What Kind of Screen Protector Should I Get for My Phone?

Having a big scratch on your phone is like having an itch in your brain you just can't reach. Plus, it lowers the resale value of the device when you want to upgrade. A screen protector can keep the surface pristine, but buying one is more complicated than it should be. It's also worth asking if modern phones even need one anymore.

Search for "screen protector" on Amazon, and you'll likely be overwhelmed by the results(Opens in a new window). There are so many brands, types, and prices that it's enough to make your head spin. Thankfully, screen protectors can generally be broken down into a few simple types, each with their own advantages and disadvantages.

The glass on your gadgets has gotten a lot more scratch-resistant since the days of the iPod. Corning's Gorilla Glass will not scratch if you rub it with your keys or loose change, which is a big step forward. The iPhone Ceramic Shield screen, also from Corning, is supposed to be even tougher. It is not, however, unscratchable, as some people believe.

Take a look at my Google Pixel 2, for example. The scratches aren't deep, but they're definitely there. These scratches likely come from sand and other particles with hard minerals in them, like quartz and topaz. Any object harder than your screen will scratch it, and while Corning hasn't officially released its glass' Mohs hardness rating(Opens in a new window), most testers have found it to lie between a 6 and 7 (the highest value, 10, is as hard as diamonds).

So yes, your screen can still be scratched, and it's probably the sand in your pocket or bag that's causing it. Screen protectors are not perfect—even the best ones are usually between a 7 and 8 on the Mohs scale, which is slightly better than Gorilla Glass—but they allow you to pop your phone in your pocket without worrying. Then, if and when the protector gets scratched, you can replace it, keeping the actual screen in pristine condition for a later resale.

PET is a type of plastic usually found on things like water bottles and food containers. PET screen protectors provide the least amount of scratch- and impact-protection, but they're super cheap, light, and thin, and as a result are less visible once applied to your phone.

They also have a decently smooth feel, unlike the more durable but rubbery TPU. PET is also a bit stiff, so it can't go edge-to-edge on phones with curved screens. If you want to go with PET, I recommend Tech Armor(Opens in a new window).

When you think of the screen protectors of old, you're probably thinking of TPU. It's a flexible plastic that's a huge hassle to install (it involves using a spray solution and squeegeeing out lots of bubbles), doesn't feel very smooth (thanks to its almost rubbery texture), and adds an "orange peel" type glare to your phone's screen.

Still, it can go edge-to-edge on any phone, it has better impact protection than PET, and it has limited "self-healing" powers for small scratches. Brands like IQ Shield(Opens in a new window) offer TPU at very affordable prices, while Zagg's InvisibleShield film(Opens in a new window) is a bit more expensive.

On the other hand, Zagg's comes in a few different styles depending on the look, feel, and features you want. However, not all styles are available for all phones, and some phones don't have TPU options at all. Both IQ Shield and Zagg come with replacement warranties as well, though Zagg's is more all-encompassing, hence the higher cost.

These are the granddaddies of screen protectors. They don't have the self-healing abilities of TPU, but they're tougher in terms of scratch- and drop-protection, and these days they are pretty inexpensive.

Both amFilm(Opens in a new window) and Maxboost(Opens in a new window) offer affordable glass protectors that measure high on the Mohs hardness scale. Zagg's glass protectors(Opens in a new window) also come in more varieties with features like privacy or anti-glare. Because glass protectors are thicker, however, they're much more visible on your screen, which isn't great if you prefer that melts-into-your-screen type of aesthetic.

These days you'll also find liquid screen protectors on the market, which claim you can protect your phone just by swabbing a solution on your phone and then buffing it off. These protectors come with a host of quirks that make it hard to recommend. While it may provide some level of extra protection, the layer is so thin that tough scratches can likely still easily get through to the actual screen(Opens in a new window), which defeats the purpose of a screen protector.

Furthermore, you can't just take this off and swap it with another screen protector. Most products say it will just wear off over time (though there's no visible way to tell when). That makes it hard to test because you can't just scratch and peel the product off—it's unclear whether you'd be scratching the protector or the screen underneath.

All Qmadix(Opens in a new window) protectors come with a warranty, which is probably where most of your money goes. But all told, I'd recommend skipping the liquid stuff.

Don't pay too much attention to the hardness rating that brands advertise—most use the ASTM hardness scale(Opens in a new window), in which the hardest pencil (9H) is softer than tempered glass, making it a useless indicator of protection. The Mohs scale—which does not use an "H"—is much more useful, though it doesn't sound as good on the box. If you're unsure about the hardness of a specific brand, search around to see if anyone has tested it themselves with a Mohs kit.

In my opinion, most people are probably best off with a tempered glass protector. They have the smoothest feel, prevent the most damage, and are available at pretty decent prices. If you're really finicky about looks, you may like PET or TPU better (since they aren't as visible once applied to your phone), especially since films like TPU can provide self-healing, edge-to-edge protection on phones with curved screens.

I'd avoid the liquid protection unless you know you aren't going to use any of the others anyway, and want the warranty that Qmadix provides.

That said, screen protection is just one piece of the puzzle. These films will help you avoid scratches and provide some impact protection, but if you're worried about dropping your phone, get a case.

A screen protector will not protect the back of your phone, the edges, or even the corners of the screen. A good case (especially one with a "lip" over the screen) will do more for drops than any screen protector, so unless you feel lucky—or have a good insurance plan—get a case along with whatever screen protection you decide on.

I recommend the OtterBox Symmetry Series(Opens in a new window) case, but we have more options for this year's flagship phones, including the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max, iPhone SE, Samsung Galaxy S22, S22+, and S22 Ultra.

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