The 5 Best iPhone 11, 11 Pro, and 11 Pro Max Screen Protectors

Even with modern Gorilla glass, broken screens are still the number one cause of damage to iPhones. While the phone can surely handle a few drops without a screen protector, extra protection isn’t a bad idea.

A Note On Screen Protectors

As time goes on, phone screens are getting better and stronger, which is eliminating the need for screen protectors. Gorilla glass is designed to handle hard impacts; however, it can’t take everything. Your iPhone 11 screen can still shatter if you’re not careful with it.

Screen protectors are the last defense your screen has from shattering. The screen protector will take the hit and shatter instead. They also help prevent scratches. If your screen protector gets a scratch on it, it can be replaced easily because they are relatively cheap compared to the cost of replacing the phone’s screen.

If you’re interested in getting a screen protector, here are some things to think about before you buy one.

• Look and Feel: The two biggest things when it comes to how a screen protector looks and feels are clarity and thickness. The iPhone 11 has a gorgeous screen, so it would be a shame to cover it with a cloudy protector. The thickness of the protector will affect how your phone responds to your touch. Too thick of a protector, and your phone might start to miss inputs and feel clunkier.
• Application: Bubbles are the bane of screen protectors. It can be very hard to hand-set a screen protector onto a phone without getting any dust or bubbles in between the screen and protector. Many options offer slides or trays that let you perfectly lower the protector onto the screen, which makes application easier.
• Protection: If you’re going to buy a screen protector for a phone that already has a strong screen, then it should offer a lot more protection. There are three main types of screen protectors:
  • Tempered Glass: These are the toughest and thickest screen protectors. They offer the most protection but can sometimes make the phone feel less responsive.
  • Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET): These are some of the lightest and smoothest protectors that you can buy; however, they don’t offer much more in terms of protection.
  • Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU): TPU is the most common form of plastic protectors. They offer a nice balance between protection and feeling smooth to the touch. However, they can be challenging to apply.

The Best Overall: Spigen Tempered Glass

If you’re prone to dropping your phone, this pack of Spigen screen protectors will take the hit for you. The protectors are made from a thick tempered glass, which provides a ton of extra support. They are offered in different sizes for the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max.

The protectors come with an auto-alignment installation kit that makes it easy to get the protector perfectly fitted on your phone. Just peel the film back, place the tray onto your phone, and push down to stick the protector to your screen. The glass itself also has an oleophobic coating that helps to prevent lingering fingerprints and smudges.

The Premium Pick: dBrand Prism

dBrand is known for its great device skins, but it makes high-quality screen protectors and cases too. dBrand’s Prism screen protectors are made with a hybrid of tempered glass and a shatterproof plastic polymer, combining the best of both materials. This makes for a very strong protector that still feels smooth to the touch. You can hit your phone with a hammer if it has one of these without damaging the screen (although we still wouldn’t suggest it.)

The application method for dBrand protectors is relatively simple. The stabilizer gets plugged into the bottom of the phone and keeps the protector in place during the application process. Then you smooth out any potential bubbles, peel the top layer off, and unplug the stabilizer. Even if you do mess it up the first time, they come in packs of two, so you can always try again.

At the time of writing, the screen protectors are only available for pre-order; however, they should ship out in November 2019. There are options for the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max.

The Budget Option: amFilms Glass Screen Protector

amFilms glass screen protectors come in an inexpensive pack of three that is perfect for those more prone to shattered screens. The tempered glass is 0.33mm thin, very clear, and doesn’t have a large impact on touch sensitivity. amFilm also makes options for all iPhone 11 series phones: iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max.

The application process is relatively simple. You put the guide-case onto your phone and place the protector inside the four guide walls to stick it to the screen. The package also includes dust removal strips, alcohol cleaning wipes, and a microfiber cloth to make sure nothing gets caught between your phone and the protector.

The Best Privacy Protector: JETech Privacy Glass

Some people hate the feeling of having someone look over their shoulder while they’re on their phone. Privacy screen protectors are designed to blur the phone image if it’s being viewed from an angle, effectively blocking anyone but the holder from making out images and text on the screen.

JETech Protectors are made from thin tempered glass that is scratch-resistant. The product doesn’t come with an application tool, but the screen protector is easy to line up with all the phone edges. It does include a screen cleaning kit to get rid of any dust and smudges before you apply the protector.

You can purchase a privacy protector from JETech for your iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, or iPhone 11 Pro Max.

The Best Plastic Protector: IQ Shield Plastic Protector

If you’re not a fan of traditional tempered glass protectors, IQ Shield offers a plastic-based protector that will protect your screen from bumps and scratches. However, it won’t protect your screen as well from high drops and impacts. IQ Shield has options for iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max.

The package doesn’t come with an application guide. Instead, the protector is placed onto the screen using a wet install method that forces out any air bubbles before it is sealed. The film itself also has self-repairing abilities and can fix surface scratches. It won’t repair your phone if you crack the actual screen, though.