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If you’re spending a lot of money on a new iPhone 17 or iPhone Air, you need to protect it if you want to use it as long as you can.
The iPhone 17 lineup is made with Apple’s next-generation Ceramic Shield 2, the latest version of its proprietary glass, which the company claims has three times better scratch resistance than the previous version. The iPhone 17 Pro, the iPhone 17 Pro Max, and the iPhone Air are slightly more durable than the base model, with an additional Ceramic Shield coating on the back to help protect against cracks. But while newer iPhones are more crack-resistant, a drop can still do some damage, so we still recommend covering your phone with a case to help keep it in pristine condition.
We tested more than 65 options to find the best ones, whether you want a simple case that balances protection with cost, a clear case to show off your expensive phone, a bumper for protecting your iPhone Air, or a more rugged case to protect your device from dents, nicks, and dings.
Best basic case for iPhone 17 – Smartish Gripmunk with MagSafe for iPhone 17
Also available for these iPhones:
- Smartish Gripmunk with MagSafe for iPhone 17 Pro
- Smartish Gripmunk with MagSafe for iPhone 17 Pro Max
- Smartish Gripmunk with MagSafe for iPhone Air
There’s a reason the Smartish Gripmunk has been our favorite case for as long as it has: It offers the best combination of coverage, protection, and affordability — all for slightly more than you would pay for coffee and breakfast at Starbucks. We’ve tested cases that cost double the price but have fewer features.
The Gripmunk is made of a soft, rubberlike plastic (TPU, or thermoplastic polyurethane) that has enough give to make installing the case easy but not so much that it will stretch out. The case’s corners stay put, too. Its back is smooth, and the sides have a pebbly texture with three small grooves that provide the right amount of grip. The Gripmunk case covers the iPhone’s buttons, but they remain easy to press, and it leaves a concave cutout for the Camera Control buttons on the iPhone 17 models and iPhone Air to help make presses and swipes feel natural (Smartish also has a version with an integrated cover for Camera Control). The slightly raised edges around the camera lenses provide protection while allowing your iPhone to sit flat on a table.
During our testing the case easily survived a few 6-foot drops, and the soft microfiber interior lining adds a nice touch, covering the MagSafe ring without adding any noticeable bulk. Smartish also offers a non-MagSafe version of the Gripmunk that’s less expensive. It’s compatible with wireless chargers, but you can’t connect other MagSafe accessories to it.
Best leather case for iPhone 17 – Mujjo Full Leather Case for iPhone 17
Also available for these iPhones:
- Mujjo Full Leather Case for iPhone 17 Pro
- Mujjo Full Leather Case for iPhone 17 Pro Max
- Mujjo Full Leather Case for iPhone Air
The Mujjo Full Leather Case has been our favorite leather case since Apple stopped making one. It’s an all-leather case, save for the buttons, interior, and camera bumper. Mujjo uses high-quality, vegetable-tanned leather with a soft finish that will patina and wear over time (and, like other leather cases, is prone to scuffs and discoloration). It has an aluminum camera bumper to protect your iPhone’s camera lenses from drops, as well as tactile metal buttons for the action, power, and volume buttons. For the iPhone 17 version, Mujjo opted for a touch-sensitive Camera Control button, which provides extra protection and feels responsive. The iPhone Air version, on the other hand, leaves the Camera Control button fully exposed but keeps it easy to reach. The case also has a microfiber interior and MagSafe charging support.
Flaws but not dealbreakers
Leather can wear unevenly with time and heavy use, and as with other full-leather cases, the rear section of the Mujjo Full Leather Case will wear and develop a patina over time, for better or worse. Colorful leather in particular can become discolored and scuffed, and a MagSafe charging puck can leave an imprint over time.
A wallet case for iPhone 17 – Smartish Wallet Slayer Vol. 1 for iPhone 17
Also available for these iPhones:
- Smartish Wallet Slayer Vol. 1 for iPhone 17 Pro
- Smartish Wallet Slayer Vol. 1 for iPhone 17 Pro Max
- Smartish Wallet Slayer Vol. 1 for iPhone Air
If you’re all in with Apple Pay, a wallet case is not for you. But if you like the security of having a credit or debit card and a driver’s license or ID close at hand, the Smartish Wallet Slayer Vol. 1 might be the best option.
The Wallet Slayer Vol. 1 resembles the Smartish Gripmunk, with a complete TPU build, air pockets in the corners, and pebble-textured sides for grip, but it swaps the Gripmunk’s microfiber interior for rubber. It also has rubber covers for the iPhone 17’s and iPhone Air’s action, power, and volume buttons, along with a Camera Control cutout. In addition, the Wallet Slayer Vol. 1 has a card slot on the right and a smaller hole on the left to push the cards out. We were able to fit four cards comfortably, and all of them remained easy to slide in and out and stayed secure (which is more than we can say for some other wallet-case options).
Flaws but not dealbreakers
The Wallet Slayer Vol. 1 adds just over half an inch to an iPhone 17’s thickness (though slightly less to an iPhone Air). This case also lacks MagSafe support, so you need to switch cases to use wireless charging or magnetic accessories.
A more protective case for iPhone 17 – Smartish Gripzilla with MagSafe for iPhone 17
Also available for these iPhones:
- Smartish Gripzilla with MagSafe for iPhone 17 Pro
- Smartish Gripzilla with MagSafe for iPhone 17 Pro Max
- Smartish Gripzilla with MagSafe for iPhone Air
If you need as much protection as possible but don’t want to pay too much for it, the Smartish Gripzilla with MagSafe is an excellent pick.
The Gripzilla is a slightly taller and thicker version of the Smartish Gripmunk, adding 0.2 inch in height and 0.1 inch in thickness compared with the Gripmunk. The Gripzilla also adds a 1 mm lip to guard the camera bump (or the Pro and Pro Max’s camera plateau) and a 1.5 mm lip to protect the screen from drops. Although the Gripzilla is marginally thicker, it still supports MagSafe charging and protects your action, volume, power, and Camera Control buttons. It has recessed finger ridges on both sides of the case to provide a secure grip for those who are prone to dropping their devices, and it survived several drop tests from a 6-foot height without any visible damage.
And, as with the Gripmunk case, you can create your own custom design for the Gripzilla, which is available for a premium through the company’s website.
Flaws but not dealbreakers
The Gripzilla’s larger corners give it a little more bulk, a typical trade-off with a protective case. The difference is really noticeable only when you’re holding a Gripmunk or similar slimmer case in one hand and a Gripzilla in the other, but both can slide comfortably into a pocket or purse.
A clear case for iPhone 17 – Spigen Ultra Hybrid (MagFit) for iPhone 17
Also available for these iPhones:
- Spigen Ultra Hybrid (MagFit) for iPhone 17 Pro
- Spigen Ultra Hybrid (MagFit) for iPhone 17 Pro Max
- Spigen Ultra Hybrid (MagFit) for iPhone Air
If you want a clear case to showcase your iPhone’s original color and design while adding some protection, we recommend the Spigen Ultra Hybrid (MagFit) case. It has a transparent hard-plastic back, TPU borders, and air pockets for shock absorption. The buttons are covered too, and they offer a tactile feel. The Camera Control button is also covered, but with a thinner plastic layer, so it remains easy to access and registers all the necessary gestures. A raised lip protects the display and camera. We especially like that the camera plateau is fully covered on the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max versions, with cutouts for only the lenses and the flash. The MagSafe ring on the back offers a strong hold when you’re attaching accessories.
The Spigen Ultra Hybrid comes in other variations, including clear cases with different MagSafe-ring colors such as graphite and gold. Spigen also has frosted versions that come in black or white.
Flaws but not dealbreakers
Every clear case we’ve tested in the past has been prone to yellowing and collecting grime over time. The Spigen Ultra Hybrid comes with a blue resin coating for anti-yellowing, and we plan to test it long-term to see if that helps to counter the discoloration. That said, we expect that some yellowing is inevitable.
A thin case for iPhone 17 – Totallee Scarf Thin iPhone 17 Case
Also available for these iPhones:
- Totallee Scarf Thin iPhone 17 Pro Case
- Totallee Scarf Thin iPhone 17 Pro Max Case
- Totallee Scarf Thin iPhone Air Case
If you’re looking for the thinnest case you can slap on your phone, we recommend the Totallee Scarf Thin Case. It lives up to its name with a superthin design that measures only half a millimeter thick and weighs less than an ounce. The protection is minimal, but the case does offer a bump to protect the camera lenses, in addition to covering your phone’s buttons and providing accessible cutouts for the USB-C port and Camera Control button. It also supports MagSafe for charging wirelessly and attaching accessories.
Flaws but not dealbreakers
This Totallee case doesn’t provide the best grip and can’t protect your phone much against drops. It also doesn’t handle scratches well — they are noticeable in good lighting, which is an issue we’ve found with other superthin cases.
Protection for your iPhone Air without too much bulk – Apple iPhone Air Bumper
The best part about the iPhone Air is its design, so putting a case on it feels wrong — not only does a case cover the frosted-matte-glass back, but it also adds weight, which seems counterintuitive for such a thin phone.
Apple’s iPhone Air Bumper case is a great middle-ground option. It wraps around the titanium frame, allowing for a better grip while also protecting both sides of the phone. It’s also slightly raised on the front and the back, which provides some security if you’re worried about the display or the back of the phone getting scratched or cracked. It covers all the buttons with the same plastic material as the case, delivering a nice, clicky feel; because the Camera Control button is made of a thinner sapphire-crystal layer, it’s more responsive to touch.
Flaws but not dealbreakers
The iPhone Air Bumper is expensive, especially considering that it isn’t even a full-fledged case. Our other top picks, which are also available for the iPhone Air, are less expensive and offer complete coverage. And while the Bumper allows for a solid grip, we would’ve liked it if Apple had added texture to the sides to promote even more security while you’re holding the phone, especially one-handed.