Surface Duo 2 Bumper review: Stupidly expensive, but also way better

Microsoft’s Surface Duo 2 brings with it many upgrades in hardware over the first generation, though it does so at a cost, literally. Surface Duo 2 is not only $100 more, but you also now get fewer accessories with no AC wall plug (a common theme for all phones these days) as well as no Surface Duo Bumper case. All those reasons make the $40 Surface Duo 2 Bumper a tough pill to swallow, even if it doesn’t quite feel as necessary to have this time.

But the good news is this new bumper case is a much better fit for Surface Duo 2 and fixes many of the issues we had with the first one, even if minor. In other words, if you’re dropping $40 on it, you’ll be pleased.

The Surface Duo 2 Bumper is available for $40 from Microsoft, Amazon, and Best Buy. Like all things related to Surface Duo 2, it is a low-volume product, so there may be some wait times. We found that Best Buy shipped the quickest and had stock in all colors available.

There are four colors available, including obsidian (black), glacier (white), and new gradients like tangerine (orange-red) and light blue that replace ember and ice blue from last year.

Surface Duo 2 Bumper: What’s good

Putting the well-done packaging aside, the new bumper case for Surface Duo 2 is a complete redesign from the first generation. Gone is the soft rubbery silicone that would pick up lint in your pocket, and instead, we get a thinner, harder polycarbonate design that is smooth and lint-free.

While there is still the multi-piece configuration (three rails, including one larger one for the left display and two smaller pieces for the right), the bumper is now so much thinner.

Total installation was about three minutes. Difficulty level: Easy.

Putting the bumper on is simple: Peel back the two-sided tape and stick to Surface Duo 2. The tape is strong, and there is no reason to think it’ll wear off over time. Of course, you can peel it off, too, if you no longer want to use it. While I have not yet tried to reattach the bumper, there is no reason to think that using third-party acrylic tape won’t work.

What impressed me about this bumper is the much lower profile. If you let someone handle Surface Duo 2 with the bumper, they’d just assume it is a part of the device, not an add-on accessory. It just seamlessly blends into the Duo 2’s chassis.

This bumper also doesn’t rise above the Duo 2’s edges (unlike Surface Duo 1 and its bumper). That means it doesn’t interfere with folding back at all, attaching the Slim Pen to the device, or adding any thickness.

Being able to use the black version without picking up any lint or dust is also very welcome.

Regarding usability, the bumper adds a bit more grip to the device with more well-defined cutouts for the volume rocker and power button. It’s a smidge easier now to open as your fingers can quickly grab the rounded edges.

If you are interested in using a dBrand skin, there is no concern either as you can put on the skin before or after the bumper. It all just fits perfectly.

Finally, because of the camera hump, there is no need for that extra back padding that Surface Duo 1’s bumper had. Instead, it is now just a perfect ring around the device.

Surface Duo 2 Bumper: What’s not good

There are a few negatives with this bumper, starting with the obvious: Price.

Since it is not included with the Surface Duo 2, that extra $40 purchase is expensive, especially when looking at the three plastic rails. There’s just less “stuff” with this bumper than the last one making that price seem like highway robbery. Sure, it’s laser-precise, but still.

Of course, if you’ve already paid $1,500 for the phone, what’s an extra $40 at this point?

Oddly, the bottom left corner of Surface Duo 2 is left exposed with this bumper. This omission likely has to do with design as there would need to be two one-inch rails that would not have much to grip onto (save for a tiny corner notch). It’s not clear those would stay attached like the other larger pieces, but it looks odd and leaves an area exposed. The bumper can’t go around the Type-C port or SIM card slot either as it would recess those ports too much for a plug or popping out the tray. It’s a difficult design, for sure.

For this review, I purchased the obsidian (black) bumper for the matching obsidian Surface Duo 2. I’m not sure how tangerine, glacier, or light blue would look, making the obsidian Duo 2 a bit more limiting for options than the glacier white model.

Surface Duo 2 Bumper: Competition

Due to the niche market for Surface Duo 2, there are not many options for cases yet.

Microsoft has its $65 Surface Duo 2 Pen Cover, arriving on November 15. That covers the entire front of the device with a rear matching bumper, so it’s a bit more protective. Because the cover is removable it also extends the full length covering the SIM card slot for more protection.

OtterBox is releasing a full-coverage $89 hard-shell case in November that is much more ruggedized (MIL-STD-810G 516.6) and is suitable for those worrying about actually dropping Surface Duo 2.

Surface Duo 2 Bumper: Should you buy it?

You should buy this if …

• You want low-level/moderate protection
• You want an easier-to-grip Surface Duo 2
• You want to add some colorful flair to your device

You shouldn’t buy this if…

• You want actual drop protection
• You find the price absurd

As a user of Surface Duo 1, I reluctantly found the included bumper necessary for the device as it just felt too fragile without it. It was a nice option for the owner.

In my review, I noted I don’t feel that way about Surface Duo 2, which feels more substantial and less dainty. That said, I really like this bumper.

Whereas the first-gen one made Surface Duo larger and more challenging to put into your pants (it was grippy), this bumper does neither. It’s smooth, light, and blends right into the chassis, with no unsightly lint. I plan to keep it on for those reasons, and it has increased my enjoyment of the device while offering some mild protection.

That leads me to a misconception about these bumpers: Safety. While there is no doubt the bumper helps protect Surface Duo 2, it is more for everyday bangs and knocks. I don’t think this helps much for more significant drops (although it won’t hurt, either). The Duo 1’s bumper is thicker and softer, so maybe it offers more protection vs. being thinner and more rigid — it’s hard to say. But don’t buy this thinking it’ll help if you drop Surface Duo 2 on a sidewalk.

Of course, I wish that the left corner had some protection, but the overall usability and modestly increased protection are compelling enough aspects for me.

4
out of 5

So, yeah, the Surface Duo 2 Bumper is insanely expensive, but I love having it on and can recommend it if your expectations are kept in check.