The Catalyst total protection case for the AirPods Pro is proving to be a delightful addition to my AirPods Pro! The hard plastic exterior combined with the soft rubber interior provide an excellent seal against water and dust, yet also provide an excellent level of protection against scuffs and drops.
I was initially wary of the hinge mechanism and the way the AirPods case would function given the fact that the total protection case opens from the side instead of the back. I was surprised to find that using the case was actually quite easy and did not get in the way. The case features a hinged loop on the left side of the case for a carabiner [included with the case]. It fits the included carabiner quite tightly, providing a secure fit. If you do not want to use the carabiner, you can easily fold the tab down and out of the way. The tab does not seem to get in the way when not in use. The latch on the right hand side of the case is very well-built, although, it is made of plastic. I do find it slightly difficult to unlatch with one hand. In fact, it’s almost impossible. You definitely have to dig in your finger in order to pop open the latch. This was made a lot easier when I discovered that if you pinch the case closed, the latch opens much easier.
Inside of the case provides an excellent fit on the bottom half of the AirPods Pro case, and above the AirPods Pro is a slight air gap with a small rubber bumper. This seems to help a lot with the drop protection. It allows a lot of the vibrations and force created by a drop to be dissipated before being transferred to the AirPods Pro case.
The bottom of the case features a robust rubber gasket/plug to protect the lightning port on the bottom of the AirPods Pro case. The rear of the case also features a cutout and rubber gasket for accessing the pairing button on the AirPods.
Due to the tough nature of the case, it’s size is definitely something to notice. It’s much larger than most other cases but this is a true trade-off if you want the level of protection that Catalyst has included with this case. I am happy to report that wireless charging still functions perfectly within the total protection case despite its size.
Overall, the premium materials used combined with the unique and well engineered design of the tough case provides excellent protection and features for those who want robust dust, water, and drop protection for the AirPods Pro. There are not many, if any, downsides to the total protection case if you’re looking for the ultimate drop/dust/water protection on the market. As an every day user, you could probably get away with less but I can easily see why this case would be excellent for anyone looking to protect their investment.
