Oct 14, 2019 8:00 AM

The Best iPhone 11 Cases We've Tried

I spent a month testing out 30 different cases for the new iPhone. These are my favorites.

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two iphones in X shape with clear case peeled back

4 / 10

Getting a new phone is exciting. But re-upping on all your accessories after you discover that your old case and car mount no longer fit is decidedly less thrilling. I got a new iPhone 11 and have spent the past few weeks testing new iPhone cases to find a new one. Be wary of trying to save a few bucks.

Although iPhone XR cases do technically fit on the new iPhone 11, you should double-check the size of the camera window to make sure it will accommodate the iPhone 11's light. If you browse through my picks and still have trouble deciding, we also have more detailed advice on how to pick the perfect new phone case for yourself. I wish you the very best of luck.

Photograph: Spigen
Best Minimalist Case
Spigen Liquid Crystal Case
Why spend hundreds of dollars on a beautifully designed phone if you never see it when it's inside a case? Spigen's clear, anti-slip Liquid Crystal cases are the closest thing to not having any case on your phone at all. It's easy to install, works with wireless charging, and has raised edges to protect the phone's screen and camera lenses. And you can't beat the price.
$11 at Amazon
Photograph: Apple
Another Minimalist Pick
Apple Silicone Case
Another, pricier, option is Apple's own silicone case. As WIRED writer Pia Ceres noted, silicone cases absorb slightly more energy and provide a little more drop protection than a stiffer, plastic TPU case. The silicone case also has a soft microfiber lining to keep the back of the phone scratch-free, and I like the soft touch feel of the silicone.
$39 at Apple

Photograph: Pelican
Best Car Mounting Case
Pelican Protector and EMS Car Charger
Pelican's new, magnetic Easy Mount System, or EMS, is, fittingly, one of the easiest modular phone mount systems that I've ever used. The car mount is also a Q-certified charger. Simply pinch it onto one of your car's vent flaps, put your phone in a magnetic Protector case, and touch it to the base. The Protector case was designed for first responders and has a rubber lining to absorb more impact. Unfortunately, this means that whoever is riding shotgun and wants to mount their own phone will have to buy a Protector case as well.
$80 at Amazon
Photograph: Mophie
Best Battery Case
Mophie Juice Pack
This week, Mophie finally releases its popular Juice Pack for the iPhone 11 series. Just like the other Juice Packs, the Juice Pack for the iPhone 11 will come with a 2,000 mAh integrated battery (the iPhone 11 Pro Max's case will have a 2,200 mAh battery) that uses Qi charging to transfer power to the phone. It will also have an on/off button and a built-in USB-C input port (and we sure love our USB-C ports), as well as priority charging that will transfer power to the phone before recharging the case.
$100 at Zagg

Photograph: Bellroy
Best Card Holder
Bellroy 3 Card Phone Case
I own a weather-resistant, leather Bellroy All-Conditions wallet, so I know firsthand that Bellroy makes attractive, durable accessories that age very well. I liked how this case's 3-card slot was slim and integrated into the profile of the case. The magnetic closure flap also doubles as a kickstand and the leather is sustainably processed via Leather Working Group protocols.
I also tried a LifeProof Flip case, but the card flap stuck out way too far and kept coming open.
Advice: If you do get an integrated card case, you should know that wireless charging uses magnetic induction and might damage credit cards or security badges that have a magnetic strip or RFID chip. Read more about this issue on Apple's Support page.
$75 at Bellroy
Photograph: Otterbox
Best Grip Case
OtterBox Pop Symmetry Case
In lieu of wearing a sling around my neck, I've found that a PopSocket is the best—and most useful and addictive—way to keep a grip on my oversized phone. Otterbox's Otter + Pop Symmetry case lets you pick and choose between your case and different PopTop colors and designs; you can switch out different PopTops for new looks or patterns.
Wireless Charging Note: I had to remove the PopTop to make it work with wireless charging. Otterbox also integrates a PopSocket into its popular Defender case.
$54 at Otterbox
$60 at Amazon

Photograph: Incipio
Best for Drops
Incipio Aerolite iPhone 11 Case
Otterbox's Defender cases are some of the most popular rugged cases. But for something that looks a lot less burly, I like Incipio's slim Aerolite cases, which are made from a proprietary shock-absorbing material called FortiCore. It's been drop-tested from heights of up to 11 feet, which is one of the higher drop ranges that I've seen. It also has reinforced corners and interior ribbing to absorb even more drop force.
Best of all, it comes in an opaque white version that lets you see your phone. (If you're terminally butter-fingered, you might want to put a few grip stickers on your case, too.)
$40 at Amazon
Photograph: Razer
Best for Gamers
Razer Arctech Slim Case
The launch of Apple Arcade means that even more people may start playing a lot of games on their phones. (Excuse me while I pause to take a quick Sayonara Wild Hearts break.)
Razer's Arctech cases sandwich a layer of a proprietary material called Thermaphene in between soft microfiber and the case's shell, which absorbs and redistributes heat away from your hard-working phone. It also has a vented back to further release heat. I liked the low profile of the Arctech Slim, but the Pro version has better drop protection.
$30 at Amazon

Photograph: Kate Spade
Prettiest Case
Kate Spade Defensive Hardshell Case with Flowers
I had to include at least one decorative case among the many review units that were sent to me. So my 4-year-old kid and I selected Kate Spade's Defensive case. It's made from a shock-absorbing plastic that has been rated for drops of up to 10 feet.
It also has interior bumpers along the sides and corners of the case for additional protection. It also has a scratch-resistant coating that has been effective for the few days that I used it, and the sparkling raised gems haven't fallen off with friction.
$50 at Amazon
Photograph: Delta Cycle
Best Bike Mount
Delta Cycle Smartphone Holder XL
This is not technically a case, but since it comes with a dry bag I'm going to include it, anyway!
I look at my phone while biking all the time, to check my route or to fast-forward through a song that's playing on my JBL Clip 3. Delta Cycle's mount is easy to install and big enough to fit my iPhone 11 in a Pelican Protector case. Most importantly, it holds onto my phone like a tenacious crab claw even if I've accidentally set up my kickstand on a slope and my Surly Cross-Check falls down.
$30 at REI

Adrienne So is a senior associate reviews editor for WIRED, where she reviews consumer technology. She graduated from the University of Virginia with bachelor’s degrees in English and Spanish, and she previously worked as a freelance writer for Cool Hunting, Paste, Slate, and other publications. She lives in Portland, Oregon.

Senior Associate Reviews Editor

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