Best iPhone 16 Cases 2024 - Forbes Vetted

If you’ve just bought a new iPhone 16, you will want to protect your phone against the inevitable bumps, scratches and drops. Thankfully, a range of iPhone 16 cases can protect your all-new device while showing off your personal style. After testing nearly 20 cases, my top pick is the Spigen Tough Armor MagFit, which looks great and provides military-grade protection without breaking the bank.

The best iPhone 16 cases keep your phone protected, but they can also help you be more productive, ... [+] like our top pick for productivity, the Clicks Keyboard for iPhone 16 (center).

But there are others that are worth your consideration. The Zagg Custom Embroidered London Snap Case makes an ideal gift for those who want something truly personalized. If you want the ultimate productivity on the go, look no further than the Clicks Keyboard for iPhone 16. Here are the best iPhone 16 cases you can get right now.

Amazon

Available for: iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max | Colors: Black, Frost Black, Gunmetal, Slate and Green Blue | Materials: Polycarbonate, Thermoplastic Polyurethane

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The Spigen Tough Armor MagFit is designed for maximum impact protection. Using AI, Spigen simulated 80,000 drops to help reduce impact by 91% and therefore stress on your device during a drop by up to 92%. Impact foam is designed to help protect your device if you’re prone to accidental drops, and the case provides additional grip to help reduce the chance of dropping your phone.

This case is compatible with MagSafe for wireless charging and Spigen’s MagFit ecosystem of other accessories, including wireless chargers and battery packs. It comes in four colors, but keep in mind not every color is available for all iPhone 16 models.

Amazon

Available for: iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max | Colors: Yellow, Ultramarine, Green, Fuschia, Gray, Plum, Black and Denim | Materials: Silicone

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If you want a silicone case, there are hundreds of options on Amazon, but Apple makes the best. The official Apple iPhone 16 Silicone Case is compatible with MagSafe and is available in a range of colors. Some, like the new Ultramarine, perfectly match the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus, which are available in the same color.

It’s made with 55% recycled silicone material and has a silky, soft-touch finish that also provides a secure grip. It’s backed by Apple’s warranty and is one of the few cases on this list that you can feel in person at the Apple Store.

Apple has been making Silicone phone cases for years, and this one is backed by hundreds of hours of testing and refinement, including from our editors who use it on their iPhone 16 Pro devices. The finish may not be for everyone—and I am personally not a huge fan—but it’s the best official iPhone 16 case you can buy.

Amazon

Available for: iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max | Colors: Black | Materials: 600D Aramid Fiber

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If you’re looking for a thin iPhone 16 case, one brand stands out from the rest: Thinborne by Caseborne. Measuring just 0.04 inches thick, the Thinborne case is made with 600D Aramid fiber, which provides a lot of grip while being so thin you’ll forget you’re using a case. The aramid fiber is lightweight and minimal and provides a great carbon-fiber-like textured finish.

It’s compatible with MagSafe, and its thin profile will not interfere with your other accessories. It won’t protect your phone from a big drop, but it’s great for those who want a thin case that still offers some protection. I’ve tried Thinborne cases for several phones, and it’s my go-to choice when I need a thin case; it’s also great for those with limited pocket space.

ZAGG

Available for: iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max | Case colors: Navy, Pink, Gray and Black | Fabric colors: Teal, Black, Light Gray, Cream, Tan, Brown, Light Pink, Pink, Red, Tangerine, Green and Navy | Materials: 3D printed fabric, graphene

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If you want a truly personal case, consider the Zagg Custom Embroidered London Snap Case. It’s the only iPhone 16 case that can be customized with the text of your choice, and it makes the perfect gift for a friend or loved one. Beyond the customization, it’s backed by a lifetime warranty against wear and damage and is slim and pocket-friendly. The fabric exterior features 3D-printed designs that look unique and provide texture, while an antimicrobial agent helps protect against odor-causing bacteria.

The case is reinforced with graphene, which helps increase its protection. Military-grade drop protection ensures it can withstand drops up to 13 feet. It’s compatible with MagSafe and wireless charging, and the range of colors looks fantastic, whichever iPhone 16 color you have.

Nomad

Available for: iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max | Colors: Brown, Black | Materials: Leather, Polycarbonate, Microfiber

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If you want a full-wrap traditional leather case, Nomad makes the best. Its leather case is available in two styles: traditional, which uses leather all around the case and is only available for the Pro phones; and modern, which combines leather with a polycarbonate shell on the sides and is available for all four iPhone 16 devices.

The traditional leather case comes in two colors. The inside of the case features a microfiber lining to ensure your phone stays protected, and a polycarbonate camera ring ensures that your camera won’t get scratched when you place your phone flat on a table. Anodized aluminum buttons make it easy to press the volume, power, action and Camera Control buttons. Over time, the leather will scratch and scuff, developing into a gorgeous patina.

Amazon

Available for: iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max | Colors: Black, Dark Tan and Blue | Materials: Velore leather, polycarbonate

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Mujjo may not be the first name that comes to mind for iPhone cases, but this London-based company makes excellent cases for the new iPhone 16 range. The Velore leather hides used are a by-product of the food industry, which reduces the wastage in the food supply. The case itself has a 1mm raised leather bezel that protects the screen. It also uses recycled materials in the buttons, camera bump, microfiber lining and polycarbonate inner shell. Inside the case has Japanese microfiber for a soft, satin-like finish that protects your phone.

Sustainability is a key part of the business, and if you care about ethical sourcing, Mujjo cases are worth considering. This case comes with a wallet that can store two or three bank, ID or travel cards, making it a great on-the-go two-in-one wallet and case.

Clicks

Available for: iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max | Colors: Surf, Spice and Onyx | Materials: TPU, Plastic, Microfiber

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If you lament the days of BlackBerry or Nokia phones with physical keys instead of the on-screen keyboards that are prevalent today, Clicks for iPhone is for you. It’s for more than just nostalgic phone users; Clicks is for anyone who wants to be more productive on the go.

Clicks for iPhone 16 builds on the same great Clicks Keyboard for iPhone 15 the Forbes Vetted team reviewed earlier this year. It frees up screen real estate, and if you choose the iPhone 16 Pro, it offers virtually the same usable screen real estate as Apple’s big phone with the on-screen keyboard enabled. A minor upgrade: The silicone rubber side walls have been replaced with TPU to make it easier to slide your phone in and out of Clicks.

The redesigned keyboard for the iPhone 16 features bigger buttons, and the dipped design makes it easier to touch type without looking at the keyboard. The enter key has been shrunk and a new Clicks key provides a quick shortcut to the @ and # symbols. Like Clicks for the iPhone 15, the 37 keys offer more than 100 keyboard shortcuts, including macOS shortcuts you’re used to and the ability to launch apps and run shortcuts quickly. Get it available in three colors: Onyx (Black), Spice (tan), and Surf (Blue).

Amazon

Available for: iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max | Colors: Black/Orange, Black/Clear and Ash/Titanium | Materials: TPU

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If you’re looking for a rugged case, there’s a strong chance you want something to protect against even the highest drops. The Urban Armor Gear Plasma XTE delivers everything you want from a rugged case: big bumpers and enhanced impact resistance mean it can protect against drops from up to 20 feet (6.1 meters).

The UAG Plasma XTE does more than just protect your phone. An integrated metal kickstand can prop your phone to watch your favorite movie or TV show, while lanyard holes mean you can attach a wrist strap and it’ll never leave your side. There are also large tactile buttons that make it easy to press the volume, power or action buttons.

The UAG Plasma XTE is not the slimmest case, and it will likely be too bulky for some people to use daily. However, if you need something that protects against harsh environments—for example, if you work on a building site or as a contractor—there’s no better case to keep your iPhone 16 protected.

The Forbes Vetted team strives to bring accurate and insightful buying advice through testing and reviewing consumer technology products. Some of our team, such as our executive editor Dave Johnson, have authored multiple books on the subject. In particular, this story was written by Nirave Gondhia, a tech journalist and consumer technology veteran who focuses on health technology after a heart attack at the age of 33.

When choosing the best cases for the iPhone 16, we began by narrowing our search to the top brands.