Though you can hold a mass of glorious technology in the palm of your hand, it is meaningless if your device doesn’t have the battery life to sustain it. The new iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus are prime examples of this. Though Apple improved on the battery life of the iPhone 6 over previous models, it still only gives you about 10 hours, depending on your settings. The 6 Plus does a little better, with the brightness at half-mast. To avoid having your life put on hold as your phone charges, you need a battery charging case.
A battery case is a tough proposition. They need to be able to give you enough juice to be worth it, but also allow you to use your iPhone 6 the way the good lord (and his disciples at Apple) intended. A bigger case might give you tons of juice, but can also be clunky, give your phone zero protection, or makes your it nigh unusable. For Apple addicts who want the the top-tier in protection, function, form, and power, we’re compiled the 6 best iPhone 6 battery cases.
UNU DX-Free
Pro: Well-constructed and low cost
Con: Limited battery
Slim Pickin’s: One of the hardest parts when it comes to battery cases is they take a slender, svelte, even sexy smartphone and turn it into a hulking monstrosity. For those who want added power and protection without annihilating the overall aesthetic of their phone would probably get the most out of the DX-Free. It has a hard-core polycarbonate shell that hides a 2,400-mAh battery all with a total thickness of 12.9mm. The classic bumper design is well executed, and the ability to slide the phone in and out makes access easy. Odds are good that you’ll never need to remove the phone from the DX-Free since syncing technology and easy access to the body make using this a breeze. You’ll have a little trouble with the ringer switch, but everything else operates well. If you want a little more girth, battery power, and protection, the standard DX offers 3,000 mAh and a heavier, sturdier build for just $10 more. [Purchase: $60]
i-Blason Beetle
Pro: Customizable color bumpers
Con: Gaps where dust and moisture can penetrate
All-In-One: Starting off with a sporty, rugged body that allows for both sync and charge functions, the Beetle is an affordable battery case that has a respectable level of protection and a 3,200-mAh battery that gives you a ton of juice on the go. Included with the Beetle is a 360 degree belt clip for quickdraws or those who plan to take it along with their travel backpacks into the wilderness. While the drop protection isn’t quite as heavy as you’ll get from an Otterbox, it is no slouch when it comes to fighting off scratches or preventing short impacts from busting up your phone. The charge of the case can be checked with a helpful LED display on the back, and all of the buttons and ports are comfortable to use. Ideal for #BendGate defense. [Purchase: $70]
6 Plus Users: i-Blason also makes a relatively good battery case for the larger iPhone 6 Plus. It isn’t quite as strong as the Beetle when it comes to shock protection, but has the same easy access to all the phone’s features and a 4,700 mAh battery to give you well over 100% charge. [Purchase: $70]
Alpatronix BX140plus
Pro: Buttons are easy to use
Con: Uses USB rather than Lightning connector
First Line of Defense: Not many manufacturers have tackled making cases for built for the 6 Plus model. Those that did have mostly been met with scorn and derision. Alpatronix seems to be the first one to do it right. The BX140plus has a nice, slim design that works well at letting the low profile of your phone come across while not cutting out the important need for protection. It handles bumps and drops without flinching and keeps the screen from getting scored by a set of keys in your pocket. Most of the ports are accessible, with the exception of the headphone jack, and the buttons actually add a little more responsiveness compared with the iPhone itself. The battery is a pleasant (but heavy) 4,000-mAh that charges easily. There are some utilitarian flaws, but the overall experience is one of making your phone safe and juiced up. [Purchase: $75]
Otterbox Resurgence
Pro: Military grade drop protection
Con: Case itself is slippery
Power and Protection: First off, it’s an Otterbox, so you know that it’s serious about keeping your phone protected. The interior is lined with foam and attaches to the two-piece fiberglass-filled polycarbonate body which bears the all-important 810G-516.6 military grade drop protection; so go ahead and take it into combat. The protection is very necessary since the case itself is slick and tends to cause more drops, bobbles, bumbles, and fumbles than anything else. The 2,600-mAh battery is excellent. It connects to your iPhone 6 seamlessly and only charges as-needed, retaining unused power for the future. Charging is quick and you iPhone 6 never needs to leave this case thanks to the easy ports, cooperative charging, and simple interface. [Purchase: $100]
iBattz Refuel Invictus
Pro: Replaceable battery
Con: Recharges the phone slowly
Swap Meet: The Invictus is made for the power hog who can never have enough juice on hand. Like their Refuel iPhone 5 battery case, you can change out the battery inside for virtually unlimited amounts of talk, text, and browsing time. Each battery comes with 127% more energy at a full 3,200-mAh. Extra batteries cost around $20-$30 and can completely revive the entire case, making it more eco-friendly. While the power is nice, there are quite a few issues that plague the innovative Invictus. The buttons work fine, but can be a little stiff; the plastic is cheap and doesn’t do much more than pay lip services to protection from drops, bends, crushes, and smashes; and the whole overall look is “meh” at best. With the high price, this is specifically made for the multi-battery user. [Purchase: $100]
Mophie Juice Pack Series
Pro: Safe, functional, and easy to use
Con: Expensive
Open Option: Mophie was really slow off the line with their iPhone 6 case, but they have landed not once, but three times with excellent (and costly) products. For those who want reasonable protection that also doubles up their battery life, there is the Juice Pack Air with it’s slim but grippable profile and 2,750mAh battery. Then there is the Juice Pack Plus, which doesn’t work with the iPhone 6 Plus, but rather is a larger, heavier case for the standard iPhone 6 which has a bigger profile and a 3,300-mAh battery. Finally, there is the standard Juice Pack, which does work with your iPhone 6 Plus model. That carries a paltry 2,600-mAh, but offers good protection and easy use with your phone. The hard plastic on each and impact resistance is strong, the ports and buttons are accessible, and they don’t overload the phone. [Purchase: Air Price: $100 | Juice Pack Plus: $120 | Standard Juice Pack for iPhone 6 Plus: $100]
