Photograph: Nena Farrell
There are four basic colors so far: Clear, Black, Gingham, and Aura, all of which are similar to PopSocket’s phone cases in the same colors. There are also two designs from the Bookish collection, both of which I tested and found to be beautiful prints. I really like that there are designs that cover your whole Kindle, and some semi-clear options, too, along with a true clear. My favorite pairing I tested was the Curled Up With a Good Book PopCase and PopGrip ($30) from the Bookish collection, which not only matched the case and grip but also left about a quarter of my Kindle’s case uncovered, allowing the raspberry-pink shade to peek out. It pairs nicely with the pink and purple books on the cover, making it feel like an intentional pairing rather than a kismet test sample.
The matching set is a really fun option, and a few colors are available—there’s an Aura PopGrip ($30) that you can pair with the Aura case, and a Red Gingham PopGrip ($30) that you can pair with the black and white Gingham case. Most of the case-and-grip combos I tested were a mix-and-match option—like the Storied Shelves PopCase paired with the Heart of Silver PopGrip on my Colorsoft—but they still look great together. PopSocket’s case and grip range offers a variety of choices to mix and match, allowing you to swap out the grip for a new look whenever you want.
Sticker Shock
These cases aren’t cheap, especially compared to other simple designs and clear cases you can find and customize with stickers on Amazon for $10. A MagSafe adapter also typically retails for under $10, so you can still DIY this if you’re on a budget. I think these cases are a great option for individuals who already have a PopSocket grip collection and want to attach them to their favorite e-reader more easily. However, if you’re new to the PopSocket world, purchasing a new PopCase and a PopGrip will cost you $70.
Still, they really feel like they’re made to last, rather than being just a cheap sheet of clear plastic. The matching sets are really fun in my eyes, but you’ll also find me sticking the Heart of Silver on every Kindle I own from here on out.