Shopping for a heavy duty protective case for an iPhone 7 Plus.

December 30, 2016 4:15 AM

With so many cheap, and often misleading, consumer goods to choose from, I could use assistance with selecting a heavy duty, well-made case for an iPhone 7 Plus. Standard case or flip wallet variety.

To further winnow the field, I am a guy. Thank you so much for your input.

posted by captainsohler to Shopping (10 answers total)

I got the Silk Base Grip case that The Wirecutter recommended for my 7+. I like it. It is not what I would consider a super heavy duty case though but is well made. They recommend a Speck for a thicker case and while I haven't used that case, I did have a different Speck case on my 5s and liked it.
posted by LoveHam at 4:35 AM on December 30, 2016 [1 favorite]

I can't say enough about my LifeProof case. It's a little thick, but really not very, and above all it's like a tank. I've dropped my phone, gotten it wet, kicked it around the floor of the car, etc., and it's still in great shape. Well worth the money.
posted by Miko at 5:57 AM on December 30, 2016 [3 favorites]

OtterBox has traditionally been the go-to supplier for heavy duty phone cases.
posted by DarlingBri at 6:22 AM on December 30, 2016 [5 favorites]

Have had otterbox defenders on my last 3 phones. I drop them daily. No issues, not even a cracked screen, ever. Husband ran over a phone that was in a defender with a camper, screen was cracked but otherwise it still worked.
posted by faustian slip at 8:39 AM on December 30, 2016 [1 favorite]

I've always used the Otterbox defender cases for my Iphones, including the iphone 7 I got very recently. These cases really are like a tank. If you want serious protection for your phone, I would definitely go for the Defender for the 7 plus. I also like having the option of using the holster/belt clip that comes with it.

I do also have the Silk Base Grip case for when I want a less bulky case, and it seems pretty solid as well. However, if I'm not using the defender case, I always use a tempered glass screen protector. The combo of the silk base grip + tempered glass isn't quite as indestructible as the otterbox, but it's still very solid protection. I've cracked a couple tempered glass screen protectors, but never cracked my phone screen when I used them.
posted by litera scripta manet at 8:56 AM on December 30, 2016 [1 favorite]

Lifeproof!! ( I think Lifeproof and OtterBox are the same company now)

I love my LifeProof cases because they are not big and bulky but give great protection.
posted by CoffeeHikeNapWine at 9:33 AM on December 30, 2016 [1 favorite]

I drop my phone a ton, and I really like the Spigen Ultra Hybrid. It's not bulky but it has done my phone a solid. I like the clear version so it shows off the color of my phone--and the clear hasn't yellowed, which can be a problem with clear cases.
posted by radioamy at 11:16 AM on December 30, 2016 [1 favorite]

Another vote for Otterbox, whichever one floats your boat. I fling my phone across the room every few minutes, it feels like, and it has yet to suffer.
posted by The corpse in the library at 2:29 PM on December 30, 2016 [1 favorite]

I dropped my lifeproof case into the deep end of my 9' pool because I am a dipshit. Dove in, swam it to the surface and it was DRY inside. Marvelous. I also let my 6 year old boy run around with my phone. If you've ever met a 6 year old boy then you know how tough these cases are. Lifeproof is your answer. (Bonus- they are lighter than the Otterbox.)
posted by PorcineWithMe at 3:14 PM on December 30, 2016 [2 favorites]

OtterBox or LifeProof
posted by plo_veggie at 7:50 PM on December 31, 2016