Need a case that’s no bigger than your iPhone? Here’s 10 of the thinnest iPhone 7 cases we’ve found so far
We will add that our scoring system takes into account the amount of protection a product provides for the iPhone. If you don’t care about protection, we’ve re-arranged this list in the video. Also, there’s a comparison between the Peel and Caudabe Veil XT case at the end of the review video since neither case breaks the Top 10 list.
We’ve got Top 10 Lists for slim and clear cases as well if you are interested in what we think of other case types. For a summary of the best accessories over all, check out the “Best of the Best” post.
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#1 – Spigen Thin Fit 360 (Amazon US/CA/UK/DE)
#2– Apple Silicone Case (Amazon US/CA/UK/DE)
#3 – Caudabe Sheath (Amazon US/CA/UK/DE)
#4 – Incipio NGP Pure (Amazon US/CA/UK/DE)
#5– Incipio NGP Advanced (Amazon US/CA/UK/DE)
#6 – Spigen Ultra Hybrid (Amazon US/CA/UK/DE)
#7 – Pitaka (Amazon US/CA/UK/DE)
#8 – Spigen Thin Fit (Amazon US/CA/UK/DE)
#9 – Full Body iPhone Skins ((DBrand), (Slickwraps))
#10 – Spigen Liquid Air (Amazon US/CA/UK/DE)
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We evaluate all the cases, in the same manner, to ensure consistency and each product get used for at least a week before we sit down and create a review for the product.
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Top 10 Ultra-Thin/Minimalist iPhone 7 Cases
#1 – Spigen Thin Fit 360
Best bang for your buck!
The Thin Fit 360 isn’t the smallest case on this list but it is the best valued. For $30 dollars you get a case that covers your entire iPhone which no other case on this list can claim. For $30 dollars, you get TWO glass screen protectors.
We will note that these screen protectors only cover the touchable area of the iPhone. Which means this case is probably the best case to get in conjunction with the LifeProof Nuud. As an added bonus, you can turn the Thin Fit into a magnetic case by adding one of Spigen’s magnets.
Everything fits incredibly well together. Initially, we were wary of the gap between the case and the iPhone but the screen protector and the front of the 360 fit incredibly well together.
The only downside to this case is that the control center access takes a slight hit. Also, like all Spigen products, the darker case’s have the soft rubber coating which greatly improves handling. The lighter coloured cases are slicker (but look awesome).
Get the Spigen Thin Fit 360 on Amazon (CA/UK/DE) or on eBay!
#2 – Apple Silicone Case
Great grip but overpriced
We’re not going to gloss over this statement: Apple’s accessories are overpriced. The Apple Silicone case isn’t as bad as the Apple’s iPad cases in terms of price but it does handle incredibly well. On average, you could buy two of every case on this list for the price of an Apple Silicone case. This is probably one of the easiest cases to get so if you need a case right now, the Apple Silicone case isn’t a bad choice.
Other than the price, our only gripes with the Apple Silicone case is that the silicone comes off after a couple of drops and that the bottom of the iPhone is completely exposed.
Get the Apple Silicone Case on Amazon (CA/UK/DE) or on eBay!
#3 – Caudabe Sheath
Suit friendly case for the iPhone 7 Plus!
If you’re looking for a TPU cover for your iPhone, the Caudabe Sheath should be your goto case. The Sheath feels quite nice and has enough texture to keep it from sliding around easily. Despite being one of the thinnest case on the list, it still has an edge to provide your iPhone with a bit of screen protection.
We’d still recommend getting a screen protector with this case for added protection in the event of an accidental drop.
We will note that the Caudabe Sheath is one of Aaron’s goto cases for days when he has to wear a suit.
Get the Caudabe Sheath on Amazon (CA/UK/DE) or on eBay!
#4 – Incipio NGP Pure
The best TPU case on this list
The NGP Pure is probably one of the best valued cases on this list as it offers decent handling and a bit of drop protection at 3ft. However, the clear back is a magnet for fingerprints. If you’re comparing between the NGP Pure and NGP Advanced, the NGP Pure doesn’t have as much texture on the case.
If you’re looking for a tough, clear, iPhone 7 case, check out the Incipio Reprieve Sport. The corners (if dropped on only the corners) can handle 12 ft drops!
Get the Incipio NGP Pure on Amazon (CA/UK/DE) or on eBay!
#5 – Incipio NGP Advanced
Great texture on the Incipio Advanced
The NGP Advanced is the toughest case on this list. The corners of the case are rated to 5 ft. The stand out feature of the NGP Advanced is the texture on the case which improves it’s handling.
The only gripe we have with the Advanced is the color choices that the Incipio offers. The light green TPU sleeve doesn’t go with any coloured iPhone 7.
We will add that the texture on the NGP Advanced is much better than the old Incipio NGP for the iPhone 6 which was really popular for some odd reason.
Get the Incipio NGP Advanced on Amazon (CA/UK/DE) or on eBay!
#6 – Spigen Ultra Hybrid
Toughest clear case on this list!
The Spigen Ultra Hybrid is one of the tougher cases on the list though it is a bit bigger. The extra protection comes from the air pockets in the corners that add a bit of cushioning for the iPhone during a corner drop. The corners of the case are rated to 4 ft in terms of drop protection.
From our perspective the Ultra Hybrid is a Liquid Air with a clear back. The back is raised so it won’t explode in a blazing array of scratches right off the back. Fingerprinting is going to be an issue with the Ultra Hybrid.
Get the Spigen Ultra Hybrid on Amazon (CA/UK/DE) or on eBay!
#7 – Pitaka
Coolest case on this list
The Pitaku case is the coolest case on this list. It looks the coolest and is the only one that isn’t made from polycarbonate or TPU. The case is made from Aramid which is basically Kevlar. The design of the case is visually appealing and the entire case has the same “soft” feeling.
The Pitaku isn’t going to offer much protection for your iPhone. This case has no front edge to protect your iPhone’s screen so a screen protector is going to be needed and the tops and bottoms of the iPhone are exposed.
As a spoiler, if we remove the protection component of the scoring system, the Pitaka is the #1 ultra-thin, minimalist case.
Again, coolest case on this list. Get the Pitaka on Amazon (CA/UK/DE) or on eBay!
#8 – Spigen Thin Fit
Thinness is sacrificed for protection
Now the Spigen Thin Fit shows up on the list twice. The regular Thin Fit sacrifices a bit of screen protection from the edges to maintain it’s thinness. The stand out feature of the case is the ability to add one of Spigen’s magnetic mounts to the back of the iPhone.
The iPhone in general is less protected in the Thin Fit as the top and bottoms of the iPhone are completely exposed. We will also add that the coloured versions are quite slick which degrades the handling of the iPhone in the case (get the black version if you can).
Get the Spigen Thin Fit on Amazon (CA/UK/DE) or on eBay!
#9 – Full body iPhone skins (DBrand or Slickwraps)
Skins “can” work with other cases
Any full body skin would sit at #9. These skins add very little bulk to your iPhone. The standout feature of the skin is that you can still use your iPhone with a case for those instances where you need more protection. For us, that versatility is the standout feature of any full body iPhone skin.
An example of this versatility is the ability to put your skinned iPhone into other iPhone products. Such as a waterproof case like the Ghostek Atomic or the Mophie Hold Force system.
If you’re wondering if you can re-use a skin, well, check out our attempts.
Get the Dbrand on Amazon (CA/UK/DE) or on eBay!
Get the Slickwraps on Amazon (CA/UK/DE) or on eBay!
#10 – Spigen Liquid Air
Feels great!
The Spigen Liquid Air was the Spigen Liquid Armor as the two products seem identical. The standout feature of the Liquid Air is the texture of the case. The material feels “soft” and the only way we can describe it is that it falls between the feeling of hard polycarbonate and the silicone of the Apple cases.
The Liquid Armor won’t offer much protection for your iPhone and the edges, despite feeling “soft” aren’t the best for one-handed usage.
Get the Spigen Liquid Air on Amazon (CA/UK/DE) or on eBay!
Have questions for our Top 10 Ultra-Thin/Minimalist iPhone 7 Cases? Please ask them below, or on our Google+ page or our Facebook page or our About Us page. To stay up to date on everything we’re doing, check out our Twitter and Instagram feeds!
Matt
June 17, 2017 at 8:59 pm
FYI Aaron, apparently the Spigen Liquid Air (or perhaps it was just the Liquid Armor) destroys the finish on the Black models (both Matte and Jet). Leaves the line imprints on the phone that don’t rub out. Surprised Spigen hasn’t pulled this case all together.
Susan
August 1, 2017 at 9:07 pm
I want a case for my iphone7 that is thin but protects the phone and improves handling.
I also want to be able to modify the case so I can insert my Kardia device between the back of the case and the phone. Alivecore made a case for my iphone5 but they don’t make one for iphone7. I will need to cut out 2 squares in the back of the case so the case needs to be made of a material that I can cut with box cutter or x-acto knife.
Do you have a suggestion for me? Thanks. Your video was very informative and helpful.