The Best iPhone 17 Cases for 2025

Otterbox is serving up its usual expansive lineup of cases for the iPhone 17, including its tough Defender Series Pro and Defender Series Pro/Pro XT. I remain a fan of the Symmetry Series Clear cases in various color options and the Symmetry Series Cactus Leather, which incorporates a cactus-based leather substitute in its design (Otterbox says the faux leather is organically grown and sustainably harvested from nopal cactus). But all that said, my favorite Otterbox case for the iPhone 17 is the new-for-2025 Sole Series. It has a high-ridge thread on the sides of the case for better grip and a "hardwearing" fabric with ombre fade on the back. Available in a few different color options, Otterbox says it's 5X tested to military drop standard MIL-STD-810G 516.6 (130 drops from 4 feet) and has a removable lanyard loop.

Type of access to camera control button: Touch-sensitive integrated control button cover.

Like Otterbox and Speck, Zagg makes several different iPhone 17 cases. My current favorite for premium protection is the Rainier ($70 -- pictured), but I also like the somewhat slimmer Santa Cruz ($55), both of which are clear cases with a few different trim color options and also feature a built-in kickstand (Zagg has improved the design of its kickstands, making the hinge sturdier). The Rainier is the tougher of the two cases, offering a dual-layer design, higher raised bumpers, excellent corner protection, a gasket that covers the USB-C port and 22-foot drop protection (the Santa Cruz is rated for 13-foot drop protection). Both cases are "fortified" with graphene and have anti-yellowing tech to help keep the case clear over time. While they're pretty pricey, Zagg will replace your case should it get damaged (for the life of your phone). Also, look for discounts on Zagg's site; they seem to turn up fairly regularly.

Type of access to camera control button: The Rainier case has a touch-sensitive integrated control button cover while the Santa Cruz has a cutout for the button (about half of Zagg's case lineup features a touch-sensitive control button cover).

ESR Kickstand cases aren't your typical cases with an integrated kickstand. That's because the kickstand doesn't flip out from the backside of the case at the bottom. Instead, it serves as a protective ring around your camera lenses when it's retracted and not in use (ESR calls it a foldable stash stand). The stand can be extended anywhere between 15 degrees and 85 degrees for comfortable, hands-free viewing. You'll find other generic cases on Amazon with a design like this, but ESR stands out for having a more premium feel to its value cases. Note that you can get the case in a soft silicone version (pictured), a thicker tough version (it really is tough) and a simple clear version. They all cost around $25 at launch (that price should come down a bit over time), but I like the soft silicone version best.

Type of access to camera control button: Touch-sensitive integrated control button cover.

You can find plenty of cheap generic iPhone cases on Amazon, and some of them, like those from Supfine, sometimes dip below $10 in certain colors. I bought the light blue version for $13, but as of this writing, it's down to $10. I don't know how well it will hold up over time or just how protective it really is (the company says it gets 10-foot military drop protection), but it has a nice look and feel to it with a soft-to-the-touch finish, even on its frosted transparent backside. The corners of the case are raised enough so that the case should provide reasonable corner and screen protection should you drop your phone, though I trust Otterbox and other tougher cases more. Also, there's a raised camera guard on the back. This makes for a good starter case and is a good alternative for those who don't want to shell out for Apple's Silicone case, which offers about the same amount of protection. The one advantage Apple's case has is that it has a touch-sensitive integrated control button cover while the Supfine case just has a cut-out of the button.

Type of access to camera control button: Cut-out for the button that leaves the button exposed.

Known for its value cases, Spigen returns with its usual assortment of cases for the iPhone 17 series. If you're looking for an inexpensive, clear MagSafe case for your new iPhone 17 or iPhone 17 Pro models, the standard version of Spigen's Ultra Hybrid MagFit is a good value for around $14. But I like the slightly more expensive Ultra Hybrid S MagFit ($20), which has a built-in kickstand, and some of the Ultra Hybrid Direct Digital Printing models ($20 -- pictured) that have computer component accents integrated into them. These include the Neo One (pictured), Zero One and Hello Again, which gives your phone iPod vibes.

Type of access to camera control button: Camera control button is covered by a thin TPU layer that maintains touch-sensitivity.

Torras makes a range of iPhone 17 cases in good color options that start around $17 and go all the way up to around $65 for its flagship Torras Q3 Air case, which I consider one of the best cases out there largely because it lives up to its billing as "lightweight protection" with a sturdy, retractable 360-degree swiveling kickstand that allows you to prop up your phone horizontally or vertically at a variety of angles. Also, it has some grippy design elements to help keep your phone from slipping from your hand and strong magnets for MagSafe accessories. While the Q3 Air has the most eye-catching design of Torras' cases and the best corner protection (Torras says its Shock-Mat technology is "inspired by air-cushioned sneakers"), if you can't afford it you should check out its more affordable Q3 360 Spin ($35) and Q3 Silicone 360 Spin ($42) cases, which feature the same kickstand. You can see Torras' full range of cases here.

Type of access to camera control button: Touch-sensitive integrated control button cover.

Beats is owned by Apple, so its cases are technically Apple cases, though they appear separately from Apple's lineup of cases for the iPhone 17 on its website. I wasn't so impressed with Beats' inaugural case effort for last year's iPhone 16, but these second-gen Beats cases are substantially better. There are three models: Regular, Kickstand and Rugged. The Regular and Kickstand are the same case (it's a nice-looking hard plastic case with a matte finish), but the Kickstand comes with a removable lanyard that converts into a kickstand). I personally prefer the Beats Rugged case, which is a little thicker and has some grippy tecure on the sides and also fully covers the bottom of your phone. It's pricier but more special and protective. The sierra orange may be a little too bright for some folks -- I like it because it makes your phone easy to spot -- but it also comes in rocky blue, alpine gray and everest black.

Type of access to camera control button: Touch-sensitive integrated control button cover.

I liked Rokform's new Slim Magnetic for the iPhone 16, which was geared toward folks who find its highly protective Rokform Crystal and Rugged cases a little too chunky. But that model isn't out yet for the iPhone 17 Series (it's unclear if or when it will be released), so the Crystal and Rugged cases are currently your Rokform choices for the iPhone 17. That's not a bad thing, as they're both very tough cases, though I prefer the Crystal because it's got more design flair than the utilitarian-looking Rugged model.

Both the Crystal and Rugged cases have Rokform's RokLok twist system and are specially designed to work with the company's various mounts, including bike and motorcycle mounts, that are sold separately. While the Rokform Rugged and Crystal cases have a center magnet that allows you to stick the case to any magnetic surface, they're MagSafe-enabled and compatible with wireless charging if you remove that center magnet (as shown in the photo). I also like to point out that the MagSafe ring is equipped with very strong magnets, so MagSafe accessories -- Rokform sells some of those, too -- adhere quite securely to the case. The cases are expensive, but Rokform offers discounts to first-time buyers on its site.

Type of access to camera control button: Both Rokform's Crystal and Rugged cases have touch-sensitive integrated control button covers, which are new this year.

Since I get a lot of iPhone cases in for testing, I often end up giving away a fair amount of them. More often than not, when given a choice between a few different top case options, friends and family select a Mous case, and this blue Marine case (pictured) is a hit. Maybe it's because they've seen ads for Mous cases on YouTube or social media, in which the company drops a phone from a helicopter and it somehow survives the fall. While Mous cases aren't rated for 1,000-foot drop protection, they do offer excellent protection and are quite slim, with backs that incorporate bamboo, carbon fiber, and various other materials. While they're pretty pricey, all Mous cases have a lifetime warranty.

Mous also makes more standard Magsafe-enabled clear cases that cost less, and I included its IntraLock case in our best bike phone mount list. That case snaps into a bike mount, and Mous makes a variety of other MagSafe accessories, including a wallet, phone grip with kickstand and magnetic car mounts.

Type of access to camera control button: Touch-sensitive integrated control button cover.

Ranging in price from $20-$85, there are several Mageasy case options for the various iPhone 17 models, including some that come with a crossbody strap and retractable ring kickstand that rotates 360 degrees so you can prop up your phone in landscape or portrait mode. The Odyssey Ultra M Plus Strap ($85 -- pictured) is Mageasy's flagship case, featuring 25-foot drop protection. While the Odyssey M Plus Strap ($50) doesn't have the built-in kickstand, it is more affordable and also has excellent 20-foot drop protection. They're both available in a few color options, as is the Mageasy Wallet Case with Crossbody Strap ($35), which is geared toward women. 

Note that you don't have to use the cases with the strap. The eyelets are removable (the M Plus Strap has a few different bumper options you can swap in for more or less corner protection). Just don't lose them if you want to use the strap in the future. I should also note that while the Odyssey Ultra M is a really protective case, it is a bit weighty. Some simpler Mageasy cases are lighter.

Type of access to camera control button: Touch-sensitive integrated control button covers (new this year).

Nomad makes some of my favorite leather cases, and its lineup of iPhone 17 cases hasn't changed too much from what it was offering for the iPhone 16, except that it's now making trimmed-down leather cases for the iPhone Air that leave more of the phone exposed (it's a great iPhone Air case, but expensive at $89). Once again, its "sustainably-sourced" leather cases come in two grades of leather: the standard variety and a higher-end Horween that costs $20 more. They both develop a "rugged" patina as the oils from your skin interact with the leather over time. Nomad's Traditional Leather case starts at $69, while its Modern Leather Case ($59) is a little cheaper because it's not completely wrapped in leather (its sides aren't wrapped).

If you're looking for maximum protection in a leather-styled case, you can opt for the Leather Rugged ($79), which has 15-foot drop protection compared with the Modern Leather's 8-foot drop rating. Nomad doesn't give a drop rating for its Traditional Leather case, so one can assume it isn't as protective. I can attest to it having at least a 4-foot drop protection because I've dropped my phone from that distance and it survived just fine.

I also like the Modern Leather Folio wallet case, though I wish it converted into a kickstand like some wallet cases do, and the more affordable Sport case ($50) and Rugged case ($50 -- without leather). They're both not leather cases, but they do look pretty slick. It's also worth noting

Type of access to camera control button: Most of Nomad's iPhone 17 cases, except for its iPhone Air cases, feature a touch-sensitive integrated control button cover, which is new for this year (they had cutouts before). Its new iPhone Air cases leave the button fully exposed.

Available in a few different striking color options and patterns, Pitaka cases are very thin yet offer a little more protection than some other ultra-slim cases. That's because they're made from "selected 600D aramid fiber, which is widely used in aerospace and military applications," according to Pitaka. Unlike carbon fiber, "this fine-weaved case will not interfere with the signal and it is non-conductive, offering long-lasting protection for your phone, and preventing color fading and daily scratches." All Pitaka cases are MagSafe-enabled using Pitaka's MagSafe SlimBoard technology, and this year's models feature a touch-sensitive integrated control button cover rather than a cutout for the button. While this case doesn't offer serious protection from drops, it's still better than not having anything on your phone. If you're looking for a very slim, lightweight case, it should be near the top of your list, especially if you want an ultra-slim case to cover the iPhone Air.

At launch, Moft is only selling one case for the iPhone 17 Series, the Snap Movas, its signature case that's designed to be paired with a variety of Moft MagSafe accessories, including wallets that convert into stands, an iPhone Tripod Stand and its new "origami-inspired" Snap Field Wallet that stores several credit cards and also converts into a stand. Available in seven color options, the faux leather Movas case is slim and elegant (Vegan leather is designed to look and feel like real leather but is synthetic). It's a good option for those who want a thinner case that offers some degree of protection. I've recommended this case to a few friends who've bought the iPhone Air.

Type of access to camera control button: Touch-sensitive integrated control button cover, which is new for this year (Moft cases had cutouts for the iPhone 16 Series)

Back in 2023, Minnesota-based Pad & Quill, which used to make some of our favorite leather wallet cases, morphed into Burton Goods, which now sells very similar premium leather cases for various Apple products. Arguably, the best option from Burton is the Modern Pocket Book Wallet case ($90), which is actually two cases in one. It includes a standalone case that has a leather back stitched onto the TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) case and an outer leather-clad wallet folio cover. The MagSafe-enabled standalone case adheres magnetically to the folio cover (the magnets are strong) and is removable, so you can easily charge your phone wirelessly. Like other folio cases of this style, it's a tad bulky but stores multiple credit cards and a bit of cash.

As far as non-folio cases go, the fully leather-clad Heritage Leather ($80) case comes in three color options and is one of the best leather cases out there. Burton previously made a Luxury Modern Pocket Book Wallet case that included a Heritage Leather case for $130, but that combo currently isn't available for the the iPhone 17. Burton Goods also sells a couple of magnetic MagSafe Wallet Stands that adhere nicely to the back of the case. Note that Burton Goods only makes cases for the iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max.

Type of access to camera control button: The case that's included with the Modern Book Wallet case has a cutout that leaves the camera control button exposed, while the Heritage Leather case has a touch-sensitive integrated control button cover.