The Apple iPhone SE 2020 merges the high performance of modern-day iPhones with the low price and simple form factor of the iPhone 6 (the best-selling iPhone of all time). But just because this phone has a value-conscious price doesn’t mean you can skip out on getting a protective iPhone SE 2020 case. Want to see even more options? Cases for the newer iPhone SE 3 will also fit the SE 2020.
15 Best iPhone SE 2020 Cases Available Now
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1. OtterBox Defender Series Case
Pros:- Triple layer protection
- Built-in screen protector
- Wireless charge compatible
Cons:- Bulky design
- Limited color options
- Could be grippier
The OtterBox Defender Series is the phone case that kicked off the phone accessory game we know today, so it is only fair that it should be your first choice for heavy-duty protection. The iPhone 8 version of this case (which fits the iPhone SE 2020 perfectly) even comes with the built-in screen protector, a handy feature that OtterBox no longer offers on its official SE 2020 cases. The biggest draw, however, is its dual-layer design.
The OtterBox Defender employs both a rubbery TPU sleeve and a tough exterior PC shell to absorb impact from drops. The case provides a generous bezel to protect the front and rear faces of the phone as well. The only downside to this case design is that it adds a considerable amount of bulk to the phone. Granted, it still works with wireless charging, but it will definitely stretch your pockets if you don’t use the included belt clip.
OtterBox also makes our favorite case for the iPad Pro 12.9 tablet.
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2. Lifeproof Slam Series Case
Pros:- Lightweight and durable
- Lots of color options
- Wireless charge compatible
Cons:- No screen protector or port cover
- Could be grippier
- Rear bezel could be larger
The Lifeproof Slam Series Case may not have the built-in screen protector that their hermetically-sealed flagship product has, but it is still a solid snap-on case that is more than capable of protecting your iPhone SE 2020. Granted, the lack of a screen protector might defeat the purpose of buying a Lifeproof case for some people, but others will still appreciate the craftsmanship that went into this lightweight and durable case. It is surprisingly slim for being able to withstand drops from up to 6 feet, so it is definitely worth considering even without the IP68 rating.
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3. Spigen Neo Hybrid Case
Pros:- Lightweight and durable
- Lots of color options
- Wireless charge compatible
Cons:- Bezel could be larger
- Limited drop protection
- Could be grippier
The Spigen Neo Hybrid case uses a rigid bumper frame design to offer more drop protection while using less actual material. The end result is a case that is equal parts slim and durable. This case has just enough of a raised bezel to protect your iPhone SE 2020’s 4.7-inch display from eating a face-down drop.
The same can be said for its rear 12 MP camera. The Neo Hybrid comes in lots of different color combinations but it is not quite grippy as its textured backplate may suggest. That said, it is still a reliable choice for protecting your phone.
Spigen also makes one of our favorite Apple Airtag loops as well.
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4. Smartish Wallet Slayer Vol. 1 Case
Pros:- Holds 3 cards plus cash
- Lightweight and durable
- Grippy texture
Cons:- Not wireless charge compatible
- Limited impact resistance
- Bulky design
The Smartish Wallet Slayer Vol 1 case is a compact wallet case that uses a built-in card slot to stow up to three cards. There is also generally room for a bit of cash, though mileage may vary depending on whether the cards you carry are just plastic, or higher-end cards with a metal core.They all fit in one rear slot, which can support contents of varying sizes thanks to a spring-loading mechanism. This makes the case slightly smaller than most folio wallet cases but it will still be bulkier than a non-wallet case.
Its durable plastic material provides decent protection from drops but don’t count on it to take beatings the same way a defender-style case would. Also, keep in mind that wireless charging won’t work well when you have this case stuffed with credit cards. But if you can live with this shortcoming then you have a pretty handy way to save space in your pockets.
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5. Speck CandyShell Grip Case
Pros:- Grippy design
- Military-grade drop protection
- Wireless charge compatible
Cons:- High price tag
- Collects dirt easily
- Bezel could be larger
There are few iPhone SE 2020 cases more iconic (or grippy) than the Speck CandyShell Grip. Its combination of vibrant color combos and a unique rubber grip design make it the case of choice for those who want their phones to stick out from the crowd. The rubber grips also provide the useful benefit of keeping your phone more securely in your hand while using it. Combine this with the CandyShell’s military-grade drop protection rating and you’ve got a pretty reliable protection option. Just keep in mind that the rubbery strips need to be cleaned on a regular basis as they pick up dirt easily.
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6. Snakehive Leather Wallet Case
Pros:- Holds 3 cards plus cash
- Lots of color options
- Slim and durable
Cons:- Limited impact resistance
- Could be grippier
- High price tag
The Snakehive Leather Wallet Case stands out for being made from genuine European Nubuck leather, which makes it more supple and durable than other leather wallet cases. That’s why it is the first pick for those who want a wallet case that feels as high-quality as the phone it protects. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that this case can hold up to three cards plus cash. It comes in almost a dozen different colors too, making it easy to coordinate with your own personal style.
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7. Case-Mate Pelican Voyager Series Case
Pros:- Quad-layer design
- Rubber port cover
- Lifetime warranty
Cons:- Clear plastic discolors easily
- Bulky design
- High price tag
This Voyager Series Case collaboration between Case-Mate and Pelican might not look like anything special but it is the most protective clear case for the iPhone SE 2020 that I have come across. It employs a quad-layer design to provide 360-degree protection against drops and scratches without radically altering the look of the phone. Yes, with that much protection it will certainly add bulk, but the look still remains more or less the same.
It has a raised bezel on the front and back so that the broadsides of your phone are just as easily protected by the bumper frame as its edges are. This case also has rubber port covers to keep dust out. The only point against this phone is its high price tag.
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8. Caseology Parallax Case
Pros:- Grippy design
- Lots of color options
- Wireless charge compatible
Cons:- Limited impact resistance
- Bezel could be larger
- Mushy button covers
The Caseology Parallax case is a stylish hybrid case design that adds some 3D geometric flair to your phone’s backplate while providing air cushioning to its vulnerable edges. Because the Parallax case is designed to be slim overall, it doesn’t provide a huge bezel but it adds enough padding to prevent your phone’s front screen or rear camera from taking direct impact in a face-down drop. It does, however, add some grip to your SE 2020 to help keep it in your hands in the first place. It comes in quite a few color combinations too, allowing you to put your own unique spin on the look of your phone.
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9. JETech HD Clear Case
Pros:- Clear design
- Slim and lightweight
- Wireless charge compatible
Cons:- Clear cases show dirt easily
- Limited drop protection
- Bezel could be larger
If you want to maintain as much of the iPhone SE 2020’s original aesthetic as possible, then the JETech HD Clear Case is a clear choice. This transparent cover provides an air-cushioned bumper frame to protect the vulnerable edges of your phone without coating it with fake carbon fiber accents. It also provides a raised bezel. It comes with a few different accent color options but in my humble opinion, totally clear is the way to go.
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10. Supcase Unicorn Beetle Pro Case
Pros:- Built-in kickstand and screen protector
- Military-grade drop tested
- Lots of color options
Cons:- Mushy button covers
- Makes wireless charging harder
- Could be grippier
The Supcase Unicorn Beetle Pro is a no-nonsense protective case that offers the most comprehensive drop protection in its price range. Not only does it have a rigid bumper frame to disperse shock but it also has a front screen protector built right in. This complements the natural protection added by the Unicorn Beetle Pro’s raised bezel as well. It also comes in five different colors, making it easy to find a look that fits your style.
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11. Ringke Fusion X Case
Pros:- Military-grade drop tested
- Large raised bezel
- Wireless charge compatible
Cons:- Clear plastic discolors easily
- Limited color options
- Mushy button covers
The Ringke Fusion X strikes a fine balance between protection and portability, making it a great case option for those looking to be gentle on their phone and their pockets. Most of its protective power goes into its large raised bumper frame, which not only helps to disperse shock but also provides a raised bezel to catch face-down drops. The case has a clear PC backplate that supports wireless charging but be sure to clean under it regularly as it shows off dust easily.
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12. Vena vCommute Wallet Case
Pros:- Holds three cards
- Folds into kickstand
- Military-grade drop tested
Cons:- Credit cards may interfere with wireless charging
- Raised bezel can distort camera flash
- Limited color options
When you are ready to ditch the bulky billfold, the Vena vCommute is an easy wallet case pick. It has a hidden card slot on the rear that is large enough to hold up to three credit cards. This slot has a nifty magnetic cover that can also fold back into a media viewing stand. The only downside to this case is that you may have to remove your cards to wireless charge, depending on the strength of your wireless charger.
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13. Mous Limitless 2.0 Case
Price: $54.99Pros:- Stylish wood design
- Included screen protector
- Wireless charge compatible
Cons:- Limited drop protection
- High price tag
- Could be grippier
The Mous Limitless 2.0 Case is a simple hybrid case that mixes things up with a pop of real walnut wood. Granted, there are other backplate options too, but this one in particular really highlights the quality of materials Mous has chosen for the Limitless 2.0. The case is durable yet still fairly slim so don’t count on it surviving any serious drops. One nice plus is that this case comes with a TPU screen protector. It is not as nice as the glass ones but it definitely helps to keep your phone looking brand-new.
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14. elago Ultra-Slim Origin Case
Pros:- Lightweight and durable
- Grippy texture
- Wireless charge compatible
Cons:- No red color
- Bezel could be larger
- Limited color options
The elago Ultra-Slim Origin Case is a budget answer to Apple’s own ultra-thin silicone cases, which are hard to recommend considering how many affordable facsimiles there are. This case comes in every color that the iPhone SE 2020 does except their special PRODUCT(RED) variant. This combined with its slim design makes it easy to forget that you even have a case on.
The elago Origin doesn’t make much of a difference in terms of drop protection but it definitely adds some much-needed grip to the phone. In a way, this helps to prevent drops before they even happen. If you have a chronic case of the butterfingers, then this case may not be for you. If, however, you are generally pretty careful with your stuff, then the elago Origin is a solid pick.
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15. Crave Strong Guard Case
Pros:- Dual layer design
- Lifetime warranty
- Lots of color options
Cons:- Limited impact resistance
- Logo window versions will not line up with SE 2020
- Mushy button covers
The Crave Strong Guard Case offers lightweight and durable protection in a number of colors, making it a great choice for both protecting and personalizing your iPhone SE 2020. The design isn’t anything too exciting but sometimes you only need a splash of color to spice up your phone. And, of course, a front screen that isn’t cracked.
That shouldn’t be an issue with the Crave Strong Guard, as it has a large raised bezel to protect both your phone’s screen and rear camera array. The case uses a dual-layer design that employs both the scratch-resistant properties of PC and the shock-resistant properties of TPU. This allows it to protect your phone from potential damage without interfering with wireless charging. Another awesome plus is that they offer a lifetime warranty on their cases.
Do You Really Need an iPhone SE 2020 Case?
This question comes around every time one of the major manufacturers releases a new "budget" phone. But before we go any further, it is important to squash this problematic misnomer. The iPhone SE 2020 is not a budget smartphone. Sure, its price tag is almost half that of the iPhone 11 released before it, but it still costs several hundred dollars. That's more than some folks' monthly takehome. You'll notice that Apple uses the term "entry-level," which much more accurately describes the SE 2020.
So is it worth getting a protective case for it? Yes. This phone has an up-to-date A13 Bionic chipset and a rear camera that is better than that of the iPhone 8. Just because the SE 2020 returns to a form factor with a larger bezel and a smaller display doesn't mean that it is any less of a travesty to drop your phone and crack the screen. According to this 2018 survey from Statista, the most common place from which survey takers dropped their phones was right out of their hands. Sometimes it just happens. That's why you should definitely prepare yourself by equipping an iPhone SE 2020 case.
Can You Use an iPhone 8 Case?
Yes! If you have an old iPhone 8 case, it should fit on the SE 2020 just fine. Additionally, flexible iPhone 6S and iPhone 7 cases might fit as well, provided they are flexible enough the accommodate the few millimeters size difference.
Just keep in mind that that the iPhone SE 2020 does have slightly different logo placement than these older iPhone models, so those that have a window to show off the logo might look a little awkward. So ultimately, a new case will still sport the best fit, but I am still overjoyed for the first chance to reuse old iPhone accessories in a long while.