Windows Central Verdict
The dBrand Killswitch for Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X provides a perfectly fitted protective case and screen cover for your expensive handheld gaming PC. It takes some effort to get it in place, but the openings are perfectly designed around this device's buttons, vents, and ports. The kickstand also provides added convenience, allowing you to prop up the handheld without using your hands. It's certainly expensive and is somewhat difficult to remove, but if you want slim protection during travel and added convenience, this is the case to get.
Pros
- +
Removable screen cover turns this into the slimmest case available
- +
Form-fitting case isn't loose and provides all necessary openings for ports, buttons, and vents
- +
Adds a kickstand for hands-free usage
- +
Textured rubber case helps prevent the handheld from slipping out of your hands
- +
Included screen protectors are easy to install and are durable
Cons
- -
Kickstand can break if pressed back too hard
- -
Rubber case is difficult to remove once installed
- -
Makes the handheld thicker so it might not fit docking stations
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I own several different gaming handhelds, including the Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X, and the one thing I'm acutely aware of is how expensive these devices are. To protect these costly portable gaming machines, I always recommend people get protective accessories like a case, screen protector, and/or carrying bag.
This week: I've been replaying Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, only this time on my Xbox Ally X rather than my gaming desktop.
Now that I've installed a Killswitch case on both my white Xbox Ally and my black Xbox Ally X and have used both devices with these accessories in place, I can tell you all about my own experience. Here's why I highly recommend them, but with a word of caution.
This review was made possible thanks to a review sample provided by dBrand. The company had no input nor saw the contents of this review prior to publication.
dBrand Killswitch Travel Case for Xbox Ally: What's good
This Killswitch Travel Kit for Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X is available for preorder for $79.99 at Best Buy and will launch on Nov. 19, 2025, just in time for the holidays.
It's certainly costlier than some other handheld cases, but it's also a higher-quality product than what many other companies offer.
In case you're wondering, the Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X are basically the same size and shape, so the Xbox Ally Killswitch fits on both.
What's in the box?
Altogether, this purchase gives you the rubber case, the plastic screen cover, two joystick thumb grips, a pair of glass screen protectors, glass wipes, dust removal stickers shaped like skulls, and a microfiber towel.
Please note that the rubber case I received is not the final product; the plus and minus volume buttons are in the wrong locations, and the rubber texture is rougher than the previous Killswitch cases I've received, so much so that my fingers got a deep exfoliation while installing them. That said, dBrand assures me that these two issues are fixed in the final product.
It takes a bit of strength to pull the rubber case into position over these devices, but once it's in place, it's snug and secure.
As with all of dBrand's Killswitch cases, the Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X version fits very tightly on my handhelds. This being the case, it takes a bit of strength and effort to pull the rubber case into position over these devices, but once it's in place, it's snug and secure.
I've embedded an official dBrand video tutorial above showing how to install the Killswitch so you can see what the process is like. Since dBrand doesn't have a newer video for the Xbox Ally X, the video shows the ROG Ally X instead, but the process is the same.
Basically, what I had to do was place the Xbox Ally's long grips into the bottom of the Killswitch rubber case and then pull on the installation stickers (on either side of the case) up and over the handheld until the case was on securely and in the proper location. From there, I just had to remove the stickers, and my handheld was good to go.
As always, putting a case on your handheld does make it thicker, so the Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X might not fit in some docking station stands when the Killswitch is on, but this is expected.
TIP: Keep these installation stickers somewhere clean and safe in case you need to remove the case down the road. I just threw them back in the Killswitch box and put it in my closet.
With the Killswitch cases in place, the Xbox Ally handhelds feel less likely to slip from my fingers. I love that there are openings for all of the necessary vents, ports, and buttons, so I can use either handheld like I normally would.
In my opinion, the two best conveniences afforded by the Killswitch case are the kickstand and the removable screen cover.
Having a kickstand on the back allows me to more easily prop this handheld up so I can watch Netflix shows, play YouTube videos, and more without having to use my hands. In the past, I've even used a Killswitch case to prop a handheld up on my kitchen counter so I could view a recipe while my hands were messy with cooking.
Meanwhile, the removable plastic front cover makes traveling with my handhelds so much better. I can toss my Xbox Ally into a backpack or suitcase and know that the screen, buttons, and joysticks are all going to be protected during the journey. Best of all, this protective case setup is slimmer than using a hard shell carrying case while being equally as protective, so it doesn't take up too much room in my bags.
BTW: I just got done writing a Tomtoc Arccos G-47 review, and so I took a moment to see if the Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X still fit inside this handheld carrying bag with the Killswitch in place. It most certainly does. So if you're interested, you might want to pair the Killswitch and the Tomtoc case together for easy travel.
dBrand Killswitch Travel Case for Xbox Ally: What needs improvement
While I love how snug and sculpted the Killswitch is on my Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X, it is somewhat difficult to remove. So, if you're planning on doing any SSD upgrades, customizations, or other adjustments, you might want to do these before you put the case on. Meanwhile, if you're someone who will need to remove the case regularly, then this might not be a good fit for you.
RELATED: New WD_BLACK SSDs are "officially licensed" for Xbox Ally handhelds
As with Killswitches before this one, the kickstand looks like it can be broken if enough pressure pushes it back too far. To be fair, this is a typical scenario for many handheld case kickstands, but it's still good to be aware of.
dBrand Killswitch Travel Case for Xbox Ally: Should you buy it?
✅ You should buy this if...
- You want a slim case that still offers plenty of protection
- You'd like to give your handheld a kickstand for hands-free use
- You're looking for a high-quality case that prevents finger slippage
❌ You shouldn't buy this if...
- You regularly need to remove the case from your handheld
- You'd rather get a less expensive alternative
If you own an Xbox Ally or Xbox Ally X, then you should definitely consider getting dBrand's Killswitch Travel Kit. It takes some effort to install, but once in place, your expensive handhelds will be better protected and won't take up as much room in your bag as a dedicated hard-shell carrying case will.
It might seem like a small thing, but adding a kickstand transforms your handheld from a gaming handheld to more of an all-around entertainment device. You can more easily prop it up on various surfaces so you can watch shows or browse the internet without having to hold your device.
All in all, if you want a quality accessory that not only protects but adds additional convenience to your Xbox Ally or Xbox Ally X, then the Killswitch is the perfect fit, literally.
Does dBrand Killswitch work on both Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X?
Yes, the Xbox Ally X version of the dBrand Killswitch case fits both the white Xbox Ally and the black Xbox Ally X.
Is the dBrand Killswitch banned?
No, the dBrand Killswitch is not banned. Early models for the Nintendo Switch 2 version had a defect that could cause the JoyCon to detach, but this has since been fixed. The Xbox Ally version doesn't have any issues like this.
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