Putting a case on your iPhone is always a bittersweet experience. On the one hand, you know that protecting your $800+ investment is a big deal, but on the other hand, why would you cover up the beautiful design of this device that you just spent all that money on.
Well, why not go with a transparent case? So you get the best of both worlds: protection for your iPhone without obscuring its chiseled good looks.
We liked the idea so much that we decided to put together an overview of our favorite options. Here are the best clear cases for iPhone 14 (all models).
Trust the experts
I’ve been testing and reviewing iPhone cases for over a decade, and before that I worked in mobile phone (and accessory) sales. I am very familiar with all the major manufacturers and their long-standing product lines, as well as most of the notable newcomers to the field.
Each case mentioned has been selected based on my personal experience with it and/or its predecessors, first-hand recommendations from my equally impressive colleagues, or painstaking research on various consumer advocacy websites and retailers. I do the hard work so you don’t have to.
What to look for
There are a few things I look for when choosing the best transparent cases for iPhone 14.
For starters, is the case made by a well-known brand and does it have positive reviews from critics and customers? There are so many private label products out there that are simply not up to par when it comes to quality.
Then I checked the following boxes: does it fit well on the iPhone? Are the cutouts for ports and buttons the same? Does it fit comfortably in your hand and pocket? Does it provide enough protection against bumps and scratches?
And finally, I draw on personal experience with this case or the experience of colleagues and other experts: is it known that these cases turn yellow quickly, or does the clear coat usually hold? Do they stretch quickly or tend to hold their shape?
If a case meets all of these items, or at least most of them, chances are it will make the list.
Note about MagSafe
Any case we have listed below will work just fine with standard Qi wireless charging cradles/cradles. But if you want faster 15W wireless charging and the magnetic feel of a MagSafe lock, you’ll need to make sure the case is MagSafe compatible.
With us, this should be clearly stated in the description, but you can visit the retail website or look for built-in magnets in the phone case to confirm compatibility.
The best transparent cases for iPhone 14
Totally Clear
Totallee Clear has been a staple in our best case reviews for years, and for good reason. They are well made, light and very thin. Clear is available in both soft TPU and rigid polypropylene and is 0.33″and 0.31″thick, respectively. It’s also good that there are no flashy branding or logos on the case, and it comes with a full 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Buy for iPhone 14
- Buy for iPhone 14 Plus
- Buy for iPhone 14 Pro Max
Simply mobile TENC Air
TENC Air is billed as “the most advanced composite thin transparent air cushion bumper”. Translated, this means that it has a solid polycarbonate backing and impact-resistant thermoplastic sidewalls. This is a truly brilliant design, as it provides the strength and durability of the hard case, as well as padded protection around the sides and corners of the soft case. There are several people here at iDB who have full confidence in these cases.
Pelican Ranger Clear all
If you’re looking for something that offers a little more protection, I really like Pelican’s Ranger Clear. Pelican says that with its soft corners and shock-absorbing ribs, it can withstand drops to hard surfaces from 15 feet. Keep in mind that extra protection comes with bulk – the Ranger measures 0.55 inches, which is nearly double the thickness of some ultra-thin cases. Also note that there is a small Pelican logo in the lower right corner of the case, which looks quite garish in my opinion, and a built-in magnet for MagSafe compatibility.
Elago hybrid transparent
Elago is another brand that has been a staple in our “best case”reviews. We love their liquid silicone iPhone cases, and you may be familiar with their popular vintage Apple Watch Mac stands. Their Hybrid Clear case is another combination of polycarbonate and TPU that gives you the benefits of a hard shell with the protection of a softer case. It includes a lot of the flags you’d love to have in a case, including raised bezels above the display and rear camera for added drop protection, and covers above the buttons to keep dirt and grime out.
ESR air armor
ESR has built a reputation on Amazon for quality and affordable iPhone cases and accessories. Air Armor for iPhone 13 received a 4.7-star rating on the website and over 7,000 reviews. Features of this year’s model include a hard acrylic backing, Air-Guard shock-absorbing corners, rear camera protection, and raised screen edges. All of this combines to deliver military-grade drop protection that ESR says has been tested. Finally, we have a built-in Halolock magnet for MagSafe chargers and accessories.
Spec Presidio Perfect Clear
The Presidio Perfect-Clear is another case that I think deserves to be on this list. Not because he is great at any one task, but because he is really good at all the little things. It features 13-foot drop protection, a scratch-resistant finish, and raised edges around the display. Plus, it’s not too bulky, the rubber provides a secure grip, and the built-in magnet means it’s compatible with all your MagSafe accessories. I have used and tested many Presidio cases over the years and they are some of the most reliable of them all.
Looking for other types of covers? Be sure to check out our more comprehensive main review. We have the best leather cases, wallet cases, durable cases and cases under $20.