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The Best iPhone Cases

Updated
An iPhone with a blue case resting face down.
Photo: Michael Hession
Roderick Scott

By Roderick Scott

Roderick Scott is a writer who reviews smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches. He has tested 160 phones over 16 years.

A good case is a wise investment for your iPhone. Even the least expensive iPhone is pricey, and the right case offers protection against scratches, dings, and cracks and allows you to personalize your phone, often without adding much bulk or changing how you use your device.

Whether you’re looking for a case to conveniently attach to various accessories throughout your day or seeking the most protection possible, we’ve tested hundreds of iPhone cases and can recommend the right one to fit your needs.

An iPhone with a blue case resting face down.
Photo: Michael Hession

The Smartish Gripmunk is a reliable choice for anyone seeking a simple, durable, and protective case generally available for $10 to $20. It has been our favorite case for every iPhone model since the iPhone 7, and although it isn’t particularly flashy, it is dependable. The case is flexible enough to allow for an easy installation, but it won’t stretch out or pull off over time. It also offers finger grooves on the edges that help improve grip, plus excellent shock absorption.

The Gripmunk case covers the iPhone’s buttons yet doesn’t dampen their clickiness. The iPhone 16 version has a concave cutout for the new model’s Camera Control button, which makes presses and swipes feel natural. Though every accident is different, we’ve dropped iPhones covered by this case dozens of times and never damaged their bodies. You’re unlikely to find a case of this quality at a lower price.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

Visually, the Smartish Gripmunk isn’t the most exciting case out there, but Amazon offers a “secret menu” with a handful of patterns you can have printed on the back of the case; another alternative is to upload your own images or text on the Smartish website for more personalization. Note that the Gripmunk doesn’t protect against every impact—no case truly can—but if you want to be extra safe, check out our protective picks for every iPhone model.

The best leather case for iPhone 13, the Apple Leather Case with MagSafe, shown in a dark red leather.
Photo: Sarah Kobos

For those who prefer the look and feel of leather, we’ve found Apple’s Leather Case to be notably better than those of any other brand we’ve tested over the years. It’s the thinnest, most attractive leather case available, and it offers as much protection as you could hope for from this style.

The iPhone 12, 13, and 14 versions conveniently include MagSafe, and we love the color options for this case across all models. No leather case will last forever, but Apple’s material feels premium and provides a solid grip. Apple no longer makes this case, but you can still find it through third-party retailers for some iPhone models.

Flaws but not dealbreakers
Among Wirecutter staffers, we’ve found that the lifespan of the Apple Leather Case is about one year. Around that time, the underlying plastic starts to show through, and what starts out as handsome weathering becomes ratty and torn up. Leather wears more obviously than plastic, so don’t expect this case to keep its day-one appearance for long. Apple also discloses that if you use MagSafe accessories with it, you will see slight imprints in the case over time.

Mujjo Full Leather Case

An iPhone with a blue Mujjo Full Leather Case resting on its screen.
Photo: Michael Hession

Because Apple doesn’t make leather cases anymore, we recommend the Mujjo Full Leather Case; it isn’t quite as good as Apple’s Leather Case, but it is the best you’ll find for the iPhone 16, 15, and 11. The Mujjo case’s design is extremely similar to that of the Apple case, with slightly rough but supple leather on the outside, microfiber on the inside, and an open bottom edge. It also has a matte finish that feels just as nice. The iPhone 16 version of the case has a slightly dipped cutout for the Camera Control button.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

The button covers on the Mujjo Full Leather Case for the iPhone 11 are molded into the leather rather than inserted as metal accents, which makes the buttons feel squishier than we’d like. The leather can wear unevenly with time and heavy use or become discolored and scuffed, and a MagSafe charging puck can leave an imprint. Still, it’s a great case with a slim and understated look.

Nomad Modern Leather Case

A brown leather Nomad Full Leather iPhone case.
Photo: Nomad

Mujjo doesn’t make an iPhone 16 Plus version of its case, which is strange, but the Nomad Modern Leather Case is a great option for 16 Plus owners (although it’s not full leather). The Nomad case has a microfiber lining and consists of leather and rubber, which provides a sturdier grip and will better protect the iPhone’s corners over time. The case has a hard plastic camera bumper to protect your iPhone’s camera lenses from drops and clicky aluminum buttons for the Action, Power, and Volume controls. The case also offers a cutout for the Camera Control button, which can be easily reached for long and half-presses.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

Leather can wear unevenly with time and heavy use. Similar to other full-leather cases, Nomad’s rear leather portion will get worn and develop a patina over time, for good or bad. We plan to test it in the long term to see how the leather holds up, but colorful leather can become discolored and scuffed, and a MagSafe charging puck can leave an imprint. There are also concerns about the durability of the Camera Control cutout over time as it uses a thin piece of plastic between the side rails and the screen.

An iPhone with a purple floral Smartish Wallet Slayer Vol. 1 case resting on its screen.
Photo: Michael Hession

Anyone looking to combine their wallet with their iPhone should consider the Smartish Wallet Slayer Vol. 1 case. It does a great job of keeping your cards (up to three) protected and in place, and it can also accommodate some cash. The case’s molded plastic design fits well in the hand, and you don’t have to worry about it deforming over time—the Wallet Slayer maintains its shape and thickness no matter how full (or empty) it is. Like other Smartish cases, this case covers all of the phone’s buttons except the easy-to-reach cutouts for the USB-C port and Camera Control button on the iPhone 16 lineup.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

The Smartish Wallet Slayer Vol. 1 is certainly as bulky as you might expect a wallet case to be, but we don’t think it feels overly thick. People with tighter pockets may want to consider something slimmer; this case is also too thick to work with most Qi wireless chargers and MagSafe chargers.

A clear Incase Slim iPhone case.
Photo: Incase

The clear version of Incase’s Slim Case has a transparent hard plastic back with frosted TPU borders and air pockets across all four corners for extra protection. It also has a raised camera bump, while maintaining a sleek profile.

The Incase model’s frosted and mildly textured sides offer a grip that’s better than what we’ve encountered on most clear cases we’ve tested. All of the buttons are covered, save for the new Camera Control button, which is recessed into a concave cutout that protects the button but still makes it accessible. (Whether you’ll actually use it is a different story.) The case also has an integrated lanyard loop, which is a handy feature we don’t see often.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

Every clear case we’ve tested has eventually yellowed and collected grime over time, which may also be true of this case. We plan to test it long-term to see if (more likely, when) that happens.

Spigen Ultra Hybrid MagFit

An iPhone 15 with a Spigen Ultra Hybrid MagFit case resting flat on its screen.
Photo: Michael Hession

The Spigen Ultra Hybrid MagFit is a simple, clear case that gives you optimal protection with TPU borders and a frosted yet transparent hard-plastic back, along with strong MagSafe magnets and easily accessible buttons, including the Action button on the Pro models. Its raised camera bump and edges around the corners offer solid protection in a sleek profile. The feel of the case isn’t too slippery; it offers an adequate grip, as opposed to other clear cases we’ve tested.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

Despite any number of claims of “anti-yellowing technology” we’ve seen from companies over the years, we’ve never found a clear case that doesn’t discolor to a noticeable degree after six to 12 months. We’ll keep an eye on this Spigen case to see if it can keep the yellow and grime at bay.

Smartish Gripmunk Nothin’ to Hide

A closeup of the back camera of an iPhone 15 with a Smartish Gripmunk Nothin’ to Hide with MagSafe case.
Photo: Michael Hession

The iPhone 13 and 14 come in an array of striking body colors—such as pale pink, cherry red, and navy blue—but unfortunately, none of those shades are visible from the front. If you don’t want to cover up the bold color on the back of your new phone but still need the protection of a good case, the Nothin’ to Hide is a clear variant of our favorite basic case for iPhones. It’s identical in every way regarding size and design, but it’s made of hard plastic rather than the more rubber-like TPU of the basic Gripmunk.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

Over time, every clear case will turn yellow to some degree, and the Nothin’ to Hide is no exception. We’ve seen claims of “anti-yellowing technology” over the years, but we’ve never found a transparent case that hasn’t become a bit grimy over time.

Spigen Liquid Crystal

The Spigen Liquid Crystal, shown on a red iPhone 12.
Photo: Michael Murtaugh

For iPhones older than the 13 series, the Spigen Liquid Crystal has been our favorite transparent case for years. It’s simple and protective, and it has air pockets in the corners for drop protection. The inside is lined with small dots to prevent the water-like splotches that can appear when a case sticks to the phone’s glass back, and we like that fingerprints are less evident on the Liquid Crystal than on many other transparent cases.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

Just like the Nothin’ to Hide, the Spigen Liquid Crystal will yellow over time. You may not notice the change in color until you compare your case directly with a brand-new one, and we think the Liquid Crystal is inexpensive enough to merit a replacement down the line.

An iPhone 15 with a black Smartish Gripzilla with MagSafe case resting on its screen.
Photo: Michael Hession

If you tend to drop your phone a lot—or you simply don’t want to take any risks when it comes to damage—the Smartish Gripzilla is the most protective case we recommend for the iPhone 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16.

Deep grooves molded into the sides provide a better grip for those who are more prone to dropping their devices. Despite its thickness, pressing the buttons remains easy, and the case works with both Qi and MagSafe chargers. Though no case can guarantee a damage-free fall, the air pockets inside the Gripzilla’s raised corners and its soft rubber interior provide strong shock absorption.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

The Smartish Gripzilla is bulky, though not unreasonably so. It makes the phone about 50% thicker, adding 0.125 inch to the overall size.

Speck Presidio Pro

The Speck Presidio Pro for iPhone 11 shown in blue.
Photo: Michael Murtaugh

We love the Speck Presidio Pro for the iPhone 11 and iPhone X series because it holds up against drops better than most other cases that are bulkier and less attractive, and it’s reasonably priced.

The Presidio Pro is built with a hard, matte-plastic exterior and lined with rubber. Shock-absorbent air pockets on the border help it provide more protection than thinner or more basic cases offer, though we still don’t recommend trying to test its limits on purpose.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

The Speck Presidio Pro is not the most protective case available, but it’s our favorite because it’s slightly more stylish than bulkier cases from other companies yet still offers great defense against drops and other damage. If you’re looking for something truly bulletproof, consider a case from OtterBox or Urban Armor Gear.

A black Totallee Super Thin iPhone case.
Photo: Totallee

If you’re seeking the thinnest case you can slap on your iPhone 16, we recommend the Totallee Super Thin Case. It lives up to its name with a super-thin design that’s only half a millimeter thick, and it weighs less than 1 ounce. Super-thin cases aren’t for everyone, but they can be ideal for people who want to minimize the damage to an iPhone in case of drops without adding too much bulk.

Although the protection is minimal here, the case offers a bump to guard your camera lenses, covers your phone’s buttons, and provides accessible cutouts for the USB-C port and the Camera Control button. It also supports MagSafe for wireless charging and attaching accessories.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

The Totallee case doesn’t provide the best grip and can’t protect your phone much against drops. It also doesn’t handle scratches well—they can be noticeable in good lighting, an issue we’ve encountered with other super-thin cases as well.

Caudabe Veil

An iPhone 15 with a navy blue Caudabe Veil case resting face down on its screen.
Photo: Michael Hession

Typically, we advise looking for a case with some shock-absorbing qualities, but we also understand that some people are willing to sacrifice the extra protection in favor of a thin case. If you’re looking for the thinnest possible option for your iPhone 15, 14, 13, 12, or 11, we recommend the Caudabe Veil.

It’s similar to most other cases in this category, with the same molded plastic exterior and absence of shock-absorbing air pockets or button covers. However, it stands out from the competition with its textured surface, which provides more grip compared with other cases that are totally smooth—and it doesn’t feel rough or uncomfortable to hold in any way.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

As with any ultrathin phone case, the Caudabe Veil isn’t likely to save your phone from breaking if you drop it; the Veil provides a little grip and can prevent scratches on the phone’s rear glass, but you should proceed only if you accept the risks. The Veil also comes in only two colors, which is a more limited selection than we prefer.

Caudabe The Sheath

The Caudabe The Sheath case on an iPhone.
Photo: Nick Guy

For the iPhone SE (3rd generation), the best superthin case is Caudabe’s The Sheath. It has both good coverage and an impressively thin build, and it offers a proper 1 mm lip around the phone’s screen. We also recommend this case for the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 series because of its clicky metal buttons and the accessible cutout for the newest iPhone’s Camera Control button.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

The Sheath provides decent coverage, but like other superthin cases, it offers no real drop protection.

An iPhone with a gray Peak Design Everyday Case resting on its face.
Photo: Michael Hession

If you want to swap accessories on the fly (or you think you might want to), Peak Design’s Everyday Case is a great option. It has a TPU border with small ridges along the inner edge that should help absorb damage from drops, a MagSafe-compatible magnet that works with all the MagSafe accessories we tested it with, and a mounting point on the back that securely grips all accessories in place. Some of these attachments include mounts for your car, motorcycle, and bike, as well as a tripod mounting system and a wallet. The connection is strong enough that we have zero concerns about anything unintentionally falling out of place, and the case itself isn’t even noticeably thicker than our basic case pick.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

We don’t say this often, but there aren’t any flaws. This is a great case that performs well in every way we evaluate cases.

Quad Lock

The Quad Lock Case for iPhone 12, shown against a green background.
Photo: Michael Murtaugh

The Quad Lock is the best case you can buy if you enjoy using your iPhone while running or cycling, or if you need to position your phone for driving directions. The case’s sleek and clever design features an attachment mount on the back that can connect to a vast amount of accessories, including the Quad Lock Sports Armband, Car Mount, Bike Mount, Home/Office Desk Mount, and Tripod Adapter. If you use these types of accessories on a regular basis, the Quad Lock offers great protection without adding an unwieldy amount of bulk. Though some of its competitors are less expensive, we think the wider variety of mounts and accessories makes the Quad Lock worth the price.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

Unfortunately, the Quad Lock is available only in black, and the thickness of the case can cause it to interfere with Qi wireless chargers and MagSafe chargers. The company sells a Wireless Charging Head for those who encounter issues, but it is expensive.

This article was edited by Signe Brewster and Caitlin McGarry.

Meet your guide

Roderick Scott

What I Cover

Roderick Scott is Wirecutter's staff writer reporting on smartphones, tablets, and accessories. He is the former publisher of TechGuySmartBuy, where he reviewed everything from phones to headphones to smart speakers to cars. He is also a former aspiring songwriter, music producer, and A&R working with local talent.

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