Unlike your phone, which will easily last for years between upgrades, the cases that help protect it are typically meant to be swapped out more frequently. You should definitely replace these accessories when they begin to wear down, but the process might result in even even more plastic waste. Luckily, that's avoidable.
Fortunately, many top-tier accessory brands offer awesome protective cases made from responsibly sourced materials — think plant-based composites, ocean-based plastic, and even recycled bottles.
To bring you this guide, we’re constantly researching and testing the finest eco-friendly smartphone cases in various designs and form factors. In addition to their durability, we evaluated the accessories’ ergonomics (think access to your phone’s buttons and charging port), style, and tactility (or in-hand feel). These qualities are important, especially since if you’re like us, you’re on your phone pretty much all day.
What to Consider
Protection: The first thing to consider when picking an eco-friendly case is its ability to protect your phone from damage. A high-quality product should reliably protect your beloved gadget from both annoying scratches and heavier damage caused by drops. Having a case with raised edges to protect the phone’s camera and display is particularly important.
Materials: Obviously, materials are also an important factor. You should be mindful that some of the top cases are not 100% sustainably crafted, but still much gentler on the environment than their ordinary counterparts.
Compostable cases that can naturally disintegrate into the environment are becoming increasingly common, too. However, be sure to check the manufacturer's guidelines for the best way to dispose of them once their time is up.
Compatibility: If you use an iPhone 12 or iPhone 13, you must keep an eye out for a case that’s fully compatible with MagSafe chargers and other accessories. These offerings have a visible metal ring to accommodate them, so you'll usually know if they work with your chargers.
The Lifeproof See Series cases are our favorite pick for protecting your phone the eco-friendly way. Made using around 50% recycled plastic, the accessories have a slim profile and the ability to deliver the brand’s signature durability. They are also fully compatible with MagSafe accessories.
The Gear4 Brooklyn Snap case is cool-looking, luxurious, and kind to the environment. This surprisingly elegant accessory is manufactured using vegan leather, plant-based materials, and recycled plastic. Its shock-absorbing build can protect against 13-foot drops, and the case can also guard you and your phone against germs.
You can order the case for every iPhone 13 model, except the iPhone 13 mini. The product is also fully compatible with MagSafe accessories.
The Crystal Palace Snap by Gear4 is our favorite eco-friendly case for showcasing your iPhone. The slim accessory contains recycled plastics, and offers superb protection against scratches and drops. We love its RepelFlex antimicrobial properties, which will inhibit the growth of various germs. The product is also fully compatible with MagSafe accessories.
Available for all iPhone 13 variants, the case has a textured frame for enhanced grip. Gear4 also offers the Crystal Palace Snap case for iPhone 12 models.
The Outback case by Urban Armor Gear has a surprisingly thin, impressively lightweight build. Crafted from plant-based materials, the accessory is both biodegradable and compostable. Urban Armor Gear offers the Outback for various iPhone and Samsung Galaxy models.
Like all of the brand’s smartphone and tablet cases, the Outback offers superb defense from scratches and tumbles, thanks to a shock-absorbing interior, along with a raised camera and display edges for enhanced protection. Its workmanship meets military drop-test standards.
The Lifeproof WĀKE case is manufactured using 85% recycled, ocean-based plastic, and the cool wave pattern on its back will remind you where its materials came from. Lifeproof offers the WĀKE for iPhone and Samsung Galaxy smartphones in several finishes, with most inspired by the colors of the sea.
The WĀKE offers superb scratch and drop protection. According to its maker, the case will help your smartphone survive drops from a height of almost 7 feet.
The decidedly utilitarian Raptic Terrain iPhone case is made entirely in the United States, and is fully biodegradable in a landfill setting. The semi-transparent accessory has a rugged build that can handle 10-foot drops, button covers with excellent tactility, and a lifetime warranty.
If you're looking for a minimalist case that will showcase and protect your iPhone without a distracting MagSafe ring, this Case-Mate offering is your best option. The plant-based, accurately named ECO94 cover has a slim profile, onboard Micropel antimicrobial tech, and the ability to help your phone withstand 10-foot drops.
What sets this eco-friendly iPhone case by Casetify apart from its competitors is its infinite customizability. You can really make it your own by choosing from a multitude of bumper colors, as well engravings.
The case is made using a blend of plant-based materials and recycled phone cases. It delivers stellar protection against scratches and bacteria, and it’s available for a ton of iPhone and Samsung Galaxy models.
This eco-friendly phone case by Peak Design — one of our favorite makers of tech bags and pouches — has a stylish canvas exterior with excellent tactility. Crafted from recycled nylon, the weatherproof textile is bluesign-approved, guaranteeing sustainable origins.
The slim case has a clever mounting system dubbed SlimLink, making it compatible with various mounts, wallets, and even MagSafe. You can order it for most iPhone models going back to the iPhone 11, and a Samsung Galaxy version is also available.
The compostable smartphone cases by Pela are plant-based and estimated to take between 6 months to 2 years to fully decompose in an industrial facility or home environment. Each accessory has a soft texture and slim profile that won’t add unnecessary bulk to your phone. It also offers excellent protection from accidental drops or scratches.
Pela offers eco-friendly cases for the iPhone, Android phones, and even AirPods. There are many finishes to pick from.
The Aspect iPhone case by pivet has an innovative self-cycling design, which makes it bioavailable to decaying agents that occur in nature. This is a big deal, because it means that the case — in addition to being recyclable — can also be disposed of in regular household trash.
Stefan VazharovSenior Technology EditorStefan is the senior technology editor for BestProducts.com, where he’s been covering the tech industry and testing the latest gadgets since 2015; He previously covered tech products for GSMArena.com and his work can also be found on Popular Mechanics.
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