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Whether you are reading this article on a brand-new S21 or still waiting for your device to appear on your doorstep, chances are you need a case to protect your investment. Fortunately, there are many excellent options available, as long as you know where to look. These are our top five favorite covers for the Galaxy S21, S21 + and S21 Ultra.
Best custom case: dbrand Grip (featured)
The dbrand Grip remains an AP favorite for the dozens of ways you can make your phone say “this is my phone” without, say, an unfortunate meltdown. We have the iconic (literally) limited edition icon cover on our purple Galaxy S21 here, and it’s a subtle stunning in matte black. But dbrand has tons of options to suit your individual taste, and you can even order the Grip case with abundant protection, if you so choose. However, we’re just saying: this case looks better with a skin, and that’s kind of a dbrand thing.
Best sturdy, but not overly large case: Otterbox Symmetry
If you care about robustness (and if you’re protecting a $ 1200 phone, we don’t blame you), Otterbox is one of those names in the industry that comes to mind first. Although its super-aggressive and square boxes are not for everyone, Otterbox makes a line that is decidedly reduced compared to its traditional offerings: Symmetry. I’ve generally been a fan of this case for a while, and it looks particularly good in this teal shade on the S21 Ultra. It’s super tough without looking heavy, and the buttons feel surprisingly good for such a solid case.
Best ecological case: Incipio Organicore
We like the idea of a good eco-friendly cover, but it’s not always the best one to actually use. Organicore Incipio has two things in its favor that I think most “green” boxes do not: it is discreet and fits very well. The compostable materials the organicore is made from seem quite robust, and the case fits comfortably into our Galaxy S21 Ultra review unit. I wish there were more color options, but this black box will please most people. It also blends perfectly with the black of the S21 Ultra.
Cyrill is one of Spigen’s sub-brands, and this is a brand that we like. But Cyrill tends to commercialize more “feminine” styles for his boxes, which I think left them unfairly ignored by most of the world. There is nothing feminine about this dark gray Color Brick for the S21 Ultra, for example. On the other hand, it looks very, very good and I love the contrasting yellow power and volume keys included in the box as a little extra (you can change them yourself).
Best leather case: Samsung’s official leather case
I’ve been using the official Samsung saddle brown leather case on the S21 Ultra and I’m really enjoying it. It’s not just the adjustment impeccable, the leather is wearing out and getting a real patina. It’s a beautiful shade of brown chosen by Samsung, and the large coverage of the camera module was just above the top for my eyes, but it actually grew a lot on me. It’s not cheap, to be sure, but it’s also not what I would call expensive: it’s just a nice leather case.
Which one belongs to your phone?
If customization is what you’re looking for, it’s hard to beat the abundance of dbrand’s Grip Case skins (although the S21 Ultra version is currently on hold). There’s also something to be said for the premium simplicity, in which case Cyrill’s mysteriously dark Color Brick option is sure to impress. If we’re being honest, however, only our favorite mountain cases we’ve tested are on this list, then you really can’t go wrong with any of them.