There are literally thousands of iPhone cases on the market, including everything from official Apple cases to bargain basement (read less than $10) knock-off brand cases on Amazon. So, if you’re an iPhone 14 user, you aren’t starved for choice. Of course, there’s no best iPhone case for everyone. So, how do you find the best iPhone 14 case for you? Here are a few things to consider:

Durability

Of course, the main reason to buy a case for your phone (aside from changing up the looks) is to protect your investment. At around $1,000-plus for an iPhone 14 Max or iPhone 14 Pro, the latest iPhones aren’t cheap. Almost any case will protect your phone against casual bumps and scrapes. If you’re the kind of person who delicately handles all their technology, you can probably get by with an entry-level case under $30.

But, if you’re on the other end of the spectrum—if you’re a “frequent flier” in your mobile provider’s “equipment insurance” program—consider something a little more substantial. Otterbox and Element Case, in particular, make some of the beefiest, most rugged cases for protecting your iPhone. Their flagship models are built to military-spec drop standards with extra layers of protection, so they’re designed to take a serious beating. These extra-thick cases always add weight and heft to your already big, bulky phone, but the first time you drop your iPhone, you’ll realize it’s worth the tradeoff.

MagSafe Compatibility

MagSafe has been a staple of Apple’s lineup for a couple of years now. The technology relies on magnets integrated into the latest iPhones to make it a “snap” (literally) to attach things like wallets, power banks, chargers and more. In our research, we found that all but the cheapest iPhone cases are MagSafe compatible. Still, if that matters to you, it’s worth confirming that the cases you’re shopping are too.

Price

Unlike most tech products and accessories, price isn’t as much of a concern when shopping iPhone 14 cases. Every case in our roundup—and almost every case we found in our research—was under $100; under $50 in most cases. Expect to pay more if you’re shopping official Apple accessories, but we’ve found the quality and design of third-party cases to be just as good, only cheaper.

Other Miscellaneous Features

Even the best iPhone 14 cases are pretty straightforward, so there aren’t many complicated features or specs to wade through. But, here are a few other things worth considering:

• Antimicrobial coating: Some cases feature a built-in antimicrobial coating. iPhone cases, like all smartphone cases, get handled a lot, so they’re natural magnets for bacteria. While an antimicrobial coating won’t replace regular case cleanings, they’re still worth considering.
• Grippy vs. Smooth: Cases with a “grippy” texture generally translate to a rubberized or tacky feel to help prevent drops. If you’re prone to dropping your phone, this might be a better option for you. Just know that these also tend to attract dirt and dust more, and can be trickier to put into and take out of pockets. Smooth-textured iPhone cases, on the other hand, are just the opposite, so they tend to be easier to drop.
• Built-in screen protector: Some iPhone cases feature a built-in screen cover. They tend to be more expensive and, depending on the quality of the plastic, can “dull” the brightness and overall sharpness of your phone’s screen. But, if you’re hard on your phones, this might be a tradeoff worth making.