The best Apple iPhone SE case for 2023

Speck makes several cases for the iPhone SE3, and you can find several on sale on Amazon for less than $15. The two cases shown here are part of the Presidio Grip Series, which comes in a variety of color options (prices vary by color). Here are some additional deals on Speck SE3 boxes:

My two favorite Otterbox cases are the Commuter series and the Symmetry series, both of which come in a variety of colors. The two-layer Commuter Series is a bit more protective and has a lock that covers the charging port. Prices vary by color.

Zagg’s Gear4 iPhone SE cases are similar in quality to Speck and Otterbox cases. I initially contacted the Piccadilly (pictured above), which retails for just $10. Crystal Palace ($10) is very similar, but completely straightforward.

Spigen’s Tough Armor cases have been around for a while, and feature a circular cutout that exposes the Apple logo and their built-in kickstand. They offer decent protection and hold up quite well over time, though not as well as some Otterbox and Speck cases. The sturdy bumper is available in multiple color options.

Otterbox’s Symmetry series comes in a variety of color options, including a clear version with a gloss finish. As I said, Otterbox’s Commuter Series case offers a bit more protection, but you can’t go wrong with the Symmetry Series cases.

The Spigen Slim Armor CS comes in a variety of color options and has a slot that lets you store multiple credit cards (or one credit card and some cash) inside the case. The only downside is that it is not compatible with wireless charging.

Urban Armor Gear offers several different iPhone SE case designs in a variety of colors. I personally like Plasma, but Armor, Pathfinder, and Plyo are also good, with Plyo having the slimmest design. All UAG cases feature good corner protection and meet military drop test standards.

Incipio’s NGP case is a simple translucent case that offers decent protection in a slim package. The blue version is currently $6 on Amazon. It’s listed as iPhone 8 compatible, but will fit the iPhone SE, both the 2022 and 2020 models.

Spigen’s subsidiary Cyrill makes several different cases for the iPhone SE. I like the Leather Brick (it’s “vegan” leather, not real leather), but all Cyrill cases are well designed and decent value for money. Leather Brick is available in several color options.

LifeProof’s Wake case is made from recycled ocean plastic. While I wouldn’t call it super-rugged — it’s not sealed from the bottom — it’s rated for 6-foot drop protection and has an attractive design. Available in three color options, price varies by color.

Smartish makes three cases for the SE, Gripmunk, Wallet Slayer Vol. 1 and Wallet Slayer Vol. 2 (the last two are wallet cases). I’m a bit more partial to Slayer Vol. 2, which comes in several color options for the SE. It’s a pretty basic case, but it offers a decent grip and can hold a few credit cards along with some cash. You can use your credit card as a stand by inserting it into the slot on the back of the case.

I bought a similar version of this case to use with a Samsung phone. This is a faux leather wallet case that has a magnetic closure with room inside for three credit cards and some cash. It also converts into a stand for watching videos.

Available in several colors, Raptic’s Shield case costs less than an OtterBox case and offers similar durability with 10-foot drop protection. The rose gold version is currently only $10, while the other colors, including the red model pictured, are $20.

Griffin’s Survivor cases offer 6-foot drop protection with reinforced (and raised) corners that can help your phone avoid damage if it falls face down.

Incipio’s Organicore box is another eco-friendly box that Incipio says is 100% compostable. The oat-colored version retails for $10.

The third-generation iPhone SE has an IP67 water resistance rating, meaning it can survive immersion in water up to 1 meter for 30 minutes. But if you want an even more waterproof option, LifeProof’s Fre case is the way to go. This once popular case (before the iPhone got some water resistance) is still quite expensive, but it offers maximum protection for your phone.