If you take Apple at its word, the new iPhone 11 is the most durable phone it's ever made. The implication is that even the best iPhone cases might not do anything to improve the phone longevity. If you're a particular type of Apple fanboy, this is extraordinary news. But if you're anything like me, using a phone without a case feels like showing up to a Halloween party without a costume: weird, wrong, and anxiety-inducing.
Getting a case does a marvelous job of eliminating any background stress that comes with relying on a fragile piece of ludicrously expensive metal for the majority of your daily communications, reminders, and distractions. Even the thinnest case, something made of silicone, will help prevent damage to your phone from the occasional bump, dust, or pocket lint.
Of course, if you're going to get a phone case, you might as well get one that's actually good, which means it'll have at least a few different features. It should have a design that actually allows you to use your phone's buttons. It should be thin enough to not hamper Qi wireless charging. But it should be designed well enough to actually protect your phone. That last one is a bit squishy, but, in our minds, it just excludes the super thin models that don't even protect from garden-variety bumps.
To find out what was out there, we scanned the offerings from some of our favorite retailers and looked at cases that have been tested and recommended by sites like Wirecutter, WIRED, Design Milk, Digital Trends, Business Insider, and Forbes. With that research and my own personal experience, we narrowed the list down to six great iPhone cases across a few different categories (including clear and leather options) under $50 (plus one fun one that you probably won't buy—and we're okay with that).
The Best Simple iPhone 11 Case
Smartish "Kung Fu Grip" iPhone 11 case
Despite its horrendous name, Smartish's Kung Fu Grip iPhone case has become a favorite of reviewers across the internet, and for good reason. The case is fairly sleek, especially in the more muted colors, and light. It's made with a flexible plastic and has textured sides which make it easier to hold on to as you careen through your office hallway frantically scrolling twitter. And despite its relatively thin profile, the case offers a decent bit of protection—featuring corner air pockets and side ridges for protection against drops and bumps.
A More Protective iPhone 11 Case
Speck "Presidio Grip" iPhone 11 case
Speck has been making iPhone cases for basically as long as there have been iPhones, when someone might be more likely to look for a case for their new device in the aisles of Office Max then on a wesbite that sells books. Speck cases became quickly respected for being slim, protective enough, colorful, and fairly cheap. Fortunately, that's still the case. Speck offers a decent line of cases, but the most notable is the Presidio Grip. The Grip is basically the company's Presidio Pro, but with raised rubber ridges that make it easier to keep in your hand. It has the same footprint as the Smartish Kung Fu Grip, but it features protective air pockets around the entire body. That means it is more likely to absorb drops and bumps and protect your phone.
The Best Clear iPhone Case
Spigen liquid crytsal iPhone 11 case
Face it, the real flex is using your iPhone without a case. Nothing screams "I AM COOL" like walking around with your extremely expensive device completely exposed to the elements. Extra points if the back is covered in notches or if the screen is tastefully cracked. The reason for doing this incredibly careless thing of course is not without merit: iPhones look cool. Putting a $15 case on one feels almost disrespectful to the people that designed it. (Of course, those people could have made something that doesn't shatter if you accidentally brush it off your bedside table, but, no matter.) A clear case is kind of a middle ground. You still get to see your iPhone in all its glory—it looks particularly nice if you get the phone in one of its new flashy colors—but you also get protection from drops, scratches, and bumps. The Spigen one features protection that completely envelops your phone and is resistant to fingerprint residue.
The Best Leather iPhone Case
Bellroy Phone 11 Pro case
Full leather cases (like the ones made by
Apple) are beautiful, but offer basically no protection against anything more than the occasional bump against your keychain. That's why we like the Bellroy phone case, which has a polymer structure and a leather back. That means you can have something that will age beautifully over time (patina!) without having to compromise on your phone's basic safety. We also love that Bellroy's cases come with a 3-year warranty, which makes this the perfect case for someone with no intention of upgrading their phone next year.
Our Favorite iPhone Wallet Case
Nomad rugged folio iPhone 11 case
Like the Bellroy leather case, the Nomad rugged folio case drapes its leather upon a plastic shell. That gives it more structure and makes it hearty enough to withstand the knicks, bumps, and occasional drops that accompany life. This case from Nomad is a folio case, which includes three slots for credit cards (or, if you're anything like me, punch cards from coffee shops you don't go to anymore) and a spot for case. If you haven't already gotten rid of your Coztanza wallet with a
cardholder or moved all your cards to
Apple Pay, a folio might help you out. Just make sure you don't leave it behind in a bar. Nothing adds salt in the wound of losing your phone like losing all of your money at the same time.
A Very Stylish iPhone Bag
Prada buckled iPhone case
Tech companies that make iPhone cases are sent dummy models of the new phones months in advance of their release, so that they've had time to design the cases by the time the new phone are available. Tons of luxury designers we love make iPhone cases, but they don't seem to have been afforded the same luxury. We've loved iPhone case designs from companies like
Celine,
Saint Laurent,
Bottega Veneta, and
Off-White, but none of them have made models for the iPhone 11 (yet). While you wait for those, consider this buckled phone case, which isn't designed for any specific iPhone model, by Prada. It's the kind of phone case meant to seen, which explains why it's probably too big for your pocket. Buckle the clasp to the strap of your
crossbody bag for a fit enhancement nobody expected.
