Aside from its great screen, ultra-fast processor, and awesome camera, the Samsung Galaxy S10 its also big, slippery, and fragile, and the last thing you want is a giant crack in it. Here are our favorite cases for the S10 so far.
Update 4/23/19: Added new categories for best shell cases and new rugged and wallet cases.
Beat clear cases for Galaxy S10, S10+, S10e
Along with super slim bezels and a gorgeous display, the Galaxy S10 has one more thing going for it: beautiful new colors to choose from. Available in new “prism” finishes that change color depending on the light, a flamingo pink that’s too cool for school, and two luscious ceramic options, it’s a shame to cover up your Galaxy S10 with a case. So here are some great ones that will still its natural color shine through:
1. X-Doria Defense Shield
Why we love it: The X-Doria Defense shield looks and feels more expensive than its $30 price tag: An aluminum band around the back of the case helps it meet MIL-STD-810G specifications, so it should survive drops of up to 10-feet. The cutout around the headphone jack and the USB-C port are also spacious, with raised ridges on the case to make buttons easy to find. And we just love how the iridescent border looks against the S10’s prism colors.
Price: $30
Wireless charging: Yes
Editor’s choice: The X-Doria Defense Shield is our current pick for best clear Galaxy S10 case.
2. Totallee Thin
Why we love it: With such a beautiful array of colors and a gorgeous design, we want to show off as much of our S10 as possible. And that’s just what the Totallee Thin case does. Super thin, ultra flexible, and clear as can be, Totallee’s glossy case won’t protect your phone from a major fall, but it will keep it free from scratches, give it some extra grip, and let the original color shine through.
Price: $29
Wireless charging: Yes
3. Speck Presidio V-Grip
Why we love it: Speck is a mainstay when it comes to Galaxy cases, and the Presidio Grip is consistently one of our favorites. The V-Grip line takes the hard plastic bumper of the Grip model and adds a clear window so you can see your S10’s natural color. The black border compliments any color you choose, but it looks particularly great with one of the lighter prism options, especially white.
Price: $40 (S10) / $45 (S10+)
Wireless charging: Yes
4. Gear4 Crystal Palace
Why we love it: Most clear cases offer minimal protection again falls, but the Gear 4 Crystal Palace is more of a tough slip case that you can see through. There are no designs, no accents, and no textures—just strong, clear plastic built to protect your S10 without hiding a single millimeter of its design.
Price: $40
Wireless charging: Yes
5. Bodyguardz Ace Pro
Why we love it: The Bodyguardz Ace Pro case won’t turn any heads on its own, but it will keep your S10 looking its best. The crystal clear version has a subtle white bumper that helps your S10’s rear color pop even more, and Bodyguardz says it uses a special gel that absorbs and dissipates impact so your S10 will stay safe. But even if you never need to test that theory, this case is a great way to keep your S10 as fresh as when first taken out of the box.
Price: $35
Wireless charging: Yes
6. Gear4 Battersea
Why we love it: This particular clear case that adds texture and style to the S10. Though it doesn’t show off the S10’s color as well as other cases on this list, it has a vibe that’s unique: for example, the back of the Gear4 Battersea has a pattern that encircles the Gear4 logo like a ripple in a pond. Our only quibble is a “Protected by D30” logo stamped to the right of the camera array, but it’s small and subtle enough where we don’t mind too much.
Price: $50
Wireless charging: Yes
7. Spigen Ultra Hybrid
Why we love it: The Spigen Ultra Hybrid case combines the feel of a soft shell case with that of a more rigid, protective case. The bumper is soft and flexible, while the back of the case is rigid and feels like it can take a beating or three. It’s not often that a clear case comes with a protective coating, but this particular case has a removable film on the inside and outside of the case to ensure it arrives free of any scratches. And once it’s applied, it won’t add much bulk to your S10 at all.
Price: $30
Wireless charging: Yes
8. Speck Presidio Stay Clear
Why we love it: Speck’s cases always impress, even when it’s one as simple as the Presidio Stay Clear. The entire case is stiff and feels high-quality, and Speck claims it can protect the Galaxy S10 in a drop from eight-feet high, thanks to its two layer constructions. The buttons are a bit hard to press when you first put it on, but they already started to loosen after a short period of use. The only drawback to the Stay Clear case is that it’s just as slippery as the S10 itself—though at least you’ll have peace of mind if you happen to drop it.
Price: $45
Wireless charging: Yes
9. OtterBox Pursuit
Why we love it: Otterbox makes some of the toughest cases money can buy, but they’re also some of the bulkiest. The Pursuit Series takes the company’s tried and true rugged design and slims it down just enough so it can fit comfortably in your pocket. The headphone and charging ports are sealed with port covers, ensuring that dust and debris can’t get inside, while the buttons are firm, easy to find, and have plenty of give when pressed. And the black bumper looks pretty sharp against the Prism White color.
Price: $70
Wireless charging: Yes
10. Spigen Liquid Crystal
Why we love it: If you want a clear, minimal shell that lets you show off your shiny Galaxy S10 while providing some protection, then Spigen’s Liquid Crystal case fits the bill. It’s soft and flexible, making it easy to take on and off, and a bundled cleaning wipe helps keep it free from dirt and fingerprints. This particular case is extremely plain, allowing your S10’s design to shine through, but if you want something a little more flashy, there’s also a glitter version of this same case.
Price: $20
Wireless charging: Yes
Best shell cases for Galaxy S10, S10+, S10e
If you’re looking for a more traditional way to protect your S10, there are plenty of good, old-fashioned shell cases to choose from.
1. Pelican Protector
Why we love it: The Pelican Protector isn’t a head-turner, but it’s a solid choice. The shell case snaps on with ease and has a sturdy feel to it. On the back of the case is a square design that serves as an indicator of where to attach the optional AMS mount. You simply slide the mount over the blades of an air vent on your car, and then your phone attaches to the mount. But even if you just want the case, it doesn’t look like anything’s missing, and whatever Pelican uses for the phone to attach to the mount doesn’t interfere with wirelessly charging the S10 Plus.
Price: $40
Colors: Black/gray
Wireless charging: Yes
2. Spigen Neo Hybrid
Why we love it: The Neo Hybrid case uses two different materials for a hybrid design. You can take apart the two pieces—a plastic shell and the rubber insides—to mix and match with different colors of the Neo Hybrid case. The buttons are a bit stiff for my liking, but I imagine that over extended use they’ll loosen up a bit and work without issue. The back of the case has a ribbed feel to it, helping with grip and keeping it in place when you set it on a slick table or desk.
Price: $35
Colors: Black, maroon, silver
Wireless charging: Yes
3. Spigen Silicone Fit
Why we love it: The Spine Silicone Fit case is pretty close to being the perfect minimal case. It has a smooth yet grippy finish that covers the entire back of the phone and hugs the camera cutout tightly. A soft inside lining protects your S10 from scratches, and the case feels great to hold, with on exception: The bottom of the case (where the holes for the charging port and headphone jack are located) is a little loose, and we could see how the holes might get snagged on something and tear. But otherwise, the Spigen Silicone Fit is a great option for a thin, minimal S10 case.
Price: $30
Colors: Black
Wireless charging: Yes
4. Spigen Liquid Air
Why we love it: There are three things we love about Spigen’s cases: They’re simple, sturdy, and inexpensive. And they look good even in solid black. The Liquid Air has a cool “geo pattern” on the back, which adds a nice texture and a bit of grip to the case. The sides and bottom of the case are a bit weaker than some of Spigen’s other offerings, but all in all, this case is a simple, sturdy, and inexpensive, and should keep your S10 safe.
Price: $20
Colors: Black
Wireless charging: Yes
Best rugged cases for Galaxy S10, S10+, S10e
When you want to ensure your Galaxy S10 will survive a major fall, only a rough, tough, and rugged case will do.
1. Otterbox Defender
Why we love it: Installing your S10 in a Defender case is a commitment, requiring a few minutes to remove the outer shell, take apart the two inner pieces, and snap everything back together. But it’s so worth it. Even with its slimmer profile, the iconic Defender series still feels like a case that will withstand multiple drops and maybe even the occasional toss. You’ll also get the traditional belt holster in the box if you’re into that sort of thing.
Price: $60
Colors: Black, purple, blue
Wireless charging: Yes
2. Otterbox Commuter
Why we love it: If you can’t decide between a silicone case or a plastic one, the Commuter’s two-layer approach might be right up your alley. The first layer is rubber and feels more like a silicone case, while the second layer adds some toughness with a polycarbonate shell. The two layers look great together, with small cutouts that let the bottom layer peek through, and do a thorough job of protecting your phone—headphone jack and charging port even get their own protective flaps.
Price: $40
Colors: Black, pink, blue
Wireless charging: Yes
3. UAG Monarch Case
Why we love it: UAG cases always have a distinct look and feel with rugged protection, and the Monarch case for the S10 follows that tradition. The metal structure-like design on the back combines the five different layers that make up the Monarch case, ranging from leather to metal. Overall, it’s a solid case, but two small foibles do keep it from being perfect: The buttons on this case feel fine though a little thin, and unfortunately your S10’s Wireless PowerShare won’t work once you strap it on (though wireless charging does).
Price: $60
Colors: Black, crimson, carbon fiber
Wireless charging: Yes
4. Spigen Rugged Armor
Why we love it: We’ve tried a lot of shell cases over the years, and the Spigen Rugged Armor is one of the best-fitting ones we’ve tested. With a flexible TPU exterior, the case perfectly squeezes onto the S10, with no wiggle room on the sides. On the back there’s a matte black finish, with two classy carbon fiber sections near the top and bottom of the phone. It’s a subtle look, and I like it. The shell itself is soft and grippy, with clicky buttons and wide holes for the ports.
Price: $25
Colors: Black
Wireless charging: Yes
5. Spigen Tough Armor
Why we love it: The Spigen Tough Armor is one of the largest and most protective cases that Spigen offers. The extra thickness adds more protection for drops and adds a handy kickstand feature that folds out from the back so you can prop your phone up in landscape orientation. It can be a little difficult to get it to stay in place, so be sure to read the instructions inside the box. Nonetheless, it’s still a cool feature on an all-around solid case.
Price: $40
Colors: Black, gray, blue, pink
Wireless charging: Yes
Best wallet cases for Galaxy S10, S10+, S10e
The S10 takes up a lot of room in a pocket, so these cases let you leave your wallet at home.
1. Otterbox Strada Series Leather Folio
Why we love it: The Strada Series Folio is one of the slickest cases we’ve tested. With black or brown leather that wraps around the phone and a smooth finish to the polycarbonate shell, this case has a premium look and feel. Inside there’s a pocket for a card or cash. (For reference, we managed to get two cards in the case without issue, but a third wouldn’t fit.) A particularly nice touch is a strong magnet that holds the front flap closed for extra protection or attacks to the back of the case when it’s open.
Price: $70
Colors: Black, brown
Wireless charging: Yes
2. Spigen Slim Armor CS
Why we love it: Spigen’s cases are popular for two reasons—they’re well-designed and affordably priced. With the Slim Armor CS, the company takes a minimal approach but adds a pocket on the back of the case to hold up to three credit cards. (Though we’d only recommend two cards, as a third tends to make things a little tight.) It looks good, too. The smooth exterior gives the Slim Armor CS somewhat of a slippery feel, but the rubberized sides make it easy to grip.
Price: $40
Colors: Black, gunmetal, rose gold
Wireless charging: Yes (though Spigen recommends removing the cards first)
3. SnakeHive Leather Wallet
Why we love it: If you don’t need full rugged protection for your S10 and want a case that can hold a few cards, the SnakeHive Wallet is a luxurious option with particularly good looks. Though the case offers fairly limited protection again falls, it wraps your S10 is luxurious suede, complete with visible stitches and a stamped logo on the inside flap. A magnet keeps the cover in place when closed, and the case doubles as a stand for watching movies. And three card slots open the inside will let you keep your wallet at home on fancy nights out.
Price: $40
Colors: Blue, green, brown, yellow, red, black
Wireless charging: Yes
4. Silk Wallet Slayer Vol. 1
Why we love it: Silk’s cases don’t break the mold, but they’re well designed and affordable, which is what your really want. The Wallet Slayer retails for $15, less than most shell cases, and it includes a slot for three cards plus a little extra cash on the back. Wireless charging works with three cards inside, but we fear that dust and debris might eventually make its way between the case and the phone due to its somewhat flimsy wraparound lip. But all in all, we love this case for the price—especially in the “Flavor of the Month” lime-and-leaf pattern.
Price: $15
Colors: Black, patterns
Wireless charging: Yes