It could be easy to think that the hunt for the best phone cases is a futile one, right? You can just hop on Amazon, buy something cheap in a non-offensive colour, and bingo! Your $1,000 phone is protected. Well, that might be fine for some, but why spend so much money on the phone without protecting it properly and in style?
That’s where Pocket Tactics are the experts for you. Whether you hunted down one of the best gaming phones and now want to keep your investment looking fresh, or you’re on the hunt for one of the best phone cases for protection to make sure no damage ever occurs, we’ve had our hands on mobile phones for years, learning the best way to keep them looking good and feeling secure.
Here are the best phone cases on the market in 2023:
- Urban Armor Gear – best phone cases for protection
- Morphie Juice Pack connect – best battery phone case
- Otterbox Defender Series – best iPhone case
- Samsung Ultra Silicone Cover – best Samsung Galaxy S22 case
- Ringke Onyx – Best Google Pixel 7 case
Best phone case for protection
The best phone cases for protection are made by Urban Armor Gear. Prices range from as low as $15 all the way up to $100.
Pros
- Excellent drop protection
- Simple colours
- Good value
Cons
- Designs can be a tad bulky
Whether you work in construction or have a proclivity towards dropping your phone from great heights, Urban Armor Gear is the brand to go for. Their cases can protect your phone from high falls so you know your expensive tech is safe.
What we like about Urban Armor Gear is its simplicity. If you want a protective case, it’s going to have to be a little bulky, so UAG doesn’t overcompensate for that with flashy designs. They are simple and rugged, making them some of the best phone cases out there for most people.
Of course, aesthetics are a personal preference. There are alternatives if you rather having a super slick case that promises protection. Brands like Mous and Otterbox both have excellent ranges of gear, though their prices aren’t always as competitive.
Best battery phone case
The best battery phone case is the Morphie Juice Pack Connect, which has an RRP of $79.99 / £74.99 but is often on sale for much less.
Pros
- Can be used with multiple phones
- Long-lasting battery
- Removable
Cons
- Bulkier than non-removable battery cases
The Morphie Juice Pack Connect isn’t really a phone case, but we think it’s the best solution for anyone looking to charge their phone on the go without having to bring a bulky power bank, thanks to its versatility.
What makes this one of the best phone cases is that you won’t have to replace it when you replace your phone. If you’re going to spend loads of money on a case, it’s really nice to be able to hold onto it over multiple phone generations.
Of course, the drawbacks to having something modular like this may mean other bespoke cases are more your style. The Apple iPhone Battery Cases or MagSafe battery pack are a safe bet for all you iOS users. Samsung also offer something similar if you’re after it
Best iPhone case
The best iPhone case for protection is the Otterbox Defender Series, which starts at around $65 / £50.
Pros
- Good value
- Good all-around protection
Cons
- A little bland
While Urban Armor Gear is an easy recommendation if you want to browse, the straightforward, good-value Otterbox Defender Series is a great way to go if you want to grab a case straight away.
It’s up there with the best iPhone 13 Pro Max cases and has different permutations depending on the model of your phone. In general, a combination of simplicity, ruggedness, and sleek design make it one of the best phone cases in our eyes.
As always, there are other options out there. As mentioned above, Urban Armor Gear offer a wide variety of hardcore fall protection, while Mous go for a more businesslike aesthetic if you’re hoping to protect your phone from a penthouse fall, as it were.
Best Samsung Galaxy S22 case
The best Samsung Galaxy S22 case is the Samsung Ultra Silicone Cover, which costs around $40 / £34 but has had price cuts recently.
Pros
- Standout design
- Ergonomics
- Inexpensive
Cons
- Not the best protection
- Can’t wireless charge with strap attacked
The Samsung Galaxy S22 is a gorgeous-looking phone, and we think this case is the perfect thing to pair with it. Of course, design is a matter of personal preference, but the simple block colour of the case combined with the standout orange of the strap looks really good to our eye.
It’s not just good looking, however, as it also adds an extra grip so you drop your phone less. Of course, the case is nowhere near as sturdy as other, more expensive options, but if the strap reduces your drops maybe it’s fine.
Still, head to any of our other recommendations, like UAG or Otterbox if you’re not sold on the design of this one. Samsung also has a wide range of cases for their other models on their website, and they all have good build quality and ergonomics in our experience.
Best Google Pixel 7 case
The Ringke Onyx is the best Google Pixel 7 case, and it starts at around $15 / £10.
Pros
- Super cheap
- Sleek design
- Non-slip grip
Cons
- Not the best drop protection
For such a low price, the Ringke Onyx is a bit of a no-brainer. With a textured coating to stop you from dropping the phone, lanyard holes so you can attach charms or straps and an ultra-thin and sleek-looking design, it’s excellent.
Ringke says that the Onyx has military-grade drop resistance which to me screams two things: 1) that’s a big lie and; 2) military-grade is a meaningless phrase. Still, for something this slim, any drop protection is good.
Of course, you don’t go for a case like the Ringke Onyx if you want to drop your phone off some scaffolding. If you want that, look over to UAG or Otterbox. Or, if you want something less slick and more standout, Casetify loves putting loads of nonsense on their cases.
There we have it, all the best phone cases for you. For more, check out our guide to the best portable gaming consoles to find a bigger, more powerful handheld device.
