Buyer's Guide to Phone Case Materials

Apple, Samsung, and Google make up 90% of the smartphone market in the United States, so you’re really forced to choose between one of those three. But your new phone also needs a case, and there are millions of options to choose from – this decision is often the more difficult one. 

With so many materials, designs, and prices, it can feel overwhelming. That’s why we created this guide to help you determine which case material is best for your phone. We’ll break down the pros & cons of each, their price points, and why each of them should be on your radar. We’ll start with the most common material: plastic. 

Plastic

Plastic is the most common material used to make phone cases, primarily because of its low cost, versatility, and durability. Most cases are made from one of three materials, each of which has its own distinct features:

• Polycarbonate (PC)

  – The hard, rigid construction of PC cases makes them more impact-resistant than other materials, which is great if drop protection is your top priority.

  
  
  

• Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)

  –  These types of cases are softer & more flexible than PC cases, but not quite as soft as silicone.

  
  
  

• Acrylic

  – Though less common than their plastic counterparts, acrylic cases stand out for their crystal clear appearance. You can show off your naked phone with a thin layer of protection; but beware, these cases tend to yellow over time.

  
  

Despite being the most popular phone case material, plastic has some drawbacks, especially compared to wood. Let’s take a look at what people love & hate about their plastic cases: 

Advantages: 

• Generally more affordable than other materials

• Decent protection against regular wear & tear, and a handful of drops

• Lightweight

• More styles & designs available because of the low cost and ease of customization

Disadvantages: 

• Adequate protection compared to other materials like wood & metal 

• Plastic retains heat, which can worsen your phone’s overheating problem

• Shorter lifespan than higher-quality case materials

• Bad for the environment 

Wooden

Wood phone cases are a unique and eco-friendly alternative to conventional case materials. Because every wood grain pattern is unique, no two cases are alike, meaning they stand out in a sea of plastic & rubber cases. 

At Carved, we create wooden phone cases from wooden burls, rather than the trees themselves. This process is more unique & sustainable than traditional wood cases, and allows us to create beautiful designs from Maple, Oak, Willow, Elm, and Buckeye burls.

Protection and style are two of the most important factors when deciding on a phone case; wooden cases excel in both categories. They’re also lightweight, durable, and capable of  withstanding drops and scratches, making them ideal for outdoor enthusiasts. 

Advantages: 

• Aesthetic designs that are one-of-a-kind 

• More sustainable than plastic & rubber materials

• Wood mitigates heat, meaning it won’t contribute to overheating issues

Disadvantages:

• Slightly heavier than plastic

• More expensive

• Require routine care  

Metal

Metal is a material that’s burst onto the everyday carry (EDC) scene in the last few years. From phone cases to minimalist metal wallets, it’s a high-end material that looks good, feels great, and offers ample protection. The most common materials are aluminum & stainless steel, though they’re usually paired with rubber for extra shock absorption. 

But these sleek designs aren’t without their drawbacks, here’s what people are saying: 

Advantages:

• Luxurious design

• Increased protection against falls and impacts

• Effectively dissipate heat, meaning they won’t cause your phone to overheat

Disadvantages:

• More expensive than wood, plastic, and rubber

• Heavier than plastic or rubber cases

• May affect signal quality if poorly designed

Leather

Leather cases aren’t as common as other materials, but their stock is rising thanks to their luxurious feel, appearance, and durability. But not all leather cases are made from “real” leather; many of them are made from vegan & faux leathers to save on costs. In fact, vegan leathers are usually made from petroleum-based plastics, which wear down much more quickly than genuine leather. 

One distinct advantage of leather phone cases is their functionality. Many of them are designed with a flip cover that doubles as a small wallet, which limits the amount of items you need to carry in your pocket. The flip cover also protects your screen when closed, though most people still opt for a tempered glass screen protector.

Leather cases might be your thing, or maybe not; here’s the short version of what you need to know: 

Advantages:

• Luxurious look & feel

• Can develop a unique patina over time (if made with real leather)

• Added functionality with the flip/wallet cases

Disadvantages:

• More expensive option

• Less impact-resistant than other materials 

• Susceptible to stains & microtears 

Silicone Rubber

Favored for their balance of flexibility, protection, and grip, silicone cases are one of the most popular choices among consumers. Rubber cases that are made from 100% silicone are easy to grip and offer decent protection against minor drops. Silicone also acts as complementing material to plastic, wood, and metal, adding extra grip and shock absorption. 

Despite their different compositions, both types of rubber cases are generally lightweight, have a soft-touch feel, and provide a decent level of protection against drops and impacts.

Silicone is a versatile material that smartphone users tend to love or loathe; these are the pros & cons of silicone rubber phone cases: 

Advantages:

• Affordable, budget-friendly option

• Added shock absorption to protect against drops and impacts

• Non-slip surface reduces the likelihood of accidental drops

Disadvantages:

• Can lose elasticity, reducing its effectiveness

• Easily attracts lint and dust because of the sticky surface

• Not environmentally-friendly

• Retains heat which can cause your phone to further overheat when outdoors

Factors to Consider When Choosing Your Next Phone Case

Protection and Durability

The primary purpose of a phone case is to protect your smartphone from drops, cracks, and scratches. The most protective materials are wood, polycarbonate (plastic), and metal, all of which reduce the possibility of your phone breaking when accidentally dropped. 

Durability refers to the case's longevity and its ability to retain its shape and function over time. A durable case withstands regular use without showing signs of wear such as cracking, stretching, or color fading. Materials like wood, metal, and high-quality plastic often score high on durability, delivering long-lasting protection for your device. And though silicone helps absorb shock, it tends to wear out faster as it stretches with use. 

And though it may seem obvious, a case is only protective if it fits your smartphone model. Check out guides on sizing & compatibility for Apple iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, and Google Pixel phones.

Aesthetics and Customization

Beyond protection, phone cases are a way to express your personal style. Rather than your phone look the same as the millions of others that were made, you can cover it with a case that shows off who you are with minimalist designs, vibrant patterns, and more. Because they’re cheap to manufacture, plastic & silicone cases usually have the most color & pattern options. There are also transparent styles available, but they tend to yellow after a few months of use.

Most would argue that metal, leather, and wood are the least customizable materials, and are just too plain for some people. Generally, metal cases are limited to a handful of colors. But leather & wood cases are truly unique, because no two leather patinas or wood grains are exactly the same. And at Carved, we combine colorful resin with wood burls to design truly one-of-a-kind cases, which is why we’ve created over 50,000 unique phone cases. 

Another factor to consider is customization & functionality. Do you want your case to simply protect your device, or do you also want it to double as a wallet? Or perhaps you want to add a PopSocket or phone ring to make it easier to hold; these are all considerations you need to have when choosing the right phone case. 

Maintenance and Care

Your phone case is supposed to take care of you & your phone, not the other way around. If you find yourself constantly having to clean, oil, or repair your case, it may not be the best option for you. Now, obviously it’s better to repair or replace a damaged case than a broken phone, but the right case should still stand the test of time. 

Plastic and silicone cases generally require minimal maintenance aside from wiping away food crumbs, lint, dust, and other debris. On the other hand, genuine leather cases may require routine cleaning & conditioning to maintain their look & feel. Metal & wood are relatively self-maintaining and scratch-resistant materials, so they’ll also require minimal maintenance.  

Environmental Impact

Now more than ever, we’re more conscious about how our purchases affect the planet. Phone cases are no different – each material impacts the environment differently.

Plastic and silicone cases, although affordable and versatile, are made from petroleum, one of the leading contributors to climate change. These materials also take thousands of years to break down, so if they’re not properly recycled, they may end up in a landfill or another polluted area. 

Once produced, metal can be recycled multiple times without losing its quality. However, it’s incredibly resource-intensive to extract & process the first time around, which often negates its longevity. Similarly, leather lasts a long time when properly cared for, but the livestock industry is another major contributor to climate change & animal rights issues, which is difficult to overlook. 

Wooden phone cases are generally a more eco-friendly material, as long as they’re sourced sustainably. Carved cases are made from wooden burls, which are growths that form from un-sprouted tissue. The lumber industry considers these waste; we don’t. That’s why we source ours directly from the people who harvest & collect them in the Pacific Northwest and Indiana. 

The “best” phone case material will vary from person to person. Is protection your top priority, or are aesthetics and functionality more important to you? The good news is that there are plenty of options that are protective, affordable, colorful, and multi-functional. So whether you’re shopping for a new iPhone case, a Samsung Galaxy case, or another popular model, you can choose a case that’s made just for you & your needs.

Related Articles

You might have noticed that the question, “what is the best phone case material?” is one of the most frequently asked questions on Google.

There are many materials used to make phone cases, from simple ones such as plastic, synthetic leather to more exotic materials such as real leather, carbon fiber, or aramid fiber. Some are better than others and will provide better protection in the event of a fall, while others are scratch-resistant.

Today, let’s go through each one and get a better understanding of their strengths and weaknesses.

1. What are the different phone case materials out there?

First, let’s get one thing clear. Sadly, there is no "best" material; everyone would be using it if there was. Everyone has their preferences. And every kind of material cuts both ways.

If you are familiar enough with the phone cases, you will find most of them are made from at least one of the following materials.

1) Plastic phone cases

If you were to randomly pick up one from a pile of phone cases, the chances are that the one you pick up will be made of plastic, or more specifically, PC (polycarbonate). Why is that? Well, PC is a durable, tough material used in many different situations. It is used to manufacture security windows as some grades are optically transparent. Also, it is easy to manufacture, easy to work with and mold using thermoforming processes, which save time/energy without needing to worry too much about the manufacturing. That's why you can get cheap, pretty accurately made cases.

Pros:

• ✔ More affordable

• ✔ Grip

• ✔ Easy to customize or decorate

• ✔ Offers basic, limited protection

• ✔ Lightweight

• ✔ Waterproof

Cons:

• ✔ Looks cheap

• ✔ Not sustainable

• ✔ Discolors due to exposure to sunlight

2) Leather and synthetic phone cases

Leather and synthetic cases have great texture over many other cases. Typically, a leather case will come with an extra layer to hold your essential stuff like credit cards (combining case functionality with a basic wallet). It can either be real leather made from hide of cows and other animals (which will be more expensive), or synthetic leather made from different types of plastic.

Pros

• ✔ Comfortable

• ✔ Stylish and elegant

• ✔ Grip

Cons

• ✔ Offers limited protection if you drop the phone

• ✔ Expensive if it’s real leather

• ✔ Hard to identify animal skin from synthetic leather

3) Silicone phone cases

Silicone is a soft, flexible material made from a mixture of petroleum products and silicon, a naturally occurring material found in sand and quartz. Some people consider it a safer alternative to plastic.

Pros

• ✔ Affordable

• ✔ Comes in a variety of styles and colors

• ✔ Grip

Cons

• ✔ May appear cheap and unattractive

• ✔ Not easy to clean

• ✔ Gets dirty really easily

• ✔ Difficult to slip in or out of pockets

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4) Carbon fiber phone cases

Carbon fiber has high stiffness, high tensile strength, low weight, high chemical resistance, high-temperature tolerance and low thermal expansion. It is usually used in the aircraft and aerospace, wind energy, as well as the automotive industry with optimized resin systems. If you are looking for a case that has a futuristic look and is stronger than steel but weighs next to nothing, carbon fiber could be a good choice. But be careful that carbon fiber may block phone signal as the material is conductive. 

Pros

• ✔ Durable

• ✔ Very lightweight

• ✔ Attractive

Cons

• ✔ The most expensive compared to the other materials

• ✔ Comes in a limited variety of patterns or colors

• ✔ Can affect the phone signal

5) Wood phone cases

You can also find cases made from metal and wood, although they tend not to be as popular as the other ones, especially wood.

Many wooden phone case producers specialize in bamboo as it is considered a green material, and besides, for anyone who wants a case with a custom-designed etched into the back, wood is one of the best choices.

Pros

• ✔ More sustainable than plastic

• ✔ Attractive

• ✔ Highly customizable

• ✔ Easy to grip and hold

Cons

• ✔ Not so protective

• ✔ Not widely available

• ✔ May be expensive

6) Metal phone cases

What about the metal? Aluminum is probably the most commonly used metal in phone cases, although you can find ones made from titanium, brass, or even precious metals like gold. Metal cases can protect your phone from falls and scratches. However, it tends to be heavier than other materials, and the metal can affect the wireless charging capabilities of a phone due to its magnetic shielding properties.

Pros

• ✔ Durable. Can protect your phone from drops

• ✔ Modern and sleek-looking

Cons

• ✔ Blocks cell phone signal

• ✔ More expensive than other types of cases

• ✔ Can be slippery and difficult to hold

OK, enough of the “boring” descriptions. I know you can’t wait to see the exciting competition section so let’s go!

2. Comparing phone case materials

For most users, material choice is primarily influenced by the look, where to use it, the ease of use, price, and protection.
So how well do our materials perform?

1) Protection from impact and scratches

To some extent, this is the biggest reason why we want a case because most of the modern smartphones available today are made from fragile materials such as glass, and they aren’t strong enough to withstand a drop from the pocket to the floor. A case could help reduce the impact and chance of scratches on your precious investment.

So how can our material selection help when it comes to protection?

Check the recommended ratings below:

Materials

Score 

Plastic

★★

Leather and synthetic

★★★

Silicone

★★★

Carbon fiber

★★★★★

Wood

★★★★

Metal

★★★★

2) The look

As we previously discussed, in this part, carbon fiber, wood, and metal typically have good ratings when it comes to their look. They never go out of style and tend to be more aesthetically pleasing.

Materials Score  Plastic ★★ Leather and synthetic ★★★ Silicone ★★ Carbon fiber ★★★★ Wood ★★★★ Metal ★★★★

3) Ease of use

What does it mean? These questions could explain this particular attribute: Does it feel good in the hand? Is it easy to grip and hold? Does it make your phone bulky? Is it easy to clean? The list could go on and on.

Materials Score  Plastic ★★ Leather and synthetic ★★★ Silicone ★★★ Carbon fiber ★★★★ Wood ★★★ Metal ★★★

In this round of competition, plastic performs the worst, and carbon fiber comes at the top based on how user-friendly it is.

4) Eco-Friendly

Eco-friendly is all about how sustainable the materials are and whether they are maximized to mitigate their impact on the environment.

Materials Score Plastic ★★ Leather and synthetic ★★★ Silicone ★★ Carbon fiber ★★★ Wood ★★★★★ Metal ★★★

Wood will definitely win whilst the others tend to lead to irreversible resource usage.

5) Cost

This is probably the last thing you will consider before you place your order. Obviously, plastic beats other materials, as it's the most economically of all.

Materials Score Plastic ★★★★★ Leather and synthetic ★★★ Silicone ★★★★ Carbon fiber ★★ Wood ★★★ Metal ★★★

Each has its strengths and weaknesses; though none of them offer a complete all-around set of strengths or be specific, they are not so good as to justify selecting one of them as your phone case.

Why? Well, I believe that the best material for making phone cases must meet two fundamental requirements: durability and lightness, and hopefully, you agree with me?

3. Aramid fiber could be the best phone case material

Aramid fiber is a futuristic material, five times stronger than steel but just as light, with excellent resistance to heat. It has been used in AeroSpace, Racing Vehicles, and Body Armor. Besides, unlike carbon fiber cases that may block your phone signals dramatically, this material does not have any impact on your phone’s signal at all.

Let’s just do a quick check of our material criteria against Aramid Fiber.

A) Protection

Check the real-life drop test to see how well it works.

To clarify, MagEZ Case Pro is made out of TPU, while the center part is Aramid Fiber.

B) The look

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C) Ease of use

You might be interested to know that aramid fibers are super easy to clean! Simply wipe the smudges or stains over with an alcohol cloth, or failing that, a damp microfiber cloth should suffice.

D) Eco-Friendly

The long-lasting aramid fiber enables you to use it as long as you like. It can't beat wood, but it stacks very high if you compared it with other materials.

E) Cost

Aramid fiber phone cases usually are more expensive than phone cases made of other common materials, mainly because the material is more difficult and costs more to produce. 

That said, an aramid fiber phone case is good investment because the material is super strong and resistant to most chemical, which means the phone case can hold up for years without degradation. 

Say you have a sleek, premium handset, it would be a pity to cover your tool up with a lousy case that could affect your overall experience.

Indeed scientifically designed, aramid fiber cases such as the MagEZ Case or the MagEZ Case Pro will add more value to your expensive phone.

Both of them provide durable protection (MagEZ Case provides basic protection, and MagEZ Case Pro offers upgraded protection) while remaining slim and light enough without affecting your phone’s overall design aesthetics.

Check them out!