There is no single answer to this, as others have so easily shown. The only way to choose the “best” protection is to decide what harm you are willing to live with. Are scratches on the back acceptable? Perhaps all you need is a bumper and a screen protector. If you want everything to be flawless then maybe you need to climb up to the chunky Otterboxes. Part of the answer to this question evokes another question. what type of user are you? Are you clumsy? Are you the type of person who never drops anything? Are you planning to sell the device in 9 months to get the latest and greatest? Do you plan to keep the device until you refuse to collect or until the next presidential election?
The type of user you are should dictate the type of protection you get. I carry my phone everywhere and it is essential to my work. It is also important to me that it looks great in 7-9 months when I will sell it to buy another new device. This is why I have used an Otterbox Defender and other heavier cases to protect my device. I have a Galaxy Note right now (I’m about to upgrade to an HTC One X +). I am using a very durable impact resistant rubber case (similar to a Defender) that I found on Amazon. I am also using a screen saver. This combo already paid for itself multiple times and saved my phone. Get the best for yourself and your lifestyle.
Yes, it has a few small dents in the chrome trim, but so what? It’s a telephone. It is meant to be used. Some people just cannot enjoy the beauty of their phone when it is in a bulky case. So what if there is going to be a scratch or two on the back …
Bumper, case, skin, pouch, bare, etc, too, if you’ve had bad experiences with any particular option, please share that too.
I only use the flip case that came with my Galaxy Note. It doesn’t make it look bulkier, but it’s doing a good job protecting the screen.
To be fair, the Otterbox Commuter nails No. 1 (protection) and no. 2 (usability). The number 3 (aesthetic) is debatable. The above combo is my go-to option because I don’t like caring for naked phones; and keeps my phones looking new for the life of my ownership. Different styles for different people.
