I was once a case hater. I never put any protection on my phone, because I couldn’t stand to cover up the sleek design, and I didn’t want to add any unnecessary bulk. These days, I’ve changed my tune a bit—I’m a bit older and clumsier, and I’ve got kids whose every kick lands on my balls or on my phone pocket. To give my phone just a bit of extra protection, I’ve compromised and settled on a thin case—and after testing a bunch, I’ve found a few that really stand out.
A barely-there skin to protect from scratches
The Totallee thin case is easily the slimmest case I’ve ever seen. At 0.02 inches thick, it almost feels like there’s nothing on my phone, save for the slightly-less-raised buttons where the cutouts are. It isn’t going to provide any drop protection whatsoever, but it’ll keep the back of your phone pristine from scratches, which is great if you plan on reselling it later on. It comes in a number of colors, from black to frosted to blue and red, and you can find it for a number of different iPhone, Pixel, and Galaxy models in the Totalee Amazon store.
Totalee is not the only company making ultra-thin cases like this; you can get almost the exact same case from Peel, Caudabe, and other off-brands on Amazon—sometimes in different colors and price points, some with or without branding, and some with different warranties. Totalee has a pretty great two-year warranty, which is why I’d look there first, but if you find the same thing for significantly cheaper, go for it.
Totalee also makes a thicker clear grippy case, which is great if you like that look and want just a tiny bit more protection. I’m not a fan of clear cases since they tend to show fingerprints and scuffs more over time, leading to a “dirty” look. They also have a very sleek looking thin leather case, which I haven’t tried myself.
Add protection without the bulk
Step up a tad in thickness and you have a whole host of cases that use a very similar design. Right now, TORRAS seems to be the most common of these brands. TORRAS’ Slim Fit case provides a thin shield around your device for a bit more protection, though I wouldn’t rely on it too much if you plan on dropping your phone. Still, it comes in a few fun colors, including blue, red, and green, has a pleasantly soft texture, and is more than thin enough to satisfy case haters out there.
A grippy texture to prevent drops
ORNARTO’s Thin Fit case has a bit of a shiny, sandy texture to it that gives it an some extra grippiness, which is nice if you find most cases too slippery. Otherwise, it’s very similar to the TORRAS case—I wouldn’t be surprised if they came from the same supplier. You can get it in colors like including green, red, and pink, and ORNARTO also offers a Liquid Silicone case for some phones, if you want a smoother feel.
Super thin, super soft, and compatible with car mounts
The Pitaka MagEZ case might be the best thin case I tested. It’s extremely slim, with easy access to all your buttons and a soft-touch carbon fiber-esque texture that feels incredibly smooth. (Plus, it comes in multiple colors and styles). It has metal plates inside that make it compatible with Pitaka’s other accessories, like the MagEZ car mount—without interfering with wireless charging. It isn’t cheap, but it definitely feels more premium than some of the less costly models on this list, so if you have a few more bucks, it’s worth it.
A case and screen protector all in one
Here’s where we get to some of the more name-brand cases from companies you know. Spigen makes some of the best thin cases on the market, with their aptly-named Thin Fit case being a fantastic pick. I love the Thin Fit, and used it for a long time on my last phone—its thin, hard plastic design won’t provide a ton of drop protection, but it offers a small space for a metal plate that works with magnetic car mounts, which is nice—though it may disrupt your wireless charging. I have to admit I liked the slightly more rigid angles of the old Thin Fit design on my Pixel 2—the new ones are a bit more standard round edges like you’d find on other cases. Spigen’s Thin Fit 360 adds full-body protection with a front bumper and screen protector, without being bulky. You might also look at the Spigen Ultra Hybrid if the Thin Fit isn’t your jam.
Slim shock absorption with a grippy texture
The Spigen Liquid Air has a flexible, slightly-thicker design offers a bit more drop protection without too much bulk. It’s really well-made, though, and felt like it molded so well to my phone I often forgot it was there. If you want a bit more protection than the barely-there thin cases provide, the Spigen Liquid Air strikes the perfect balance.
Bumper on the sides, thin plastic on the back
This is one I haven’t used, but it’s a popular option. Caudabe’s Synthesis is a bit more flexible, but that flexible material is only around the edge of the phone, like a bumper. The back is a thin plastic, so your phone keeps its thin profile while offering a bit of bump protection on the sides. It’s only available for iPhones, but it’s worth a look if you’re on Team Apple.
Not quite thin, but more protective
The Incipio NGP was the thickest case I tested, and while it’s hardly a behemoth, it does start to reach the bounds of what I’d consider a thin case. Still, it offers more drop protection than any of the above while still being decently sleek, and comes in transparent varieties so you can see the back of your phone (something I’ve never personally been a fan of, but I know some people like).