Best Samsung Galaxy S22, S22 Plus and S22 Ultra Cases for 2024
David Carnoy Executive Editor / Reviews
Executive Editor David Carnoy has been a leading member of CNET’s Reviews team since 2000. He covers the gamut of gadgets and is a notable reviewer of mobile accessories and portable audio products, including headphones and speakers. He’s also an e-reader and e-publishing expert as well as the author of the novels Knife Music, The Big Exit and Lucidity. All the titles are available as Kindle, iBooks, Nook e-books and audiobooks.
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Tough but relatively slim S22 cases
Speck Cases
Slim, stylish protective S22 case
Gear4 Cases
Best slim OtterBox S22 case
OtterBox Commuter Series
Rugged mountable case
Rokform S22 Rugged Case
Premium S22 case for a little less
Raptic Shield
Best Samsung-branded S22 case
Samsung Clear Standing Cover
Value kickstand S22 case
ESR Kickstand Case
While the Samsung Galaxy S22 series is already two generations old, there are many people still using these devices. The Galaxy S22 series is packed with great hardware, and have some of the best displays around, making them some of the best Android phones on the market. But having great hardware doesn’t mean the phones are immune to scratches, dents, drops and dings, and the rest of the wear and tear that comes with using a phone. As such, putting some money into buying a decent enough case is the way to go. There are a lot of options out there, so picking the best S22 cases can be quite a task.
There’s a delicate balance between the features and pricing of phone cases. While you can get a phone case for very cheap, you’ll need to consider whether you’re getting the right kind of protection for your device. You’ll also need to make sure you get the right model when you’re buying a case. For example, the S22 comes in three sizes, and an S22 Ultra case won’t fit the S22 or S22 Plus. That’s just one aspect. If you’re looking for protective cases for the S22, what else do you consider? It comes down to how you use your phone, and how you would like the feel to be, which will determine whether you want a thin and light case, or a bulky, rugged one.
To put things into perspective, the smaller S22 Plus, which has a 6.6-inch screen, could do with a slim case, and so could the vanilla 6.1-inch Galaxy S22. On the other hand, the S22 Ultra could use a case with a kickstand, which would let you prop up the phone to watch video content on that big screen. You could also get a case with a bulky frame to protect the S22 Ultra, given how its big size makes it more susceptible to falls. Other options include card slots, and in-built battery packs, to name a couple.
There are a variety of opinions about what makes the best Samsung case, and the best phone case overall. It comes down to your preferences, with regard to the aesthetics and practicality of the case as per your usage. That’s why I’ve picked a variety of styles, ranging from clear to opaque, and from slim options to some rugged armor cases and folio wallet cases.
Some of the recommendations for these Galaxy S22 cases are based on my experience using very similar models with older Galaxy smartphones, as well as iPhones. The cases are listed at the starting price for the lineup, with different models, styles and colors often coming in at different prices. As such, you have to make sure you’re picking the case that matches your S22 model. If you’re shopping for a tempered glass screen protector, make sure you match the size to your S22 model.
Without further ado, here are some of the best S22 Ultra case, Plus case and standard case options you can buy. I regularly update this best Samsung case roundup with new picks as more cases launch.
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Leading case maker Speck brings a selection of protective case options to the Galaxy S22, including (from left to right in picture above) the Presidio Perfect-Clear Ombre, Presidio2 Grip and Presidio Perfect-Clear.
All the new models have very good drop protection (13 to 16 feet, depending on the model) as well as Speck’s Microban antimicrobial coating. The cases are currently available for as low as about $6 and up to about $28, in various color options. Sometimes you can also get discounts from Speck, and Amazon coupons may further reduce current prices.
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British case-maker Gear4, now owned by Zagg, makes cases that are right there with OtterBox and Speck. They’re all lined with the company’s D3O shock-absorbing material and feature beveled edges to protect your phone. Shown here from left to right are the Copenhagen (13-foot drop protection), Denali (16-foot drop protection), Milan (13-foot drop protection) and Crystal Palace (13-foot drop protection). All use some recycled plastic in their construction, but the Copenhagen — made out of 52% plant-based material — is technically the most eco-friendly.
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If you’re looking for a cheap clear case for your new Galaxy S22, Spigen’s Ultra Hybrid is a good value at around $15 to $17, depending on the version you get. I like the Ultra Hybrid S (second from the left in the photo), which has an integrated kickstand. The Neo Hybrid, on the far right, is a fairly basic case, while the Cryo Armor (second from right) is a $22 triple-layer “gaming” case that’s designed to “absorb and dissipate heat from your phone during hours of gameplay.”
No drop rating is listed for these Samsung phone cases, but most Spigen cases, except for the slimmest models, offer reasonable protection. If you want a tough case with decent protection, get one of its Armor models.
Note that a lot of these cheaper clear cases have a habit of turning yellow and degrading over time, which makes them less translucent. But they’re cheap enough that you probably won’t mind shelling out for a replacement if and when that happens.
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The company’s super protective Defender series case is available for all the Galaxy S22 models, but most people want something less bulky. I like the Symmetry series cases — they’re slim with beveled edges, making them a good mix of sleek and protective. That said, I’ve come to like the more protective Commuter Series better, thanks to the grips it has on the back and sides, as well as having raised edges on the front that should help protect your screen. The raised bezel acts as a screen protector to keep your screen scratch-free and the camera module gets the same treatment.
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Rokform’s been making tough smartphone cases for years and aside from their durability, their key feature is the ability to use them with various mounts — including bike, car and motorcycle mounts — that are sold separately.
Rokform’s cases have removable magnets and they’re compatible with wireless charging if you remove the included center magnet. “With the lower magnet still intact, you can still wireless-charge while utilizing magnetic mounting and all of our mounts,” Rokform says.
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Available in a few color options, Raptic’s Shield case costs less than competing premium cases from Speck and OtterBox and is a pretty good value overall. It has 10-foot drop protection, as well as an antimicrobial treatment.
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