Article updated on August 7, 2024 at 7:30 AM PDT
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David Carnoy Executive Editor / Reviews
Executive Editor David Carnoy has been a leading member of CNET's Reviews team since 2000. He covers the gamut of gadgets and is a notable reviewer of mobile accessories and portable audio products, including headphones and speakers. He's also an e-reader and e-publishing expert as well as the author of the novels Knife Music, The Big Exit and Lucidity. All the titles are available as Kindle, iBooks, Kobo e-books and audiobooks.
Expertise Headphones, Bluetooth speakers, mobile accessories, Apple, Sony, Bose, e-readers, Amazon, glasses, ski gear, iPhone cases, gaming accessories, sports tech, portable audio, interviews, audiophile gear, PC speakers Credentials
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Best Galaxy S23 case with grip and stand built-in
Clckr Stand and Grip cases
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Tough clear Galaxy S23 case with magnetic connector
Urban Armor Gear Plyo case
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What is the best Samsung Galaxy S23 case overall?
The Galaxy S23 is one of the most popular Android devices from last year. Despite the launch of the Galaxy S24 series, the S23 lineup is holding up well. Samsung has rolled out an OTA update with Galaxy AI (a Galaxy S24 feature) for its 2023 flagship phones, giving you more reasons to stick with your old phone and protect your investment from scratches and other damage.
There are tons of Galaxy S23 cases available right now, making it difficult to pick the right one. There are also options from some manufacturers with magnetic functionality that will let you use them with Apple MagSafe accessories, and non-Apple magnetic accessories like wallets, batteries, and stands.
While budget cases are pretty good, you may also want to consider the more expensive ones for added functionality. For example, Galaxy S23 Plus and S23 Ultra owners may want a case with an integrated kickstand since you can use these cases to prop up these large phones while watching videos. It also comes down to your personal taste, which is why I've tried to include a variety of styles in this roundup, all of which CNET editors have tested on one of the S23 series models.
The cases below are listed at the starting price for the line, so make sure you're buying the case that matches your S23. The same goes for tempered glass for extra protection -- match the size to the specific model of your S23, whether that's the Ultra, Plus or base model.
Read more: Best Wireless Earbuds and Headphones for Samsung Phones
Leading case-maker Speck brings a selection of protective case options to the Galaxy S23, including the Presidio2 Grip (shown in blue), Presidio Perfect-Mist and Presidio Perfect-Clear.
All the new models have very good drop protection (from 13 to 16 feet, depending on the model) as well as Speck's Microban antimicrobial coating. The cases start at around $40 in various color options, and Speck frequently offers discounts to first-time buyers on its site.
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Clckr's cases feature a built-in kickstand and grip strap that folds out and clicks into place on the back of your phone. Clckr sells just the stand/strap accessory to stick on the back of your phone (or on a case), but the Galaxy S23 Clear case with the integrated kickstand accessory is better and also comes in a Textured version if translucency is not your thing. I wouldn't say the cases are super protective but they're sturdy enough, with raised edges to protect the screen.
With the stand clicked in place, you can use your device hands-free in either portrait or landscape mode. Note that you can wirelessly charge your phone with this case on, though you have to be more careful about placing it in the right spot on a wireless charging pad for it to work.
Urban Armor Gear offers several case options for the Galaxy S23 models in a variety of colors. I like the Pathfinder series, but am highlighting the new Plyo Pro, which features a built-in "magnetic module" that looks a little like a MagSafe module and allows you to use magnetic accessories with the case.
UAG's cases all feature good corner protection and meet military drop-test standards, with the Plyo Pro rated for 16-foot drop protection.
British case-maker Gear4, now owned by Zagg, makes cases that are right there with those from OtterBox and Speck. They're all lined with the company's D3O shock-absorbing material and feature beveled edges to protect your phone. For the Galaxy S23, I like the Denali with Kickstand (pictured -- 16-foot drop protection) and the Everest with Kickstand precisely because they have built-in kickstands and are also protective and feel good in hand. The Milan (13-foot drop protection) and London (13-foot drop protection) also have eye-catching designs.
If you're looking for a cheap, clear case for your new Galaxy S23, Spigen's Ultra Hybrid is a good value at around $16 to $19, depending on the version you get. I like the Ultra Hybrid Zero One that has an imprint of the innards of your phone, which makes it look like the back of your phone is open and exposed when it really isn't.
I also like the Ultra Hybrid S ($18), which is a clear case with a built-in kickstand. The Neo Hybrid ($20) is a fairly basic case, while the Cryo Armor is a $26 triple-layer "gaming" case that's designed to "absorb and dissipate heat from your phone during hours of gameplay."
No drop rating is listed for these Samsung phone cases, but most Spigen cases, except for the slimmest models, offer reasonable protection. If you want a tough case with decent protection, get one of its Armor models.
Note that a lot of these cheaper clear cases have a habit of turning yellow and degrading over time, which makes them less translucent. But they're cheap enough that you probably won't mind shelling out for a replacement if and when that happens.
The company's super-protective Defender series case is available for all the Galaxy S23 models, but most people want something less bulky. I like the Symmetry series cases -- they're slim with beveled edges, making them a good mix of sleek and protective. That said, I've come to like the more protective Commuter Series better, thanks to the grips it has on the back and sides, as well as having raised edges on the front that should help protect your screen. The raised bezel acts as a screen protector to keep your screen scratch-free, and the camera module gets the same treatment.
Samsung's Clear Gadget Cover has a built-in ring kickstand that allows you to prop the phone up horizontally. You'll also be able to attach other optional accessories to the case. The Gadget case is available for all three S23 models but makes more sense for the larger Plus and Ultra models.
Particularly with the two larger models of the Galaxy S23, I find that having an integrated kickstand is a nice feature, and the ESR kickstand case is about as affordable as you get at around $20. It could dip to closer to $15 in time.
Cyrill is a sub-brand of Spigen and like Spigen, its cases generally sell for less than $18. Cyrill doesn't have quite the same selection for the Galaxy S23 as it does for the iPhone 14, but it does offer its UltraColor case, which has a soft-to-the-touch finish. It has a raised frame on the back that provides some extra protection for the camera lenses. The corners of the case have a raised lip as well.
Incipio has its usual robust lineup of cases for the Galaxy S23, including old favorites like the sturdy Duo (pictured in red; 12-foot drop protection), Grip (14-foot drop protection) and the Organicore (14-foot drop protection), which is an eco case that's 100% compostable and is now available with a translucent back. It also has licensing deals with Kate Spade and Coach, and some of those cases offer eye-catching designs.
At $24, the Duo is the most affordable of the bunch, but look for prices to come down once the phones have been out for a while.
Rokform's been making tough smartphone cases for years, and aside from their durability, their key feature is the ability to use them with various mounts -- including bike, car and motorcycle mounts -- that are sold separately.
Rokform's cases have removable magnets and they're compatible with wireless charging if you remove the included center magnet. "With the lower magnet still intact, you can still wireless-charge while utilizing magnetic mounting and all of our mounts," Rokform says.
When you have a phone with a large screen, it can be a good idea to get some added screen protection with a folio case that also has slots for a couple of credit cards. OtterBox's folio case, the Strada, is nicely designed with a magnetic clasp. Its only drawback is that it doesn't convert into a kickstand for watching videos.
Note that the photo pictured is the case for the Galaxy S22 Ultra, but the S23 Ultra's case looks very similar.
Samsung's new Frame case for Galaxy S23 is an interesting concept. In the box you get a "frame" (we used to call this a bumper case) and two interchangeable backplates -- one clear and one card slot -- so you can go with a wallet-style case or plain case. Needless to say, you'll also be able to buy other backplates with different designs to give your case a new look if you get bored with it.
Available in black, green and camel, Samsung's leather case offers a nice, smooth yet grippy feel with decent edge protection in a slim package. Alas, there's no kickstand, but if you're looking for a clean, elegantly designed case, this Samsung-branded leather case fits the bill.
For the Galaxy S23, UK-based Mous has done something a little different. It's brought MagSafe compatibility to its line of Samsung cases with a few different eye-catching styles, all of them lined with the AiroShock material that the company says delivers excellent protection in a slim design (you can use MagSafe and other magnetic accessories with these cases).
Based on my previous experience with Mous cases, they do seem durable and all include a lifetime warranty. I'm personally a fan of the Iridescent model pictured, but the Walnut, Bamboo and Silver Pearl cases are also nice.
Peak Design's Everyday case is available for all the S23 models and is actually compatible with Apple's MagSafe accessories and other magnetic MagSafe-compatible accessories, including wireless charging batteries, wallets and more. But the case has Peak Design's own built-in magnetic locking system -- the company calls it SlimLink -- that connects to a wide assortment of Peak Design's mobile mounts and accessories. That includes bike mounts, charging stands, tripods, car mounts and more. The only Peak Design accessory I don't recommend is the wallet, which doesn't lock onto the case and doesn't stick to it that securely.
When you combine Peak Design's accessories with all the MagSafe accessories out there, you certainly get a lot of accessory options to choose from. The case is relatively slim with a 6-foot drop protection rating, though note there are more protective cases on this list with a little better corner protection. Unlike with earlier Peak cases for Samsung phones, you can use your S-Pen stylus accessory while your phone is in the case; there was previously an issue with the magnet array design with earlier Galaxy phones.
Budget
Before anything else, you'll want to figure out how much you're willing to spend on a Galaxy S23 phone case. Value-priced cases continue to improve, so you can find a decent wireless charger for less than $15. But if you're looking for a more premium model, you'll likely have to pay more than $50 and even more for Qi-enabled cases.
Qi Wireless Charging support -- or not?
Most Android phones since the Samsung Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge models introduced in 2015 offer inductive wireless charging. Android's standard for these phones is called Qi, and power banks that are fully Qi compatible offer faster charging speeds for Android devices with speeds capped at around 7.5 watts for iPhones. In all cases, you'll need to make sure your phone case is thin enough to allow inductive charging through the back of the phone.
You can save about $8 to $10 by getting a case that doesn't have an integrated metal ring. I generally encourage people to spend the extra money for a Qi-enabled case because of the number of magnetic accessories on the market, some of them quite useful.
Thin or thicker?
Some people like minimal cases that add little to no bulk to their Galaxy S23s, but the majority of people are looking for a case that offers good protection -- or even maximum protection. I tell people to find a case that's not too thick and maybe even pretty slim and that offers at least 6-foot drop protection (and good corner protection).
Do you want a clear case?
Clear cases are popular because they show off your phone (and its color). Clear cases, especially cheaper ones, can become less clear over time and slowly start to yellow. Many case makers now add UV protection to their clear cases to prevent yellowing.
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Several of the cases on this list were available for the previous Samsung Galaxy models and we added them to the list based on our previous testing. Typically, we try to use the case on the phone for at least a day and make sure the buttons on the phone work properly with the case on. With some phone cases, we use them for several days or even weeks to see how they wear over time.
- Design: We evaluate the more superficial and cosmetic aspects of cases and consider how aesthetically pleasing they are because people sometimes buy cases solely for their colors and artwork.
- Durability: We look at how durable a case is, paying particular attention to corner and camera protection (raised corners on a case can help your phone survive face-down falls).
- Grip factor: We review the material the case is made of so we can talk about such factors as how grippy the phone feels in your hand and how protective the material is.
- Extra features: Some Samsung cases have extra features such as Qi Wireless Charging rings, an integrated kickstand or grips, and, in the case of folio models, slots for storing credit cards and cash.
- Long-term testing: Although we don't do long-term testing for most cases, we do use some of the most popular cases for longer periods to gauge how they wear over time and see how well our phone holds up during accidental drops with the case on it. We don't do formal drop tests.
- Waterproof cases: Only a few fully waterproof cases are available, but If the case is supposed to be fully waterproof, we test it by submerging it in water.
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Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra S-View Wallet Case: If you're looking for a case that covers the Galaxy S23's screen, Samsung's S-View Wallet case is a decent option. The small screen view (the little window) allows you to see notifications, answer calls and quickly see what time it is. A hidden slot inside the case stores only a single credit and a couple of bills of cash, but that's all the storage some people need. The S-View Wallet case is available in multiple colors for every Galaxy S23 model.
Urban Armor Gear Plasma Series: UAG's cases all offer good corner protection and meet military drop-test standards, with the Plasma rated for 20-foot drop protection. This case also costs just $30, considerably less than other UAG cases.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Standing Grip Case: Samsung's Standing Grip case has an integrated strap grip that converts into a kickstand. The case comes in three colors and has a soft-to-the-touch silicone finish.
Zagg Gear4 Denali Case with Kickstand: British case-maker Gear4, now owned by Zagg, makes cases that are right there with those from Otterbox and Speck. I liked the Denali with Kickstand for the Galaxy S22 and also like it for the Galaxy S24 (I do like the kickstand feature). Its Everest and Santa Cruz cases also come in versions with kickstands.
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Does a Samsung Galaxy need a case?
The short answer is no, the Samsung Galaxy doesn't need a case, and yes, some folks prefer to keep their Galaxies uncovered. It is risky, as one drop on the wrong surface (like pavement) could mean a cracked screen or cracked back or dented corner. You can pay for insurance for your phone -- it's fairly pricey -- so you can get it replaced or fixed cheaply should something happen to it.
I never get insurance and just buy a decent case instead. Having a case on your phone won't prevent you from losing it but it does greatly reduce the risk of damaging it.
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How protective of a case should I buy?
I like cases that aren't too thick but offer decent drop protection, with a lip over the edge of the screen (sometimes referred to as a "screen bumper") and raised corners that help prevent your screen from cracking if your phone should fall face down. A folio case will more fully protect your screen.
The good news is that you don't have to buy a super protective Samsung Galaxy case like the OtterBox Defender to get good protection. Most cases are reasonably thin and still offer at least 6-foot drop protection. I did include one very thin case on this list for those who prefer minimal protection. Before you go with a case like that, just remember how much your phone costs -- but it is better than having no case at all. Make sure you get a sound-tempered glass screen protector for your Samsung Galaxy to prevent deep scratches and safeguard the screen.
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What is the most protective case for my Samsung Galaxy S23?
There are a lot of cases that are very durable and are rated for drop protection for up to 10 or even 14 feet. If I had to pick the most durable case, I'd say the Lifeproof Fre, which is fully waterproof and has a layer of plastic that covers your screen, is certainly near the top.
The Otterbox Defender Pro Series case is also protective and comes with a belt holster so you can shield your screen when not using it. Over the years, it's been a favorite of construction workers.
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Should I get a magnetic case?
All the Samsung Galaxy S23 models are equipped with Qi Wireless Charging, which offers faster wireless charging with compatible chargers. It also supports optional accessories -- including stands, wallets and various mounts -- that adhere magnetically to the back of your phone. Like the Galaxy S22, the Galaxy S23 has magnets built into the back of the phone to power this feature.
If you want to use those accessories without taking your phone out of its case, you need a phone case that's equipped with Qi support. The Qi magnetic circle is visible on clear cases, but it's embedded on the inside of the case so if it's nontransparent, you'll only see it from the inside.
If you already have a magnetic accessory -- or plan on buying magnetic accessories in the future -- you'll want to get a Qi-compatible case; it's a good option to have. With that in mind, the majority of the cases in this roundup are equipped with magnetic charging.
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Are magnetic cases more expensive?
In general, yes -- about $10 more. Some more affordable magnetic cases cost around $20, but most cost upwards of $30. We see cases from certain companies that are essentially the same, but one has wireless charging capabilities and the other doesn't. The Qi-enabled version usually sells for $10 more. It may seem like a little too much to pay for something that doesn't seem like much of an upgrade, but in time, Qi compatibility may command less of a "tax."
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