I'm a serial iPhone case-buyer, and these are the best iPhone 17 cases I've tested

The iPhone 17 series is arguably the best lineup of iPhones we've seen from Apple in a long time, and for a lot of older iPhone owners, they make for some pretty compelling upgrades.

The base iPhone 17 is probably the best deal of the bunch, with Apple finally springing for a super-smooth 120Hz Pro Motion display whilst also equipping it with great performance and strong cameras.

Then, there's our phone of the year: the iPhone Air. Not because it's the most powerful or even the slimmest phone on the market, but because it's the iPhone everyone can't stop talking about.

The iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max ditch titanium and return to less-durable aluminum, but otherwise sport powerful new A19 Pro silicon and upgraded cameras, paired with some professional-grade new features, like Genlock.

With all that said, if you're considering switching to one of these head-turning new Apple-made smartphones (or perhaps you already have), there's every chance that, like me, you'll want to clad them in a case that looks good, protects your device, and works well with your lifestyle.

As a serial case user on almost every one of the hundreds of phones I've reviewed over the years (I once dropped and dented an HTC One M7 and vowed to never again let a phone in my possession fall to such a fate), I've trialed a lot of phone cases from a lot of companies, and while there's no one-size-fits-all solution, there's certainly a wealth of cases worth avoiding.

So, here's a shortlist of some of the best iPhone 17 cases from case makers I trust, with each set of cases possessing particular strengths in one key area or another.

1. Mous (best for sophisticated protection)

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Probably my favorite case maker out there, Mous is known for putting its cases through Red Bull-level stress tests; it recently hurled several members of the iPhone 17 line off a 250-meter drop from a dam in Switzerland, each clad in the brand's signature Limitless case (spoiler alert: they all survived, unscathed).

As with previous entries in the line, the brand's latest Limitless 6.0 case features a raised camera surround and corners, the company's own AiroShock impact-resistant material, and a microfiber-lined back, not to mention ridged sides for enhanced grip, MagSafe / Qi2 compatibility, and a selection of inlaid materials like aramid fiber and walnut.

One of the big concerns with any 17 Pro or 17 Pro Max case is whether it offers sufficient protection along the top edge, now that the phones' enlarged camera plateau leaves less room for case material along the back. Mous addresses this with enhanced rigidity along the top edge.

My biggest criticism with the previous-gen Limitless 5.0 cases was how chunky they felt, but Mous has remedied this too, making its iPhone 17-specific 6.0 cases around 25% thinner, while also improving their structural stiffness.

If you've been entranced by the 17 Pro's new Cosmic Orange colorway, there's every chance you might want to actually see the finish of your iPhone through your case, in which case the company's Clarity line has you covered.

These cases are similar in design to the Limitless case, but with a transparent back that can be bought with (as I tested above) or without MagSafe compatibility (for an even clearer look at your phone's back). An IML film also helps resist scratches and helps prevent yellowing (something common with cheap clear cases).

The Clarity line also offers the most character, with Mous Collabs producing printed-back designs from artists and brands (like the Mercedes AMG F1 team), offering far more diversity amongst Mous' case designs.

And if you don't like cases at all, Mous also has a selection of Super Thin cases. They're available in Aramid Fiber for all four new iPhone models, with an exclusive clear Super Thin option for the iPhone Air.

Mous also sent me a number of its latest accessories to try, including its premium metal-bodied MagSafe / Qi wireless charging pad – complete with integrated heatsink and a 1.5m braided cable – its 6,000mAh 20W MagSafe-compatible power bank, and its latest ceramic screen protectors; available for the whole iPhone 17 line.

Below, you'll find the best prices on a selection of Mous cases. For the full iPhone 17 range, check out Mous' official website.

2. Moft (best for flexibility)

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It's definitely Moft's accessories that first won me over to the brand, with the company's MagSafe-compatible Snap Tripod Stand becoming an everyday carry for me over the past two years (I don't leave home without it).

In fact, Moft has an incredible array of MagSafe accessories worth checking out, including the upgraded Snap Tripod Wallet and the new Snap Field Wallet, but the company's iPhone 17 series cases are also pretty slick.

Available in a wider array of colors – hewn from Moft's own MOVAS vegan leather – than ever before, the company's Snap Cases are clean, feel great in the hand, and do a solid job of keeping your iPhone protected and looking good. The case's microfiber lining includes a recess so that they work with Moft's Everywhere Lanyard, and for those after something a little more standout, the company has also teamed up with fashion brand Tombogo for an exclusive run of embossed cases.

The detail work around elements like the iPhone 17's Camera Control passthrough speak to the company's attention to detail and craftsmanship, and although I haven't yet had the chance to try it, the company's new Frame Case (exclusive to the iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max) looks to be a compelling thin and lightweight open-edged alternative to the standard Snap Cases I've been using, with reinforced corners to boot.

Moft Collections like the Snap Studio for iPhone 17 Pro/Pro Max are worth checking out, too, if you're after a good deal on a collection of accessories for your new iPhone in one handy package.

Below, you'll find the best prices on a selection of Moft cases. For the full iPhone 17 range, check out Moft's official website.

3. Mujjo (best for business & luxury)

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Back in 2023, Apple stopped making leather iPhone cases and replaced them with its FineWoven case, which – as some of you may remember – turned out to be a poor replacement, especially for those after something a little more luxurious to wrap around their iPhone.

The iPhone 17 line launched alongside Apple's new TechWoven cases, and although they offered a similar aesthetic to FineWoven with improved durability, they didn't really fill the void as a comparable alternative to Apple's old premium leather cases.

Both in 2023 and today, my go-to accessory maker for such an option is Mujjo. I was impressed with the look and feel of their cases when I first fit one around my iPhone 15 Pro, and now that I have the opportunity to do so again with my iPhone 17 Pro, I'm just as impressed.

For starters, their signature Danish Velore calfskin leather employs an environmentally conscious tanning method called DriTan. That means zero water (compared to the average 121 liters per square metre of leather), fewer chemicals, and 34% fewer CO² emissions, compared to conventional tanning methods.

The five hues their iPhone 17 Pro cases come in complement the phone's official colorways beautifully, especially the Monaco Blue I've been using, which looks as though it's been perfectly color-matched to my device's Deep Blue finish.

Mujjo cases also all boast anodised metal buttons and camera surrounds for a durable, contrasting premium finish, and they're, of course, MagSafe and Camera Control compatible.

You can complement your Mujjo case with leather accessories, from AirPod and AirTag covers to leather MagSafe wallets and stands. And, inversely to both Apple's FineWoven and TechWoven cases, Mujjo's real leather finish only gets better with age.

Below, you'll find the best prices on a selection of Mujjo cases. For the full iPhone 17 range, check out Mujjo's official website.

4. Wave Case (best the environment)

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There's no getting around the fact that the mobile market generates a lot of waste, particularly when it comes to accessories. That's why it's important to know that you have options like Wave Case to consider when decking out your new iPhone 17 with some worthwhile protection.

Not only does the company produce great-value cases for the entirety of the iPhone 17 line (including the Air), but they're environmentally savvy too.

You can choose to grab a case with or without MagSafe passthrough, with a plain, etched, or printed design on the back, and, among the case makers in this roundup, Wave Case serves up more choice – in terms of colorways and designs – than any of the others.

For those curious, Wave Case's wares are made from PLA (polylactic acid) and PBAT (polybutylene adipate terephthalate): fully biodegradable bioplastics derived from wheat straw (fermented plant starch).

What's more, the company offers carbon-neutral shipping, 100% recyclable packaging, and, as a member of 1% for the Planet, a portion of each sale goes to supporting environmental charities (like Surfers Against Sewage 250 Club marine conservation).

Most of the cases I tested are hewn from a single piece of material (with cutouts for ports, including Camera Control), and you get integrated button caps and a 2mm raised lip to protect the screen on the front and the cameras on the back. If you move up to a MagSafe-compatible Wave Case, such models also come with a felt lining too.

For the full selection of Wave iPhone 17 cases, check out Wave's official website.

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The iPhone 17 Pro used in this feature was supplied by Vodafone UK. Click here for the latest Vodafone iPhone 17 Pro deals.