The Best iPhone 14 Case for iPhone 14, Plus, Pro & Pro Max

May 05, 2023

The iPhone 14 lineup is here. To accompany it, there's a whole new batch of cases to protect and personalize the updated designs. If you’re getting one of the new phones, here's a look at our favorite cases of the 70 we’ve tried.

Like previous versions of the case we’ve recommended going back to the iPhone 7, the Gripmunk for the iPhone 14 is a great slim, protective, and affordable case—but it's plain. There's now a version with MagSafe.

Also available for these iPhones:

Through many names and minor tweaks, Smartish's Gripmunk has been our favorite basic iPhone case for half a decade. And it's no surprise to see this case once again beat the competition when it comes to the iPhone 14, especially now that Smartish has improved on the tried-and-true design by adding a MagSafe magnet (for a small premium).

The Gripmunk case is a one-piece protector made of soft, rubber-like plastic (TPU, or thermoplastic polyurethane); it has enough give to make it easy to install on your phone but not so much that it will stretch out, and the case's corners won't randomly pop off. The case's back is smooth, and the perimeter has a pebbly texture that—combined with three small grooves on the left and right sides—provides a noticeable amount of grip. We prefer cases that cover the iPhone's buttons but don't dampen the clickiness, and the Gripmunk thankfully gets this right. And though we can't vouch for exactly how protective the air pockets in the four corners are, we can personally attest to the case's ability to withstand more than a few drops.

Non-MagSafe versions of the case are TPU through and through, but the magnetic version houses the metal ring in a sheet of soft microfiber lining, which doesn't add noticeable bulk. In our testing, the attachment system worked exactly as we expected for both mounting and charging.

Previous-generation iPhones had raised camera bumps, but they were short enough that the thickness of most cases, including the previous-generation Gripmunk, was enough to protect them. With the iPhone 14 models’ handsets and their huge camera modules, it's a different story. Smartish accounts for this design change with a raised ring all the way around that protects the lenses.

In addition to the superb case designs, Smartish has always kept its prices low, and that's one of the reasons we like its cases so much. Price isn't our main consideration, but in comparing everything out there, we’ve rarely seen cases that offer empirically better features at the same or similar prices; oftentimes, case makers charge even higher prices for less impressive models.

Though the Gripmunk case checks all the boxes, it's plain. Yet it's the best plain case there is. If you like it but find that the solid colors don't do much for you, consider one of the various prints Smartish offers. Or you can even create your own custom design, available for a premium through the company's website.

Available colors: black, blue, clear (Nothin’ to Hide), purple, and various custom designs

MagSafe compatible: yes

Caudabe's Sheath feels like an alternate take on the Gripmunk, with similar materials and design features. The flexible material—Caudabe refers to it only as a "flexible polymer"—is textured all the way around, rather than just along the perimeter, and that certainly adds some grip. The buttons click with little resistance or dampening, and the branding is minimal. The biggest downside is the price tag: The Caudabe case is almost twice as much as what our Smartish pick normally costs. But if you like the aesthetics of Caudabe's case, we don't think the price is unreasonable.

High-quality leather, clicky metal buttons, attractive colors, and MagSafe make Apple's leather case an easy pick.

May be out of stock

*At the time of publishing, the price was $59.

Also available for these iPhones:

Since Apple started making its leather iPhone cases, in 2015, no one has come close to replicating the quality, especially not at the fairly reasonable (for leather) $60 price. So the Apple iPhone 14 Leather Case with MagSafe is once again our favorite, thanks to the high-quality materials, all-around protection, clicky buttons, beautiful colors, and MagSafe compatibility. All of these things add up to make this the ideal leather iPhone case.

Most other leather cases have some sort of plastic or rubber portion. But the Apple version is leather all the way around, with thin sturdy plastic hidden underneath. This design makes the Apple case look nicer than the rest, and it also makes the case thinner, even as the case rises above the phone's screen and camera bump (for protection). The button covers are metal, and the contrasting material makes them easy to find by feel; they also click exquisitely. Some of Apple's early leather cases left the iPhone's bottom edge exposed (admittedly, a design that some people prefer when it comes to swiping from the bottom). But we find that the full protection offered by the newer versions is better, since you don't have to worry about damaging exposed aluminum or steel.

The Apple Leather Case is not a forever case, and it may not even be a one-year-until-you-get-the-next-iPhone case. Its material tends to show wear, at first subtly, with what one might describe as a patina. But after a year or so—especially if you tend to drop your iPhone a lot or you often have oily hands—you’ll likely notice discoloration and damage down to the plastic core. Apple also specifically warns that MagSafe connectors can leave an imprint.

Available colors: umber, forest green, ink, midnight, orange

MagSafe compatible: yes

After the Apple Leather Case, Nomad's Modern Leather Case is the next-best option. Instead of being all leather, the Nomad case is rubber with a leather panel on the back. We do prefer Apple's all-leather design. But Nomad's case is quite nice as it patinas (ages over time) to give your leather panel some character with a rustic look, and it includes MagSafe support.

If you’re looking to ditch your wallet, this case holds as many as three cards firmly without sacrificing a nice design.

*At the time of publishing, the price was $25.

Also available for these iPhones:

The wallet-free, wireless-everything future is still some years away. But until then, there are a few cards, including IDs, that most people have to carry. Since Apple Pay doesn't include identification options just yet, Smartish's Wallet Slayer Vol. 1 for iPhone 14 is the best way to pack a few. It's essentially the Gripmunk with a three-card wallet built into the back; we’ve found it to be perfect for a license, a credit card, and a transit card.

Just like the Gripmunk, the Wallet Slayer Vol. 1 consists of soft, rubbery TPU all around, with a flat texture on the back and grippier sides, as well as the same air pockets in the corners. The only difference is the raised back, which adds about 0.15 inch and makes the whole case just a little over half an inch thick. A credit-card-height slot sits along the right, and a smaller hole on the left lets you push the cards out. Hidden underneath is a clever bump that provides enough tension to secure your cards, whether you pack in one, two, or three.

If you choose the Wallet Slayer Vol. 1, note that you can't leave the wallet segment behind—even when you’re not carrying cards in the case, you have to deal with its extra thickness. If you’d prefer a more modular setup, consider pairing Apple's iPhone Leather Wallet with MagSafe and a MagSafe case, which is an expensive combination but it gives you more options. Speaking of MagSafe, the Wallet Slayer Vol. 1 doesn't support it.

Available colors: umber, forest green, ink, dark cherry, midnight, golden brown, sequoia green, wisteria, orange

MagSafe compatible: no

Like everything else in Smartish's lineup, the Smartish Wallet Slayer Vol. 2 starts with the Gripmunk at its core. The difference lies in its expandable faux-leather card pocket on the back. We like the hold that the Wallet Slayer Vol. 1 offers a bit better, but both cases are great options.

This case offers extra thickness for extra protection, but you can still press the buttons and reach the Lightning port.

Also available for these iPhones:

There was a time when you had to pay $50 or more to be sure you got a case that would take a licking and keep on kicking, with OtterBox leading the charge early on and defining the category. Smartish's Gripzilla for iPhone 14 costs half that, and though we wouldn't throw it down the stairs just to prove a point, we also wouldn't be too worried about the phone inside if we were to do that.

Just like the Smartish Wallet Slayer Vol. 1, the Gripzilla is a variation of the basic Gripmunk case we recommend. It gets its extra protection from a bit of added bulk. Though it's only about 0.02 inch thicker—enough that the raised border around the camera is pretty minimal—the iPhone 14 version of the Gripzilla is about 0.1 inch taller and wider than the basic Gripmunk case, with extended corners that offer even greater shock absorption. Add to that the more deeply recessed finger ridges on either side that create an especially secure grip. These things make us confident that you’ll be less likely to drop your phone while using this case, and that if you do, it will be in good shape a lot of the time. Oh, and MagSafe support is built right in—that feature comes standard, unlike on the Gripmunk. For complete protection, be sure to add one of the screen protectors we recommend; this can save the front glass from scratches and cracks.

Bulk! That's the trade-off that comes with a more protective case like this. But the difference is really noticeable only when you’re holding a Gripmunk in one hand and a Gripzilla in the other. Otherwise, the Gripzilla—even the iPhone 14 Pro Max variant—doesn't feel too huge.

Available colors: black, gray, "Spaced Out" pattern, "Graspin Aspen" pattern, "Tropical Shirt" pattern

MagSafe compatible: yes

The Caudabe Synthesis case is a rugged, shock-absorbing polymer-based case that's still slim. It offers thin and subtle yet sturdy protection with extra attention to coverage of the camera lens, buttons, and ports. It even has a small dot-matrix design on the sides that acts as a subtle grip. The Synthesis isn't super expensive, but at $40, it's not quite on the budget side, either.

This case is a clear version of the basic one we like. But we’ve never found a clear case that doesn't discolor to a noticeable degree after six to 12 months.

Also available for these iPhones:

The Nothin’ to Hide case is a variant of our favorite basic case from Smartish. It has the same design, the same dimensions—the same pretty much everything. The two differences are that it's clear (obviously), and the back is a hard plastic rather than the more rubber-like TPU. Although this case is reflective, it doesn't have the rainbow-like prismatic distortion we tend to associate with cheaper transparent cases. And if you want a version without MagSafe, that's available too.

Just as leather cases fall apart, transparent cases turn yellow. Despite any number of claims of "anti-yellowing technology" we’ve seen from companies over the years, we’ve never encountered a clear case that hasn't become a little grimy looking after a few months of testing. The effect is generally pretty gradual, and you may not notice the change for a while (or until you put your case next to a newer clear protector). Past versions of the Nothin’ to Hide version of the Gripmunk have gone yellow on us, so we expect this one to do so as well.

Available colors: clear

MagSafe compatible: yes

Spigen makes excellent clear cases that are worth considering if, for any reason, you don't like the Smartish Gripmunk. The Spigen Ultra Hybrid and Spigen Ultra Hybrid MagFit are the closest in look and feel to the clear Gripmunk, with similar hard-plastic backs and TPU borders. The big difference is that these cases are totally clear and flat, without the grippy texture and finger ridges that the clear Gripmunk offers. If you prefer the entirely clear look and are willing to give up a bit of grip, we recommend going with one of these cases (or the kickstand-equipped Spigen Ultra Hybrid S, if you like it).

The Spigen Liquid Crystal has been a favorite clear case at Wirecutter for years, and the iPhone 14 edition is as great as always. It's a single piece of totally clear TPU that fits perfectly, adds minimal bulk, and can survive some drops. The back is lined with a series of small dots that prevent the water-splotch look sometimes seen on cheaper clear cases. Once again, the only thing holding it back from being our top clear-case pick is its lack of a MagSafe option. If you don't want or need MagSafe, though, the Liquid Crystal is absolutely worth its low price.

Streamlined, easy to grip, and sturdier in build (though not especially protective), the Veil is almost identical to every other thin case, but it's less expensive.

*At the time of publishing, the price was $27.

Also available for these iPhones:

Ultrathin cases aren't for everybody, and if you expect anything more than scratch protection, they shouldn't be your first choice. But if you’re seeking the thinnest case you can slap on your phone, we recommend Caudabe's Veil. It's nearly identical to the other thin cases we’ve tested, but it usually costs at least $10 less.

All of the cases in this category are essentially the same superthin piece of plastic, molded to wrap around a phone while adding next to no bulk. These cases (including the Veil) don't have any sort of soft materials or air pockets for absorbing shocks, and they lack button coverage. They’re better suited for adding some grip and preventing scratches on the iPhone's rear glass than for preventing breaks.

The biggest difference between the Veil and its closest competitors—Totallee's Thin Case and Peel's Super Thin Case—is the price. The Veil usually sells for $10 to $15 less than either of those models, yet they both come in more colors (which may be important to you if you’re looking to personalize your case). Caudabe's Veil case also has a tiny logo on the back, while the other two don't show any branding.

Like every other superthin case, the Veil won't do much to prevent your phone from breaking if you drop it. Choose it only if you’re comfortable with that compromise. The color options are also more limited than we’d like. If you prefer this style but want a different color, check out the competitors we mention above.

Available colors: black, steel blue

MagSafe compatible: not fully

The Peak Design case easily attaches to a wide range of mounts, including those for your bike and car, through a combination of a locking clip and MagSafe-compatible magnets.

Also available for these iPhones:

Peak Design's Everyday Case is a top option whether you know you want to swap accessories on the fly or you think you might want to—or even if you’re not concerned about accessories at all. This is a great case in its own right, and it happens to have special features that set it apart.

The Everyday Case's polycarbonate body is covered in a dark gray nylon both inside and out, which is a handsome design. Its TPU border has small ridges along the inner edge that should help absorb damage from drops. Packed into the rear panel are the features that differentiate this case from the rest: There's a hidden MagSafe-compatible magnet, which worked as expected with all the MagSafe accessories we tested. The panel also has a 0.8-inch-square cutout, recessed just 0.7 inch into the case, that serves as a mounting point, securely gripping accessories that clip in place. Despite that dual-attachment setup, the Everyday Case isn't noticeably thicker than even our basic case pick.

Peak sells a number of accessories that take advantage of both the clip system and the MagSafe magnets, including mounts for your car, motorcycle, and bike, as well as a tripod mounting system and wallet. The connection is strong enough that we have zero concerns about anything unintentionally falling out of place.

We don't say this often, but there aren't any flaws. This is a great case that performs well in every way we evaluate cases. If you don't think you’ll take advantage of the modular accessory system, it may not be worth the higher price. But even if you’re only a "maybe" on the accessories, it's not too expensive to pick up; it stands on its own as a strong option.

Available colors: charcoal, sage

MagSafe compatible: yes

The Moment Case for iPhone 14 is aimed at mobile creators. Its lens attachments include snap-on filters, macro and anamorphic lenses, and even telephoto lenses to give the iPhone's optical zoom a bigger boost. You’ll even find support for Moment's grip handles and filmmaker cages, to capture a variety of moments. Plus, Moment includes a two-year warranty, an amount of coverage that's always nice.

Staff writer Roderick Scott has been reviewing consumer tech and accessories since 2010. Roderick has been using iPhone cases going back to the iPhone 4s all the way through the present models. For this guide, we tested dozens of cases from many different companies and narrowed the group down to the 14 picks discussed here.

Previous versions of this guide were written by Nick Guy, Wirecutter's case reviewer since 2014. Nick reviewed around 2,000 iPhone cases across multiple generations of Apple devices, including every iPhone since the iPhone 4 and every iPad.

When we’re choosing the best iPhone cases, we consider a huge number of factors for such a seemingly simple item. These factors include objective measures, like physical dimensions and the level of protection, as well as subjective assessments, including look and feel.

Wirecutter has been testing cases for many years and has had some consistent picks across multiple iPhone generations. But no case automatically becomes a pick just because past versions of it have been a pick. With the iPhone 14, 14 Plus, 14 Pro, and 14 Pro Max in hand, we put all new cases on the phones to see how well they fit and functioned.

Although we have a variety of recommendations across various styles, we consider all of the following criteria when making our picks:

In the coming weeks and months, we’re going to be testing many more cases, from many more companies.

Apple's Silicone Case with MagSafe costs more than twice as much as the Smartish Gripmunk, and we’ve found past versions to be magnets for dust and lint. The colors are great, though.

The Case-Mate Blox lives up to its name. It's a thicker, more-square case than the average case, and that makes it clumsier to handle, though the extra coverage on the corners acts as better bumper protection against drops. We suspect the square design might cater to a niche crowd more than to those looking for an everyday case.

Caseology's Nano Pop Mag could have been a contender with its pop of color and grips on the side, but we found the silicone rear to be a little slippery. That's likely to be a dealbreaker for some but not a big deal for others.

Incipio's Organicore is made of a compostable material, and we liked the case well enough. Its ridged edges were easy to hold, and the buttons clicked well. It's expensive for a basic case, but if you’re concerned about your environmental impact, it's worth a look. Incipio also has a clear version, though its edges are solid-colored.

Nomad, known mostly for its leather cases, now offers a Sport Case, and it's quite nice if you’re okay with a glossy finish that's more slippery than we’d like. The MagSafe-compatible case can send a "digital business card" over NFC.

Spigen's Thin Fit case is made primarily of hard plastic, with a TPU border to provide some flexibility for installation and removal. The matte back shows grease from fingers, and there's no MagSafe support, but it otherwise works well.

The Spigen Mag Armor case costs the same as the MagSafe version of Smartish's Gripmunk, but it comes only in black and feels somewhat slicker.

Spigen's Liquid Air is an extremely basic TPU case without any distinguishing features to make it worth your money. There's nothing wrong with what it does deliver, but that list of accomplishments is too short to deserve credit.

Mujjo's Full Leather Case is a less expensive—but not as nice—take on the Apple Leather Case. Previously, the Full Leather Case featured buttons molded into the leather and had no MagSafe support. The iPhone 14 versions fix this, adding metal buttons and MagSafe support. We just wish the design offered a little more coverage on the front, since the rails and part of the screen are still exposed with this case on.

Spigen's Slim Armor CS lives up to its name, with a pretty slim feel. It houses credit cards under a sliding plastic door on its back, but, unlike Smartish's wallet cases, it can hold only two. We also had difficulty getting the cards out because you have to lift them from underneath, which we found particularly tough to do with freshly trimmed fingernails.

Mujjo's Full Leather Wallet Case, including the raised button protectors, is made entirely of leather, and the card pocket stitched onto the back can fit two cards comfortably. If you stuff three cards in there, it will be tough to get them out, at least at first. But because this case is leather, you can break in the wallet portion over time.

OtterBox's Strada and Nomad's Modern Leather Folio are similar folio-style wallet cases, with flip-open lids fused to their left sides. Of the two, we prefer the OtterBox model's look and feel, thanks to the quality of the leather and the magnets that hold the lid shut when closed or flat against the phone's back when opened. But the OtterBox case holds only two cards and has no MagSafe support. Nomad's case, on the other hand, can fit three cards plus cash, and it does support MagSafe. If you like folio cases, choose whichever model has the features that are more important to you.

Incipio's Duo two-piece case is a bit harder to install than one-piecers, but it doesn't offer any material benefit.

The Incipio Grip case has uncomfortably hard Y-shaped protrusions all along its left and right sides. Although they may help with grip, they just don't feel good.

The newest Nomad Rugged Case gives you solid protection with thick—but not too thick—bumper support. But we wish it had a less slippery rear—this drawback kept the case from being a pick.

Pelican's Protector felt like a pretty generic plastic case, with little to recommend it other than its branding.

The Pelican Shield case is made from DuPont Kevlar and ships with a holster and a kickstand, all of which contribute to a pretty bulky package.

We disregarded Spigen's Tough Armor and Rugged Armor out of hand because of their ugly and impractical holes, which show the Apple logo through the back of the case.

Speck's Presidio2 Pro relies on air cushions around the edges, rather than previous editions’ rubber-and-plastic layering, to help protect against drops. The matte finish is a little smoother than we’d prefer, and it may show stains more readily than other materials or textures. The Presidio2 Pro is a fine case, especially if you choose the MagSafe version. But it's very hard to justify paying the full retail price of this case when you can pay less than half that for similar protection from Smartish's Gripzilla. If you dig the general design, we recommend choosing the Presidio2 Grip MagSafe instead, since it adds extra grip and MagSafe support.

The Incipio AeroGrip is a clear case with rubber grips and bumpers in a variety of colors. It offers high drop protection at up to 16 feet but is merely fine looks-wise.

Incipio's Idol is a strong, clear case armed with a rubber border that can protect against drops as high as 14 feet.

The clear Totallee Thin Case was rather tacky to the touch and showed a lot of prismatic distortion. We don't think it's worth the price.

Speck's clear case comes in several variations, namely the Presidio Perfect-Clear, Presidio Perfect-Clear MagSafe, Presidio Perfect-Clear Grip, and Presidio Perfect-Clear Grip MagSafe. If you’re considering any of them, we’d recommend the Grip versions. The non-Grip versions are totally acceptable but expensive for what they are. The Grip versions, with plastic grips raised along the edges and inverted on the back, offer a different look and feel than any other clear case.

This article was edited by Arthur Gies and Jason Chen.

Nick Guy

Nick Guy is a former senior staff writer covering Apple and accessories at Wirecutter. He has been reviewing iPhones, iPads, and related tech since 2011—and stopped counting after he tested his 1,000th case. It's impossible for him not to mentally catalog any case he sees. He once had the bright idea to build and burn down a room to test fireproof safes.

Roderick Scott

Roderick Scott is Wirecutter's staff writer reporting on smartphones, tablets, and accessories. He is the former publisher of TechGuySmartBuy, where he reviewed everything from phones to headphones to smart speakers to cars. He is also a former aspiring songwriter, music producer, and A&R working with local talent.

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