The best iPhone 16 case depends on your model and what you care about most—drop protection, MagSafe charging, slim design, wallet storage, or camera-friendly handling.
We have rigorously tested the best cases for iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, iPhone 16 Plus and iPhone 16e, and believe the one you’re looking for will be featured here.
Apple still sells the basic iPhone 16, but it’s a fine buy if you can get your hands on a refurbished model of any variety—except maybe the limited 16e.
Cases come in more shapes and size and with more functionality than you’d believe. We have hand tested the best to find the perfect case for your iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16e, 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max. If you’re one step ahead, look at the best iPhone 17 cases roundup, too.
• Best clear iPhone 16 cases
• Best stylish and slim iPhone 16 cases
• Best protective cases for iPhone 16
• Best leather and leather-alternative iPhone 16 cases
• Best iPhone 16 cases with wallet
• Best battery cases for iPhone 16
• Best iPhone 16 case with camera accessories
• Best iPhone 16 case with built-in keyboard
• Best iPhone 16 cases with lanyards
• Best phone slings
iPhone 16 case: Protection
The most common causes for accidental smartphone damage are: dropping your phone on the ground, it falling from a pocket or bag, or it being knocked off a table. The main results of such phone accidents are cracked and scratched screens, followed by chipped corners and sides. In fact, research shows that within 10 weeks of purchase, half of all new phone users will drop their handset. D’oh!
Even a basic phone case will offer some protection against such everyday drops and knocks, and some are built to withstand more catastrophic accidents. A few years ago, such ultra-protective cases meant you’d be carrying around something the size and weight of a brick, but modern materials mean that protective cases can be relatively slim and light. Clever design and tough-but-thin materials such as Kevlar and Graphene are key to the levels of robustness—but it remains the case that the bulkier the case, the more protection it will offer as long as it is also clever and made of the right stuff.
Let’s face it the iPhone is basically made front and back of glass—even if it is a new version of Ceramic Shield that Apple claims is “two times tougher than any smartphone glass”—and glass dropped on the floor usually ends in despair.
Look for raised edges (known as a bezel) around the screen that will protect it from drop cracks and scratches—it lands on these edges and not the fragile screen. Another point of obvious weakness is the camera lens area, and you should go for a case with a raised edge around that part, too, in case the phone lands that side down. Where we have the exact dimensions, we have included this information in our case reviews below.
Look for button covers—in metal or plastic. Some cases prefer cutouts but may offer less protection as a result.
The iPhone 16’s new Camera Control on the right side of all the iPhone 16 models (except the 16e) is capacitive so it can’t be covered using standard materials in the same way as the other iPhone buttons can. In its own cases, Apple (and Apple-owned Beats) plus a growing roster of third parties such as OtterBox, ESR, dbrand, Benks and Torras (all reviewed below) utilize a piece of sapphire crystal coupled with a conductive layer to communicate finger movements—including taps, slides and swipes—to the button below.
iPhone 16 case: Style
Apple makes the iPhone a thing of sleek beauty and offers a small range of colors (exciting for the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus, but rather dull for the Pro and Pro Max, and black or white 16e). If you want to keep this Apple elegance while still protecting the phone, choose a clear case that won’t detract from the Apple designers’ art. If you want to add more personality—if only to distinguish your iPhone from those of your family, friends or colleagues—there are hundreds of designs to choose from. Some are quite beautiful, some fine art, and some I wouldn’t want to be seen with in a dark room.
And iPhone 16 cases come in many forms: wallet cases, cases that support bike and car mounts, phone pouches, sleeves, slings and cases with belt-clips. Here we keep adding the best we can find as they come in for testing.
iPhone 16 case: Fit
Ensure you choose the right case for your exact model so that it fits correctly over the buttons and camera lenses for uninterrupted use. Where possible we have linked to the buying pages for each model: iPhone 16 and 16e (6.1 inch), iPhone 16 Plus (6.7 inch), iPhone 16 Pro (6.3 inch) and iPhone 16 Pro Max (6.9 inch).
Don’t think you can squeeze your new 16 model iPhone into a case for an older model. Sometimes a new iPhone is the same size as the previous model, but not the 16 unfortunately. Upgraders need a new case. We have used cases for the iPhone 17 Pro with the 16 Pro but not the other way round as the cameras are placed differently on the two models.
iPhone 16 case: magnetic wireless charging
Choose a MagSafe-compatible case if you use wireless chargers, stands, or wallets; skip it if you are buying for iPhone 16e—which curiously omits magnetic charging—or always charge by cable, which will always be the fastest way to charge an iPhone—and an iPhone charger.
So-called “clear” cases sadly require a huge white ring on their back to be compatible with MagSafe charging. Colored, patterned or leather cases hide their magnets better.
Will the iPhone 16 fit an iPhone 17 case?
if you prefer one of the fancy cases available for the newer iPhone 17 for your iPhone 16, you might be in luck if you have a Pro version. In our tests, the iPhone 16 Pro will fit most iPhone 17 Pro cases, although some may cover the 16’s flashlight. You’ll be less lucky with other versions of the iPhone 16, which subtly differ in size from the 17 and so make the new cases incompatible with the older phone.
Where to buy the best iPhone 16 cases
Buy direct from the case maker for the fullest customization and color ranges. Use Amazon or other major retailers for faster delivery and price checks. Be cautious with marketplace authenticity on very cheap listings.
Best clear iPhone cases for iPhone 16, 16e, 16 Plus, 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max
If covering up Apple’s iPhone offends your inner Jony Ive, look for a clear, transparent case that keeps the iPhone’s looks as wonderful as they were straight out of the box.
Best stylish and slim iPhone cases for iPhone 16, 16e, 16 Plus, 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max
While some will prefer a clear case to keep their iPhone’s natural color, others are easily bored and want a splash of difference, from plain new colors, through pretty or cool patterns, to fully customizable designs. We’ve counted hundreds of designs on offer, so there must be something here for you and your iPhone 16. Or look for the slimmest or lightest case available.
Best protective iPhone cases for iPhone 16, 16e, 16 Plus, 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max
A case isn’t there just to make your iPhone look pretty. The best cases offer reasonable protection while adding as little bulk as possible by using the latest, strongest materials.
Kevlar is the material used to make bulletproof vests—it’s also known as Aramid Fiber. Graphene is even stronger. Zagg claims the graphene used in its Denali Snap case is “harder than a diamond, yet more elastic than rubber, and up to 200x stronger than steel”. That suggests a fall onto the pavement—or indeed off a cliff—might not be fatal for your phone.
Some protective iPhone cases go full out and don’t care about their bulk as long as they protect your iPhone from the biggest disasters that can befall it. We’ve tested protective iPhone 16 cases from the thin to the very thick.
Best leather iPhone cases for iPhone 16, 16e, 16 Plus, 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max
Apple made a deliberate move away from leather with its accessories at the launch of the iPhone 15 and has stuck to its vegan ways with the iPhone 16. Apple’s alternative was a micro twill called FineWoven—however, customers were quick to complain that it easily picked up stains from just about anything it come into contact with, and the company has rightly abandoned it for its new iPhone.
If you want a leather alternative we recommend the vegan leather MOFT MOVAS case, reviewed below.
But if you are happier with the real animal skin thing, there are some great leather cases to choose from, as you’ll find by reading on.
Best iPhone 16 cases with wallet
Choose a built-in wallet if you want fewer pieces; choose a detachable wallet if you still want MagSafe charging; or choose a stand/grip if viewing comfort matters more than card storage.
Scan the reviews above for some examples, such as:
• Mujjo Full Leather Wallet Case – beautiful design and stylish wallet
• Smartish Wallet Slayer Vol. 2 – Practical three-card wallet
Some include wallets that attach to the case magnetically and other have the wallet built in. Note that built-in wallets usually affect wireless charging, especially with cards inside. You’d need to remove the Smartish Wallet Slayer case to use wireless charging, for example.
Best battery cases for iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, 16 Pro Max
We are big fans of carrying around a pocketable power bank—see best magnetic power bank for iPhone—to ensure that our iPhones are always powered up, but a more convenient option is to keep the phone in a case that boasts its own built-in battery pack. Unlike a separate power bank, a battery case has the second function of protecting your iPhone at the same time, and is always with you—although they do add some heft to your slim phone. Also read: Best iPhone Battery Cases.
Best iPhone case with camera accessories
The iPhone 16 has a wonderful array of cameras but photography enthusiasts and professionals will hanker after fancier lenses and better grips. You can still make calls and use your favorite apps, but your phone photos will look even more sensational if you get the right gear for your phone.
Best iPhone case with built-in keyboard
One of the joys of a smartphone is its lack of physical keyboard, which is why BlackBerry no longer makes phones. But … but… there are some benefits of ditching the virtual keyboard and freeing up valuable screen space after all.
Best iPhone cases with lanyards and wrist straps
Why stuff your iPhone into your trouser or coat pocket or deep into your handbag when you could wear it round your neck or across your shoulder for easier access? Several of the iPhone 16 cases we tested have lanyard options, which we mention in the reviews above or pick out here for particular attention.
Best bags and slings for iPhone 16
If you don’t want to have your iPhone sticking out of your back pocket for all the world to see and seize, or jammed into a tight front pocket, consider a small bag or sling to keep your new iPhone protected and held away from your person.
How we tested iPhone 16 cases
We tested the reviewed cases above using an iPhone 16 Pro. We tested for fit, look and feel, build quality, and magnetic wireless charging. We did not test the claims for Military Grade Protection by throwing the encased phone from speeding trains or hot air balloons or throwing it to the pavement. We have to trust the manufacturer’s claims on this but we did examine the raised screen and camera edges for robustness.
