Ever have your phone fly out of your hands walking down the street, the stairs or while you’re just sitting at home? Us too. Thankfully everyone on team NBC Select uses a phone case, so sudden drops and flings don’t lead to sudden repair bills. That’s because a phone case made of the right materials, fit to your specific phone model can protect your phone from most everyday damage, according to our experts.
We spoke with experts within the case industry to learn more about what’s most important when buying a new phone case. Plus we rounded up our favorite cases, which we’ve used for years to protect our devices.
How we picked the best phone cases
We spoke with industry professionals from case brands like Otterbox and Casetify — because they work at brands that sell phone cases, we did not ask them for product recommendations and instead focused on product design and general best practices. Combing their advice with our experience, we selected products keeping the following in mind:
- Fit: A phone case can’t do its job if it doesn’t fit your phone. All of our top picks are available for a variety of phone models.
- Wireless charging compatible: Most smartphones nowadays can charge wirelessly — Android phones over Qi charging, iPhones using MagSafe. We prefer phone cases that let you charge wirelessly without taking them off.
- Style: A phone case needs to be practical, but let’s face it: most of us also want it to fit our taste. Almost all of our top picks come in multiple styles and colorways.
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The best phone cases
Nearly all of our top picks are NBC Select picks we’ve used for years, with no phone scratches, dings or nicks to show for it. All the below cases are listed for iPhone 16, but are available for a wide range of smartphones.
Best overall
Multiple NBC Select staffers love Burga phone cases. The brand sent a few for the team to try out, and we think the Tough case strikes a great balance between durability, design and price. It has a silicone interior and hard shell exterior, plus raised edges around the screen and rear cameras for added drop protection. NBC Select reporter Zoe Malin practically flings her phone across the room multiple times a day, and her phone hasn’t gotten any nicks or scratches yet.
Runner-up
NBC Select updates editor Mili Godio drops her phone a lot, and has used Casetify phone cases for the past five years. While the cases have worn down, her phone has never gotten a scratch, been dinged or broken. Her favorite model is the Impact series, which offers good protection and has lots of designs to choose from.
Budget pick
NBC Select commerce editor Jordan Bowman has used this slim, discrete case for over a year on his previous phone. While it is not the most durable, it does provide enough protection for most everyday use, and it’s more affordable than our other recommendations. “I dropped it while running once and the phone hit the ground — only the case had a scratch, and my phone was left completely unscathed,” says Bowman. If you’re willing to go a little thicker, the brand also makes a more durable Shockproof case for a similar price.
For extra durability
If your priorities are solely protection and durability, this case from an NBC Select favorite brand is the one to get. It’s Otterbox’s most protective case, with significant corner and all-around cushioning to keep your phone protected from all angles. It also has a removable cover over the charging port so you can keep dust, debris and liquids out.
Best phone strap: Bandolier Hailer Crossbody Wallet Phone Case
For folks who don’t want to carry a wallet, handbag or purse, Malin and NBC Select SEO editor Nikki Brown recommend the Bandolier Hailer. It’s a crossbody style case with straps and a built-in wallet so you have all your essentials on your body at all times. You can fit up to five cards in the wallet according to the brand, but Brown has fit up to 10 without anything tearing. Plus the leather is resilient and durable, says Brown.
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How to shop for a phone case
Shopping for a new phone almost always means shopping for a new phone case, in my experience. If you’re in the market for a new case, our experts recommend keeping the following in mind while shopping:
Consider protection and drop resistance
Drop height claims are not well controlled and testing methods can vary from brand to brand, says Doug Kempel, vice president of engineering at Otter Products. While there is not a set standard, many brands use the Military Standard MIL-STD-810G to evaluate a product’s ruggedness, durability and limits, says Vincent Au, head of product at Casetify.
Pay careful attention to how each brand talks about durability, and consider how often (or rarely) you drop your phone on a daily basis. If you drop your phone often, or use your phone around power tools, on your bike, or at the beach often, consider a more durable case design with thicker rails and bumpers around the screen, camera and corners of your phone.
Know what kind of phone you have
A phone case made for the iPhone 12 will not fit an iPhone 15 Pro very well, if at all. Be sure to get a case that matches your phone exactly.
Consider a waterproof case, if you need one
Most phones these days have strong dust and water resistance in the form of a high IP rating. The iPhone 16, for example, has an IP68 rating, meaning it is dust-resistant and can withstand being fully submerged in up to 19.5 feet of water for about 30 minutes. Still, if you plan on using your phone in consistently wet conditions, especially around saltwater, consider a waterproof case, says Kempel. Fully waterproof cases can sometimes make a phone harder to use, and water seals can degrade over time, says Au.
Meet our experts
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Vincent Au is the head of product at CASETiFY, which makes cases, mobile accessories and travel gear.
- Doug Kempel is the vice president of engineering at Otter Products, which includes the electronics and case brand Otterbox.
Why trust NBC Select?
Harry Rabinowitz is a reporter at NBC Select who covers technology and fitness including recent stories on smartwatches, headphones and cameras. For this piece, he spoke with NBC Select staff about their favorite phone cases and interviewed case product professionals within the industry. Any inclusion of phone case brands on our list was made independently of our experts.
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