Samsung’s latest smartphones are great at a lot of things, but surviving falls is not one of them. You probably have to spend $700-900 to pick up a Galaxy S9 or Galaxy S9 Plus, so you should protect that investment. Cases can save your phone in the event of a drop, but a lot of them are ugly or have poor quality. And how can you know which ones are any good? I’ve tested dozens of GS9 cases so you don’t have to. Here are the best.
Best Slim Case
The best slim case for most people is Samsung’s official Alcantara case. It’s a little expensive (starting around $30), but it doesn’t ruin the look of the phone. The buttons and port cut-outs are also spot on, and it matches the aesthetics of the phone. Alcantara is a synthetic suede-like fabric, which makes the phone grippy and comfortable to hold for extended periods. The lighter colors might stain a bit, but the darker ones should be fine. Pricing can be inconsistent for these cases. If the color you want is overpriced due to low supply, the Spigen Liquid Air is a good alternative.
Best Rugged Case
This is an easy choice—the best rugged case is the official Samsung Rugged Military Grade Protective Case. It fits perfectly, and the buttons aren’t mushy like so many other thicker cases. It wraps fully around the top and bottom, and the lines match up with the GS9′s curves. The texture of the back looks cool as well. There’s even a kickstand that flips out on the rear. It’s a steal at around $25.
Best Clear Case
If you got the Galaxy S9 in a pretty color, you might want to show it off. However, a lot of clear cases look gross in real life. No worries—the Spigen Liquid Crystal is a winner. Spigen’s buttons work well, and the case wraps all the way around the top and bottom. It’s not as beefy as the Military case above, but it does come up above the screen a bit. The texture on the inner surface keeps the case form producing any weird bubbling or smudging like other clear cases I’ve used. Clear cases will discolor over time, so you shouldn’t spend a ton on them. Luckily, the Liquid Crystal is a good deal at about $11.
Best Card Case
Some people prefer to skip hauling around a wallet in favor of using a phone case that houses a few cards. Many of these are far too bulky, but the Spigen Slim Armor CS makes the right tradeoffs. It’s only a little thicker than the regular cases, and it looks totally normal until you slide open the back compartment. You can fit two cards (I’ve managed to cram a third slim one in there), and the compartment is easy to open. It also offers excellent protection for your phone. It’s about $15.
