Comparing Phone Case Materials: Which is Right for You?

Along with design, functionality, and compatibility with your device, one of the biggest and most important decisions you'll need to make when buying a new phone case is which material to choose.

While some offer enhanced grip, other materials provide the durability needed to protect your phone through bigger drops and falls – so how do you know which is best for your phone?

Keep reading as we explore the most popular phone case materials to help you select the right one for your lifestyle.

Best Phone Case Material: 6 Top Options

Hard Plastic

As a relatively inexpensive, yet durable choice, plastic is one of the most common materials for phone cases.

Plastic is highly versatile and can be moulded into a variety of shapes for different Apple iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, and Google Pixel models. Its surface is also incredibly customisable, meaning you'll find a variety of vibrant and clear designs to match your personal style.

The two main types of material in plastic phone cases are:

• Polycarbonate: PC is rigid and hard, allowing it to offer extra shock absorption properties. It's also easier to reshape than other materials without degrading, using thermoforming processes that save time and energy during production.
• Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU): This synthetic plastic is softer and more flexible, while offering just as much protection as PC. TPU moulds seamlessly to your device, while effectively dispersing any impact.

Plastic is therefore ideal if you're looking for a phone case material that's thin and lightweight, ensuring your device fits easily into your pocket without adding too much extra bulk.

Silicone

Silicone phone cases have a soft, rubbery texture and are known for their superior grip. This means that they're less likely to slip out of your hands, which is great for those prone to accidental drops.

A phone case made purely from silicone can lose its shape over time, meaning it may not remain moulded to your device. To prevent this from happening, silicone is often combined with other phone case materials to create a case made mostly from plastic, with a silicone overlay or raised grips.

Even in completely plastic cases, you may find silicone infused into the corners to add an extra shockproof element to your phone.

Leather

If you're looking for an elegant, luxury phone case material, you may want to invest in a leather phone case.

Leather cases are often actually made from a hard plastic for durability and shape, with a real or synthetic leather cover. Like the Ghostek Exec model, they also often feature an additional layer, combining a traditional phone case with a card holder or wallet for enhanced functionality.

What's great about leather phone cases is that they acquire a unique patina over time, which ensures that the material ages gracefully. However, they are vulnerable to marks and scratches, requiring a higher level of maintenance than cases made from other materials.

Wood

Wooden cases aren't as common, but they make the best phone case material for those wanting an eco-friendly option.

As a green, more sustainable material, wooden phone cases are often made from bamboo. While it doesn't offer the same level of protection as plastic, wood does deliver good grip, and can be easily customised with your initials or another design personal to your style.

However, wood cases are vulnerable to moisture damage, so if you're often near water, you may prefer a hard plastic case printed with a realistic wood pattern instead.

Metal

Most metal cases feature high-strength aluminium, which offers exceptional durability to protect your phone against drops and scratches.

Due to its durability, metal can often make phone cases heavy, slippery, and difficult to hold, which is why manufacturers often reserve this material to strengthen the frame.

In some cases, metal can also impact your phone's wireless charging capabilities because of its magnetic shielding characteristics, but this shouldn't occur with well-designed devices.

Carbon Fibre

Although typically used in the automotive, aircraft, and aerospace industries, carbon fibre can also be found in some phone cases, offering a modern, futuristic look for your device.

This is made up of thin, yet strong crystalline carbon filaments and helps to strengthen materials, with its high stiffness and tensile strength. In fact, carbon fibre is thought to be stronger than steel, while being incredibly lightweight

Carbon fibre is also resistant to extreme temperatures and chemicals, making it a great choice for durability.

How to Choose the Best Phone Case Material

Still unsure of the best phone case material? Here are some key factors to consider during the purchasing process:

Drop Protection

For most smartphone users, the main reason for purchasing a phone case is to keep our devices protected from the rough and tumble of everyday life. A good phone case material should therefore provide adequate protection from drops and falls.

One way to easily identify whether a case offers a good level of drop protection is if it's been through military-grade testing. Originally developed by the US military, this rigorous form of testing involves multiple drops from heights of at least 4 feet to establish the product's resistance to impacts on all surfaces.

At Ghostek, our Atomic Slim phone case is built to resist drops and falls of up to 12 feet, thanks to its high-strength aluminium alloy frame.

It also features shock-absorbing R7X technology infused into the silicone corners in case you do accidentally drop your device, along with raised borders for extra screen and camera protection.

Water Resistance

Not all phone cases are designed to be waterproof; however, if you're frequently around water, enjoy summer beach trips, or live in a rainy climate, you may benefit from looking out for water-resistant materials.

This may be in the form of a 360-degree, full-body cover, which blends materials such as polycarbonate, TPU, and silicone to create a watertight seal, like with the Ghostek Nautical phone case.

Our model features an IP68 waterproof rating that helps your phone survive submersion in depths of up to 20 feet for one hour, while maintaining full accessibility to all buttons and ports.

Aesthetics

Sleek metal, luxurious leather, and customisable wood are some of the most aesthetically pleasing materials when it comes to phone cases.

However, when decorated with unique patterns and designs, plastic cases can also offer that stylish look you're searching for.

A great example is Ghostek's Scarlet phone case, which offers a range of beautiful scratch-resistant designs for you to choose from. Enjoy colour that won't fade and golden-like, artistic lines in everything from leopard to wave print.

Ease of Use

A phone case material that's easy to use should offer a good amount of grip, making it easy to hold without slipping or falling.

While durability and drop-proofing is a priority, the best materials should be light and slim so that you can slip your phone into a pocket or purse without adding too much extra bulk.

You may also want to consider how easy it is to keep your case clean; plastic and metal can easily be wiped with a microfibre cloth, while cases made completely from silicone attract fuzz and dust so are harder to clean.

Discover High-Quality Phone Case Materials at Ghostek

Ultimately, the right phone case material depends on your style preferences, lifestyle needs, and phone model.

Check out our wide range of cases today at Ghostek to discover a combination of best-in-class engineering and sleek design, featuring everything from strong polycarbonate to luxury leather.