I tested 20 iPhone 17 and iPhone Air cases. These are the 4 you should actually buy

By Nirave Gondhia Published October 17, 2025

There’s never been a better time to buy a new iPhone. Each of Apple’s four new iPhones is a great phone this year, but with major design changes across the board, last year’s cases won’t fit this year’s models.

Instead, you’ll need to buy a new case to protect your new phone. Which should you buy, and should you even use a case on something as thin as the iPhone Air? To answer these questions, I went in search of the best iPhone 17 cases for all three models, and the best cases for the iPhone Air.

With the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max being heavier than previous years, thanks to the switch from titanium to aluminum, the weight of a case makes all the difference, especially with the larger model. For the iPhone Air, the right case needs to protect while accentuating, not hiding, the sleek design that is the biggest part of the phone’s appeal. 

To find the best cases, I tested over 30 cases from popular brands and picked out a few distinct choices to protect all four of my new phones.

There’s no better place to start than Apple’s new TechWoven case. I normally dislike Apple’s own cases as they’ve felt less premium than third-party alternatives, but the new TechWoven case is Apple’s best case in years.

Normally, I’ll stick a thin case on my iPhone (more on that next) and be relatively content, but I’ve used the TechWoven case with my iPhone 17 Pro for several weeks, and it’s been surprisingly enjoyable. 

It looks stylish and provides a lot of grip, while also being fairly durable — my iPhone 17 Pro has already dropped once in this case with zero noteworthy damage. The durability extends to the slight lip above the display, which provides further protection for the screen.

The iPhone Air is my favorite new iPhone, but protecting something this thin is a challenge. At least, that’s the case until you put a Thinborne case on it. Texas-born Thinborne makes my favorite thin cases for any phone. Having tried several iPhone Air cases, I found that this is the best case to accentuate the iPhone Air design.

I’ve only just started using the Thinborne case, but over the past two weeks, I’ve used Apple’s own clear case with my white iPhone Air. The Thinborne case feels far more premium, but it’s also less protective. 

This is a key point that’s worth noting. I’ve used Thinborne cases for years and highly recommend them if you want a thin case, but the form factor is inherently far less protective than other cases. It offers slight protection against drops, but this is minimal and one step more protective than not using a case at all. It doesn’t bother me, and I love the feeling of the aramid fibers, but you may want something more protective.

For everyone who wants a minimal case like the Thinborne, there are many more who probably want something more durable and/or utilitarian. The answer is undoubtedly ESR, whose tagline, “Tech Made Easier,” aptly describes their case lineup.

I’ve been using ESR’s Hybrid Magnetic Case with the base iPhone 17, and it’s the perfect accompaniment to the best iPhone for most people. It offers 3x military-grade drop protection and features a hybrid translucent design that still partially shows off the color of your phone.

My favorite feature by far is the kickstand, or as ESR calls it, a Stash Stand, as it stashes away around the camera on the rear. The feature lives up to its name as it blends discreetly into the camera surround and is a common feature across most of ESR’s lineup. 

Apple dropped its first-party leather cases for the iPhone a few years ago in favor of exploring different materials before landing on TechWoven this year. Long before Apple departed the leather market, however, Nomad was already making some of my favorite leather cases.

The California-based company offers the best range of leather options, including a magnetic leather back that attaches to your phone while leaving the sides open. However, two leather options stood out for me.

First, there’s the modern leather back in this gorgeous finish. Nomad leather patinas beautifully over time, so this will look wonderful after a few months of use. Then there’s the rugged leather back, which combines both style and function for the most durable leather case I’ve tried.

Three other companies stood out for me. Spigen makes a wonderful rugged non-leather case, as well as a range of hybrid cases that provide both style and functionality. Dbrand makes the most customizable case you can buy, and it is always a favorite of mine.

Andar also makes great leather cases, and they are the ideal choice if you want colorful leather beyond the core colors offered by Nomad. In particular, this gorgeous red-hued leather case — which is in partnership with creator TechnicallyTee — is one of the nicest leather cases I’ve used in years.