Recently my Taylor 414ce (a guitar I’ve owned and loved for nearly 10 years) took a dive and hit the stage, simultaneously cracking the instrument’s body and my very soul. Though an iPhone is nowhere near as pricey as a $2,000 Taylor, it’s still a couple of hundred dollars that’s worth protecting so you don’t have to suffer the anguish of busting it by accident like I did with my guitar.
Some cases are meant to withstand mild blows, some are merely aesthetic, and others serve both purposes remarkably well. Today we’ll look at 20 of the coolest places online to pickup the perfect iPhone case that serves your desired aesthetic and/or functionality.
Interesting in finding even more accessories for your iPhone and iPad? Check out 50 Fantastic iPhone Gadgets & Accessories and The Ultimate List of Stylish iPad Cases, Bags & Accessories!
Griffin
Griffin has been making Apple device accessories since before the iPod had a color screen. They are one of the oldest and most trusted providers of these types of products and have plenty of great iPhone cases to choose from.
Griffin
Coolest Case
Griffin’s coolest cases are the result of a partnership with Threadless. Once you pick out a design you like, you can get it as an iPhone case, t-shirt and wallpaper graphic. If you think having a t-shirt that matches your iPhone case is nerdy, you’re probably right. But rest assured that it’s nerdy in an awesome Mac user way, not in a “I wear a pocket protector and love calculators” way.
Get a matching case, t-shirt and iPhone wallpaper
Belkin
Like Griffin, Belkin is an aged veteran in the Apple accessory wars. The company has been around for over 25 years and has several award-winning products. If you want to be confident in the quality of your purchase, Belkin is one of the safest bets you can make.
Belkin
Coolest Case
Belkin has over unique 20 case styles for iPhone, iPhone 3G and 3GS. My favorite is the Shield Cinema case, a tough polycarbonate case with a stylish built-in kickstand for media viewing.
Belkin Shield Cinema Case with Kickstand
Incase
Incase makes cases for everything from guitars to soccer bags. They have a large line of stylish cases for several Apple products including iPhones, iPads, iPods and MacBooks.
Incase
The Incase iPhone 3G/3GS line features over 20 different case types made from a range of materials like metal, leather and plastic.
Coolest Case
The Incase product that caught my eye was the beautifully shiny Chrome Slider Case. It’s nice to be able to wrap your iPhone in protective plastic while giving it a premium, metallic look.
Incase
iFrogz
iFrogz has 8 unique case designs that come in a variety of colors and materials. They also sell cases for iPods, Blackberrys and soon, iPads.
iFrogz
Coolest Case
Though iFrogz cases are almost all two-tone, this case is one solid color (Gray, Clear, Blue, Purple or Green) and features a cool etched dot pattern that centers around the Apple logo on the back of the iPhone.
iFrogz
OtterBox
OtterBox cases are decidedly tough and rugged. Whether you’re a climber, cyclist or desk jockey, if it’s protection you’re after, start your search with OtterBox.
OtterBox
Coolest Case
Though certainly not for everyone, the OtterBox 2600 Series PDA Case offers the ultimate iPhone protection. This thing is a water-resistant, airtight iPhone sarcophagus that is without a doubt more masculine than any of your friends’ cell phone cases.
OtterBox 2600
Speck
Speck’s main goal is to “create good quality cases (for all sorts of devices) that always have a touch of flair and uniqueness and more fun to own and use.”
Speck
They have just under 10 unique case styles that are all quite stylish and fun. Perfect for anyone who’s looking to make a personality statement via iPhone.
Coolest Case
Speck’s Fitted cases feature cool fabric patterns wrapped over a hard shell. it’s a nice break from the typical plastic feel and you just can’t beat an argyle iPhone.
Speck Fitted Case
Case-Mate
Case-Mate sells tons of different iPhone, iPod, iPad and MacBook cases of all different types. The company claims to be obsessed with quality and inspects every single product before placing it into its hand-folded box.
Case-Mate
Coolest Case
This one was a tough call due to the fact that Case-Mate simply has a lot of really cool cases. The cases I found to be the most unique though were the ID Credit Card line.
This highly-functional case features a built-in pocket that conveniently holds your ID and credit cards. Granted, you’re screwed if you lose your phone but as long as you hang onto it you can lighten your load by leaving the wallet at home.
Case-Mate
ShadeCases
Shade cases are designed to be thin, lightweight and pocket-friendly. They don’t add a lot of bulk or inhibit accessory use in any way.
ShadeCases
Shade cases are 100% recyclable, dirt and stain resistant, super affordable and even offer full screen protection. If you’re looking for a minimal case that will add protection without getting in the way, ShadeCases look like a great place to start.
Coolest Case
ShadeCases only come in a single design but are available in clear, black, aqua, blue, green, red, pink, violet orange, yellow and black/clear. Below is a glimpse of the Serene Green.
ShadeCases Serene Green
WowCases
WowCases has a huge selection of different case styles to suit the personalities of all types of iPhone users. Choose from over 30 unique styles, created from a variety of materials and available in multiple colors.
WowCases
Whether you like skulls, hearts, snake skin, soccer or Hello Kitty, WowCases has the ideal case for you, most of which are available under $20.
Coolest Case
I’m a big fan of both Coke branding and flavor so the Coca-Cola case series instantly caught my eye. These cool cases come in three flavors and will only set you back the cost of a few 12-packs.
WowCases Coca-Cola Series
Sena
Tired of cheap plastic cases? Want something more befitting of an executive? Sena makes only premium cases from calfskin Napa leather imported from Italy and Turkey.
Sena Premium Cases
Sena takes special care to design each case so that it enhances rather than hinders the functionality of the device by offering sturdy protection and easy access to important areas.
Coolest Case
The Manget Flipper case is Sena’s most popular iPhone case and is designed to open with a flick of your thumb for quick and easy access to your phone. It also features a removable metal clip so you can choose to clip it on or carry it in your pocket.
Magnet Flipper
Need More?
If none of the case providers above are offering what you need, check out the additional options below:
- Apple.com
- Xtreme Mac
- ThinkGeek
- UltraCase
- Coveroo Custom iPhone Cases
- Marware
- FredsNewTech
- Fommy
- NewEgg
- The Appleberry Store
Are You Protected?
Many iPhone users will always prefer to use their Apple products unaltered and without a case, but for those that are interested in either protection or customization, the selections above comprise some of the best iPhone case creators and distributors on the planet.
Let us know in the comments below if you prefer to use protection or to go case-less. If you do suit up, tell us which cases you’ve tried and what you thought of them.
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Recently my Taylor 414ce (a guitar I've owned and loved for nearly 10 years) took a dive and hit the stage, simultaneously cracking ...
Recently my Taylor 414ce (a guitar I've owned and loved for nearly 10 years) took a dive and hit the stage, simultaneously cracking ...
I love the fact that you only went for american sites. Long live the pound, euro, AUD, Canadian Dollar, Rupee, etc etc.
The idea is that most of these cases are available everywhere. I’m sure a local retailer, or a price in your currency, is only a quick Google search away!
You left out SwitchEasy! They have, by far, the best and coolest cases I’ve ever seen.
Vaja.com is a very good Idea. Please include them, I bought there already.
Vaja is one of the best – and I’m surprised they were not included here.
The website URL is http://www.vajacases.com/ not vaja.com
You forgot the CapsuleRebel M by SwitchEasy, I love this case and swear by it being in the construction industry. Also it comes with everything but the kitchen sink. Screen Guards, Microfiber Wipe, Dock Adapter, Video Dock Stand, Connector Protectors, Headphone Jack Protectors. Its well made and worth the $30 I paid for it.
http://www.switcheasy.com/products/CapsuleRebelM/CapsuleRebelM.php
That’s an excellent case design, thanks for posting it!
You can’t talk about cases without mentioning THE coolest. Don’t buy that MacBook when you can spend that $1000 on a case for your iPhone:
http://www.softbankselection.jp/product/panel/detail/002296.html
Neat!
Thanks for the great roundup! Never realised there were such awesome cases out there!
Some really awesome designs over at I Make My Case: http://www.imakemycase.com/
You can make your own or buy one of the pre-designed ones.
Pretty sweet!
I think that is a great collection of some very unique iPhone case providers. Any chance of doing a UK based version to pacify those Brits?!
What about Inspire Your Mobile?
http://inspireyourmobile.com
Love them!
Don’t buy that MacBook when you can spend that $2000 on a case for your iPhone!!
Yea! Thanks for that list
Thanks for the list. Very detailed and informative but maybe you should have included sites such as Case-Mate which stocks cases from all of the above suppliers – this way you don’t need to visit each site individually and its easy for comparison.
Im in the process of setting up a Case-Mate site for the up and coming iPhone 5 – http://www.best-iphone5cases.com
Keep an eye out for it, and hopefully I can make your next list
I’m very glad to share that~~I simply love the way you write!
I love this apple imac especially it’s cover and features…Casemate~~very shiny!:-)
My favorite is Sena Magnet Flipper Case. It is high quality materials and the fit is perfect. The price is cheaper now. Not $52 but $49.95.
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Really stylish and good looking cases.
The thing is that I own this Magnet Flipper, but in real life it doesn’t look as good as on pictures and are quite bulky to carry with you for most of the time.
I found similar leather case with is thinner but keeps the same look and functionality
http://www.myweycase.com/products_info/light-yellow-ipad-2-skin-146075.html
Luckily most of the iPhone 4 cases are capable with new 4S model and we can get really great cases starting from first day the device is released not like it happened with last version of iPhone
There is some seriously cool shwag going on here. As much as I love the iPhone 4 naked, I’d have to say it would like awesome in the majority of these cases as well.
I really like this list and the breakdown of case companies and their coolest case. While this article is definitely aimed more towards men, I really do like the I.D./credit card case from CaseMate..I will definitely be adding it to my Sleek & Chic iPhone Cases list (aimed more towards women – also as a means to find a cover for myself!) Please vote and suggest if you have any thoughts of the quality of the cases listed > http://www.skinnyscoop.com/list/jackie/sleek-chic-iphone-cases
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I’ve got a question… Does the iphone case designers fit with the new iPhone 4s? I’m really confused about this.
Its funny but sometime you can just go to Ebay or something and find amazing cases for 3$ that no one have.. so why spending so much i say?
I really do like Case Mate cases. I have owned all generation of iPhone devices and 3 of them had Case Mate cases. They become really popular only after iPhone 4 was released, but they are there for a long time already.
Wow what nice! This will cost me a arm and a legg haha