Buying factors like durability, sustainability, and aesthetics all come into play when shopping for a phone case. After speaking with hundreds of customers, we put together this guide to compare the differences between plastic and wooden phone cases. Let’s get to it.
Wooden Phone Cases
Wood phone cases offer a unique blend of natural aesthetics and sturdier device protection. They’re sustainably-made, meaning they last longer and ultimately contribute to less plastic pollution than plastic phone cases.
Lightweight yet durable, wooden phone cases can be made from multiple types of wood, like wooden burls, bamboo, walnut, and even cherry. And, because every wood grain pattern is distinct, no two cases are alike, guaranteeing a product that stands out in the lineup of rubber & plastic. Wooden phone cases are truly unique, 1 of one.
Let’s take a look at the most common types of wood used to design phone cases.
Wooden Burls
Burls are gnarly growths that look like warts or tumors on trees. They’re typically caused by environmental stress – think injuries, diseases, and extreme temperatures. While they may appear nasty at first glance, wooden burls are incredibly beautiful, making them the perfect material for everyday carry items. At Carved, we use burls made from Buckeye, Maple, Oak, Willow, and Elm trees.
We fill the burls with colorful resin to reflect nature’s wonders. They’re great for outdoor enthusiasts because they naturally blend into the environment and remind you of beautiful days on the trail, even when you can't get out there. But they’re more than just looks – they’re functional too. Wood helps mitigate heat, meaning your phone won’t overheat on sunny days. Burls are bulky in their natural state, but the final result is trimmed down for just enough protection & durability.
Bamboo Cases
Bamboo is a fast-growing crop that requires very little water or fertilizer to thrive, making it another eco-friendly phone case material. With softer bark compared to other trees, bamboo is also lighter & more comfortable to hold.
A bamboo phone case is an excellent choice if neutral tones, sustainability, and biodegradability are all important to you. Just keep in mind that bamboo’s strength is also its downfall, and the lighter material may offer less impact resistance against drops.
Walnut Cases
The wood from walnut trees has rich, dark brown tones, resulting in a sophisticated, natural look. Walnut cases offer sturdy protection in a slim profile.
Like other wooden cases, walnut is more durable than plastic & rubber cases, plus the added aesthetic. These cases tend to be more expensive, but they’re well worth the investment.
Plastic Phone Cases
Plastic is the most common phone case material because it’s cheap, versatile, and durable. With plenty of colors and styles to choose from, most plastic cases are usually made with one of three materials: Polycarbonate (PC), Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU), or Acrylic.
Polycarbonate (PC) Cases
Polycarbonate cases are a lightweight yet fairly strong option. They’re more impact-resistant than other materials, which is great if your top priority is drop protection.
PC cases are slim by design, but they don’t have as much grip as other materials – you’ll likely drop your phone more often.
Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) Cases
TPU phone cases are another flexible & durable protection option. Their softer material makes for a comfortable grip, lightweight design, and increased scratch resistance.
These phone cases provide excellent shock absorption and are generally easy to clean. But lighter colors tend to discolor quickly, especially after prolonged sun exposure.
Plastic vs. Wooden Phone Cases – Which One Should You Get?
Durability and Protection
Your phone’s case is its first line of defense against accidents, so it’s imperative to choose one that guarantees long-lasting protection. Whether you prefer a hard or soft phone case, both plastic and wood are effective against daily use, but let’s look at how they differ.
Plastic offers decent impact resistance and safeguards your phone against drops or regular wear & tear. Materials like silicone tend to decay & stretch out over time, reducing their effectiveness. Higher-quality plastics, like polycarbonate, last longer.
Wood phone cases excel in protection and durability, especially compared to plastic. They’re better-equipped to defend against drops and scratches. And with proper care, they don’t show signs of aging like cracking, stretching, or color fading.
Aesthetics and Design
Plastic cases come in a wide array of colors, designs, and textures. You can also find transparent cases, though these tend to yellow after a few months of use.
On the other hand, no two wood grain patterns are the same, meaning every wood phone case is truly one-of-a-kind. There are simply no replicas like you’ll find with plastic cases.
Sustainability and Environmental Impact
Now more than ever, we’re concerned about how our everyday items & decisions affect the planet’s health. Deciding on your new phone case’s material is no different, and you have to consider what impact it will have on the environment.
Plastic cases are byproducts of the petroleum industry, one of the leading contributors to climate change. If you don’t recycle the case properly, it can take thousands of years to break down, further adding to the plastic pollution in our oceans and landfills.
Wooden phone cases generally have a lower environmental footprint, especially if they’re sustainably-sourced, which we use at Carved. The manufacturing process consumes less energy and emits fewer greenhouse gasses, and they’re biodegradable, further reducing waste.
Cost
Price is the ultimate consideration when buying any new product – phone cases are no different, especially since you use your phone multiple hours per day. It’s an investment in your daily lifestyle.
Because they’re cheap to manufacture, plastic cases are typically more budget-friendly. While wooden cases come at a higher price, consider the premium nature of the material and the craftsmanship involved.
Another important aspect is your case’s longevity. Plastic cases are cheaper upfront, but they’ll inevitably succumb to daily use, meaning you’ll need to replace it sooner. With proper maintenance, your wooden phone case can withstand wear & tear for much longer.
The least expensive option is not always the best in the long run. One wooden phone case will last you longer than several plastic ones.
Why We Use Wooden Burls at Carved
The Unique Appeal of Wood Cases
Wooden burls are durable, heat-resistant, and lightweight, and can turn a simple phone case into a masterpiece.
Wooden cases can be made from several types of trees, meaning the options for different aesthetics are endless. At Carved, we tend to prefer Maple and Buckeye trees for their beautiful live edges. Maple burls display stunning swirls and eye-catching designs, while buckeye burls showcase a wide color palette, ranging from creamy yellows to deep blues and grays.
Our Commitment to Sustainability
We’ve mentioned that sustainable practices are key to making eco-friendly wooden phone cases. While the lumber industry may consider burls a mere deformation, we see their potential and seize the opportunity to create quality products.
At Carved, we source our burls from California, Oregon, and Indiana, directly from those who collect & harvest the burls themselves. Our process promotes responsible forest management and ensures that the burls never come from protected areas or endangered species.
Quality and Craftsmanship
Here at Carved, we take raw materials and transform them into functional art. We use the sturdiest wooden burls and combine them with colorful resins to create one of a kind products, like MagSafe cases, wooden bracelets, wallets, and wireless chargers.
Our creative team is a combination of mess makers whose attention to detail makes every wooden phone case unique. On any given day at our shop, you’ll see our artists crafting your pieces through every step of the process, from sawing the wood to pouring swirls of resin and hand sanding slices.
From there, we photograph our products and upload them to the website directly, ensuring what you see online is exactly what you get. If you’d like one of our cases but need to confirm sizes with your smartphone, check out our compatibility guides here:
When you’re deciding between a plastic or wooden phone case, consider which one is more durable and has less environmental impact, but also matches your style and budget. While the ultimate decision comes down to the individual, wood phone cases, particularly those crafted from burls, present a unique advantage over plastic. They’re more sustainable, offer superior quality, and give off an effortless aesthetic.