The Best iPhone 11 Screen Protectors
So you thought you were going to be able to get away with buying a brand-new iPhone and letting it out into the world in the nude, huh? Or maybe you're a seasoned veteran who's lived through the trauma of watching your previous phones develop battle scars of their own. Whatever the reason, it's clear you're looking for a decent option to protect your iPhone 11's screen. You've come to the right place. Here you'll find our team's selections for the best screen protectors currently available.
What to Look For
When researching the best screen protectors for the iPhone 11, we asked ourselves three important questions. First, is the protector easy to apply? Does it come with all the tools and materials needed for installation? And finally, how well does it actually protect the screen? Given those criteria, we ranked the Ailun Glass screen protector as one of the best out there, thanks to its easy application, functional design, and inexpensive price. And for an even more premium version of our top pick, check out the Spigen Ultra Hybrid, which benefits from a specialized coating that resists smudges from fingerprints, grease, and sweat. Read on to discover more of our favorite protectors and to find one that’s right for your new iPhone 11.
Ailun Glass Screen Protector
Keep it simple
One of the most frustrating things about screen protectors is how difficult they can be to put on. Sure, the price tag is usually relatively low, so it’d be natural to assume that it’s a pretty straightforward product. However, anyone with experience knows that’s not always the case. Screen protectors are prone to developing air bubbles, wrinkles, or other complications during the installation process. With that in mind, what we like best about this option from Ailun is how darn easy it is to put on your phone. Just wipe your screen, dry it, align the protector, and remove. Voila – your screen is now safely protected.
Pros:
- Considering this isn’t plastic, we found it to be an excellent cost-value for the price.
- This may be glass, but it’s built like a tank and bound to last you a long time.
Cons:
- You may experience a tad bit of glare in certain lighting.
Mkeke Tempered Glass Film
Cut costs, not quality
This tempered glass option has built a reputation for itself primarily for being two things: affordable and effective. It’s designed to ensure that it doesn’t get in the way of your normal phone-using operations (like Face ID) or being able to simply put on and take off your phone’s case. Thanks to the tempered-glass construction, it resists scratches quite well, and though it’s not the absolute easiest model to install, it’s not too hard, either.
Pros:
- This three-pack is competitive with costlier models in terms of quality.
- We appreciate that all accessories needed for installation are included, including a handy application tool and three wipes.
Cons:
- This one leaves a tiny sliver of the screen unprotected on either side.
Power Theory Screen Protector for iPhone 11/iPhone XR
One simple setup
While screen protectors are well worth the time and effort it takes to put them on, not all options make the process easy. Indeed, a frequent criticism of subpar protectors is how tricky installation can be, which often results in the glass being misaligned or bubbles forming underneath. That’s why we love this version from Power Theory. In addition to the included cleaning wipes and microfiber cloth, the kit also comes with an application tray that helps to perfectly align the protector as you apply it, and then hold it in place as it sets. You’ll never have to worry about your protector going on crooked or trapping bubbles again.
Pros:
- Given how easy it is to apply, not to mention how tough the glass is, we think this is a really great value.
- This protector extends only to the curved edge of your phone, leaving room for bulky cases.
Cons:
- Though mostly clear, this protector is known to pick up small smudges and fingerprints.
Spigen Ultra Hybrid
The tried and true
In one iteration or another, the iPhone has been around for a long time now — long enough for many, many companies to try their hands at producing suitable accessories for the phone. While most have failed, some have succeeded, but few have been as successful as Spigen. Their tempered glass protectors are one of their many trusted products. The reputation mostly centers around the fact that, aside from being supremely affordable, this screen protector just works. Its 9H hardness, fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating, and auto-alignment installation system make it one of the most attractive options available.
Pros:
- The included alignment tool is especially handy when compared to the other brands.
- If you keep your phone and keys in the same pocket, you can rest assured that your screen will remain scratch-free.
Cons:
- The included cleaning wipes may not be moist enough to function, so you might need to supply your own cleaning medium before installing the protector.
Power Theory Screen Protector for iPhone 11 Pro Max
Powerful protection
While there’s much to like about this protector from Power Theory, what sets this one apart from the competition is the silky smooth effectiveness of its specialized coating. Anyone who’s had a dinky screen protector knows that, though having one is better than nothing, the smudges and fingerprints that remain on a cheap screen protector are ugly enough to make you question your purchase. With this one, no need to worry about fingerprints, grease, sweat, or the like. This coating not only stays smudge-free, but it feels smooth and allows your touch to be registered by the phone’s sensors, too.
Pros:
- The coating works just as well at preventing fingerprint smudges as screen protectors with matt finishes.
- We found that this glass is surprisingly effective at blocking blue light.
Cons:
- Though it’s slightly more costly than others, this protector is worth every penny if you want a smooth, smudge-free screen.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “oleophobic” mean?
If you break this down on a linguistic level, you’ve got “oleo-” (oil) and “-phobic” (fear). Put two and two together by applying those words to the context of phone screen protectors, and you might guess that an oleophobic screen protector is one that resists oils like grease and sweat. This doesn’t mean those things won’t collect at all – it just means they won’t be absorbed. Rather, they’ll sit on top of the screen protector’s surface, where you can easily wipe them away with a microfiber cloth or the like.
What is tempered glass? How is it different from regular glass?
Essentially, tempered glass is glass that has been “strengthened” through various different processes to make it harder to break. There are various methods of tempering glass, but whatever the process used to temper the glass, the result is a hard-to-break end product.
When you use a tempered glass screen protector, the thinking goes that the screen protector absorbs the force of the impact, rather than your phone’s screen absorbing the impact itself. By absorbing that impact, the protector reduces the chances of your screen shattering.
About the Author
Why Trust Us
With the constantly shifting landscape in the world of technology, GameRevolution seeks to provide gamers and tech-enthusiasts with the information they need to select the right products for their needs. Since 1996, our experts have used their knowledge on all the latest gadgets – everything from headphones to standing desks – to help millions of people navigate specs and answer common questions.