Best Mid-Range iPhone Cases

Not Too Skimpy. Not Too Bulky. Just Right.

While some iPhone users are looking for the big­gest, baddest, boldest cases out there (you know, the ones that will keep your phone in­tact even after an 80-foot drop or a stampede of wildebeests), I am happy to tuck my magi­cal little wizard phone into a merely "protec­tive enough" case. I shy away from rigid, snap-on shells, which offer little to no cushion, and gel skins, which can feel flimsy, but there is a solid middle ground between feather-light and monster-truck-rugged that suits me perfectly.

In this review, I'll cover my top picks in that mid-range cat­egory. To compare the cases, I used the following criteria: feel and appearance (including bulkiness or lack thereof), ease of use, and protection. All of the cases I covered are perfectly practical for average day-to-day use, feature raised front bezels to protect from face-first drops, offer full access to your phone's ports and camera unless otherwise mentioned, and come in a variety of cool colors. Happy shopping!

iFrogz Cocoon

One of my two favorites of the bunch, the Cocoon case is the perfect combination of fashion and function. Featuring a dura­ble polycarbonate exterior that's coated with what iFrogz calls a "Luxe finish" for a wonderful feel that's silky but not slippery, this case also has a pliable inte­rior layer that protects against im­pact. Luckily, it's easy enough to slip your phone in and out without taking the two-piece case apart.

Though the Cocoon adds a tiny bit of bulk to your phone, it's worth the extra heft - it feels secure in your hands, has an amazing texture, and boasts a super-stylish, sporty design. One thing to note: the color of the case I received was very different than pictured; mine was more of a deep rust than a bold red.

Speck CandyShell Satin

My other favorite case was the CandyShell Satin by Speck. Though it boasts a super-protective dual­-layer construction (a polycarbonate shell with shock-absorbent rubber interior), it's a one-piece design, so inserting and removing your phone is a breeze. I love, love, love this case's velvety-smooth feel and matte coating, which provides great grip. Its perforated rubber lining adds a playful touch, and the solid button covers offer easy volume adjustment. I can't find anything wrong with this case!

Case-Mate Pop!

The first iPhone case I ever owned, the Case-Mate Pop! is a no-frills de­sign that remains one of my favor­ites. It's relatively slim, so you still feel as though you're holding your phone - as opposed to a huge hunk of plastic - in your hand. Made of lightweight plastic molded with soft rubber, the Pop! combines a sleek back with ample interior cushion­ing. My favorite features are the slip-free, sturdy rubber grips on each side and the solid, pronounced but­ton coverings, which make adjusting the volume and putting your phone to sleep effortless.

Eventually, my first Pop! case racked up a few scratches on the back and cracks in the thin divider between the bottom of the screen and the charging port, but that's to be expected after four months of normal wear and tear. Overall, this simple, sleek case does the job quite well.

Casemate Pop! With Stand

If you want a little more oomph, pick up the Pop! With Stand it features the same practical mix of plastic and rubber as its predecessor (with a prettier pattern on the rubber sides), but has a little more heft to it, making you feel as though your pre­cious device is in very good hands. Though it offers great grip, the extra bulk is a bit too much for my taste. The kicker, though (no pun intended), is the built-in kickstand, which allows you to watch videos or play games hands-free, in either landscape or portrait mode. Just like the Pop!, the Pop! With Stand is easy to get on and off, and features comfortable button coverings.

iFrogz Luxe Original

Just like the Cocoon, the lightweight Luxe Original from iFrogz features a plush, silky feel that makes me oh-so happy. And this metallic polycarbon­ate case looks as good as it feels! While it's not as cushioned as some cases, it does have velvet inserts that offer some impact protection.

Though I'm normally not a fan of two- piece cases that require you to take them apart when you want to insert or remove your phone (see iSkin fuze, below), the Luxe Original makes it a breeze. Simply slide your phone into the top piece, then slide the bottom piece on until it snaps into the top half, and push the button to open it again—it's quick and painless. The only drawbacks are that, since the buttons aren't covered, the sleep button is hard to reach in and press, and the case doesn't lie flat, due to the button on the back where the two halves meet. But overall, I love this case.

Switcheasy Capsule Rebel

While the Capsule Rebel isn't my favorite, comfort-wise, it takes top marks for unique style, hands-down. It has a tough polycarbonate exterior with a spine-like textured back that Switcheasy claims is for "enhanced grip" (I disagree; while it ups the ba­dass factor, the raised back didn't help me hang onto my phone) and a smooth polymer material on the inside to pro­tect your phone from impact. Overall, I love the look and functionality of this case, but its button covers were a bit wimpy, it doesn't lie flat, and it's nearly impossible to wrench your phone out of (just keep it in there forever, and you'll be a happy camper).

iSkin fuze

The fuze case from iSkin offers ample protec­tion from drops with its dual-layer design of polycarbonate on the outside and thermo­-polymer lining, and it has a nice, sleek look. It also features a small flap to cover the charging port, protecting it from dust and dirt.

While it looks good, feels lightweight, and has decent grip, I find it inconvenient to have to take a case apart every time I want to insert or remove my phone. Another big issue for me was the feel of the button covers; they weren't pronounced enough, so I had to press really hard to adjust the volume or put my phone to sleep. And while some may love the protection that the charging port cover affords, I prefer not to have to mess with a flap every time I want to charge my phone. If those things don't irk you, this is a good choice!

Otterbox Commuter

The Commuter Series case from Otterbox offers great protection from bumps and shocks without adding as much bulk as Otterbox's rugged Defender Se­ries case. That said, this case is one of the heftiest of the bunch (about equal to the Pop! With Stand), so if you're used to holding your iPhone without a case, it will feel very different with the Com­muter on. It's comprised of a thick, du­rable silicone skin, which has a pleasingly foamy feel, and a hard polycarbonate outer shell, and features silicone plugs that protect the headphone and charger ports from dirt and dust.

My dislikes of this mostly great case include the port cover­ings, which don't stay securely in place very well; the feel of the sleep button cover; and the extra heft—someone with small hands may have a hard time hanging onto it.