Best Otterbox Alternatives: 12 Durable Cases Like Otterbox

TL;DR: The best Otterbox alternative is Supcase because of its similar durability, protection, and style but at an affordable price. Specifically, the Unicorn Beetle Pro is ideal for its rugged protection, and the regular Unicorn Beetle case is great as an everyday, stylish option. Although you lose out on color options compared to Otterbox cases, Supcase is a great alternative for outdoorsy people who need reliable cases at an affordable price.

We all want to protect our phones as best we can. 

Screen repairs aren’t cheap, and these days, our phones are so much more than communication devices. They’re our calculators, cameras, diaries, and encyclopedias. 

As soon as you start looking into the best protective case for your phone, you’re sure to hear the name “Otterbox.” 

Otterbox is a company that makes phone cases boasting superior protection from drops. Many people swear by Otterbox and consider them to be top-of-the-line protective cases. 

But despite their positive reputation, there may be a few reasons why Otterbox cases fall short for you.

These drop-proof cases are bulky and can be a little lacking when it comes to style. On top of that, they’re not as affordable as other cases on the market. 

Luckily, several stylish and reasonably priced cases give Otterbox a run for its money as far as quality and drop protection.

In this article, I’ve found all the best alternatives to Otterbox cases that will prevent phone damage and look great while doing it.

Here’s a Quick Look at Our Recommendations

Product	Name
	Supcase Affordable Rugged Protection	Check on Amazon
	Spigen Slim Protection	Check on Amazon
	Rhinoshield	Check on Amazon
	Pela Case	Check on Amazon
	Mous	Check on Amazon
	Ballistic Raptor S Series	Check on Amazon
	Trident Aegis Series	Check on Amazon
	Pelican Cases	Check on Amazon
	Survivor Cases	Check on Amazon
	Lifeproof	Check on Amazon
	Casetify	Check on Amazon
	Speck Cases	Check on Amazon

Main Pros and Cons of Otterbox Cases

Otterbox cases are an undeniably great choice, with options that fit many Samsung, LG, Moto, and iPhone models, but they have their pitfalls as well. 

Before we start looking elsewhere, let’s go through the advantages and disadvantages of Otterbox phone cases. 

Read our comparison guides to the Otterbox Defender vs Commuter series, Otterbox Symmetry vs Commuter, and the Symmetry vs Defender series.

Why I like Otterbox cases. . . but I don’t love them.

I first tried the Otterbox Symmetry with my old iPhone 7 and liked it because it was slimmer and more stylish than the Commuter and the Defender.

After eight months, I upgraded to an iPhone 14 Pro and ordered an Otterbox Symmetry case for my new phone. A year later, my opinion of the Otterbox Symmetry has now decreased. It’s degraded much faster than I’d expect for a $50 phone case.

The hard plastic backing has a crack, the soft silicone around the edge has discolored to yellow, and a piece of it broke off around the charging port. My phone is intact, but this minimalistic case allows in a considerable amount of grime, trapping it around the phone and driving it into all the ports.

I’d give it a high rating for fall protection but lower for aesthetics and very low for its own durability.

Otterbox cases are great, but you can get comparable alternatives for cheaper.

Best Otterbox Alternatives

#1 Spigen

Slim Protection

Star rating: 4.8/5
Price range: $$
Best for: Active phone users on a budget

If you’re looking for Otterbox competitors that offer comparable protectiveness with slimmer profiles and lower price points, then Spigen is a brand you should check out.

The Spigen Slim Armor phone case series is an excellent Otterbox Defender alternative if its bulkiness that turns you off. 

The Slim Armor case offers two layers of protection: a flexible inner and a hard shell, and includes “Air Cushion Technology” in the corners to cradle your phone from impact further. 

A super slender built-in kickstand is another big perk. The holster-kickstand that comes with the Otterbox Defender is comparatively enormous. 

Raised edges around the camera provide added protection comparable to Otterbox.

The Spigen Rugged Armor case also makes for an excellent Otterbox Commuter alternative. 

Its slim, grippable outer includes air cushion technology that protects your phone to military standards without adding heft or bulk.

The best part? These cases are roughly 25% less expensive than their Otterbox counterparts. 

The main drawback is that, while they feature sleeker designs than Otterbox, the color selection is much more limited. 

#2 Supcase

Affordable Rugged Protection

Star rating: 4.9/5
Price range: $
Best for Phone users who believe they can have it all

When searching for cheaper alternatives to Otterbox, it often feels like you can’t have all three: rugged protection, style, and color options, at an affordable price. 

With Supcase, it turns out that you can have it all. The Supcase Unicorn Beetle Pro is an excellent alternative to the Otterbox Defender. 

Like the Defender, this Android and iPhone case features a built-in tough screen protector, as well as a kickstand that folds up seamlessly and doesn’t add extra bulk.

And the Unicorn Beetle Pro was the Winner of the CNET Annual Drop Test with the highest total feet, so you know you can count on it for protection.

The Unicorn Beetle Pro also comes in a wide variety of bright colors. 

But if its hefty design looks too utilitarian for you, they also offer the Unicorn Beetle Style case, which is slim and minimalistic. It has a band of color around the perimeter and a transparent plastic shell.

Best of all, Supcases are generally just over half the price of their Otterbox equivalents. 

#3 Rhinoshield

Star rating: 4.9/5
Price range: $$$$
Best for: Style-conscious color-lovers

If your main gripe with Otterbox is the aesthetic appeal, then Rhinoshield may be the phone case for you.

Rhinoshield offers a staggering amount of freedom to customize your case. 

The Mod NX and Crashguard NX are both modular cases, and the Solid Suit series also allows you the freedom to customize.

You can decide every aspect of your phone cover, right down to the button color. 

You can even purchase button variety packs that include sixteen colors so that you can have different-colored power buttons for every day of the week.

You also have the option to bundle a screen protector in with your phone case purchase or add on a high-quality camera lens. 

Rhinoshield boasts that their cases use innovative design to create some of the most lightweight cases on the market, so they’re super protective while staying sleek.

You won’t be saving much money with Rhinoshield, however. 

Even their more bare-bones cases are comparable to Otterbox in terms of price. And if you get carried away with the add-ons, these cases can get quite pricey. 

#4 Pela Case

Star rating: 4.6/5
Price range: $$$$
Best for: Eco-conscious fashionistas

Although Otterbox utilizes sustainable practices by incorporating recycled materials into its manufacturing process, green initiatives are not their primary focus.

Pela’s innovative cases take things a step further. All of their cases are plastic-free and instead use compostable materials that won’t poison the environment or sit in a landfill.

This soft, flexible, yet durable material is called “Flaxstic” because it derives from flax straw. It’s strong during its lifetime but will break down in a home compost.

Pela is also a certified B-corp, a member of 1% For The Planet, and certified climate neutral. 

All of these honors are impressive individually, but as a trifecta, they tell you just how sustainable this company is.

On top of that, Pela cases come in an impressively extensive range of colors, prints, patterns, and designs. There are almost too many cute designs to choose from. 

There is undoubtedly a Pela case to please everybody’s tastes, from butterflies to lavender botanical prints to abstract color studies. 

Pela offers standard cases and wallet cases that include a slim pocket for credit cards on the back. 

And their cases are impact-resilient up to six feet, so they’ll have you covered if you accidentally drop your phone. 

#5 Mous

Star rating: 4.5/5
Price range: $$$
Best for: People who love Otterbox’s protectiveness but not their aesthetics

Mous’ mission is to strike the right balance between style and rugged smartphone protection. 

So, if you love the way Otterbox cases protect your device, but you’re not as excited about how they look, Mous is a solid option.

Mous’ prices are comparable to Otterbox, so this is not a low-cost option. 

However, when you reach for a Mous case, you gain better aesthetics without losing the secure protection that Otterbox provides.

The Mous Limitless Series uses sturdy polycarbonate to create a sleek shell with raised edges to protect your screen without adding a lot of bulk. 

Inside the cover, “AiroShock” technology cushions your phone during an accidental drop. 

What’s even cooler about the Limitless series is that it features what they call “AutoAlign Magnetic Technology.” 

Simply put, the back is magnetized so it’s compatible with Mous’ range of other accessories. For example, you can add a Mous wallet to the back of your phone case to stay seamlessly coordinated.

Mous offers finishes in black and brown leather (which will match your Mous wallet), as well as faux wood grain and crystal clear cases.

#6 Ballistic Raptor S Series

Star rating: 4.6/5
Price range: $
Best for: Smartphone users on a budget

Are you looking for an Otterbox alternative with no frills? The Ballistic Raptor S Series is a sleek iPhone case with a certified 14-foot drop test. 

Hard plastic combines with shock-absorbing silicone rubber bumpers and raised edges to provide superior protection if you accidentally drop it. 

You can get Ballistic Raptor cases with a translucent finish and colored rubber accents or a solid color, such as seafoam green.

These cases are still relatively thin, offering tough protection without Otterbox’s chunky profile. 

But most notably, they’re incredibly affordable. Ballistic Raptor cases are available on Amazon and a range of online retailers at a competitively low cost.

#7 Trident Aegis Series

Star rating: 4.3/5
Price range: $
Best for: People looking for utmost drop protection at a low cost.

Looking at the Trident Aegis Series case, you’ll notice it shares a lot in common with the Otterbox Commuter case.

This military-tested case combines a hard polycarbonate shell with a soft, shock-absorbing inner slipcover.

The outer shell features a grippable texture, so it’s less likely to slip out of your hand in the first place, and a port cover keeps dust and dirt out of your phone.

The Trident Aegis is a cheaper Otterbox alternative that retails at just under half the price of the Commuter.

The Trident Aegis is only available in black and white, and it’s not particularly slim. 

So, if your primary focus is finding iPhone cases like Otterbox but cheaper, and aesthetics aren’t a huge concern, then the Trident Aegis is an excellent option.

#8 Pelican Cases

Star rating: 4.7/5
Price range: $$
Best for: Lovers of value and durability

Pelican Phone Cases is an independent online retailer authorized to distribute Pelican products, offering heavy-duty, military-grade equipment cases. 

They sell a variety of Android and iPhone cases that boast advanced defense against drops, making them a great Otterbox alternative. 

Pelican Phone cases come in a variety of different models and series. Pricewise, they’re comparable to and slightly lower than Otterbox.

The Pelican Traveler Case is a wonderful option if you’re looking for sturdy phone armor in a sleek package. 

This cover offers three protective layers with rounded corners for optimal shock absorption.

Thanks to its sleek, lightweight design, the Pelican Adventurer Case is an excellent Otterbox Symmetry alternative. 

This ultra-thin case still offers dual-layer protection that combines hard polycarbonate with a soft, impact-deflecting interior.

And Pelican’s warranty blows Otterbox’s out of the water. Pelican offers a lifetime guarantee, so they’ll replace your case forever, not just the product’s estimated lifetime.

The downside to these cases is that each series only has a few options when it comes to color. 

On top of that, many of the products listed on their website are often sold out, so their inventory is a bit limited.

#9 Survivor Cases

Star rating: 4.5/5
Price range: $$
Best for: Fans of Otterbox looking for something that focuses more on sustainability

If you’re looking for a brand that makes phone cases similar to Otterbox, check out Survivor. They offer a range of different case series, each showcasing a different strength. 

When it comes to variety and price, they’re pretty comparable to Otterbox, but some may find their designs more sleek and stylish.

The Survivor Extreme collection is drop-tested to survive up to 15 feet. This tough Android and iPhone case has a scratch-resistant polycarbonate shell, port covers, and shock-absorbing bumpers. 

And suppose you have an eye toward sustainability. 

In that case, the Survivor Earth collection uses green materials such as bio-resin to craft an ultra-durable and tough smartphone cover that’s certified to survive drops up to a whopping 20 feet.

Unfortunately, each collection only comes with two to three color options, so there’s not a lot of variety in terms of different styles.

#10 Lifeproof

Star rating: 4.8/5
Price range: $$$$
Best for: Smartphone users with an active and adventurous lifestyle

One big downside of Otterbox is that, while they’re protective cases, they aren’t waterproof. 

Even though the Otterbox Defender seals your phone inside a box, it won’t always be able to keep the dreaded moisture out.

If you predict that your phone may come in contact with water, an excellent alternative to the Otterbox Defender is a Lifeproof case. 

These super protective cases come with a built-in screen protector and port covers and can handle drops up to seven feet.

But more than that: they’re waterproof and snowproof as well.

Generally, each collection only comes with three different color options, but each one is unique and many are two-toned.

However, Lifeproof cases are not low-cost Otterbox competitors. They’re more expensive than Otterbox, but it’s hard to argue with a waterproof case.

#11 Casetify

Star rating: 4.8/5
Price range: $$$$
Best for: Fashion-savvy people who want to reduce their carbon footprint

There’s a lot to love about Casetify Cases. The slim profile cases come in a wide array of highly stylish patterns and prints. 

From pink and purple clouds on a blue case to squiggly psychedelic smiley faces, Casetify has almost anything you could want.

You can even customize your case by choosing from over a dozen color choices for the outer bumper. 

Casetify has several collections, all with many exciting features, but all are also quite pricey. 

With that said, you get a lot of bang for your buck. The Re/Casetify collections are resilient against drops up to 9.8 feet, they use 65% recycled and plant-based materials, and they’re also antimicrobial. 

They also make compostable cases, so there are many options if you’re interested in staying green. 

Their cases are compatible with iPhones as old as the 7 and Samsung models as old as the Galaxy S9+. 

#12 Speck Cases

Star rating: 4.7/5
Price range: $$
Best for: Otterbox lovers who want a touch more variety at slightly lower prices

Another excellent brand that makes cases comparable to the Otterbox Defender is Speck.

They make a wide variety of protective cases with various exciting features. 

The Speck Presidio Perfect Clear with Grips case uses anti-yellowing crystal clear plastic to provide a protective case certified for drops up to 13 feet. What’s more, they use a coating called “microban” to create an antimicrobial surface.

They also make cases that are “MagSafe” compatible so that you can add a MagSafe magnetic wallet to the back.

Speck’s cases are, on average, slightly cheaper than Otterbox’s. None of them have built-in screen protectors, but many are wireless charging compatible. 

Conclusion: Our Pick for the Best Otterbox Alternative

All of these cases would make an exceptional alternative to the Otterbox Defender or any of Otterbox’s cases. 

However, the best alternative to Otterbox is a case that solves all three of Otterbox’s drawbacks: bulk, style, and price.

Based on that, my pick for the best Otterbox alternative is Supcase. Supcase offers many aesthetic options made out of durable, tough materials to protect your devices from harm.

Supcase’s Unicorn Beetle Pro is essentially a phone case like Otterbox but cheaper. It has superior drop defense and a built-in kickstand that folds away flat.

Like Otterbox, Supcase also has more thin and stylish options, such as the Unicorn Beetle Electro Slim clear case, which, unlike Otterbox’s slimmer models, still comes with a built-in screen protector.

On top of being high-quality, stylish, and complete with unique features, Supcases are significantly cheaper than Otterbox, giving them an edge over all the rest.

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