The best Samsung Galaxy S22 cases in 2022

As Poetic's newest case series, the Neon strikes a balance between heavy-duty protection and a more lithe profile. It uses the same tried-and-true dual-layer design as the Spigen Tough Armor and OtterBox Commuter Series, but Poetic has refined the design to achieve greater functionality and an iconic look. Cutouts on the back and sides of the hard plastic shell allow the grippier, impact-absorbent TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) to keep your phone from sliding around a table — or from falling out of your hand. Eight colorways ensure you can find one that matches your phone or your favored palette; there's even a lovely Sky Blue to match the S22's custom color.

Samsung stepped up its case game last year with the Silicone Cover with Strap, giving the Galaxy Z Flip 3 an instantly-iconic look that could then be further jazzed up with swappable straps. With the Galaxy S22, Samsung is kicking things into next gear, promising to offer a plethora of straps from everyone from Disney to UEFA soccer and everyone in between. The strap does more than look cute, though; it also works as a softer phone grip that won't interfere with wireless charging. While I do with the case itself came in more colors than just Navy and White, maybe more colors will come alongside the new straps.

The Liquid Crystal is one of the most consistently superb thin clear cases, adding grip while showing off Samsung full design prowess, but what you might not know is that it actually comes in two flavors. The Spigen Liquid Crystal fills the traditional "crystal clear like nothing's there" role, but its Liquid Crystal Glitter twin offers a little more practicality on top of that pretty sparkle. Wait, hear me out! Clear cases always end up smudge magnets and dust amplifiers as the oils in your hands inevitably cling to pocket lint and whatever crumbs were on your seemingly clean kitchen table, but the Liquid Crystal Glitter helps hide the lint and the smudges within the softly shining pattern of the glitter. Whichever model you prefer, Spigen is your best clear case bet outside the heavy-duty segment.

If you need a case that can survive the apocalypse, Supcase crafted the Unicorn Beetle Pro just for you. Tested against 20-foot drops and complete with dust flap to keep sawdust or zombie guts out of your all-important USB-C port, the UB Pro series of cases have survived run-ins with bikes, cars, and even lawnmowers. It might be slightly too thick to work with most wireless chargers, but Supcase makes great use of that space with a wide, sturdy pop-out kickstand that you can also use as a phone grip in a pinch. While this two-piece case does come with a durable front frame, it doesn't have a screen protector built-in, meaning you can go with tempered glass rather than flimsy plastic.

This case may seem a bit extravagant between the 5-layer design and the $60 starting price, but the UAG Monarch is truly fit for a king, or at least for an adventure-seeking prince looking to slay dragons for glory. Like the Supcase UB Pro, the Monarch is rated for 20-foot drops, but even with the 5-layer construction, the Monarch is still thin enough to allow for wireless charging on most wireless chargers. While the leather models feel best to my hands, there are also carbon fiber and genuine Kevlar versions if you're feeling especially extra. The grip from the sides of this case is nothing short of sublime, and it will keep your Galaxy safe for years to come.

Don't mistake the Parallax's mesmerizing rear pattern for some printed design; it's a 3D texture that feels pleasant in the hand, looks enchanting to the eye, and still offers a flat-enough surface for you to stick on PopSockets or an adapter for your magnetic car mount. Along the sides of this Galaxy S22 case sit two textured pads, adding even more stability when you're trying to use the phone one-handed or type. The Parallax's color options give the Galaxy S22 a richer, more luxurious shade than the S22 Ultra itself or a Midnight Green that impeccably fits the Green Galaxy S22, though honestly, you can't go wrong with any color here.

This clear case is built for a beating; Ghostek utilizes R2X silicone shock absorbers to beef up resistance to the ever-dreaded corner drop and raised bezels to protect your screen and camera module from scratches. While the Ghostek is definitely not an "invisible" clear case, that's honestly a good thing. Clear cases often end up looking squirrely around the curves and corners, and you can still show off that custom S22 color while keeping it safe. Ghostek also has limited edition bumper colors in Red, Teal, Blue, and Purple, but since Ghostek only made 100 of each, they'll sell out quickly.

Crafted from American leather (yee haw!), this British-born case is attentively crafted and wonderfully detailed. The wallet portion of this case can carry three cards plus cash, and the magnetic clasps that hold it closed have been shifted down so that they don't cover the power button. (You might think that'd be a no-brainer, but it gets overlooked far, far too often.) The dark brown colorway feels more subtle and suave, but honestly, the black with that bold red threading and detailing looks too good to ignore.

OtterBox turned itself into the Kleenex of the heavy-duty case world, and after over a decade of amazingly rugged entries, it has its Galaxy S22 cases down to a science. Sleeker than the Defender Series and way better colored than the Commuter Series, the Symmetry is the Goldilocks of the OtterBox line: durable and dependable without turning into an unwieldy tank. Available in a Rest Purple that matches the 2022 Pantone Color of the Year "Very Peri" and a Renaissance Pink that looks you could almost see in the dark (or black, if you're boring), the Symmetry Series is the best OtterBox for the Galaxy S22.

Ara Wagoner (3 Articles Published)

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