The best phone cases

Picking up the best phone case you can afford is always a good move. A lot of the latest flagship smartphones are made from glass build materials now, and there are hundreds of harrowing horror stories out there – so if you want to avoid a deluxe drop disaster, you'll need to protect your device with the right phone case or cover.  

Fortunately, if you’re the proud new owner of a camera phone, there are a lot of options for keeping it safe, from ultra-slim phone cases that show off your device’s design through to rugged, bulky shells that can survive almost anything. And if you pick the right one, it might even improve your phone’s camera. 

The Moment Photo Case is designed to turn the world's top camera phones – the newest Pixel, iPhone and Samsung Galaxy devices – into more sophisticated snappers. Aside from protecting them from drops and scrapes with a thin, shock-absorbing rubberised body, the Moment Pixel Photo Case comes with a built-in lens interface for attaching Moment's range of lenses, plus a strap attachment to stop you dropping your camera phone again. Meanwhile, wireless charging support means you can place it on any Qi-compatible charging pad. If you’ve got an iPhone X, 8 Plus, 8, 7 Plus or 7, we’d choose Moment’s excellent MFi-approved Battery Photo Case for iPhone. It comes with a 3,100mAh built-in battery for charging your iPhone on the go, giving you longer shooting time, and an integrated Lightening port, as well as a two-stage shutter button for taking photos: pressing down halfway focuses the lens; a full press takes the picture. Whichever camera phone you have though, if you're into mobile photography or filmmaking, these are some of the best phone cases you can buy. 

Spigen is one of the biggest names in smartphone protection, and it’s easy to see why its Neo Hybrid line is one of the company’s most popular set of phone cases. With enhanced shock absorption, slim grip design and a dual-layered structure for extra protection, the Neo Hyrid won’t add as much bulk to your camera phone as some other cases, but you’ll get plenty of protection for day-to-day use. The Herringbone-textured rubber is smooth but grippy, so your device won't slip out of your hand while you're taking photos, and it comes in a range of different colours: gunmetal, burgundy, jet black, pale dogwood and satin silver. Bear in mind that it isn't as tough as the most protective ranges on the market, so if you're prone to drops or other phone-related accidents then a phone case like the Otterbox Defender (number three in this list) might be a better choice. But if you're looking for a brilliant balance of style, functionality and usability, the Spigen Neo Hybrid is one of the best phone cases you can buy.

When it comes to protective phone cases, the Otterbox Defender is about as comprehensive as it gets. The multi-layer design gives you dust, drop and scratch protection, while a reinforced polycarbonate inner and a thick silicone outer that absorbs impact. Port covers prevent dirt and dirt from clogging jacks and ports; and the rubber back provides a good camera cut out that also protects protruding lenses when you place your camera phone on a flat surface. The Otterbox Defender series will add a fair bit of bulk to your phone – this isn’t a good option if you like to keep your phone in your pocket or want to show off its form – and it isn’t waterproof, either. But when it comes to ultimate drop protection, it’s a winner.

Another phone case range that’s designed to improve smartphone photography – this time exclusively for iPhone – is Sandmarc’s Lens Edition series. This ultra-thin case-and-lens-mount protects your iPhone when you’re out and about, while giving you a 2x wide lens, 4x telephoto zoom, 5x fisheye lens or  macro lens. You also get a handy clip-on mount in the box, in case you want to use your own case. You won’t get as much protection from the case for your phone as other cases in this list, but if you have an iPhone, theses lenses are fantastic for travel, urban and landscape photography. 

OtterBox is best-known for its robust protection and tank-sized cases. The company's OtterBox Symmetry series, however, is a lighter-duty line, offering a thinner one-piece design that doesn't loose too much on the protection front. Build quality is excellent, marrying a synthetic rubber interior with a durable polycarbonate outer shell, and it's easy to take on and off. As with the Spiegen Neo Hybrid, at number one, there are no advanced features like waterproof capabilities, built-in batteries or fold out kickstands – and it will still add a little bulk to your camera phone. But if you’re looking for a pocket-friendly phone case with better-than-average protection for the size and weight, the Symmetry series is definitely worth considering. 

Designed with premium Scandinavian full-grain leather, this beautifully manufactured phone case is perfect for discerning iPhone users who like to live in the lap of luxury. The slim profile of the case means that you don't have to worry about bulking out your iPhone's build, while the inside of the case is made of a soft microfiber lining that gently cossets your phone. 

While this case won't be quite as robust as some of the others on this list, its stylish design is perfect for everyday professional use. 

If you like to conserve as much space as possible, lugging around both a phone and a wallet can often be frustrating. However, why not invest in a phone case that also doubles up as a wallet? The Shieldon phone case has three slots for bank cards and an inside bill compartment to store notes and receipts. Meanwhile, there's an invisible kickstand that can be used for a hands-free phone display.

The Shieldon phone case has a hidden magnetic closure that's designed to help keep your valuables safe, while RFID Shielding Technology has been employed to help shield your cards from unauthorized scanning.