The best Galaxy Z Fold 5 cases: Expert recommended

The best case for the Galaxy Z Fold 5 is the Spigen Slim Armor Pro, which offers a slim form factor, hinge protection, and camera protection.

When shopping for a new phone case, it's best to consider what level of protection you need. Not only will this help prevent you from overspending or buying something you don't need, it can also help you anticipate career or life changes where you may need more or less phone protection.

If you work outdoors or in manufacturing, or are just notorious for destroying phones, it's best to opt for a very rugged phone case like the SupCase Unicorn Beetle Pro. These types of phone cases are often tested against military standards for shock, drop, and moisture resistance, so you can have more peace of mind.

But if you work from home or just want to keep your phone from getting scratched and cracked from everyday use, it may be better to opt for a thinner, more lightweight (and often less expensive) case. These tend to have lower profiles that are easier to slip into your pocket, but also sacrifice protection via built-in screen protectors and water resistance.

We've spent many hours testing phone cases, from big names like Casetify and Samsung to lesser-known brands, to show you that you have many options. The phone case your grandma recommends you try might be the worst phone case you've ever had, which is why it's essential to consider these factors before you buy:

• Durability: Most people may only care about the aesthetic of a phone case, but if you're looking for a case that's meant to protect your phone from drops, cracks, and scratches, then the SupCase Unicorn Beetle Pro case and Casetify Impact Case are your best options. 

• Material: Phone cases have, no doubt, come a long way. And with time, companies have been able to source the best materials, including silicone, leather, plastic, metal even recyclables such as cardboard or paperboard (each with pros and cons). If you're looking for quality sourced materials, check out DBrand genuine leather skin for Galaxy Z Fold 5.

• Features: Who doesn't like a convenient stylus pen holder, built-in stand or my personal favorite, a wallet holder, as an added feature to a phone case. If you're looking for beyond basic protection and style phone case, the i-Blason Cosmo comes with a built-in screen protector as well as an integrated slot for storing your S-Pen stylus.

• Design: Just like your eyes eat first when eating, you could say the same about phone cases. When choosing a phone case, it's also important to consider its style and design, after all, you're most likely carrying it around with you 24/7. Our picks in that case would be OCASE or Casetify. 

The ZDNET team spends weeks with a phone case, using it in many environments like the office, outdoors, grocery stores, or at home. We do so to test how well a phone case can perform in various environments, as each environment tests the durability and protection.

Although you can test phone cases with just a simple drop from various heights, you should conduct your own testing in your frequented environments to see how they hold up. At the end of the day, the only way to know if a phone case works for you is to try it on your own phone.

Before you buy a phone case, there are a few things aside from the design to keep in mind. When putting together this list of Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 cases, we kept these criteria in mind:

• Cost: When it comes to phone cases, you get what you pay for, especially when it comes to "rugged" models. I've made sure that each case featured in this list has features and protection properties that are worth the price.
• Protection level: Not all phone cases are created equal. If you work a trade, in manufacturing, or spend a lot of time outdoors, it's better to opt for a rugged case. Whereas office professionals and casual mobile users may only require minimal phone protection.
• Compatibility: There is no worse feeling than getting your hands on a brand new phone and case for it, only to discover that your case doesn't fit. I've thoroughly researched each featured product to make sure that is designed to fit the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5.

Unfortunately, no. This is because Samsung re-designed the rear camera arrangement, moving the flash from below the lenses to right next to them. If you try to force your Galaxy Z Fold 5 into a case meant for a previous generation, you may risk damaging your phone.

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 doesn't come packaged with an S-Pen stylus, unfortunately. While Samsung has never included an S-Pen with previous versions of the Galaxy Z Fold, it's still a bit irksome to need to spend extra money on a must-have accessory.

While Samsung has a whole page dedicated to trying to convince you to make the switch to a folding smartphone, the biggest draw is what made flip-phones so ubiquitous in the late 90s and early 00s: They're easier to fit into your pocket. A folding smartphone is a unique solution to the demand for bigger and better screens on our mobile devices while balancing screen size with portability and practicality.

A foldable phone also lets you take selfies and group pictures without having to contort yourself into uncomfortable angles for the perfect shot or asking strangers to take family photos. With the larger, unfolded screen, you can also multitask in several apps to streamline your workflow. 

And a foldable phone brings back the satisfaction of snapping your phone shut to end an irritating call.