The Strongest iPhone Cases In 2021: Our Top Picks!

iPhone’s are expensive. It’s great for your wallet if you don’t have to keep replacing them every few years. Mashable reports that 26% of iPhones break after two years. It’s important to keep your phone safe with a durable case. Let’s talk about the strongest iPhone cases of 2021 that can protect your smartphone from harm.

Why Should I Get A Strong Case For My iPhone?

This may or may not surprise you, but 75% of people use a case on their phone according to DigitalTrends. People clearly want to protect their expensive devices. However, what about that 25%? A lot of people don’t like phone cases because they can make your phone bulkier and more difficult to use. If you’re interested in learning more about this, check out our article about whether or not you should use a phone case. 

Phone cases aren’t very expensive either. Some of the strongest ones you can find for less than $25 on Amazon. Consider it a good investment to protect your much more expensive investment. If you don’t have AppleCare+, this can be even more important. It’s a good idea to try and keep your iPhone running as long as you can until it’s time to upgrade. 

There’s no replacement for the extra comfort or peace of mind that an iPhone case provides!

What Makes An iPhone Case Strong?

Some of the strongest iPhone cases in 2021 are what’s known as “military grade.” These devices meet or exceed the expectations of MIL–STD-810G, a test created by the United States military to determine a unit of equipment’s resistance to shock, water, vibration, and dust. It sounds like a big deal, and it is definitely useful to you, but having a military grade phone case won’t make your phone invincible. You should still take care of it as best as you can.

Metal, plastic, wood, leather, silicone and carbon fiber are some of the most used materials for iPhone cases in 2021. Polycarbonate cases, made out of plastic, are also known for being very durable. They’re lightweight, tough, and can resist high impacts. You know polycarbonate is strong because it’s one of the materials used to make bulletproof glass.

Carbon fiber is another solid material found in strong iPhone cases. Though typically more expensive, carbon fiber cases weave together strands of carbon to produce a light material that’s stronger than steel. Carbon fiber cases are ideal for protecting your phone from medium-height drops onto hard surfaces like concrete.

However, it’s metal cases that normally offer the best protection. Metal can withstand the biggest impacts and it’s the hardest material commonly used to make iPhone cases. However, metal can often be uncomfortable to slide across surfaces or to touch.

On the other hand, wood and leather cases are relatively weak and flimsy. They might look classier or more artsy, but they’re more known for protecting against minor bumps and scratches rather than actual drops. Silicone cases aren’t terrible due to the squishy material’s ability to absorb shock, but they aren’t doing the best for your iPhone either.

Measuring The Hardness Of iPhone Cases

As you might expect, the quality of a phone case can often be determined by its hardness level, or H. This refers to the Mohs hardness scale, which ranks minerals and other materials on a scale of 1–10, with 10 being the hardest material on Earth — diamonds. For comparison, regular glass is placed at five.

Hardness is measured by the ability of a material to scratch another’s surface. Glass can scratch anything below a 5, such as iron, but can be scratched by anything above a 5, such as quartz. Stronger glass materials on cell phones tend to only be able to be scratched by materials above a level 6. Therefore, cases with a hardness of 9H, as several do, will rarely be scratched and are very durable.

If all this information is a bit overwhelming, that’s okay. Below, we’ll list our picks for the strongest iPhone cases in 2021. These cases are compatible with the iPhone 12, but all the manufacturers we’ll recommend design similar cases for the 12 and older iPhone models!

Strongest iPhone Cases in 2021

Otterbox Commuter Series Case

At $39.95, the OtterBox Commuter Series case for the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro certainly is no joke. It’s a bit of a more expensive case for a phone, but it offers a great deal of protection. With soft inner and hard outer layers, the case is perfect for protecting your device against accidental drops and impacts.

Additionally, this case offers a lot of support health. The case is infused with a silver-based additive which can help prevent the growth of bacteria on your iPhone.

With its slim profile, drop protection, and antimicrobial technology, we definitely recommend this case if you are looking for one of the strongest iPhone cases of 2021.

Compatible iPhones: iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro

TORRAS Magnetic Slim Case

The TORRAS Magnetic Slim case is a great option for those who need a slim case that can support wireless charging with Apple’s MagSafe charger for $25.99.

Compatible iPhones: iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro

TORRAS Shockproof Compatible

The TORRAS Shockproof Compatible case for the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro is a military grade drop tested case for $18.69. It comes in three colors and has a slim profile which makes it very comfortable to use while offering maximum protection for your iPhone.

Compatible iPhones: iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro

DTTO Lightning Series Case

Made of TPU material and lined with a metal luster on the outer edges, the DTTO Lightning Series iPhone case offers a “non-slip grip” for maximum protection. The case costs $12.99, has 4.5 star rating, and comes with a lifetime warranty.

Compatible iPhones: iPhone X, iPhone XS

LETSCOM Crystal Clear Case

This clear, anti-yellowing case by LETSCOM gives you a great deal of protection for $8.95. Being transparent, it makes it easier to see the awesome phone underneath the case. It also has a slim profile and raised camera and screen protection to protect from scratches and cracks.

Compatible iPhones: iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro

CASEKOO Defender For iPhone 12 Pro Max

The iPhone 12 Pro Max is larger than its cousins and needs a special sized case to protect it. The CASEKOO Defender is a $21.99 case with military grade drop protection. It is made from solid polycarbonate with a scratch-resistant and anti-yellowing coating to keep your phone looking like new. It also maintains a slim profile to make your phone more comfortable to use.

Compatible iPhones: iPhone 12 Pro Max

Humixx Compatible

The Humixx Compatible case for the iPhone 12 Pro Max is a great choice for military grade drop protection that is also resistant to fingerprints. With its hard matte translucent case and soft TPU bumper, this will have no problem protection your iPhone 12 Pro Max.

Compatible iPhones: iPhone 12 Pro Max

OtterBox Symmetry Clear Series

The OtterBox Symmetry Clear Series case is a great transparent case option for users of the iPhone 12 Pro Max who desire great drop protection. It has a raised and beveled edge as well to help protect your screen from bumps and scratches.

Compatible iPhones: iPhone 12 Pro Max

Our Winner: The Otterbox Commuter Series Case

Our pick for the strongest iPhone case in 2021 is the Otterbox Commuter Series Case. Made with Otterbox’s signature fiber glass and polycarbonate plastic, this case combines extreme protection and durability with sleekness and a nice look for your iPhone.

Safe And Sound!

Now that you know about the most durable iPhone cases out there in 2021, you’ll be able to keep your phone lasting longer. Rest easy knowing that your phone is safer and easier to hold and use with your new case.

Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this article and found it helpful, please share it with others so that they can protect their iPhones too!

About Author

Hi! I'm a freelance writer who loves Android, Windows, and all things tech!

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Do I Need An iPhone Case? Here's The Real Truth!
3 years ago

[…] The cases that offer your iPhone the most protection are those with raised edges to protect the display, and shockproof corners that can absorb impact when you drop it. Harder cases are designed to be more durable. Check out our other article to learn about the strongest iPhone cases of 2020. […]