The Wallet Slayer won't make your usual wallet obsolete, but it's a handy, attractive case that'll protect your phone and hold your cash and so forth.
Read More
Under Armor's iPhone case offers decent protection, but there's little reason to recommend it to anyone who's not already an Under Armour devotee.
Read More
Written by Michael Desjardin, Senior Staff Writer who's reviewed and compared over 100 TVs. Ceara Perez-Murphy, staff writer, and product tester who's known to give great gifts.
Updated May 12, 2023
The iPhone X is an expensive smartphone covered in glass—it might survive a tumble onto a carpet, but if your case-less new phone meets the sidewalk, you're probably going to walk away with a splintered screen.
Due to the wide selection of different smartphone case styles, we were reticent to crown an overall best choice, but we did find the Silk Wallet Slayer Vol. 2 to be the best wallet-style option, and our pick for the best slim case is the Caseology Parallax.
Editor's Note:
The recommendations in this guide are based on thorough product and market research by our team of expert product reviewers. The picks are based on examining user reviews, product specifications, and, in some limited cases, our experience with the specific products named.
Best Wallet-Style Case
Silk Wallet Slayer Vol. 2
The Wallet Slayer from Silk is part-phone case, part-card-holder, and despite Silk's gratingly cheeky marketing copy("Netflix and chill" is a phrase I never want to hear uttered again), the Wallet Slayer does a great job protecting your iPhone X while holding your cash and cards.
The card slot—which takes up most of the case's back—is made from a surprisingly soft, flexible plastic. The remainder of the case is comprised of a stiffer plastic for drop protection, and the case's edges feature a rough texture, which makes it easy to grip.
Even though the Wallet Slayer case isn't spacious or functional enough to replace my actual wallet, I still find it to be convenient for subway passes, cash, or security cards. Plus, the case feels sturdy enough to guard against short-distance drops.
The Wallet Slayer comes in three stylish color options—Black Onyx, Blue Jade, and Crimson Red—and will set you back about $24 via Amazon. It's not the most affordable case out there, but it's good-looking and multifunctional.
The Caseology Parallax is a dual-layer case with a simple, aesthetically pleasing design. It's available in several different two-tone options (though we picked up the black and gray version to match our iPhone X).
The Caseology Parallax is slim, making it a great fit for the already slim iPhone X. In terms of durability, the case's stiff frame should offer moderate protection for short falls, but it probably isn't a good fit for a rugged, off-road lifestyle.
Customer reviews of the Parallax are generally positive, though a small percentage of people note that their case did not last as long as they would've liked. If you're in the market for a slim, basic case that offers moderate protection at a decent price, the Parallax series is available on Amazon for around $18. At that price, it's hard to beat.
Thick rubber bumpers ensure 360 degrees of protection with this iPhone X case from I-Blason. Reviews mention that this phone case ranks high in durability (even withstanding tough toddlers) and they like the designs offered. While people appreciate the included screen protector, it seems like the reviews of it's usability are mixed but since you're able to take it off without any issue, we don't see this as a negative. If you're looking for a good looking phone case that will keep your phone safe and won't cost an arm and a leg, this would be a good option.
This single-layer case from Under Armour is sturdier than most of the one-piece cases we tried out, which makes it a decent option for anyone looking for a moderate level of protection without the bulk that comes with modular cases.
The back of the Under Armour case is stiff and not as grippy as a traditional silicone case, but there are raised ridges on the side of the case that deliver a graspable texture where it matters.
Ultimately, it's difficult to recommend the Under Armour grip case for anyone who isn't infatuated with the Under Armour brand to begin with. You could certainly do worse, but the $40 asking price on Amazon is steep for what you're getting here.
Apple Leather Case
Apple's signature, one-piece leather iPhone X case comes in eight or nine colors depending on your retailer, and definitely plays the part of a premium case with gusto. Unfortunately, you can also say the same about its price tag.
To be clear, this leather case isn't an investment in security. You're paying more for its stylish, iconic look than you are for its ability to protect your iPhone from dangerous drops. It excels at two things: protecting the back of your iPhone from scratches and looking good.
A note on the leather: You can expect to see some immediate, noticeable wear-and-tear in the form of scratches. Like any genuine leather product, the surface will smoothen out and darken over time, but you'll have to put up with a break-in period.
Right now, this leather iPhone case from Apple is about $37 to $49 on Amazon. The price tag isn't indicative of quality so much as it is a result of being a first-party Apple product. If you've used and enjoyed variations of this case in the past, you'll probably love this one, too. However, if you're at all skittish about handing over close to $50 for a simple, leather case, you might want to consider alternatives.
Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.
The product experts at Reviewed
have all your shopping needs covered.
Follow Reviewed on Facebook,
Twitter,
Instagram,
TikTok,
or Flipboard for the latest deals, product reviews, and more.
Michael Desjardin graduated from Emerson College after having studied media production and screenwriting. He specializes in tech for Reviewed, but also loves film criticism, weird ambient music, cooking, and food in general.
Ceara Perez-Murphy is a staff writer at Reviewed. In her free time she likes trying out new recipes in the kitchen, exploring new restaurants and spending time outdoors with her dogs.
Our team is here for one purpose: to help you buy the best stuff and love what you own. Our writers, editors, and lab technicians obsess over the products we cover to make sure you're confident and satisfied. Have a different opinion about something we recommend? Email us and we'll compare notes.