It might be annoying to notice a crack on your phone screen following a particularly severe fall, even if you’re the most cautious user of technology. We spoke with a number of tech specialists about the variations in materials, features, and application techniques to help you select the best screen protector for your phone, regardless of the brand or model. We have compiled a list of some of the best places to shop, including NBC Select employees’ faves.
GO Ahead and SkipWhy trust NBC Select? How did we choose the finest screen protectors? The greatest screen protectors of 2024? How can I shop for screen protectors?
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Best overallSpigen Glas.TR EZ Fit iPhone Screen Protector
$18.99$34.99Amazon
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Best for iPhoneZagg InvisibleShield Glass XTR4 Screen Protector
$undefined$59.99Amazon
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Best for SamsungSupershieldz 3-Pack Screen Protector
$7.99$9.99Amazon
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How we picked the best screen protectors
The majority of phone cases leave your glass screen susceptible to harm, thus a screen protector is necessary. A high-quality case can only go so far in preventing smudges or a shattered screen. We asked IT professionals for their opinions on the best screen protectors and received suggestions from their leading manufacturers. Favorites of the NBC Select staff will also be included. When sourcing items, we kept the following in mind:
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Material
: We included screen protectors made from tempered glass, which provides the best scratch and fall resistance, according to our experts. -
Size availability
: A screen protector is only useful if it fits the entirety of your phone screen. For this reason, every screen protector we recommend is available in various sizes, for both Apple and Android smartphones. -
Water resistant
: Some of our top picks are water resistant, which means they can withstand the occasional water droplet from sudden weather changes or bathroom mishaps.
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The best screen protectors of 2024
The choices listed below are straight suggestions from our experts or NBC Select employees. Since experts concur that tempered glass provides the finest screen protection, we have only included alternatives made of this material.
Best overall screen protector:
Spigen Glas.TR EZ Fit iPhone Screen Protector
Spigen Glas.TR EZ Fit iPhone Screen Protector
- Durable glass
- Alignment tray included
- Easy to install
- Not scratch-proof
Spigenas is a highly recommended brand by our specialists. The Spigen EZ Fit tempered glass screen protector is case-friendly, reasonably priced, and long-lasting, according to Arthur Zilberman, president of laptop repair firm Laptop MD. He adds that it’s simple to install: The glass is held in place by pressing down on an alignment tray that you lay over your phone’s screen. With every order, two screen protectors are included in case the first one needs to be replaced.
Spigen provides the EZ Fit screen protector for all iPhone models, including the most recent iPhone 16 series, as well as the iPad and Apple Watch. Some Galaxy watch and phone models as well as other smartphone types can also use it.
Best
screen protector for iPhone
:
Zagg InvisibleShield Glass XTR4 Screen Protector
Zagg InvisibleShield Glass XTR4 Screen Protector
- Anti-reflective screen
- Lifetime warranty
- The edges may lift over time
- More expensive
Mac Frederick, the proprietor of Phone Repair Philly, loves Zaggi because of its affordability and worth. Through its InvisibleShield range, it provides a number of robust, shatterproof tempered glass choices that are compatible with tablets, smartphones, iPhones, Android devices, and more. Although you can purchase different iPhone sizes, the one we’ve selected to highlight is compatible with the iPhone 14 Pro. According to the manufacturer, the Glass XTR2’s protective layer blocks out blue light and obscures fingerprint smudges on your screen. The application tabs and installation tray that come with the protector can be used to align it with your screen as best as possible. According to the brand, it has an antibacterial treatment to stop microorganisms that cause odors. The brand’s free replacement policy, which serves as a lifetime warranty for your screen protector, is another reason why former NBC Select audience development editor McKenna Moore and NBC Select commerce editor Lindsay Schneider adore it.
Best scratch-resistant screen protector:
Supershieldz 3-Pack Screen Protector
Supershieldz 3-Pack Screen Protector
- Pack of 3
- Repels sweat and oil
- Anti-scratch
- Nothing to note at this time
Because it is one of the least expensive screen protectors on our list and is long-lasting, Frederick believes Supershield is one of his favorite manufacturers for tempered glass phone cases. According to Supershieldz, this set includes three screen protectors that are all composed of tempered glass that is resistant to scratches. According to the firm, the screen protectors include rounded corners for comfort and an oleophobic layer that keeps oil and perspiration off your fingers.
Supershieldz offers tempered glass screen protectors for a variety of devices, including Samsung, Apple, Google, LG, and others.
Best budget screen protector:
Ailun Glass Screen Protector
Ailun Glass Screen Protector
- Great value
- Easy to apply
- Not as long-lasting
Zilberman suggests this tempered glass screen protector from Ailun for the iPhone 15 if you’re searching for a reasonably priced solution. According to the makers, it boasts a transparent, water-resistant, and oleophobic (or oil-resistant) screen layer that shields your fingerprints from perspiration and oil residue. Three screen protectors are included with the package. It can be a little more difficult to get the product on your screen because it comes with guidance stickers instead of an installation tray.
Currently, Ailun screen protectors are available for a number of devices, such as older iPhone models, Samsung Galaxy smartphones, and more.
Best screen protector for privacy:
Zagg InvisibleShield Glass Elite Privacy 360 Screen Protector
Zagg InvisibleShield Glass Elite Privacy 360 Screen Protector
- Privacy shield
- Screen cloth included
- Pricey
Another privacy screen protector from Zagg’s Invisible Shield collection, this one is a favorite of editor Mili Godios of NBC Select updates. It successfully prevents people from seeing inside her phone and shields it from frequent drops on tiled and hardwood floors thanks to its covert privacy shield. She can view business emails in a calm manner in crowded places like airports because the screen appears dark when viewed from the side, even while the display is turned on. Additionally, fingerprints are hardly noticeable because of the brand’s oil diffusion technology. Additionally, a microfiber cloth to clean your screen prior to installation and add tabs to help position this protector will be included. It is owned by Godio and is compatible with the iPhone 14 Pro, but it is also available for other iPhone, Google, and Samsung phones.
Best screen protector bundle:
amFilm OneTouch 2+2 Pack Screen Protector
amFilm OneTouch 2+2 Pack Screen Protector
- Two of everything included
- Anti-fingerprint
- May be harder to align/install
For years, Harry Rabinowitz, an NBC Select reporter, has been using these screen protectors on his iPhone SE and now his iPhone 15 Pro. He can’t attest to the protector’s longevity because he doesn’t drop his phone very often, but the package is really reasonably priced. According to the brand, it includes two screen protectors, each composed of tempered, scratch-resistant glass with an oleophobic, anti-fingerprint coating. Additionally, it comes with two lens shields for your phone’s camera, two auto-alignment tools, and installation accessory kits to facilitate placement. The company sells guards that work with a variety of Apple and Samsung cellphones.
Best splurge screen protector:
Otterbox Premium Pro Glass Blue Light Antimicrobial Screen Protector
Otterbox Premium Pro Glass Blue Light Antimicrobial Screen Protector
- Lifetime warranty
- Very durable
- More expensive than others
This protector is used by both NBC Select associate updates editor Zoe Malin and NBC Select associate SEO reporter Ashley Morris. Malin uses it for her iPhone 15 Pro, while Morris uses it for her iPhone 12. Morris has found Otterbox’s Premium Blue Light protectors to be incredibly easy to install and long-lasting. She also appreciates that their warranty program enables her to change the protector for free, except shipping costs, because she drops her phone frequently—at least several times a day—and her protectors eventually get a little damaged.
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How to shop for screen protectors
We advise considering factors like material, comfort, and convenience of installation while selecting for a screen protector. Although there are many reasonably priced, high-quality protectors available, Zilberman advises against compromising performance in favor of a less expensive choice.
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Material
: 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, shatterproof glass, like Corning s Gorilla Glass protectors). Our experts agree that a quality tempered glass protector will be more effective at protecting your display than plastic protectors. Tempered glass is a stronger material because it can absorb the impact if your phone falls, in our experience Godio has had her tempered glass case for over a year and dropped her phone countless times without a scratch. -
Comfort and feel
: Since we interact with our phones via touch, the feel and comfort of using a screen protector are important to consider. Screen protectors can sometimes change the touchscreen s sensitivity certain smartphone models ask you to input whether or not you re using a screen protector on the device to calibrate sensitivity better, says Zilberman. Tempered glass is designed to have a smoother feel than other screen protectors and won t affect touchscreen sensitivity, according to experts. -
Display
: Tempered glass mimics the original display and offers good clarity, whereas plastic screen protectors can create an unsightly glare and affect screen quality by adding a murkier and grayer hue to your screen, says Zilberman. Both plastic and tempered glass protectors can have privacy and anti-glare filters to fit your preferences. However, tempered glass protectors are more physically noticeable on your screen since they re thicker a plastic protector blends in remarkably well with the original display, experts note. -
Ease of installation
: Installing a screen protector can be difficult, especially when there s a chance of misaligning the protector or having annoying air bubbles and specks of dust lodged underneath the film. Most screen protectors include a plastic installation tray that can go directly over your phone screen to align the protector or one that holds your phone while you guide the screen on. Some protectors will come with guide stickers showing where the screen protector will lie on your screen. -
Compatibility
: According to Frederick, there isn t much variation in how well a screen protector works from one smartphone brand to another. However, screen protectors come in different shapes and sizes depending on your phone, so it s always good to check its compatibility.
Frequently asked questions
We have found that scratching or breaking your screen is not as difficult as you might assume. According to Zilberman, if you keep your phone in your pocket, purse, or backpack with change or keys, the screen may receive apparent scratches from [those] hard surfaces. This could compromise the original display’s integrity and make cracks more likely.
Our specialists believe that the greatest method to reduce physical screen fractures, scratches, and breaking is to use screen protectors. Although their prices vary, the majority aren’t very costly: Glass screen protectors range from about $10 to over $50, while plastic ones usually cost less than $15.
However, a screen protector’s capabilities are limited: Frederick stated that it would not cover every square millimeter of the glass panel. Additionally, the guard typically won’t shield your phone’s corners, edges, or back. The professionals we consulted advised combining a screen protector with a sturdy case from companies like Castify or Lifeproof, ideally one with rubber corners to cushion against drops and shield devices from harm.
Tempered glass, which is impervious to scratches and phone drops, is the finest material for screen protection, according to experts. Tempered glass screen protectors offer the best protection against breaking and preserve the texture and appearance of a phone’s glass screen, even though some other types of screen protectors are composed of plastic or even gel.
Meet our experts
At NBC Select, we collaborate with professionals that possess specific expertise and power derived from pertinent education and/or job experience. Additionally, we guarantee that all professional counsel and suggestions are given impartially and free from unreported financial conflicts of interest.
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Arthur Zilberman
is the president of tech repair companyLaptop MD
, and has been in the laptop repair business for over 20 years.
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Mac Frederick
is the owner ofPhone Repair Philly
, located in Philadelphia, PA.
Why trust NBC Select?
Editor of NBC Select updates Mili Godio writes on a variety of subjects, such as coffee machines, exercise bikes, and vacuums.
Ashley Morris is an associate SEO reporter for NBC Select who covers a variety of topics, including kitchens, homes, and wellness.
A former associate commerce editor for NBC Select is Nishka Dhawan. She has over three years of experience covering the tech industry and has authored pieces on IP ratings, phone covers, and tech cleaning best practices.
Dhawan and Godio discussed their preferred screen protectors and things to consider while shopping with NBC Select employees and industry professionals for this piece.
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok to stay up to speed, and catch up on NBC Select’s in-depth coverage of personal finance, tech and tools, wellness, and more.
Note: Every piece of content is rigorously reviewed by our team of experienced writers and editors to ensure its accuracy. Our writers use credible sources and adhere to strict fact-checking protocols to verify all claims and data before publication. If an error is identified, we promptly correct it and strive for transparency in all updates, feel free to reach out to us via email. We appreciate your trust and support!