Do you have just one case for your iPhone? If so, you’re probably a normal person. Most of us need only one, maybe two at the most, cases for our iPhones. But that doesn’t mean the options end there. There are plenty of different types of iPhone cases for different occasions. Here are a few of our favorites.
1. Silicone sleeve
Silicone sleeve cases don’t provide the greatest protection, but they also don’t render your iPhone a bulky mess. They slip over the outside and protect against dents and scratches while providing minimal shock absorption. It won’t render your iPhone an unsightly mess, either. Just take extra care with these. They’re cheap, though, and that’s a big selling point. If you can’t find a silicone case for under $10 you’re doing it wrong.
Our favorites:
iPhone 5: The Friendly Swede set of 9 sleeves for $14.99
iPhone 4/4S: Set of 10 silicone cases for $9.99
2. Armband
Companies have been creating armband cases for Apple products since the original iPod. The problem, though, was that the original iPod had a magnetic hard drive. Those moving parts can get jostled while you run, eventually ruining the hard drive. The iPhone and new iPods have solid state hard drives, so you can give them a jolt without any consequences. Strapping your iPhone to your arm is one of the best ways to steady it while running or performing athletic movements.
Our favorites:
iPhone 5: Belkin EaseFit for $19.99
iPhone 4/4S: Belkin Dual-Fit Armband for $22.84.
These might seem a bit more expensive than alternatives, but your iPhone can undergo serious abuse when in an armband case. It’s best to spend the extra dough and ensure your iPhone’s safety.
3. Belt clip case
It is not fashionable to wear your cell phone on your belt. Maybe it was in the early 00s when everyone wanted to broadcast that they had one. But these days cell phones are best left unseen when not in use. Yet the belt clip case has many practical functions. You can use it during physical activity, for one. It also works in professional settings. What’s more unsightly: the phone on your hip or the bulge it causes in your pocket? Depending on your pants, you might be better off with a belt clip case. (Though given the unsightliness of the belt clip case, I suggest you find new pants.)
Our favorites:
iPhone 5: Aduro Shell Holster Combo Case for $12.99
iPhone 4/4S: Apple AIP4HOC Shell Holster Combo for $8.49
4. Extra protective case
Ever seen an iPhone that looked like a UPS package scanner? Then you’ve seen someone who takes protecting her iPhone very seriously. These cases are no joke, usually increasing your phone’s thickness by an inch or more. That’s not really attractive for a phone that, when released, was billed as the world’s thinnest smartphone. Yet some people need that layer of protection. Maybe they’re just klutzes or maybe they work in hazardous conditions. Whatever the reason, these cases are there to help.
Our favorites:
iPhone 5: OtterBox Defender Series for $18.98
iPhone 4/4S: OtterBox Defender Series for $18.49
5. Silicone/hardshell hybrid
This is our favorite kind of iPhone case, because it strikes a balance between the thinness of a silicone case and the protectiveness of the huge hardshell cases. These cases add much less thickness to the iPhone, so you can still fit it in your pocket and not get too many comments. Plus, it can survive a drop from a few feet in the air without causing the phone any damage. These are usually reasonably priced, so you can pick one up and combine it with the other types of cases for versatile protection.
Our favorites:
iPhone 5: OtterBox Commuter Series for $15.99
iPhone 4/4S: OtterBox Commuter Series for $16.07
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