Wirecutter's Pick for Best iPhone 5 Case: The Switcheasy Tones

According to gadget review site The Wirecutter, the best iPhone 5 case at the moment is the Switcheasy Tones.

After he left Gizmodo, longtime tech blogger Brian Lam decided to make a website to help people buy gadgets. It wouldn't focus on reviewing every possible product in a category, but would instead answer the question "Which one of these should I buy?". Now, The Wirecutter has named its pick for best iPhone 5 case.

Switcheasytone

The Wirecutter had this to say in its extraordinarily detailed iPhone 5 case review:

After trying out most of the iPhone cases currently on the market, I’m using the Switcheasy Tones to protect my iPhone 5. It’s exceptionally durable and unobtrusive, and it's a great value at $25.

Unlike the iPhone 4/4S, the iPhone 5's perimeter band — the outer edge that includes the sleep/wake button — is made of aluminum, which scratches more easily and warrants a protective layer.

After getting a launch-day iPhone, I tested cases now available from every major brand. As of now, I’ve looked at all available models from: Belkin, Incase, Otterbox, Speck, STM, and Incipio. Other brands including Ballistic, Case-Mate, Element Case, Grove Made, and Griffin won’t have samples ready until later, and I don't expect any of these cases on the horizon to be better than our current pick, based on reviews of past models with the same design as the upcoming cases.

With this first batch, I conducted drop tests, judged everyday usability, and evaluated each model's aesthetics. For the cases that are updates to previous generation models, I researched past reviews to spot design updates and improvements. I also spoke with other expert reviewers to see what they're using.

I looked specifically at slim, everyday-use cases, as opposed models with protection from severe trauma, many of which sacrifice compactness and usability. In this everyday-use category, and this should apply to a majority of iPhone 5 owners, a case needs to stand up to general use and abuse, like waist-high drops onto concrete, or a bouncy ride in a packed messenger bag.

The Switcheasy Tones is available for $24.99 in seven color options through Switcheasy's website.

Top Rated Comments

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slicecom

83 months ago

The best case is the one Jonathan Ive designed.

Rating: 16 Votes

george-brooks

83 months ago

The best case is the one Jonathan Ive designed.

This.

I've had a case on all of my previous iPhones. The original because of its value, the 3G and 3Gs to prevent a broken screen (this was of course back when this was becoming a big issue, and for the record, the 3G broke anyway), the 4 and 4S to protect the glass back and for antennagate, but I've been going naked with my 5. I would prefer to have a case for protection, but the phone is so thin that I don't want to add any bulk to it at all, and imo, this is by far the most beautiful iPhone design yet. I want to show it off, at least for the time being.

A few nicks already around the edges, but no scratches on the back yet. I feel better knowing that I have AppleCare and can replace the phone for a small fee if I ever drop it and it sustains significant damage. Maybe I'll get a case when there are some more options I like, but for now I'm taking my chances and going naked!

Rating: 6 Votes

barkmonster

83 months ago

The best case is the one Jonathan Ive designed.

Would that be the one that isn't resistant to scratches and creates the need to house it in cases like this to prevent them? Genius design :D

Rating: 5 Votes

zman2100

83 months ago

Still going naked.

Rating: 5 Votes

Nozuka

83 months ago

"yay its still perfect under the cover - i just never get to see it"

Rating: 4 Votes

D.T.

83 months ago

I like my phones like I like my women: naked, slim ... and on mute.

Rating: 4 Votes

Sky Blue

83 months ago

Who paid for this "news article"? Switcheasy or Wirecutter?

Rating: 4 Votes

BJB Productions

83 months ago

I'm a huge Switcheasy fan, but I personally kinda thought the Tones looked rather ugly. Just my impression. Though, I'm sure it's great protection.

Rating: 3 Votes

iGrip

83 months ago

The best case is the one Jonathan Ive designed.

I find it very ironic that so many people complain that other phones being made of durable plastic feel cheap, and go on and on about how beautiful the iPhone is, but then they cover their beautiful iPhone in a cheap feeling plastic case.

Apple made the iPhone out of aluminum because that is the very best material that could possibly be used.

Rating: 3 Votes