Best iPhone 13 Pro Max cases

best iphone 13 pro max cases
(Image credit: Spigen)

Buying the best iPhone 13 Pro Max case for your needs is easy thanks to this guide. Whatever kind of case you're after, we've found the best options to suit you.

As an iPhone 13 Pro Max owner, you've likely already spent a considerable amount of money on your phone. But if you're not willing to spend a little more now, you could end up with a pricey repair bill should something go awry. A good case can offer additional protection, saving you from that risk while also adding extra valuable and lifespan to your handset.

If you've not bought the phone yet, here are the best iPhone 13 deals around right now. Or, if you're not sure the iPhone 13 Pro Max is right for you, check out the best iPhones to see our top picks for different kinds of users.

Just be careful if you haven't bought an iPhone yet. The iPhone 15 Pro Max is now the reigning big, fully featured iPhone, with the iPhone 13 Pro Max sent out to pasture. Read our iPhone 15 Pro Max vs. iPhone 13 Pro Max face-off for more details on the differences between these models, or alternatively look to the future with our iPhone 16 Pro Max rumor hub.

The best iPhone 13 Pro Max cases you can buy today

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How to choose the best iPhone 13 Pro Max case for you 

When selecting your new iPhone 13 Pro Max case, you should prioritize keeping your phone safe from drops, falls, scrapes, and scratches. Choosing the type of material your case disc rafted from is tantamount to ensuring you have plenty of protection. 

The better the drop rating for a case, the less you have to worry about a shattered screen. If you don't care about replacing phones when they're caput, or you just don't think you'll drop it at all, you can shift your focus to more aesthetically-pleasing cases that don't rely as much on hardy materials to protect your device. 

You don't have to worry about dropping your iPhone in water, as the iPhone 13 Pro Max's IP68 water resistance rating means the device should emerge from up to 6 meters of water after 30 minutes with no damage. You will wan to keep a shortcut that can eject water from your iPhone's speakers close at hand, though.

Remember that phone cases can and do vary in price. But just because you find a $69.95 phone case from a specialty retailer, that doesn't mean you should discount the $19.95 case from Amazon. There could be a large disparity in quality between the two, in the direction you wouldn't expect. You'll have to make the decision, ultimately, taking into account which one is the most viable with each of its unique features, no matter the price, low or high. 

If you opt for a transparent case, remember that you will need to keep it clean to stop it from 'yellowing'. Check out how to clean a clear phone case for guidance. 

How we test the best iPhone 13 Pro Max cases

We use a combination of our own testing and customer experiences when selecting the best iPhone 13 Pro Max cases.

For cases we try ourselves, we'll install them on a test device and carry them around with us for several days, noting anything interesting about the experience. Any special features we'll test, as well as more basic parts of our time with the case like how it felt to hold or how it is to look at. 

If we've not been able to get a case in for review yet, we'll take a look at Amazon reviews and other customer write-ups to help inform our decision. Drop testing and durability claims we're unable to test for ourselves (at least not without risking our own phones) so for these, we defer to the manufacturers' claims, but recommend that users understand that these aren't independently verified.

Does the iPhone 13 Pro Max need a case?

With a $1,000-plus phone, it's better to be safe than sorry when it comes to cases. Sure, the Ceramic Shield glass and stainless steel side rails that Apple uses on this phone is as strong as you'll get for smartphone materials, but they're not indestructible. A case, in case of damage, is much easier and cheaper to fix or replace than your phone is.

What is the best slim cover for the iPhone 13 Pro Max?

If your ideal case is as unobtrusive as possible, take a look at the Totallee Case. If you'd rather a better balance of protection and thinness, the Spigen Tough Armor does a good job of protecting your phone while adding minimal bulk.

What is the best protective/drop proof case for iPhone 13 Pro Max?

We would plump for the CaseBorne R Series or the Otterbox Defender Series XT if you're after maximum protection for your iPhone 13 Pro Max. The CaseBorne has the advantage of being transparent, allowing you to enjoy the color and design of your iPhone without exposing it to potential dangers, while the Defender is all-in on safety features like dual-layer protection and a "military-spec" drop rating.

What is the best iPhone 13 Pro Max case for MagSafe?

If you're all in on Apple's magnetic charging and accessories system, then the Mous MagSafe Compatible Aramid Fibre Phone Case may be worth a look. Other cases should still support MagSafe, but Mous' additional magnets should help the connection between iPhone and accessory stay secure.

Brittany Vincent

Brittany Vincent has been covering video games and tech for over 13 years for publications including Tom's Guide, MTV, Rolling Stone, CNN, Popular Science, Playboy, IGN, GamesRadar, Polygon, Kotaku, Maxim, and more. She's also appeared as a panelist at video game conventions like PAX East and PAX West and has coordinated social media for companies like CNET. When she's not writing or gaming, she's looking for the next great visual novel in the vein of Saya no Uta. You can follow her on Twitter @MolotovCupcake.

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