The 7 best clear iPhone cases to protect your phone and show off its good looks
Slimmer cases compromise some protection for a sleeker look, but the Totallee Transparent case’s thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) build absorbs shocks better than a naked iPhone.
The 6 Best Clear Phone Cases
If you’ve paid hundreds of dollars for a sleek, gorgeous smartphone, you probably don’t want to cover it up with a bulky case. The best clear phone cases allow you to see the colors and logos while simultaneously protecting your phone and allowing you to access all of its features. That said, not all clear phone cases are created equal in terms of compatibility, protection offered, and discoloration protection.
What To Look For In A Clear Phone Case
Compatibility: If your case doesn’t fit your phone, it’s no use to you. Since nearly half of all US smartphone owners use iPhones, the first four clear cases below fit newer iPhones. The last two featured items are designed for the latest Google Pixel and Samsung Galaxy — but if you have an earlier model, or a different smartphone entirely, the “Also available for” section will show you where you can find a compatible case by the same brand. Be sure to make note of the specific model you have within a series; for example, the iPhone 13 also comes in Mini, Pro, and Pro Max, and all of them require different case sizes.
Sleek, Yet Protective Design: A good case will strike a balance between style and protection. While you don’t want your case to be too bulky, at the very least, it should have raised edges to prevent screen cracks and reinforced corners to cushion in the case of bumps and falls. Other nice bonuses to look for are screen protectors, waterproof protection, and warranties, but all of them should allow easy access to your phone’s buttons and features.
Durable To Discoloration: When it comes to clear phone cases in particular, one issue many people experience are phone cases turning yellow. This happens when light, heat, and oil from your fingers break down the chemical bonds, usually in silicone. Some brands have switched over to thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) or polycarbonate (PC) to reduce this, while others use a special coating that resists yellowing.
Different colors: If you’d like something beyond a crystal clear case, many also come with a colored tint or with glitter. Some might also have opaque borders that are available in various colors.
Shop The Best Clear Phone Cases
In a hurry? Here’s a roundup of the best clear phone cases:
- The Overall Best Clear Cell Phone Case:OtterBox Symmetry Clear Series Case, iPhone 13
- A Popular Case Kit With Screen Protectors:TAURI [3 in 1] Defender, iPhone 13 Pro Max
- The Best Budget Case:Mkeke Clear Case, iPhone 13
- The Best Waterproof Phone Case:Temdan Clear Waterproof Phone Case, iPhone 13 Pro
- A Sleek, Affordable TP Option That’s Great For Google Pixels:Spigen Ultra Hybrid Crystal Clear Case, Google Pixel 6
- A Clear Case That’s Great For The Samsung Galaxy:Humixx Crystal Clear Case, Samsung Galaxy S22
1. The Overall Best Clear Cell Phone Case
OtterBox Symmetry Clear Series Case, iPhone 12 and 12 PrPros:
- Drop-tested to meet three times the military standard
- Sleek and completely transparent
- Allows access to all buttons and features, including wireless charging
- Lifetime warranty
Cons:
The thin profile fits in your pocket, while the fully transparent design allows you to enjoy the sleek look of your phone — but the OtterBox Symmetry case is one of the most durable and practical out there. The single-piece design is made from 50% recycled plastic and tested to survive three times as many drops as the military standard. Plus, it comes with a lifetime warranty. Finally, the raised edges protect your screen and camera, all without getting in the way of your buttons. Plus, if glitter or clear but patterned is more your vibe, there are options for that, too.
One reviewer wrote: “This Otterbox case is a teensy bit thinner than the Otterbox Defender case I have had for two years and really like. This one is thin enough that it works well on a wireless charger so I am well pleased.”
Material: Synthetic rubber and polycarbonate (50% recycled plastic) | Available tints/border colors: none | Also available for: iPhone, Google Pixel, Samsung Galaxy, Motorola, LG, OnePlus
2. A Popular Case Kit With Screen Protectors
Pros:
- Includes screen and camera protectors
- Coated to resist yellowing
- Reasonably priced
Cons:
- Some reviewers aren’t thrilled with the quality of the magnet
The TAURI Defender comes with everything you need to protect your whole phone, including a phone case, two screen protectors, two camera protectors, and even a magnetic ring for MagSafe. All of it is designed to prevent cracks, dings, and damage. Plus the case is made from a TPU material with a coating that resists yellowing. The set has earned an average 4.6-star overall rating after more than 20,000 reviewers have weighted in, and you can get it in crystal clear or eight other color variations including tints and colored borders.
One reviewer wrote: “Just bought a new iPhone 13 pro and was looking at the cases at their retail store. Their prices were 3X what I paid for this product, and they were not any better. This is a great value, great product and great company!”
Material: thermoplastic polyurethane, polycarbonate, nano antioxidant layer | Available tints/border colors: Alpine Green, Black, Light Purple, Matte Black, Navy Blue, Pink, Rose Gold, Sierra Blue | Also available for: iPhone, Samsung Galaxy
3. The Best Budget Case
Pros:
- Less than $15
- Many reviewers report that it doesn’t yellow
Cons:
For less than $15, you can protect your iPhone from drops, bumps, and cracks. This clear phone case may not have all the bells and whistles, but it does have hollow corners, raised edges, and precise cutouts for protection and ease of use. It also “doesn’t yellow,” according to several reviewers who have owned it more than a few months. This one has an average 4.7-star overall rating after more than 10,000 reviews.
One reviewer wrote: “I had one of these cases for my iPhone 11 and bought another when I recently upgraded to the iPhone 13. I like that they are clear and show the color of the phone. I’ve dropped my phone multiple times onto concrete and have never broken a phone, so I believe these cases provide excellent protection.”
Material: thermoplastic polyurethane and polycarbonate | Available tints/border colors: Black, Blue, Green, Purple, Red | Also available for: iPhone
4. The Best Waterproof Phone Case
Pros:
- IP68-certified waterproof
- Exceeds military standards for drops
- Built-in screen protector
Cons:
It’s not totally see-through due to its opaque border, but this waterproof phone case has a clear back and is IP68-certified, which means it can survive being under 6.6 feet of water for up to 30 minutes. It also has a built-in screen protector to prevent cracks as well as a snap-on design that exceeds military standards for drops. Despite all of that, you still have full access to your speakers, buttons, sensors, and cameras.
One reviewer wrote: “Did the water test and no issues! The best thing is I don’t have to struggle typing a message because the built-in screen protector is thin enough for the phone to recognize the touch.”
Material: thermoplastic polyurethane | Available tints/border colors: Black, Blue, Green, Pink, Purple, Red, Rose Red, Teal, White | Also available for: iPhone, Samsung Galaxy
5. A Sleek, Affordable TP Option That’s Great For Google Pixels
Spigen Ultra Hybrid Crystal Clear Case, Google Pixel 6Pros:
- Well-made, yet affordable
- Shows off the thin, sleek design
- “Super durable,” according to reviewers
Cons:
- Despite the anti-yellowing technology, some reviewers report that it discolors
If you’re looking for a Pixel 6 clear case, this one from Spigen is a great way to go. It has over 4,500 reviews because it’s durable, protective, and sleek. It closely hugs the phone to show off its slim profile, yet still has a TPU bumper, raised bezels, and pronounced buttons. It’ll also keep your camera scratch-free and claims to resist yellowing, all for less than $20.
One reviewer wrote: “They are very durable: I drop my phone at least once per day (if not more) and have never cracked a screen with this case, even going without a screen protector for a while. Awesome case!”
Material: thermoplastic polyurethane | Available tints/border colors: none | Also available for: Google Pixel, iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, LG
6. A Clear Case That’s Great For The Samsung Galaxy
Pros:
- Best-seller
- Military-grade protection
- Designed to resist yellowing
Cons:
- Some report that the slick material doesn’t have the best grip
Finally, if you have a Samsung Galaxy, this phone case offers military-grade protection and anti-yellowing materials. Its features include built-in shock-absorbing corners, raised edges, camera protection, and durable TPU, all in a single piece that’s easy to take off and put on. It also comes in several different tints and has earned an overall 4.6-star rating from more than 1,000 reviewers.
One reviewer wrote: “Clear, easy to apply or remove case. Protects back, corners and edges of phone with slim but sturdy design. No screen protector means no interference with fingerprint reader and other touch-screen functions. Nice grip and feel.”
Material: thermoplastic polyurethane | Available tints/border colors: Pink, Green, Black, Silver | Also available for: Samsung Galaxy, iPhone, Google Pixel
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The 7 best clear iPhone cases to protect your phone and show off its good looks
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- The best clear iPhone cases will keep your phone safe from damage while fully showcasing its design and color.
- Our favorites include cases from Apple and trusted brands like Otterbox, Spigen, and more.
- Note that this list focuses on cases for the iPhone 14 and 14 Pro models, which vary in size.
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No case can truly replicate the look and feel of a naked iPhone, but a clear case comes close by letting its design and color shine through. It’s a worthwhile addition if you’ve bought the new yellow iPhone 14, for instance.
For the most part, clear cases aren’t all that different than their opaque counterparts when it comes to their protective qualities — thicker cases offer more protection but dilute your iPhone’s slender feel, while thinner cases offer less protection in exchange for that sleek, premium device sensation in your hands.
Our recommended clear cases come from brands we’ve used and trust, and several are among the best MagSafe cases you can buy for the iPhone 14 series. While this list focuses solely on iPhone 14 and 14 Pro models, clear cases from these brands are also available for older iPhones.
Apple Clear Case with MagSafe
Apple’s own iPhone 14 Clear Case is a slim-to-medium-thick model made with polycarbonate and flexible materials that’s not as protective as some thicker models here. In its favor, it’s the only clear case with a cutout on the bottom edge that doesn’t interfere when your thumb swipes up from the bottom of the screen to unlock your iPhone or return to the homescreen.
Apple’s Clear Case has raised edges to help protect the screen. It also has minimally raised edges for the cameras, which is standard for most cases. It doesn’t have raised bumpers on the rear, so the iPhone wobbles when you use it on a flat surface thanks to the camera bump.
Clear cases gaining a yellow tint over time is a common concern, and I can attest from experience that Apple’s clear case isn’t affected after using one for over a year. It’s available for the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max.
Spigen Ultra Hybrid (MagFit)
Like some of the cases here, Spigen’s Ultra Hybrid with MagCase is on the medium-thick side. It’s made of both flexible and harder plastics that’s softer than Apple’s case, which gives it an edge for protection. Spigen says the case is infused with blue resin to resist the case from yellowing over time.
The Ultra Hybrid also includes raised edges to help protect the screen, as well as raised edges for the camera, but they’re minimal. It also includes raised bumpers on the back around the corners to prevent wobbling.
The Ultra Hybrid is heavy with additional branding and markings. The company’s name is on the bottom left edge of the case, which is fine. However, the top right edge of the case says “air cushion technology” in capitals with an arrow pointing at the corner. There’s also a random series of numbers etched on the bottom right edge of the case.
Spigen’s case is available for all iPhone 14 models, including the iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max.
Otterbox Symmetry Series+ Clear Antimicrobial with MagSafe
Otterbox has made its name for making ultra-protective cases. The Otterbox Symmetry Series+ Clear Antimicrobial with MagSafe for iPhone 14 is in the medium-thick category. It’s made of synthetic rubber and harder polycarbonate plastic to be slightly flexible and more impact-absorbent.
The case has raised edges to help protect the screen, as well as slightly raised edges for the camera. It doesn’t include bumpers on the back to prevent wobbling.
The Otterbox is among the least obnoxious for non-Apple cases with only a single Otterbox name branding on the right edge under the power button. It’s one of two cases here that offer antimicrobial technology, but Otterbox doesn’t claim that it actively protects you from common bacteria.
It’s also worth mentioning that the Otterbox case offered the best experience out of all the cases I tried for pushing the buttons — even surpassing Apple’s. The buttons are easy to press, but not too easy, and offer a clicky feedback sound.
You can buy the case in versions for the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max.
Incipio Duo for MagSafe
I’ve personally developed a heightened sense of trust for Incipio cases ever since I accidentally ran over a Galaxy S9 sporting an Incipio case with my car back in 2018, and the phone was unscathed.
Incipio’s Duo for MagSafe is a medium-thick two-piece case consisting of a hard exterior shell and a softer flexible interior layer for a more forgiving impact on hard surfaces. Like the Otterbox, it also comes with anti-microbial properties.
The Duo for MagSafe is the least “clear” out of all the cases here. The back has a slightly hazy look, while the sides have a hexagonal pattern. The words “Made in China” are clearly visible underneath the right speaker cutout on the bottom edge, as well as a random assortment of numbers and letters under the left speaker cutout, which cheapens not only the case’s vibe, but also your iPhone’s.
The case has raised edges for the screen, and slightly raised edges for the camera. It has minimal bumpers on the rear corners, but they don’t really help stabilize the iPhone wobble.
Totallee Transparent Case
Totallee is known for making slim cases without any markings, and the Transparent Case firmly sits in the slim-thickness category. It’s among the sleekest and best-looking of the bunch thanks to its lack of branding.
Slimmer cases compromise some protection for a sleeker look, but the Totallee Transparent case’s thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) build absorbs shocks better than a naked iPhone.
Only the soft version of the Transparent case has a raised lip to help protect the screen, and its softer build will better absorb impacts than the hard version. Both versions have a slight lip for the camera. You can find the soft Transparent case for the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max.
Totallee says its Transparent case is thin enough for the iPhone’s MagSafe magnets to work, but the MagSafe’s strength is slightly weakened. Totallee also offers a “frosted clear” case for the full MagSafe strength — it’s not fully transparent due to the frosted matte texture, but your iPhone’s color will still shine through. You can find the MagSafe Frosted Clear case for the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max as well.
Peel Super Thin Case
To categorize the thickness of Peel’s case, I had to make up the new “near-naked thickness” category. Peel cases go beyond Totallee’s slim cases with unrivaled thinness. That also means Peel cases are the least protective here — this is more for scratch protection and it may only add marginal supplemental drop protection compared to a naked iPhone.
Peel’s Super Thin Case has a slight lip to help protect the screen and camera. Like Totallee, Peel doesn’t add branding and markings on its cases, making it the closest case option to achieve the naked iPhone look. It’s also one of the least expensive cases here. You can buy it for the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max.
While the Super Thin case is so thin that it doesn’t interfere too much with MagSafe connection strength, Peel also offers a MagSafe-specific version to ensure the strongest magnetic connection with MagSafe accessories. The MagSafe case is also available for the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max.
Smartish Gripmunk with MagSafe
The “Nothin’ to hide” model of Smartish’s MagSafe-compatible Gripmunk case is our favorite budget option for a clear case at $20. Sporting a grip-conducive texture on its sides and air pockets built into each corner, this slim case will protect your phone from drop damage with its light yet durable design.
The clear Gripmunk case is available for the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max.
Antonio is a senior tech reporter for Insider’s Reviews team, where he helps lead coverage, reviews, and guides of smartphones, tablets, accessories, wearables, smart home products, as well as audio devices from Apple, Google, Samsung, OnePlus, and other major tech companies. Before joining Business Insider, Antonio was a consumer-electronics analyst at PCMag. He graduated from Colgate University in 2009 with a bachelor’s degree in history. You can contact Antonio with tips and cool tech via email at: [email protected] Learn more about how our team of experts tests and reviews products at Insider here. Learn more about how we test tech and electronics.
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