Use of Speck for Iphone 8 Case Review
The research
- All-time basic case: Smartish Gripmunk
- Best leather case: Apple Leather Case
- The thinnest iPhone example we recommend: Caudabe The Sheath
- Best wallet phone case: Smartish Wallet Slayer Vol. 1
- A more protective option: Speck Presidio Grip
- A clear example to show off your telephone: Spigen Liquid Crystal
- A good case for workout and activity accessories: Quad Lock
- Why yous should trust me
- How we picked
- The competition
All-time basic case: Smartish Gripmunk
Our pick
Why it's great: We know from years of feedback from readers, Wirecutter staff, and fifty-fifty family and friends that most people desire a example that's slim, evidently designed, reliably protective, and inexpensive. That'southward why Smartish's Gripmunk is an excellent choice for near people who own an iPhone SE (2nd generation), 8, or vii, or an iPhone viii Plus or 7 Plus: It'southward a simple instance that checks all the boxes at a reasonable price.
The Gripmunk is a 1-slice TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane, a flexible plastic) case. It has only enough requite to make it easy to install, yet it isn't then loose that the sides pull away—something that tin can exist a problem with inferior cases. The back panel is slightly rough, with a pebbled finish on the edges for a good grip; it's just the right amount of texture, offer extra security while you're property the phone without making the case experience weird or unpleasant.
The instance also gets the smaller details right. Along the bottom edge, openings for the speaker, microphone, and Lightning-connector port provide access without leaving also much of the iPhone's trunk exposed. The example covers the volume and the Sleep/Wake buttons while maintaining a clicky feel. A tapered, black ring protects the photographic camera(southward) and wink, and the lip around the phone'due south screen is deep enough to proceed the screen from touching flat surfaces (a film screen protector is included likewise), without being so tall as to hinder the use of the touchscreen. Smartish claims that air pockets in the corners help absorb daze.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: You won't confuse the Gripmunk with a premium case—it doesn't look or feel particularly cheap, but it's also not going to draw attention for its looks. We likewise don't love the seam between the back panel and the edge of the instance, just that's but a small aesthetic carp.
All-time leather case: Apple tree Leather Case
Also great
Why it's bang-up: If you prefer the await and feel of leather over plastic or silicone, Apple tree'southward iPhone SE Leather Case is the all-time choice. It isn't as protective as our overall favorite, merely we like it anyway. It offers enough coverage to guard against the majority of scuffs and small drops, and while information technology'south thin and light, it nonetheless has an adequate lip protecting the screen. The Leather Case is bachelor in a handful of rotating, classy color options, and though the lighter colors may show dirt and wear sooner than you lot might like, one person'southward "dirt" is another'southward patina, the coveted accumulation of wear that makes a case unique. Most of import, though, Apple'southward Leather Instance simply looks and feels great. It'southward like the difference between a hiking boot and a leather clothes boot—sure, the hiking kicking is more than protective and comfortable, but if you lot're non hiking, forgoing a fleck of protection and comfort for style and luxury is sometimes worth information technology.
Instead of push button protectors molded into the leather, the Leather Example has machined aluminum buttons that feel great. There'south no mushiness when you press a button, but rather a crisp (and loud) click. We likewise love that the case is especially sparse and light for a leather model: The smaller version weighs just 17 grams, while the version for the Plus-size iPhones weighs 23 grams—as light as whatever other truly protective case we've tested.
Flaws just non dealbreakers: Apple'due south Leather Case leaves the bottom edge of your phone exposed, which means that if yous driblet your phone the wrong way, you could damage the forepart edge (just below the Home push button) or the expanse effectually the Lightning-connector port. Nosotros wish Apple would add more protection there, but afterward several generations of this case with a similar design, information technology doesn't look like that'll happen anytime soon. Leather as well doesn't habiliment besides over time (in terms of immovability) as plastic, then if yous're expecting a case to look the same in a yr equally it did on the starting time 24-hour interval, no leather case will be the right pick for you.
The thinnest iPhone instance we recommend: Caudabe The Sheath
Our pick
Why it's not bad: When it comes to cases, some people value thinness above all else: They desire something that makes it feel as if they're not using a case but still provides some caste of protection. Unfortunately, fifty-fifty the best superthin cases we've tested don't protect a telephone confronting annihilation but scratches, and many of them simply don't last—a short fall often breaks the case itself. Caudabe's The Sheath for iPhone SE (2d generation), 8, or vii and for iPhone viii Plus or seven Plus represents the best compromise we've nevertheless seen, providing good coverage while remaining impressively thin. The material is less than a millimeter thick, yet the case however offers a proper 1 mm lip around the phone's screen. We also like how tightly tailored the camera, microphone, and flash openings are.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: Though The Sheath is thin, it doesn't compete for the championship of "Globe's Thinnest iPhone Example." If you're looking for something that truly but wraps around the phone to preclude scratches, consider Caudabe'south The Veil, which nosotros discuss in the Competition department below. At the other extreme, The Sheath doesn't provide every bit much shock protection as thicker cases—in this category, less protection comes with the territory.
Best wallet telephone case: Smartish Wallet Slayer Vol. 1
Also great
Why information technology's keen: For those who want a instance that can hold credit and ID cards besides equally their iPhone, Smartish's Wallet Slayer Vol. i is the best choice. The TPU example has an integrated three-bill of fare wallet that, together with Apple Pay, may be enough to allow some people to ditch a separate wallet birthday.
The Wallet Slayer'due south cadre elements are very like to those found on the company's Gripmunk. The buttons and cutouts are withal, and the case has a strip of textured material forth both sides. The main divergence is the molded card holder on the back, made to arrange up to iii credit cards and some cash.
Unlike other wallet cases we tested for the iPhone SE (2nd generation), 8, or vii, this Smartish case works just besides with one bill of fare equally it does with three, thank you to a raised bump under the card holder that puts pressure level on cards and holds them in place. A small cutout forth the edge contrary the wallet opening lets you easily push cards out as needed, but even when nosotros aggressively shook the telephone, our cards didn't autumn out on their own. We likewise appreciate that the Wallet Slayer Vol. 1 exposes less of your cards than the competition—all you can see is a thumbnail-sized piece of the top carte. The case too comes with a protective screen motion-picture show.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: Another wallet cases are slimmer overall, and—because they have a flexible wallet component—are thinner when you accept fewer cards in them. The Wallet Slayer'due south rigid wallet means that the case remains the same thickness no matter how many cards it'south property. That said, the Smartish Wallet Slayer Vol. 1 isn't so large as to exist cumbersome.
A more protective option: Speck Presidio Grip
Likewise great
Why information technology's neat: In general, we don't recall you should pay more than than about $25 for a plastic or rubbery case. But if you're willing to spend more for better drop protection, Speck'due south Presidio Grip is the way to go. An development of Speck'southward venerable CandyShell line (which started way back with the iPhone 3G), the Presidio Grip combines a hard plastic outside with a sparse, rubber lining and a specially designed border that helps absorb the daze of drops. The Presidio Grip replaces the CandyShell's scratch-magnet glossy stop with a matte exterior that will probable wait a lot meliorate over time. The "Grip" in the name comes from the raised rubber ridges on the back of the case. They help increment, well, grip, which is important considering that the Presidio's matte stop is more than slippery than the CandyShell's glossy surfaces.
The Presidio Grip is 20 percentage thinner than its CandyShell-line Grip counterpart, but Speck promises that the Presidio can help your phone withstand drops of upward to x feet. In our tests, the phone'due south buttons remained nice and clicky through the example, and the pronounced lip around the screen is reassuring. We also like Speck's color schemes, which have slightly offset tones betwixt the example itself and its prophylactic grips.
Flaws but not dealbreakers: Some early on customer reviews of the Presidio Grip say that information technology feels cheap compared with the CandyShell models. Although it's certainly different, we disagree that it feels inferior—nosotros appreciate that Speck took a well-loved design and tried to do something different with it. We used to recommend the Presidio Grip for the iPhone SE, 7, and viii, but it'southward since been discontinued. If you tin can discover it in stock anywhere, we recommend snagging it.
A clear case to show off your phone: Spigen Liquid Crystal
Also corking
Why it's peachy: iPhones look prissy! It makes sense that you'd desire to show off the design, while also protecting information technology. Spigen'southward Liquid Crystal is our favorite see-through case that allows for both. It's an extremely simple and totally transparent TPU example. That ways it has some more grip than a bare phone and offers a bit of shock absorbency (although there aren't any air pockets in the corners to provide extra impact protection, equally there are on the iPhone 11-series versions).
The Liquid Crystal is totally articulate across its entire surface, unlike many competing cases that have some sort of colored or frosted edge, making them not totally clear. The iPhone 7 Plus and 8 Plus versions are still transparent, but only available with a glitter coating. It'south lined with a series of dots on the inside that prevents the water-splotch look of many earlier come across-through cases, only you lot may still find a rainbow-like refraction at certain angles. The buttons still click well through the case.
If yous want a case that's a petty more protective and can take less than total transparency, we as well like the "Nothin' to Hide" version of Smartish's Gripmunk. It's a version of our favorite bones example, just with a clear back. The main reason it's not our top pick in this category is that the textured sides look frosted, taking away from the totally clear effect.
Flaws but non dealbreakers: Nosotros've tested dozens of transparent cases over the past decade, and every single one of them turns xanthous over time. Many claim to take an anti-yellowing agent or some other method of preventing discoloration, but we've never seen one that doesn't look at least a little funky later on a few months of apply. Nosotros oasis't had this version of the Liquid Crystal long plenty that information technology's suffered the same fate, but nosotros expect that it will. The affordable price makes that a lot more than bearable.
A good example for workout and activity accessories: Quad Lock
Also bully
Why it'due south great: At a glance, the Quad Lock for iPhone SE (2nd generation), 8, or 7 and for iPhone 8 Plus or 7 Plus looks a lot similar our Smartish Gripmunk choice. The exterior of the Quad Lock example is made of a like thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) material, though in black only, with an internal layer of polycarbonate and a microfiber lining. The case only slightly dampens the tactility of your phone's buttons, and the port openings along the lesser edge are well tailored, offering enough room for yous to plug in most accessories without leaving unnecessary portions of the telephone'southward torso exposed.
What sets the Quad Lock apart is the 1.23-inch, circular mount point housed in an ever-so-slight bump on the dorsum of the case. Four extended lips form a twist-and-lock design that allows you to connect a slew of accessories; you only put the case on the accessory's mounting subclass and then twist a quarter of a turn to lock the case in place. The company offers a wide range of mounting and carrying options, including the Car Mountain, Sports Armband (our upgrade pick for the best armband), Chugalug Clip, Bike Mount (a staff favorite), Out Front bike mount, Wall Mount, Universal Adaptor, Habitation/Office Desk Mount, and Tripod Adaptor. Obviously, the Quad Lock arrangement makes the almost sense if you rely heavily on these kinds of accessories—if y'all're a bicyclist, for example, you might dear being able to mount your phone on your bicycle chop-chop and deeply without needing other bulky accessories.
Flaws merely non dealbreakers: For some people, the biggest downside to the Quad Lock case is that the thickness of the mountain point prevents wireless charging from working on some Qi chargers. For example, although several flat Qi chargers nosotros tested worked fine with the Quad Lock case, the case did not allow charging with the one stand-manner charger nosotros had on mitt. The company does sell its own wireless charger, however, which works with both its car and desk mounts and should resolve the problem.
A slight downside is that the mounting interface adds a bit of a hump to the dorsum of the example, and then the case doesn't sit quite apartment when you lay it on its back. But this is a small issue if the case'southward other features appeal to you lot.
Why you should trust me
I was the accessories editor at iLounge for a niggling over three years. During my tenure, I reviewed more than one,000 products, almost of which were cases. That number spans multiple generations of Apple tree devices, including every iPhone since the iPhone 4 and every iPad. I've probably handled more iPhone cases than nearly anyone on the planet, so I take a particularly experienced perspective and depth of knowledge when it comes to these things.
While making final selections, I also consulted with Jeremy Horwitz, who was editor in master of iLounge for 11 years and was later a correspondent and accessory reviewer for 9to5Mac. Horwitz is likely the only person who has tested more cases than I take, every bit far back as early iPods, and he knows this stuff inside and out.
How we picked
The truth is, a bad case is actually a pretty rare matter. Merely in looking for standout cases that would work well for near people, nosotros sought models that could adequately protect a telephone without adding unnecessary embellishments or besides much bulk. We based this approach in role on a reader survey in which 86 percent of respondents agreed that protection shouldn't come at the toll of the iPhone'south feel and aesthetic.
Apple's guidelines for case developers (PDF) espouse a similar philosophy: "A well-designed case will securely house a device while not interfering with the device's functioning." The guidelines also note requirements such as protection from a drop of ane meter, which parts of the phone the instance tin and cannot block, and even the size and shape of the diverse openings. However, although Apple's guidelines are more often than not smart, a manufacturer tin follow them perfectly but however produce a example that limits real-world usability, such equally past preventing the use of dock cradles (something that nigh a third of our survey respondents said was of import). And Apple'southward guidelines assume that yous're using Apple's cables—many third-party Lightning-to-USB cables have larger plugs.
A respectable degree of shock absorption is of import, as is a tight fit. The example should cover equally much of the iPhone'southward body equally possible, but information technology should also include a raised lip around the edge of the screen: As Apple's case guidelines explain, "Exposed glass on the device must not come within 0.85 mm of a apartment surface, such as a tabular array or flooring, in any orientation when the instance is attached." This lip helps prevent cracked screens—1 of the biggest worries with any smartphone—just information technology also helps to go on the display from getting scratched if you lot place the phone with the screen down. Nosotros used a 0.85-millimeter feeler estimate, per Apple's guidelines, to exam each case.
It's important that a instance non hinder normal use of the iPhone—using the telephone in the case shouldn't be whatsoever more difficult than using it when it's instance-free. In this respect, cases that encompass the iPhone'southward volume and Sleep/Wake buttons with protective overlays tend to exist improve than models with unproblematic cutouts for the buttons: Cutouts get out those buttons unprotected, and you accept to attain through the tiny openings to utilize the buttons. The best cases offer button protection with swell tactility, mimicking—or in some instances fifty-fifty enhancing—what you'd feel on a bare iPhone. We also prefer cases that guard the speaker and microphones rather than leaving them unprotected.
We dislike cases with a round opening to expose the Apple logo on the back of the phone. There'due south no need to leave part of your phone unprotected just to show off that logo, and we oasis't seen a case with such an opening that'south ameliorate than the good ones without it.
Finally, a case shouldn't reduce performance with whatsoever wireless signals: Wi-Fi, cellular, or NFC (nearly-field communication, necessary to utilise Apple Pay).
The competition
All-purpose cases
Spigen's Liquid Air Armor for iPhone and for Plus is a good alternate option for an everyday case. Considering it's a piddling thinner than the Smartish Gripmunk, it doesn't feel quite as protective, and instead of having textured sides, there's a raised pattern on the back. If the Gripmunk goes out of stock, or if you adopt the look of this case, information technology's a proficient option.
Apple's iPhone SE Silicone Instance and iPhone 8/vii Plus Silicone Case are the same size and shape as the iPhone maker'south leather versions, and they're less expensive, just they're still pricey compared with the competition. They don't have the machined metallic buttons, and their grippy finish is nice when you're property the instance only can make the case difficult to become into and out of a pants pocket, especially with tight jeans.
Wallet cases
JimmyCase'southward Wallet Case for iPhone and for Plus is more than expensive and bulkier than our wallet pick. The larger size is particularly noticeable on the Plus version. That said, we like the real-wood panel and the elastic, vi-card holder, so this example is worth considering if you're willing to spend a bit more than.
The body of Smartish'southward Wallet Slayer Vol. 2 for iPhone and for Plus is identical to that of the Wallet Slayer Vol. 1—the only deviation is the menu holder. On the Vol. ii, it'south made of a leather-like textile (Smartish calls it "executive stitched fabric") that stretches to fit the number of cards yous're carrying (it tin can handle up to three). The Vol. 2 wallet surface area leaves more of your credit cards exposed, making information technology clear to anyone who sees the case that it holds cards (or money). It's also nearly twice the price of the Vol. 1, yet information technology doesn't offer whatsoever true benefits other than aesthetics.
Sena'southward Lugano Wallet for iPhone and for Plus is an overly plush wallet case, owing in big part to being made with existent leather. Information technology holds credit cards in pockets on the back, leaving more of the cards exposed than we like. The Lugano only costs too much and feels too bulky.
More-protective cases
OtterBox's Defender Series for iPhone and for Plus is nonetheless the go-to case if you want to keep your telephone prophylactic from pretty much annihilation and everything—and are willing to put up with serious bulk to do so. We don't remember most people need the level of protection this flagship OtterBox instance offers, but some people clearly do (or at least think they practice), given the instance's popularity.
OtterBox's Symmetry Serial for iPhone and for Plus is a direct competitor to Speck'south Presidio line, but the Speck cases are smaller in every dimension and weigh less. Nosotros too prefer the screen lip on the Presidio, which isn't as bulky as the lip on the OtterBox cases.
Smartish'south Silk Armor for iPhone and for Plus is the company's take on an affordable, durable case. The price is peculiarly impressive because that the instance comes with 2 tempered-glass screen protectors. Everything about the example feels solid, but nosotros just don't dig its aesthetics. If you do, it's a smart purchase.
The Incipio Octane for iPhone and for Plus has a frosted-plastic back plate and a ridged, safe border. The case is really pretty squeamish. Even so, although Incipio says it can forestall impairment from 6-pes drops, we prefer something that combines rubber and plastic along the back for extra protection. The same goes for Incipio's Reprieve Sport for iPhone, which has a clear piece of plastic forth the dorsum and extended corners that may add actress drop protection just don't expect keen.
Urban Armor Gear's Monarch for iPhone Plus has a special place in our hearts for its military-inspired, leather-and-metal design, but the price makes it a luxury case that's only for people who want that specific look and are willing to pay for information technology.
Transparent cases
The pattern of Smartish'south PureView for iPhone and for Plus makes information technology much more difficult to install your telephone in comparison with the rest of the transparent cases we tested.
Bombardment cases
Mophie'south Juice Pack Air for iPhone is the next-best battery case to Apple's. The Mophie case has a college-capacity battery (2,525 mAh compared with 2,365 mAh), just in our testing it provided an most identical level of charge in just almost the aforementioned corporeality of time. Similar the Plus version we recommend to a higher place, this Juice Pack Air is loaded with features, but it prevents you from using wired headphones while it's on your phone, a restriction the Apple tree instance doesn't impose.
Waterproof cases
We've liked LifeProof cases in the past, but the screen comprehend on the Frē for iPhone 7 sits also far away from the phone's screen, and so you feel and hear it every time you tap.
Thin cases
Caudabe's The Veil XT for iPhone and for Plus is only nearly as thin as a case can get—information technology's for someone who wants to utilize a case without having their telephone feeling like they're using a case. Don't expect pregnant drop protection, though; this mode is mainly for preventing scratches. If that'south all you're looking for, The Veil is a great option. Other than the texture, you tin't really tell it's there.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-iphone-7-and-7-plus-cases/
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