There’s almost nothing worse than watching your iPhone plummet in slow motion to a hard surface like concrete. During that millisecond you can only cringe and wait to see what the damage will be. It’s not “if” there will be damage, but how much. Cracked screens are expensive and inconvenient to get fixed and the whole experience is thoroughly unpleasant. We’ve all been there. Protecting your screen with a slim sheet of tempered glass is a great idea and can save you a trip to the repair shop. These are inexpensive, easy to install and will not disrupt your phone’s function. Our products were chosen because they all feature the highest hardness rating available. If you are in the market for some screen protectors for your iPhone 14 Plus, we’ve got you covered! Our experts have identified the best products that are available for purchase online. Take a look at our buying guide below.

What is a hardness rating?

Most of these tempered glass screen protectors advertise that they have a hardness rating of 9H. The first thing to know is that this is the highest level that is currently offered for this product and you won’t typically find ones that offer lower levels. The rating is determined by a system called the Mohs Scale of Mineral Hardness and it runs from 1 to 10. Glass generally falls between the numbers of 6 and 9, depending on how it’s created or treated. The testing process for tempered glass uses various pencils with tips whose scratching power increases depending on the type of pencil that is used. The tests are, in fact, used to determine how scratch resistant the surface is rather than how it will fair when it’s dropped or damaged in some other way. That said, some protection is better than none, so it behooves you to put something on that vulnerable little display panel in the event that your phone makes it through the latest catastrophe.

Are there other types of screen protectors?

Though the tempered glass versions are considered the best available product currently on the market, there are a wide variety of products available that are made of several different materials. These include thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) plastic, which is generally the least expensive, and not very durable, but does provide some scratch resistance. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic is the same stuff that is used to make water bottles and very similar to TPU. Multi-shield or multi-layers protectors are the same as the above two, but are generally made of three layers, which adds to its ability to absorb shock and prevent scratches. 

Your phone is an expensive investment, and one that you probably look at several times a day. Viewing your screen through a spider web of cracks is, to say the least, very unpleasant. That said, you should make the minimal investment of protecting it with an easy to install screen protector. Here are some things to keep in mind while you are shopping for them.

Ultra Clear Tempered Glass

Protect your screen with this durable film. Compatible with iPhone 13 Pro Max and iPhone 14 plus, this anti-scratch surface will work with most cases, including slim cases, rugged cases, bumper cases and flip cases. This thin sheet of tempered glass has a 9H rating for hardness and measures 7 inches long by 4 inches wide. It is touch sensitive, anti-shatter, anti-fingerprint, scratch resistant and bubble proof.

Pros:

Cons:

Made of the most advanced material currently on the market, this is installed in a few simple steps and comes with the tool to make sure that it’s properly aligned as you adhere it to the phone’s screen. Each of the 3 comes with the wipes, cleaning cloths, and guide stickers.

Shatterproof and Easy to Install

This screen protector has a 9H hardness rating and is 99.9% transparent. It is case friendly and anti-fingerprint. Exquisitely polished and featuring precise, laser cut 2.5D rounded edges, this is made of tempered glass that is .33mm thick. Strong, yet sensitive, this will not interfere with the operation of your touchscreen. It measures 6.5 inches long by 3.15 inches wide.

Pros:

Cons:

This high definition clear hydrophobic and oleophobic screen coating also protects against sweat and oil residue from the skin. Install by cleaning with the wet wipe, drying with the dry wipe, removing residual dust particles and adhering to the screen. 

True Touch Responsiveness

Precise craftsmanship means that this product was designed to cover the screen flawlessly without any obstruction. This screen protector feels and responds the same as the original screen. Enjoy the same original clarity while keeping your phone’s display safe. This measures 6.19 inches long by 2.82 inches wide.

Pros:

Cons:

Kit includes an innovative auto-alignment installation kit, including an alignment tray, for effortless application. This product has an oleophobic coating to resist fingerprints. It is compatible with most cases.  

Edge to Edge Full Coverage

Smaller than panel size and compatible with most cases, this product measures 6.69 inches by 3.94 inches and has a glossy finish. It comes with a patented auto alignment tech installation system that has your phone’s display covered within 60 seconds. The screen protector is embedded in a plastic frame that fits perfectly over your phone. Simply set the frame on your phone and swipe down – that’s it!

Pros:

Cons:

This product is scratch resistant, and comes with 2 screen protectors installation kits, 2 wet wipes, an installation manual, 2 microfiber cloths, 2 sheets of dust removal stitcher and 2 large dust removal covers. 

Smooth Touch, Flawless Clarity

These products have a special coating that keeps your screen clean and fingerprint free. It is perfectly compatible with face ID and unlocks your phone quickly. Phone case friendly, it is compatible with 99.99% of those that are on the market. A special 3D ark on the side makes for smooth handling and no scratches on your hand or expensive leather goods.

Pros:

Cons:

This product measures 6.17 inches long by 2.9 inches wide and can be installed with one hand. Included in the package are 3 screen protectors, 2 camera protectors and 1 full set of installation tools, including a mounting frame and cleaning kit.