The Best iPhone 16 Cases and Accessories

Spigen's Ultra Hybrid MagFit series has several designs, ranging from a clear case to one that mimics a transparent back, highlighting the phone's internals. The edges are grippy, the buttons are responsive, and the Camera Control experience is similar to Caudabe’s, with a roomy cutout that slopes in for comfort. Best of all, the case maintains symmetry, because you can't see this cutout face-on. The MagSafe connection is great, and the edges around the screen are raised. Hardly any faults here, especially at this price.

I also like Spigen's Enzo Aramid ($40) and Thin Fit ($22) cases if you're looking for other affordable alternatives. The former is available only for the Pro models, and while it's a bit slippery it has a durable aramid and thermoplastic polyurethane shell for improved durability. The Thin Fit checks off all the boxes but is a bit boring.

You bought an ultramarine iPhone 16 and want to show it off. So get Spigen's Ultra Hybrid T MagFit. The front and back are protected by stickers you peel off before installation, so you can ensure the inside is as smudge- and dust-free as possible. It's one of the rare third-party cases with a completely covered button for the Camera Control, much like Apple's official cases. It works perfectly, and the rest of the case is excellent, with raised edges around the display and cameras, clicky buttons, and even a lanyard strap. The downside is it's only available for the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max, but the company expects to make it available for the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus soon.

I also really like Totallee's MagSafe Clear Case ($39). It's very slim—slimmer than Spigen's case—and unlike Apple's official clear case, the phone's bottom edge is protected. It has a roomy cutout for Camera Control, but I prefer Spigen's button implementation. Totallee has a version that doesn't have MagSafe if you want a true clear case, but it makes the phone's magnetic connection weak.

Sometimes, a screen protector can do more than a case. Seriously! If there's a crack, pop it off and apply another one. While testing, I focused on screen protectors that were the easiest to install because that's most important. If it's hard, it's a waste of cash.

Smartish Tuff Sheet Tempered Glass Screen Protector for $23: This is, in my opinion, the easiest screen protector to apply with very little room for error. It gave me the most precise installation. After you clean your device with the included cleaning tools, put the applicator tool on top of the phone and pull the tab at the bottom. That's it! Now just press down on the middle and you're good to go. You can squeeze out any air bubbles with the microfiber cloth. The tempered glass is thick but doesn't feel sharp on the edges.

Spigen GlasTR EZ Fit Tempered Glass Screen Protector for $19: Spigen's application tool makes it super easy to install a screen protector. You also get two in the box. Clean your phone with the included alcohol wipes, microfiber cloth, and dust stickers, and then remove the cover from the protector and place the tool on top of the phone. Press down and that's it! You even get a fancy squeegee tool to push the air bubbles out.

Gadget Guard Glass 4-Way Privacy Screen Protector for $50: The application process was simple, with little room for error on this tempered glass protector. It's infused with blue-light filtering properties, but I did not notice a significant difference in quality over an iPhone without this protector installed. You only get one protector.

BodyGuardz Apex Ceramic Glass Screen Protector for $60: Now you start to get into the pricier, fancier range of screen protectors. BodyGuardz says this one is made with ceramic glass for improved strength. I can't vouch for that claim, but it feels very nice on the fingers. You get all the usual cleaning supplies, and it's easy to apply with the included tool. You only get one, and it's one of the thicker protectors, but this didn't impact the edges of the screen. If you register your product, you can get free replacements within the first two years after you buy your first protector (you have to pay for shipping). I tested the clear version, but BodyGuardz has options to add blue-light filtering or a privacy screen.

Nomad Screen Protector for $30: Nomad's protector is available only for the Pro models, but the application was near perfect with its included tool (though quite a bit of plastic waste). The air bubbles were minimal and the remaining ones were easy to push out. You get an alcohol wipe, microfiber, dust removal sticker, and only one protector in the box. It's made from aluminosilicate glass, which Nomad claims is 2.5 times stronger than traditional tempered glass; it's decently thick.

Beats made a better iPhone case than Apple. (Apple owns Beats.) If you want something official, I think this case is the way to go, and it's one of the few cases in this guide that completely covers the Camera Control button (there's no cutout). Instead, like on Apple's official cases, you can replicate the functionality on the case itself and it works flawlessly. It has clicky buttons, raised edges around the display and cameras, and comes in nice colors. It's a clean design with a simple polycarbonate back and a soft microfiber lining on the inside.

Moment is famous for its mobile lenses that can be affixed to the back of the iPhone, allowing people to up their mobile photography game. But to do this, you need to use the company's case. Moment's case is elegant, and while the back is a little too smooth and slippery for my taste, the bumper offers a solid grip. There's a spacious cutout for Camera Control and super clicky buttons. On the back you'll see this case now includes the “drop-in lens mount,” which used to be sold separately. This lets you quickly twist in the excellent T-series lenses that Moment debuted in 2023. I've enjoyed using Moment's mobile camera system for years, but this is officially the best implementation because you can now seamlessly attach various filters in seconds. These QuickLock Filters include a variable neutral density filter, which lets you limit the amount of light that reaches the iPhone's sensors, giving you more control over your photo or video's exposure; a little ring lets you control the strength of the filter and it's easily accessible while holding the iPhone in landscape orientation. There's also the CineBloom QuickLock Filter that makes your content look dreamlike and soft, and the AntiGlare CPL QuickLock Filter, which lets you shoot through glass without dealing with weird reflections. Filters for smartphones aren't new, but this system is so easy to attach and detach that now I wouldn't mind bringing these filters wherever I go. The only downside? You can't use them with Moment's lenses—you can only attach one or the other.

Peak Design's Everyday Case has been my go-to for a long time because the company's SlimLink system one-ups MagSafe by making the magnetic connection even more secure. If you pair it with one of Peak Design's mounts, like the Universal Bar Mount, you can easily affix it to any bike or scooter and don't have to worry about your phone flying off when you go over a pothole. When you're ready to take it off, push a button on the top or bottom of the mount and it will release the phone. The case still works just fine with every other MagSafe accessory too.

Outside of the added security, the case is quite nice. The buttons are clicky, there's a spot to attach a lanyard, and the Camera Control button has a roomy cutout that slopes in. You can get the case in multiple colors, but the new bone color is calling my name.

You shouldn't have to pay a ridiculous sum of money for fun, quirky cases. Velvet Caviar's cases are reasonably priced and there are more than 100 designs to choose from (I counted!). My favorites are the Emerald Marble case and the Ghosted Cowboys. The buttons are responsive, and the MagSafe connection is strong, but what most impressed me is how raised the edges are around the display. Even with a screen protector installed, it's quite high above the screen! I didn't find this to impact the iPhone's gesture navigation though.

These designs extend to the company's MagSafe accessories. You can get a 5,000-mAh MagSafe battery in the same design as the case, its MagSafe Wallet, or a phone grip ring.

Are phone grips still in vogue? If you like these handy gadgets that help keep the ever-enlarging iPhone firmly in your palm, then I think OhSnap!'s Snap 4 Grip series is among the best I've tested (and I've used a lot!). I tried the Snap 4 Grip Colors, which seems to be identical to the Snap 4 Grip Luxe, but there are cases with identical colors for perfect pairing. The case is solid, with clicky buttons, a slim profile, protection for the cameras, and a large cutout for the Camera Control button, but the grip is more interesting.

You can use the aluminum grip with any MagSafe phone case, and it comes with an adhesive if you're using a non-MagSafe case. The Snap 4 Grip magnetically sticks to the back of the iPhone (case or not), and other MagSafe accessories can also stick to the back of the Grip, like a MagSafe power bank or a MagSafe wallet. It can passthrough charge, though the phone tends to get very warm, and the magnet is strong enough that the grip and any accessory attached to it doesn't come off too easily. When it's on there, you can pull out the centerpiece and slip your fingers under it for a better grip on your iPhone. (Warning: You might find yourself spinning your phone in your hands when bored.) Best of all, it doubles as a kickstand, though only in landscape orientation.

It's a well-made grip with strong magnets, and it's something you can actually leave on all the time, unlike many grips I've inevitably taken off for one reason or another and, eventually, misplaced.

I love this glittery design, but it's best paired with one of the new colorful iPhone 16 or iPhone 16 Plus models. The vivid colors of Apple's latest phones really pop in this case and the glitter makes it all shine even more. (It even cleverly hides the MagSafe magnets.) There's a roomy cutout for Camera Control, the edges around the screen and cameras are raised, and the buttons are clicky. The case is made from recycled materials. My only minor quibble is the Case-Mate branding on the bottom, but you might not care.

OtterBox's Defender series cases have long been some of the most protective cases I've tested. The Defender Series Pro XT offers more design options so you don't have to sacrifice looks for functionality (more styles available directly from OtterBox). I don't love the way OtterBox handled the Camera Control button on many of its cases—it looks like someone took a bite out of the case—but there's plenty of room to access and use it. It has a double-layer design with a polycarbonate frame on top and a thermoplastic elastomer around it. It's grippy, and the buttons are pretty responsive, and while it is thick, it's not unreasonably bulky. MagSafe and wireless charging work just fine, and even the USB-C port is covered.

You can also save some cash and get a very similar level of protection by going with OtterBox's Defender Pro Series ($65) or even the Commuter Series ($45), which still covers up the charging port.

Constantly needing to prop your iPhone up? This is one of the better kickstand cases out there. It's a little slippery, but it has raised edges around the screen, clicky buttons, and a spacious groove for Camera Control. On the back, you can pull out a kickstand that can rotate 360 degrees, allowing you to prop your device up in any orientation and at various angles. It's a slim case overall, which is not common, as a lot of kickstand cases tend to be bulky. To use MagSafe accessories, you'll have to put the kickstand flat on the back, otherwise the magnetic connection is too weak. There's a slightly different version of this case I haven't tried, but it's available for the iPhone 16 Plus.

I also want to highlight two other kickstand cases: the UAG Plasma XTE ($70), which has a nearly identical kickstand implementation as Torras. It's a bulkier case that's more protective, if that's what you're looking for. And then there's the ESR Hybrid Case With Stash Stand ($27), which cleverly puts the kickstand in the housing around the camera module. That means you can continue using MagSafe accessories with the kickstand propped open. The downside is it works best in landscape orientation. You can prop it up in portrait, but only at a very low angle.

Competition has been fierce in the world of leather iPhone cases ever since Apple officially moved away from manufacturing and selling its own. Out of the handful I've tested, I've come away enjoying Woolnut's Leather Case the most. I love the visible texture in the full-grain Scandinavian leather, and there's a nice microfiber lining inside to keep the back of your iPhone scratch-free. The buttons are aluminum, and the thermoplastic urethane bumper matches the color of the leather—a nice touch. The Camera Control button is easy to access, the buttons are clicky, and the edges around the display and screen are raised. You can choose from four colors: black, cognac, green, and gray.

Looking for alternatives? Nomad's Traditional Leather Case ($60) and Modern Leather Case ($70) are excellent, as always, delivering a classic leather look. Of the two, I prefer the Modern variant, because it uses Horween leather that looks brilliant and not as reddish as the more eco-friendly Ecco leather in the Traditional case. Unfortunately, the latter has too large a cutout for the Camera Control button and looks awkward, whereas the Modern case's cutout needs to be roomier.