Eric Zeman / Android Authority
The iPhone 13 is a slick little phone, but the aluminum sides can only protect it so much. If you want to safeguard your phone from drops and slips, you’ll need to invest in a good Apple iPhone 13 case. The good news here is that there are some great options, from rugged and leather cases to wallet cases and beyond.
To help you find the right choice for you, we’ve rounded up the best Apple iPhone 13 cases you can currently buy. Below you’ll find our top picks for each category, plus several alternatives that might better suit your needs.
If you’d like to learn more about our favorite case brands or other smartphone accessories we recommend, check out our guides below.
See also: Best case brands | Mobile accessories
Our quick picks for the best iPhone 13 cases:
Editor’s note: We’ll update this list of the best Apple iPhone 13 cases as new options launch.
Best iPhone 13 thin case: Apple Silicone Case with MagSafe
Apple Silicone Case with MagSafe (iPhone 13)
This simple, MagSafe-compatible case comes in a variety of colors and won’t weigh down your iPhone 13.
Pros:
- Thin and light
- Great color options
- MagSafe-ready
Cons:
- Pricey
- Limited protection
- Somewhat generic
Want to keep it nice and light? Then this first-party iPhone 13 thin case with MagSafe is a great option. It’s fairly basic by design, but we picked it because of the variety of attractive color options available. Plus, it features a built-in magnet array so you can take advantage of the excellent MagSafe accessory ecosystem.
Read also: Here’s why MagSafe is awesome
Looking for more thin iPhone 13 case options? We also recommend:
Want the thinnest iPhone 13 case you can buy? This is it. It measures just .3mm thick, so don’t expect much drop protection. It also works with some MagSafe accessories, but the lack of built-in magnets mean a weaker connection.
Buy now from PHNX
The iPhone 13 has a distinctly high-end look, and this clear case from Speck lets you show it off in all its glory. It’s slim enough to allow wireless charging, but if you want to use other MagSafe accessories we recommend opting for the Gemshell + MagSafe version with built-in magnets.
Buy now from Amazon
We have a lot of photography buffs here at Android Authority, and all of them love Moment lenses. But to use the lenses, you also need a Moment case. Thankfully, they’re pretty nice and come in a variety of colors, although they are a bit pricier than some alternatives.
Buy now from Moment
Best iPhone 13 rugged case: Otterbox Defender
Otterbox Defender (iPhone 13)
This rugged case will protect your iPhone 13 from just about anything with thick bumpers and a raised lip around the screen.
Pros:
- Exceptional protection
- Some color options
- Included holster
Cons:
- Bulky
- Hard to fit
- Not MagSafe compatible
For maximum protection, we recommend the Otterbox Defender. It’s certainly not the most thin and elegant case, but what you do get is unbeatable protection. It has several layers, corner bumpers, and a raised lip around the screen. The only real downside is that it doesn’t include a screen protector, but you can always buy and install your own. Also, it’s a pain to install and there are no instructions included, so check YouTube if you’re having trouble.
Looking for more rugged iPhone 13 case options? We also recommend:
If you want a rugged case with a built-in screen protector, Poetic offers some great options for significantly less money. Despite the name, all of the designs are aggressively masculine, but they do come in several colors. If that works for you, they include the works — bumpers, screen protector, kickstand, etc.
Buy now from Amazon
While it doesn’t offer as much protection as the options above, this Spigen case is a nice middle ground. It still has great drop protection and a raised lip around the screen, but it’s significantly less bulky. It also has a built-in magnet for MagSafe accessories, although we would have liked to see more than just one color option (black).
Buy now from Amazon
Best leather iPhone 13 case: Apple Leather Case with MagSafe
Apple Leather Case with MagSafe (iPhone 13)
Apple’s first-party leather cases are truly gorgeous, and include magnets for MagSafe accessories.
Pros:
- Attractive leather finish
- Built-in MagSafe magnets
- Multiple color options
Cons:
- Doesn’t develop a patina
- Not very resistant
- Will dimple with MagSafe accessories
We know it’s a bit cliche to recommend Apple’s first-party cases, but the Cupertino giant’s leather iPhone 13 case edges out the rest of the pack. Apart from an attractive leather finish available in several colors, it also features a built-in magnet array for MagSafe accessories. However, the leather itself is somewhat thin, and due to the finish it won’t develop a natural patina. And like most Apple products, you definitely pay extra for the brand recognition.
Looking for more iPhone 13 leather case options? We also recommend:
The other two leather iPhone 13 case we liked are both folio cases, which offer more protection and functionality with space for cards and cash. This first one is from Nomad, and it’s made from real leather that will develop a patina over time. It also has a neodymium magnet array for MagSafe accessories, making it one of the most complete iPhone 13 cases you can get.
Buy now from Nomad
If you want the leather look but don’t mind artificial options, this PU leather folio wallet is another great option. It has a magnetic clasp to keep your phone and cash safe, and it comes in a huge variety of colors to suit your style. There is a reason moms everywhere love this case.
Buy now from Amazon
Best iPhone 13 wallet case: Smartish Wallet Slayer Vol 1
Smartish Wallet Slayer Vol 1 (iPhone 13)
Store up to three cards plus cash in this stylish but affordable iPhone 13 wallet case from Smartish.
Pros:
- Stores cards and cash
- Great color options
- Very affordable
We outlined a few folio-style iPhone 13 wallet cases above, but for a more streamlined case our pick is the Smartish Wallet Slayer. It features a stylish design and great colorways (including fully custom designs), plus some protection from drops with a textured exterior and raised lip around the screen. Our only disappointment was the lack of MagSafe compatibility, but that’s an understandable omission given the design of the case. We also recommend checking out the Smartish Wallet Slayer Vol 2, which has the same great build quality with a slightly different aesthetic design.
Looking for more iPhone 13 wallet case options? We also recommend:
If you only want to keep a few cards in your wallet case, there’s a danger that they’ll fall out — unless it has an enclosed card holder like this option from Spigen. It only holds two cards and isn’t MagSafe compatible, but it’s extremely light and doesn’t add any bulk to the phone, which is great if you have smaller hands.
Buy now from Amazon
Ok, so this one isn’t technically an iPhone 13 case, but we had to include it because it’s just so convenient. It’s a simple MagSafe wallet that attaches to the back of your phone, with the added utility of a holder and kickstand. It will also work with any number of MagSafe-compatible cases, turning any case into a wallet case with ease!
Buy now on Amazon
Best iPhone 13 battery case: Alpatronix BX13
Alpatronix BX13 battery case (iPhone 13/13 Pro)
Extend your battery with this 6,000mAh battery case, and reverse charge your AirPods while you’re at it.
Pros:
- Beefy 6,000mAh battery
- Not too bulky
- Wired and wireless compatibility
Cons:
- Heavy
- Only comes in black
There aren’t a lot of good options when it comes to iPhone 13 battery cases, but our favorite is this 6,000mAh option from Alpatronix. It has an enormous capacity for its size, and includes wireless charging to top off your AirPods, as well. That said, it is heavy and you might not want to keep it on your phone every day of the year. We found it more useful as a secondary case to swap on when you plan on being away from a charger for more than a day. Also, the iPhone 13 and 13 Pro share the same model, which means the camera cutout doesn’t quite fit perfectly on the standard iPhone 13.
Looking for more iPhone 13 battery case options? We also recommend:
We weren’t lying when we said there aren’t many good iPhone 13 battery cases, but there are some excellent options for MagSafe battery packs. These snap onto the back of your phone (or MagSafe case) when you need them, and store away when you don’t. Our favorite is this 5,000mAh option from Anker, which comes as a simple pack with a kickstand. There’s also another model that comes with the battery pack and a stand if you want a permanent desk stand.
Buy now from Amazon
If the Anker model isn’t quite aesthetic enough for you, this alternative from Mophie really looks great. Once again, it’s just a MagSafe battery pack and not a case, but there are versions that offer both 5,000mAh and 10,000mAh of power. Plus, the 10,000mAh model includes a mount for a tripod.
Buy now from Amazon
Best iPhone 13 custom case: Casetify
Casetify custom cases (iPhone 13)
Customize your iPhone 13 case with text, colors, and a variety of designs.
Pros:
- Custom colors, text, and designs
- Compatible with wireless chargers
- Eco-friendly
Cons:
- Not MagSafe-compatible
- Somewhat pricey
Nowadays cases are as much an accessory as they are pure protection, and sometimes you might want something a bit more bespoke. Our favorite custom iPhone 13 cases come from Casetify, which allow you to add custom text in different fonts and locations on the phone, choose colors, and select between several designs. Some of these designs are more lightweight, more protective, or just feature aesthetic changes to better suit your style. As an added bonus, they’re extremely eco-friendly and compostable, so you can feel good about doing your part.
How we test phone cases
We rigorously test smartphones, accessories, and other products in our reviews here at Android Authority, so why should iPhone 13 cases be any different? There are plenty of factors we consider while testing a phone case:
- Protection: Different cases offer different levels of protection. A super thin case might prevent scratches and smudges, but won’t do much if you drop your phone onto the sidewalk. We consider factors like corner protection, the raised lip around the display and rear camera, and covered buttons. For hybrid and rugged cases, we also simulate real-world drops to test durability where possible. For example, if the phone falls while from pocket-height, or if it slips off of a table onto hardwood flooring.
- Grip: Grip is another important factor. You don’t want a case that will slip out of your hand, but you also don’t want it to have too much texture. Apart from testing general hand-feel, we slide the phone across different surfaces like wood and marble to see how slippery a case is in everyday use. Cases with ridges or bumps along the sides or back to help grip are generally top performers.
- Build quality: Poor-quality polycarbonate cases are prone to cracking during installation or removal. Case fit also plays a role here. If you have to apply a lot of pressure to install or remove a case, it’s more likely that the case will crack. With softer TPU cases, frequently removing your case might also cause it to loosen around the edges, affecting the fit over time.
- Installation and removal: Installing a case shouldn’t be difficult, and the phone should snap comfortably into place. However, for some options removing a case can be difficult and could potentially damage your phone. It’s particularly problematic when you have to apply so much force that you feel the phone almost bending.
- Design and colorways: These are, of course, personal choices, but it’s always good to have options. We also try to include a few clear cases that let you show off the phone’s design and natural colorway while still keeping the phone safe.
- Value: Price isn’t everything. You can always find $15 cases that offer just as much, if not more protection than $60 cases. However, remember that rugged cases or cases with extra features like a kickstand or wallet compartment will likely be more expensive than a standard thin case. The same goes for premium material like leather.