The Best iPhone 12 Cases and Accessories
Are you planning to get one of the four new iPhones? Whether you're eyeing the iPhone 12 Mini or the 12 Pro Max, you probably should squeeze whatever you end up buying into a case. Sure, Apple says its new Ceramic Shield, which embeds ceramic crystals into the glass covering the screen, makes the phones more durable. But it's still glass. You should protect your investment. We've tested over 20 cases and accessories and rounded up some favorites, including wireless chargers and charging adapters to kit out your new phone.
Be sure to check out our other buying guides, like the Best iPhone, the Best iPhone 12 Deals, and the Best iPhone 11 cases in case you're buying last year's model (still a good idea!).
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Photograph: AppleWhat Is MagSafe?
Magnet AdviceI tested these cases on the iPhone 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max, and they should work perfectly well on the iPhone 12 and 12 Mini.
However, many of these cases are not MagSafe-compatible. You might remember it as the magnetic wired charging cable from MacBooks of old. Apple has revived the name as a magnetic system of accessories. You can slap magnetic items like a wallet or wireless charger on the back of all the iPhone 12 models.
There won't be many compatible cases or accessories available for a few months, because manufacturers need to pay Apple for the components to make the magnetic system work.
Photograph: AppleA MagSafe Case
Apple Silicone Case with MagSafeApple's standard silicone case is its best ever. The bottom edge of the phone is fully covered, with tiny cutouts for the charging port and speakers, and the whole thing feels wonderfully soft. The inner microfiber lining ensures the back of your phone never gets a scratch. Additionally, the edges on the front are raised to offer some protection to the screen if it falls face down. The buttons are easy to press too.
This is a MagSafe case, so there's a ring of magnets in the center that securely attaches to other MagSafe accessories, like Apple's wireless charger and Wallet.
Photograph: LifeproofA Sustainable Case
Lifeproof Wake CaseMade up of more than 85 percent ocean-based recycled plastic, Lifeproof's Wake is the way to go if the environment is top-of-mind for you. The edges are tough and rounded, so if you don't like the flat-edge design on the new iPhones, this will help. The buttons are very clicky (I like the colored accents), and the mute switch is easily accessible. The back has a wavy pattern that looks nice, and it keeps Apple's MagSafe Charger attached (but not the MagSafe Wallet).
With every purchase, Lifeproof will donate a dollar to a water-conscious nonprofit of your choosing.
Photograph: TotalleeThe Thinnest Case Around
Totallee CaseIf you despise cases, but know you need one, try Totallee. In no way should you expect its cases to protect your phone from a 6-foot drop—they're so thin, it barely feels like anything's there—but they'll eliminate everyday scuff marks. You can choose between matte or transparent; the former is made of flexible plastic and is the thinnest version, and the latter is constructed out of thermoplastic polyurethane, so it will fare slightly better when dropped. There's no branding anywhere, which is a nice change of pace.
The sheer thinness of these cases means they work well with both the MagSafe Charger and Wallet.
Photograph: CyrillFlower Power
Cyrill CecileI like these floral polycarbonate cases from Cyrill, a sub-brand from Spigen. They're not too thick, and they're clear, so you can still show off the color of the iPhone. The buttons are a part of the case and sit flush with the flat edges. Plus, you don't need long nails to access the mute switch. The edges are raised, and if the phone is dropped on a corner, Spigen's Air Cushion technology absorbs the impact. There are no magnets on this case, but it does work with Apple's MagSafe Charger. The MagSafe Wallet falls off easily, though.
I also like Cyrill's silicone and vegan leather cases, both of which have a soft microfiber lining on the inside to keep the back of your iPhone scratch-free.
Photograph: SpigenA Good Cheap Case
Spigen Liquid AirThis case from Spigen is as simple as they come, but you get good protection for very little money. It's made of thermoplastic polyurethane, with a texture on the back that feels nice to the touch. The buttons are clicky, it has a slim profile, and the bumper is sturdy. Plus the MagSafe Charger loosely stays attached. It's a good no-frills case that doesn't break the bank.
Photograph: SonixA Glistening Case
Sonix Chrome CaseWho doesn't love a case with some additional utility? The back of this Sonix case is reflective, so you can use it as a pocket mirror! It's helpful if you want to take a selfie with the rear cameras on the iPhone 12—or see if there's broccoli stuck in your teeth. Fair warning, it is a fingerprint magnet, so you have to wipe it down often. The bumper is tough, the edges are raised, and the plastic it's made out of is infused with an antimicrobial agent to keep certain types of bacteria at bay. It even maintains a magnetic connection with Apple's MagSafe Charger (not so much with the Wallet).
You should take a look at Sonix's full lineup of iPhone cases. There are a ton of fun styles, even ones with glow-in-the-dark bumpers if that's your jam. Some styles are also available at Target.
Photograph: NomadFor Leather Fans
Nomad Rugged CaseI'm a fan of sleek and simple leather cases, so this one from Nomad is up my alley. It has a polycarbonate body with a thermoplastic elastomer bumper that's slightly raised along the edges, plus the inside is lined with microfiber to protect the back of your iPhone. The leather is from a long-running tannery based in Chicago (Horween)—it looks and feels supple—and the bottom has two spots where you can attach a lanyard or wrist strap if that's something you're looking for.
On the downside, Apple's MagSafe Charger barely stays attached to this case.
Photograph: MujjoAnother Great Leather Case
Mujjo Full Leather CaseThe vegetable-tanned leather in Mujjo's case is just as soft-feeling as the one above, but it's the super slim profile that shines. The buttons require more effort to press, but that's my only gripe. If you're looking for the best protection, the Nomad I featured above has a shock-resistant bumper that will fare better in a drop, but Mujjo's case should survive minor knocks and bumps. It works decently with the MagSafe Charger, but I recommend buying the wallet version instead of Apple's MagSafe Wallet.
Photograph: NimbleA Recycled Alternative
Nimble Disc CaseThis is another great clear option to show off the iPhone 12's fun new colors. It doesn't add much heft, and it has raised edges on the front and a scratch-resistant coating on the back. Best of all, it's made from old CDs and DVDs! The packaging is plastic-free and recyclable, too. You'll get a free shipping label with your purchase to ship Nimble old CDs if you want 15 percent off your next order. Nimble says the case is certified for 6-foot drops and has "permanent antimicrobial protection" to block bacteria, but that's usually only for bacteria that cause stains and odors. It will not protect you from viruses, like Covid-19.
Apple's MagSafe wireless charger stays on the back of this case (though it can be dislodged fairly easily). The MagSafe Wallet falls off without much effort.
Photograph: MomentFor Shutterbugs
Moment Smartphone LensesThe iPhone 12 range has some of the best cameras you'll find on a smartphone, but you can take them a step further by attaching third-party lenses. Moment makes my favorites, including the 58-mm telephoto for zooming in closer and Fisheye 15-mm for a fun, ultrawide-angle effect. They take seconds to attach, though you'll need to use a Moment case. Moment has other great accessories too, like its CineBloom filter if you want a specific look in your videos.
The case itself is thin enough to work with the MagSafe Charger (not the Wallet), but Moment says a MagSafe version is on the way, along with several other MagSafe camera accessories. These include a Wall Mount, a Cold Shoe Mount to attach things like portable video lights, and a Tripod Mount (we haven't tested these yet).
Photograph: AppleA Magnetic Wireless Charger
Apple MagSafe ChargerUnlike traditional wireless chargers that need you to adjust the position of the iPhone to start charging, the MagSafe Charger magnetically attaches to the perfect spot and starts juicing it up immediately. As the connection is so precise, it recharges your iPhone faster than other wireless chargers. At the moment, this is one of the only MagSafe wireless chargers around, and it's not without flaws. The cable that connects to the adapter and outlet is far too short, so while this lets you keep using the iPhone as it's recharging, that's only the case if an outlet is nearby. There's no charging adapter included in the box, so you'll want to pick up a 20-W adapter as Apple recommends (see below).
Tip: If you hate how it looks, you can attach the MagSafe Charger to pads or stands from third-party accessory makers. For example, this hardwood and vegetable-tanned leather stand from Grovemade brings some elegance to a rather techy-looking product.
Photograph: MophieAnother Wireless Charger
Mophie 3-in-1 Wireless Charging StandIf you have an iPhone, you may have other Apple-made products, like AirPods or the Apple Watch. If so, consider one system to charge all of them. I like this one from Mophie. It looks nice and charges my iPhone (at the max 7.5 W) in either landscape or portrait orientation, and I had no trouble recharging my AirPods Pro and Series 5 along with it. The base has LEDs to indicate if your device is charging.
Belkin's 3-in-1 wireless charger is another option worth considering. Apple also has the MagSafe Duo Charger, but it's clunky and can only charge an Apple Watch and another device, yet has a similarly high price.
Photograph: AppleA MagSafe Wallet
Apple iPhone Leather Wallet With MagSafeIf you're against using a case but want a way to carry your credit cards and driver's license, I like Apple's Leather Wallet. It's simple—the single slot can only fit two to three credit cards—but it slaps onto the back of an iPhone 12 and doesn't easily fall off. (Note: It might get dislodged when you stuff the phone in a particularly tight pocket.) You can also pair it with a MagSafe case.
It can be difficult to take out a card, but the trick is to just take off the wallet and push your cards up via the hole in the back (and snap it back to your phone when done). It's a little pricey for what you get, so if you're in no rush or this doesn't look that appealing, it's a good idea to wait until third-party accessory makers have other alternatives.
Photograph: AukeyA Charging Adapter
Aukey Omnia 100W ChargerNone of the new iPhone 12s come with charging adapters in the box. Plus, the cable it does come with is a USB-C to Lightning—you might not have a USB-C power adapter lying around. Rather than buying an adapter from Apple, you should get a third-party gallium nitride (GaN) charger. It's an up-and-coming technology that enables adapters to pack more power in a smaller size.
This 100-W GaN adapter from Aukey is much smaller than what you'll get from Apple, yet it's powerful enough to recharge your MacBook. The extra USB-C port is also handy. If you don't need that much power, then get Anker's 20-W charger ($17). It's the same size as the 5-W charging adapter that used to come with iPhones, but it charges quickly.
Photograph: NomadA Durable Cable
Nomad Lightning Cable USB-CIf you're using a ripped Apple-made cable to recharge your iPhone, it might be time for an upgrade. Apple's included cable is fine, but I've seen too many in tatters to believe it will withstand long-term abuse. Nomad's double-braided Kevlar Lightning to USB-C cable will do the job, plus you get a built-in cable tie to keep things looking neat. It comes in two sizes, 1.5 or 3 meters, and has a five-year warranty.
If that's overkill, I also like Aukey's braided nylon USB-C to Lighting cable. At $13, it's dirt cheap, but it'll last longer than Apple's cable.
Photograph: NomadHonorable Mentions
Other Good CasesThere are many cases that are perfectly fine but don't stand out. Here are a few more we like.
Otterbox Symmetry for $50: This case has a relatively thin profile but feels very sturdy. It's easy to take off, the buttons aren't too stiff, and there's antimicrobial tech to keep stain- and odor-causing bacteria at bay. Otterbox is shipping MagSafe cases soon (including a MagSafe version of the Symmetry), so we recommend waiting for that one instead. The MagSafe wireless charger does stay on this case, but the MagSafe Wallet does not.
Nomad Rugged Folio for $70: This is a solid leather folio case, with high-quality leather from a distinguished Chicago-based tannery. You can fit two to three cards in each of the three slots for a total of nine (though six is more of a comfortable fit). It didn't make the cut above because the folio doesn't stay magnetically closed. That might not be a bad thing, as it lets you tap and peek at the screen without needing to open it up. But it's also not the comfiest to hold when the folio is wrapped around the back.
Razer Arctech Pro for $45: Razer's case isn't as gaudy as I'd have expected a gaming case to be, but it's still not the prettiest thing. Its aim is to dissipate your iPhone's heat away with its thermaphene cooling tech, so you can continue gaming without dealing with any performance throttling (which tends to happen when phones get too hot). I didn't notice a huge difference though.
Photograph: OtterboxAvoid This Case!
You Can Do BetterThere are a lot of cases out there, and some are duds. We don't like the Otterbox Strada Wallet Folio ($70). The leather doesn't feel right, the volume buttons are impossible to press without extraordinary pressure, and you can only fit two or three credit cards in it.
