The Best iPhone 13 Cases and Accessories 

I've tested a lot of cases over the years, and every now and then a new one comes across my desk that just feels great. Caudabe's Sheath takes that badge. The flexible polymer case has a micro-etched matte texture that almost feels like canvas; it's grippy and very thin. The buttons are all easy to press, and there's MagSafe embedded inside. However, in the first model I tested, there was a very small bump on the center-right side of the case. Caudabe says it was a defect, and the following three cases I tried have been blemish-free. Just keep an eye on this if you snag it.

It's cheap and slim, has MagSafe, and isn't awful to look at (if a little nondescript). If you want to pay as little as possible for a case, Spigen's your best bet. The buttons are responsive, all four edges are covered, and it's very easy to access the mute switch. The front edges around the screen are raised too, but only a little. 

These are a handful of cases we like that are made out of recycled or plant-based materials and keep the environment top of mind. 

Pivet Zero+ With MagSafe for $35: This MagSafe case from Pivet comes with a lanyard so you can dangle your phone from your wrist. The buttons are very clicky, and there's good protection around the edges, but the edges around the screen are barely raised, so there's a good chance your screen might get scuffed up when it hits the ground. The case is made from 100 percent recycled plastics (and is recyclable), and Pivet's Self-Cycle tech means it will degrade in landfill environments significantly faster than traditional plastics (though it may still take some time). For every Ocean Blue case sold, Pivet donates a portion of its proceeds to The Ocean Agency to help it promote ocean conservation as a part of the United Nations Ocean Decade project.  

Nimble Spotlight Case for $25: This is one of the most attractive eco-friendly cases I've ever used. It's made from 72 percent recycled plastic from various sources (thermoplastic urethane, silicone, and old plastic phone cases), which is reflected in its geometric design. The speckled part is very grippy and keeps the phone from vibrating off a desk. The packaging has zero plastic, and Nimble provides a free shipping label in the box so you can send in any plastic case you have lying around to be recycled. You'll get 15 percent off your next purchase if you do. Sadly, there's no MagSafe support.

OtterBox Core Series Case With MagSafe for $50: I like the rubbery and speckled feel of this slightly see-through case. There's MagSafe support, the buttons are responsive, and it looks great, though the edges aren't raised much. Despite the texture, it's quite slippery. The good news is that it's made of 50 percent recycled materials.

If you want the prettiest, cutest, or most unusual case, look no further than Sonix. The sheer number of styles it offers for its MagSafe cases is mind-boggling—there's even a glow-in-the-dark model! The buttons are great, and you get a raised bumper on the front edges. Sonix says some of these cases are biodegradable and made with eco-friendly thermoplastic elastomer materials, allowing them to break down over three to five years. If you have an old Sonix case, you can use the company's ReSonix program and donate your case to a nonprofit like Goodwill to get 30 percent off your next case purchase. The packaging is made with recycled paper.

★ Other Pretty Cases: Casetify matches Sonix in the variety of designs you can find. Seriously, the options are endless. I prefer its MagSafe Impact cases ($75), which have a really nice speckled design around the edges. It's just a shame they're so expensive. These cases are made of 65 percent recycled and plant-based materials.

Most wallet cases can barely fit more than two cards. The Twelve South BookBook breaks the mold—it's pretty much my perfect wallet case. It's two separate pieces. There's the MagSafe full-grain leather case with a rigid and slightly raised bumper around the edges (plus clicky buttons), and this snaps onto the folio wallet. The connection is strong, and on the left side of the wallet, there's a transparent slot for your ID and three regular slots that can fit around three to four cards. There's a pouch to hold cash, but it's long enough to also hold my vaccination card (I checked!). You can prop up your phone with the folio wallet in landscape mode, and when you need to recharge your phone wirelessly—or don't need the wallet—just pull the phone off. It's amazingly convenient. Oh, and did I mention it looks like a book?!

Totallee has made a name for itself as the go-to option for anyone who hates cases but wants some kind of protection. Its cases are so thin you can't seriously expect them to protect your iPhone from a drop, but they'll take care of everyday scratches and scuffs. The company sells three versions: an ultra-thin plastic case, a soft-touch case, and a soft-touch MagSafe case. The plastic case is thin enough that accessories will still magnetically stick, and it even comes in green to match the new colors for the iPhone 13 range. 

But if you want some protection, go with the clear Hybrid MagSafe case. The rigid black bumper protects the phone's frame, the edges around the screen and camera module are raised, and the buttons aren't mushy to press. It does all that while remaining pretty thin.  

Apple says its iPhones are protected by its strongest glass ever, dubbed Ceramic Shield. Yay! But … glass is still glass. A big or small fall is enough to crack it, and I've already noticed a few scratches. These WIRED-tested screen protectors were the easiest to apply. 

Smartish Tuff Sheet 2-Pack for $10: Smartish makes the installation process dead simple. Clean the screen with the included wet wipe, dry it with the microfiber cloth, and use the stickers to remove any lingering dust. Then place the alignment tool over your iPhone, remove the backing from the tempered glass protector, and plop it in place! I had a perfect alignment in seconds. You even get a spare.

Spigen Glas.tR EZ Fit 2-Pack for $16: Awful name aside, you get two screen protectors here, and after you follow the instructions to clean the screen with the included wet wipe, dust-removing stickers, and microfiber cloth, you'll need to place a large plastic alignment case over your iPhone and then peel the protector's backing off. The only thing I don't like? The amount of plastic used here for the two alignment tools feels a bit wasteful. This protector is also available for the iPhone 13 Mini and the iPhone 13 Pro Max.

Nomad Screen Protector for $25: Nomad's process is almost identical to the Smartish above, and installation took a matter of seconds. You only get one protector though, and it's pricier. Just make sure to press down from the middle and push out to eliminate as many air bubbles as possible. 

This OtterBox case checks all the boxes. It's made of 50 percent recycled plastic, covers all the edges well, has easy-to-use buttons, and feels sturdy. Oh, and there's MagSafe support too. The raised front edges keep the screen off the ground, and it maintains a relatively thin profile. OtterBox says the exterior has an antimicrobial finish to keep bacteria at bay, but there's scant evidence that this actually helps, and it's certainly no substitute for washing your hands. 

I have a bad habit of biting my nails, so it's nearly impossible for me to access the mute switch on the iPhone when it's in a case. The Vibe case from Catalyst smartly solves this by letting you control the switch with a knob that rotates. It's far more satisfying to use. The case has a ring of magnets for MagSafe compatibility and a nice grippy texture, and it doesn't add much heft. The edges around the screen are decently raised to keep it off of surfaces, and there are four spots where you can attach a lanyard for additional security. 

I like Nomad's leather cases the most. Not only is the material from the esteemed Chicago-based Horween Leather Company, but it's also fused with a thermoplastic elastomer bumper for better shock-absorbing protection. Better yet, Nomad embedded magnets so this works with all MagSafe accessories, and there's a spot to attach a wrist strap. 

★ Slimmer Leather Cases: You probably don't want to spend $70 on a case. Then get Mujjo's case ($45) instead. It's slimmer and the leather is equally luxurious (and covers the entire phone, with no polycarbonate whatsoever). Too bad there's no MagSafe support. 

Oakywood's wooden MagSafe cases come in either cherry or walnut, with wood from sustainable sources. It feels really nice! The buttons are relatively easy to press, and the polycarbonate bumper around the edges adds an extra layer of protection. I like that the company plants a tree for every product sold. 

If you have an iPhone, you may have other Apple-made products, like AirPods or the Apple Watch. If so, consider one system to charge them all. I like this one from Belkin. It's completely MagSafe-compatible, so your iPhone 13 can hook up magnetically and will look like it's floating. The Apple Watch attaches to its charger magnetically, and there's a spot for the AirPods case on the base. The minimal design hides most of the charger and elevates the gear more than any other 3-in-1 I've used, making for a very elegant system. It's one of the only third-party chargers that supports a 15-watt output for the iPhone 13 range and fast-charging support for the Apple Watch, so your devices will recharge as quickly as wirelessly possible. 

Belkin also has an elongated pad that adds MagSafe charging for the AirPods (if you have the newer AirPods 3rd Gen or AirPods Pro (with the MagSafe case). That just means your earbuds case will stay securely in one place while charging. It takes up a whole lot more room than the stand, and the screen isn't propped up, but maybe that's your jam. 

★ Also Great: Satechi's 3-in-1 Magnetic Wireless Charging Stand ($120) is slightly cheaper; it's also more compact and doesn't take up much room on a desk. You can squeeze in your wireless charging earbuds case in front of the magnetic Apple Watch dock and charge both, and the iPhone 13 can float on the stand nearby in portrait or landscape orientation. It won't charge as quickly as Belkin's system, but it does the job.