The best iPhone 5 and iPhone 5s cases

Apple has sold hundreds of millions of iPhone 5s and iPhone 5 over the last two plus years, and for many the 4-inch version is still the preferred size and shape for both palm and pocket. Whether you just bought your iPhone 5s, or have had your iPhone 5 since launch, keeping it in the best condition possible means keeping it in the best case possible. So, whether you're looking for something extra tough, slim and stylish, a flip cover, a wallet, or something in between, here's are some of my current favorites!
The LifeProof FRE case is well-known for being able to take a beating. Namely, it offers the iPhone 5s complete water protection. Dedicated gaskets cover all of the important inputs, while still providing access when you need it. With the LifeProof FRE covering it, your iPhone 5s can take a drop of up to 2 meters, which is plenty for day-to-day bumps, not to mention more adventurous scenarios. A wide range of colors are available, depending on your tastes. Definitely grab one of these if protection is your top priority.
The Pad & Quill Little Pocket Book is a flip-style leather case with a few wallet features. Stash money and up to three cards on the interior flap, while your iPhone 5s stays cozy in its birch wood frame on the other side. The construction is widely regarded as superb, and with a handful of interior leather options, you'll be raising the bar for style. You may also want to check Pad & Quill's Bella Fino lineup (opens in new tab) which swaps out the wood frame for a little extra slimness.
Spigen makes what is generally seen as one of the best slim cases out there. The Slim Armor S case offers well-rounded protection without making your iPhone 5 or iPhone 5s huge. A flexible, cushioned interior section is wrapped by a hard shell around the middle for scratch protection. There's a little extra room along the bottom to accommodate third party Lightning cables. All of the other device buttons are easily accessible through the case.
Another extra-slim case for the iPhone 5 and iPhone 5s is Tech21's Impact series. This hard case offers a clear rear and an outer rim packed with impact-absorbing gel. All of your iPhone's important buttons and inputs remain perfectly accessible. A raised bezel offers some scratch protection to the front screen when face down, but by and large, this case's main selling point is its slim, minimal profile. You can get a variety of colors and patterns on the back, or go simple and clear. Pick up this case if you want your case to be as unobtrusive as possible.
The Speck SmartFlex case is another wallet option for your iPhone 5 or iPhone 5s, only your cards and bills are tucked into a rear cavity. Just push your cards out using the thumb release gap on the other side. A bunch of different colors are available depending on how ostentatious or subdued your fashion sense may be. Of course the case also offers solid all-around protection, too. Your iPhone is even protected from your cards as they're inserted.
The Mophie Juice Pack Plus packs a 2,100 mAh battery into your iPhone 5s case, ensuring it can survive the long haul of your busy day. A simple button on the rear lets you check the backup battery levels and start charging your iPhone when you need it. Of course, you also get tough protection all around. A headphone adapter comes with the package, so you can still listen to your tunes through the case, and a USB plug on the case lets you charge without having to take the case off.
Your favorites?
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Those of you with an iPhone 5 or iPhone 5s, which cases have been your favorites? Let me know in the comments!
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Editor-at-very-large at Mobile Nations, gamer, giant.
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It's awesome.
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I just wanted to say, I still think the 5 and 5S are one of the best looking iPhones ever. The 6 and 6 Plus are nice, but the 5's were far more handsome.
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Couldn't agree more! I just love the aesthetics of 5/5s.. !! My fav case - Apple Leather case in Red or Black colour. Sent from the iMore App
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I totally agree
I'm still in love with my gold iPhone 5s Sent from the iMore App -
I TOTALLY agree with you! Sent from the iMore App
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I agree! I just love the design of my 5S :) Sent from the iMore App
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Yep Sent from the iMore App
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Most absolutely agree!
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My favorite is the Spigen Ultra hybrid case. It protects your iPhone with air cushions while letting you appreciate it's beauty through the transparent back and also easy access to all buttons & ports. And the best part is..you can pop in any photo you like to set it as the back drop of your iPhone.. So you can get a new look every time you switch the inlays! Isn't that cool? Image from http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51SEi-A5NdL.jpg. Sent from the iMore App
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My favorite is the Spigen Ultra hybrid case. It protects your iPhone with air cushions while letting you appreciate it's beauty through the transparent back and also easy access to all buttons & ports. And the best part is..you can pop in any photo you like to set it as the back drop of your iPhone.. So you can get a new look every time you switch the inlays! Isn't that cool? Sent from the iMore App
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Why spend so much when you can really good cases at Monoprice for next to nothing. Here's one that sells for $5.10 https://www.imore.com/e?link=https2F2Fclick-100048...
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Monoprice has even cheaper ones and they're really good.
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EDIT: I see now that this is for the iPhone 5S but either way the case below is still solid for the 6 :) iStand 6 was an indiegogo campaign that I backed and I have been really happy with the case. It's a full case with a 3500 mAh battery. and a kickstand. The company (esorun) has apparently started allowing other third parties to sell them. I came across this one on Amazon. Can't beat it for the price. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00Z2P6RF0/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_oC-Vvb0XS9J1V?tag=h... Sent from the iMore App
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The case market is the biggest scam in the mobile industry. Once I found out how pleasant and cost effective TPU is, I have never has a reason to use anything else. TPU is thin and flexible, but doesn't grab your pockets like rubber or silicone. Cruzerlite is my manufacturer of choice, but I'm sure that there are other leaders in the discount TPU case industry. You can literally pick up an iPhone TPU cases on Amazon for pennies. They are extraordinarily effective for impact absorption, even for face drops, and they hold the phone well, so that it doesn't pop out on impact. I dropped My company iPhone 5S in a stairwell, 3 flights up. It side impacted the first rail down, popped up 5 feet went straight down and landed on its face. No damage. The only damage that TPU won't protect you from is crushing, but unless you work on a construction site, I can't imagine that crushing is much of a concern.
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the best iphone cases are incipio frequency, incipio NGP and speck pixelskin HD
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I started with a Otterbox Defender. It’s nearly bulletproof but really big and bulky. I use 2 now depending on where I’m going or what I’m doing. I use a Platinum Series with belt clip and a Logitech Protection [+] with [+] Trip vent clip in the car.
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Still have the Otterbox Defender and it keeps my 5S scratch proof. Sent from the iMore App