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Protect your Apple smartphone in style with these top cases Switchable Button Magnet
We updated this roundup in November 2023 to guarantee that our best iPhone case picks are in stock and reflect up-to-date prices. This roundup includes our latest favourite cases for Apple's new iPhone 15 models.
Your iPhone deserves the best protection possible, and investing in a quality case reduces the chance of any unwanted scratches, scrapes, dents and marks, while also letting you add a more personal touch to the phone’s look and feel. Are you currently hunting for the perfect cover? You’re in the right place.
We try out covers all year round to protect Apple’s smartphones and we’ve been testing a variety of case designs, styles and colours from trusted brands including Apple itself, Mous, Casetify, Peak Design and ESR to get a grip on how they perform in terms of fit, feel and comfort. From silicone to leather, this list contains our favourite cases out there right now.
Fitting our top picks is straightforward – just pop them into place over the back of the phone and you’re good to go – but we’ve also noted which ones have MagSafe (Apple’s term for its magnet technology that holds the cases in place on portable chargers, wallet accessories and more), along with the colours and designs that are available.
Our list includes cases to fit the iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 models (as well as their Pro variants) and while these are, in general, reasonably similar we’d stay aware that some manufacturers have maintained a cutout for the “action button” on the 15 Pro models, which is a lot less usable. We’ve flagged up the cases that now have a proper third “button” on the left-hand edge.
We’ve tried loads of the top rivals, but we keep coming back to Mous’s Limitless cases to keep our iPhones safe. The case has a considered design, with raised corners to protect the screen, a chunky ridge around the cameras, and solid buttons.
It may be protective but it’s not bulky, and it’s made with a shockproof material that offers full MagSafe compatibility for connecting your phone to a wireless charger or magnetic wallet. The designs on offer feel polished and distinctive, giving your phone a high-quality feel when you pull it out of your pocket.
We especially like the Walnut, Aramid Fibre and Black Leather variants that we tried – and we’re particularly taken with the simplicity of the new Forest Green colour too. The best news for iPhone 15 Pro owners is that these cases have some of the best action buttons, that feel responsive and aren’t just the existing cutout maintained from older iPhone case designs.
Looking for a case that’s both cute and functional? We’d consider the options from Burga. The massive range of designs features loads of models that look sleek, clip on nicely and are available with matching AirPods, iPad and MacBook cases to complete the look. We’ve tried both the “Elite” and “Tough” styles (for iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 models), and both approaches have all the right protective raised edges, as well as working when we used them with the glass screen protector too.
The cases feel durable in use, but aren’t that bulky so they’re still elegant to hold. We were also impressed by the reliable MagSafe connectivity, something we look for in all iPhone cases. We’re not surprised that eye-catching designs from Burga have been spotted in the hands of multiple celebrities, including Taylor Swift. That may make a case like this a pretty desirable gift for the fan in your life.
If you think the Elite feels a little pricey, we also recommend the Tough MagSafe cases. They offer two layers of protection with a silicone interior and a hard shell exterior, and we like how they have a raised edge around the screen and a ridge around the cameras for extra safety.
In contrast to Apple’s clear case, the Mous Clarity is a bit more visible once it’s on your handset. Its edges and MagSafe ring are black rather than white, so they may stand out a bit more. However, it’s also much more focused on protection, with the same shockproof material from the Limitless case and higher raised corners to keep the display protected if you do drop it. It’s scratch-resistant too, like the Apple one, so the brand you pick may just come down to which design you prefer.
One thing that we love about this option is its “Iridescent” version, which is a case that’s still clear but that also has a sunset-inspired gradient with a luminance that changes and looks different under a mix of lighting conditions and viewing angles. It’s rather unique for a clear case, and we think it’s an elegant approach.
While Apple’s MagSafe magnets open up compatibility with loads of accessories including chargers, wallets, car mounts, power banks and more, some brands have found ways to incorporate those magnets and take things one step further, creating accessory ecosystems with a secure attachment and alignment.
Peak Design is one manufacturer that excels in this department, offering a sleek and slim fabric phone case in addition to excellent compatible accessories – we’ve tried a few of them and our favourites include the folding mobile tripod, the wallets and the “universal bar mount” that gives you a way to mount your phone to your bike. There are loads of options when it comes to this system.
The case itself feels high-quality with clicky buttons, a soft fabric material and an appealing selection of colours. At the moment, the variants for the iPhone 15 Pro feature a cutout rather than a button for the “action button”, but this is something that Peak Design is amending and new cases with buttons should be available soon. We’ll update this roundup again when we’ve tried them out.
If you’re after a case with a classy and refined look, you can’t go wrong with this lovely option from the Swedish designers at Woolnut.
The one we tried was a perfect fit for the iPhone 14 Pro, and we’re fans of the plush microfibre interior and soft Scandinavian full-grain leather exterior (the green is gorgeous). It also sports excellent aluminium buttons and a raised edge around the entire display. This edge isn’t quite as raised as on some rivals, though, meaning it may not be the most protective case you can buy.
We like how it’s compatible with MagSafe wireless charging, how the branding is minimal and how sleek it looks. It could have a higher raised edge and it’s a bit pricey, but we like it just as much as other premium leather cases and we’d pick it ahead of Apple’s now-discontinued leather case.
If you’re not fussed about built-in stands, fancy designs or different colours, we’d recommend looking at the ESR Classic Hybrid options. In our experience, these are cases that prioritise protection, without worrying too much about the extras. This case has the reinforced corners, raised edges and camera protection that we expect, all housed in a simple clear design that doesn’t add far too much extra weight to your handset.
We have previously found that the version we used for the iPhone 13 Pro did start to get yellow after several months of use, which is obviously a bit of a downside, but this same design is available with different tinted clear options or as a solid black, all of which maintain a similar price and keep things affordable.
While not one of our top picks for protection, the Nuident Thin Case is an excellent option if you’d love to have that nearly “caseless” look for your phone. It’s ultra-thin, as the name suggests, and it's designed in a precise way with cutouts around the existing buttons. We think it's beautiful and doesn't get in the way of the phone's design.
Yes, we’re not sure we’d trust it to protect our phone if we dropped it, but we love the super-thin look and appreciate that there’s still a raised edge around the cameras to keep them safe. This case is also a reliable option for MagSafe, and we found that the model with the magnets was able to snap to our charger without any issues at all. If you’d rather save a little, the non-MagSafe option here is still so thin that the case won’t get in the way of traditional wireless charging.
If you want to show off the colour of your iPhone, a simple clear case isn’t the only way. We love that this QDOS model matches the shade of your phone around the edges and MagSafe ring, while also letting the original colour show through the frosted translucent backing to the case. We have found this is a little susceptible to picking up fingerprints but it’s not a major issue if you have a cleaning cloth to hand.
Overall, we like the soft feel of the case and how grippy and comfortable it is to hold. The strong magnetic attachment to our wireless charging station works well too, but it is a shame that the 15 Pro models don’t feature a proper action button and that the camera protection feels slightly flimsy and wiggles around a little. These are small downsides rather than dealbreakers, though, especially as the case is available for a reasonable price.
One of our favourites for its design and style, this pretty Mujjo case is made from luxurious leather, with a smooth microfibre lining and metal buttons that are satisfying and clicky. We tried the black and blue colours and they’re both gorgeous.
The case has a raised cutout for the cameras and raised edges for a decent amount of protection around the display. While it isn’t designed to be the most rugged case, it feels like it would keep your phone safe from some drops, and it’s the sleek look that gets full marks here. We like how it’s available with a card slot if you need space for one.
This smart iPhone case with a built-in stand around the cameras is a terrific option if you want something sleek but versatile for watching movies and shows during your travels. We used this one to watch several hours of downloaded shows on Netflix during a flight and can confirm that we had no issues with the stability, as it stayed upright the whole time. The metal flip-out stand does make the case just a little thicker, but we’re also thankful for the significant reinforcement around the camera module.
This case also includes some extra protection and shock absorption around the corners, adding extra safety around the area where most screen damage tends to begin. The buttons are clicky and reliable and, like other ESR cases, it has super strong magnets in its MagSafe ring, ensuring reliable attachment to accessories and power banks. The key downside we’d highlight, though, is that over the past year, our case for the iPhone 14 did show a bit of yellowing. Of course, we can’t confirm that this will happen with the iPhone 15 version, but it’s worth noting.
There isn’t anything flashy about the Rio Snap case but we like how it combines strength and functionality in a sleek black form factor with some added grip on the sides. While our phone didn’t slip out of our hands while using it, Gear4 says it offers up to four metres of drop protection, which feels like more than enough impact defence for most people. We find the buttons easy to press, the ports and mute switch are straightforward to access, and we have no problem using this with a glass screen protector.
It also has the expected raised edge around the cameras and some much-appreciated MagSafe charging functionality, and we can confirm that the magnetic attachment is strong. Overall, this is a decent soft touch case with extra grip and it’s both a bit utilitarian and won’t turn any heads. If that’s what you prefer, it’s a top all-rounder at a good price.
If you prefer a bit more of a flexible feel to your phone case but don’t want to sacrifice the usefulness of grippy sides, raised camera protection and MagSafe, this line of “Recovrd” cases from Tech21 is well worth a look. We love how easy it is to slip the case on and off, and we’re fans of the non-slip edge around the entirety of the phone.
The brand says these cases are made out of “used Tech21 phone cases, returns and excess material from the production process” and we appreciate that this variant includes a strong magnetic alignment for charging, something that is often missing from cases made of recycled materials.
This is a functional and protective case that’s up there with the very best options when it comes to keeping your phone safe. This rugged option has a super robust construction that Zagg says is “fortified with graphene” to keep it both tough and flexible. While we didn’t drop our phone in this case, it’s listed with five metres of drop protection and it has a dual-layer design that should help with shock absorption.
The Denali Snap has a lot of grip all over, is compatible with MagSafe, and has a clever kickstand if you want to watch videos on your phone during your travels. We don’t think the design is the most exciting and you may wish there was a bit more colour of possibility for artistic designs or personalisation. However, if your priority is a strengthened case for your adventures, this is a great option, especially as it fits on your phone with a screen protector without any issues. The model linked here fits both the iPhone 14 and iPhone 15, and we’re happy to see that the iPhone 15 Pro case we tried has a proper action button rather than a cutout.
Always watching movies or TV shows on the commute to work or when travelling? This clever case has a stand that flips out from around the camera bump – ideal if you want to catch up on some telly or films from your streaming services on your iPhone’s display. Compared to the other ESR model with a hinged stand around the cameras, this not only feels stable and secure but also has an innovative design with more flex and no screws. When you’re done, it clicks back into place with magnets and provides a lot of protection for the cameras.
Beyond the stand, this is a super protective case for all the same reasons that Casetify’s Impact model is. You’re getting a comparable two metres of drop protection (compared to two and a half metres on the Impact) as well as raised edges for protecting the screen and a military-grade certification. We appreciate how it also works with MagSafe magnets for charging and attaching accessories, but we must admit that the price is quite high at over £70. Those wanting a value alternative should look at the ESR Classic Hybrid Case with Stash Stand.
Just after a simple transparent case so that you can actually see the colour of the phone you bought? Apple’s clear case is the way to go. It’s thin and lightweight without sacrificing protection, and it has a snug fit that covers the buttons too.
It’s also made with anti-yellowing tech so that the polycarbonate will continue to look good over time. We previously had the one for the iPhone 13 for over a year and can confirm that it still looks crisp and scratch-free too.
The Impact case is the one we’d pick if you like the look of the hundreds of great design options available through the collaborations, styles and artistic prints that you can find on the Casetify website. These are also available in the “Compact” case from Casetify, although we think the extra drop protection delivered by the “Impact” makes it worth it.
In use, we found this offers a solid amount of everyday defence for your phone including a thick rim around the cameras and raised edges to keep the screen safe. The MagSafe ring is strong and reliable, so you can guarantee this one isn’t going to slip off a magnetic charger.
We tried both the clear version of this case with a fun design from Casetify and more of a solid pastel gradient – and we’re impressed by both. Overall, we find Casetify is the best brand for a wide range of designs and patterns, so if you want to get creative while keeping your iPhone protected, it’s the brand you should pick.
As the most protective case that Casetify sells for the iPhone 15 models, the Ultra Bounce is a comprehensive option for reinforcing your phone. We think it’s most suitable for outdoor adventurers, hikers and extreme athletes, especially as the highly robust corner protection makes it a bit too large for most of us, and that’s something you’ll notice when you’re pulling it out of your pocket, especially if you have the larger Pro Max model. This case will absorb shocks and bounce back up when dropped on the floor and Casetify says it offers a full 10 metres of drop protection.
This case doesn’t come cheap and is the only model on this list with a price tag of over £100. However, it has a military-grade certification and assurances that it can survive numerous drops from multiple heights and angles. There’s also extra protection around the cameras that we don’t tend to see on rival cases, and we had no problem fitting this to our iPhone 15 Pro Max while it had a screen protector on. Overall, whether you’re outdoors a lot or just worried about keeping your phone safe, this is the strong case we’d recommend.
If you’re buying an iPhone case for someone who can’t get enough of their own reflection (no judgement here) or loves to take the highest quality selfies (the back camera setup is better for these than the front one), then we think that this mirrored case from Casetify is the ideal pick.
It functions as a mirror, but there’s no glass here and it’s almost as protective as the Impact style from Casetify, as the brand says this one keeps your phone safe from 1.5-metre drops, and it does have the same raised edge and camera bump protection that we’d expect from any quality case.
After something sleek? This may not fit the bill quite as much as there are thinner cases out there, but if the dual functionality is tempting, we haven’t come across much else like this. We’re happy to see that it also works with MagSafe and wireless charging, but the £66 price does feel a little bit steep.
We like how Nudient has taken its minimal principles that are so evident in its thin case and built a variant that puts a bit more focus on protectiveness. This one features some great defensiveness around the camera bump and the buttons and a decent raised edge around the display – although it’s not an edge that’s pronounced as much as some.
This feels a little more functional and it won’t get in the way of your swipe gestures. This isn’t the grippiest case but it’s comfortable to hold and its reflective black rear is stylish and minimal. The only thing is it’s a bit of a fingerprint magnet, so you’ll want to keep a cleaning cloth on you!
Going with an Apple-made case is always a safe bet, and the basic silicone one does a great job of protecting all the key parts of your new handset. It has a nice soft feel to it, and while there are cheaper silicone cases out there, this fits the iPhone perfectly, includes Apple’s handy MagSafe charging tech, and comes in a range of fun colours.
This is also a great case for those with the newest iPhone 15 Pro as it comes directly from Apple and you won’t find that issue with it having a cutout instead of the action button. It has a button that aligns without any problems at all. Our only issue? It’s a bit of a dust magnet if you’re carrying your phone in a bag or in your jeans pocket.
Simon Cocks is our Technology Ecommerce Editor, overseeing tech shopping content and strategy across a range of titles including Good Housekeeping, Esquire, Digital Spy and more.
Simon specialises in testing the latest smart gadgets, home entertainment gear, headphones, speakers, charging kit and smartphones.
Previously, Simon was part of Good Housekeeping’s Consumer Affairs Team, conducting price comparison research, writing detailed advice guides and editing thousands of in-depth reviews for the Good Housekeeping Institute.
When not testing out the latest gizmos, you’ll find Simon either catching up with the newest releases at his local cinema or out shooting with his beloved compact camera.
You can follow Simon on Instagram at @simonrcocks and on Twitter at @simoncocks.
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