The glass front and back of the new iPhone SE is prone to shattering at the first drop, even though it is Apple's cheapest phone. It is small and easy to hold one-handed, but using a case is a smart way to protect your investment. These are our favorites. We have rounded up a few accessories we like, from wireless to screen protectors.
If you don't see a case that suits you, you can use your old one, but there are a ton of cases available for them.
Be sure to check out our other buying guides, including the Best iPhone, Best iPhone 13 Cases, Best iPhone 12 Cases, and Best Mobile Camera gear.
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The Battersea looks smart, it doesn't cost too much, and it provides adequate protection. The soft-touch polycarbonate back is easy to clean, even though it has a grooved design that I worry might attract dust and lint. The bumper is thick to absorb impacts, yet the whole package doesn't feel bulky. The buttons are easy to press, and the camera on the back is safe from flat surfaces.
Spigen's slim case is enough to give you some basic protection from most everyday scuffs and drops. The material is very thin and flexible, but it covers all the edges, the buttons are clicky, and I like the textured pattern on the back. It feels good to touch.
This case is an upgrade over the Liquid Air above, in that it is much more protective and comes with a kickstand, but it is a bit thicker. The small and svelte phone feels easy to use one-handed and is pocketable. There is a bumper around the edges, and these edges are raised around the screen. The buttons are clicky. There is a kickstand. It only keeps the phone upright in landscape orientation, but it does the job.
If you hate cases but want some type of protection against scratches and scuffs, Totallee is the best choice. Its cases are thin, flimsy and wont protect your phone from most drops. I recommend the latter out of the three types. It is a bit more protective than the other two. It is one of the best clear cases I have tested, and it feels nice.
Dropping your phone all the time? Get a case like the Commuter one from OtterBox. It is a dual-layer case, meaning you put the soft inner first and the hard outer over it. It was difficult as the inner got squeezed by the outer case in some areas. It feels protective and slim, with raised edges around the screen, though the buttons are a tad harder to press.
The Defender Pro has triple layers. There is a hard inner layer on the back and front of the phone. Put the flexible outer cover over it. The top inner layer has a clear screen cover and the charging port is covered up, so you are getting full protection. You will need to push down harder for your inputs to register if you use the screen cover. The buttons are easy to press. That's not all! If you want to clip the phone to a belt, it has a holster that can double as a kickstand.
$31 at Amazon (Defender Pro)Apple's official cases are a bit overpriced, and I don't like the Silicone version of the case because it attracts a lot of dust and lint. The bottom edge of the phone is not protected. The leather version of the Apple case is better. The microfiber lining on the inside of the case protects the glass on your phone, and the whole thing is very slim.
The See series is my favorite from LifeProof. The bumper is thick enough to absorb shocks, and the buttons are clicky. You can let the design shine through by getting a clear back. LifeProof donates $1 to a water-minded nonprofit organization for every purchase of the case, which is made from 50 percent recycled plastic.
I noticed a tiny scratch on the screen after two weeks with the iPhone SE. It is smart to cover the glass on the front. All of these are easy to apply.
It is nearly impossible to beat the value you get with Spigen. It's very easy for anyone to apply the two screen protectors that you get with the kit. It will take some time to remove the air bubbles with the included squeegee.
I tried three screen protectors from Zagg. They are easy to apply, but I liked the feel of the XTR the most. It did not bubble up as much and stuck to the screen better. The screen is very responsive and smooth when touched. I didn't notice much of a difference between the two claims.
Going skiing? Maybe kayaking? The LifeProof case is waterproof. The phone can be submerged in water up to a meter for about 30 minutes. You can submerge the SE in water up to 2 meters. I put it in a bowl of water for a long time after snapping it on and opening it. The downside? The buttons are hard to press and touch interactions are not as responsive because of the small gap between the screen and the screen cover. If you absolutely need your phone with you, it is best used for a short time.
The MagSafe system allows you to attach accessories to the back of the iPhone 12 and 13 series. It is a shame that Apple did not implement it here. The lines on the alignment tool are the best place to look for the magnets. You can use MagSafe on your phone. You won't get the fast wireless charging speeds available on the pricier iPhones, but I tested it with a handful of MagSafe accessories, and it works.
One of the few phones that supports wireless charging is the iPhone SE. The charging speed is not fast, but it is convenient to just put the phone down on a pad. Get a wireless charging point. The cheap and functional Anker's chargers are available as either a stand or pad, but both are plastic. Check out our guide for more options.
Do you have an Apple Watch with a wireless charging case? You can charge all three at once with this handy dock. You can charge the phone vertically or horizontally. It takes up a bit of room on a desk, but it looks spiffy and you don't need to have multiple cables running to one adapter.
You can find a Lightning cable in the box if you want to charge the iPhone SE. If you don't have a compatible device, this 20- watt charge from Anker will suffice. The plugs don't fold, but the whole thing is very small and easy to carry around. It has fun colors as well.
A small phone means a small battery, and the iPhone SE will only last you a day. If you plan on being away from an outlet for most of the day, you should pack a portable battery. The Champ series is our favorite. The Champ Pro has a 20,000-mAh capacity, which is more than the standard 10,000-mAh Champ can provide. There is a port to charge another device. We like Nimble because it uses bioplastics and plastic-free minimal packaging to reduce its environmental impact. The guide for the best portable charging devices.
$25 at Nimble (5,200 mAh)$100 at Nimble (20,000 mAh)Over time, Apple's cables don't hold up well. It might be a good idea to upgrade the cable that comes in the box if you are rough on your gear. The PowerKnit cable is made from a knit fabric, and it feels like it can take a lot of abuse. It is made from recycled plastic and aluminum. You can choose from three lengths. You can use this to charge your MacBook Air if they handle up to 60 watt.
$25 at Nimble (USB-C to Lightning)$20 at Nimble (USB-C to USB-C)
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