If you’ve been hoping for some innovation in the smartphone market, then you have to check out the modular majesty of LG’s flagship. You can snag modules to enhance the sound or the camera. The phone alone will be tempting enough for many, but if you want to keep those smooth, metal curves in perfect condition, you need to shop for the best LG G5 cases and covers. Allow us to guide you.
Ballistic Jewel Series Case ($11)
The dotted pattern that defines Ballistic’s case isn’t for everyone, but the transparent case does offer solid drop protection, safeguarding your LG G5 from falls of up to 6 feet. The corners are heavily reinforced and extend on the front and back, too, thus ensuring your phone never touches any surface you set it on. The case is flexible, so it’s easy to fit and remove, and the button covers work well. There are also accurate cut-outs for your phone’s camera, fingerprint sensor, and ports.
VRS Design Layered Dandy Case ($20+)
If you like a folio-style case, then this one from VRS Design might suit you. The cover stays closed with a magnetic clasp and opens to reveal a money pocket and three slots for stowing cards. There’s a shell to hug your LG G5, too, and it has accurate cut-outs for access to your phone’s controls and ports. There are also openings for the camera and fingerprint sensor on the back, and the speaker on the front. The leather-look exterior currently comes in red, brown, or black.
Cruzerlite Bugdroid Circuit Case ($10)
You can’t really go wrong with this simple, TPU case from Cruzerlite. It has a circuitry design on the back, which features the Android mascot, and it comes in a wide array of colors. The TPU is flexible, so it’s easy to remove, and it’s also slightly translucent. The cut-outs for your phone’s controls, camera, and ports are pretty generous, so they don’t interfere with normal use. It’s a basic case, however, so you shouldn’t expect rugged protection, although it will guard against the occasional scratch or bump.
Patchworks Flexguard Case ($13)
This is another TPU case, but Patchworks has reinforced the corners to take the sting out of any potential impacts. The case has a textured finish on the sides so it won’t easily slip out of your hand. The button covers are made from chunky rubber that’s easy to locate without looking, and there are large openings for easy access to your phone’s ports. The cut-outs on the back for the camera and fingerprint sensor are a bit tighter, but they work well. The design also ensures your LG G5 is lifted slightly off any surface, whether it’s placed face down or on its back.
Ghostek Covert Series Case ($16)
It’s unusual to find a crystal-clear case that’s also very flexible, but that’s what you’ll get if you opt for the Ghostek Covert Series case. The frame has a metallic sheen and comes in pink, peach, gray, or gold, though you can also opt for a clear version, if you prefer. The cut-outs are accurate and there are button covers on the side. It’s quite slim, but Ghostek has reinforced the corners with an unusual, angular design, and this LG G5 case comes with a basic screen protector.
Noreve Tradition B Leather Case ($55)
This is a classy, high-quality, leather case handcrafted in France. Open up the cover and you’ll find two slots for stowing your credit cards or ID, along with a larger money pocket on the back. The shell holds your LG G5 snugly in place, and there are openings for easy access to your phone’s ports and controls. There are also holes for the speaker in the front and for the camera and fingerprint sensor on the back. A magnetic closure ensures the padded cover remains securely closed when you want it to.
Otterbox Defender Series Case ($25+)
This is a big, chunky case that you can rely on for rugged protection. If you work outdoors, or you have a bad habit of dropping your phone, the Defender Series is going to ensure that it doesn’t break. There’s a flexible slip cover, a tough polycarbonate shell, and a built-in screen protector. There are also covers for your ports and buttons. The triangular cut-out on the back provides easy access to the fingerprint scanner and ensures that you can take full advantage of the camera. If this seems like overkill, you may also want to check out the Commuter Series or the Symmetry Series.
Tech21 Evo Check Case ($40)
Here’s a case that really focuses protection around the frame of your LG G5, where you need it the most. The back panel is translucent, with accurate cut-outs for the camera and fingerprint sensor. There are good button covers for the volume on the side, and you’ll find openings for the ports. The frame also comes in either clear or black, and features impressive shock-absorbing properties, meaning your phone isn’t going to take damage if it tumbles onto a hard surface from 6 feet up.
Case-Mate Tough Case ($10+)
We like the understated look and feel of this Case-Mate offering. It’s plain black, but the finish is textured with a kind of diamond pattern that adds some grip. The openings for the camera, fingerprint sensor, and ports are accurate. It is also a dual-layer case, so it can handle bumps and falls. The only real detail, save for the subtle Case-Mate logo on the back, is the metallic button cover for the volume controls.
Skech Crystal Case ($20)
You can see your LG G5 in all its glory with this transparent case on. There’s a durable back panel, outfitted with a more flexible bumper that guards against the shock of impact when you drop your phone. It’s fairly slim, the cut-outs are accurate, and the cover for the volume rocker works well. You’ll also find a raised lip around the screen to prevent it from touching down on any surface. You can get it with a clear bumper or have it tinted red, blue, or black.
Diztronic TPU Case ($10)
If you want something simple and you don’t have a lot of cash to spare, then this TPU case from Diztronic is worth a look. It’s essentially a simple, thin layer of flexible TPU with accurate cut-outs for your ports, camera, and fingerprint sensor, and clearly defined button covers for the volume rocker. The finish is matte and soft to the touch. There are gloss highlights around the openings and a gloss Diztronic logo on the side. It comes in black, grey, or dark navy blue. It’s pretty slim, so drop damage will be limited.
Lifeproof Fre Case ($80)
Outdoors types seeking real protection from bumps, falls, and even dunks, will be interested in the aptly-named Lifeproof Fre case. This case scores an IP-68 rating, which means it can handle immersion in up to 6.6 feet of water for up to one hour. It also meets military drop test standards for falls from up to 6.6 feet. It does inevitably add bulk, and it’s a little tougher to operate your phone with the case on, but if you’re working outdoors, or you just want solid protection, it will certainly do the job. It comes in black and grey with a Lifeproof logo on either side and etched into the back.
Incipio Octane Case ($15)
Here’s a slim case from Incipio that provides decent protection without adding too much bulk. There’s a transparent back cover made of tough, frosted polycarbonate, and it’s bolstered by a flexible TPU bumper that comes in a variety of colors including hot pink, cyan, black, and turquoise. The cut-outs are perfectly placed and the button covers work well, as we’ve come to expect from Incipio. If you prefer a crystal clear back panel, then you can opt for the Octane Pure case instead.
LG Quick Cover Case ($34)
It may be fairly basic in terms of protection, but LG’s Quick Cover case offers some seriously handy functionality and it protects the screen from damage. Your G5 snaps into place in a thin shell. There’s a window in the front cover for at-a-glance information on the time, date, and notifications, even when the case is closed. The metallic finish also supports touch and it’s semi-transparent, so you can actually swipe to take a call or turn off an alarm without opening it.
Urban Armor Gear Case ($30)
If you like a chunky, industrial aesthetic, then UAG cases will definitely tick your boxes. A tough, transparent shell with a hexagonal pattern comes finished in red, grey, blue, or clear. There’s also an impact resistant core to absorb drop shock and some outer reinforcement in the corners where you need it most. The skid pads prevent your LG G5 from sliding around on flat surfaces and the ridged grips on either side prevent it from slipping out of your hands. The over-sized button covers are very easy to find and use, and the openings are spot on.
Trident Krios Dual Case ($20)
This is a pretty slim, minimal case for Trident as they tend to make really tough, rugged cases. The Krios is made from a typical combination of malleable and durable TPU with virtually unbreakable polycarbonate. This is a completely clear case, so your G5 shines through from within. The reinforced corners also raise the G5 off any surface, protecting it from every angle. The openings on this case are generous, so there’s no interference with controls, ports, or the camera. This is also a recyclable case that will degrade when you eventually throw it out, making it a relatively eco-friendly option.
Caseology Wavelength Series Case ($15)
A curved wave pattern on the back and some interesting color combinations make this an eye-catching case. The body is malleable TPU, but there’s a tough polycarbonate frame that adds some resilience. The openings are a little tight around the ports, fingerprint sensor, and camera, and there are button covers for the volume controls on the side. The wave pattern also adds some grip and the TPU extends a little at the front to safeguard the screen. The back is fairly plain, apart from a small logo, but the Caseology name is etched on the side.
Spigen Rugged Armor Case ($13)
Spigen does a pretty good line of basic cases that look more expensive than they really are. This one’s a perfect example, because it’s made from simple TPU, but it has two carbon fiber effect panels on the back that elevate the design. There’s also an etched Spigen logo on the back. The button covers and openings are all present and correct. A special pattern inside, along with air pockets at the corners, ensures that small drops and bumps aren’t a problem, and there’s a raised lip around the screen.
LK Wallet Case ($6+)
Let the low price temper your expectations here, because this cheap, polyurethane case is not the best quality. Still, if you’re looking for a wallet style offering it could fill the gap until we start to see some real leather cases. You’ll find three card slots and a larger money pouch inside, opposite the thin cradle for your G5. There are cut-outs for all the ports and features. The best thing about his case is probably the fact that you can bend it back to prop your phone in landscape view. It also comes in five different colors.
Rearth Ringke Fusion Case ($10+)
These plain, transparent cases are pretty good value for money. They combine a soft TPU bumper that’ll take the sting out of any impact with a polycarbonate back panel. You can get a clear version or have the bumper tinged with gold or black. The cut-outs are accurate, the button covers work well, and you get wee dust caps to keep debris out of your ports. It’s not an especially rugged case, but it provides a layer of protection without impinging too much on the G5’s design, or on your wallet.
