A large scratch on your phone is analogous to an itch in your brain that you can’t seem to scratch. Furthermore, it reduces the device’s resale value when it comes time to upgrade. A screen protector can keep the surface clean, but purchasing one is more difficult than it should be.
It’s also worth considering whether modern phones require one at all. If you search Amazon for “screen protector,” you will most likely be overwhelmed by the results. There are so many brands, types, and prices that your head will spin.
Fortunately, screen protectors can be divided into a few basic types, each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages.
Terephthalic Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)
PET is a type of plastic that is commonly found in water bottles and food containers. PET screen protectors offer the least amount of scratch and impact protection, but they’re super cheap, light, and thin, making them less visible when applied to your phone.
They are also reasonably smooth, as opposed to the more durable but rubbery TPU. PET is also somewhat stiff, so it cannot be used edge-to-edge on phones with curved screens.
Polyreuthane Thermoplastic (TPU)
TPU is probably what comes to mind when you think of old-school screen protectors. It’s a flexible plastic that’s difficult to install (it requires spraying a solution and squeegeeing out a lot of bubbles), doesn’t feel very smooth (due to its almost rubbery texture), and adds an “orange peel” glare to your phone’s screen.
Still, it’s flexible enough to go edge-to-edge on any phone, has better impact resistance than PET, and has limited “self-healing” capabilities for minor scratches. TPU is available at very low prices from brands such as IQ Shield, while Zagg’s InvisibleShield film is slightly more expensive.
Zagg’s, on the other hand, comes in a variety of styles depending on the look, feel, and features desired. However, not all styles are available for all phones, and some phones lack TPU support entirely.
Both IQ Shield and Zagg offer replacement warranties, though Zagg’s is more comprehensive, hence the higher price.
Tempered Glass Screen Protectors
These are the forefathers of screen protectors. They lack TPU’s self-healing abilities, but they are more resistant to scratches and drops, and they are relatively inexpensive these days.
According to Wirecutter, both amFilm and Maxboost offer affordable glass protectors that measure between a 7 and an 8 on the Mohs hardness scale—and they worked quite well in our tests.
Zagg’s glass protectors only measured between a 5 and a 6, which it claims is better for impact protection, even if it means sacrificing some scratch protection. They also come in a wider range of styles, with features such as privacy and anti-glare.
However, because glass protectors are thicker, they are much more visible on your screen, which isn’t ideal if you prefer the melt-into-your-screen look.
Nano Liquid
You can also find liquid screen protectors on the market these days, which claim to protect your phone simply by swabbing a solution on it and buffing it off. These protectors have a number of flaws that make them difficult to recommend.
While it may offer some additional protection, the layer is so thin that tough scratches are likely to pass through to the actual screen, defeating the purpose of a screen protector.
Furthermore, you cannot simply remove this and replace it with another screen protector. Most products claim that they will simply wear off over time (though there is no visible indication of when this will occur).
This makes testing difficult because you can’t simply scratch and peel the product off—you’d be scratching the protector or the screen underneath.
So, which is the best screen protector?
Don’t be fooled by the hardness rating that brands advertise—most use the ASTM hardness scale, in which the hardest pencil (9H) is softer than tempered glass, rendering it useless as a protection indicator.
The Mohs scale, which does not include an “H,” is far more useful, though it does not sound as appealing on the box. If you’re unsure about the hardness of a particular brand, look around to see if anyone has tested it with a Mohs kit.
Most people, in my opinion, would benefit from a tempered glass protector. They have the smoothest feel, prevent the most damage, and are reasonably priced. If you’re particularly picky about appearance, PET or TPU may be preferable (since they are less noticeable once applied to your phone), especially since films like TPU can give self-healing, edge-to-edge protection for curved-screen phones.
Arthur is a senior member of the communications team who has worked at several well-known companies over the past 10 years. As a writer with many years of experience in the technology sector, focusing on reviewing mobile phones and accessories, he has written about many products or has been hands-on with them at some point
