The Best iPhone Case for iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, and 15 Pro Max

Also available for these iPhones:

• Smartish Gripmunk with MagSafe for iPhone 15 Plus
• Smartish Gripmunk with MagSafe for iPhone 15 Pro
• Smartish Gripmunk with MagSafe for iPhone 15 Pro Max

MagSafe compatible: Yes

Smartish’s Gripmunk has been our favorite basic iPhone case for nearly a decade, and it’s no surprise that case once again beat the competition when we tested it for the iPhone 15. The Gripmunk is a one-piece case made of soft, rubber-like plastic (TPU, or thermoplastic polyurethane), and provides more than adequate coverage and protection.

The Gripmunk case is a great basic phone case. It has enough give to make it easy to install on your phone but not so much that it will stretch out, and the case’s corners won’t randomly pop off. Its back is smooth, and the sides have a pebbly texture that, combined with three small grooves, provide a noticeable amount of grip. The Gripmunk case covers the iPhone’s buttons but doesn’t dampen the clickiness, even with the new Action button cover. The slightly raised edges around the camera lenses provide protection while allowing your iPhone to sit flat on a table. The soft microfiber interior lining adds a nice touch as well. And though we can’t vouch for exactly how protective the air pockets in the four corners are, we can personally attest to the case’s ability to withstand more than a few drops.

The majority of the case is TPU, save for the metal ring in a sheet of soft microfiber lining, which doesn’t add noticeable bulk. In our testing, the attachment system worked exactly as we expected for both mounting and charging. Smartish does offer a non-MagSafe version of the Gripmunk for those who don’t need MagSafe compatibility.

It’s affordable but doesn’t feel cheap. In addition to its superb designs, Smartish has always kept its prices low, and that’s one of the reasons we like its cases so much. Price isn’t our main consideration, but in comparing everything out there, we’ve rarely seen cases that offer better features at the same or similar prices; oftentimes, case makers charge even higher prices for less impressive models.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

The Gripmunk cases are plain. These cases don’t have a lot going on, but if the available color options are too bland for you, you can always select from one of Smartish's various prints. This includes their own prints, artist prints, and featured pet cases, and you can even create your own custom design, available for a premium through the company’s website.

Other good basic cases

The Caudabe Sheath is a good alternative for an everyday phone case but made of different materials from the Gripmunk. Instead of TPU, Caudabe uses a flexible polymer the company calls ShockLite. The case offers a textured feel, a microfiber lining, and nice clicky buttons. It also offers solid coverage around the screen and rear camera bump, and precise cutouts for the phone’s speakers and USB-C port. The design is minimalist, and the logo is almost nonexistent.

Caudabe’s case is one of the few we tested that gives you the option to cover the iPhone 15 Action button or leave it exposed. Some cases with an Action button cutout make the button harder to access, but Caudabe’s is wider and more concave, so it’s easier to press when you need to.

Also available for these iPhones:

• Mujjo Leather Case for iPhone 15 Plus
• Mujjo Leather Case for iPhone 15 Pro
• Mujjo Leather Case for iPhone 15 Pro Max

MagSafe compatible: Yes

Apple no longer makes a leather case for iPhones, but Mujjo’s leather case comes closest to the look and feel once offered by Apple. Mujjo’s case is made of high-quality leather and has a microfiber lining and clicky metal buttons. It also delivers solid all-around protection.

The Mujjo Leather Case matches Apple’s leather quality. It’s all leather, save for the buttons, interior, and camera bumper. Unlike many iPhone cases, Mujjo’s leather case has an aluminum camera bumper as opposed to rubber or plastic, which better protects the camera in case of tumbles. The vegetable-tanned leather has a soft finish that’s pleasing to the touch.

It’s a little pricey, especially if you have a more expensive iPhone. Mujjo’s leather case is $50 for the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus, but the price jumps to $60 for an iPhone 15 Pro or Pro Max case, unless you find it on sale.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

Leather can wear unevenly with time and heavy use. Similar to other full-leather cases, the Mujjo case will get worn and develop a patina over time, for good or bad. We plan to test it long-term to see how the leather holds up, but colorful leather can become discolored and scuffed, and a MagSafe charging puck can leave an imprint.

Other good leather cases

After the Mujjo Leather Case, Nomad’s Modern Leather Case is the next-best option. It’s not all leather, but rather rubber with a leather panel on the back. We prefer Mujjo’s all-leather design, but Nomad’s case develops an elegant patina with use, which gives your case a more rustic look. It also includes MagSafe support.

Due to its rubber-and-leather design, Nomad’s case can take a little more wear and tear over time. Its TPU bumpers help provide a better grip and can better protect your phone’s corners from accidents or drops over leather.

Also available for these iPhones:

• Smartish Wallet Slayer Vol. 1 for iPhone 15 Plus
• Smartish Wallet Slayer Vol. 1 for iPhone 15 Pro
• Smartish Wallet Slayer Vol. 1 for iPhone 15 Pro Max

MagSafe compatible: No

While you can use your phone to pay for just about anything these days, there are still a few types of cards, including IDs, that most people have to carry. Apple Wallet only supports a handful of state ID cards, so if you need to carry a physical ID and a credit card in case of emergencies, Smartish’s Wallet Slayer Vol. 1 for iPhone 15 is the best option for keeping them close at hand.

The case consists of soft, rubbery TPU all around, with a flat texture on the back and grippier sides, as well as the air pockets in the corners. The raised back adds about 0.15 inch and makes the whole case just a little over half an inch thick. A credit-card-height slot sits along the right, and a smaller hole on the left lets you push the cards out. Hidden underneath is a clever bump that provides enough tension to secure your cards, whether you pack in one, two, or three.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

If you don’t need to carry cards, you’ll need to switch cases. If you choose the Wallet Slayer Vol. 1, note that you can’t leave the wallet part behind—even when you’re not carrying cards in the case, you have to deal with its extra thickness.

Also available for these iPhones:

• Smartish Gripzilla with MagSafe for iPhone 15 Plus
• Smartish Gripzilla with MagSafe for iPhone 15 Pro
• Smartish Gripzilla with MagSafe for iPhone 15 Pro Max

MagSafe compatible: Yes

There was a time when you had to pay $50 or more to be sure you got a case that would take a licking and keep on kicking, with OtterBox leading the charge early on and defining the category. Smartish’s Gripzilla for iPhone 15 costs much less than that, and though we wouldn’t throw it down the stairs just to prove a point, we also wouldn’t be too worried about the phone inside if we were to do that.

It’s basically the Smartish Gripmunk but slightly thicker. Though it’s only about 0.02 inch thicker—enough that the raised border around the camera is pretty minimal—the iPhone 15 version of the Gripzilla is about 0.1 inch taller and wider than the basic Gripmunk case, with added air pocket corners that offer even greater shock absorption. The Gripzilla also offers more deeply recessed finger ridges on either side to create an especially secure grip. These things make us confident that you’ll be less likely to drop your phone while using this case, and that if you do, it will still be in good shape.

MagSafe support is built right in as a standard feature, unlike on the Gripmunk. For complete protection, be sure to add one of the screen protectors we recommend; this can save the front glass from scratches and cracks.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

The new, larger corners give it a little more bulk, which tends to be the trade-off with a protective case. The difference is really noticeable only when you’re holding a Gripmunk in one hand and a Gripzilla in the other. Otherwise, the Gripzilla—even the iPhone 15 Pro Max variant—doesn’t feel too huge.

Also available for these iPhones:

• Spigen Ultra Hybrid MagFit for iPhone 15 Plus
• Spigen Ultra Hybrid MagFit for iPhone 15 Pro
• Spigen Ultra Hybrid MagFit for iPhone 15 Pro Max

MagSafe compatible: Yes

After receiving reports that our previous iPhone clear case pick turned yellow too fast, we’ve upgraded a previously other good case to our top pick and plan to test a few options over the next several months to see if any clear case can stay clear. The Spigen Ultra Hybrid MagFit gives you optimal protection with TPU borders and a frosted yet transparent hard-plastic back, along with strong MagSafe magnets and easily accessible buttons, including the Action button on the Pro models. Its raised camera bump and edges around the corners offer solid protection in a sleek profile.

Spigen offers a few different versions of its clear case. The Ultra Hybrid S is exactly the same as our pick but adds a built-in kickstand for viewing content; the standard Ultra Hybrid lacks MagSafe magnets; and the Zero One version offers a transparent case that shows off the internal blueprints on the rear of your iPhone.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

Despite any number of claims of “anti-yellowing technology” we’ve seen from companies over the years, we’ve never encountered a clear case that hasn’t become a little grimy looking after a few months of testing. The effect is generally pretty gradual, and you may not notice the change for a while (or until you put your case next to a newer clear protector). We expect this one to do so as well, so keep that in mind before picking one up.

Also available for these iPhones:

• Caudabe Veil iPhone 15 Plus
• Caudabe Veil iPhone 15 Pro
• Caudabe Veil iPhone 15 Pro Max

MagSafe compatible: No

Ultrathin cases aren’t for everybody, and if you expect anything more than scratch protection, they shouldn’t be your first choice. But if you’re seeking the thinnest case you can slap on your phone, we recommend Caudabe’s Veil. It’s nearly identical to the other thin cases we’ve tested, but it usually costs at least $10 less.

A superthin case can add grip to a glass iPhone. All of the cases in this category are essentially the same superthin piece of plastic, molded to wrap around a phone while adding next to no bulk. These cases (including the Veil) don’t have any sort of soft materials or air pockets for absorbing shocks, and they lack button coverage. They’re better suited for adding some grip and preventing scratches on the iPhone’s rear glass than for preventing breaks.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

A superthin case doesn’t offer any protection. Like every other superthin case, the Veil won’t do much to prevent your phone from breaking if you drop it. Choose it only if you’re comfortable with that compromise. The color options are also more limited than we’d like.

Other good protective cases

The Caudabe Synthesis case is a rugged, shock-absorbing polymer-based case that’s still slim. It offers thin and subtle yet sturdy protection with extra attention to coverage of the camera lens, buttons, and ports. It even has a small dot-matrix design on the sides that acts as a subtle grip. The Synthesis isn’t super expensive, but at $40, it’s not quite on the budget side, either.

The polymer-based case can be a little stiff to remove and apply without feeling like you’re going to break it. The good news is that so far we have not.

Also available for these iPhones:

• Peak Design Everyday Case for iPhone 15 Plus
• Peak Design Everyday Case for iPhone 15 Pro
• Peak Design Everyday Case for iPhone 15 Pro Max

MagSafe compatible: Yes

Peak Design’s Everyday Case is a top option whether you know you want to swap accessories on the fly or you think you might want to—or even if you’re not concerned about accessories at all. This is a great case in its own right, and it happens to have special features that set it apart.

The Everyday Case has a stylish design, with a polycarbonate body covered in a dark gray nylon both inside and out. Its TPU border has small ridges along the inner edge that should help absorb damage from drops. Packed into the rear panel are the features that differentiate this case from the rest: There’s a hidden MagSafe-compatible magnet, which worked as expected with all the MagSafe accessories we tested. The panel also has a 0.8-inch-square cutout which is slightly recessed into the case, and that serves as a mounting point, securely gripping accessories that clip in place. Despite that dual-attachment setup, the Everyday Case isn’t noticeably thicker than even our basic case pick.

The MagSafe accessories make this case worthwhile. Peak sells a number of accessories that take advantage of both the clip system and the MagSafe magnets, including mounts for your car, motorcycle, and bike, as well as a tripod mounting system and wallet. The connection is strong enough that we have zero concerns about anything unintentionally falling out of place.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

We don’t say this often, but there aren’t any flaws. This is a great case that performs well in every way we evaluate cases. If you don’t think you’ll take advantage of the modular accessory system, it may not be worth the higher price. But even if you’re only a “maybe” on the accessories, it’s not too expensive to pick up; it stands on its own as a strong option.

Staff writer Roderick Scott has been reviewing consumer tech and accessories since 2010. Roderick has been using iPhone cases going back to the iPhone 4s all the way through the present models. For this guide, we tested dozens of cases from many different companies and narrowed the group down to the 14 picks discussed here.

Previous versions of this guide were written by Nick Guy, Wirecutter’s case reviewer since 2014. Nick reviewed around 2,000 iPhone cases across multiple generations of Apple devices, including every iPhone since the iPhone 4 and every iPad.

When we’re choosing the best iPhone cases, we consider a huge number of factors for such a seemingly simple item. These factors include objective measures, like physical dimensions and the level of protection, as well as subjective assessments, including look and feel.

Wirecutter has been testing cases for many years and has had some consistent picks across multiple iPhone generations. But no case automatically becomes a pick just because past versions of it have been a pick. With the iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, and 15 Pro Max in hand, we put all new cases on the phones to see how well they fit and functioned.

Although we have a variety of recommendations across various styles, we consider all of the following criteria when making our picks:

• Drop protection: We seek cases that can adequately protect a phone without adding unnecessary embellishments or too much bulk. We don’t conduct drop tests, but we do look for cases that are obviously capable of withstanding some impact. (Even using a heavy-duty case isn’t a guarantee that your phone will survive every scenario intact—for example, a direct hit to the screen will still do damage.) Superthin cases are the obvious exception here; they purposely compromise some drop protection in favor of a thinner profile.
• Full coverage: As a general rule, the more of the phone that a case protects, the better; we prefer cases that protect everything but the phone’s screen. The best cases provide button protection with tactility that mimics—or in some instances even enhances—the way the buttons feel on a bare iPhone. We also like cases that don’t leave the top or bottom edge of the phone exposed, though such exposure isn’t necessarily a dealbreaker. However, we do not consider cases with a circular opening to expose the Apple logo on the phone’s back; they offer less overall protection, and the opening provides no real benefit.
• Raised front lip and camera ring: A lip around the edges of a phone’s display helps prevent a cracked screen—one of the biggest worries with any smartphone. It also helps to prevent the screen from getting scratched if you place the phone with the screen side down. To test each case we use a 0.85-millimeter feeler gauge, per Apple’s case guidelines. Additionally, the iPhone 15 models have especially pronounced camera bumps, and to protect them, the case material needs to rise higher than them.
• MagSafe: Apple’s MagSafe system is a bit complicated, since it encompasses magnetic wireless chargers and accessories, as well as cases with a magnetic ring built in to support them. A case without the magnetic ring may still support charging with a MagSafe charger, as long as it’s thin enough, but it likely won’t work with a car mount or wallet. Although lack of MagSafe support isn’t an absolute dealbreaker, we’re seeing enough great cases with MagSafe priced similarly to those without, so we generally prefer them.
• No interference with wireless signals or other functionality: A case shouldn’t reduce performance with any wireless signals—Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular, NFC (near-field communication, which is necessary to use Apple Pay), or Qi wireless charging. In our tests, we verify that each feature works with the case on. Although wallet cases may properly support wireless charging, you shouldn’t expect them to, and if you need wireless charging, we recommend that you look at a folio instead. Additionally, the case shouldn’t prevent you from using any gestures.
• Broad aesthetic appeal: Although you can find a case suitable for any aesthetic preference, we look for cases that have simple, even elegant, designs—ones that are likely to appeal to most people, versus models that adhere to specific aesthetic choices.

Basic case

Apple’s Silicone Case with MagSafe costs more than twice as much as the Smartish Gripmunk, and we’ve found past versions to be magnets for dust and lint. The colors are great though.

Apple introduced the FineWoven Case for the iPhone 15, made of a suede-like microtwill, which is meant to be an eco-friendly option to replace its popular leather case. Unfortunately, we can’t recommend this case because the material scratches easily and already looks worn after testing it briefly.

Caseology’s Nano Pop Mag could have been a contender with its pop of color and grips on the side, but the silicone rear is still a little slippery. That’s likely to be a dealbreaker for some but not a big deal for others.

Nomad's Sport Case has an elegant design but a glossy finish that’s more slippery than we’d like.

The OtterBox OtterGrip is a part of its Symmetry Series lineup of cases, which are slim with a good feel, offer adequate protection, and add a useful pop-out grip. Unfortunately, early buyers have reported that the OtterGrip component breaks off or stretches out after only a few short weeks.

Spigen’s Thin Fit case is made primarily of hard plastic, with a TPU border to provide some flexibility for installation and removal. The matte back shows grease from fingers, and there’s no MagSafe support, but it otherwise works well.

Spigen’s Liquid Air is an extremely basic TPU case without any distinguishing features to make it worth your money. There’s nothing wrong with what it does deliver, but that list of accomplishments is too short to deserve credit.

Zagg’s Manhattan Snap and Luxe Snap are fine silicone-based cases with sufficient coverage but not much grip.

Battery case

The Mophie Juice Pack battery case has a soft touch finish and protects your iPhone at all corners, but don’t expect a 100% charge unless your iPhone's battery is over 60%, at which point the Juice Pack case will need to be charged again. You're better off with our case pick combined with a larger MagSafe power bank which can fully charge your iPhone multiple times.

Leather case

Bellroy’s Phone Case is made of eco-tanned leather that’s just as nice as the cases from Apple or Mujjo. It also offers MagSafe support and a microfiber interior. However, its metal buttons aren’t as clicky, and the Action button cutout on the Pro models isn’t as accessible as that on our pick.

Moft’s Snap Case Movas is a vegan leather option with a microfiber interior and additional lanyard support. Its metal buttons are solid and it handles scratches better than most leather cases. The leather doesn’t feel as nice as that offered by Mujjo though.

Wallet case

Apple makes a MagSafe wallet that attaches to the back of any MagSafe-compatible iPhone case, but its new FineWoven MagSafe wallet has the same durability issues as its phone case.

Bellroy's Phone Case – 3 card is a pricier wallet version of its leather case with an added magnetic clasp to keep your cards enclosed. Unfortunately, there’s no effective way to remove the cards outside of the top one.

The Moft Snap Phone Stand & Wallet has a strong magnet and an attractive $30 price tag. The stand worked well, but the wallet holds only two cards, and they’re difficult to put in and remove.

Mujjo’s Full Leather Wallet Case is made entirely of leather, and the card pocket stitched onto the back can fit two cards comfortably. Adding an extra card will make it difficult to remove them, at least at first. But because this case is leather, we’re concerned that the wallet portion will wear out over time.

The Smartish Wallet Slayer Vol. 2 is a slimmer version of our pick, which works well as a case but not so much for a wallet case. The Wallet Slayer Vol. 1 can accommodate up to three cards.

More-protective case

Casetify’s Ultra Bounce Case might offer the most protection on a case. It has thicker borders, integrated camera lens covering, hardshell backplate, thick bumpers for corner drop protection, and can be customized. But it’s extremely expensive, and our protective case picks cost less than half its price.

Mujjo’s durable Shield Case resembles a thicker version of Nomad’s Modern Leather Case, with a plastic body and rear leather panel. It’s thicker than our picks, but some people may not mind.

The Nomad Rugged Case gives you solid protection with thick—but not too thick—bumper support. But we wish it had a less slippery exterior—this drawback kept the case from being a pick.

The Nomad x Peak Design Rugged Case combines a superb accessory-friendly configuration and a rugged case that utilizes Peak Design’s mount to work with its accessories. But it has a slippery rear surface and is only available for the Pro models.

The OtterBox Defender XT offers maximum protection, but it’s bulky and expensive.

Speck’s Presidio2 Pro relies on air cushions around the edges, rather than previous editions’ rubber-and-plastic layering, to help protect against drops. But it’s very hard to justify paying the full retail price of this case when you can pay less than half that for similar protection from Smartish’s Gripzilla. If you dig the general design, we recommend choosing the Presidio2 Grip MagSafe instead, since it adds extra grip and MagSafe support.

The Torras Upro Ostand and Pstand cases promise military-grade drop protection with kickstands while maintaining slim profiles. Both kickstands hold up well and are reasonably priced, but our protective case picks offer better value.

Clear case

Apple’s clear case is a solid option but doesn’t offer much grip and leaves the entire port and speaker section exposed.

The CaseMate Ultra Tough is a thicker-than-most clear case option with added coverage on the corners and acts as better bumper protection against drops. It’s not ideal if you prefer a slimmer profile for a clear case.

Clckr’s G-Form Clear Case is a fine clear case option with a hardshell rear, plastic borders, and drop protection for up to 13 feet. Like Apple’s clear case, it’s slippery and doesn’t offer much of a grip.

The ESR Hybrid Case with Stand isn’t as slippery as Apple’s comparable case, but the built-in kickstand doesn’t feel sturdy enough to hold up over time.

Our former pick, the Smartish Gripmunk Nothin’ to Hide with MagSafe, got demoted after it turned yellow really fast.

The Moft Snap Case offers solid protection and a strong MagSafe Magnet, but it feels stiff, almost like it will break each time the case is removed.

Speck makes several clear cases, including the Presidio Perfect-Clear, Presidio Perfect-Clear MagSafe, GemShell Grip, and Presidio Perfect-Clear Grip MagSafe. If you’re considering any of them, we’d recommend the Grip versions. The non-Grip versions are totally acceptable but expensive for what they are. The Grip versions, with plastic grips raised along the edges and inverted on the back, offer a different look and feel than any other clear case.

The UAG Plyo is another protective clear option with a thicker profile, corner, and camera protection, but the larger, colorful MagSafe magnet ring design is polarizing.

Zagg’s new Ultra Slim Crystal Palace Snap and Crystal Palace Snap with a Kickstand offer a tough shell and ideal protection, but we prefer our pick because it offers the same amount of protection for less money.

This article was edited by Caitlin McGarry and Arthur Gies.