Otterbox Commuter or Defender?

[Huggie87]

I prefer the commuter its not as bulky as the defender and still offers a good amount of protection

Sent from my XT1060 using AC Forums mobile app

 

[louisstone]

I have a commuter cause the defenders holster was junk and not worth the extra price

Sent from my XT1060 using Tapatalk

I burned through three Defenders on my Galaxy Nexus because the clips that hold the phone into place at the top of the holster keep breaking. Apparently I use my phone too much. I bought a $8 (at the time) My Carbon holster through Amazon and that sucker just won't break no matter what I do to it.

Right now, I'm using an E-LV holster for my Moto X that was $12 ($17 all in). Not quite as sturdy as the My Carbon, but I should get some good use out of it.

 

[Claris Chew]

I prefer commuter as its not as bulky as compared to defender but still as protective, and I doesn't need the belt clip..
I just ordered mine from an online shop this afternoon for my galaxy s4, looking forward to receive it

 

[calvinaustins]

I am using a commuter for my Samsung Galaxy S3 since a long time. It quite durable and stylish too. It is bit expensive but quite a worth.

 

[mkurz12]

On my past two devices (Droid Inc. 2 & Galaxy Nexus) I used the Otter box Commuter case with the Seidio Active clip holster and they fit perfectly. Not sure if its the same for the MotoX.
I'm using the Commuter for my MotoX now but didn't try the Seidio Active clip holster yet.
I'm normally an accessory junkie but had a baby recently so have to watch the spending now.

Posted via AC App on Moto X

 

[jcochran1977]

Amazon.com: SUPCASE Motorola Moto X Phone Unicorn Beetle Hybrid Case - Clear/Black, Free HD Clear Screen Protector, Bubble Free Installation Instruction Included: Cell Phones & Accessories

This is a great case!

 

[PDT816]

I've always used Defenders in the past, but AT&T gave me a Commuter for free when I bought my phone. The case seems more than adeqate for the job in protecting the Moto X.

Here's a rundown of my likes/dislikes compared to the Defender cases on previous phones...

+ Just the right size. It protects the face without impeding your ability to use the screen around the edges. Always a minor irritation for me with Defenders.
+ Like others have mentioned, I seemed to have a problem breaking the clips that held the Defender cases together. Not a problem with the Commuter.
+ Not having a built-in screen protector really does improve the tactile functions of using a phone.

- If you don't get it on exactly right, pushing the volume rockers and power button feels like you are going to crush your phone. It's not what it should be even if put on correctly.
- I miss the rubbery part on the outside. It's not very comfortable to hold if I'm reading an ebook and I have to maintain a death grip on my phone when I'm jogging/sweaty hands. Haven't dropped it yet, but I'm sure it will happen the first time my attention falters.

 

[greg_atlanta]

I miss the rubbery part on the outside. It's not very comfortable to hold if I'm reading an ebook and I have to maintain a death grip on my phone when I'm jogging/sweaty hands. Haven't dropped it yet, but I'm sure it will happen the first time my attention falters.

Any suggstions for a similar case which is sticky and easier to hold? For me 99% of drops is from phone sliding around. I have a commuter for atrix but it's the old school silicone style (the one that likes pocket lint).

 

[PDT816]

Any suggstions for a similar case which is sticky and easier to hold? For me 99% of drops is from phone sliding around. I have a commuter for atrix but it's the old school silicone style (the one that likes pocket lint).

No idea as far as personal experience.

Sent via my Moto X

 

[mhunter6378]

Any suggstions for a similar case which is sticky and easier to hold? For me 99% of drops is from phone sliding around. I have a commuter for atrix but it's the old school silicone style (the one that likes pocket lint).

I usually use the Otterbox Defender on my phones because I need the added protection and a belt clip when I am working. For me the Defender has a good grip due to the harder textured tpu like material that surrounds the phone. This outer covering does not collect lint like some of the other more rubbery / silicone covers. What I don't like about the Defender cases is the built in screen protector. I always remove them, they come off rather easily. Then I put a screen protector directly on the phone's screen. On my Moto X I am using the iBlason screen protector that I got from Amazon in a three pack for cheap. It's perfectly clear, cut outs are perfect and works great under the Otterbox. One other thing that I didn't like about the Defender case was the way they surrounded the earpiece, sensors and front camera with the case and also how they only provided a small cut out for the front lower mic. Those two areas (top and bottom) made it difficult to swipe down for notifications and swiping up to access Google Now. So, I spent some quality time with a Dremel, small file and very fine sandpaper and modified the front of the case. Now I am very happy with the case.

Before (stock image)

After

 

[greg_atlanta]

I usually use the Otterbox Defender on my phones because I need the added protection....

Thanks. Still hard to get a sense of the feel of the case from the pics, but I'll check the at&t store or elsewhere and see if they have one unboxed.

Just ordered the phone today and a super cheap case on ebay (in case I have a return the phone) but once I'm settled I'll need a tougher case for travel, etc.

 

[mumfoau]

Sweet mod mhunter6378!!

Sent from my Moto X using Tapatalk

 

[rkeenan]

I have the blue Otterbox Commuter and love it. The Defender is too big and is kind of overkill unless you work outside IMO.

Sent from my GT-N5110 using Tapatalk

 

[mumfoau]

I usually use the Otterbox Defender on my phones because I need the added protection and a belt clip when I am working. For me the Defender has a good grip due to the harder textured tpu like material that surrounds the phone. This outer covering does not collect lint like some of the other more rubbery / silicone covers. What I don't like about the Defender cases is the built in screen protector. I always remove them, they come off rather easily. Then I put a screen protector directly on the phone's screen. On my Moto X I am using the iBlason screen protector that I got from Amazon in a three pack for cheap. It's perfectly clear, cut outs are perfect and works great under the Otterbox. One other thing that I didn't like about the Defender case was the way they surrounded the earpiece, sensors and front camera with the case and also how they only provided a small cut out for the front lower mic. Those two areas (top and bottom) made it difficult to swipe down for notifications and swiping up to access Google Now. So, I spent some quality time with a Dremel, small file and very fine sandpaper and modified the front of the case. Now I am very happy with the case.

Before (stock image)
View attachment 101337
After
View attachment 101338

Just did the same mod on mine ... well the top anyway. Didn't do the bottom.

Sent from my Moto X using Tapatalk

 

[aloomis76]

I used to be a Commuter user for all my phones but I was getting tired of having to put the screen protectors on myself (lazy I know) so I got eh Defender this time around for my Moto X. i have read what others have said but I don't seem to have any problems with my screen protector or liking it. I love this case. I don't use the belt clip and my hands, though large, still fit nicely between the nubs that lock the phone into the clip so I don't really feel them although they do protrude a little from the natural rounding that case already has. The one problem I do have is the space around the screen. I have noticed that I do need to really press into the sides and top in order to move icons to another page or to access my notifications tray. Once I figured out how to use it I have become accustomed to it now and it is just second nature.

My 2 cents

 

[aloomis76]

I usually use the Otterbox Defender on my phones because I need the added protection and a belt clip when I am working. For me the Defender has a good grip due to the harder textured tpu like material that surrounds the phone. This outer covering does not collect lint like some of the other more rubbery / silicone covers. What I don't like about the Defender cases is the built in screen protector. I always remove them, they come off rather easily. Then I put a screen protector directly on the phone's screen. On my Moto X I am using the iBlason screen protector that I got from Amazon in a three pack for cheap. It's perfectly clear, cut outs are perfect and works great under the Otterbox. One other thing that I didn't like about the Defender case was the way they surrounded the earpiece, sensors and front camera with the case and also how they only provided a small cut out for the front lower mic. Those two areas (top and bottom) made it difficult to swipe down for notifications and swiping up to access Google Now. So, I spent some quality time with a Dremel, small file and very fine sandpaper and modified the front of the case. Now I am very happy with the case.

Before (stock image)
View attachment 101337
After
View attachment 101338

I love this mod and I can see from my usage with the Defender case how this is totally needed. My only problem is I like the built in screen protector (call me crazy) but otherwise I love what you have done and am gonna see if there is a way I can just do the top mod myself with some way to keep the built in screen protector intact

 

[mumfoau]

Though it's a well built case and offers a great deal of protection, it's just too much case for me. I used it for about 4 hours the day I got my Moto but since I'll try to put it on and keep it on for a few minutes then fight with the clips to remove it. Just too bulky considering I already have the soft touch "kevlar" back and an SP on the front.