Buying the best iPhone 13 Pro Max case for your needs is easy thanks to this guide. Whatever kind of case you're after, we've found the best options to suit you.
As an iPhone 13 Pro Max owner, you've likely already spent a considerable amount of money on your phone. But if you're not willing to spend a little more now, you could end up with a pricey repair bill should something go awry. A good case can offer additional protection, saving you from that risk while also adding extra valuable and lifespan to your handset.
If you've not bought the phone yet, here are the best iPhone 13 deals around right now. Or, if you're not sure the iPhone 13 Pro Max is right for you, check out the best iPhones to see our top picks for different kinds of users.
Just be careful if you haven't bought an iPhone yet. The iPhone 15 Pro Max is now the reigning big, fully featured iPhone, with the iPhone 13 Pro Max sent out to pasture. Read our iPhone 15 Pro Max vs. iPhone 13 Pro Max face-off for more details on the differences between these models, or alternatively look to the future with our iPhone 16 Pro Max rumor hub.
The best iPhone 13 Pro Max cases you can buy today
Best iPhone 13 Pro Max case
Colors: Black, iridescent, metallic black, metallic pink, metallic red
Materials: polycarbonate, soft rubber, and anodized aluminum
MagSafe compatible: Yes
+ Transparent back
+ Durable construction
- No color matching with iPhones
The CaseBorne R Series blends a transparent design with an outer rim of color, giving users some understated personalization but keeping the design of the iPhone beneath foremost. It's a shame none of the available colors match the available iPhone 13 Pro Max colorways, but since tt's tested to a 12-foot drop standard though, so maybe that won't matter to you too much.
Best for MagSafe
Colors: Black
Materials: Polycarbonate, aramid fibre
Magsafe Compatible: Yes
+ Extra magnets to hold MagSafe accessories more securely
+ Shock protection
- No color options
This thin and light case is tougher than it looks thanks to the built-in shock protection. But the main attraction is the extra set of MagSafe magnets that Mous added into the case's back, ensuring that whether you're attaching a MagSafe charger, battery pack or other accessory, it'll be a reliably strong connection.
Best thin case
Colors: White, black, blue, green, transparent
Materials: plastic
MagSafe compatible: Yes
+ Very thin and light
- Limited drop protection
Totallee specializes in thin cases, so it's a natural pick for this category. If you want a case that you can still see the phone's Apple logo through without a cutout, this is the one for you. That does mean weaker than average drop protection, but if you're confident in how you'll use and store your phone, it may just be right for you.
Best Apple-made case
Colors: Brown, dark cherry, green, black, purple
Materials: Leather
MagSafe Compatible: Yes
+ Luxe design
+ Built-in magnets for MagSafe accessories
- Might show water stains
Its leather construction won't be for everyone - especially if you hate seeing your phone case get stained. But Apple's own luxury case offers protection and additional MagSafe magnets. It'll also age gracefully over time as the leather picks up a unique patina, making it a great long-term companion for your iPhone.
Best thin protective case
Colors: Black
Materials: Polycarbonate
MagSafe compatible: Yes
+ Designed to absorb impacts
+ Built-in kickstand
- Only one color option
If you must have the best of both slim cases and tough cases, this model from Spigen does a good job of bridging the gap. We also enjoy using cases with kickstand such as this when watching stuff on the phone horizontally. Just don't be disappointed with the lack of color options for the cases's body, though you can at least see your phone through the back.
Best protective case
Colors: Purple, black, blue
Materials: polycarbonate
MagSafe Compatible: Yes
+ Very durable design
+ Two-tone color cases
- Pricier than many other cases
For the best protection around (albeit for a price), Otterbox's Defender series with its two-layer design and military-standard drop protection is a strong contender when picking a case for any phone, and that includes the iPhone 13 Pro Max. We also like how this model offers a two-tone color scheme for a uniquely rugged-looking handset.
Best anti-bacterial case
Colors: Black, Pink, Teal, Red
Materials: Polycarbonate
MagSafe Compatible: Yes
+ Clear back shows phone
+ Bacteria-resistant
- May be slipperier than other cases
Anti-bacterial cases are some of the newest around, and a case that can resist microbes growing on it is perfectly complimented by a see-through back, which this Spec Presidio case also features. It's a little slippery in the hand but it's attractive and promises to resist yellowing throughout its life, as is typical with transparent cases.
Best premium case
Colors: Rustic Brown, Black, and Natural
Materials: Leather
MagSafe Compatible: Yes
+ Nice leather design
+ Built to protect against 10-foot drops
- Leather may show damage
If only the best will do for your iPhone, Nomad's cases offer exquisite craftsmanship and protection, and especially in the case of its Horween Leather models. Leather is obviously prone to scuffs and other damage, but if anything that's just extra personality. This case has a folio version too, if you want some room to slot cards and bills.
Best case for storage
Colors: Black, Navy
Material: Plastic
MagSafe Compatible: No
+ 14-foot drop protection
+ Bacteria-resistant
+ Compartment for credit cards
- Bulkier than other cases
- Not MagSafe compatible
Wallet cases are easy to find, but if you want a bit of extra room, the Stashback will give you room for up to three cards in its rear compartment, and impressive drop protection to boot. You lose MagSafe compatibility, and it's kind of chunky, but arguably that's worth it for a more secure hiding place for the contents of your wallet.
Best eco-friendly case
Colors: Natural, Charcoal, Ocean Blue
Material: Plant-based materials
MagSafe Compatible: Yes
+ Compostable materials
+ Wireless charging/MagSafe compatible
- Disappointing drop protection
If you dislike plastic for whatever reason, this plant-based case offers okay protection from scratches and drops in return for a product that you can compost at the end of its life. Incipio promises to plant a tree for each one sold as an extra deal-sweetener, though more importantly it still works great with MagSafe accessories.
How to choose the best iPhone 13 Pro Max case for you
Why you can trust Tom's Guide Our writers and editors spend hours analyzing and reviewing products, services, and apps to help find what's best for you. Find out more about how we test, analyze, and rate.
When selecting your new iPhone 13 Pro Max case, you should prioritize keeping your phone safe from drops, falls, scrapes, and scratches. Choosing the type of material your case disc rafted from is tantamount to ensuring you have plenty of protection.
The better the drop rating for a case, the less you have to worry about a shattered screen. If you don't care about replacing phones when they're caput, or you just don't think you'll drop it at all, you can shift your focus to more aesthetically-pleasing cases that don't rely as much on hardy materials to protect your device.
You don't have to worry about dropping your iPhone in water, as the iPhone 13 Pro Max's IP68 water resistance rating means the device should emerge from up to 6 meters of water after 30 minutes with no damage. You will wan to keep a shortcut that can eject water from your iPhone's speakers close at hand, though.
Remember that phone cases can and do vary in price. But just because you find a $69.95 phone case from a specialty retailer, that doesn't mean you should discount the $19.95 case from Amazon. There could be a large disparity in quality between the two, in the direction you wouldn't expect. You'll have to make the decision, ultimately, taking into account which one is the most viable with each of its unique features, no matter the price, low or high.
If you opt for a transparent case, remember that you will need to keep it clean to stop it from 'yellowing'. Check out how to clean a clear phone case for guidance.
How we test the best iPhone 13 Pro Max cases
We use a combination of our own testing and customer experiences when selecting the best iPhone 13 Pro Max cases.
For cases we try ourselves, we'll install them on a test device and carry them around with us for several days, noting anything interesting about the experience. Any special features we'll test, as well as more basic parts of our time with the case like how it felt to hold or how it is to look at.
If we've not been able to get a case in for review yet, we'll take a look at Amazon reviews and other customer write-ups to help inform our decision. Drop testing and durability claims we're unable to test for ourselves (at least not without risking our own phones) so for these, we defer to the manufacturers' claims, but recommend that users understand that these aren't independently verified.
Does the iPhone 13 Pro Max need a case?
With a $1,000-plus phone, it's better to be safe than sorry when it comes to cases. Sure, the Ceramic Shield glass and stainless steel side rails that Apple uses on this phone is as strong as you'll get for smartphone materials, but they're not indestructible. A case, in case of damage, is much easier and cheaper to fix or replace than your phone is.
What is the best slim cover for the iPhone 13 Pro Max?
If your ideal case is as unobtrusive as possible, take a look at the Totallee Case. If you'd rather a better balance of protection and thinness, the Spigen Tough Armor does a good job of protecting your phone while adding minimal bulk.
What is the best protective/drop proof case for iPhone 13 Pro Max?
We would plump for the CaseBorne R Series or the Otterbox Defender Series XT if you're after maximum protection for your iPhone 13 Pro Max. The CaseBorne has the advantage of being transparent, allowing you to enjoy the color and design of your iPhone without exposing it to potential dangers, while the Defender is all-in on safety features like dual-layer protection and a "military-spec" drop rating.
What is the best iPhone 13 Pro Max case for MagSafe?
If you're all in on Apple's magnetic charging and accessories system, then the Mous MagSafe Compatible Aramid Fibre Phone Case may be worth a look. Other cases should still support MagSafe, but Mous' additional magnets should help the connection between iPhone and accessory stay secure.
