Samsung
While the Ultra line of Samsung phones originally started out as a vehicle to roll out new processing and camera tech ahead of the curve, the Galaxy S21 Ultra has given this line a life of its own. With added S-Pen support, yet another rear-facing camera (four total), and a cheaper starting price than last year, this phone has no rules left to play by. Except for one: you had better use a phone case. Read on below to browse our picks for the best S21 Ultra cases available now.
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1. Spigen Tough Armor Case
Pros:- Large raised bezel
- Slim and durable
- Built-in kickstand
Cons:- Limited color options
- Mushy button covers
- Shows scratches easily
The Spigen Tough Armor Case is a hybrid case design that walks the delicate line between protection and portability so that you can protect your S21 Ultra without leaving your pockets bursting at the seams. It offers military-grade drop protection while only adding 0.14 inches of bulk, which certainly leaves you better off than walking around with a naked phone. It also has a handy built-in kickstand for media viewing. The biggest downside to the design is that its button covers lack that satisfying click when you depress them, but such is a small price to pay for protecting your phone from drops and scratches.
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2. Pelican Voyager Series Case
Pros:- Quad layer protection
- Included belt clip/kickstand
- Rubber port cover
Cons:- Bulky design
- High price tag
- Limited color options
Now that the Pelican Voyager Series Case is available for the S21 Ultra, OtterBox has some serious competition in the defender case market. The Voyager follows a simple, time-tested formula for phone protection: bigger is better and there are no substitutes. That’s why it packs four different layers of protection even though it probably only needed one to fulfill military-grade drop test standards.
One of these layers is a coating of antimicrobial protection (which, admittedly, is more for protecting you than it is for protecting your phone). The rest are different blends of thermoplastics designed to absorb shock and provide grip. But while there is no doubt that this case can stand up to daily wear and tear, whether it can fit in your hand is another matter. This case is massive, which is why it comes with its own belt clip holster. As long as you can overlook this fact, then the Pelican Voyager is what we call a certified game-changer.
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3. OtterBox Defender Series Case
Pros:- Dual layer protection
- Included belt clip/kickstand
- Rubber port cover
Cons:- Bulky design
- High price tag
- Limited color options
The OtterBox Defender Series Case is a no-nonsense defender case that uses two discrete protective layers to keep your phone safe from all varieties of harm. Its three-piece design replaces the built-in screen protector that they used to have with a snap-on front screen cover that offers a much larger bezel than any hybrid case. But since this large bezel carries over to the backplate, this is quite the bulky phone case. OtterBox acknowledges this, though, and includes a belt clip holster (which doubles as a media viewing stand) with every case. Both parts are covered by a limited lifetime warranty too, which should offer you all the peace of mind you’ll need to bring your S21 Ultra with you everywhere.
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4. Poetic Revolution Case
Pros:- Built-in screen protector
- Wireless PowerShare compatible
- Rubber port cover
- Military grade drop tested
Cons:- Limited color options
- Could be grippier
- Does not work with edge-to-edge screen protectors
The Poetic Revolution Case is a feature-packed protective case that provides a lot of value for its modest price. First of all, this two-piece case comes with two front covers, one with a built-in screen protector and one with just the raised front bezel in case you already have your own screen protector. Next, you have its military-grade drop-tested bumper frame, which will keep your S21 Ultra safe from drops and scratches alike. Then the icing on the cake is the built-in kickstand, which still allows wireless charging as well. It may not be the most aesthetically pleasing case around but it is certainly one of the most functional.
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5. Smartish Wallet Slayer Vol. 1 Case
Pros:- Holds 3 cards plus cash
- Grippy design
- Wireless PowerShare compatible
Cons:- Limited color options
- Bezel could be larger
- Mushy button covers
The Smartish Wallet Slayer Vol. 1 is out to hunt your wallet like the cheesiest of action movie villains. But this is the bad guy you may actually want to root for because its intentions are to eliminate the need to carry around a bulky billfold. Instead, you can protect your S21 Ultra plus three credit cards and some cash all in one convenient package.
Your payment methods slot neatly into the rear compartment, which reportedly still allows wireless charging through it. This provides an extra buffer against drops that may otherwise scratch your rear camera too. The front bezel isn’t as large but still offers an improvement over no case at all. As an added touch, the case has a grippy texture around its bumper frame edges to keep the phone in your hand more and on the ground less.
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6. ESR Metal Kickstand Case
Pros:- Built-in kickstand
- Lightweight and durable
- Wireless PowerShare compatible
Cons:- Clear plastic discolors easily
- Limited impact resistance
- Bezel could be larger
The S21 Ultra is quite the gorgeous handset and it seems like very few cases besides the ESR Metal Kickstand Case actually respect that. This transparent case offers (mostly) distraction-free scratch protection, as it is made almost entirely of clear TPU plastic. The only part that is opaque is the built-in metal kickstand on the back, which is handy for both landscape and portrait mode viewing. Add this phone’s slim profile and effortless wireless charging support into the mix and you’ve got a case that you will quickly forget is even attached to your phone.
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7. Supcase Unicorn Beetle Pro Series Case
Pros:- Large front bezel
- Built-in kickstand
- Grippy design
- Rubber port cover
Cons:- Stiff button covers
- Limited drop protection
- Limited color options
The Supcase Unicorn Beetle Pro Series Case is one of the most unusually named mobile products I’ve ever come across but it has proven across multiple generations to be one of the best and most consistent phone case molds on the market. And how do you become one of the best S21 Ultra cases? A large front bezel, added grippiness, a built-in kickstand, and a rubber port cover. Take notes, amateur product designers. All of these features together add quite a bit of utility and durability to your phone, making it an easy choice for most any need. Oh, and it also comes with a belt clip for all of those belt clip enthusiasts out there.
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8. Speck Presidio2 Grip Case
Pros:- Grippy design
- Microban coating
- Slim and durable
Cons:- Limited color options
- Bezel could be larger
- Limited drop protection
If you have a chronic case of butterfingers, then the Speck Presidio2 Grip Case is the perfect S21 Ultra for you. The hallmark of its design is its raised 3D texture, which provides extra grip all over the phone, preventing drops before they even happen. This helps to make up for the overall slimmer design, which is nice for your pockets but not so nice when it comes to drops. One extra layer of protection that this case has is a blend of Microban in the material, which helps to prevent the growth of bacteria on the case itself. This is extra useful considering we take our phones everywhere.
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9. Spigen Slim Armor CS Case
Pros:- Holds up to 2 cards
- Large raised bezel
- Slim and durable
Cons:- Shows scratches easily
- Mushy button covers
- Limited color options
If the Spigen Slim Armor CS Case looks familiar, that’s because it is almost identical to the Spigen Tough Armor case we reviewed earlier. The only difference is that it forgoes some of its extra protective features to house a rear credit card compartment that can comfortably carry a couple of cards. Yes, this does cut into its impact resistance somewhat but it still has the same large raised bezel that you’ll find on the Tough Armor case. It is also still surprisingly slim, which is a nice touch when you factor in the dimensions of the S21 Ultra’s massive 6.8-inch screen.
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10. Zizo Bolt Series Case
Pros:- Military-grade drop tested
- Grippy design
- Built-in kickstand
Cons:- Stiff button covers
- Mushy button covers
- Bulky design
Though the unique design of the Zizo Bolt Series Case was offputting to me at first, I have grown to love the instantly recognizable look of this job site-ready case. Its perforated holes might not provide any tactical advantages against drops but its bumper frame design certainly does, which is why we consider it one of the best S21 Ultra cases around. Its cushioned corners absorb shock readily, and the textured backplate offers a little extra grip too, leaving your phone thoroughly prepared for use and abuse. One of my favorite features, though, is the built-in kickstand on the rear backplate.
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11. Case-Mate Twinkle Case
Pros:- Large raised bezel
- Micropel coating
- Slim and durable
Cons:- Clear plastic discolors easily
- Stiff button covers
- Could be grippier
The Case-Mate Twinkle Case is a stylish snap-on case that simultaneously protects your Galaxy S21 Ultra and provides it a unique look that will help it stand out like the premium phone it is. The rear backplate shines bright with iridescent foil elements while still working great with wireless charging in and out. The bumper frame offers drop protection up to 10 feet while also using Micropel material to prevent the growth of bacteria on the case itself. And considering how many gross places we bring our phone, I can’t help but wonder why every case company hasn’t caught onto this feature?
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12. FYY Leather Wallet Case
Pros:- Holds 3 cards plus cash
- Wireless PowerShare compatible
- Lightweight and durable
Cons:- Bulky design
- Limited impact resistance
- So-so magnetic clasp
If you’ve already said goodbye to carrying around a bulky billfold, then the FYY Leather Wallet Case is a great way to ensure that your essential payment options are with you whenever you have your phone handy. This folio-style case has the internal storage to hold three credit cards plus some cash, so you can keep your phone and your money secure. The interior snap-on case fits snugly over the S21 Ultra and the genuine leather exterior provides some decent shock absorption as well as RFID blocking too. It also works decently with wireless charging, despite being inherently bulkier than a non-folio case.
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13. Samsung Clear View Case
Pros:- LED Notification strip
- Protective folio folds into a kickstand
- Wireless PowerShare compatible
Cons:- High price tag
- Limited impact resistance
- Could be grippier
While the price of official Samsung accessories often means they take the backseat to third party innovations, I have always personally like the Samsung Clear View Case because of its unique LED notification strip feature. This case’s magnetic folio cover is designed to interact with the screen so that it delivers lock screen information right through the cover, reducing the need to expose your screen to danger. As with most folio cases, it can be folded backwards for use as a kickstand but, also like most folio cases, it is a little light on impact resistance. It definitely still helps protect from scratches though, and it works fine with wireless PowerShare too.
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14. Caseology Parallax Case
Pros:- Slim and durable
- Wireless PowerShare compatible
- Grippy design
Cons:- Limited impact resistance
- Limited color options
- Does not work with edge-to-edge protectors
The Caseology Parallax Case is a stylish way to add some extra protection and unique charm to your Galaxy S21 Ultra. Its rear backplate sports a beautiful 3D texture while its raised bumper frame provides a buffer against drops from all angles – even face down. The case adds a little extra grip and still works fine with Samsung’s Wireless PowerShare feature too. Just note that its bezel may interfere with edge-to-edge screen protectors.
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15. Gear4 Denali Case
Pros:- RepelFlex coating
- Grippy design
- Wireless PowerShare compatible
Cons:- High price tag
- Limited drop protection
- Limited color options
If you are looking for a slim and grippy hybrid case to protect your phone from drops and bacteria, the Gear4 Denali Case is a standout pick. This brand, which is owned by Zagg, uses D3O material for its cases, which offers both drop protection and antimicrobial properties thanks to its added RepelFlex coating.
The case is thick enough to protect from basic drops while still allowing wireless charging in and out. But while it isn’t the sturdiest case out there, it does have a nice grippy texture which adds some extra insurance against drops. The only way in which this case disappoints is its price point, which is in the same echelon as defender cases like the OtterBox Defender and the Pelican Voyager. If you can look past that, though, it is still an impressive piece of tech.
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16. i-Blason Cosmo Series Case
Pros:- Large front bezel
- Slim and durable
- Wireless PowerShare compatible
Cons:- Could be grippier
- Limited color options
- Mushy button covers
The i-Blason Cosmo Series Case is a highly stylish hybrid case that protects from drops and scratches while adding a crystalline motif that helps your phone stand out from the pack. My personal favorite feature, though, is surely the snap-on front screen protector, which adds a healthy bezel to the most vulnerable part of your phone.
The rear backplate does an equally solid job of protecting from wear and tear while also allowing wireless charging in and out. I do wish it was a little grippier though. And the three available colors are equally gorgeous but I do wish there were a few more options. That said, purple is my favorite color so this is definitely a winner for me.
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17. Ezanmull Kickstand Ring Case
Pros:- Built-in ring stand
- Camera slide cover
- Slim and durable
Cons:- Bezel could be larger
- Limited color options
- Could be grippier
The Ezanmull Kickstand Ring Case may look fairly generic at first glance but this hybrid style case has some fairly uncommon features that I would personally love to see on more phone cases. The first feature is a built-in rotating ring stand, which functions similarly to a PopSocket. That means it can be used to improve your grip while the phone is in your hand or it can be folded out and used as media viewing kickstand.
The other feature that I love on this phone is the sliding rear camera cover, which protects your S21 Ultra’s rear camera array when it is not in use. This works in conjunction with a raised bezel on the rear, but I personally wish that the front bezel a similar size. Some added grip is also on my wish list, as aside from the ring stand, there isn’t much extra for my fingers to grab onto. Still, if you don’t mind the slim profile, this is a solid case option.
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18. tech21 Evo Check Case
Pros:- Slim and durable
- BioShield coating
- Wireless PowerShare compatible
Cons:- Clear plastic discolors easily
- High price tag
- Stiff button covers
The tech21 Evo Check is a simple yet effective Galaxy S21 Ultra case that preserves the naked beauty of the phone without ruining its stylish color scheme and sleek aesthetic. The subdued design is made mostly of clear plastic, adding only a minimalist check pattern to the phone’s design. Its TPU material offers some added shock absorption for your phone’s vulnerable corners while also preventing the growth of bacteria on your phone with its BioShield coating. The design isn’t overly complicated, which makes it a great case for the user with simple needs.
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19. VRS Damda Glide Pro Case
Pros:- Holds 3 cards plus cash
- Grippy design
- Large raised bezel
Cons:- Not wireless charge compatible
- Bulky design
- Limited color options
Pockets were not designed to hold massive billfold wallets, nonetheless 6.8-inch smartphones. That’s why I love the VRS Damda Glide Pro Case, which is designed to hold your S21 Ultra, three credit cards, and some cash all in one. The payment methods slot into a discreet rear compartment, which keeps these valuables out of sight and out of mind.
The phone itself snaps into this bumper frame case, which offers a considerable bezel on all sides to protect from drops and scratches. But for all of the protection the case offers, it is on the bulky side. For this reason, it is not likely to work with wireless charging, though that all depends on the strength of the wireless charger and how full you pack the card slot. That said, we consider that a worthwhile tradeoff, especially for someone who is regularly on the go. Still, good luck fitting this phone comfortably into your pants pocket.
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20. UAG Pathfinder Case
Pros:- Slim and durable
- Grippy design
- Wireless PowerShare compatible
Cons:- Limited color options
- Bezel could be larger
- High price tag
The UAG Pathfinder Case is a hybrid case that toes the line between protection and portability without making any serious compromises. This way you get military-grade drop protection without any superfluous bulk. It is compact enough to support wireless PowerShare while having a large enough bezel to absorb impact on all sides of your S21 Ultra. The oversize button covers are snappy and responsive while the edges of the phone have a nice grippy texture to keep it locked in your hand when in use. If you need that extra protection, you could also consider the UAG Monarch for a full defender-style experience but I find that the Pathfinder is just right for the pocket-conscious adventurer.
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21. Ringke Fusion-X Case
Pros:- Slim and durable
- Large raised bezel
- PowerShare compatible
Cons:- Clear plastic discolors easily
- Limited drop protection
- Limited color options
The Ringke Fusion-X Case is a value-oriented bumper case that provides solid drop protection for your phone without stealing the show. The case consists of a raised protective frame with a clear TPU backplate to show off the stock color of your S21 Ultra. Though this time Ringke also offers a few generically stylized backplates with text-based motifs that wouldn’t be out of place in a Nike commercial. We’re not here for the style, though. We’re here for the large raised bezel and value-oriented drop protection. It won’t be quite as durable as an OtterBox or Pelican case but it is notably thinner and cheaper as well, making it a great budget pick.
Do You Really Need an S21 Ultra Case?
If you've made it this far along in your research, then you should already understand the many practical reasons for getting a protective case for your phone. The biggest one, however, is that the Galaxy S21 Ultra is made from delicate glass.
Most smartphones are and this really starts to show when you look at the statistics. A 2014 survey conducted by SquareTrade revealed that 26 percent of their survey group had broken at least one phone screen in their life. And the number is estimated to have grown to about 33 percent with the surging popularity of smartphones.
So the short answer is, yes, you should probably have a case for your Galaxy S21 Ultra if you want to keep it safe from drops, scratches, and scuffs. Just being careful can only get you so far.
How We Chose the Best S21 Ultra Cases
Though individual needs are the most important factor in finding the perfect case, not all phone cases are created equally. Phone cases are aggressively over-manufactured which is why we developed a rigorous set of standards to separate the wheat from the chaff.
For most users, the secret recipe boils down to finding the right balance between protection and portability, as you can't have one without sacrificing the other. That said, we also made sure to include several fancier defender-style cases for the chronically clumsy as well as some ultra-thin options for those who seek protection on a budget. No matter which style you prefer, you'll be sure to find a high-quality option on our vetted list.
See Also
11 Best Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus Cases