This is the only screen protector you should buy for your iPhone

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AnkerMost people don’t need a screen protector. While anything can be scuffed if you try hard enough, the Gorilla Glass or analogous material baked into modern smartphone displays is plenty scratch-resistant on its own. Casually run your car keys across an iPhone 6s, for instance, and you shouldn’t see a thing.

Beyond that, the plastic films that many people buy tend to be more trouble than they’re worth. There is value in some of them if your screen struggles with glare or lacks proper oleophobic coating (i.e., it attracts finger grease) — but, especially with the cheaper stuff, they can be difficult to apply cleanly, without adding that much protection in return. Then there’s the fact that sliding your fingers across cheap plastic just feels worse than going naked.

Still, some people need peace of mind. If you’re convinced a screen-smashing drop is inevitable, and you think a heavier-duty case like the Otterbox Defender is too much, consider a tempered glass screen protector. With an iPhone, something like the Anker GlassGuard feels closer to the device’s natural coating, comes off sturdier, and is generally easier to install than a thinner layer of plastic. It’s not very expensive, either.

Since these are thicker, something like the Home button on an iPhone will feel slightly more recessed than usual. Plus, they’re still made of glass; if you drop it, it’s probably going to crack. But the idea is that this extra cover will take the hit for the actual screen — better to break a $7 cover than a $600 phone.
AnkerPeruse Amazon and you’ll see dozens of protectors along these lines — most of which are rebranded from China — but we highlight the GlassGuard here for having a higher-than-average 4.4 rating (after 700 user reviews), and simply because we’ve had positive experiences with various Anker accessories in the past. It’s worth noting this particular protector doesn’t cover the entirety of the iPhone’s bezels, though. Anker sells a GlassGuard+ that does, but it doesn’t have enough user feedback for us to comfortably recommend.

Nothing’s going to save your screen if you don’t take the proper precautions — stay clear of sand in particular — but if you want to add an extra layer, a tempered glass protector like this is generally the way to go.

Anker GlassGuard for iPhone 6s, $6.99, available at Amazon.
Anker GlassGuard for iPhone 6s Plus, $7.99, available at Amazon.