The iPhone XR may have since been replaced by the iPhone 11 and more recently the iPhone 12, but it remains an excellent option for the more budget-focused among us.
It’s hardly surprising, given the solid build quality, powerful internals and excellent cameras. It has also held up well over time, and should have a few more years of software updates if Apple sticks to its current schedule too.
Apple has reduced the price of the iPhone XR to reflect its age, and you can now pick it up for £499 (64GB) or £549 (128GB). However, the lower prices don’t mean you won’t want to take good care of it. Check out our round-up of the best iPhone XR deals, updated monthly, as well as our full iPhone XR review.
The good news is that there are plenty of cases on the market, which cater to a whole range of different styles and budgets. Here’s our round-up of the very best you can buy.
Best iPhone XR cases 2021
Tech21 Evo Check – Best overall

A firm office favourite, the Evo Check from Tech21 is just as good for the iPhone XR. The fit is snug and has been tested to withstand a 12ft drop.
The check design is subtle and it’s available in several colours. It’s slim and doesn’t add much weight and you can still use a wireless charger with it on the phone.
Woolnut leather – Best lightweight leather case

Apple itself doesn’t make a leather case for the XR, so Woolnut has stepped up and made the next best thing. This case, available in brown or black, is incredibly well-made with vegetable tanned soft grain leather and a microfibre lining.
It’s slim but robust and will save the corners of your phone from dents and dings. The lip also comes around the edges enough to place the phone face down without scratching the display. It’s a great case.
Encased Heavy Duty – Best rugged case

Encased offers a series of shock-resistant cases, including this funky, neon-coloured one in teal and pink.
These cases are a part of Encased’s Rebel series and feature a hard polycarbonate exterior and soft, shock-absorbent TPU lining. Together, the case offers military-grade protection. It also comes with a free screen protector.
Snakehive – Best leather wallet case

Snakehive is a favourite of ours. Its classy wallet cases are handcrafted from European full grain nubuck leather, but are available at a surprisingly affordable price. You can stow up to three credit cards inside and there’s a compartment for cash too. Like many wallet cases, you can also fold the cover into a stand for hands-free landscape viewing.
Over time, the case should form a patina adding to its elegance. The Snakehive wallet case is ideal for executives, or simply anyone looking for a vintage style.
Plus, it’s available in several colours, including softer pastel shades and two-tone options.
Incase – Best silicone case

The Incase Protective Clear case for the iPhone XR keeps your phone protected without adding bulk. It’s a highly flexible silicone case that we folded and scrunched to test, and it didn’t show any wear.
It promises to keep scratches and debris at bay, as well as damage from drops – while the ridges around the sides offer additional grip.
It’s available in clear, black and rose gold on Amazon.
Bellroy – Best

This is perhaps the closest you can get to Apple’s leather case, seeing as Apple doesn’t offer any of its own. It’s a well made case with a microfiber lining, decent snug fit and good feel.
Available in five different colours it has a plastic rim to aid protection from drops. It’ll keep your phone slim while looking good and as it’s leather will age nicely.
Mous Limitless – Best stylish rugged case

Mous is a longtime favourite of ours. The brand offers high-quality and well-designed cases that meet the demands of hectic, accident-prone lives. Plus, it comes with a free screen protector.
Mous’s Limitless 2.0 case range for the iPhone XR comes in several finishes: Carbon Fibre, Walnut, Leather, Bamboo and Shell (pictured).
In terms of protection, Mous uses its trademark AiroShock technology, which insulates the precious iPhone XR with tiny air pockets and “cross linking polymer chains”. Together, according to Mous, these act like springs to absorb shock and disperse it, leaving your phone unaffected from drops.
Mous Clarity – Best clear case

Another excellent case from Mous protects your XR while still showing off the bright bold colour you bought it for (or the black one!).
It’s UV protected so it won’t go yellow like cheaper see-through cases. Plus it has Mous’s great protective design with a bumper that lets you set it down without the screen touching a surface.
Element Case Shadow – Best casing for buttons

Element Case’s Shadow is our favourite from its XR range. It’s incredibly solid and has a nice soft touch back that is good to hold and wont show fingerprints like a glossy plastic case.
The colour-accented buttons are also some of the best case buttons we’ve ever used with a satisfying click to them rather than the mushiness you get when using other cases.
You can find it on Amazon too for £40. In the US it’s cheaper, at $25.
Casetify Snap – Most personality

Casetify – staying true to its motto, “Real Cute. Real Tough” – produce fun, lightweight and decorative cases that offer military grade protection.
The Confetti style case (pictured) from the Impact Cases series can withstand drops of nearly 7 feet. Casetify have a wonderful range of clear cases and semi-clear cases to choose from with bold patterns and graphics – which means you can show off your personality and the original colour of your iPhone XR at the same time.
You can also customize your case type too. Choose from a Snap On, Grip, Glitter (which swirls around on the back), and Impact (which includes a hard bumper edge). The price increases with the complexity of the case you choose however.
Griffin Endurance – Best bumper case

Griffin is a trusted name in protective rugged case, and its Survivor series is practically a staple in our phone cases round ups.
The Griffin Survivor Endurance case can withstand drops of up to 3 meters (10 feet), which makes it ideal for those living an active, outdoorsy life. It uses a TPU core to absorb shock and has a textured edge for additional grip. But it’s also surprisingly bulk-free.
The back of the case is frosted, so you can see a pop of your iPhone XR’s original colour – and you can choose from either a black or grey outer bumper.
Speck Presidio Pro – Best anti-microbial case

Speck Presidio cases are often a staple in our round ups. With 10-foot drop protection, double-layered insulation, scratch resistance, and even an anti-microbial treatment that stops bacteria growth, we’d be hard-pressed to exclude it.
Raised bezel prevent the screen from getting scratched. In terms of the build itself, it’s made of a soft-to-touch polycarbonate outer shell that’s melded with an inner “Impactium” lining that absorbs shock.
The case is also compatible with wireless charging and is backed with a lifetime warranty.
Moshi Vesta – Best fabric case

The Vesta is a great looking case that offers equally great protection. The classy fabric bound exterior fashions minimalist colour accents, and the texture helps with grip too.
In terms of protection, it’s military grade drop-tested and has a ‘TriClear’ coating that’s resistant to water, dirt and scuffs. It’s compatible with wireless charging too.
Casemate – Most glam case

If you’re after something a bit more glitzy, Casemate has an incredible amount of case options for the iPhone XR. The Karat Petals case is particularly eye-catching with bits of genuine dried flowers and sterling silver– plus you get 10ft drop protection.
Right away, it’s clear that the case feels tough and sturdy in hand, and doesn’t bend under force. The sides are rubberized for additional grip, and the case is compatible with wireless charging too.