin as well adjust the prune'south arm so that it doesn't press downwardly on whatever buttons, which could throw the volume out of whack — or accidentally end your session altogether. Yous can likewise utilize the clip to prop your phone upward on a table, if you prefer to only agree the controller. The clip costs $thirty.

OtterBox Gaming Carry Example

If all you lot need for a mobile gaming session is a controller and a phone, then the OtterBox Gaming Carry Case should have you covered. This case has just plenty room for an Xbox controller, a telephone, a clip and some cables. There's a fold-out stand up on the top of the case, which ways y'all don't need a prune to play, provided you can find a stable surface. You tin can even charge your controller while y'all ship it, thanks to a cable passthrough in the instance. The case costs $45.

OtterBox Piece of cake Grip Controller Shell

Strictly a "nice-to-have" accessory, the OtterBox Like shooting fish in a barrel Grip Controller Shell is an Xbox controller pare that provides grip pads for the handles and not much else. The skin "protects against abrasion and scuffs," according to OtterBox, although a case would theoretically do the task even better. At $xl, the controller shell seems similar a tough sell, although it'south worth noting that it'due south bachelor in both Xbox One and Xbox Series X configurations. This might be a good way to repurpose an old Xbox Ane controller as a phone accessory.

OtterBox Easy Grip Gaming Case

OtterBox is a telephone case visitor, then it's just fitting that the gaming lineup includes the OtterBox Piece of cake Grip Gaming Case. The "gaming" part of this plain black case comes in textured ridges on the back, which theoretically makes a phone easier to grip. Information technology can likewise theoretically dissipate estrus quickly — but for the most part, it's basically just a durable case for your iPhone 12, 11 or SE, with Android versions coming later. It costs $55.

OtterBox Gaming Glass Privacy Baby-sit

The OtterBox Gaming Glass Privacy Guard is half screen protector and half privacy screen. Basically, it keeps your screen scratch-free while preventing passersby from seeing what yous're playing. It's likewise compatible with OtterBox cases, so you don't need to worry nearly choosing betwixt protection for the front of your phone, or the dorsum. Unlike most privacy screens, this 1 is optimized for a horizontal configuration, which is better for gaming. But at $fifty, it'south pretty pricey, so use your judgment.

All of the products described above will exist available for pre-order on January 25, and offset aircraft around the middle of February. As for whether the devices will justify their relatively loftier prices, that depends on how much mobile gaming you lot do — and how long you lot want your gear to final.

Marshall Honorof is a senior editor for Tom's Guide, overseeing the site's coverage of gaming hardware and software. He comes from a science writing groundwork, having studied paleomammalogy, biological anthropology, and the history of science and technology. Later hours, y'all tin find him practicing taekwondo or doing deep dives on classic sci-fi.