While it lacks some of the high-end features included in the rest of the S21 Series, the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE is a great phone that will satisfy users on a budget. On release, it was one of the best Samsung phones, and it remains a great device capable of running resource-intensive apps with few to no slowdowns. And even though it's a little more durable than its glass-backed relatives, it's worth taking care of to ensure it serves you as long as possible.
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Crave Dual Guard for Galaxy S21 FE
Best overallA subtle texture on the back and sides of the Crave Dual guard ensure you can hold it securely, even if it gets a little wet, and it comes in a variety of fun but not outlandish colors. We're fans of the precise fit, in particular, because it lets the buttons work perfectly with a satisfying click each time.
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Snakehive Vintage Wallet for Galaxy S21 FE
Premium pickMade from real leather, this wallet folio protects your Galaxy S21 FE while providing room for payment cards, ID, and cash. It even serves as a stand for hands-free media viewing and has a magnetic closure for safety. Other than black, there are five muted colors that give it a sophisticated look.
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Case-Mate Pelican for Galaxy S21 FE
Best value$10 $20 Save $10Pelican makes great cases, if somewhat nondescript, and this one keeps your S21 FE about as safe as any others without being flashy or bulky. It's so well-designed, in fact, that it boasts an excellent 15-foot drop rating, and the included tempered glass screen protector only makes it an even better value.
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OtterBox Defender Pro for Galaxy S21 FE
Most durable$45 $50 Save $5Few manufacturers have as great a reputation as Otterbox, and the Defender Pro series certainly lives up to its name. It comes in purple or black, includes a rugged belt clip, and is treated with an antimicrobial layer to minimize the spread of germs. While it is pretty expensive, it's about as rugged as they get.
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Cutebe Case for Galaxy S21 FE
Since the S21 FE is reasonably durable, most people can get by with a protective but not rugged case like one of these from Cutebe. Most of its floral- and art-themed patterns are fun and colorful, but not gaudy, and the rock-bottom $10 price tag makes it hard to pass up.
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Poetic Guardian for Galaxy S21 FE
One of our favorite high-impact case lineups, the Poetic Guardian offers 360-degree protection thanks to an integrated screen protector that won't interfere with the in-display fingerprint sensor. A set of especially thick bezels keeps the phone's edges safe, and it includes a front frame with no screen protector, so you can use your own.
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Caseology Parallax for Galaxy S21 FE
Editor's choiceCaseology's Parallax is a tried-and-true Galaxy S21 FE case that's not too bulky, delicate, or expensive; in short, it's a perfect case if you want a little pizzazz while still staying sophisticated. Balancing style, safety, and slimness, the Parallax's 3D texturing across the back is only outdone by the air-cushioning on the inside, which helps it offer some impact resistance despite its more pocket-friendly profile.
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Oterkin Heavy Duty for Galaxy S21 FE
As functional as it is rugged and colorful, this Oterkin case sports a kickstand for landscape orientation viewing and a metal plate for use with magnetic car mounts. Unlike some highly durable cases, it's not super bulky, doesn't look like a futuristic spaceship, and doesn't cost much. It also comes with a tempered glass screen protector.
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Caseology Nano Pop for Galaxy S21 FE
$17 $25 Save $8About as slim as can be, the Caseology Nano Pop won't only protect your phone, but also add just a touch of color and non-slip, soft-touch back and sides. Its one-layer TPU design is quick and easy to put on and take off, and you can usually find it at a great price.
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Spigen Slim Armor CS for Galaxy S21 FE
Spigen's known for compact, efficient, and rugged cases, and the S21 FE version of the Slim Armor CS is all those things despite actually being a wallet case. It only fits two cards inside, but it does use air cushioning and a premium, two-layer design that makes it reliably rugged. Unfortunately, it lacks an official drop rating.
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Torras Diamond for Galaxy S21 FE
The Torras Diamond case is thin, transparent, and easy to hold onto, thanks to a combination of silicone sides and bumpers and a hard plastic back. Not only does it look great, it's field-tested for an official 8-foot drop rate, despite being remarkably lightweight, compact, and affordable. Plus, it's backed by a 180-day warranty.
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CaseBorne ArmadilloTek V for Galaxy S21 FE
$19 $23 Save $4ArmadilloTek's CaseBorne V wraps your S21 FE in multiple layers, including flexible TPU, high-impact foam, and a resilient hard shell. The kickstand works in either orientation, and we love each of the red, orange, and purple colorways. Rated for drops up to 21 feet, this one's about as rugged as they get.
Keeping the Galaxy S21 FE safe
Its back may be made out of plastic, but the Galaxy S21 FE is still worth keeping in one piece. One great way to do so is with the Case-Mate Pelican, which we've highlighted as our value pick since it's affordable and comes with its own tempered glass screen protector. In fact, only the ultra-rugged ArmadilloTek CaseBorne 5 has a higher drop rating, at 21 feet.
If you're looking for something a little more slick, though, you can't beat the Crave Dual Guard. It's our top pick because it looks great, has the perfect amount of grip, and does a good job of keeping your phone safe at a reasonable cost. If you're willing to spend more, the Snakehive Vintage Wallet is as classy as they come and gives you the choice of several great-looking colors of real leather.
We've also pointed out a couple of stylish and fun cases, like the Oterkin Heavy Duty, which has an eye-catching pink and gray color scheme available. But the cutest one has to be the Cutebe, which lets you pick from a variety of interesting but not gaudy patterns to express yourself via phone case.