Our guide to picking the best case for your new phone

There are plenty of options to keep your phone safe.

Most smartphones nowadays feature metal or glass builds, and so, keeping them safe and free from damage can be quite difficult. A good case or cover goes a long way, even if you don’t want to hide the phone’s beautiful design. However, some cases can add some style points to it as well. From the ultra-slim to the extremely rugged, there’s a type of cover for everybody.

If you’re looking to buy a case, you might be curious to what kinds of cases are out there or what phone case brands you should trust. In this case buyer’s guide we do our best to answer these questions, as well as highlight some of the best smartphone case manufacturers around!

What kind of case do I need?

Phone cases can be broadly divided into four different categories — thin, hybrid, wallet, and rugged. These categories are mostly self-explanatory, but let’s take a quick look at what they entail.

• Thin cases: These cases are usually ultra-thin and barely add any bulk to the phone. They are generally single-layer covers made with either TPU or polycarbonate. You’ll find a lot of good-looking thin cases out there, and everyone wants as minimal a case as possible for their phones. 
• Hybrid cases: Hybrid cases are a great middle between ultra-thin and rugged cases. A lot of these cases are really thin and light as well, but offer a lot more protection than thin cases. Hybrid cases include anything that uses a combination of materials, like a polycarbonate back and a TPU bumper, like the Ringke Fusion-X, or a relatively thin dual-layer case.
• Rugged cases: Rugged cases are big and bulky but will ensure that your phone can survive almost anything. Extremely heavy-duty cases are usually for those that work in harsh environments or are particularly clumsy.
• Wallet cases: Wallet cases let you keep cards, ID, and some cash while keeping your phone protected. The folio cover also helps keep the display safe without needing a screen protector.

The best bet for most smartphone owners would be a hybrid case. There are a lot of excellent options out there, and they offer a lot of protection despite being quite thin and light. Cases like the UAG Plasma and Ringke Fusion-X come with the same MIL-STD 810G-516.6 certification for impact resistance as rugged cases, and do so without making the phone heavy.

Ultra-rugged cases are a niche category, but users will appreciate the fact that the phone will survive almost anything. If you work in harsh environments or are particularly clumsy, these cases will certainly offer some peace of mind.

Ultimately picking the right case comes down to knowing what kind of protection and features you need.