Best Samsung Galaxy S21 cases 2021

The Galaxy S21 is the first Android phone to get Caseology's Nano Pop Series, and it was 110% worth the wait. The texturing on this case is grippier than Casology's longtime favorite Parallax, and the color combos here are bold, beautiful, and absolutely pop around the camera cutout on the S21.

If you want to add some grip to your slippery little Samsung, Ringke's Onyx series has two variants worth checking out. The normal Onyx comes in three solid colors, with Onyx Design features patterns on a black canvas. There's a nice anti-slip texture across the case and even anchor points for attaching a lanyard or wrist strap.

ArmadilloTek makes some of the most rugged phone cases this side of the Pecos, and its vaunted Vanguard collection is one of the best. It is rated MIL-STD-810G, which is double the regular military drop test rating, which means the S21 can survive a drop of up to 20 feet! It comes with a built-in kickstand and is wireless charging compatible.

Samsung's Leather case is one of the best first-party cases you can buy, but it's also one of the best leather cases for the S21 period. It's a great look and a great feel in hand, but I will warn you that this case offers no lip around the screen. This is a premium case, but it's not heavy-duty protection by any means.

Clear cases tend to be either waifishly thin or bulky brutes, but Spigen strikes a nice balance between the two extremes with the Liquid Crystal Series. There are small air cushions in the corners, but it doesn't bulk up the case, and the back is crystal clear with good grip — though I'll confess, I'm partial to the Glitter variant as it hides smudges and scuffs better.

Wallet cases are usually rigid, bulky, and boringly colored, but Smartish breaks the mold and offers up wallet cases that are fun and personal. The TPU back can flex, so whether you're carrying one card or five, it grips them tight. You can also select a dozen pre-set designs or make a case with a personal photo or artwork that's one-of-a-kind.

There are few case series as instantly recognizable and implicitly trusted as the OtterBox Symmetry Series. I adore the bold Scuba Blue color available this year, it looks absolutely stunning in person, and it has OtterBox's durability to back up that pretty face. Then, of course, there's also black, and a marbled Shell Shocked Pink if you need more pizzazz.

The Incipio Grip is capable of cushioning your Galaxy S21 against drops up to 14 feet, thanks to its Impact Strut construction. Like others on this list, it features antimicrobial properties that can eliminate up to 99.9% of bacteria. We also really like this Midnight Blue colorway and the textured pattern on the sides, making it difficult to drop.

This case makes watching video or conducting Duo or Zoom calls hands-free easier than ever thanks to its unique kickstand, which is adjustable up to 60 degrees. The raised corners and flexible polymer give it extra protection. You can pick one up in black or clear to go with whatever S21 color you choose.

The Spigen Liquid Air Armor case is low-key one of our all-time favorite smartphone cases. It is thin and low profile while securely protecting your precious device. The light texture on the back not only makes the phone easier to grip than smooth cases, but it's a genuine pleasure to hold. How many cases can you say that about?

While a more modern design is available for this series, I prefer the extra flair and binding on the Retro Series. The feature set for both is the same, right down to the RFID-blocking to keep your cards safe from being skimmed by someone on the street. The color choices here are nice and subdued, but I especially love navy blue.

The Caseology Parallax line is one of our favorite cases. It is affordable, stylish, protective, and a pleasure to hold. Plus, it comes in several interesting colors, including Matte Black, Ash Gray, Pink, and our favorite — Purple-ish. I love the style here, but the bumper isn't quite as grippy as the Nano Pop.