Get one of the best iPhone 14 cases and you can breathe a sigh of relief. A case will make it much more difficult to damage your precious phone and therefore avoid repair bills or potential data loss if you phone ends up in harm's way.
The iPhone 14 is one of the best iPhones available, and one of the reasons are the durability features we detailed our iPhone 14 review. Apple's phone features a Ceramic Shield display and tough glass, with both features providing lots of protection out of the box. But you're still going to want an iPhone 14 case, especially if you've seen how iPhone 14 drop tests can inflict damage on Apple's devices.
The best iPhone 14 cases offer more than just protection, though. You'll find a variety of colors and designs among our top picks. Some cases double as wallets or include kickstands, while others look to help you make a fashion statement.
Still, protection is the name of the game, and if that's what you want for your $799 phone, take a look at the best iPhone 14 cases we've seen so far.
But what's next for iPhones? Have a look at our iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max hands-on to see what's coming.
Best case overall
Colors: Black, Gray, Aspen, Tropical, Space
Materials: Polycarbonate, rubber
Weight: 2.6 ounces
+ Cool design options
+ Grooved sides
+ Works with MagSafe
- Side grooves can be polarizing
The appeal of the Smartish Gripzilla case is right there in the name. This iPhone 14 case features grooved sides that let you keep a hold on your handset, preventing gravity from doing its destructive thing. Air-pocketed corners provided further protection when drops do happen. We also like the different styles Smartish offers, from the Tropical Shirt pattern pictured to the galactically cool Spaced Out design. Black and gray options exist, too, if you want to play it safe.
Best iPhone case value
Colors: Matte Black, Navy Blue
Materials: Thermoplastic polyurethane
Weight: 1.0 ounce
+ Less than $20
+ Military-grade protection
+ Slender profile
- No-frills design
Spigen's Liquid Air case proves you don't have to spend big bucks to protect your iPhone 14. The case costs less than $20, but it still promises military-grade protection from drops with a minimalist design that cushions your iPhone should it fall to the floor. Spigen tries to prevent drops in the first place with an anti-slip matte surface that lets you grip your phone while also resisting fingerprints. All this comes in case that doesn't add extra bulk to the iPhone 14's compact frame.
Best wallet case
Colors: Slate, Space Gray, Silver Blue, Rose Gold
Materials: Polycarbonate, thermoplastic polyurethane
Weight: TBA
+ Includes a kickstand
+ 4-foot drop protection
+ Hidden card slot
- Adds some bulk
The latest vCommute from Vena is a real multipurpose case if you want more than just protection. There's a hidden card slot with room for three credit cards, and that leather flap covering the back folds into a stand to prop up the iPhone 14 in different positions. But Vena hasn't forgotten about protection as the vCommute has been tested to survive 26 drops from 4 feet, putting your iPhone 14 in good hands.
Most colorful case
Colors: Pink, Lilac, Blue, Sunglow, Midnight, Red, Elderberry Succulent
Materials: Silicone
Weight: 2.8 ounces
+ Wide array of colors
+ MagSafe compatibility
- Protection could be better
Get a phone case from Apple, and you know it will fit your iPhone perfectly. That's certainly true of Apple's iPhone 14 Silicone Case, which easily encloses the new phone in a silicone wrapper that feels good in the hand, even if other cases offer more extensive protection. You can pick from eight different case colors to find the one that matches your iPhone 14 as well as your sense of style. And because this is an Apple case, you know the iPhone 14 Silicone Case will work with MagSafe accessories.
Most durable case
Colors: Black, Kevlar Black, Carbon Fiber, Kevlar Silver, Mallard, Silver
Materials: Polycarbonate, thermoplastic polyurethane
Weight: 1.6 ounces
+ Extensive protection
+ Dedicated MagSafe area
+ Slim fit
- An expensive option
- Colors are very similar
At $79, the Urban Armor Gear Monarch Pro case is an expensive option, but you get 26-foot drop protection with this slim-fitting yet shock-resistant design. The case features a traction grip on the side, and even though the iPhone's volume and side buttons are covered up, they're still easy to operate. The Monarch Pro works with MagSafe, too, with a dedicated area on the back for attaching MagSafe accessories.
Eco-friendly case
Colors: Black
Materials: Recycled plastics, D3O Bio
Weight: 3.2 ounces
+ Uses sustainable materials
+ Eye-catching pattern
+ 13-foot drop protection
- Just one color option
Some people balk at getting a phone case if it means buying something made out plastic or other fossil-based resources. Gear4's Copenhagen case tackles that concern by using recycled materials as well as D3O Bio, which is made from plant-based materials. Gear4 doesn't skimp on safety, with the case promising 13-foot drop protection for your iPhone 14. A thin case, you can also use the Copenhagen with most wireless chargers, and an antimicrobial treatment on the case itself kills off surface bacteria.
Thinnest case
Colors: Black/Gray, Black/Blue, Overture, Rhapsody
Materials: Aramid fiber
Weight: 0.8 ounces
+ Thin and light
+ Biodegradable packaging
+ Stylish designs
- Pricier than rivals
The MagSafe-compatible Pitaka MagEZ Case 3 proves thin is in. While it's 1.05mm thin and weighs 0.8 ounces, this iPhone 14 case provides more than lightweight protection. Pitaka uses aramid fiber — a strong, light material — for a case with a very grippable 3D texture. The opening around the iPhone 14's camera array is raised to keep those lenses from coming into contact with surfaces. And there's an aesthetic aspect to that aramid fiber, too, as it's woven together to add a sense of style.
Best clear case
Colors: Clear
Materials: Thermoplastic polyurethane
Weight: 1.5 ounces
+ Highlights iPhone 14's design
+ Kickstand with 85-degree angle
+ Costs less than $25
- Kickstand housed by camera array
The ESR Classic Kickstand Case lets the beauty of your iPhone 14 shine through thanks to a clear design that protections without covering up. The acrylic case resists scratches, and ESR promises it won't yellow over time. Raised edges and Air-Guard corners help your iPhone 14 avoid damage when dropped. And as the Classic Kickstand Case name would suggest, you get a kickstand with ESR's case that can prop your iPhone 14 up at multiple angles, up to 85 degrees for hands-free viewing.
Hard-to-drop case
Colors: Black
Materials: Thermoplastic polyurethane
Weight: 2.99 ounces
+ Comes with a lanyard
+ 10-foot drop protection
+ Works with MagSafe
- Just one color
You can't drop your phone if you've got something to grab onto, and Catalyst's answer to this need is to include a lanyard with its Catalyst Crux Case for the iPhone 14. You can loop the lanyard around your wrist, preventing your iPhone from slipping out of your grasp. Even if it does, Catalyst says the Crux is good for 10-foot drop protection. The slip-proof corners on this case are wider now, also helping you keep a grip on the phone while protection the edges from any jarring crashes. Even with all that protection, you can still use MagSafe with the Catalyst Crux case.
What to look for in the best iPhone 14 case
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The first thing to do when shopping for an iPhone 14 case is to make sure the case you're eyeing actually fits the iPhone 14. That may seem like an obvious thing to do, but bear in mind that Apple makes four different iPhones under the iPhone 14 name, and two of them — the iPhone 14 Plus and iPhone 14 Pro Max — are much larger than the iPhone 14. Even iPhone 14 Pro cases may not fit the iPhone 14, despite both devices featuring 6.1-inch displays, because of the different-sized camera arrays.
iPhone 13 cases may offer a better fit, though they still may not perfectly encase your iPhone 14 due to changes in the volume and power buttons. We'd advise you to stick with cases specifically made for the iPhone 14 to ensure the best fit.
Looking for a case for a different-sized model? Check out our other guides.
Once you've confirmed you're looking at the right-sized case for an iPhone 14, always check the drop-protection listing, since preventing damage to your phone is the main reason to get a case. Four-foot drop protection is a good standard to shoot for, but some case makers promise more than that.
Most of the other things to look for depend on what you want in the best iPhone 14 case. You may be looking for a particular color or a clear option that lets your iPhone's design shine through, especially now that Apple has added a new iPhone 14 color option to the mix. You might also consider extra features like kickstands or slots to hold cash and cards.
How we pick the best iPhone 14 cases
We pick iPhone 14 cases initially based on word-of-mouth and customer reviews. We may call in cases at a later time for additional hands-on testing. When evaluating cases, we consider price, colors, protection and special features. Because phone cases are such a personal choice, we try to include a variety of styles to fit different tastes.
Next: Check out our full Samsung Galaxy S23 vs. iPhone 14 comparison to see which one emerged as the better phone.
Are iPhone 14 cases different to iPhone 13 cases?
Not by much, but they are different. Apple shifted the position of the power and volume buttons around from the iPhone 13 to the iPhone 14, and made the iPhone 14 a bit thicker. You might be able to squeeze an iPhone 14 into an iPhone 13 case, but it's probably not worth the trouble if you don't own a case already.
