SafeWise is an independent review site. We may earn money when you click links on our site. Learn more.
Home | Personal Safety | Best protective phone case brands to keep your device safe
Phones are expensive and worth protecting. Here are our top picks for the best protective case brands.
Best overall
-
Wide range
-
Up to 7 years warranty
View on Amazon
Read Review
Runner up
-
Wide range
-
More affordable
View on Amazon
Read Review
Best budget
-
Affordable
-
Excellent protection
View on Amazon
Read Review
Best design
-
Versatile designs
-
Great protection
View on Amazon
Read Review
By Georgia Dixon
Mar 07, 2024
3 min read
SafeWise experts have years of firsthand experience testing the products we recommend. Learn how we test and review.
You might think that those ultra-tough protective phone cases are just for tradies, but think again. With most new flagship phones now retailing for well over $1,000, investing in a high-quality protective phone case is in all of our best interests.
Whether you're after the most rugged phone case you can find or something a little more subtle to protect your device, we've rounded up five of the best protective phone case brands for keeping your pricey gadget safe.
Here are the best protective phone case brands
- : Best overall
OtterBox
- : Runner up
UAG
- : Best budget
SUPCASE
- : Best design
Spigen
Compare the best protective phone cases
Brand | Best for | Price range* | Compatible phone brands | Warranty | Learn more |
OtterBox | Best overall | $39.95 to $129.95 | iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel | Up to 7 years | View on Amazon |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
UAG | Runner up | $59.95 to $149.95 | iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel and more | Lifetime (limited) | View on Amazon |
SUPCASE | Best budget | $25.99 to $45.99 | iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel and more | 1 year | View on Amazon |
Spigen | Best design | $34.99 to $114.99 | iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel and more | 2 years (limited) | View on Amazon |
*Price range based on iPhone 15.
Prices are accurate as of post date. Read full disclaimer.
1. OtterBox: Best protective phone case brand overall
Best overall
$39.95 to $129.95
View on Amazon
Price is accurate as of post date. Read full disclaimer.
The fact that it's the most recognisable name on the list isn't a coincidence—OtterBox has been protecting devices for over 20 years and its waterproof and drop-proof designs have become a favourite among tradies and adventurers.
We love that OtterBox caters to so many phone brands and models. In addition to every iPhone model, they offer cases for a huge range of Samsung and Google Pixel devices, not to mention a handful of iPads and Samsung tablets.
As you might expect, that reputation and years of experience do come at a higher cost, with OtterBox phone cases coming with bigger price tags than the competition. That said, you can usually score a good deal on Amazon.
Pros
Wide range of compatible devices
Up to 7 years warranty
Excellent reputation
Cons
Expensive
Still, we think the Commuter Series (our pick for most people) and Defender Series (the chunkiest case that offers the most protection) are some of the best protective phone cases on the market.
It's also worth noting that OtterBox phone cases come with a seven-year warranty, so they're designed to last.
2. UAG: Runner up
Runner up
$59.95 to $149.95
View on Amazon
Price is accurate as of post date. Read full disclaimer.
If you like the protective factor of OtterBox cases but not necessarily the high price tag, Urban Armor Gear (UAG) is your next best bet. You might be looking at the price range and think it's way more expensive, but in most cases, UAG is roughly $20 cheaper than the RRP of its OtterBox counterparts.
The military-inspired look of UAG cases may not be for everyone, but they certainly bring the protection factor. Its flagship case series, Monarch, boasts five layers of impact-resistant materials, with some even using Kevlar (yep, the same material used in bulletproof vests) and carbon fibre. We also like that UAG makes protective cases for a wide range of devices, included iPhone and iPad, Samsung Galaxy and Samsung tablets, Google Pixel, Microsoft Surface, MacBooks and more.
Pros
Massive range of compatible devices
Cheaper than OtterBox
Fantastic protections
Cons
Design won't suit everyone's tastes
Confusing warranty
Though they're still not what we'd call "cheap", UAG cases are certainly a little more affordable than OtterBox. They also come with a limited lifetime warranty, which is better than a lot of the competition, but after hours of research we're still a bit unsure about what the terms of that warranty actually are.
3. SUPCASE: Best budget protective phone case brand
Best budget
$25.99 to $45.99
View on Amazon
Price is accurate as of post date. Read full disclaimer.
It's not the most well-known brand on our list, but SUPCASE has been making waves with its budget-friendly yet ultra-protective Unicorn Beetle Pro series.
Starting at just $25.99, these heavy-duty cases boast impressive drop protection (they exceed the same military shock specification as OtterBox) along with a bunch of other handy features, including a built-in kickstand, belt clip holster, and a built-in screen protector that doesn't compromise touch sensitivity.
The downside is that SUPCASE only offers a one-year warranty, but considering how affordable its cases are, replacing a broken one isn't going to drain your bank account.
Pros
Affordable
Excellent protection
Wide range of compatible devices
Cons
Cheaper models don't support wireless charging
Bulky looking
4. Spigen: Best design
Best design
$34.99 to $114.99
View on Amazon
Price is accurate as of post date. Read full disclaimer.
If you're trying to strike a balance between solid protection, aesthetics and affordability, Spigen might just be your best bet.
With products ranging from slim yet sturdy clear cases to rugged, multi-layered MagSafe-compatible models and even a classic iMac G3-inspired case (pictured), there's something for every taste. Even the highest-protection models don't have that chunky look you expect to find with a protective case.
We also like that each case comes with a two-year limited warranty, and they're compatible with so many different devices, including laptops and phones from Apple, Samsung, Google Pixel, OPPO, Huawei, OnePlus and more.
Pros
Versatile designs
Wide range of compatible devices
Two-year warranty
Cons
Cheaper models provide little protection
Final word
Any phone case is going to be better than no phone case, but if you're looking for a little more protection than what your standard case can give you, an OtterBox, UAG or SUPCASE might just be for you. A little more style-minded? Opt for a Spigen case instead.
Disclaimer
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time of publish and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on the retailer’s website at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. SafeWise Australia utilises paid affiliate links.
Written by
Georgia Dixon
Georgia Dixon has 10 years of experience writing about all things tech, entertainment and lifestyle. She has bylines on Reviews.org, 7NEWS, Stuff.co.nz and in TechLife magazine, and in 2023 she won Best News Writer at the Consensus IT awards. In her spare time, you'll find her playing games and daydreaming about good food, wine, and dogs.
Read More
Recent Articles
Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | How We Rank and Review |
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we work and live, and we pay our respects to their Elders, past and present.
*SafeWise has conducted impartial research to recommend products. This is not a guarantee. Each individual’s unique needs should be considered when deciding on chosen products.
©2024 SafeWise. All rights reserved.
Back To Top