I don’t use any case with my Android phones, but I don’t mess around when it comes to the iPhone. I tend to use the device for most of the year, so I put a case in it as soon as I start using the device, and that’s no different with the iPhone 17 Pro. I tried out dozens of cases in the last six months, and I found several I enjoyed using.
In total, I got 54 cases for the iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17, and iPhone Air. All the cases I talk about below are available on all iPhone 17 and Pro variants, and I’ll briefly highlight iPhone Air cases I used as well. To make things easier, I organized cases by manufacturer, so let’s get started.
Nomad has stylish leather and silicon cases
If you need a high-quality leather case, Nomad’s $55 Modern Leather Case is the one to get. It’s made with Horween leather and gets a rich patina over time, and it provides adequate protection without being bulky. The case is available in brown and black models, alongside a burgundy edition that looks pretty great.
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Nomad also makes the $65 Traditional Leather Case, and the only difference with this one is that the leather extends to the sides as well; with the Modern Leather Case comes with a polycarbonate frame instead. Both cases get Camera Control buttons, built-in magnets, and are highly durable. If you don’t want a leather case, the silicone Modern Sport Case has a similar level of protection, and it’s available in vibrant colors — and it doesn’t cost as much at $39.
Bellroy’s leather cases are exquisite
Bellroy is now my go-to travel brand; I took the Transit Travel Pack Pro to over 10 countries, and it is the best tech bag I’ve ever used. The brand’s Pixel 10 cases are the best leather cases you can get, and it’s no wonder that Bellroy makes a similar set of accessories for the iPhone 17, 17 Pro, and iPhone Air.
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The Phone Case is a standout leather case designed for all the models in the iPhone 17 series as well as the iPhone Air, and the soft touch finish makes it feel great in-hand. Similar to Nomad’s cases, Bellroy does a great job protecting the phone without adding too much heft or bulk, and the case ages well with use. I also like the Phone Case – 3 Card model as it lets you slot in credit or debit cards, but you miss out on MagSafe. If you need Qi 2 charging via MagSafe, I’d suggest getting the regular leather Phone Case, which is sold in four color options.
ESR has the best clear cases
ESR has an exquisite collection of silicone cases, and the Cloud Soft iPhone 17 Pro case is one of the best around if you need all-day protection at an affordable price. Coming in at $33, it is much more affordable than the leather cases, and it has all the features you need: raised edges that cover the panel and camera lenses, vibrant colors, and built-in magnets.
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I like that the case is available in orange, and it goes really well with my iPhone 17 Pro. The best part is that there’s an integrated kickstand built around the camera island, and it lets you use the device at an angle, increasing its versatility. If you need a clear case, the $29 Classic Hybrid Magnetic Case is an easy recommendation, and it also gets a built-in kickstand along with magnets. I used the clear case on my iPhone Air, and it’s holding up well even with extended use.
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At the other end of the scale, the $31 Cyber Tough Magnetic Case delivers military-grade protection, and it is a chunky case that’s designed to withstand tumbles up to 23 feet. Oh, and you can get it in orange too. I like that ESR has the same set of cases available for the iPhone 17 and iPhone Air as well.
Spigen is your go-to brand for affordability
Spigen obviously doesn’t need an introduction; the brand continues to dominate with its accessories, and the $19 Ultra Hybrid T MagFit is one of the most affordable clear cases you can get for the iPhone 17 Pro. It covers the camera island and has raised edges at the front, is lightweight, and doesn’t yellow over time — I’ve had it for a while now, and this hasn’t been a problem.
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I use the $19 Rugged Armor MagFit with my iPhone 17, and it has the same level of protection as rugged cases, but isn’t anywhere as bulky. The case I like the most is the Ultra Hybrid Neo One for my iPhone Air; it looks great on the thin device, and I really like the teardown view. Best of all, it costs the same $19 as Spigen’s other clear cases.
Pitaka has gorgeous ultra-thin cases
Pitaka is another brand that’s doing all the right things. Its Aramid cases have proven to be among the toughest around, but they’re also among the lightest, and the $59 Moonrise case is a great choice if you want a stylish case with good protection.
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The best part of the case is that it doesn’t even feel like you’re using one, and this is where Pitaka shines. It’s just 1mm thin, but it still has integrated magnets, and the woven fabric feels great to hold — that’s one of the main reasons why I use the brand’s cases extensively with my Android devices as well. You get the same designs with the standard iPhone 17 too, and while these cases are costly at $59, they’re lightweight, built to last, and look good.
Aulumu’s unique glow-in-the-dark is plain cool
Want a case that stands out? Aulumu is a new accessory brand, and its $39 Frosted Case has a subtle glow-in-the-dark effect and a gaming-focused design. It may not be to everyone’s tastes, but if you like gaming and want a case that’s different to just about everything else available today, this is a decent choice.
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The case has a good level of protection, and Aulumu notes that the patterns have a fade-resistant design. You get built-in magnets, reinforced buttons, and it’s available in white and black.
Mageasy has the thinnest clear cases
I haven’t used Mageasy’s cases until now, and the $26 Lyte M Thin Case has proven to be as good as the ESR and Spigen alternatives. This case is a smidgen thinner than its rivals, and it still has all the features: built-in magnets, good overall protection, and reinforced metal buttons.
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It is costlier than Spigen’s cases, but the thinner case and the fact that you get the same level of protection gives it a slight edge.
Benks has cases made out of Kevlar
Benks is similar to Pitaka in that it also uses woven fiber cases. The $44 Montage case is made with Kevlar fiber, and it is lightweight while delivering a decent level of protection. You get the same case for the standard iPhone 17 and iPhone Air, and it has a good in-hand feel.
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I still prefer Pitaka, but if you want additional designs, Benks is a decent enough alternative.
Supcase is building indestructible cases
I don’t usually like bulky cases, but if you need something with guaranteed protection, this $26 case will do the job. Supcase is nothing if not thorough, and while this case adds a lot of bulk to your iPhone 17, it makes it immune to any tumbles.
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You also get an integrated kickstand, and there’s a cover to protect the USB-C port. The case makes it harder to plug in USB-C cables to charge the device, so you’ll need to see the clearance, or get a thinner USB-C cable to charge your phone.
Look, if you just need one recommendation, I’d suggest getting either ESR’s Cloud Soft clear cases. They look good, provide the protection you need, come in a variety of colors, and are affordable. If you need a leather case, Nomad’s Modern Leather Case is my go-to recommendation; this is what I used on my iPhone 17 Pro the longest, and I haven’t had any issues with it at all. And if you want an ultra-thin case that looks good, Pitaka’s case is the one to get.
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