The best case overall
Samsung's Silicone Cover offers the best overall balance of design, comfort, price, protection, and material for the Galaxy S21 series.
Pros: Inexpensive, simple and elegant, comfortable, good protection, slim, silicone feels premium, flattens camera module against back of the case, raised edge for screen protection
Cons: Not for maximum protection, lack of color choices, may not protect camera lenses as well as others on this list
The Samsung Silicone Cover is a simple and elegant case made of silicone with a smooth matte texture that covers the edges, back, and camera modules of the phones. One of the best things about the Samsung Silicone Cover is that it doesn't add much bulk to the phone while offering a decent amount of protection against drops.
It also features slightly raised edges to protect the screen when laying down on a flat surface. It's available in black, gray, pink, and violet.
In addition to being our top pick overall, this model is also a good alternative to our pick for best slim case if buyers are looking for another option.
S21+
$29.99 from SamsungS21 Ultra
$29.99 from SamsungS21
The best case for protection
Otterbox's Defender Series Pro series of cases are synonymous with rugged protection, and they're the best option we've seen to protect your Galaxy S21 phone.
Pros: Best protection, charging port cover, not an overly chunky design, antimicrobial coating, raised edges for screen, camera module sinks into case for protection, comes with a belt holster than can act as a stand
Cons: Rather expensive, thick, lack of color options
The Defender Series Pro for Galaxy S21 phones features heavy duty protection against drops, and includes a charging port cover to prevent dirt and dust from entering the device. It also includes an antimicrobial coating, combined with silver-based additives, to block microbial growth. To be clear, though a nice feature, Otterbox doesn't specifically mention that the case deters viruses, like COVID-19.
The Defender Pro Series also supports wireless charging, it doesn't block 5G signals, and it features raised edges to protect the screen. The case flattens out the camera module on the back while it's resting on a flat surface for protection.
It's available in black, dark blue, and a deep purple/pink combination.
S21+
$59.99 from Best BuyS21 Ultra
$59.99 from Best BuyS21
The best case for grip
Speck's Presidio2 Grip case for the Galaxy S21 series is a hardshell protective case with ridges throughout the sides and back for grip.
Pros: Ridges add grip, still easy to take in and out of pockets, relatively slim, raised edges for screen protection, camera module sits flush against back, antimicrobial coating
Cons: Can be expensive without a deal, may not protect camera lenses as well as thicker cases, limited color options
I've personally been using the Presidio2 Grip for an iPhone 12 Pro Max, which is directly comparable to the Galaxy S21 version. One of the things I like about it is that it offers great grip in my hand, but its hard and smooth shell makes it easier to take the phone in and out of pockets than silicone cases.
The Presidio2 Grip is also quite slim and features raised edges to protect the screen while laying down on a flat surface. The case's thickness means the S21's protruding camera module is flush against the case, which helps with wobbling when the phone is laying back-down on a flat surface. Despite the ridges, the Presidio2 Grip still supports wireless charging.
It also includes an antimicrobial coating to prevent bacteria growth, but like the Otterbox, there's no mention or claims against viruses.
It's available in a deep blue, gray, and black.
S21+
$35.25 from AmazonS21 Ultra
$34.65 from AmazonS21
The best leather case
Samsung's own Leather Cover for Galaxy S21 phones is a slim genuine leather case that covers the back and camera module.
Pros: Beautiful leather aesthetic, slim, covers camera module
Cons: Expensive, no raised edges for screen protection, may not protect camera lenses as well as thicker cases, limited color options
This Samsung case combines a leather design with a slim form factor. It's great that it's slim, but you should note that it doesn't flatten out the protruding camera module against the back of the phone, and it'll still wobble if you use the phone on a flat surface.
Also note that it doesn't have raised edges and won't do as good a job as other cases here to protect the screen when the phone is laying down flat on a surface.
Still, it's a classy leather phone case that will fit the S21 series perfectly and offer decent protection against drops. It also supports wireless charging.
It's available in black and brown leather.
S21+
$49.99 from SamsungS21 Ultra
$49.99 from SamsungS21
The best slim case
Bare's Naked case for Galaxy S21 is a hardshell case with a matte texture, and it doesn't feature any branding, which we like.
Pros: Ultra-slim design, inexpensive, no branding or logos, lip for camera module for light camera lens protection
Cons: Not ideal for drops, no raised edge for screen protection, limited color choices
Bare's Naked case is among the slimmest cases you can find for the S21, coming in at just 0.35mm thick. As an ultra-thin case, it's not ideal for drop protection. Rather, it's designed to protect your Galaxy S21 from scratches and lighter impacts.
It doesn't have raised edges to protect the screen when laid down on a flat surface, but it does have a lip for the camera module, which means it'll prevent scratches and scuffs on the camera lenses if you rest the phone on a smooth flat surface.
It's available in black or a frosted clear option.
S21+
$32.90 from BareS21 Ultra
$32.90 from BareS21
The best clear case
Spigen's Liquid Crystal clear case for Galaxy S21 phones maintains a slim profile, and its flexible build means it can absorb shocks.
Pros: Slim design hides chunky look with port holes, inexpensive, covers power and volume buttons, includes camera module lip to protect lenses, raised edges for screen protection, little branding and logos
Cons: Clear cases risk yellowing over time
We like the Spigen's Liquid Crystal clear case for Galaxy S21 for its slim footprint and the fact that it covers the power and volume buttons, which helps reduce the chunky appearance that port holes can leave on certain thicker clear cases when looking directly at the screen.
The case is made of flexible polyurethane that absorbs shocks, and it includes a lip for the camera module to protect the camera lenses when placed on a flat surface.
The Liquid Crystal by Spigen is also well priced on Amazon compared to its higher cost on Sprigen's site.
S21+
$32.90 from BareS21 Ultra
$10.99 from AmazonS21
The best case with built-in PopSocket
The Otter+Pop Symmetry Series Case is built upon Otterbox's tough and durable Symmetry series made of a mix of hard plastic and rubber.
Pros: Tough and durable case, built-in PopSocket, PopTops can be easily switched out, compatible with PopSocket Car Vent Mount and Multi Surface Mount, raised edges for screen and camera protection, antimicrobial coating
Cons: Expensive, thicker case, may require removing PopTop for wireless charging, limited color options
The Otter+Pop Symmetry Series Case has raised edges for screen and camera protection. It also includes an antimicrobial coating and silver-based additives to block against microbial growth. But, again, there's no claims here for virus protection.
As the name implies, the Otter+Pop Symmetry case has a built-in genuine PopSocket, where the PopTops can be easily switched out by closing the PopSocket, pressing down, and twisting to release it from the case. The PopSocket itself sits flush against the back of the case when closed, so there's no protrusion.
It's also compatible with PopSocket's Car Vent Mount and PopSockets Multi-Surface Mount.
One complaint we have against this case is that you might need to remove the PopTop for wireless charging, which isn't ideal and makes this a poor option if you like wireless charging. It's available in teal and black.
S21+
$59.95 from OtterboxS21 Ultra
$59.95 from OtterboxS21
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