By Bobby Jefferson on Monday, 23 September 2024
Category: Tech News

Best iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro Cases for 2024

Written by 

David Carnoy

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We generally encourage people to spend the extra money for a MagSafe-enabled case because of the number of MagSafe accessories on the market.

Some people like minimal cases that add little to no bulk to their iPhone, but the majority of people are looking for a case that offers good protection.

Clear cases are popular because they show off your phone (and its color). Clear cases, especially cheaper ones, can become less clear over time.

We generally encourage people to spend the extra money for a MagSafe-enabled case because of the number of MagSafe accessories on the market.

Some people like minimal cases that add little to no bulk to their iPhone, but the majority of people are looking for a case that offers good protection.

Clear cases are popular because they show off your phone (and its color). Clear cases, especially cheaper ones, can become less clear over time.

Which is the best iPhone 16 case overall?

I've been testing iPhone cases since the iPhone 4, and there's no shortage of new cases for this year's iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro models. It's always hard to declare one case better than all the rest because there are so many good ones out there, but if I had to pick one brand for the top spot, I'd say Otterbox (it makes several different iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro cases -- I've highlighted a few of my favorite styles below). I've also long been a fan of Speck cases.

Note that Apple has changed the design of the cameras and added new programmable action button on the iPhone 16 and changed the lens configuration for the cameras on back, so iPhone 15 and iPhone 14 cases won't fit the iPhone 16. The same is true for the iPhone 16 Pro models, which are slightly larger than their predecessors and add a camera control button (the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus also have it).

Because people's preferences vary widely, I've included a wide variety of options in this list, ranging from value picks to tougher premium cases and slimmer models. Apple-branded iPhone cases are typically solid options, but beware of knockoffs. They look and feel similar but tend to show wear and tear more quickly. I'll update this list as I test more iPhone 16 and 16 Pro cases.

Best iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro cases of 2024

$60 at Otterbox

Top new Otterbox cases for iPhone 16

Otterbox Symmetry Series

$60 at Otterbox

Otterbox returns with its usual expansive lineup of cases for the iPhone 16. In terms of toughness, the Defender Series XT and Defender Series Pro top the line. But even the slimmer Figura, Symmetry Series Clear and OtterGrip Symmetry Series have excellent drop protection.

I remain a fan of the Symmetry Series Soft Touch for MagSafe (pictured left), which has a nice, grippy soft-to-the-touch finish that's similar to what you get with the highly likable Core Series cases Otterbox made for the iPhone 14. I also like the Lumen Series (pictured right), a clear case that has eye-catching iridescent accents in its MagSafe components.

For me, another favorite Otterbox case for the iPhone 16 is the Symmetry Series Cactus Leather (pictured center), which incorporates a cactus-based leather substitute in its design (Otterbox says the faux leather is organically grown and sustainably harvested from nopal cactus). The cases have a nice textured grip to them and are available in attractive color options. In my tests, the cases have held up well and are fairly scratch-resistant.

$40 at Speck

Speck's new cases for iPhone 16

Speck Presidio ClickLock cases

$40 at Speck $40 at Amazon

Speck has brought many of its iPhone 15 case designs to the iPhone 16, including such popular transparent models as the Presidio Perfect-Clear and Perfect-Clear Grips and the Presidio2 Pro. It's also returns its ClickLock case system that's built on MagSafe: It's compatible with any MagSafe accessory but has an interlocking system that secures Speck's ClickLock accessories to your case. In addition to adhering to the case magnetically, the accessories -- which range in price from $30 to $40 -- click into a little slot. It's not so different from Peak Design's locking system, but Speck's cases are superior and are more MagSafe accessory-friendly.

For people who own the larger and heavier iPhone 16 Plus or 16 Pro Max, it can be hard to depend on your phone staying on a MagSafe car mount, especially if you hit a bump. That's where Speck's ClickLock car vent mount helps. The wallet accessory stays stuck on the back of your phone; you don't have to worry about it slipping off when you put your phone in your pocket.

All the new Speck models have good drop protection (13 to 16 feet, depending on the model) as well as Speck's Microban antimicrobial protection. No matter which model you choose, Speck often gives a discount for first-time buyers purchasing through its website.

$24 at Amazon

Affordable iPhone 16 case with built-in kickstand and MagSafe

ESR Kickstand case

$24 at Amazon

ESR Kickstand cases aren't your typical cases with an integrated kickstand. That's because the kickstand doesn't flip out of the backside of the case at the bottom. Instead, it serves as a protective ring around your camera lenses when it's retracted and not in use (ESR calls it a foldable stash stand). You'll find other generic cases on Amazon with a design like this, but ESR stands out for having a more premium feel to its value cases.

Note that you can get the case in a soft silicone version, a thicker tough version (it really is tough) and a simple clear version. I like the soft silicone version, but the clear case is the most affordable, selling for around $15. I can't vouch for the clear version not yellowing over time, but it is a decent budget option.

$50 at Zagg

Top protective iPhone 16 cases with eye-catching designs

Zagg cases

$50 at Zagg $50 at Amazon

A few years back Zagg bought British case-maker Gear4 and continued selling Gear4 cases under the original brand name. With the introduction of the iPhone 15, Gear4 cases officially become Zagg cases, but the quality hasn't changed -- they're right up there with OtterBox and Speck, all of them featuring beveled edges to protect your phone and now infused with graphene for extra durability. For the iPhone 16, Zagg has improved the design of its integrated kickstand for models that feature one -- I like the Denali with kickstand (pictured left) and the Crystal Palace with kickstand (picture right). I'm also a fan of the Milan Snap in iridescent (pictured middle left) and the new London Snap (center right), which comes in a variety of designs with a raised fabric exterior. Several other case styles are available with eye-catching designs and strong drop protection. 

$20 at Amazon

Top budget MagSafe case for iPhone 16

Spigen Ultra Hybrid MagFit

$20 at Amazon

Spigen is known for its value cases for smartphones and it returns with its usual assortment of cases for the iPhone 16 series, including slim clear cases and slightly thicker cases in its Tough Armor and Rugged Armor that offer a little more protection. If you're looking for an inexpensive clear MagSafe case for your new iPhone 16 or iPhone 16 Pro models, Spigen's Ultra Hybrid MagFit is a good value for less than $20. I like some of the Ultra Hybrid models that have computer component accents integrated into them. These include the Ultra Hypbrid Analogue (pictured), Zero One and Neo One.

$22 at Amazon

Affordable Magsafe case for iPhone 16

Cyrill UltraSheer Mag

$22 at Amazon

Cyrill is a sister brand to Spigen, and its cases are arguably slightly more stylish, although they cost a few bucks more, too. The UltraSheer Mag is semi-translucent frosted matte finish. It also comes in a few other design options, though note that unless you get one of the solid colors, the designs are stuck onto the surface of the case (they're essentially stickers that are similar to what Casetify does with its cases, which have become very expensive).

$70 at Rokform

Best rugged mounting case for iPhone 16

Rokform

$70 at Rokform

Rokform's been making tough iPhone cases for years, and aside from their durability, their key feature is the ability to use them with various mounts, including bike and motorcycle mounts, that are sold separately. Aside from their mounting system, the other key feature is they're equipped with arguably the strongest magnets for MagSafe accessories. I used both the Rokform Crystal and Rugged case with Apple's FineWoven Wallet and the wallet stuck to the cases more securely than with any cases I've tested (I prefer the Crystal case just because I like the look of it better).

Rokform's iPhone 16 cases have removable magnets, and they're compatible with wireless charging if you remove the included center magnet. "With the lower magnet still intact, you can still wireless-charge while utilizing magnetic mounting and all of our mounts," Rokform says.

$40 at Amazon

Variety of iPhone 16 kickstand-style cases

Torras cases

$40 at Amazon

Torras makes several cases with integrated kickstands, but they each have their own style of stand. They include a Slim Fit case with a retractable kickstand ring around the camera and its standard Ostand case, which has a retractable ring around the MagSafe ring. New for the iPhone 16 is its 360-degree Spin Magnetic Stand case that's similar to the Ostand case but the ring swivels 360 degrees.

Aside from the clear versions of the cases, which feature a hard plastic design, most of the other versions have a soft-touch finish that offers good grip. MagSafe accessories adhere securely to the cases and they also feature good drop protection (with the exception of the the Slim Fit case, which is rather slim). Prices for Torras cases start around $22 and go up to around $45.

$20 at Amazon

Under $20 iPhone 16 MagSafe case with kickstand

Caseology Capella Mag Kickstand

$20 at Amazon

Caseology makes some decent budget cases, including the Athlex Mag, Parallax, Dual Grip Mag and Capella Mag, all of which cost less than $20. Its Capella Mag Kickstand is one of the cheaper transparent MagSafe cases we've seen that has a built-in kickstand that retracts into the case when not in use so you can attach MagSafe accessories. You can see all of Caseology's iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro cases here.

$50 at Amazon

Top vegan leather iPhone 16 case

Moft Movas

$50 at Amazon

Moft makes some nice MagSafe accessories, including wallets that convert into kickstands and an iPhone Tripod Stand. Its cases are also well-designed and attractive. It sells a very slim clear MagSafe case called the Invisible Case for $40, but I like its faux leather Movas cases, which list for $50 but sometimes sell for $40. (Vegan leather is designed to look and feel like real leather but is synthetic.) You can see the company's full suite of cases and accessories here, including its new Creator kit that bundles a Movas case with a wallet stand, tripod stand and lanyard.

See at Nomad Goods

Swanky leather iPhone 16 cases

Nomad cases

See at Nomad Goods

Apple isn't making leather cases for the iPhone 16, but others, including Nomad, still are. Nomad's line of leather cases for the iPhone 16 once again come in two grades of leather: the standard variety and a higher-end Horween that costs $20 more ($70 rather than $50). At least the Horween version is designed to develop a "rugged" patina as the oils from your skin interact with the leather over time. The Modern Leather Case is available in black, brown, English tan and a lighter natural color that I like. They're rated for 10-foot (3-meter) drop protection and are equipped with MagSafe. I also like Modern Leather Folio wallet case, but once again the one drawback to the Folio case is that it doesn't convert into a kickstand like some wallet cases do. 

There's also a more affordable Sport version for $50 that's equipped with MagSafe as well. It's not a leather case, but it does look pretty slick. Additionally, Nomad offers the Rugged Case with "fortified" bumpers and 15-foot drop protection for $60 with MagSafe.

$50 at Amazon

Slim and stylish iPhone 16 cases

Incase iPhone 16 cases

$50 at Amazon

Now owned by Incipio, Incase has been making iPhone cases for many years (Griffin is also part of Incipio). I don't love all of its new cases for the iPhone 16, but a few stand out, including the Level (pictured left), Halo (pictured center), Facet (pictured right), all of which feature 10-foot drop protection and come in multiple design options.

See at Amazon

Best assortment of iPhone 15 case options

Incipio cases

See at Amazon See at Incipio

Much of Incipio's case lineup for the iPhone 14 returns for the iPhone 15. These include old favorites like the Grip with MagSafe, sturdy Duo with MagSafe (12-foot drop protection) and AeroGrip with MagSafe.

I like the new Cru case in faux leather, pictured left (it also comes in a canvas material but I prefer the faux leather). Another favorite is the Forme, which comes in some cool designs, two of which are pictured here (middle and right). Incipio cases start at $25 for a non-MagSafe case and $35, $45 and $50 or more for cases with MagSafe. 

$30 at Amazon

Affordable iPhone 16 wallet case

Smartish cases

$30 at Amazon

Smartish's affordable, simple, slim cases and wallet cases return for the iPhone 16. The Wallet Slayer Vol. 2 case (pictured) comes in a few different designs beyond the the basic black shown here (Smartish could do a better job offering better color options). It holds three credit cards plus cash, and you can use one of your credit cards as a kickstand. Its one downside is that it's not compatible with wireless and MagSafe chargers.

Smartish also sells a MagSafe case called the Gripmunk. It's one of the more affordable MagSafe cases (around $20) and is easy to grip, as its name implies.

$35 at Amazon

Best superthin case

Totallee cases

Some people prefer not to have a case on their phone or just want something that's very thin and offers minimal protection. If you're that type of person, a Totallee case may just be what you're looking for.

There are a couple of models to choose from, with the Minimal case billed as the world's thinnest iPhone case; it's almost paper-thin. It comes in multiple color options.

The case costs $35, which seems like a lot considering how thin it is, but it is eco-friendly (it's compostable) and does have a raised "lip" around the camera that prevents damage to the camera lens, Totallee says.

Totallee also makes a very slim clear TPU case, the "clear soft" that offers a little more protection for the $35 (there's also a new model with MagSafe for $39). I like that one better in some ways -- it does have a little more grip to its finish -- but it is slightly thicker.

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(Originally posted by David Carnoy)
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