These are the best cases you can get for your Galaxy S21 Ultra

After two years of the Nano Pop being exclusive to iPhones, it’s finally coming to Samsung phones with the S21 series. The Blueberry Navy with its yellow accents is striking and classic, and the impact-absorbing pattern embedded in the back gives you slim protection. I wish the Ultra has gotten the Violet the smaller S21s have, but the colors here are still fun.

The S21 Ultra is made for productivity, so it should come as no surprise that one of my favorite S21 Ultra cases features a nice, sturdy kickstand that works in portrait mode so you can prop it up next to your computer or while doomscrolling at the dinner table. The launch colors are nice, too, with the Purple and Red version looking especially fetching.

The Spigen Liquid Air Armor series has been one of its most popular since it arrived two years ago. The S21 Ultra gets another upgrade as one of the only third-party cases with a slot for the S-Pen. It also has a better grip, doesn’t get dirty as quickly, and is way more affordable, but remember, you’ll have to buy the S-Pen separately.

Samsung’s Leather Cover is usually one of the best leather cases for a Samsung phone period. Still, the Ultra gets some extra pomp and circumstance with the S21 Ultra in the form of braided texturing on the camera module. It’s like the Carbon fiber on the custom Ultra, only it actually looks good!

Ringke is one of the best case makers for giving you durability in a compact profile, and the Onyx series comes in two flavors. The regular Onyx comes in Black, Navy, and Gray, and the Onyx Design has some fun little quips and tech-y easter eggs in its three designs, which are all on the Black. I wish the Graffiti came with Navy, though.

OtterBox may be best known for its tank-like Defender Series, but I’m more fond of the Symmetry Series with its brighter colors and sleeker shapes. I mean, look at this turquoise! Samsung was too scared to give us something this bold, but at least OtterBox has the guts for it. This year’s model is also made with 60% recycled materials, so it’s more sustainable.

ESR’s clear cases are slim as can be, allowing you to see every millimeter of Samsung’s design while guarding it against scratches and adding some much-needed grip to this extra-large phone. It adds the slimmest of margins while giving you peace of mind. ESR also has bundles so that you can snag some screen protectors alongside the clear case.

Folio cases let us guard that big, bright, beautiful screen while also adding extra functionality with wallet flaps to hold cards and cash. This wallet folio has small magnetic clasps on the side, keeping it closed but not getting in the way when open. This wallet only has two card slots, but the cash flap is deep. Remember: your S21 Ultra has Google Pay and Samsung Pay!

With its iconic and expertly grippy grooved pattern across the back, Speck’s most popular case series is alive and well with the S21 Ultra. Rated to withstand 13-foot drops thanks to Armor Cloud air cushioning, Speck has also added Microban protection against odor and stain-causing germs, so your case looks just as great two years from now.

The Spigen Liquid Crystal comes in a few flavors this year, but if you’re secure enough in your style, I highly recommend grabbing the Glitter version for two reasons: Firstly, the glitter hides smudges and scuffs, so it’s more functional. Secondly, glitter adds more personality and depth to the look.

If you’re going for broke with your S21 Ultra case, you might as well get something extra and extra-useful with yours. This case comes with the S-Pen, turning your S21 Ultra into a Galaxy Note in most ways. Sadly, it only comes in black, and the silicone case here attracts dust and smudges.

Tech21’s cases are all impeccably designed to keep your phone secure while still showing it off, with the Evo Check being drop-tested up to 12 feet while still showing off the S21 Ultra’s branding. There’s also antimicrobial protection embedded in the silicone.

If you don’t want to bulk up your Galaxy S21 Ultra any more than necessary, Anccer’s thin, hard-shell will give you some added grip and scratch protection without making this super-sized phone any harder to fit in your pocket.

This case may not seem all that rugged, but it’s got impact struts to help it survive 14-foot drops. It’s also got an impressively textured bumper to help you keep your S21 Ultra in your hand instead of letting it slip through your sweaty fingers.

The shallow and mesmerizing texture on the Parallax allows you to get a good grip bare-handed while still playing nice with PopSockets and other stick-on accessories if you need to use one with the Ultra (I know my small hands need it). You can get a Purple-ish or Pink that mimics the smaller S21.