The best phone cases

It’s easy to think that the hunt for the best phone cases is an easy one. You can just hop onto Amazon, search up “best iPhone cases“, buy something cheap in a non-offensive color, and bingo! Your $1,000 phone is protected. Well, that might be fine for some, but why spend so much money on the phone without protecting it properly and in style?

That’s where Pocket Tactics is the expert for you. Whether you hunted down one of the best gaming phones and now want to keep your investment looking fresh, or you’re on the hunt for one of the best phone cases for protection to make sure your phone is as sturdy as the best rugged smartphones, we’ve had our hands on mobile phones for years, learning the best way to keep them looking good and feeling secure. We’ve even got the best iPhone 13 cases for all you Apple lovers out there.

The best phone cases in 2023:

• Urban Armor Gear – best phone cases for protection
• Morphie Juice Pack connect – best battery phone case
• Otterbox Defender Series – best iPhone case
• Samsung Ultra Silicone Cover – best Samsung Galaxy S22 case
• Ringke Onyx – best Google Pixel 7 case

1. Urban Armor Gear

The best phone cases for protection.

Urban Armor Gear specs:

Pros

• Excellent drop protection
• Simple colors
• Good value

Cons

• Designs can be a tad bulky

Whether you work in construction or have a proclivity towards dropping your phone from great heights, Urban Armor Gear (UAG) is the brand to go for. Its cases can protect your phone from high falls so you know your expensive tech is safe.

What we like about UAG is its simplicity. If you want a protective case, it’s going to have to be a little bulky, so UAG doesn’t overcompensate for that with flashy designs. They are simple and rugged, making them some of the best phone cases out there for most people.

Of course, aesthetics are a personal preference. There are alternatives if you rather having a super slick case that promises protection. Brands like Mous and Otterbox both have excellent ranges of gear, though their prices aren’t always as competitive.

2. Mophie Juice Pack Connect

The best battery phone case.

Mophie Juice Pack Connect specs:

Pros

• Can be used with multiple phones
• Long-lasting battery
• Removable

Cons

• Bulkier than non-removable battery cases
• Not optimized for specific phones

The Morphie Juice Pack Connect isn’t really a phone case, but we think it’s the best solution for anyone looking to charge their phone on the go without having to bring a bulky power bank, thanks to its versatility.

What makes this one of the best phone cases is that you won’t have to replace it when you replace your phone. If you’re going to spend loads of money on a case, it’s really nice to be able to hold onto it over multiple phone generations.

Of course, the drawbacks to having something modular like this may mean other bespoke cases are more your style. The Apple iPhone Battery Cases or MagSafe battery pack are a safe bet for all you iOS users. Samsung also offers something similar if you’re after it.

3. Otterbox Defender Series

The best iPhone case for protection.

Otterbox Defender Series specs:

Pros

• Good value
• Good all-around protection

Cons

• A little bland

While Urban Armor Gear is an easy recommendation if you want to browse, the straightforward, good-value Otterbox Defender Series is a great way to go if you want to grab a case straight away.

It’s up there with the best iPhone 13 Pro Max cases and has different permutations depending on the model of your phone. In general, a combination of simplicity, ruggedness, and sleek design make it one of the best phone cases in our eyes.

As always, there are other options out there. As mentioned above, Urban Armor Gear offers a wide variety of hardcore fall protection, while Mous go for a more businesslike aesthetic if you’re hoping to protect your phone from a penthouse fall, as it were.

4. Samsung Ultra Silicone Cover

The best Samsung Galaxy S22 case.

Samsung Ultra Silicone Cover specs:

Pros

• Standout design
• Ergonomics
• Inexpensive

Cons

• Not the best protection
• Can’t wireless charge with strap attached

The Samsung Galaxy S22 is a gorgeous-looking phone, and we think this case is the perfect thing to pair with it. Of course, design is a matter of personal preference, but the simple block color of the case combined with the standout orange of the strap looks really good to our eye.

It’s not just good looking, however, as it also adds an extra grip so you drop your phone less. Of course, the case is nowhere near as sturdy as other, more expensive options, but if the strap reduces your drops maybe it’s fine.

Still, head to any of our other recommendations, like UAG or Otterbox if you’re not sold on the design of this one. Samsung also has a wide range of cases for their other models on their website, and they all have good build quality and ergonomics in our experience.

5. Ringke Onyx

The best Google Pixel 7 case.

Ringeke Onyx specs:

Pros

• Super cheap
• Sleek design
• Non-slip grip

Cons

• Not the best drop protection

For such a low price, the Ringke Onyx is a bit of a no-brainer. With a textured coating to stop you from dropping the phone, lanyard holes so you can attach charms or straps, and an ultra-thin and sleek-looking design, it’s excellent.

Ringke says that the Onyx has military-grade drop resistance which to me screams two things: 1) that’s a big lie and; 2) military-grade is a meaningless phrase. Still, for something this slim, any drop protection is good.

Of course, you don’t go for a case like the Ringke Onyx if you want to drop your phone off some scaffolding. If you want that, look over to UAG or Otterbox. Or, if you want something less slick and more standout, Casetify loves putting loads of nonsense on their cases.

How we chose the best phone cases

When putting this list together, we used the following criteria to decide what justified inclusion:

• Pricing: While the premium options carry a much higher price tag, you can expect to pay around $20 for the average phone case. We wanted to include options for readers on every type of budget, but we recommend using that as a yardstick – while there are some bargains out there, most cases below that price are going to be sub-par.
• Phone models: This list contains options for a number of different phone models, and we recommend readers check specs carefully to ensure that their case of choice will fit their phone.
• Aesthetics: You’re going to be looking at this thing a lot – you don’t want something that’s butt-ugly. While some cases don’t offer any color variants, we know that getting the right color is the top priority for some people, so we included a few that have several variants.
• Charging compatibility: Many people use wireless chargers now, and some phone cases are not compatible with them. This list contains cases that offer that functionality, and we recommend double-checking this any time you buy a new case.

Read our how we test page if you want more information about how we put these lists together. For any other questions, read the FAQs below:

What type of phone cases are the most protective?

Phone cases made of things like silicone or rubber are going to keep your phone much safer than those made of plastic or other flimsier materials. If this is a priority for you, make sure you check what your prospective case is made of.

What are the disadvantages of silicone cases?

Not everybody is going to want a silicone case. Not only is this material notoriously bad for the environment, but it can also be uncomfortable to hold during extended sessions. Still, when it comes to protecting your phone, you can’t do much better than silicone.

What’s the best color for a phone case?

Follow your heart – only you can know what will best compliment your unique sense of style. You can make no bad choice. Having said that, if you really want a recommendation, black is a pretty solid choice. It’s easily one of the most common colors in the phone case world.

Which is the best phone case?

While others will no doubt feel differently, our expert opinion is that Urban Armor Gear (UAG) cases are the best. Not only can you get them for most (current) major phone models, but they come in a variety of colors and are also made of durable protective material. Other cases have a lot to offer, and some even feature amazing premium features, but for most people, UAG is going to be the best choice.

For more, check out our guide to the best portable gaming consoles to find a bigger, more powerful handheld device.