Best iPhone 13 Pro Max cases in 2023

Developed alongside the iPhone 13 Pro Max itself, Apple’s leather case is a solid – albeit slightly costly – option that some will appreciate.

The case, lined on the inside with microfiber to avoid scratches when used, feels luxurious in the hand, thanks to the soft-touch leather finish. It’s understated with an almost invisible Apple logo imprinted on the rear, and as the leather ages, it’ll create a unique hue.

The case fits the curves of the iPhone perfectly, with volume and power buttons that feel just as satisfying to press as the real thing, and of course, it’s fully MagSafe compatible. It’ll protect your iPhone from scuffs and scratches – at the detriment of the leather – but the relatively thin case likely won’t save your iPhone from damage at a fall onto a hard surface.

Still, the luxurious finish of the Apple leather case secures its place in our chart.

Apple spends millions of dollars on R&D to perfect the form factor of the iPhone for people to throw a big chunky case on it. If you’re one of the people that want to appreciate the iPhone 13 Pro Max in all its glory, but are concerned about scratches and other marks, the Nudient Thin V3 is about as close as you’ll get to a case-less iPhone.

The Thin V3 is a 1mm-thick case that’s barely noticeable when on, and it’s available in several colours too. The rubberised material feels great in the hand while also providing extra grip, and crucially, it doesn’t make the iPhone feel any wider like other cases do.

There’s a slight ridge around the display and rear-facing camera to protect when on flat surfaces, and the case will take the brunt of scratches and scuffs, but it won’t absorb impacts from falls like cases from Mous and Gear4. For that, you’ll need to look toward the (slightly bulkier) Nudient Bold.

Mous has become a staple in the phone case market, producing some of the toughest cases around. The brand’s YouTube channel is full of stunts – like dropping an iPhone 13 from a zipline – to showcase just how rigid the AirShock technology within its cases is, giving consumers added peace of mind when rocking the Limitless 4.0 case.

Fully compatible with MagSafe accessories, the Limitless 4.0 case isn’t as bulky as you’d imagine considering the high level of protection on offer. It adds a bit of extra heft to the iPhone 13 Pro Max, but it’s still manageable – especially when the case looks great, available with rear-facing inserts featuring walnut, leather, aramid fibre and other materials.   

If you want to fully appreciate the iPhone 13 Pro Max’s colour, you’ve also got the Mous Infinity, a clear case with a polycarbonate rear for added protection. It’s not quite as robust as the Limitless 4.0, but the upside is that it’s much thinner, with raised lips at the top and bottom to help absorb impact from drops.

When it comes to clear cases, the Gear4 Crystal Palace Snap is undoubtedly one of the best around, offering a near-distraction free clear case to admire the colour of your iPhone 13 Pro Max as well as impressive drop protection.

The Gear4 case, like others in the collection, is made using D30 material. That provides impressive shock absorption properties perfect for taking the brunt of impact from drops and other accidents, which explains why it’s also used by soldiers, athletes and industrial workers in their safety equipment. The material, as well as the ridged edges of the case, translate to 10ft of drop protection for added peace of mind.

There’s also bevelled edges that Gear4 claims adds to the protection of your iPhone, while also being extremely satisfying to hold. It’s also fully MagSafe compatible, as you might’ve noticed by the large circular ring housing the MagSafe smarts.

Accessory maker ESR offers a clear case for the iPhone 13 Pro Max with a difference – it comes with a built-in kickstand.

The metallic kickstand is durable without being too thick, making for a less noticeable bump on the rear when folded away. It’s such a handy feature to have too, especially if you’re always on FaceTime or watching content on YouTube, especially as it works both horizontally and vertically on flat surfaces.

It’s not just a stand case though; it also offers military-grade 810H protection with air-guarded corners to protect your smartphone from impact, and an additional raised lip on the front will stop your display from getting scratched when face-down on a table. It’s also compatible with wireless chargers, although the lack of magnets means it’s not compatible with MagSafe accessories.

If you’re on the market for a simple clear case, ESR has you covered there too; the Project Zero clear soft case offers a simplistic clear design with the same MIL-STD-810H rating, raised lip and camera guard as the kickstand variant.

If you’re looking for a case that you can customise down to the colours and text, then Casetify is the go-to.

The site offers a service where you can choose not only the type of case you want – prioritising either protection or weight – but the colour of the accents, the text and font too.

Depending on the case finish you opt for, you can get up to 9.8ft drop protection to help your iPhone survive small to medium drops, and it’s compatible with wireless charging – although not MagSafe.