The best iPhone 8 case overall
If you want an iPhone 8 case that provides excellent protection without limiting your choices of colors to black or black, the OtterBox Defender Series iPhone 8 Case is the one for you.
The Defender definitely keeps your expensive smartphone safe with its tough rubber exterior. And although you can order the OtterBox Defender in a basic black, you can also choose almost a dozen other color and pattern combinations. If you order one from OtterBox, you can even design it yourself and choose the colors for each part of the case.
The covers are properly aligned over the ports and buttons on the phone, so you're guaranteed a perfect fit. OtterBox's three-layer protection is impressive, and the case even has a built-in screen protector, a shock-absorbing polycarbonate inner shell, and a tough, synthetic rubber outer shell.
Few iPhone 8 cases will match the protection that you get from the OtterBox Defender, according to the iMore review. After all, OtterBox puts its Defender case through 24 tests and 238 hours of trials to ensure that your phone can survive just about anything so long as it's in this case.
Of course, you should know that all of these layers of protection will add bulk to the size of the iPhone 8. One Amazon reviewer who goes by Fraggboy says that the case does make the phone bigger, but the rubber bumper that creates most of the bulk is worth the extra protection it provides.
Although the OtterBox Defender case is expensive, it's a ridiculously tough case that will keep your phone safe from falls onto concrete and other unforgiving surfaces.
Expert reviewers at Apple Insider like the fact that the Defender cases are both tough and stylish, so you don't have to sacrifice anything to receive the protection you want.
Pros: Three-layer protection outperforms many other cases for iPhone 8s, offered in a dozen color and pattern options, synthetic rubber outer shell gives you a good grip and drop protection
Cons: More expensive than other cases, adds quite a bit of bulk/thickness to the iPhone 8
The best tough iPhone 8 case
If you have fumble fingers and you're not ashamed to admit it, the Urban Armor Gear Rugged Feather-Light iPhone 8 Case is a great investment. It will protect your phone from hard drops onto a variety of surfaces.
One glance at this UAG case will tell you that it's a rugged protective case. The hard outer portion looks like a protective cage or shell, and it provides plenty of protection.
Many people love the look of the UAG Feather-Light case because it looks unique and super tough. But that case's design isn't only for style, as the shape gives it extra strength to protect your fragile phone from falls.
If you're looking for a stylish, artistic case, the UAG model probably won't fit your needs, but the rugged look is certainly appealing. The case comes in nearly two dozen colors and styles, which is great.
In its review, iMore points out that this case has survived the military drop-testing onto concrete surfaces, so you can rest assured that your phone will survive most situations.
One Amazon reviewer, Tania, says she has dropped her phone many times with the UAG Feather-Light case attached, and her phone has never been damaged. She's so confident in this case's protective capabilities that she doesn't carry insurance on her smartphone.
However, a few owners say the case did not last a year before breaking. On the plus side, UAG includes a one-year warranty on all of its cases.
Still, it's an excellent case with mostly favorable reviews from expert reviewers and buyers alike. After testing it ourselves, we at Business Insider believe the Rugged Feather-Light case is the perfect option for anyone who needs a hard-backed case for the ultimate protection.
Pros: Drop-tested design is backed by a one-year warranty, offered in two dozen colors and designs, hard outer shell will keep your phone protected from a variety of potential hazards
Cons: More expensive than some other iPhone 8 cases, case isn't indestructible
The best stylish iPhone 8 case
If you want your smartphone case to outshine what's displayed on the screen, the Case-Mate Waterfall iPhone 8 Case is made with you in mind.
This case includes tumbling glitter that creates a snowball effect on the back of your phone. Even when the lights are off, this case is very sparkly and bold.
The Waterfall case is still tough, though, and it meets certain drop test standards. It may not be as hardy as the OtterBox, but it certainly offers enough protection to guard against cracks and scratches.
Expert reviewers approve of this case, including PC Mag, which says the case sparkles and glows even in the dark. Mashable described the case as having a "festival vibe."
Case-Mate makes a lot of stylish iPhone cases, including ones with real flower petals, glitter, and iridescent effects.
Pros: Great-looking iPhone case that includes tumbling glitter, provides a nice level of protection, unique looking smartphone case
Cons: Higher than average price, adds bulk to the phone
The best wallet-style iPhone 8 case
The Silk Wallet Slayer iPhone 8 Case has a tight slot on the back of the case that can hold your credit cards or cash. This allows the Silk case to look a lot like other stylish cases while still ensuring that you no longer need to carry both your phone and wallet everywhere all the time.
The case comes in four different colors and it offers basic protection from drops and scratches. It's a very simple looking case that's minimalistic and practical. The only downside to having the wallet function on the back is that this case may impede wireless charging.
The Silk case definitely has a different look when you compare it to most wallet-style cases, which often have a folio layout with a front cover. The best part about Silk's design is how little bulk it adds to your phone. Although the card holder portion sticks out a bit, it's not immediately obvious.
In its review, iMore says that the wallet is very secure and it holds cards and case well, so you don't have to worry about losing them.
Amazon reviewers Shelly and Allan like that the button covers are in just the right place with this Silk case. However, a few buyers mention problems with the interior of the case scratching the back of the iPhone 8.
Pros: Provides wallet-style storage in a stylish case, inexpensive case, offered in four different color options, includes a tight slot that can hold a few credit cards or cash
Cons: May scratch back of the iPhone, may not line up perfectly with volume buttons
The best leather iPhone 8 case
If you love leather, look no further than the Apple-designed leather case for the iPhone 8. Because it's made by Apple, the case fits perfectly. You don't have to worry about inaccurate cutouts or any other snafus here.
The thin case doesn't add much bulk, so you'll be able to charge your phone wirelessly with the case on. To keep your screen safe, there's a lip around the edge of the case that keeps your phone's screen off the table when you place it face down.
Apple uses specially tanned and finished European leather that gets a nice patina over time. There's a microfiber lining inside the case that protects your iPhone from scratches. It comes in nine attractive colors, too, so if you don't want classic brown or black leather, Apple has you covered with fuschia and other wild colors.
Pros: Soft leather, sleek design, Apple made, perfect fit, thin for wireless charging, lots of colors
Cons: Pricey
Check out these other great iPhone accessories
Whether you just bought yourself a shiny new iPhone X or you have an iPhone 8, 7, or 6S at home, these are the best accessories you can buy.
- Best lightning cable: The Anker PowerLine Lightning cable is the best cord for most people with its sturdy design, fast charging speed, and fair price point.
- Best wireless charger: If you just bought an iPhone X, iPhone 8, or iPhone 8 Plus, you need a wireless charger like the Belkin Boost Up Qi Wireless Charging Pad or the Mophie Wireless Charging Base.
- Best cases: Otterbox, Case-Mate, Speck, Incipio, Nodus, and Nomad make some of the best iPhone cases in the business.
- Best wireless earbuds: The Apple AirPods are the best wireless headphones for iPhone owners, but the Bragi Dash and Jabra Elite Sport are excellent alternatives if AirPods are out of stock.
- Best screen protector: TechMatte makes excellent screen protectors for the iPhone X, the iPhone 8/7/6S, and the iPhone 8/7/6S Plus.
- Best screen cleaner: WHOOSH! makes the best cleaning kit you can buy with its perfect cleaning cloths and safe cleaning spray.
- Best battery pack: The Jackery Bolt 6,000mAh External Battery Pack can juice up your iPhone twice, and it has built-in lightning and Micro USB cables.
- Best wireless headphones: Our favorite pair if money is no object is the Sennheiser HD 1 Wireless over-ear headphones, but you should also consider the great noise canceling Bose QuietComfort 35, the portable AKG N60 NC Wireless, the fitness-friendly Jaybird X3, and the affordable JBL E55BT headphones.
- Best dock: The Twelve South HiRise 2 and the Native Union Dock+ both simplify the way you charge your iPhone and look fantastic on any desk or nightstand.
- Best storage expansion: The SanDisk iXpand plugs into your iPhone to store and transfer files to and from your computer.
