Casetify vs OtterBox – Which Is Better?

If you own a smartphone, you might have encountered discussions on whether mobile phone cases are necessary. I hope you agree that smartphone cases are essential, especially when you want to protect your phone from any damage or scratches.

Your phone carries some of your life’s most essential and sensitive information, from photos, private business emails, bank information, and more. For this reason, it is crucial to protect your phone when going for a hike or participating in any outdoor activities.

Maybe you have been looking for an attractive phone case and wondering which brand you should go for. In my Casetify and OtterBox comparison, I shall analyze the ins and outs of these two popular smartphone casing brands.

I shall also look at their unique features and the characteristics that set them apart. I hope that at the end of this review, you’ll be able to decide which brand best suits your needs. So, let’s get to it.

Casetify vs OtterBox – What Are They?

Casetify

Casetify is a tech gear brand for designing and making stylish phone cases and electronic accessories. The Hong Kong-based company first featured its custom cases through Instagram photos and later expanded into selling accessories with various designs.

Casetify was founded in 2011, and since then, the brand has grown into one of the biggest accessories brands globally.

The company makes products geared towards Apple and Android models and collaborates with multiple franchises, including NASA, Pokémon, Hello Kitty, DHL, and Vetements.

Casetify’s primary mission is to spread self-expression, as demonstrated by its beautifully patterned and vibrantly colored case designs. The company is exponentially building traction and is considered one of the fastest-growing global accessories makers.

Its Los Angeles, California headquarters might have inspired celebrities like Kylie Jenner and Gigi Hadid to rock Casetify’s cases. Casetify is visual. With it, you’ll see more creativity, customization, and authenticity.

Its cases are one of the most durable cases you’ll come across, and they do an excellent job of protecting your phone while being minimalistic and not overly bulky.

Casetify not only makes cute phone cases, but the cases are also practical. Their cases are made of two layers of shock-absorbing material to protect your phone against impact.

The raised bezels around the camera lenses and screen preserve your phone’s glass if you accidentally drop it on a flat surface. Casetify cases slip beautifully into your pockets or purses, so you don’t have to worry about your phone getting stuck or attracting lint.

OtterBox

OtterBox is a privately owned company that specializes in consumer electronics accessories. OtterBox was founded in 1998 in Fort Collins, Colorado, and OtterBox’s initial products were water-resistant boxes for electronic devices, which targeted outdoor enthusiasts.

Curt Richardson, the company’s founder, invented OtterBox in his garage to respond to the growing popularity of watersports. The company then grew into one of the top producers of water-resistant and non-water-resistant smartphone cases.

The company is proactive in improving the lives of its customers by offering products to protect their devices and save them money, anger, and frustration. In addition to extra-durable smartphone and tablet cases, OtterBox makes chargers, power banks, and gaming accessories.

By 2020, the company started channeling its efforts toward improving its sustainability. For this reason, OtterBox partnered with Sustainable Packaging Coalition to introduce recyclable packaging on selected products.

To date, OtterBox integrates recycled materials into manufacturing some of its products.

OtterBox focuses on products for human connection in an increasingly mobile world. When OtterBox shifted to making cases for mobile devices in 2010, it started making products that would fit specific models and brands of these devices.

They also began making products to protect the technology used in military battlefield operations, which speaks a lot about their quality and durability.

OtterBox is a significant Amazon supplier, as well as Blackberry, HTC, Nexus, Apple, Microsoft, Motorola, LG, One Plus, Nokia, and Samsung.

Casetify vs OtterBox – Features

Casetify

EcoShock Protection Technology

EcoShock technology is the latest protection technology by Casetify that protects your new iPhone from every drop.

The groundbreaking technology is made from plants and can convert the kinetic energy of an impact to heat to form a twisted pattern to strengthen the inside and the back of their bounce case.

EcoShock technology on the Bounce case, the latest and best protection case for your iPhone 14, offers 20% more drop protection than previous models. It’s safe to say that this is the best protective phone case technology of the era.

Enhanced Protective Corner Design

The enhanced corner protection is made possible by EcoShock technology. The plant-based EcoShock material covers your case’s corner and inside edges to offer reinforced protection.

The ultra-impact case features 9.8 ft. extreme drop protection with a slim and sleek profile. The upgraded Qitech bumpers also ensure that your device gets ultra-protection and ultra-shock proof, making your device perfect for outdoor activities and adventures.

Also Read: What Cases Fit iPhone 13? Will iPhone 11 or iPhone 12 Cases Fit?

Lasting Protection and Perfect Match

Casetify cases are built to last. Before releasing the Ultra Impact case to the market, Casetify rigorously tested the case with a total of 134 simultaneous drops from different angles and heights to ensure that your phone gets the protection it deserves.

The Ultra Impact case has a series of accessories that perfectly match it, including phone straps, a range of protectors, charms, and MagSafe. These accessories customize your phone to your style.

Re/Casetify 

Casetify claims that over 400 million tons of plastic are thrown away, and less than 5% are recycled. All new Casetify cases use 40% of the EcoShock protection technology.

In addition, the Casetify cases are produced under a sustainability program (RE/Casetify, which allows for the recycling of unused materials). This sustainability program is what led to the nomination of Casetify for the World Changing Ideas Awards by Fast Company.

Because of this program, over 160,000 smartphone cases have been made. The company assures its users that it does all this for the planet and the future.

OtterBox 

Accessibility of Buttons, Ports, Cameras, and Sensors

The OtterBox’s thick, rubberized sleeve covers everything, including buttons and ports. While you might find this a bit inconvenient, it’s effective in protecting your iPhone against lint or debris that may collect in the headphone jack, ringer/silent switch, or lighting port.

The OtterBox Defender case has cutouts for the speaker and microphone at the bottom of your phone to help you maintain the quality of incoming and outgoing sound.

You’ll be happy to know that the Defender case series has an opening large enough to accommodate your cameras and sensors.

You don’t have to worry about interference with your phone’s videography and photography capabilities, as the case does not cause any glare when using the LED flash. The back of the casing has a thin strip of plastic that protects the Apple logo from scratches.

The Defender case comes with an inbuilt screen protector, which also covers the touch ID sensor. But don’t worry, as the touch ID can still detect your fingerprints as a flexible piece of plastic only covers it.

Sustainability

OtterBox has taken a concrete step to enhance its processes and improve its stewardship for sustainability.

Since the planet is a shared resource and responsibility, OtterBox strives to become a more sustainable company by extensively auditing its in-house processes and identifying and eliminating waste from its break room, warehouse, and boardroom.

OtterBox has earned a reputation for building the best mobile accessories, and it’s now making it even better by using recycled plastic in most of its famous cases.

By the end of 2021, the company had recycled more than 1.4 million pounds of post-industrial recycled plastic, and the count keeps growing. But what is inside their product is essential.

For this reason, OtterBox’s retail packaging is made from sustainable materials that nearly use no plastic and are highly recyclable.

Holster Doubles as a Kickstand

One thing that stands out about the OtterBox defender casing series is that it’s a brick. Chances are high that you will not put it in your pocket in your pants unless you are rocking the buggiest pants.

The good thing is that the case comes with a practical holster, which doubles as a kickstand and offers additional protection on the side of your phone.

Tough Layered Case for Enhanced Protection

OtterBox’s defender series case is designed with a durable plastic inner shell encased with a thick rubber sleeve. The OtterBox defender series is also compatible with Samsung S9, and the cases are stylish and customizable.

You can customize your OtterBox case for your phone or tablet by choosing colors, patterns, and personalization that suit your preferences. The Defender series combines tough layers to guard your iPhone against scrapes, bumps, dust, grime, and extremely brutal drops.

Best Phone Cases for Casetify and OtterBox

Casetify Impact

Casetify Impact is one of the high-performing smartphone cases that offer excellent protection against impacts and drops. As mentioned earlier, Casetify is a great choice if you are looking for style and aesthetically appealing implications.

Casetify Impact is one of the most diverse smartphone cases available. You can find it in various quirky designs that will make you stand out whenever you take out your phone from your backpack or pocket.

It is made from QiTech, a material that offers necessary shock distribution and absorption for ultimate phone protection against drops under ten feet. So, even if you dropped your phone from a higher height, the QiTech material would absorb most of the impact.

The Impact model also has reinforced corners with a 25% raised area around your iPhone’s camera lens for enhanced protection, and the case is compatible with wireless charging.

The only drawback to Casetify Impact is that there are users who complain about its clear borders turning yellow over time.

OtterBox Defender

We have mentioned a thing or two about OtterBox Defender in this review. But that’s not enough to help you understand what the case is made for.

OtterBox Defender is also at the top regarding the best smartphone cases in the market, and the case does an excellent job of safeguarding your phone. OtterBox Defender is made of multiple layers consisting of a polycarbonate shell, polycarbonate holster, and synthetic rubber slipcover.

The synthetic rubber slipover absorbs the initial impact whenever you drop your phone from a height. The two-piece polycarbonate shell absorbs the rest of the impact, while the polycarbonate holster offers protection at the back of the case.

OtterBox Defender has multiple port covers to prevent dust, dirt, and lint from getting into your phone’s earphones or charging ports. This series has raised edges around the camera lens to offer more protection, and the case also allows for wireless charging.

Unlike Casetify Impact, OtterBox Defender is quite bulky and heavy, so be ready to have additional weight added to your gadget. The case weighs around three ounces, and you’ll notice its bulkiness despite its small size.

OtterBox Defender is rich in features that fortify your phone’s delicate and fragile parts. With OtterBox Defender, you can afford carefree adventures, including hiking, bike riding through rugged terrain, and more.

Its screenless design allows for perfect and responsive touch. OtterBox Defender strikes an outstanding balance between defending your fragile device and guaranteeing you a safer and better environment for future generations.

OtterBox Defender is made of 50% recycled plastic to help reduce overall plastic accumulation.

The other drawback of OtterBox Defender, aside from being bulky, is that it takes a while to get rid of as you have to progressively remove the outer shell, all the way to the third inner layer. It is also not easy to get it in and out of the pocket as it does not easily fit in pockets.

Casetify vs OtterBox – Pricing

Casetify

The iPhone 14 Pro Re/Casetify Impact case goes for $65. Casetify also offers digital gift cards ideal for gift emergencies for $40. The gift card is emailed to the recipient, or you to wrap it as you wish. However, Casetify gift cards cannot be enjoyed alongside discount offers or codes.

OtterBox

OtterBox offers various prices depending on your device. For instance, the iPhone 14 OtterBox case Defender series goes for $64.95. OtterBox also offers standard shipping on orders above $50, which is limited to the US only.

Casetify vs OtterBox – Similarities and Differences

Similarities

Protection

Both Casetify and OtterBox offer high-level protection to your smartphone or tablet. The two are top choices if you want to protect your device while going hiking or other outdoor activities and if you are worried about your phone’s safety when camping.

Casetify cases are not only cute but are made of two layers of shock-absorbing plastic to protect your phone against drops. The raised bezels around the camera lenses and screen protect your phone’s screen when you drop it on a flat surface.

On the other hand, OtterBox’s adequate device protection comes from its layered design. The defender case has multiple layers of security instead of simple rubber or plastic clipping around your phone. These layers protect your phone or tablet from scratches and drops.

Customer Service

Both brands are effective in offering customer support. OtterBox has a helpful FAQ section that answers basic questions on its products, return policy, warranty, and shipping terms. You also have a couple of options to contact OtterBox.

You can submit a claim on the warranty of their products, return items with a click, and find more information about your order status. You can also submit your query through live chat, quick, or web form, with a relatively slow response.

Casetify also has a robust FAQ section that answers your questions on products, making changes to your order, payment options, order tracking, order confirmation, shipping, discounts and gift cards, and promotions, among others.

You can contact Casetify through a web form, but if you find this method a bit slow, you can say hello to Casetify at any time through their social media (Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook).

On the downside, Casetify doesn’t have a live chat or product installation videos, but its cases are usually one-piece, so you won’t find it hard to install them on your phone.

Performance

Both brands offer high-level protection to your device. Casetify uses QiTech materials, providing maximum drop protection under 10 feet.

OtterBox is best known for offering an excellent shield that protects your smartphone. Their cases have been tested and consistently performed well, and their drop protection is similar to Casetify’s. So, could you drop your phone under 10 feet, OtterBox will still shield the impact.

Differences

Compatibility

While both OtterBox and Casetify are compatible with smartphones, OtterBox offers a range of smartphone cases than Casetify. Casetify focuses on Samsung, iPhone, and Google devices. Hence, its market is limited, especially for smartphone users from other manufacturers.

OtterBox has smartphone cases for Apple, Samsung, Huawei, Xiaomi, Google, Motorola, Asus, ZTE, and more. Therefore, you get a variety with OtterBox, but that doesn’t mean that OtterBox is a better brand than Casetify.

Warranty

We can all agree that you need a good warranty when purchasing items to cover you should issues arise.

OtterBox offers a better lifetime warranty of seven years from an authorized dealer’s original day of purchase. The limited warranty covers material, manufacturing, and workmanship defects.

On the other hand, Casetify offers a six months warranty for Casetify branded items purchased through their website.

The warranty covers a one-time replacement of the same product within the warranty period and within six months from the original date of purchase when you discover a fault with the product.

Design

When it comes to the designs of the cases, Casetify wins against OtterBox. OtterBox cases are designed more for protection than aesthetics, while Casetify combines protection with style smartly.

Using your photos, you can customize your Casetify case with their photo grid or photo collage builder. You can also customize your OtterBox cases, but only with different colors.

Casetify is a very active brand that works with people who love their fantastically designed cases and other brands through social media. So, if you are looking for a beautiful case for your iPhone, Casetify will be a great choice.

The only downside with the beautify Casetify casing is that they can be overwhelming as they are many.

Casetify vs OtterBox – Pros and Cons

Casetify

Pros

• Casetify offers a great combo of style and protection for anyone looking for a unique, fun, and fashionable case.
• It has better iPhone X compatibility than OtterBox.
• Casetify offers some of the most long-lasting phone cases available in the market.
• It has dozens of different designs.
• Their customer service team provides quick response times.

Cons

• Casetify is limited in device and smartphone compatibility.
• It does not offer loyalty programs.

OtterBox

Pros

• OtterBox offers high-level smartphone protection.
• It has installation videos and articles on its website to get you started.
• It is compatible with a varied list of smartphones and other device brands.
• It has better MagSafe compatible accessories than Casetify.
• OtterBox case covers external buttons plus the screen for durability and water resistance.

Cons

• The thick rubber coating can make pressing the buttons hard and even painful as you have to insert some force to actuate it. The ringer/silent switch and ports are also covered, meaning you must lift the flaps to reach the ports or the ringer/silent switch.
• While you can contact them through live chat, its customer support is still not great.

Final Verdict: Casetify vs OtterBox – Which is Better?

I would pick Casetify as the better phone case brand.

Casetify will safeguard your device while on your outdoor activities, but what stands out is its ability to combine protection with style. While the safety of your phone should be your primary concern, it doesn’t hurt to have an aesthetic phone case too.

Defend your phone stylishly with Casetify’s QiTech material, great functionality, and good drop protection.