Best iPhone SE (2016) cases: our selection to protect your original iPhone SE

Despite its age, the iPhone SE is still kicking, and Apple has even supported it with the latest release of iOS 12. If you’ve been enjoying your iPhone SE for a few years and want to keep enjoying, it’s a good idea to make sure it’s safe in a case.

Luckily, plenty of cases have come out for the iPhone SE, and finding good ones is even easier because iPhone 5 and iPhone 5S cases will also fit the iPhone SE (just make sure they’re not for a Plus model).

With a good iPhone SE case and proper care, you’ll be able to make sure your phone’s screen and body last as long as the battery does. You could even pick up a case that extends the battery.

While some of these options are untested, they are each a cut above the rest due to their value and design, and are backed by positive consumer feedback.

Note: we've ranked these from cheapest to most expensive according to prices at time of writing.

Belk Leather Sleeve for iPhone SE

Protects without obscuring

Specifications

Colors: Black, Brown, Red, Rose
Material: Synthetic leather

Reasons to buy

+
Can still see your phone in full
+
Lots of protection when on

Reasons to avoid

-
No protection when phone is in use
-
Not real leather

No case is likely to come close to looking as good as the iPhone SE itself does, which is why you might want to consider a sleeve instead, such as this one from Belk.

With full body coverage it provides more protection than many cases when in use, but shows off your phone in full when you take the handset out.

Of course, you also lose all of its protective qualities at that point, but it’s a safer option than not having a case at all.

While there are any number of iPhone SE sleeves, the Belk Leather Sleeve stands out with an attractive synthetic leather finish, a magnetic flap to keep your iPhone securely in place, a pull tab to help you easily remove it and a few holes drilled to ensure you can still hear your phone when it rings. All that and it’s slim too.

Credit: Olixar / MobileFun

Credit: Olixar / MobileFun

Olixar Leather-Style iPhone SE Wallet Case

Leather-look without the price

Specifications

Colors: Brown, Black
Material: Faux-leather

Reasons to buy

+
Premium look
+
Low price

Reasons to avoid

-
Not real leather
-
Middling protection

You don’t need real leather to get a leather look, and this Olixar case comes in a lot cheaper than similarly styled rivals, thanks to its use of faux-leather.

It’s a convincing effect, and the wallet design means you also have slots for your cards and money, plus the case can be folded out into a stand for viewing media.

The slim, lightweight design won’t add unnecessary bulk to your iPhone SE, and the overall appearance is almost as good as the far pricier (and real leather) Twelve South BookBook, found further down this list.

Elago Outfit Matrix Case for iPhone SE

A metal finish for your metal phone

Specifications

Colors: Various
Material: Aluminum and polycarbonate

Reasons to buy

+
Loads of color choices
+
Made with real metal

Reasons to avoid

-
Middling protection
-
Not fully metal

Most cases are plastic, or if you spend a bit more leather, but even that seems a bit of a shame to use when your phone is metal.

But there are options, including this case from Elago, which while not completely metal fuses aluminum and polycarbonate, to attractive effect.

It’s a reasonably slim case too, and well thought out, with a camera cut-out that’s designed to ensure the camera and flash can be used without any interference from the case. It’s also available in a wide range of colors, so you can choose one to match or contrast your phone.

iCASEIT Wood Case for iPhone SE

Elegantly affordable

Specifications

Colors: Bamboo, Rainbow, Rosewood, Walnut, Wenge Wood
Material: Polycarbonate and Natural Wood

Reasons to buy

+
Unique wood grain
+
Thin and elegant

Reasons to avoid

-
Light on protection
-
Plastic edges hurt the look

If elegance and style are top priorities when accessorizing your iPhone SE, consider this cleanly milled, snug-fitting case from iCASEIT. The port cut-outs and button holes are beautifully precise, and the outside is only slightly rubberized to retain the slick look of the wood.

Also, the use of natural grained wood as a cover for the snap-on polycarbonate shell ensures that no two cases are the same – the Rainbow option has a unique finish, too. At just 3mm thin, it lacks the ruggedness of, say, an OtterBox case, but the combination of materials ensures at least a fair level of durability.

Ghostek Cloak iPhone SE Aluminum Tough Case

A compact case made with real metal

Specifications

Colors: Clear/Gold, Clear/Pink, Clear/Red, Clear/Silver, Clear/Space Gray
Material: Aluminum and TPU

Reasons to buy

+
Aluminum bumper
+
Slim design

Reasons to avoid

-
Plastic back
-
Average protection

Even if you want a premium material you don’t have to spend a fortune, as the Ghostek Cloak case proves.

Granted, the back is made of plastic, but there’s an aluminum bumper for a stylish and high-end finish, and the plastic part is transparent, so the metal of your iPhone SE can shine through.

The design is fairly slim too and there’s a screen protector bundled with the case, so you can give your phone all-round protection.

Power Support Air Jacket for iPhone SE

Slim and minimal

Specifications

Colors: Smoke, Clear, Black
Material: Plastic

Reasons to buy

+
Super slim
+
Transparent

Reasons to avoid

-
Minimal protection
-
Looks cheap

The great shame of cases is that they cover up a phone, that often, as in the iPhone SE’s case, has a premium design that you’d rather show off, but the Power Support Air Jacket does its best not to hide your device.

The case is incredibly slim at just 1.2mm thick, and it’s totally transparent, making it almost invisible. In fact, viewed at a distance you might not even realize the iPhone SE is in a case at all.

The downside to this minimalist design is that it doesn’t provide a huge amount of protection, but it should keep your phone safe from minor bumps and scratches.

Tech21 Evo Mesh Case for iPhone SE

Slender, strong and light

Specifications

Colors: Smoky Black, Clear White, Pink White
Material: FlexShock

Reasons to buy

+
Shock absorbent material
+
Ultra lightweight

Reasons to avoid

-
Plain design
-
Rubbery finish won't feel premium

Tech21 has a proven track record when it comes to protective cases, thanks to the company's patented FlexShock system. The rubbery bumper on the Evo Mesh Case provides a solid defense against drops of up to 2 meters, yet the button covers are nice and flexible.

The rubbery mesh back has plenty of grip and keeps the rear of your phone stylishly guarded but clearly visible, plus it steers well clear of the camera and flash. Best of all, the case remains slender and super-lightweight, so you won't even know it's there.

Carved iPhone SE Traveler Wood Case

Real wood and real art

Specifications

Colors: Various
Material: Wood and rubber

Reasons to buy

+
Wooden back
+
Stylish designs

Reasons to avoid

-
Rubber frame
-
Could provide more protection

The Carved Traveler series is a gorgeous selection of cases, made from real wood with artworks carved into them.

Both the material and the designs make them different to most other cases out there and they’re certainly eye-catching.

The rubber frame detracts from the look a little, but it adds extra drop protection and makes it easier to firmly grip the case, and the phone it’s protecting.

Speck CandyShell Inked iPhone SE Case

Bright designs and lots of protection

Specifications

Colors: Aqua Floral Blue/Ultraviolet Purple, Bold Blossoms White/Revolution Purple, Galaxy Purple/Revolution Purple
Material: Polycarbonate and acrylic

Reasons to buy

+
Colorful
+
Surprisingly strong

Reasons to avoid

-
Won't suit everyone
-
Only three design choices

Don’t think your iPhone is colorful enough? It will be if you stick it in one of these cases. Speck’s CandyShell Inked case comes in three different designs, all of which are almost blindingly bright in color.

They won’t be for everyone, but if any of the designs appeal and you want to stand out in a crowd this is the case for you.

The case also offers a lot of protection, with shock absorbing and impact dispersing properties, which meet or exceed military drop test standards.

Urban Armor Gear Case for iPhone SE

Tough and light

Specifications

Colors: Black, Ice, Ash, Cobalt
Material: Composite plastic

Reasons to buy

+
Feather-light
+
Military spec drop tested

Reasons to avoid

-
A bit bulky
-
Fairly pricey

This standard issue case from UAG boasts a soft rubberized screen bumper and rear skid pads for all-round protection from scratches and scuffs. The soft impact-resistant core is fused with a hard outer shell, offering decent structural integrity and a confident heft.

Oversized tactile buttons lend the overall design a 'Robocop' feel, but generous port access and accurate button cut-outs keep things as low-profile as you can expect, and it's surprisingly lightweight, too.

Griffin Survivor All-Terrain Case for iPhone SE

Ultimate protection for your iPhone

Specifications

Colors: Black
Material: Polycarbonate and silicone

Reasons to buy

+
Serious protection
+
Built-in clip

Reasons to avoid

-
Very chunky
-
Bland design

If protection is your first, last and only priority then you can’t do much better than the Griffin Survivor All-Terrain.

This polycarbonate and silicone case is every bit as bulky as it looks in pictures, but it’s shatter-resistant, shock-absorbent, keeps dust and dirt out with hinged plugs, and of course it meets military drop test standards.

The size means it won’t comfortably fit in smaller pockets, but that needn’t be a problem as it also comes with a detachable heavy-duty clip, to attach the phone to your bag or belt.

Snakehive Vintage Collection iPhone SE case

Premium leather

Specifications

Colors: Navy, Plum, Burgundy, Black, Black and Navy, Chestnut Brown
Material: Leather

Reasons to buy

+
Real leather
+
Great color selection

Reasons to avoid

-
Won't survive drops

Snakehive provide leather cases for your devices and its iPhone SE case is a great choice if you're after a premium feel on your phone.

You've got lots of color choices with the iPhone SE case option and it has enough room for three credit cards as well as a slot for notes too.

It's even embossed with the lovely looking Snakehive logo as well giving it a different look to anything else on this list.

Gear4 Oxford Bookcase for iPhone SE

Impactful and well-mannered

Specifications

Colors: Black
Material: D3O smart material

Reasons to buy

+
Impact-resistant material
+
Landscape viewing

Reasons to avoid

-
Not particularly grippy
-
Only comes in black

There are dozens of flip-cover cases on the market, but few of them can claim to feature a patented smart material designed to keep your phone protected from shocks. The molecules that make up the D3O material lock together on impact to absorb and disperse energy, before returning to their flexible state.

Apart from the integrated D3O, the Oxford case can stand up your phone in landscape orientation for watching videos, plus there's a handy credit card slot in the inside screen cover, which also sports a firm magnetic closure.

Apple iPhone SE Leather Case

A simple case with a premium build

Specifications

Colors: Black, Midnight Blue, Red
Material: Leather

Reasons to buy

+
Real leather
+
Snug fit

Reasons to avoid

-
Doesn't provide loads of protection
-
Pricey

Most leather cases tend to imitate wallets, but if you want a more conventional snap-on case that doesn’t cover the screen, Apple itself has a stylish option in black, red or blue.

As it’s made by Apple, you can be confident that this is a quality leather case, with a snug, slim fit. You can also be confident that your iPhone SE will be taken care of, thanks to a soft microfiber lining that helps protect it.

Even so, this doesn’t offer as much protection as some alternatives, including the aforementioned wallet-style cases, but it’s slim, stylish and leaves the screen instantly accessible and the iPhone SE looking every bit as good as it does without a case.

OtterBox Defender Case for iPhone SE

Complete protection for your iPhone

Specifications

Colors: Black, Glacier, Steel Berry, Berries and Cream, Morning Mist
Material: Polycarbonate and rubber

Reasons to buy

+
Loads of protection
+
Lots of color choices

Reasons to avoid

-
Not cheap
-
Chunky

OtterBox is famed for its rugged smartphone cases and with good reason, as for years they’ve been keeping phones safe from scrapes and falls.

Of its range, the Defender is perhaps the best, wrapping the iPhone SE in three layers of protection, including a two-piece internal shell, foam padding to cushion the handset, and a rubber slipcover to absorb the impact from drops and bumps.

But it doesn’t stop there. The OtterBox Defender also has an integrated screen protector, port covers to defend against dust, and even a holster, which can be used to clip the phone to a belt or bag, or to prop it up, by acting as a kickstand.

Mophie Juice Pack Air for iPhone SE

Almost doubles the charge of your phone

Specifications

Colors: Gold, Rose Gold, Black
Material: TBC

Reasons to buy

+
Built-in battery
+
Clever features

Reasons to avoid

-
Expensive
-
Chunky

Battery life is one of the biggest problems faced by smartphones, and the Mophie Juice Pack Air aims to solve that, by building a battery into the case.

It’s cleverly designed, with the iPhone always draining the case’s battery first, and with a switch allowing you to choose between charging and standby, plus a four-light LED status indicator to tell you how much battery is left.

While somewhat chunky, the case is actually quite slim given that there’s a battery built in, and it promises to almost double the life of your phone.

Pad & Quill Little Pocket Book for iPhone SE

Leather wallet case

Specifications

Colors: Deep Blue, Merlot, French Roast
Material: Leather

Reasons to buy

+
Robust hand-crafted design
+
Top grade leather

Reasons to avoid

-
Expensive
-
Limited color options

Pad & Quill has combined two daily essentials - iPhone and wallet - into a lovely hand-crafted wallet case that has space inside for multiple credit cards, ID's, and even cash.

The wallet opens like a leather-bound book, revealing a birch wood frame that cradles the Apple smartphone via its grippy corners and provides decent protection from drops. The grain leather interior features four card/money pockets with precise stitching, while an elastic closure ribbon keeps the contents securely inside.

Spigen Tough Armor case

Affordable protection

Specifications

Colors: Black, Champagne Gold, Metal Slate, Satin Silver
Material: TPU and PC

Reasons to buy

+
Drop protection
+
Thin

Reasons to avoid

-
Screen cover sold separately

A nice dual-layer case is a good way to enhance the durability of your iPhone SE. Spigen's Tough Armor case is just that, with a soft TPU layer that goes around the back and all four edges of the iPhone SE, and a hard polycarbonate section that wraps around the back. This gives you a lot better odds of dropping your phone without breaking the screen.

See the Spigen Tough Armor case at Amazon here.

Otterbox Commuter case

Colorful protection

Specifications

Colors: Black, Bahama Way, Bubblegum Way, Glacier, Glow Green
Material: Rubber and PC

Reasons to buy

+
Good protection
+
Colorful designs

Reasons to avoid

-
Doesn't match iPhone aesthetic

If there's a popular phone, odds are good Otterbox has made a case for it, and it's no surprise that the company has several for the iPhone SE. The Commuter series is a simple two-part case, with a soft rubber inside and hard outer shell to defend your iPhone SE from all sorts of accidents. It even comes with a screen protector and one-year case warranty. 

See the Otterbox Commuter case on Amazon here.

James Rogerson

James is a freelance phones, tablets and wearables writer and sub-editor at TechRadar. He has a love for everything ‘smart’, from watches to lights, and can often be found arguing with AI assistants or drowning in the latest apps. James also contributes to 3G.co.uk, 4G.co.uk and 5G.co.uk and has written for T3, Digital Camera World, Clarity Media and others, with work on the web, in print and on TV.