Plastic screen protectors can be great for protecting from superficial scratches and similar imperfections, and “they’re cheap and readily replaceable,” said Agnew. Tempered glass is a stronger material because it can absorb the impact if your phone falls and “withstand higher levels of stress at its surfaces,” said Agnew. The experts we consulted agreed that a quality tempered glass protector will be most effective at protecting your display compared to plastic protectors. Screen protectors come in a variety of materials - there are plastics like polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), as well as tempered glass (with some even boasting chemically strengthened glass, like Corning’s Gorilla Glass protectors). Zilberman noted that while you can get plenty of high-quality protectors at an affordable price, he doesn’t recommend sacrificing performance for a cheaper option.
When shopping for a screen protector, Shilo recommended looking at features like material, comfort and ease of installation. Shopping Best TVs, according to Consumer Reports What to look for when shopping for a screen protector It’s also available for some Galaxy watch and phone models, as well as other smartphone models. Spigen offers the EZ Fit screen protector for the iPad, Apple Watch and all iPhone models (including the new iPhone 13 series). You get two screen protectors with each purchase, in case you ever need to replace the first one. He added that its ease of installation also makes it worth considering: It includes an alignment tray that you place on top of your phone screen and press down on to secure the glass in place. Zilberman noted the Spigen EZ Fit tempered glass screen protector is case-friendly and affordable for the quality. Spigen was a top brand recommended by our experts.
Best all-around screen protector: Spigen Spigen iPhone 13/13 Pro Screen Protector EZ FIT GLAS.tR The tech experts we interviewed recommended each of the following glass screen protector brands and products - their listed features align with our research, and each one is highly rated.
Since we don't test screen protectors ourselves, we rely on expert guidance about how to shop for them.
Shopping How to choose a password manager The best screen protectors to shop this year “People forget that the back of many phones is made of glass, and are shocked at the cost of replacement once the back gets damaged,” said Shilo. The protector also usually won’t protect the back, edges and corners of your phone - the experts we spoke to suggested pairing a screen protector with a heavy-duty case from brands like Otterbox or Lifeproof, preferably one with rubber edges that’ll absorb the impact of a drop and prevent damage.
There are limitations to what a screen protector can do, though: “It isn’t going to cover every square millimeter of the glass display,” said Mac Frederick, owner of Phone Repair Philly. Plus, he noted that an intact display is one major factor in determining the value of a used device if you want to resell or trade it in for a newer model in the future. Sagi Shilo, editor at Tech Gear Talk, noted it’s also worth investing in a good screen protector to avoid potentially shelling out hundreds of dollars to replace a broken display. While they vary in price, most aren’t terribly expensive: Plastic ones typically cost less than $15, while glass screen protectors range from around $10 to upward of $50. If you carry your phone in your purse, backpack or pocket with change or keys, the screen “can easily get visible scratches from hard surfaces,” which can “weaken the integrity of the original display and cause cracks more easily,” said Arthur Zilberman, president of tech repair company Laptop MD.Įxperts told us screen protectors are the best way to minimize cracks in, scratches on or the shattering of your physical screen. Scratching or damaging your screen is easier than you might think. Experts also shared their favorite screen protectors for various types of smartphone models. To help you choose the right screen protector for your phone - regardless of brand or model - we consulted tech experts on the differences in materials, features and application methods for the various protectors available. SKIP AHEAD The best screen protectors| How to shop for a screen protector Experts say screen protectors are an affordable way to prevent screen cracking or shattering when you drop your phone - but with so many options on the market, it can be difficult to decide which one to buy. Phone cases are a start, but most leave your glass screen vulnerable to damage. If you just bought an expensive smartphone from Apple, Google or Samsung, you may want to consider protective accessories that can keep your phone safe from wear and tear.