Ultimate Otterbox Showdown: Best iPhone 14 Case Revealed
Monty and I have been knee deep in Otterbox's 2023 iPhone 14 lineup! We'll be diving into the nitty-gritty of each case, showing you the pros and cons, and helping you decide which Otterbox case is the perfect fit for your iPhone 14. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share this video if you found it useful!
🔥Here's our recommended Otterbox iPhone 14 Cases (AFFILIATE LINKS)🔥
Otterbox Defender Pro XT: mreh.ca/3P0Oi8H
Otterbox Fre: mreh.ca/3BWtmI6
Otterbox Core: mreh.ca/3C08Cz2
Otterbox Figura: mreh.ca/3BXl8iQ
In this video:
0:00 Introduction
0:19 Otterbox Symmetry Review
1:31 Otterbox Commuter Review
2:48 Otterbox Core Review
3:56 Otterbox Aneu Review
5:12 Otterbox Figura Review
6:18 Otterbox Lumen Review
7:33 Otterbox Screen Protectors
8:10 Otterbox Fre Review
10:00 Otterbox Defender Review
11:02 Otterbox Defender Pro XT Review
🛡️Otterbox Defender🛡️
Tried and true, this case is for the rugged user.
High-quality materials ensure maximum protection.
Some drawbacks include bulkiness and a difficult removal process.
🥇Otterbox Defender Pro XT🥇
A step up from the Defender, this case is sturdy and built for longevity.
MagSafe compatible and additional lanyard attachment point.
Price and shallow edges could be a drawback for some.
🌊Otterbox Fre🌊
-Ideal for adventure seekers and water lovers.
-Offers protection from saltwater, a great choice for coastal dwellers.
-Touchscreen sensitivity and button stiffness could be an issue.
♻️Otterbox Core♻️
-Made with 50% recycled material, it’s the eco-friendly choice.
-Provides moderate protection but might show signs of wear faster.
-The textured surface provides a unique look but can be a bit slippery.
🔦Otterbox Lumen🔦
-Color gradient on the case, rubbery edges hide fingerprints and enhance handling.
-Misaligned power button, noticeable seams.
-Glossy edge finish is prone to scuffing.
🆕Otterbox Aneu🆕
-Offers three lanyard attachment points, vibrant color in MagSafe area.
-Comfortable and secure grip.
-Back of the case is slick and prone to slipping.
🎨 Otterbox Figura🎨
-Six color options, unique look, good floating buttons.
-One solid piece of plastic with no visible seams.
-Corners and side edges are loose, offers less protection.
⚖️Otterbox Symmetry⚖️
-Compact design with unique floating button for responsive user experience.
-Wide range of color options.
-Slippery feel, MagSafe accessories may detach easily.
🚆Otterbox Commuter🚆
-Two-piece design with TPU sleeve and polycarbonate frame, good grip.
-Includes a port cover.
-Loose edges and corners, prone to collect dust.
Comment below with your favorite case from the lineup or any other questions you might have! We'll do our best to answer them all.
Remember to hit the notification bell to stay updated on our latest tech reviews! 🛎️
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I think we take that dog's presence for granted. The way he just stands there, all dressed up, not flinching, for the entire video.... deserves a huge 👏
I have already purchased all my Apple accessories using his links. Now I watch them to see what Monty is up to.
I used to LOVE the commuter case. When I had my iPhone 7+. Once the newer design started coming out, the commuter became less protective! Like how you pointed out that the inner rubber is very loose on the sides where the buttons are. And it does slip out at the top very easily. I feel like the symmetry is now more protective. They need to work on the rubber, make it fit right and not lose. They seem a lot cheaper now, like quality wise, compared to the other boxes before.
I actually like the symmetry because the tpu edges feel more like rubber than hard plactic. Most cases feel like hard plastic around the border these days and I hate it.
I use the commuter for the drop protection and dust cover. More drop protection than the symmetry, but not as thick as the defender.
I have the Pro XT for my 14 Pro and in the paperwork there’s a coupon for a free holster with free shipping
I had the Defender on my iPhone 11 Pro Max and it held up several terrible falls over the past three years. The top frame did break into five separate pieces that were a puzzle to put together with the case over it, the dust flap was kinda annoying so I cut it off, but my phone was still sufficiently protected. Even with the frame being broken. An alcohol swab later and it basically looks new even though the ear speaker went out over a year ago… so I’ve replaced that phone with the iPhone 13 Pro Max and decided to go with RhinoShield’s ModNX just to see where they’re at, plus I wanted something prettier… but if you’re not concerned with aesthetics and want pure protection, I highly recommend Otterbox’s Defender case.
Hey Aaron! I don’t watch too many of your videos but seems like you’ve been working hard on polishing all the fine details lately. I do like the subtitle changes compared to your old videos so keep up the enhancements.
This was very helpful. Thanks!!
I the XT , commuter and symmetry black and clear. The XT is too wide to use properly. The commuter is great but top corners slip off now and then. The symmetry black is good but back a little slippery. The clear is one of the best feeling case, the sides have nice grippy texture. Let’s just say I use everything but the XT.
I really like my defender pro XT for my regular 14 pro as well! Good grip. Bit bulky but I believe it protects the Phone well.
8 mins? Whew the earliest I’ve been. I have the otterbox defender series, I love the way it feels in my hand. On top of that, I don’t ever remove the case unless I want to enjoy the slim ness of my iPhone 12 Pro Max.
The Ottergrip case has been a nice surprise and my new daily case. Feels protective and also the nice finger loop that pops out when you need it and flat for strong MagSafe.
Unfortunately the back of case scratches very easily
Great job with the video, thanks
Another great review 👍
I'm so happy to see your channel still going after all these years. Thank you for your existence.
Honestly I love the look of the core! I usually buy the Symmetry with Glitter and it would be nice to see a mix up between the two. The mixed texture / colours on a clear symmetry case. Sadly, Core isn't even an option for the S23U
When I first got my iPhone 14 I bought the otter box fre case and I was very happy with it and liked that I was able to use my phone with wet fingers on the beach
Love your videos
You can add another con to the Fre case: the plastic covering the cameras is prone to being scratched, which can reduce picture/video quality. Thanks for making these videos. Very informative and detailed.
It seems like the Otterbox Symmetry has taken the form and factor of the Otterbox Aneu series (the Aneu series had this design first). I wish the symmetry went back to previous year's design language.
I got my Defender Pro XT from T mobile and I’m pretty sure it came with a holster. It definitely was loose but only when mounted one way. Mounted the other way it worked fine.
Say what you will about the commuter but my wife has been using that case for years and she swears by it. We have a 4 year old and he has dropped her phone so so so many times on accident and that thing has always protected her phone. That case is bullet proof. I just ordered the core series one for myself. I also have the symmetry series case in lime green and I love the buttons, they feel really good. I don't ever use it though because the cutout for the mute/unmute switch is not lined up at all. I'm autistic and it bothers me a lot. I honestly don't understand what Otterbox was doing there. Really excited for my core case to come in because I love that dark grey with the speckled colors on there. Great video!
Great video first off...and my goodness...I should've watched this video before installing my Defender Pro XT...I followed Otterbox's instructions and 20 minutes later my first thoughts were: "and if I wanna use a different case for a bit and then go back to this one I'm hammering it in"...hahahaha...thanks again for the video...I did get it on Prime Day so it was really cheap...
I haven’t had the otter box commuter case since I had my iPhone 6 back in 2013 I now have an iPhone 14 pro max and an incipio case. They’re pretty good!
Just got the Defender Pro XT on a Black Friday deal for $35! As always, thanks for your incredible reviews.
Symmetry plus must be the epitome of Otterbox. Ultra-slim ,nice gripping and anti-fingerprint material are all perfect 👍
I have the Defender XT and other than the install I really like it. I also have the holster for it.
I went from the commuter series on my 7 plus and my XR to the symmetry on my 11 Pro Max I got a clear case paired with a slickwraps sticker bomb and the case does exactly what it's supposed to and looks great
Thanks!
I love my otterbox core cases for my iPhone 14 pro I have every color except for the blue case!!
Thank you
I like the Defender and has been using this series for years. I did get irritated when the holster was not included and had to request it through the website.
I have the recycled core case in blue. I like it 😊
Symmetry is different from the symmetry+.. the symmetry+ you show includes added magsafe in the case as opposed to symmetry which doesn't
I’m surprised at your comments about the commuter. I use them exclusively and they’ve always worked wonderfully. Never had a broken phone, and trust me I’m clumsy enough to put it through its paces. Only issue is those rubber sides, but they don’t typically get bad unless you’re taking the thing on and off a bunch or futz with it. Put it on, leave it be, and it’ll be fine.
Welp, and here I am. The commuter for the 15 Pro this year is not good. It offers the bare-minimum lip on the cameras, while the rubber layer has been thinned to almost nothing. It's like they refused to adjust the product dimensions to account for new phone's size, and I just do not trust the case to protect my phone the way my old one did. So I guess Defender XT it is.....
the xt does come with a holster, you just have to get the code from the purchase.
I just got the IPhone 14 a couple of weeks ago and I bought the commuter as well as the fre
I’ve using the defender since the iphone 6 but on my 13 the case scratched the edges of the phone even though I kept it clean and didn’t remove it often. When I got a 14 Pro I switched to the XT and it’s been great. Once it’s on there is no play in it or “creaking” like past defenders. You can request a holster from Otterbox and they ship it for free. My only complaint is that magsafe accessories scratch the back of this case line crazy. It doesn’t impact the function but the circle of scratches looks like crap.
Thanks for the video. I have the Otterbox defender XT and I do like it but I have seen a few videos of people saying it doesn’t really protect from drops at all. I’m curious to hear your take on that.
Had the defender pro XT for both my wife and my 14 pro’s. My back glass broke from a 3 foot drop onto its corner, and my wife’s broke from a similarly small drop. Never using it again, ordered the mous case for our new 15 pro max’s, hope its better
The stiff button of Otterbox. I take an X-acto knife and cut a slit on both sides of the buttons. Makes them easier to push and they haven't fallen apart yet.
. I have had a defender case on my phones for yrs. I have to have the most protection possible due to my job. It does a great job keeping my phone safe but it’s boring. The Ngangge and Casetify have looks but how well do they protect!?
Lifeproof case was the best which is now own by Otterbox.
Lifeproof was always Otterbox just with a mask on essentially
Will otterbox make the core cars for the 15’s? I really love those cases
I am looking for a wallet case for my iPhone 14 Pro Max. What do you recommend? I don’t really want a MagSafe wallet.
I bought the pro xt and inside the box has a code to order the belt clip for free with free shipping. For some reason it’s not included in the case physically.
Can you do a top 10 360° protection case list?
Need your help, looking to buy iPhone pm 15 but need something different for a case I am very tough and clumsy with my phone at the gym and work, looking for defender or close to defender protection but better inside protection from scratches to the frame, my IPhone 12 pm is really scratched on metal frame from defender pro and read the XT is worse, looking at the nomad rugged and zagg rugged but I’m concerned the front protection will not be enough if the phone falls flat on the screen. Could you recommend some cases that are trustworthy?
To me all of them except the core look like something that I’ve bought many years ago. Still don’t like how slippery they are at the back but over the years they have saved my phone . If I were to buy again I’d go with the core.
Hi do you have reviews on Nillkin case brands? Thanks!
Have you tried the quadlock case? I would love to see a video on it :)
It does bother me that the defender XT does not have a belt holster. I mean WHY ? There are still lots of us who need that for work
commuter is all i use since like 97 or so. some dust will evently get in sides ... but since i reg Clean and Sanitize! mine, not a problem. hard shell is on the outside where it belings. slips in pocket easily. sleak and effective. FYI your phones get really gross quick! CLEAN THEM!
I recently got the Stardust Otterbox Symmetry case for my iPhone 14 Pro and it’s probably one of the worst cases I’ve ever had. They dropped the ball with this one and should go back to the way it was 🥺
what does a "floating button" mean, please? I"ve tried looking this up and cannot find info.
I've been using OtterBox case since iPhone 5/5s, the Commuter series WAS my favorite case of the time. The best feature has to be the rubber cap at the bottom to prevent the dust and everything go into it. But since it's a two-pieces case, it kinda get loose quite easily, not only let the dust go into the phone by the side but also become not very good handling. And the design hasn't changed for the past 10 years is also crazy. But I still use Commuter on my 12 Pro Max since it's the cheapest OtterBox case you can get, but for this year I decide to go with Lumen series, it feels really really grippy and tight.(and it looks really good) The side buttons are very hard to press but I use assistive touch almost all the time so doesn't bother me too much.
What about the OtterBox VUE?
I’m interested in the commuter with MagSafe
Unable to find Monty‘s link, and your T-shirt link doesn’t work
Nice video! I want to see Tech21 version of this video. Now they have so many variations include Apple Store exclusives(FlexQuartz series)...
I had a symmetry+ and it broke the back of my phone from a 1 foot fall. Put pressure on the thin spot and wrecked the back. $550 mistake.
I work outside the the trades my phone always needs a tough case? Can you provide me your opinion on the otterbox xt or your top pick Mous???? Thanks getting my new iPhone next week !!
Sorry in the trades, construction sites
Otterbox defender tried and true don’t mind the bulk I really don’t even notice it some people are just nit picky
Used the Commuter back when they made these for Blackberry Curves. Since then I feel it is hte last thing on earth anyone should buy. In fact, my wife and I have both had cracked phones due to the outdated design, whereby the Silicone insert could come apart from the solid exterior when dropped
The case that I use is BY FAR the BEST case!!! It has a locking slider window to protect the camera; it has a finger ring on it to hold it by; the finger ring also acts as an adjustable stand; AND it’s MAGSAFE-compatible!!! It’s probably the ONLY case that has all of those features, and it is COST-EFFECTIVE (less than $20)!!!😁
what is the case you use?
Gosh, thanks for telling us the name!
Spigen tough armor is the best case period.
If it has to be one case it be the defender series the only case I would keep on my phone until I upgrade 😏😅 Next the only case I don’t mind is the symmetry yh it’s plain you got either black or clear etc my daily use it’s the only comfortable useable enjoyable That’s it i avoid apple cases, spigen etc yes there’s better options out their I have been using otter box for 5+ years 😆yh I’m royal ambassador to them That’s my opinion Great video 👍👏
Me too. I love the Otter box by phone customer support!
I have the commuter for iPhone SE
I literally watched this video for the dog.
I keep breaking the rear cameras on my iPhones (Black screen and vertical lines from drops) Which case would you recommend?
Lifeproof.
Wow. Aaron actually did the Otterbox line. But we’ll worth it. I’m mainly here to see what he has to say about my daily: Defender XT. ❤ 11:50 Edit: this is EXACTLY how I installed mine! Since my Series 12 version! Second reviewer to confirm this for me. Wish Otterbox would just put that in the instructions. Overall, still love mine on my iPhone 14 ProMax. I’ve literally not bought another case since.
which case will protect the screen the best please, as i keep braking my screens!
Do you have a screen protector? If nit, that is your first problem. Idc how protective the case is, you need a screen protector. Even if to just keep scratches off, but you need one. They sell them at Walmart! In case you don’t have one. They have the tempered glass for under $10
I too preferred the old symmetry design. I don’t like the new one at all
I used to use Otterbox cases all the time, but I feel like over the last five years they have slipped in design. I have trusted Mous to protect my phones for the last several years and have never been disappointed.
District 9…. Nice
Hey how dear you I use the commuter don’t you tell the world all the problems I’m having with this case
The symmetry is far superior. I have used them basically since they came out but forgot the name. I ordered the commuter by accident for my new phone and its terrible. 2 parts... terrible. Port cover... terrible, I guess you can easily snip that off. But most importantly the symmetry has the optimal slick and grippy spots for optimal ergonomics.
I have the lumen case, my power/sleep button works fine. Maybe you got a lemon of a phone case or something
Monteeeeeeeeh.
Call me cheap but it seems like rhinoshield is the best when it comes to cost to performance
The defenders are made specifically for those who work hard jobs where ur phone is at risk of falling high places or being crushed.
I just got the prefix (not in this video) for my iphone 14 pro and i´m so disappointed... I´m turning it back...
Also, minor request (but I’m scared of the verdict): Tech21 FlexMax. Seriously want to know what Aaron has to say about these camera protectors. 🤔
I don't care what the phone looks like as long as it's protected like a tank. Defender + Glass for me. That being said, I also have a Moto that has a $7 knockoff case + Glass and it has survived many 4 foot drops. I just wouldn't go for a knockoff that had a non-stiff case - like only silicon or rubber.
As a first responder I have always used the Defender with Belt Clip. I have never damaged either the phone or the screen. That said, their belt clip just sucks. Inevitably you are going to drop the phone while in the belt clip, because at times it just falls off the belt. It will always land on a bottom corner and break the clasping U hook that holds the phone in, this has happened multiple times (over 12 years) and always from a 2' drop. If still under warranty they will send you a new one. But why dont they just fix the dammed problem. I have told them how every time. Either reinforce the U clasp or or eliminate it entirely in favor of a U ridge running the length of the bottom of the clip. EASY CHEAP FIX! The other weakness is the latching protrusions on the top that latch the phone into the clip. These 2 tiny little nubs either wear out of break resulting in your phone dropping out. Also an easy cheap fix. Instead of 2 little nubs, make one long one several millimeters long. Nothing to break or wear out. But they dont listen to me!
Why don’t you buy a different brand I’m sure there are cases out there with belt holsters
Weird that most of these cases all have hard plastic on the inside, that will scratch the sides and the back of the phone! Only the Commuter has soft rubber-like material on the inside but the rest about it sucks
even dog is annoyed, when you said do not buy Commuter!
it didn't protect ur phone or what?
I was going to buy the commuter 😢
From Japan 🇯🇵. I have a schnauzer too 😂
They tried the otterbox see
I have the commuter, and my back screen glass is smashed.
What kind of dog is that?
Hey Your dog needs a larger surface to sit look how is he getting tremors .
Great review video! Huge bonus for me is your Schnauzer! Super adorable!!! I have three and love the breed...
Otterbox quality has really fallen over the years symmetry is why to slick commuter doesn’t fit tight in the phone and the defender it just but ugly. I wonder if Steve jobs invisioned a defender case wrapped around his gorgeous iPhone design 🤨🤔probably not
I do not like any of those cases, sorry!!! I currently use a Spigen liquid air case for my Iphone 13!
I have a commuter for my 12 pro max. Absolute piece of shit. Can’t wait to get a new case.
the otterbox case for the iphone 14 pro max is trash. the phone simply doesn't fit. I shouldnt have to use that much force to get the phone in there.
No on should spend more than $20 on any case. Once, long time ago, I bought an Otterbox. Not worth it.
Junk cases, over priced. Not packaged well like they used to be.
All Otterbox are overpriced crap.