You can argue all day about the advantages of Android over iOS and vice versa, but Apple has long been in a class of its own when it comes to build quality. Last year’s HTC One stepped into that class, but the HTC One M8 takes things further. Ask the smartphone mirror on the wall and it will tell you the One M8 is the fairest of them of all (yes, we just made a Snow White reference). This is no shallow, brushed aluminum beauty either. The One M8 is a cutting edge smartphone with specs to match.
If you keep it naked then you’ll never get anything done. You’ll waste hours gazing at it; people will keep coming up and asking about it; and there’s always the horrible possibility that you’ll drop it. Snagging one of the best HTC One M8 cases is the right thing to do, and you can always slip it off at night, in the privacy of your own home.
Updated on 2-11-2015 by Brandon Widder: Added cases from Poetic, Supcase, Hyperion, Pure Gear, and Trident.
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Urban Armor Gear Navigator Case ($35)
The angular, futuristic, industrial look employed in UAG cases always impresses. This is the kind of case that a space marine puts on his phone. It’s comprised of a hard armor shell with a soft core that can absorb shock and impact. The corners, where the protection is most needed, are reinforced and help to stop it slipping off surfaces. Cut-outs are precise, ensuring no flash glare problems or muffled audio. It looks heavy, but it’s actually surprisingly light. The Navigator is white, but you can pick up a clear model or go for orange, black, or dark blue.
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Griffin Reveal Case ($25)
You can keep the gorgeous design of the HTC One M8 on show with Griffin’s revealing clear back case. It’s a one-piece hard polycarbonate case with a rubber bumper and highlights. The cut-outs are exact and the case is very thin at 1.6mm, so it really is a subtle way to add a layer of protection. It’s not the toughest case on the block, but it will stop scratches from afflicting that beautiful body.
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Pure Gear DualTek Extreme Shock Case ($35)
It’s definitely not sexy, but Pure Gear’s case is designed to ensure that you don’t drop and seriously damage your HTC One M8. It’s a classic dual-layer design with heavily reinforced corners to soak up the immediate impact of a tumble. There are also panels on the sides to aid your grip so you don’t drop the phone in the first place. It’s a bit bulky and drab-looking, but it will protect your phone.
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Body Glove ShockSuit Case ($40)
This is military-grade protection you can count on in a crisis. It has a hard shell polycarbonate layer and a separate shock absorbent rubber outer layer, so falls don’t need to be a cause for panic. The rubber provides enhanced grip, there are covers for the ports, and covers for the controls, except the power button. You’ll also be glad to find that the speakers are uncovered. To round things off, a screen protector is provided.
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Supcase Unicorn Beetle Case ($20)
What do you get if you cross a unicorn and a beetle? Apparently, you get a really tough case for your HTC One M8 at a distinctly easy-going price. We don’t know where the name came from, but this combination of polycarbonate and TPU is ideal for protecting your phone from bumps and falls. The front cover actually has a screen protector built-in, so there’s no worry about carefully applying it. The port covers are good and the frosted power button works with the IR blaster. The only slight downside is the flash glare if you snap a photo with the case on.
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Incipio DualPro Shine Case ($35)
This dual layer offering is our pick of Incipio’s bunch. There’s a shock resistant inner core in black, which is covered by a brushed aluminum outer shell in silver or black. This case can handle bumps and knocks, and it will keep your phone pristine. The cut-outs are precise, so there’s no problem operating your HTC One M8 with the case on. The DualPro Shine strikes a good balance between protection and style, your phone won’t be embarrassed to be seen wearing this.
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Speck CandyShell Grip Case ($35)
You’ll never have to worry about those heart-stopping moments when your phone slips from your grasp with this case. A rubber lip on the front and rubber ridges that run round the sides and across the back ensure that your HTC One M8 will stay put when you lay it down and won’t slip easily from your hands. It also creates a pretty snazzy design in black, black/white, or purple. There are also rubberized button covers, full cut-outs, and a shiny hard shell.
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Seidio Ledger Case ($40)
Your HTC One M8 will be safe in this solid Seidio case with its usual magnetic kickstand on the back, enabling an easy stand position for movie viewing. There’s also a flip open cover made from Italian polyurethane, which has a cloth-like texture on the outside and soft microfiber on the inside. There’s even room for a discreet card slot in the interior, so you can slide an ID or credit card in there.
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Noreve Leather Case ($60)
Who does style like the French? This premium leather case is handcrafted and the quality is high enough to make it a perfect match for your HTC One M8. It’s a flip forward case that protects all sides without blocking access to anything. It holds your phone snugly in place and the inner lining is embossed with the Noreve logo. You can choose the exterior leather in whatever color you like, and there are optional extras for a fee including your choice of interior color and a belt clip attachment.
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HTC Dot View Case ($50)
This official case from HTC has a really interesting dot matrix design that works with the One M8’s gestures to give you quick notifications when you double tap on the closed cover. You can also swipe down from the top to activate voice commands and use your phone without even opening the case. The front is a kind of rubber material and there’s a soft-touch plastic backing for all round protection. The fit is perfect although the front cover will obscure the camera when you open it.
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Continue to page two for 10 more great LG G3 cases from Poetic, Spigen, Tech21, and more.
OtterBox Defender Series Case ($60)
Maybe you work outdoors; maybe you’re really sporty; or maybe you’re just terribly clumsy with your phone. If you decide that serious protection is required then opt for the Defender Series from OtterBox. It gives you three levels of protection, including a built-in screen protector and port covers. There’s also a swiveling belt clip. Your HTC One M8 will still be fully operational inside, but you won’t have to worry if you bump it or drop it. You can choose a range of color combinations for the inner and outer layers.
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Spigen Slim Armor Case ($25)
This is a sleek two-piece case consisting of a malleable TPU case with cut-outs and button covers, and then a hard polycarbonate shell section that covers the back and sides. It has an attractive glossy look and there’s a UV coating to prevent color fade. The inner TPU case is black, but you can choose from six different colors for the outer shell piece.
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Case-Mate Barely There Case ($25)
If you can’t bear to cover up that design then this case might be the one for you. Get a clear version of this svelte case and you’ll be able to enjoy your HTC One M8 in all its glory. It has a soft touch finish and there’s a small bezel to prevent the screen from touching your table when you place it face down, but this is a very minimalist case so don’t expect drop protection. You can also opt for black or white, or if you want something a bit tougher, pay an extra $10 for the two-piece Naked Tough case.
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Tech21 Impact Tactical or Shell Case ($35)
You can relax with your HTC One M8 in this case. It features a ruggedized TPU formula that’s designed to handle impact on the back or sides of your phone. The Tactical version has a matte finish with an embossed line on the back, or you can go for the Shell which has a glossy finish with a plain back. It has cut-outs and button covers, so there shouldn’t be any problem using your phone with the case on.
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Cruzerlite Bugdroid Circuit TPU Case ($13)
If you blew all your cash getting your HTC One M8 and you don’t have much left for a case then you can’t go wrong with this simple TPU offering from Cruzerlite. It has a circuit design on the back with Andy the Android mascot, it’s flexible for an easy fit, and it has precise cut-outs. If you just want basic protection then it’s a real bargain, and it comes in a really wide range of colors.
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($25)
Available in either black or a white-grey hybrid, the Poetic Revolution case touts more than just a water-resistant design. The hybrid construction utilizes a TPU skin and polycarbonate frame for shock absorbency, while providing dust-proof housing in the form of sealed buttons and ports. The built-in screen protector is also nearly unnoticeable, yet, the case does render your One M8 a bit bulkier with its grip-adorned exterior and overall rugged design.
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($25)
Kitschy name aside, Supcase’s flagship smartphone case is one of the sleekest on our list. It’s made of polyurethane and polycarbonate, like most cases, and features precise cutouts catered toward the design specs of the HTC One M8. A snap-on cover also renders installation, well, a snap, while the bevy of attractive color offerings let you compliment both your phone and your outfit.
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($16)
Hyperion isn’t a household name, but it’s getting there. The company’s latest offering for the One M8 is designed to prevent against everything from fingerprints to falls, with a ultra-thing TPU matte finish and an onslaught of color offerings ranging from blue to red. The integrated cutouts give you access to your smartphone’s ports and camera as well, and though it’s not the toughest case on the market, it’s extremely form-fitting and capable for the shoe-string price.
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PureGear Kickstand-holster Case ($14)
With most cases, you either get a kickstand or holster. Fortunately, PureGear’s case outfits your smartphone with both, so you can quickly clip your device to your belt or set it up for horizontal viewing via the built-in slider on the back. The construction is lightweight and durable, too, with rubberized housing that provides added grip no matter how you decide to hold your phone. Ports remain accessible despite the full-body coverage, but sadly, it’s only available in black.
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Trident Aegis Case ($35)
Trident offers as aggressive a color selection as it does functionality with the Aegis Case. It’s designed to meet military-grade standards, sporting a shock-absorbing inner layer of silicone and an outer shell comprised of hardened polycarbonate. A swath of silicone plugs and dust filters also keep dirt and other unwanted debris from accessing your smartphones most vital components, while the self-applicable screen protector ensures your display remains intact.
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That’s it for now, but check back because we’ll add more entries to the best HTC One M8 cases as and when we discover them.
Updated on 5-27-2014 by Simon Hill: Added cases from UAG, Griffin, Pure Gear, Body Glove, and Supcase.
Article originally published 5/4/2014.
