Best iPhone 12 Cases for 2024

Charlotte Maracina Associate Writer

David Carnoy Executive Editor / Reviews

I only recently learned that Cyrill is a sister brand to Spigen and its cases are arguably slightly better, although they cost a few bucks more. We're linking to the Leather Brick case, pictured here in tan and navy (it's faux "vegan" leather), but the Silicone case (pictured in light blue) and transparent Cecile cases are also good. The Silicone case is basically a knockoff of the Apple Silicone case without the MagSafe feature.

Brooklyn, New York-based Casely makes "cute and protective" cases that have a variety of graphic artists behind their designs. The cases usually start at $25, but the online store often offers discounts.

KerfCase has been making handmade wooden cases for a while, and its new Plywood case is not only more durable but less expensive than some, starting at $50, with 6-foot drop protection and a limited lifetime repair warranty. I like it better than other wood cases I've tried. It's also worth noting that Apple's MagSafe charger will stick to the back of it, and KerfCase sells matching charging docks for the Apple MagSafe charger (yes, it's an accessory for an accessory).

British case-maker Gear4, now owned by Zagg, makes cases that are right up there with OtterBox and Speck, all of them lined with the company's D3O shock-absorbing material and featuring beveled edges to protect your phone. My favorites include (from left to right) the Wembley Palette, Crystal Palace Iridescent, Battersea and Piccadilly. All of them are rated for 13-foot drop protection and the Battersea is rated for 16 feet. 

X-Doria's Raptic cases come in a variety of styles and cost a little less than competing premium cases from Speck and OtterBox. The thicker Raptic Shield (pictured on the left) costs $28 while the Raptic Air (pictured on the right), which I personally like, is also $30. The Shield has 10-foot drop protection while the Air is rated for 13-foot drop protection. Both have an antimicrobial treatment.

Casetify is known for eye-catching designs on the back of a clear case. They're relatively slim, sleek-looking cases that offer decent protection and come in a variety of design patterns, with some definite appeal to teenagers. Some of the designs are hit-or-miss but I liked the samples I got. I should note that prices appear to have gone up. 

BodyGuardz was initially known for its screen protectors, but in recent years, it's put out some interesting iPhone cases. I personally like the $20 Harmony (pictured left), which has a more square bottom. The Stack (center) is $13 while the Avenue (right) is no longer available. They come in a few color options.

Smartish's affordable, simple, slim cases and wallet cases return for the iPhone 12. The Wallet Slayer 2.0 case (pictured on left and right) costs a little more now ($18 to $30 depending on which option you go for) but comes in a variety of designs. It holds three credit cards plus cash and you can use one of your credit cards as a kickstand.

UK-based Torro makes some nice leather-clad cases that aren't too expensive (a leather case typically tends to cost over $50). The Torro Leather Bumper ($45) is a pretty straightforward bumper case with a leather back. It's one of the better leather cases you'll find for the money. The case is available in multiple colors.

Like Lifeproof, Catalyst made a name for itself with waterproof cases, but it now focuses on standard protective case options and has two new models for the iPhone 12: the Vibe (left) and the Influence (right), which has a see-through frosted back. Both cases have perforations on the corners that allow you to attach various accessories (sold separately), such as lanyards and carabiners. The Vibe is rated for 10-foot drop protection while the Influence is rated for 15 feet.

Nomad makes a line of nice iPhone 12 Horween leather case styles that are designed to develop a "rugged" patina as the oils from your skin interact with them over time. The new Rugged leather case options are available in black, brown and a lighter natural color that I like. They're rated for 10-foot (3-meter) drop protection. 

I'm personally not a crossbody case guy (meaning a case with a long strap so you can wear your phone like a purse), but some people love them. You can find some fancy ones out there that cost a lot of money, but if you're looking for something simpler, the Smartish Crossbody case is around $35 and comes in multiple colors. The iPhone case design incorporates some faux leather and the case offers decent protection along with three slots for storing up to five credit cards and cash in the wallet compartment. You can choose to go with a shorter hand strap or the longer adjustable crossbody strap.

Incipio has an assortment of cases for the iPhone 12 lineup, including the sturdy Duo with 12-foot drop protection, the Slim, the Grip and the Organicore, an eco case that's 100% compostable. All are available in multiple color options, and the Slim comes in a variety of translucent options.

You know all those compact discs you no longer listen to? Well, Nimble makes translucent iPhone cases out of them. They have antimicrobial protection, are scratch-resistant and aren't supposed to turn yellow over time. The Disc Case is slim, but it's rated for 6-foot drop protection. 

Case-Mate makes a variety of color cases, some of which have glitter integrated into their translucent designs. I only got a look at the twinkle ombre iPhone case, but the iridescent soap bubble and tough groove cases also look cool.

If selfies are your thing, then you're probably aware of the LuMee cases that have built-in lighting. This Paris Hilton-endorsed Holographic version has an iridescent design. It charges via USB-C and gives you 30 minutes of "studio lighting" at full brightness. The case does allow wireless charging and you can adjust the brightness levels of the light.

I wasn't a fan of earlier Pelican cases, which were very protective but just a little too bulky (and ugly), but in the last couple of years (starting with the iPhone 11), the company, now owned by Case-mate, added some slimmer designs, including two that I like: the Protector (pictured, middle in camo color) and the Rogue (at left and right), which has a soft rubber bubbled pattern.

I've always liked Moshi cases and the company's made versions of its iGlaze, Altra and Vitros cases (pictured from left to right) for the iPhone 12, 12 Pro, 12 Mini and 12 Pro Max. The Altra is the most distinct-looking and has a geometric rubber finish that makes your phone nice and grippy. It also includes a lanyard. Not pictured is the Overture (coming soon), a two-in-one folio wallet case. You fit your iPhone into a slim shell case that then magnetically adheres to the cover, which has slots for storing credit cards and cash. Moshi's available cases range in price from $25 to $50.

Showcase your love for music festivals with the Wildflower x Coachella iPhone 12 phone case collaboration. I love the fun design of the case, which includes palm trees, flowers and the iconic Coachella ferris wheel. The case itself is decent quality and offers a medium level of protection for your phone without being too bulky. When it's available it can be purchased for $37.

There are plenty of inexpensive clear cases and iPhone 12 accessories on Amazon. It seems to be a perfectly good clear case that offers decent protection with raised edges. Whether it will yellow over time, I can't tell you, but it seems like a good value.