Best Pool Cue Cases (Review)
Best High End
Elite Prime 2-Butt and 4-Shaft
Best Mid Range
HAN'S DELTA 2-Butt and 2-Shaft
Best Inexpensive
Casemaster Q-Vault 1-Butt and 1-Shaft
By Phill Williams
11th Mar, 2023, 17 min read
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You love your pool cues. I get that. They are your prized possessions, and you may have spent considerable time choosing the right ones.
Now I bet you're thinking about the best way to protect it - not just when the cue isn't in use, but also when you're traveling around from pool hall to pool hall. Perhaps you're just looking for a replacement cue case after your last one reached the end of its life. Or perhaps you're looking for a larger pool cue case to accommodate all your new accolades.
Whatever your reasons are, a cue case is an important accessory. It keeps your cues safe, preventing any dust or dirt damage, and even helping to prevent unwanted warpage.
To choose the right cue case, you need to take into consideration a couple of factors like the number of cues you're planning to store, material type, and most importantly, the price.
But, the problem is that the market is flooded with so many different cases, from several manufacturers. There are soft case, hard case, leather case, and then there are literally dozens of sizes to choose from. This makes the whole selection process an overwhelming task.
To save you the hassle, we've scoured the internet and found the best pool cue cases currently available, and put them together in this handy list. Depending on your needs and budget, we're sure you'll find a fit. We've also included a buyer's guide to clear up any additional questions you might have.
Let's take a look at the seven best pool cue cases, perfect for any need and price range:
When it comes to cue cases, no one size fits all. Some players prefer to carry playing cue, jump cue, break cue, and a couple of extra shafts while some prefer to carry just one - it boils down to personal preference.
With that said, typically a 1x1, 2x2 or 2x4 cue case should suffice for most.
The 7 Best Pool Cue Cases
- Elite Prime 2-Butt and 4-Shaft - Best Leather Case (2x4)
- Gator Champion Instroke 4x8 Case - Best Professional Case (4x8)
- Gator Champion Sport 2x4 - Best Cue Case with Stand (2x4)
- HAN'S DELTA 2x2 Hard Oval - Best 2x2 case (Value Buy)
- Casemaster Q Vault-Supreme 1x1 - Best 1x1 Case (Premium & Sturdy)
- Hard Pool 3x6 Cue Billiard Stick Carrying Case - Best 3x6 Case
- Billiard Depot 3x5 Combo Cue Case - Best 3x5 Case
1. Elite Prime 2-Butt and 4-Shaft Prime Leather Pool Cue Case
Best Leather Case (2x4)
Specs:
- Holds - 2 Butts, 4 Shafts
- Type: Hard case
- Material: Pure leather
- Weight: 4.6 lbs
- Price: Under $140
For our top pick, we have the Elite 2- butt and 4-shaft prime cue case. This case is an ideal choice for anyone who is looking for unmatched protection for the pool cues while not compromising on the looks. The case is available in black finish with gold color studs. Sporting an all-leather construction, this hard case is designed to store two butts and four shafts.
Besides the aesthetic aspects, a lot of thought has been put to make this case as user-friendly as possible. It comes with a self-closing nap, which automatically locks the case as soon as you close the top lid. Additionally, the spring-loaded tubes with inner felt lining make it super easy to put and remove the cues. The cue tubes are well-padded to prevent any scuffing or scratches while safely securing the cues in place. It also comes with a shoulder strap, ensuring maximum portability and ease of use!
There are three pockets at the top (one large and two small) to store chalks, gloves, mobile phone, or even your wallet.
To sum it up: Between the rugged build quality and practical design, I feel you will be hard-pressed to find a better cue case than this.
What We Liked
+ Convenient, stylish and practical design
+ Real leather
+ Sturdy, durable and reliable
+ Professional quality
Watch Out for
- Only comes in one color
- Few buyers complained about the weak zipper, but I personally didn't find this issue.
2. Gator Champion Instroke 4x8 Case
Best Professional Case (4x8)
Specs:
- Holds - 4 Butt, 8 Shaft
- Type: Soft case
- Material: Leatherette
- Weight: 3.2 lbs
- Price: ~$120 to $130
Gator Champion Instroke 4x8 cue case is an ideal pick for professionals or anyone who prefers to carry multiple cues. It's one of the biggest and most durable cue case, you can buy right now. Made from leatherette material, this case stores four butts and eight shafts. The case does an excellent job of keeping all your cues organized in one place, and dedicated tubes make it easy to retrieve the cues when needed.
Available in a brown and black finish, this case extrudes elegance and premium finish. The double-stitched construction adds to the overall durability of the case, while the tiered interior pockets hold the cues securely. As it's made out of leather, it's still lighter than a hard case, making it easy to carry around. Additionally, it comes with a side handle and an adjustable shoulder strap to carry the case the way you like. Two accessory pockets are provided at the top to store cue chalks, tips, and other stuff.
To summarize: The Gator Champion Instroke 4x8 is a perfect cue case for anyone who is looking for an extra-large case and doesn't like to compromise on quality or style.
What We Liked
+ Professional quality
+ Durable, and sturdy build
+ Attractive design
+ Ample storage for cues and accessories
Watch Out for
- Expensive
- Only comes in one color
3. Gator Champion Sport 2x4 Pool Cue Case Holder- with Stand
Best Cue with Stand (2x4)
- Holds - 4 Butt, 8 Shaft
- Type: Hard case
- Material: Pure leather
- Weight: 5.50 lbs
- Price: Under $130
The individual tubes are foam-padded to offer max protection to cues while making it easy to access the cues. The side handle and shoulder straps are also made of leather and are further padded for ease of carrying.
The only downside to this otherwise excellent case is the weight. It weighs 5.50lbs, which is heavier than most cases, but that also signifies superior build quality.
To sum it up: If you're eyeing for a cue case that comes with a stand to keep your cues upright, this is an excellent choice.
What We Liked
+ Comes with a stand to keep your case and cues upright
+ Sturdy build quality
+ Convenient and stylish
+ Pure leather
Watch Out for
- Only comes in one color option
- Heavy
4. HAN'S DELTA 2x2 Hard Oval Pool Cue Case
Best 2x2 case (Value Buy)
- Holds: 2 Butts, 2 Shafts
- Type: Hard case
- Material: Vinyl
- Weight: 1.15 lbs
- Price: Under $40
This Han's Delta 2x2 is an inexpensive cue case that offers excellent all-round protection to your cues while being portable enough. Sporting an oval-shaped design, this case holds two butts and two shafts. The oval design coupled with an adjustable shoulder strap makes carrying this case, a breeze.
The case itself is made from hard vinyl with a top zippable lid, which protects the cues from any external damage. The inner cue tubings are also padded with foam, which safely secures the cues in position. It fits up to 31" long butts or shafts, and comes complete with two additional accessories pockets for storage.
To sum it up: Han's delta 2x2 offers excellent value for money and makes up for an excellent choice for budget-conscious buyers.
What we Liked
+ Durable, hard case
+ Low cost and budget-friendly
+ Great build quality
Watch Out for
- Not fabric lined
- Cues may rattle inside the case
5. Casemaster Q Vault-Supreme 1x1 Cue Case
Best 1x1 Case (Premium & Sturdy)
- Holds: 1 Butt, 1 Shaft
- Type: Hard case
- Material: Vinyl
- Weight: 1.8 lbs
- Price: Under $25
Casemaster Q Vault-Supreme is one of the best selling cue cases on Amazon (for a good reason). Priced just under $20 coupled with the above-average build quality, makes it a popular choice.
This case is geared towards beginners and casual players who tend to play with just the shooting cue. It stores one butt and one shaft and comes fitted with a removable accessories bag to store chalks, tips, etc.
But it may be cheap, but the quality is alright. It's a hard vinyl case, with a lush leatherette covering, giving it a premium look and finish. The lightweight construction, along with an adjustable shoulder strap, makes it convenient and easy to carry.
If you're looking for a cue case to store just one cue, you should definitely consider this.
What We Liked
+ Cute, stylish and practical
+ Variety of colors
+ Simple and easy to transport
+ Well made, and sturdy
+ Accessory bag is removable
+ Affordably priced
Watch Out for
- Not as durable as the top picks
6. Hard Pool 3x6 Cue Billiard Stick Carrying Case
Best 3x6 Case
- Holds: 3 Butts, 6 Shaft
- Type: Hard case
- Material: Vinyl
- Weight: 3.2 lbs
- Price: Under $50
Next up is a high capacity cue case from a well-known manufacturer Iszy Billiards. It holds three butts and six shafts, providing enough storage for all your cues. This hard case comes wrapped in a stylish leatherette to protect the case from scuffs and scratches, and also features two accessories pockets with a shoulder strap. Available in four different colors, from black to red, you're sure to find something to your liking.
The case measures approximately 33 inches in length and stores up to 30'' long shafts or butts. The inner foam dividers run throughout the case, making it extremely easy to slide in or remove the cues.
Overall, it's a solid case with a simple yet effective design that may last you for many years to come. Priced just under $50, this is truly a steal.
What We Liked
+ Large storage capacity
+ Comes in a range of colors
+ Low cost and budget-friendly
+ Practical, easy to use design
Watch Out for
- External materials may rip easily
- Accessory pockets are small
7. Billiard Depot 3x5 Combo Cue Case
Best 3x5 Case
- Holds: 3 Butts, 5 Shafts
- Type: Soft case
- Material: Leatherette
- Weight: 4.6 lbs
- Price: Under $70
The final cue case on this list is the 3B5S combo case, an ideal mid-range case offering a decent amount of protection at a reasonable price.
The case holds three butts and five shafts. It's built using stylish black leatherette, with large accessory pockets. You can fit anything you'll need in this one handy case!
A great feature is that the case offers spring-loaded butt storage, which makes setting up and packing down much easier. It also comes with an oversized pocket for jump cues. It's a great choice for someone who plays with different types of cues throughout the game.
On the downside, the case does not come with shoulder straps and does not have dividers all the way across the case. The cues sit a little loose on this case and may move around while carrying. But for the price point of under $70, I don't think you can really ask for more.
What We Liked
+ Large storage capacity
+ Very attractive price point
+ Sturdy and durable
+ Oversized accessory and jump cue pockets
+ Spring loaded cue storage
Watch Out for
- No shoulder strap
- Only comes in one color
Buyer's Guide to Pool Cue Cases
While choosing a cue case size, the material may seem like the most obvious factors to consider, but there is more to it than what meets the eye. There more trivial features that you need to look for, like how comfortable and securely the cue fits inside the case. Is there any silk lining to prevent moisture from seeping in?
Or what sort of padding the casing uses - foam or soft felt?
Below, we've discussed all these factors which you must consider while buying a pool cue case:
Size
Pool cue cases are available in various sizes like 1x1, 1x2, 1x2, 2x2, 2x4, 3x5, and more. 1x1 means it stores one butt and one shaft, i.e., one complete cue. Similarly, 2x4 stores two butts and four shafts, i.e., two complete cues and two extra shafts.
Depending on the number of cues you plan to carry, choose an appropriate size. Some players tend to carry just the playing cue while some prefer to carry the whole set, including breaking cue, jump cue, and a couple of extra shafts. But for most players, a 2x2 case should be good enough.
It's a good idea to choose a case with a couple of extra slots to have space for future upgrades.
Type
Now that you've zeroed on the size, let's move on to decide whether you need a soft case or hard case. Both types have their pros and cons, and it's a matter of preference and convenience which one is best for you.
Soft case, as the name suggests, is made of a softer material like vinyl or leatherette. They make up for an ideal travel companion. Being lightweight and smaller in size makes them easy to carry around and store. On the downside, they offer less protection due to the softer outer layer.
Hardcase, on the other hand, offers better protection with dedicated tubes for each cue. It's made out for leather or hard plastic outer shell, providing superior protection to your cues from bending, warping, or scratches. On the downside, it occupies more space, is bulky, and a bit less portable.
Other factors to consider:
Dividers:
Cue cases have a separate partition for each butt and shaft. The dividers can be hard material like plastic/cardboard or foam type. In the costlier cases, you will find hard material dividers with silk lining to prevent moisture from entering in. Foam dividers offer a more secure and snug fit. Avoid cases where the cue sits loose.
Storage:
Most cases come with extra accessory pockets to store basic items like chalk, cue tips, or a tip tool. Some of them even have a larger space to put in even a towel or wallet. If you don't like to keep these stuff in your pant pocket, look for cases with more large accessory storage space.
Aesthetic:
Cases come in a wide range of designs and colors from pure leather, leatherette to wooden box style. You have a lot of options to choose from, and it boils down to your personal preference. But I would suggest not to compromise on the quality for looks.
Strap:
Some cases come with shoulder strap, some come with side strap, and some come with both. It boils down to how you prefer carrying the case.
Stand:
Another feature you may like to consider is whether you want to have a case with a stand - this is more of a preference, as the stand will not impact the case performance. An upright case makes it easier to reach for the cues and will prevent them from hitting the floor, though most players do not find this to be an issue.
Price
Pool cue cases come in different price bands from $20 to as high as $400. It won't make much sense for a rookie to opt for a costly case unless he/she wants to. Similarly, a league player or professional player shouldn't use cheaper alternatives as cheap cases don't necessarily offer the best protection.
But does higher does cost translate to higher quality - Unfortunately in case of pool cue case, it does. Expensive cases are made of more robust and premium material, are better designed, offering top-level protection. They also last longer and are sturdier.
Cheaper cases are more likely to have been built using lower-quality materials, making them more likely to start showing signs of wear and tear, or even developing rips and cracks. They will usually offer less storage capacity than the more expensive cases too, and are less likely to have fabric-lined insides, which could potentially scuff or scratch your cues.
Conclusion
There's a lot to take think upon when choosing a cue case! It's one of the accessories which you're going to own for a really long time. But there are so many brands, styles, and build types that makes picking a good cue case a challenging task - it’s important to consider your needs, and adapt to that.
Every case listed here is a great addition to your arsenal, and there should be something here for everyone. Hopefully, you've narrowed your search down to that one perfect cue case, and can get back to competing!
