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The Best MagSafe Cases to Protect Your iPhone

The best iPhone cases for protection and style — and they’ll work with the MagSafe accessories you already own.

a group of cell phones Totallee, Nomad Goods, Otterbox

By Tucker Bowe

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If you have an iPhone that supports MagSafe — which is any iPhone 12 or newer — you should consider buying a MagSafe case as well. These are integrated with magnets (just like your iPhone) and thus ensure that your iPhone will have all the benefits of MagSafe — a strong magnetic hold, faster charging capabilities compatibility with other MagSafe accessories — while also adding the protection and the style of a case.

Products in the Guide

How We Tested

iphone magsafe cases
An iPhone 15 with a case that supports MagSafe.
Tucker Bowe

We’ve been writing about and reviewing MagSafe accessories since they were introduced in 2020. We’ve had hands-on testing with the bulk of the following iPhone cases, although there are a few exceptions for exceptions made by brands we trust and aim to get hands-on with in the near future.

To learn more about our testing methodology and how we evaluate products, head here.

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The Best MagSafe Cases for Your iPhone

Best Clear Case: Apple Clear Case with MagSafe

The Clear Case with MagSafe allows you to show off the true color of your iPhone. We prefer it to Totallee’s Clear Case with MagSafe because Apple’s option is a little more robust and adds a bit more drop protection. You can buy Apple’s Clear Case with MagSafe that fits whichever iPhone 15 model you have.

Best Thin MagSafe Case: Totallee Super Thin Case with MagSafe

Totalle’s Super Thin Case has been our favorite “super-thin” case for years. It adds a little protection, virtually zero bulk and is available in a bunch of colors. This specific model is integrated with magnets and thus works just as well with MagSafe accessories as if your iPhone didn’t have a case. You can buy a Totallee Super Thin Case that fits whichever iPhone 15 model you have.

Best Leather Case: Nomad Modern Leather Case

With the iPhone 15, Apple decided to not make leather accessories, and therefore doesn’t make a leather iPhone case. So if you’re looking for a true leather case that will patina over time, buy this one from Nomad. It’s integrated with magnets so it’s able to make a really strong connection. You can buy a Nomad Modern Leather Case that fits whichever iPhone 15 model you have, and it’s available in brown or black finishes. (Note: Nomad sells a folio version of this leather case for an extra $10. )

Best Rugged Case: OtterBox Defender Series XT

Even though there are more rugged cases for the iPhone 15, Otterbox’s Defender Series XT case adds a lot of protection — even on the borders of the front screen and over the charging port — without feeling super-hefty. It’s integrated with magnets and is fully compatible with MagSafe. It’s available in several different colors (the model shown is the “Clear” case). You can buy an OtterBox Defender Series XT that fits whichever iPhone 15 model you have.

Best PopSocket Case: PopSockets Case for MagSafe

PopSockets’s iPhone case is integrated magnets and is fully compatible with MagSafe. It’s unique because it comes with a matching “PopTop” that utilizes these magnetics to create a strong hold. This PopTop works as grip / stand for your iPhone, but it’s removable, to allow for the case (and iPhone) to work with MagSafe chargers and other accessories. The case-and-PopTop combo is available in a number of different colors. You can buy a PopSockets Case for MagSafe that fits whichever iPhone 15 model you have.

Best Case with Kickstand: Zagg Denali Snap with Kickstand

Zagg’s Denali Snap case is protective and has a textured finish to help with grip. It’s integrated with MagSafe and is fully compatible with MagSafe accessories. Its signature feature, however, is a built-in kickstand – you can easily prop it for content watching or for putting your iPhone in StandBy mode.

MagSafe or non-MagSafe case?

There’s a difference between MagSafe cases and non-MagSafe cases. A MagSafe case has built-in magnets ensuring that your iPhone will work just as well with MagSafe accessories.

There are a lot of iPhone cases that are not compatible with MagSafe. These tend to be more affordable and will still add protection to your iPhone. The caveat is that they’re not integrated with magnets and thus won’t create as strong of a hold when used with various MagSafe accessories such as MagSafe chargers, MagSafe car mounts, MagSafe battery packs and MagSafe wallets. This isn’t a huge deal if you have a thin case, but the magnetic connection will weaken considerably with thicker cases.

In a nutshell: it’s worth spending a few extra bucks for a true MagSafe case.

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