Skull & Co ROG Ally X GripCase Review: A Sleek, Budget-Friendly Case

For the past few months, I’ve been rocking the JSAUX ModCase with my Ally X, and when I found out that Skull & Co had released their own case for the handheld, I couldn’t resist giving it a try.

I’ve been a huge fan of their grip case for the Nintendo Switch, which has been on my Switch for years now, and is still holding up great. So I was curious to see if this new Ally X case would live up to my high expectations. Let’s find out.

What’s in the box?

When you open the box, all you’ll see is the grip case, which has a paper cutout featuring an image of the Ally X on the front. If you turn it over, you’ll find some basic instructions for putting the case on your device.

It’s worth mentioning that you can also get this grip in a bundle which comes with a carrying case. But since I already have the JSAUX travel case, I figured all I needed was the grip.

Unfortunately, as it turns out, the Ally X doesn’t fit properly inside the JSAUX case when the Skull & Co grip is on it. So in hindsight I should’ve just gone for the bundle that comes with a case designed to fit their grip perfectly.

Installation

The Skull & Co GripCase features an open design at the top around the shoulder buttons, so to use it all you have to do is slide your Ally X into it and pull the top flap into place.

This is super easy to do, particularly when compared with the JSAUX ModCase, which is a bit tricky to install due to its wraparound design and tight fit.

Design & build quality

This grip case is available in black, gray and purple, and I picked up the black one for this review, which looks super sleek.

Taking a look at the back of the case you’ll find the chunky textured grips, large cutouts for the vents and a Skull & Co logo at the bottom.

At the top, you can see precise cutouts for the vents and all the ports on the device, with plenty of room for thicker cables.

The wide opening for the power button makes it easy to use the fingerprint scanner.

I really like how this case looks, and the soft plastic material they used gives it a high-quality feel, even though it’s only $16.99, which is pretty affordable compared to other options out there. It’s quite flexible too, so slipping the Ally X in is very easy. Once it’s in there, it fits perfectly and definitely won’t come off easily.

But one downside of this open design is that it doesn’t offer complete protection for your handheld, especially if the shoulder buttons take a direct hit when dropped. If you want something that provides better protection, you might want to check out cases with a full wraparound design and hard-shell front cover, like the dbrand Killswitch or the JSAUX ModCase. Just keep in mind that the Killswitch is on the pricier side. It starts at $59.95 and is actually more expensive than both of those other options put together.

When it comes to ergonomics, the Skull and Co GripCase is extremely comfortable to hold. The big, textured grips feel great in the hand and I was able to play for hours without experiencing any cramps or fatigue.

One small nitpick is that the bottom part of the grips, where the case meets your palms, could be a bit more rounded. But they actually made this area somewhat flat for a reason. This allows the case to stand on its own at a 75° angle, which is a really cool feature to have.

Overall, I think the Skull & Co GripCase looks fantastic and it’s a really well built product.

Can you use the Skull & Co GripCase with a dock?

While I was testing the case, I noticed another drawback: it doesn’t fit in most of the docking stations I have, including popular ones from UGREEN and JSAUX.

I was only able to make it work with the JSAUX 6-in-1 dock, which has a modular stand with a big slot for bulkier handhelds like the Ally X and the Lenovo Legion Go.

This isn’t really an issue for me as I usually use the Ally X in handheld mode anyway, but if you prefer to keep yours docked, it’s something worth thinking about. And since the case is designed to stand on its own, you can of course just plug it into any dock and use it that way too.

Skull & Co GripCase vs JSAUX ModCase

Now that we’re a bit more familiar with the Skull & Co GripCase, let’s see how it compares with another popular budget-friendly case for the ROG Ally X, the JSAUX ModCase. Here’s a quick side-by-side comparison.

Feature	Skull & Co GripCase	JSAUX ModCase
Protection	Partial, with cutouts around the shoulder buttons.	Full protection, with a wraparound design and detachable front cover.
Accessories	None.	Comes with detachable modules, including a strap for power banks and SSD enclosures, as well as a sturdy kickstand.
Can it stand on its own?	Yes.	No, but it comes with a kickstand that can be attached to the back.
Price	$16.99 (or $32.99 in a bundle with a slim carrying case)	$29.99 (including the case, a hard-shell travel cover and accessories)

In my opinion, the Skull & Co case looks nicer and feels better in hand, but it doesn’t quite match the level of protection and features of the JSAUX ModCase. Ultimately, your decision will really depend on how you plan to use it. I find the Skull & Co super convenient for everyday use at home, but if I’m heading out on a trip, I’d definitely grab the JSAUX case instead.

Pros & cons

Let’s sum things up with a look at the pros and cons of the Skull & Co Grip Case for the ROG Ally X.

Pros

• Super easy to install
• Sleek design and excellent build quality
• Very comfortable to hold
• Precise cutouts for all the ports and vents
• Doubles as a stand

Cons

• Limited protection, with some parts of the Ally X exposed
• The case adds some bulk which makes it incompatible with some carrying cases and docking stations on the market

Verdict

The Skull & Co GripCase looks fantastic and makes the Ally X significantly more comfortable to hold.

While it’s not the most protective case out there and doesn’t fit into most docks, for someone like me who mainly uses it at home in handheld mode, it’s a great fit. I love how easy it is to put on and take off, and those textured grips feel amazing while playing.

With its solid quality and great price, I’d definitely say it’s worth checking out if you need a new case for your Ally X.

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