Best iPhone 13 Cases

There’s a special kind of anxiety that comes when you get a new phone but haven’t got the case yet. I’ve been living in this special kind of hell for two weeks with my new iPhone 13 as I’ve waited for different cases to arrive from Amazon. 

Thankfully, my new iPhone has survived the testing period, and I’m ready to share the best iPhone 13 cases. 

Hopefully, these cases will protect your iPhone from an untimely demise.

Apple Silicone Case with MagSafe: Best Fit Case

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Pros & cons

• Perfectly fits the iPhone 13
• Protective without being bulky
• Protects camera lenses
• Pricey

Leave it to Apple to make the best case for its own device. The Apple Silicone case fits the iPhone 13 perfectly and provides strong protection while not overly bulky (no offense, OtterBox!). It’s a relatively low-profile iPhone case that’s ideal for folks who prefer a minimalist style for their phones. All the sides of the phone are covered by the case, without any naked aluminum exposed to damage. Likewise, the case is built in a way to make sure that the camera lenses are protected from surfaces you set the phone on.

The case’s core is made of rigid plastic material, with the outside made of soft-touch silicone. This makes for a case that is surprisingly satisfying to touch but doesn’t feel in the least bit flimsy. 

Does the Apple Silicone iPhone 13 case work with MagSafe accessories?

Absolutely. Can you imagine if Apple forgot about that part? Rest assured that Apple’s Silicone case was made with MagSafe in mind. You can easily attach any accessories, like the MagSafe wallet, to the base of your Apple Silicone case

How much does the Apple Silicone case cost?

To the surprise of nobody, Apple’s proprietary iPhone 13 case is a little on the pricey side. You can buy the case from Amazon. While you can certainly get a MagSafe case for cheaper, you won’t get the same aesthetic and tactile experience.

OtterBox Commuter Series: Best Protective iPhone 13 Case

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Pros & cons

• Layers of protection
• MagSafe accessories work
• Made of recycled material
• Bulky
• No built-in screen protector (but that could be a good thing)

For the most protective iPhone owners out there, you can always count on OtterBox to make rock-solid cases. Sure, OtterBox cases are sort of bulky, but isn’t that the point? It’s like the equivalent of putting your child in a protective bubble, which is something I would love to do if my two-year-old would actually let me.

The OtterBox Commuter Series is the onion of iPhone 13 cases in the sense that it has layers. There’s an inner shell, an outer slipcover, as well as port covers that prevent the lightning port from becoming damaged or full of pocket lint. As an added bonus, all of the protective layers are made of 50% recycled plastic. Those combined layers make for a case that can withstand drops from over 15 feet without incurring any damage. Go ahead, throw your phone off the balcony with this OtterBox case (don’t actually do this). 

Screen protector not included

The newer OtterBox cases don’t come with the built-in screen protector like the previous iterations. Coming from someone who owned an OtterBox case for many years, this is actually a blessing in disguise. The screen protectors included with OtterBox cases would get incredibly dirty and were deeply unsatisfying to touch. Putting your own screen protector onto the device will give your phone a less-bulky aesthetic and a better touch experience.

Does the OtterBox Commuter case work with MagSafe accessories?

Yes. Despite the case being especially thicc, MagSafe accessories should still work with the OtterBox case.

How much does the OtterBox Commuter Series cost?

OtterBox Commuter iPhone 13 cases are a little more expensive than your typical case, but they’re certainly cheaper than fixing a broken phone. You can buy the iPhone 13 Otterbox Commuter Series case from Amazon.

Mkeke Clear iPhone 13 Case: Best Value

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Pros & cons

• Near-perfect opacity (at first)
• Affordable price
• Sturdy
• Not fingerprint-proof

If you have the new iPhone 13, you want to show it off a little, and this case lets you do exactly that. This Mkeke case hits that sweet spot where it’s under $20, looks aesthetically pleasing, and will protect your phone when it inevitably drops out of your pocket.

When you first put your iPhone in the case, it looks like a minimalist's dream. People will have a hard time telling you even if you have a case on the phone. The bad news is that this particular case isn’t fingerprint-proof. Over time, you’ll notice finger smudges on your case that’ll become an eyesore. You can always clean the case, but removing your phone is a bit of a struggle due to the slim-fit design.

Hard on the back, soft on the sides

The Mkeke clear cases have a hard plastic layer on the back of the phone with an extra bit of protection around the camera, and a softer plastic on the sides for better gripping. You’d never guess there were two different materials in this case because it all blends together so seamlessly. Still, this is not the kind of case you should trust for any falls beyond your pants pocket. If you plan on skydiving with your iPhone anytime soon, check out the Otterbox recommendation.

Does the Mkeke Clear iPhone 13 case work with MagSafe accessories?

Yes, but the magnetic connection doesn’t seem to be as strong. For example, if you have a phone charger/stand that holds the phone at an angle beyond 45 degrees (like this charger from Belkin), you may notice your phone starting to slip. As long as you make sure to grip your phone instead of the MagSafe device you have attached, you shouldn’t have any problems.

How much does the Mkeke Clear iPhone 13 case cost?

You can purchase the Mkeke Clear iPhone 13 case from Amazon for Amazon.

Dockem Wallet Case: Best Wallet Case for iPhone 13

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Pros & cons

• Holds more than three cards at once
• Satisfying canvas twill texture
• Affordable
• Not safe for drops over 6 feet

Out of all the iPhone 13 cases available, the Dockem wallet case is my absolute favorite. It’s the perfect combination of utility, value, and protection. Full disclosure, I used the Dockem wallet case with my previous phone and never once experienced damage despite dropping it constantly. With the iPhone 13, I thought I’d leave behind my wallet phone case and go for the combination of the Apple Silicone iPhone 13 case and MagSafe wallet. 

It turns out that Apple’s MagSafe wallet only holds three cards at once and that became a dealbreaker for me. The Dockem wallet case easily holds my driver’s license, credit card, Costco card, and gym card. I tried to fit all four cards into Apple’s MagSafe wallet and I needed the jaws of life to remove any cards.

Balancing aesthetic and protection

The Dockem wallet case is a relatively lightweight case that still protects from routine phone drops. As I said, I used this type of case for a couple of years and I was able to confidently trade in my old phone for my new iPhone 13 because it was in such excellent condition. That said, I never dropped the Dockem wallet case farther than the distance between my hands and the ground. Chances are your phone would not fare as well in the Dockem case versus the Otterbox case with a fall over six feet.

As for aesthetics, the case feels almost handmade with its canvas twill texture. It strikes a balance quite well between grip and comfort.

Does the Dockem wallet case work with MagSafe accessories?

Yes. I am using a MagSafe charger as I write this article with my Dockem wallet case.

How much does the Dockem wallet case cost?

The Dockem wallet case can be purchased from Amazon. It’s certainly one of the more affordable iPhone cases out there.

Spigen Tempered Glass Screen Protector: Best Screen Protector

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Pros & cons

• Incredibly easy application
• Auto-alignment installation kit
• No air bubbles or uneven fit
• Not safe for drops over 6 feet

This new screen protector design from Spigen is literally the best screen protector experience I’ve ever had. When I bought the iPhone 13, I considered going to one of those mall kiosks to have a “professional” put on my screen protector for me. Air bubbles and uneven screen protectors have plagued my phones for years. That all changed with the Spigen tempered glass screen protector.

You literally can’t fail to put this screen protector on correctly if you follow the directions. The screen protector comes with an auto-alignment installation kit that makes a world of difference. Essentially, you put your phone inside the kit, peel the stickers on the screen protector, and that's it. I will never buy a different screen protector ever again.

How much does the Spigen tempered glass screen protector cost?

You can get the best iPhone 13 screen protector from Amazon. The screen protector comes in packages of two, and if you apply the case in front of your partner, chances are they will want to use the second protector right away. At least, that was my experience.

What Is MagSafe?

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MagSafe is Apple’s name for devices that can magnetically stick to your iPhone without causing any damage. There’s a ring of tiny magnets built into the back of the iPhone 13 that allows magnetic accessories to snap on. For example, the MagSafe charger sticks to your iPhone because of the magnetic connection. 

If you want to use MagSafe devices, you’ll need to find cases that support the feature. Most iPhone 13 cases support MagSafe, but the magnetic connection might not be as strong.

Which Case Material Is Best for the iPhone 13?

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There’s no “best” case material for iPhones (otherwise we’d all be using it), so this decision comes down to personal preference. If you’re not quite sure what your personal preference is, here are some pros and cons for different iPhone case materials.

Plastic iPhone cases

The majority of iPhone cases are composed of a plastic called polycarbonate. It’s a durable plastic that’s easy to manufacture, and most inexpensive cases use this material. On the plus side, the plastic is more affordable and lightweight than other cases, but can easily discolor with too much sunlight exposure.

Silicone iPhone cases

Silicone is a much softer and more flexible material compared to plastic. It’s made from (you guessed it) silicon, a natural resource found in quartz and sand. Silicone offers about the same amount of protection you would get from plastic or leather cases. The make-or-break factor in silicone cases is whether or not you like the softer feel. 

Carbon fiber iPhone cases

The crème de la crème of iPhone case material is carbon fiber. It’s the same material that you often see in aircraft and aerospace manufacturing. Here are all the features you can expect with a carbon fiber case:

• Extreme durability
• Low weight
• High chemical resistance
• High temperature tolerance
• High stiffness

The downsides are price and aesthetics. True carbon fiber phone cases will cost more than plastic or silicone. Also, carbon fiber cases have a very militaristic design with mostly dark features.

What Level of Protection Do I Need?

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Unless you’re the most dexterous person alive, protect your iPhone 13 with a case and a screen protector. For cases, it mostly comes down to personal preference. More complex materials like carbon fiber will offer extra protection. Still, most folks can get by fine with plastic, silicone, or leather. Glass screen protectors are essential for preventing cracks on your display. Despite having the latest and greatest design, the iPhone 13 will still crack if dropped more than five feet without a screen protector.

Screen protectors and cases for the iPhone are the equivalents of helmets for bike riders—don’t leave home without them.