Despite technological advances, our phones are still delicate gadgets that can get scratched or broken. One bad accident could be the end of your device, leaving you with a brick that can’t answer calls, take photos, text friends or even access Instagram. The horror!
Even in a best-case scenario, you might end up with a cracked screen, which can make it hard to use your phone. If you don’t want to wind up in that situation, you need a case that protects your phone — and does it well. That doesn’t always come cheap. Hence why most of my picks for best iPhone 11 cases, including for the iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max, tend to be pricier than the typical case you’ll find on Amazon for $20 or less. Consider this a best-of-the-best iPhone 11 case list.
Apple’s iPhone 11 comes in a variety of colors you may want to show off, so I’ve also included a number of translucent cases. They all have precise cutouts that won’t hinder your use of the phone (particularly the camera lens) and which offer extra protection if you drop it on a hard surface.
Because I want you to be able to find the perfect fit for your needs and preferences, there are a lot of iPhone cases here. If you’re looking for a slim case, a folio case, a grip case, a case with a raised bezel or precise cutouts, a case that doesn’t interfere with your wireless charger, a case that protects your camera lens, one with button covers or even one made from genuine leather, I’ve got you. Read on for the best iPhone 11 cases.
Read more: Best Cases for iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro
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If you’re looking for the best clear iPhone 11 cases, you can’t go wrong with Speck’s Stay Clear case, which resists discoloration (yes, cheap clear cases can turn yellow). This iPhone 11 case has a durable polycarbonate outer shell, provides 13-foot drop protection and includes Microban antimicrobial product protection. The transparent case also allows for easy wireless charging. This clear iPhone 11 case is available in versions for the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max.
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The company’s super protective Defender series case is available for all the iPhone 11 models, but most people want an iPhone case that’s slimmer. The Symmetry series is slim with beveled edges, making it a good mix of sleek and protective. A raised bumper helps act as a screen protector (though I would still recommend getting a tempered glass screen protector if you can). Multiple colors are available, including symmetry clear as well as the symmetry plus pop case, which integrates a PopSockets PopGrip.
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Zagg bought top British case-maker Gear4 a few years ago and is seeking to further build out its brand in the US. In terms of style and protection, Gear4’s cases are right there with Otterbox and Speck, all of them lined with the company’s D3O shock-absorbing material and featuring beveled edges to protect your phone. My favorites include the translucent piccadilly (also available for Samsung Galaxy) and crystal palace cases, as well as the Battersea. They range in price from $20 to more expensive iPhone case options around $60.
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If you’re looking for a cheap clear case for your iPhone 11, Spigen’s Ultra Hybrid is a good value at around $11-$15, depending on which version of iPhone 11 you have. No drop rating is listed for the case, but it feels like Spigen transparent cases offer reasonable protection (if you want even stronger protection, consider shelling out $40 more for the Spigen Tough Armor case), and it should appeal to folks who want a case that’s neither too thin nor too thick (Speck’s clear case is a bit thicker and does seem more protective). Unlike the Tough Armor, a lot of these cheaper clear cases have a habit of turning yellow over time (and becoming less translucent), but they’re cheap enough that you probably won’t mind shelling out for a transparent case replacement if that happens.
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Speck’s Presidio Pro comes in a variety of colors and has a soft-to-the-touch finish that’s equipped with Microban antimicrobial technology. It’s drop-tested to 13 feet (about 4 meters) and is one of the best all-around cases for the iPhone 11. The iPhone case is highly protective, with a polycarbonate outer shell, but it’s not too bulky. Its thin protective case design makes wireless charging easy.
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I was pleasantly surprised by Clckr’s cases, which feature a built-in kickstand and grip strap that folds out and clicks into place on the back of your phone. Clckr sells just the stand/strap accessory to stick on the back of your phone (or on a case), but the iPhone case with the integrated kickstand accessory is better and comes in a few different styles, including clear and faux carbon fiber versions (Personally I like the blue). I would say the cases are super protective but they’re protective enough, with raised edges to protect the screen.
With the stand clicked in place, you can use your device hands-free in either portrait or landscape mode. Note that you can wirelessly charge your phone with this case on, though you have to be more careful about placing it in the right spot on a wireless charging pad for it to work.
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Mous makes several cases that have eye-catching designs, including thin case models finished in leather and wood. They’re all lined with the company’s AiroShock material that, according to the company, delivers excellent protection in a slim design. They do seem durable and all include a lifetime warranty.
I liked the speckled leather case (pictured above, left), but Mous’ Limitless 3.0 line — the bamboo case on the right — is compatible with the company’s Limitless 3.0 accessories, which include a wallet that magnetically adheres to the back of the case and a couple of mounts, one of which is an air-vent mount for your car.
It’s also worth noting that these Mous cases are the only ones I’ve seen that have a SIM card storage slot on the inside of the smartphone case for international travelers in the habit of swapping SIM cards.
Cases start at $25.
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Lifeproof, now owned by Otterbox, isn’t in the business of making waterproof cases anymore (it has only one waterproof case: the Fre). But it still makes very nice cases to protect your iPhone, including the Next and Slam, as well as the Flip Series, which adds a slip-out wallet element that turns into a kickstand. I personally like the Slam best. It starts at $40 and comes in a variety of colors and designs, including a clear iPhone 11 case. Pair it with its Rewind wall charger for speedy charging.
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Moshi has always made attractive cases for iPhones, and its Overture (folio), iGlaze, Vitros and Altra (lanyard included) cases are available for the iPhone 11, 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max. The Overture is actually a two-in-one case that’s a great screen protector. You fit your iPhone into a slim shell case that then magnetically adheres to the cover, which has slots for storing your ID, credit card and cash. You can buy one in the $25-to-$45 price range.
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Truth be told, I wasn’t a fan of earlier Pelican cases, which were very protective but just a little too bulky (and ugly). But its latest batch includes two that I like: the Traveler (pictured, left) and Rogue (at right), a TPU phone case with a soft rubber bubbled pattern. The “clear” version of the Rogue glows in the dark.
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Speck’s Presidio Grip Series comes to the iPhone 11. It’s one of the more popular iPhone 11 series phone cases and still one of the best, although the ribs of this TPU phone case can wear down over time. It’s also available in multiple colors.
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Casetify’s cases are known for their eye-catching designs (that are stuck onto the back of a clear case). They’re relatively slim, sleek-looking cases that offer decent protection and come in a variety of design patterns, with some definite appeal to teenagers.
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iFace cases are hugely popular in Japan but aren’t so well known in the US. With their oversized rounded edges and plenty of fun colors to choose from, these TPU cases certainly stand out from the crowd and are quite protective. The First Class (pictured above in red and green) is available in a variety of colors and costs $25.
One of the newer phone case models — the Reflection ($30) — has a transparent back that’s made of tempered glass. It’s available with several different trim color options.
On Amazon, iFace cases are currently being discounted by 10% with a clickable coupon.
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Skech’s Vortex iPhone 11 case has a soft-to-the-touch finish and an integrated flip-out metal ring kickstand, and it adheres to the included magnetic car-vent mount. This phone case comes in several color options (blue and black pictured) for all iPhone 11 models. It’s a little pricey at $50, but it does have some nifty extras (like a built-in ring holder and responsive buttons) and a nice design with 10-foot drop protection. You can still charge your phone on a wireless charging pad with the case on.
I also like Skech’s clear case, the Echo Air, which costs less ($30 on Amazon).
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Adidas-branded Apple iPhone cases come in a variety of flavors that offer eye-catching designs that match some of the company’s iconic sneakers. They’re all pretty slim and provide decent though not great protection. Prices are anywhere from $12 to $50, depending on the style.
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BodyGuardz was initially known for its screen protectors, but in recent years it’s put out some interesting iPhone cases. I personally like the $34 Momentum (pictured left), which has a padded textured back, and the $42 Accent Wallet case (pictured right), a leather case that has a slot on the back for storing a couple of credit cards. Both those cases include a lanyard that you can choose to attach to the iPhone case or not.
The translucent Ace Pro (pictured middle) is the company’s most affordable case at $26.
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Case-Mate makes a variety of color cases, some of which have glittery, snowglobe effects (my favorite is the Waterfall Confetti case pictured on the right). Despite their fun, eye-catching designs, they’re also well built and will protect your device. Prices range from $30 to $50.
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Silk brought its line of affordable, simple, slim cases and wallet cases to the iPhone 11 under the brand name of Smartish. The Smartish Walletslayer case is one of the best iPhone 11 cases for those on a budget. This phone case sells for $15 and holds three credit cards plus cash.
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Razer, which makes laptops and gaming accessories (among other products), brings its line of “gaming” cases to the iPhone 11, and they’re pretty nice. The cases have something called Thermaphene-Based Heat Dissipation that “redirects trapped heat through a thermally conductive lining adjacent to vented airflow channels to significantly improve cooling compared to traditional cases.” It’s a bit of an extra protection gimmick, but it seems to help a little when you’re playing graphically intensive games for long periods. The cases come in Pro and Slim versions.
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X-Doria’s Defense series cases come in a wide variety of styles and cost a little less than competing premium cases from Gear4, Speck and Otterbox. I personally like the Defense Clear Series (pictured, second from right), which is a good match for the standard iPhone 11.
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I’ve always been a fan of Tech21’s Evo Check cases for previous iPhones and they’re available for the iPhone 11 in a few different translucent colors (they’re the pink and smoky black cases in the photo above). Tech21 is also offering a slightly thinner iPhone 11 case but more colorful Studio series cases.
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Tech21’s Evo Wallet is a well-designed folio case that features a screen protector cover with a magnetic latch and a slot on the inside for storing a couple of credit cards and a little bit of cash. It also converts into a stand for watching videos and is drop-tested to 12 feet (3.6 meters), so it’s pretty tough.
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Like Lifeproof, Catalyst made a name for itself with waterproof cases, but it now focuses on extra protection selling its Impact Protection Case, which is drop-tested to 9.9 feet and has a see-through back and slim design.
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Griffin’s Survivor Series used to be one of the more popular tough cases. It’s slimmed down over the years but is still a pretty tough protector and comes in versions with a clear back.
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Incipio has a bunch of cases for the iPhone 11 line. I like the Aerolite Extreme, which comes in clear, sea blue and black and has the company’s FortiCore ribbing and raised edges to help with drop protection.
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Otterbox’s swanky folio case, the Strada, returns for the iPhone 11 line. It’s available in brown and black and does a nice job of fully protecting your phone. The only small strike against it is that it doesn’t convert into a viewing stand for watching videos. It’s probably best suited to the iPhone 11 Pro Max, but it’s good for anyone who wants additional screen protection for any iPhone 11 model.
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Nomad makes a line of nice iPhone 11 leather case designs, including leather wallet folio cases that come in brown or black. I personally like its Rugged case, which features water-resistant leather. This phone case is rated for 6-foot (2 meter) drop protection.
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