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Got an iPhone 14? An accidental drop can crack that beautiful screen. Sad trombone. But wait! There’s a chance you can prevent such a thing from happening. A case doesn’t guarantee protection, but it raises the chances of your iPhone walking away unscathed. Throw in a screen protector and those odds increase. We’ve tested more than 125 iPhone 14 cases and accessories—for the entire lineup, from the iPhone 14 to the iPhone 14 Pro Max—and these are our favorites.
Check out our Best MagSafe Accessories, Best Apple 3-in-1 Chargers, and Best MagSafe Power Banks guides for more iPhone recommendations.
Updated September 2023: We’ve added gear from OtterBox, Catalyst, Carved, Nomad, Moft, Waterfield Designs, Moment, Casetify, Totallee, Bluebonnet, STM Goods, Twelve South, and PopSockets.
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MagSafe is the name of a ring of magnets embedded into the rear of the iPhone 12, iPhone 13, iPhone 14, and iPhone 15 range. It allows you to magnetically stick accessories to the back of the smartphone, from wallets and wireless chargers to phone grips and tripods. Apple says its magnet accessories are shielded, so they’re safe to use with credit cards (if maybe not hotel key cards).
You should be careful when shopping. Cases need to have a built-in ring of MagSafe magnets to properly work with MagSafe accessories (one easy way to tell is by looking for a ring on the inside of a case in product images). Not every third-party case has them. Some companies claim their cases are “MagSafe compatible” even without magnets, but that may be because the case is thin enough for the magnets to stick. But the connection is almost always weak. If you plan on using MagSafe gear, make sure there's a ring of magnets in the case.
It's worth pointing out that the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus are the same sizes as the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max, respectively. You might think that you can then interchange cases between them, but you can't. The camera modules on the Pro models are larger, and that means cases for them won't fit on the less expensive iPhones.
Apple's official silicone cases are perfectly fine, if pricey. They look attractive, are fairly slim, have buttons that work well, and the cutouts are accurate. Even the edges around the screen and raised enough to protect the display from hitting the ground. It's hard not to stop running your finger across the silicone case. The only issue? The silicone case attracts dirt and lint (plus a lot of pet hair), so you'll have to clean it often. You might be annoyed with the fact that the camera bump is raised because the phone rocks on a flat surface.
OtterBox's Symmetry+ series has slowly been winning me over these past few years. It's protective, but not cumbersome. The raised edges around the display are higher than many other basic cases, and the mixture of polycarbonate and synthetic rubber feels durable. (It's also made with more than 50 percent recycled plastic.) The buttons are satisfying to press, the mute switch is accessible, and the MagSafe connection is strong. It does all this without adding too much heft, plus it looks stylish in the tennis ball green (you can also choose between a ton of other colors).
One thing to note: OtterBox says this case has antimicrobial technology to protect the exterior from common bacteria. Don't put much stock into this, as there is scant evidence antimicrobial coatings do much to protect your health. Just wash your hands.
Why spend $50 when you can just spend a little more than $20? Spigen has made some of our favorite cheap cases and these two are no exception. There's the Silicone Fit and Rugged Armor, both of which have MagSafe magnets embedded inside and clicky buttons, plus a roomy gap for the mute switch.
The Silicone Fit is almost indistinguishable in look and feel from the official Apple silicone case (barring the lack of an Apple logo), with similar edge protection for the display. The Rugged Armor has a dull design, but the various textures around the case give it some character. As the name suggests, the latter will give you a smidge more protection as it has padding on the corners.
If you want your iPhone's color to show through, you'll want a clear case. Choosing one can be tricky because, in my experience, clear cases vary in their materials and one hardly feels like the other. There are so many I don't like because they just don't feel nice to touch and are somewhat sticky. Nimble's MagSafe Disc Case doesn't have this problem. It's my favorite clear case for the iPhone 14, and better yet, it's made from recycled CDs and DVDs. The texture almost feels soft and smooth—it's great. It checks off all the boxes, from clicky buttons to an accessible mute switch.
The case comes in plastic-free packaging that's fully recyclable, and Nimble's One-for-One Tech Recovery Project lets you download a free shipping label after your purchase to send your old plastic phone case in for a 15 percent off coupon for your next order.
This is the case I want to use most of the time when I ride my bike or electric scooter. It supports MagSafe, yes, but Peak Design has gone further with its own SlimLink square connector that makes the magnetic connection even more secure with select Peak Design accessories—like its Universal Bike Mount. Just align the square module on the back of the case with the square connector on the mount and the two will snap together; it's more secure than MagSafe, and my phone has never fallen off. It works with other MagSafe accessories just fine and wirelessly recharges without a problem. Peak Design also has several other accessories you can pair it with, like a Car Mount and a Motorcycle Stem Mount.
The problem? I wasn't too enthused with how the Charcoal case looked, but Peak Design's Sage color solves this. It's attractive and has a nicer-looking, fabric-like texture on the back (100 percent recycled and Bluesign-approved nylon canvas). The buttons are clicky, and the edges around the screen are raised. It's fantastic.
★ Alternative: Peak Design partnered with one of our favorite case brands, Nomad on the Rugged Case ($60). It brings the SlimLink mount system with a more rugged design typical of some Nomad cases. That means you can use it with all the same Peak Design mobile accessories, though these cases are only available for the Pro models. There's not much of a lip to protect the screen, but the buttons are clicky, the mute switch is accessible, and there's a substantial bumper around the edges.
Apple always says its iPhone glass is the strongest you'll find on any smartphone. That may be true, but the glass will still shatter. A screen protector is a good idea to avoid any scratches on your precious screen. Here are a few WIRED-tested ones that are the easiest to apply.
Nimble Sustain Glass Screen Protector for $30: Too often, most screen protectors come packaged chock-full of plastic that ends up going to waste. Nimble's Sustain Glass screen protector was one of the first I've ever seen with a more eco-friendly solution. The screen protector is made from 45 percent recycled glass, the packaging is plastic-free, and the installation instructions are a breeze. You only get one, but it's absolutely worth it.
STM Goods Ecoglass Screen Protector for $50: It's pricey, but STM Goods has a leg up over Nimble by saying its protector is made from 100 percent recycled material, and it's also recyclable (certified by GRS). It was fairly easy to put it on (you only get one), plus you get the usual dust sticker, wet wipe, and squeegee The latter did a fine job of getting rid of air bubbles.
Smartish 2-Pack Tempered Glass Screen Protector for $15: This was the easiest one to apply. Use the included wipe to clean your screen, remove the moisture and any remaining dust with the microfiber and stickers, and then use the alignment tool to stick on the protector. The few air bubbles that showed up were easy to get rid of. You get two tempered glass panels in one pack, and that's hard to beat at this price.
Zagg InvisibleShield Glass Elite Privacy 360 for $60: I have tried several Zagg screen protectors, and while they often feel great and are relatively easy to apply, my main gripe is that they're so expensive. That said, the Glass Elite Privacy 360 might be worth the high price if you want to prevent others from seeing your screen when you're in public. It doesn't dim the display head-on much, but look at the iPhone from the side and you'll barely be able to make anything out. Neat!
Spigen GlasTR EZ Fit Tempered Glass Screen Protector 2-Pack for $16: Spigen's system is also easy to apply, though I spent some time scrubbing away air bubbles. You get two in a pack, and it's almost as cheap as the Smartish.
Sonix has dozens of gorgeous, cute, and stylish designs to choose from. In particular, I really like the Sky Fantasy and Goldie MagSafe Cases. The ports are well exposed, the buttons are satisfying to press, and there's good screen protection with the raised edges (though the camera bumper could stand to be a few extra millimeters taller). Sonix says these cases are made with biodegradable materials that will decompose faster than traditional plastic (three to five years instead of hundreds or thousands of years) in landfill conditions, and its packaging is 100 percent recyclable. Its Re-Sonix program also lets you donate your old case to get a 30 percent coupon.
★ Alternative: The sheer number of designs on Casetify's website is a sight to behold. I prefer its Impact MagSafe cases ($72), which are made with plant-based materials and upcycled Casetify cases. They're thicker with a chunky bumper and edges that are raised quite a bit to protect the display, making them more protective than Sonix—better if you prioritize durability more than anything else. (I also like its Bounce cases, which feel more rugged without adding too much heft.) Unfortunately, it's a little insane that its cases cost close to $100.
London-based Atom Studios is new to me, but it only took mere moments to feel enamored with its cases. I recommend its Split Clear case as an alternative to the Nimble above, but its Split Silicone cases are worth highlighting on their own. The MagSafe connection works well, the buttons are nice to press, and the edges around the screen are raised for screen protection. It's a well-rounded case that looks plain attractive.
Hate cases but still want some kind of protection? Totallee is your answer. Its cases are so thin that they're by no means going to protect your iPhone from a drop, but they should keep everyday scuffs and scratches at bay. There are cutouts for the buttons on the sides and very minimally raised edges all around. Totallee has now added official MagSafe support, and I strongly suggest you get this version so that you don't lose MagSafe functionality. Totallee's clear cases are slightly more protective if you want to increase your protection while still keeping things very slim.
Want to sling around your iPhone on your body? It might not sound very stylish, but Cyrill proves otherwise with its Classic Charm Mag case. It comes with a crossbody strap that you hook up to the rings at the bottom of the case (the strap is easy to remove when you don't want to use it). It stays secure, and the case impresses overall (though the edges aren't too raised). The polyurethane leather looks elegant, though it can feel a little sticky sometimes. There's MagSafe support too.
If a strap is too much, most of Cyrill's other cases come with a lanyard you can attach to the case, so you can dangle your phone from your wrist. I like its UltraColor Mag series ($37) the most, though the buttons are a bit mushier than the Classic Charm Mag.
Do you use your iPhone more like an e-reader than a smartphone? Then maybe you'll want to make it look more like a book. The BookBook from Twelve South is a fun folio case that adds a book spine to the left edge of the handset. Open up the folio and you can fit around three or four cards plus an ID, and there's a spot to stow some cash. You can easily remove the case, as it's attached to the folio via magnets—you'll want to do this when recharging the phone via a MagSafe wireless charger. The downside? The whole thing gets quite bulky.
Apple no longer sells any leather accessories. Here are some options to consider if you really want leather.
Nomad Horween Leather MagSafe Case for $70: This is one of my all-time favorite leather cases. The leather is handmade by the esteemed Horween Leather Company and develops a gorgeous patina over time, and it feels wonderful to the touch. Nomad adds a polycarbonate frame with a rubber thermoplastic elastomer bumper for edge protection, and the inner microfiber lining protects the iPhone's rear. The edges aren't as raised as I'd like, but the buttons are super responsive. The problem is the sky-high price tag. Nomad's solution? It has a similar version of the case but with leather sourced from Danish tannery Ecco. It's not as supple as the Horween leather, but it still feels (and smells) nice. More importantly, it's cheaper.
Woolnut Leather MagSafe Case for $59: If you want more of a textured finish, go with Woolnut. These MagSafe cases are slim and have an iconic full-grain leather look that feels luxe. The clicky buttons are aluminum, the interior is lined with microfiber, and the edges around are raised a bit for screen protection. The polycarbonate bumper gives it a bit more of a protective feel over the Mujjo cases.
Bluebonnet Executive Leather MagSafe Folio Case for $80: I have tried a handful of Bluebonnet cases, and this one's the most interesting. It supports MagSafe, has spots to store two credit cards, and can fit some cash. The leather smells and feels delightful, and there's a lovely microfiber inner. Unlike some Bluebonnet cases, the mute switch is easy to access on this one.
I don't know when this became popular, but I have seen these blocky and rectangular cases quite often on my social feeds (am I cool?). Now that I've tried one, I … really like it. The bright neon color really makes the phone pop, and it just looks different. The good news is this Case-Mate Blox is pretty well-rounded. The buttons are great, the cutouts are all accurate, and there's MagSafe support. The edges aren't super raised, but I guess you can't have everything.
I've tried a variety of Pela cases, and I love how they feel: a thick, rubbery yet solid case with a nice texture. They're pretty and come in tons of designs, but the reason to buy them is because they are compostable. They're made from a plant-based biopolymer and flax shive, which the company calls Flaxstic.
Uniquely, MagSafe isn't built into the case. (It would eliminate their compostable nature.) However, Pela sells the MagSafe module ($13) that you can add to the inside of your case—it's molded to fit it snugly—to get the best of both worlds. Sort of. It works, but the magnetic connection is quite weak. It's fine enough to attach the phone to Magsafe chargers, but I wouldn't use it on a car mount.
There's no MagSafe in this case, but you do get two full layers of protection. There's the polycarbonate shell you snap on the iPhone 14, then a rubber slipcover that goes over. It covers up the port and mute switch for complete protection, yet it retains clicky buttons and manages to look attractive. It's made with more than 50 percent recycled plastics, which is always nice to see. Wireless charging works too. Best of all, it comes with a holster! Er, if you're into holsters. You can clip it to a belt, and the holster can also double as a kickstand to prop up the phone in landscape orientation.
Anti-Vandal Push Button If you spend a fair amount of time playing mobile games, then it's worth considering Apple Arcade for access to high-quality titles (with zero ads). Pair it with the Backbone One (8/10, WIRED Recommends) controller and you'll wonder how you played mobile games without it. The control layout is intuitive and satisfying to use (and comfortable), plus it works with a decent selection of games. You can even use it to play your Playstation and Xbox games remotely. Did I mention it adds a headphone jack? There's an adapter in the box to fit the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max, and you'll probably need to take your case off every time you use it.