20 Best Tempered Glass Screen Protectors In 2020

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If you want to buy a screen protector for your phone and you find the process of choosing between numerous brands and different types of screen protectors confusing, you should read our article on 20 best tempered glass screen protectors before you make your decision. In this article, we are going to present our selection of best tempered glass screen protectors but we are also going to discuss different types of screen protectors, analyze their advantages and disadvantages, and try to point you in the right direction so you don’t waste your money on something useless.

Tempered Glass Screen Protector

Do You Really Need A Screen Protector?

The majority of the latest smartphones have screens made of Gorilla Glass. Gorilla glass screen was designed by the company called Corning and it is more durable, more scratch and impact resistant than the old screens. Unfortunately, it’s not indestructible. If you apply enough force (and when we say ‘’enough force’’ we don’t mean run it over with your car – you can damage it with a much smaller force), you can still scratch it or break it. So, Gorilla glass is stronger than the old screens but one additional layer of protection won’t hurt. Adding an additional tempered glass screen protector on top of the existing Gorilla glass screen will significantly increase the lifespan of your phone. And the best part is that if you accidentally drop your phone and the screen protector breaks, you will lose a few bucks (or up to $50), but your phone’s Gorilla glass screen will be undamaged. If you break the phone’s screen, you will lose much more. In some cases, buying a completely new phone will be more reasonable than replacing the screen on the old one.

Long story short, you do need a screen protector for your phone. It provides additional protection, prolongs the lifespan of your phone, and it can save you a lot of money (especially if you are not that careful with your phone).

Which Type of Screen Protectors is The Best?

Even though there are 4 different types of screen protectors (you can read about all these types and their advantages and disadvantages in the Conclusion section) and numerous brands, it’s not that hard to choose the best one. And this is not a subjective preference. Tempered glass screen protectors are, by far, the best when it comes to scratch and impact protection. If you want the best possible protection for your screen, you should go for tempered glass screen protectors. Here’s the list of their advantages:

  • Easier and quicker installation/less hassle
  • Greater hardness rating/better durability/greater scratch and impact resistance
  • Smoother and less sticky than plastic protectors/feels more like the actual screen
  • Better optical characteristics than plastic protectors/no color distortion/better contrast

A tempered glass screen protector is supposed to protect the screen from scratches just like any other screen protector but the main advantage of tempered glass protectors lies in the impact protection. Tempered glass protectors offer a bit more protection for your screen, so if you drop the phone by accident or if something falls on your phone, there’s a greater chance that your screen will survive. If you drop it, the shock will be absorbed by the additional layer of glass leaving your screen practically untouched. Even if the tempered glass screen protector breaks, it will stay in place because of the adhesive that keeps all the parts together (they are all shatterproof). You won’t get that kind of protection with thin plastic screen protectors or even thinner liquid screen protectors.

There are different kinds of tempered glass screen protectors and depending on the amount of money you are willing to pay, you can get some nice additional features besides the scratch and impact protection. There are self-healing tempered glass screen protectors, screen protectors with UV filters and privacy filters (they prevent other people from seeing your display). Most of the tempered glass screen protectors also have an oleophobic coating that repels dust, water, and oil and makes the protectors feel like the real screens.

When it comes to negatives, the only thing we can think of is their thickness and bulkiness. Tempered glass screen protectors are, by far, the thickest of all the available screen protectors and that could be a deal breaker. In some cases, you won’t be able to use your old slim or waterproof phone case and you will have to buy a new one.

If your only concern is the durability of your phone and you want the best protection you can get, a tempered glass screen protector is the best choice.

After a comprehensive research, we’ve made a list of 20 best tempered glass screen protectors. You can find here one or two great choices for each of the most popular phones in the US in 2019.

iPhones

Before we start talking about Tempered Glass Screen Protectors for iPhones, there’s a small but very important note we have to make. Some iPhones may look almost the same (in terms of dimensions, screen size, and design), but that doesn’t mean that you can use the same tempered glass screen protector for those iPhones.

For example, iPhone 6, iPhone 6S, iPhone 7, and iPhone 8 have the same 4.7in screen and their dimensions are almost the same, but there’s still a minimal difference (1mm or 2mm) that could make the installation of iPhone 6 screen protector on iPhone 8 impossible (the same thing applies to iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6S Plus, iPhone 7 Plus, and iPhone 8 Plus). Well, it’s not actually impossible since you can stick any 4.7in screen protector to any 4.7in phone screen, but you won’t get the perfect match. If the speaker on one phone is positioned 1mm (or even less) lower than on the other phone, the screen protector for the first phone will cover a small piece of the speaker on the other phone. So, it is technically possible to install some iPhone 6 screen protector on iPhone 8, but it’s probably smarter to look for the screen protector made specifically for your smartphone model.

You should also pay attention to the specs. Some manufacturers make screen protectors that can be installed on multiple phones. For example, the first tempered glass screen protector on our list can be used on iPhone 6, iPhone 6S, iPhone 7, and iPhone 8. Some manufacturers take into account all those minimal differences between different smartphone models and make slightly larger apertures (for the speaker, camera, and home button). That way, the screen protector becomes universal and can be used on multiple phone models.

iPhone 6, iPhone 6S (4.7in screen)


1. Best budget – amFilm Tempered Glass Screen Protector

amFilm Tempered Glass Screen ProtectoramFilm tempered glass screen protector is a fairly cheap option. It is priced under $10. You will get 2 screen protectors, installation kit (wet and dry wipes, dust removal stickers, small squeegee), and a short installation manual. It’s a universal screen protector that can be used on iPhones 6, 6S, 7, and 8.

The screen protector is 0.33mm thick and it doesn’t cover the whole front surface of the phone. Since iPhone 6 and 6S (also iPhone 7 and 8) have slightly curved edges, amFilm decided to make a smaller screen protector that doesn’t cover those edges. The idea was to prevent peeling off and bubbling. If you want to whole front face covered, this is not the screen protector for you.

The installation is simple and easy and if you do it right there will be no bubbles at all (in some cases, you might experience some bubbling around the edges).

The screen protector is very responsive and because of the oleophobic coating, it feels almost like the real screen. The screen protector doesn’t affect the transparency and responsiveness.

amFilm screen protector features 9H hardness rating and it does protect your screen from scratches and impact, but its durability is questionable. It’s definitely not as durable as more expensive protectors. Also, that oleophobic coating peels off relatively fast (after a few months) and after it peels off, the screen protector becomes highly prone to fingerprints.

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2. Best overall – Witkeen Tempered Glass Screen Protector

Witkeen Tempered Glass Screen ProtectorThis is a bit more expensive screen protector, but still quite affordable. It’s priced around $15. You will get two Witkeen protectors, the installation kit (wet and dry wipes, dust removal stickers), user manual, and all kinds of warranties. Witkeen’s customer service offers a 60-day replacement and refund warranty in case something bad happens or if you are not satisfied.

Like most of the latest tempered glass screen protectors, Witkeen protector is 0.33mm thick and it doesn’t cover the whole screen. Those curved edges of your iPhone 6 and 6S will not be covered by the screen protector. This is both good and bad. The good thing is that you can use any kind of phone case and it won’t interfere with the screen protector. Also, the protector will stay in place for much longer time. The previous experience proved that if those curved edges are covered, the screen protectors tend to lift up and peel off much faster. The bad thing is that some parts of the screen are not protected.

The installation is hassle-free and even if you make a mistake during the installation, you can call the Witkeen customer support service and get a replacement.

This screen protector features 6 layers of protection including a silicone resin layer, explosion-proof layer, tempered glass, anti-reflective layer, and oleophobic coating. This kind of build quality enables great durability and great scratch and impact resistance but also improves the overall user experience. Thanks to the anti-reflective layer, the contrast is very good. Oleophobic coating repels water, dust, and fingerprints and it makes the screen protector more natural to touch. The screen protector is also compatible with iPhone 6S 3D Touch Technology.

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iPhone 7, iPhone 8 (4.7in screen)

3. Best budget – JETech Screen Protector

JETech Screen ProtectorJETech screen protectors are one of the most popular budget options on the market. Their iPhone 7/iPhone 8 screen protector is highly praised and very cheap. It’s priced around $6. You will get 2 screen protectors, installation kit (wipes, dust stickers), and user manual.

The installation is, as always, very simple and much easier than the installation of those flimsy plastic screen protectors.

The protector is 0.33mm thick and it doesn’t cover the whole screen, only the flat part. Small parts of the screen (the left and right edge) will be unprotected. You should be aware of this issue. Well, actually, this is not an issue – the manufacturer designed it this way on purpose. This kind of protector design allows you to use any kind of phone case – they won’t interfere with your screen protector.

The screen protector features standard 9H hardness and it has a layer of oleophobic coating which makes it resistant to smudges and fingerprints. The screen protector enables great clarity and it’s very responsive.

Most of the customers complained about the screen protector size. They were unaware of the issue we’ve mentioned above. This can be a great deal breaker for some people.

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4. Best overall – Manto iPhone 7 8 6S 6 Screen Protector

Manto screen protector is different from all the previously mentioned protectors because it’s wider and it covers almost the whole screen. The original price was $20, but you can now buy it for less than $10. You also get to choose between white, black, and transparent version and match it to the color of your phone and/or your phone case. Depending on the color, you will get one or two screen protectors (one if you buy black or white model, two if you buy a transparent protector). You will also get one installation kit (wipes, dust absorbers) and a simple user manual. This tempered glass screen protector is supposed to be universal and can be used on iPhone 6, 6S, 7, and 8.

The installation is easy and takes just a few minutes. Before you apply it, be sure to clean the screen surface and make it smudge and dust-free.

Like all the previous protectors, this one is 0.33mm thick, but unlike them, it covers a greater portion of the screen and it doesn’t leave those annoying gaps on the left and right side of the screen.

The protector features 9H hardness rating and it is scratch and impact resistant. Unfortunately, it’s less resistant than narrow screen protectors that cover only the flat portion of the screen. Still, if it breaks, it will protect your screen which is the most important thing. There’s a thin layer of oleophobic coating on the surface which makes it resistant to fingerprints and water. This protector also reduces blue light emission and protects your eyes. It doesn’t have any noticeable negative influence on the clarity and responsiveness of the screen.

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iPhone 6 Plus and iPhone 6S Plus (5.5in screen)

5. Best budget – JETech Screen Protector

JETech Screen Protector for Apple iPhone 6 Plus and iPhone 6s PlusJETTech screen protector for iPhone 6 Plus and 6S Plus is a very cheap but highly-praised product. It’s priced under $10 and for the price, you will get 2 protectors, all the installation tools including dust removal stickers, wet wipes, cleaning cloth, guide stickers, and simple step-by-step instructions.

The installation is smooth and hassle-free. It’s also bubble-free. The only problem (which is actually not a problem since the protector is purposely designed that way) is the fact that it doesn’t cover the whole screen. There will be narrow strips of unprotected screen on the left and right side. Since most of the available protectors feature the same design and cover only the flat part of the screen (curved edges are not protected), this can’t be considered an issue, but you should still know about it. The good thing is that your screen protector won’t interfere with your phone case and you can use literally any case you want (which would not be possible if the whole screen was covered).

The screen protector is 0.33mm thick, it features 9H hardness, and has an oleophobic coating which repels fingerprints and water. After you apply the protector, the display remains perfectly clear and very responsive without any noticeable change.

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6. Best overall – Witkeen Ultra-Clear HD Tempered Glass Protector

Witkeen Ultra-Clear HD Tempered Glass ProtectorWitkeen tempered glass screen protector for iPhone 6 Plus and 6S Plus looks and it’s built exactly the same as the previously mentioned Witkeen protector for iPhone 6. It’s also priced the same (around $15). You will get 2 protectors, installation kit (dust removal stickers, wet and dry wipes, squeegee), user manual, and a warranty. Witkeen offers 60-day refund and replacement warranty.

The installation is smooth and bubble-free. It takes just a few minutes. Just make sure that your screen is properly cleaned before applying the screen protector. Like the majority of tempered glass screen protectors on the market, Witkeen protector doesn’t cover the whole screen. It covers only the flat part of the screen while the curved edges are not protected. It’s not a huge issue, but if you are looking for the whole-screen protection, you should look elsewhere.

Like all the previous screen protectors on this list, Witkeen protector is 0.33mm thick and features 9H hardness. It’s resistant to scratches and impacts. The protector doesn’t have any noticeable negative effect on clarity and responsiveness of the screen (much better than plastic screen protectors). It also features support for 3D Touch Technology.  

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iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 8 Plus (5.5in screen)

7. Best budget – OMOTON SmoothArmor Tempered Glass Screen Protector

OMOTON SmoothArmor Tempered Glass Screen ProtectorOMOTON screen protector is a very cheap, yet very popular and highly-praised product. It’s priced under $6 and, for that money, you will get all the things you need – 2 protectors, the installation kit (wipes, cloth, dust removal stickers, small cards for squeezing bubbles out), and user manual.

The installation is smooth but it can go wrong if you don’t clean the screen properly or if you don’t line up the screen protector appropriately. It’s not a difficult process – it only requires a lot of patience and thoroughness and just a little bit of precision.

The screen protector doesn’t cover the whole screen. The protector covers only the flat part of the screen and, since the edges are slightly curved, they are not protected. Most of the screen protectors on the market feature the same design and don’t cover the edges.

The screen features 9H hardness and it’s slimmer than most of the screen protectors on the market (0.26mm compared to 0.33mm). The screen is scratch resistant and offers a decent amount of protection against impacts. The protector is covered with a very thin layer of oleophobic coating which makes it fingerprint, smudge, and water resistant. Unlike plastic screen protectors, OMOTON screen protector doesn’t affect the clarity and responsiveness of the screen.

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8. Best overall – amFilm iPhone 8 Plus/7 Plus/6S Plus/6 Plus Screen Protector

amFilm iPhone 8 Plus/7 Plus/6S Plus/6 Plus Screen ProtectorThis amFilm screen protector is made for iPhones 6 Plus, 6S Plus, 7 Plus, 8 Plus. It comes at an affordable price (under $7) and it offers decent protection for that kind of money. It can even be considered better than some $20 or $30 protectors. They may offer slightly better protection but they cost much more and their performance doesn’t really justify the price. Inside the package, you will find 2 protectors, installation kit (wet and dry wipes, dust removal stickers, mini squeegees), and installation guide.

Like the previous amFilm screen protector on the list, this one is installed easily and without a hassle. Also, without any bubbles.

The screen protector is slightly narrower than the screen and it only covers the flat part of the screen. Those curved edges of iPhone 7 Plus and iPhone 8 Plus will stay unprotected. This is something you should expect from most of the tempered glass screen protectors on the market. Covering those edges would make the protectors more brittle and prone to breaking, so the manufacturers usually choose to cover only the flat area of the screen.

This screen cover, just like the previous amFilm cover is 0.33mm thick and features 9H hardness rating. It provides protection against scratches and impacts. It also has an oleophobic coating which protects it from smudges and fingerprints. The screen protector doesn’t have any negative effect on clarity and responsiveness of the screen.

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iPhone X, iPhone XS (5.8in screen)

9. Best budget – JETech Screen Protector

JETech Screen Protector for Apple iPhone Xs and iPhone XThis is another cheap JETech tempered glass screen protector. You can buy a pack of two for approx. $7. Inside the package, you will find all the necessary installation equipment (wipes, dust removal stickers, squeezing cards for removing the bubbles, etc.), and a short installation guide.

Applying the screen protector is, as always, simple and almost completely bubble-free. Some customers had issues with bubbles at the edges of the screen, but if you squeeze them out before the protector becomes fully adhered to the screen, there will be no problems. Some people might not like the fact that the screen protector doesn’t cover the whole screen (it’s not a perfect fit) and there will be two small unprotected strips on the left and right side of the screen. The edges of the iPhone are slightly curved and the screen protector covers only the flat part of the screen. The majority of tempered glass screen protectors on the market are the same and don’t cover the whole screen. The manufacturers claim that they do that in order to make their screen protectors case-friendly.

Like most of the other protectors, this one is 0.33mm thick and features 9H hardness. The manufacturer claims that it is harder than a knife (you can read about one marketing gimmick the manufacturers use to sell their screen protectors in the last section of our article). The screen protector feels almost exactly like the screen. It’s very responsive and it doesn’t have any negative effect on the picture clarity. The protector is also compatible with 3D Touch Technology.

This screen protector is just a little bit more brittle and probably less durable than more expensive protectors, but it still does the job and can save your screen.

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10. Best overall – Maxboost Screen Protector

Maxboost Screen Protector for Apple iPhone Xs & iPhone XMaxboost screen protector is one of the most popular screen protectors for iPhone X and XS. It’s a bit pricier, but still very affordable (approx. $14). This one is designed for all the people with shaky hands and it comes with a simple installation/alignment frame so you don’t have to aim and line up the screen protector. You just have to put the frame on your phone, align the screen protector with the frame, and press. The packaging includes 3 screen protectors, installation frame, simple installation kit (wet and dry wipes, squeezing card, dust removal stickers), and a user guide.

The installation is smooth and very fast thanks to that alignment frame. If you can’t squeeze out all the bubbles, don’t remove the screen protector immediately. Wait for a day or two and see if they disappear. In most cases, they will. Like most of the screen protectors, Maxboost protector doesn’t cover the whole screen – those curved screen edges will stay unprotected. The manufacturer calls this open-edge design. That way, the screen protector is less prone to breaking and it’s more case-friendly.

Maxboost screen protector is even thinner than the majority of protectors (0.25mm compared to 0.33mm) but the edges are not rounded enough and don’t feel as smooth as on some cheaper screen protectors. The screen protector features 9H hardness, like all the other tempered glass screen protectors and it is scratch resistant. The surface of the screen protector has a hydrophobic and oleophobic coating which repels fingerprints, smudges, and water. Maxboost protector enables great clarity and it is very responsive. It’s also compatible with 3D Touch Technology.

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iPhone XR (6.1in screen)

11. TETHYS Tempered Glass Screen Protector

TETHYS Tempered Glass Screen ProtectorTETHYS is a relatively cheap screen protector and, for the price, it offers more than satisfying performance. You can have it for approx. $11. The package includes 3 screen protectors, alignment frame for easy installation, wet and dry wipes, dust removal stickers, squeezing cards, and a simple installation guide.

The installation is smooth and quick. You just have to clean the screen properly, snap the frame onto your phone, and stick the screen protector. If there are bubbles, try to squeeze them out with the provided squeezing card. If you can’t remove all the bubbles, don’t take the protector off immediately. Leave it that way for a day or two and the bubbles might eventually disappear. In most cases, they will disappear completely. The screen protector doesn’t cover the whole screen, only the flat part while those curved edges are not covered. The protector has black edges which solves the problem with the prism (rainbow) effect that is sometimes noticeable at the edges of transparent screen protectors. Due to its design, the screen protector is compatible with most phone cases.

THETYS protector is 0.33mm thick and has rounded edges that feel very smooth. It also features 9H hardness rating, like all the other screen protectors. It is scratch and impact resistant. There are also layers of hydrophobic and oleophobic coating that make the screen protector fingerprint-free and water resistant. The protector doesn’t affect the clarity and responsiveness and it is compatible with all the iPhone XR features including 3D Touch Technology and Face ID.

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iPhone XS Max (6.5in screen)

12. Tech Armor iPhone XS MAX Ballistic Glass Screen Protector

Tech Armor iPhone XS MAX Ballistic Glass Screen ProtectorBallistic glass and tempered glass are not exactly the same thing. In fact, they are very different. The manufacturing process for ballistic glass is much more complicated and ballistic glass is much more expensive, so we don’t think that Tech Armor sells an actual ballistic glass, but it is still a very reputable company and their protectors are very durable and reliable.

This screen protector is priced under $10. You will get 3 protectors, alignment frame for easy installation, wet wipes, dust removal stickers, microfiber cloth, and user guide.

The installation is simple and takes a few minutes. As always, the most important thing is to clean the screen properly and squeeze all the bubbles out once you apply the screen protector. Even if there are some bubbles left, don’t remove the screen protector immediately. Wait for a day or two. In most cases, they will disappear after a short period of use. The screen doesn’t cover the whole screen, only the flat part. The edges of the screen are left unprotected, but that’s a normal thing with glass screen protectors.

Tech Armor screen protector is 0.33mm thick and features 9H hardness rating. It provides protection against scratches and impacts, and it is quite durable. It also has rounded (2.5D) edges. The surface of the screen protector is coated with an oleophobic solution and it repels dust, water, and fingerprints. The screen clarity and responsiveness are not affected by the protector. The protector is also compatible with 3D Touch Technology.

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iPhone SE (4in screen)

13. Tech Armor Apple Ballistic Glass Screen Protectors for Apple iPhone 5C / 5S / 5 / SE

Tech Armor Apple Ballistic Glass Screen Protectors for Apple iPhone 5C - 5S - 5 - SEiPhone SE is a bit older model, but it’s still in use and it’s still popular. That’s why we decided to include one screen protector for this phone. It’s another Tech Armor ballistic glass screen protector and it’s pretty much the same as the previously mentioned screen protector for iPhone XS Max. It’s priced under $8 and you will get only one protector. It’s a bit pricier than other screen protectors but it’s been very popular among the customers and it’s been highly praised. Besides the screen protector, you will get dust removal stickers, wet wipes, microfiber cloth, and a step-by-step installation guide. The aligning frame is not included and since there is only one protector in the package, you should be very precise and very careful.

The installation is not that difficult, but it would be easier if the installation frame/tray was included. The screen protector covers the flat part of the screen but, like most of the other protectors, it leaves the screen edges unprotected (which also makes it case-friendly). If there are bubbles, try to squeeze them out and if you can’t squeeze out all the bubbles, don’t remove the protector right away. Wait for a few days and they might disappear. You just need to be patient. Screen protectors are relatively cheap, but you don’t have to throw your money away.

Tech Armor screen protector is 0.33mm thick. It features 9H hardness rating and really protects your screen from scratches and impacts. The surface of the glass is coated with an oleophobic solution which repels water, fingerprints, and smudges. The protector doesn’t have any noticeable negative effect on the clarity and responsiveness of the screen.

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Samsung Smartphones

We didn’t want to leave out Samsung smartphones. After all, Samsung is Apple’s greatest rival on the smartphone market in the US. Here is our selection of best tempered glass screen protectors for Samsung phones (Galaxy S8, S8 Plus, S9, S9 Plus).


Samsung Galaxy S8 (5.8in screen)

14. OTAO Galaxy S8 Tempered Glass Screen Protector

OTAO Galaxy S8 Tempered Glass Screen ProtectorThis is an affordable $10 tempered glass screen protector. The package contains one screen protector, installation kit (wet and dry wipes, dust removal stickers, and mini squeegee), and user manual. Installation frame/tray is also included and it makes the installation much easier.

The installation is relatively smooth and takes a few minutes. As you probably know, the most important thing is to clean the screen thoroughly and line up the protector appropriately. Luckily, there will be no hassle since you can use that tray. The protector leaves just a little bit of unprotected space on the left and right edge. You should not be confused by that – the protector is designed this way on purpose (in order to be case-friendly). Also, it would be more prone to breaking if the edges were covered. Bubbles are possible and you are supposed to squeeze them out with the included squeegee. If you don’t squeeze all the bubbles out and you are not happy with the results, don’t remove the protector immediately. Give it some time, maybe a day or two, and the bubbles might disappear.

The protector is 0.33mm thick and features 9H hardness rating. The edges are rounded. The screen protector features oleophobic coating which prevents fingertips and repels water and smudges. It is compatible with 3D Touch technology. The screen remains perfectly clear and responsive after the installation.

If you want a protector that covers the whole screen (including curved edges) and has some nice additional features like self-healing ability, you might want to check out Dome Glass screen protectors. They are significantly pricier than other tempered glass screen protectors (up to $50).

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Samsung Galaxy S9 (5.8in screen)

15. LK Screen Protector for Samsung Galaxy S9

LK Screen Protector for Samsung Galaxy S9LK is another cheap option. You will get a box with 3 protectors and all the installation equipment (wet and dry wipes, dust removal stickers, alignment frame) for approx. $11.

The installation is smooth and simple. The most important thing is to clean the screen properly before you apply the protector. In order to align the protector with the screen, you can use the frame. The manufacturer suggests changing some settings and turning on the Touch Sensitivity feature on your phone in order to improve the responsiveness of the screen. You can find the official step-by-step installation tutorial on YouTube. The protector covers the whole screen.

The protector features 9H hardness rating and it is scratch and impact resistant. It also has a layer of oleophobic coating that protects it from fingertips, water, and smudges. Once you adjust the settings you won’t notice any difference regarding responsiveness. If you don’t activate the touch sensitivity feature, you might experience some responsiveness issues. The screen will be perfectly clear and the contrast will be unchanged.

If you want something fancier and more expansive, you can try $60 Dome Glass screen protector, which offers full-screen coverage, protection against blue light, and has the ability to heal itself.

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Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus (6.2in screen)

16. iAnder Galaxy S8 Plus Screen Protector Glass

iAnder Galaxy S8 Plus Screen Protector GlassiAnder Galaxy S8 Plus screen protector is an affordable option ($11), but not the cheapest on the market. You will get 2 protectors, installation kit that includes wet and dry wipes, alignment tray, dust removal stickers, and a simple installation manual.

The installation is very simple and takes a few minutes. Be sure to clean the screen thoroughly before you apply the protector. You can use the included alignment tray if you have shaky hands. The adhesive is only on the edges, which reduces the possibility of bubbling. Even if you don’t squeeze all the bubbles out, don’t remove the protector immediately. Wait for a day or two and they might disappear. This protector is case-friendly which means that it doesn’t cover the whole screen. Approx. 2mm on the left and right side of the screen will stay unprotected. If this is an issue or a deal breaker for you, and you want something that covers the whole screen, you should check out pricier Dome Glass protector for Galaxy S8 Plus. Even though it’s much more expensive than other screen protectors, it’s not that great and a lot of customers complained about the installation procedure. Apparently, it’s not that easy to properly apply the screen protector. If you want a cheap and hassle-free solution, iAnder and other cheaper brands like amFilm, TechArmor, etc. might be a better option.

iAnder protector, like all the other screen protectors, features 9H hardness and it is scratch-resistant and impact-resistant. The protector is 0.3mm thick and has rounded edges. The surface is covered with an oleophobic coating which protects it from water, smudges, and fingerprints. The protector does affect the clarity a little bit, but it’s barely noticeable. The screen stays responsive after the application of the protector.  

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Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus (6.2in screen)

17. OTAO Galaxy S9 Plus Screen Protector Tempered Glass

OTAO Galaxy S9 Plus Screen Protector Tempered GlassOTAO screen protector can be considered affordable, but unlike some other brands, OTAO delivers only one protector (not 2 or 3). This screen protector costs approx. $11. Besides the protector, you will get the installation kit (installation tray, wet and dry wipes, dust removal stickers), and a short installation guide.  

The installation is quite simple and should not take more than 5 minutes. The adhesive is only located on the edges, which is supposed to improve responsiveness and reduce prism/halo effect and bubbling. If you don’t squeeze all the bubbles out, don’t remove the protector immediately. Wait for some time (a day or two) and they might disappear. The protector doesn’t cover the whole screen and the edges are left unprotected. This allows you to use any kind of phone case, but it could be a deal breaker for some people. If you want something that covers the whole screen, you can try a significantly pricier Dome Glass protector for Galaxy S9 Plus, which can also heal itself and features protection against blue light.

The protector is 0.3mm thick and features 9H hardness rating. It’s scratch and impact resistant. The surface is covered with an oleophobic coating which protects it from fingerprints and smudges. The protector doesn’t affect the clarity and responsiveness of the screen.

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Other Smartphones

Apple and Samsung are the most popular smartphone manufacturers and they hold a great chunk of the market share, but there are a lot of different phones on the market and it would be unfair not to mention some of them.


LG Stylo 3 (5.7in screen)

18. LK Screen Protector for LG Stylo 3

LK Screen Protector for LG Stylo 3This is another very cheap LK tempered glass screen protector. For less than $8, you will get three screen protectors, installation kit (alignment frame, wet and dry wipes, dust removal stickers), and a simple installation guide.

The installation is super-easy and takes a few minutes. As always, the most important thing is to clean the screen thoroughly. After that, you can use the frame to apply the protector or you can apply it without the frame (if you have steady hands). The protector covers the whole screen so you won’t be experiencing that annoying halo effect. The adhesive seems quite strong and keeps the protector in place very well.

The protector is 0.3mm thick and features 9H hardness rating. It is scratch and impact resistant. The glass surface is covered with an oleophobic/hydrophobic coating which is supposed to prevent fingertips and smudges. Still, you will have to wipe the glass occasionally. The protector doesn’t have any noticeable negative effect on clarity and responsiveness and it supports 3D Touch Technology.

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Moto E4 (5in screen)

19. Supershieldz for Motorola Moto E4

Supershieldz for Motorola Moto E4Supershieldz screen protector is another cheap, but very good product. The packaging includes two protectors, installation kit (wet and dry wipes, dust removal stickers), and a simple installation guide. The alignment frame is not included.

The installation is hassle-free and quick. You only need to clean the screen properly and remove every single dust particle, and then apply the protector. The protector covers the whole screen and you won’t be experiencing halo effect on the edges, which is often the case with screen protectors that don’t cover the whole screen. The bubbling is not an issue, but even if you can’t remove some bubbles and you are not happy with the results, don’t remove the protector right away. Wait a few hours or a day and they might disappear. The edges are 2.5D rounded which makes them much smoother.

The screen protector is 0.3mm thick and features 9H hardness rating, just like the majority of currently available protectors. It offers decent protection against scratches and impacts. The surface has an oleophobic coating which is supposed to prevent fingertips and smudges. The clarity and responsiveness are not affected by the protector.

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Google Pixel 3 (5.5in screen)

20. TOCOL Screen Protector for Google Pixel 3

TOCOL Screen Protector for Google Pixel 3TOCOL protector for Google Pixel 3 is priced under $10. The package includes 3 screen protectors, installation kit (wet wipes, microfiber cloth, dust removal stickers, mini squeegee), and a simple user guide. The alignment frame is not included.

The installation is quick, simple, and usually bubble-free. If you can’t squeeze out all the bubbles and you are not happy with the results, you don’t have to remove the screen protector immediately. Leave the protector on for a day or two and the bubbles might disappear. The protector covers the whole screen. TOCOL screen protector offers basic protection against scratches and impacts and if you want something fancier (and more expensive) with self-healing feature and protection against blue light, you should try Dome Glass screen protector for Google Pixel 3. Be aware that the installation process for Dome Glass protector is not the same as the installation process for other screen protectors and can be quite messy.

TOCOL protector is 0.33mm thick and features 9H hardness rating. The surface of the glass is covered with an oleophobic coating which prevents fingertips and oil smudges. The protector doesn’t affect the clarity and responsiveness.

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This is the end of our list of 20 best tempered glass screen protectors, but it’s not the end of this article. We have just a few more topics to discuss. In the next few sections, you can read about different types of screen protectors and their advantages and disadvantages. Also, you can read about the installation process and find a few tips on how to do it without a hassle. In the end, we will warn you about one marketing gimmick many manufacturers use to describe the level of protection their screen protectors offer.


Types of Screen Protectors

There are three or four different types of screen protectors, depending on the way you look at them. The first are plastic (film) screen protectors. Based on the kind of plastic used, we can make a difference between PET (Polyethylene terephthalate) and TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane) screen protectors.

Types of Screen Protectors

PET screen protectors are the least scratch and impact resistant. On the other hand, they’re very light, extremely thin, and they are the cheapest option. They are not visually obtrusive and can be used with all kinds of phone cases.

TPU screen protectors are similar to PET protectors in terms of thinness but offer better protection against scratches and impacts. They are a bit pricier, but still very much affordable. Their surface is kind of rubbery and it’s not really that smooth as glass which can be a deal breaker for some people.

Both types of plastic screen protectors have one big downside – installing plastic screen protectors is a big hassle. It’s not only about the cleaning and removing all the stains and fingerprints. Removing and squeezing out all the air bubbles can be a painful job and the results are not always great.

what happens if you don’t squeeze all the bubbles out

You can see (on the left side) what happens if you don’t squeeze all the bubbles out (source – YouTube)

Tempered glass screen protectors are a bit pricier than the plastic screen protectors, but they are definitely worth the extra money. The price varies from $5 or $6 to $40 or $50. You can find a pretty decent glass screen protector for less than $15 (or even less than $10). They are more durable, harder, offer better protection against scratches and impacts, they feel smoother than the plastic screen protectors (more like the actual screen), they enable better contrast and sharper picture, and they are much easier to install (in the picture above, the phone on the right side has a glass screen protector). The only problem is they are significantly thicker than the plastic screen protectors. Their thickness is not only an aesthetical issue, but it can also be a problem if you want to use a slim phone case. In other words, you will have to choose your phone case more carefully. Their thickness/bulkiness is basically the only downside of glass screen protectors.

Liquid screen protectors are the latest big thing on the screen protector market and there’s a great hype about these protectors. The manufacturers claim that you just have to apply some kind of a solution to your screen and leave it to rest for 48h. This Nano coating is practically invisible (even thinner than plastic screen protectors), but we are very skeptical about the amount of protection they actually offer. The biggest issue is that you can never know if you have scratched the coating or the actual screen. And even if the coating is scratched and the scratches are visible, there is no way to remove it, apply the new layer of coating, and make the phone good as new. Those scratches will stay forever.

How to Install Tempered Glass Screen Protector?

Installing glass screen protector is quite easy. It is much easier than the installation of a plastic screen protector. Practically every tempered glass screen protector comes with the installation kit which includes one or a few wet wipes, dust absorber (aka dust removal sticker), and a soft microfiber cloth, so you don’t have to buy any additional equipment. Some tempered glass screen protectors also come with the alignment frame which makes the installation even easier.

How to Install Tempered Glass Screen Protector

Just like with any other type of screen protectors, you are supposed to clean the screen and remove all the fingerprints, dust, dirt, smudges, etc. You are supposed to be very thorough and repeat the process multiple times until the screen is perfectly clean. You can start with a dust absorber, then wipe the screen with the wet wipe, and then dry it off with a cloth. Again, and again until the screen is crystal clear. This is the most important part of the installation process.

Once you are done with cleaning, you can line up the protector with the screen. Before you apply the protector, you should peel off the plastic film that protects the adhesive. Now, line up the screen protector with the screen and press it. Remove all the bubbles by squeezing them towards the edges of the screen. In the ideal case, there will be no bubbles at all.

Liquid screen protectors are definitely the easiest to install and there will be no bubbles at all, but the level of protection they offer is questionable.

The Marketing Gimmick Many Manufacturers Use – Pencil Hardness Scale VS Mohs Scale

There’s one trick many (if not all) manufacturers use to sell their products. You will find 9H hardness rating on almost each screen protector on the market. This hardness rating has become an industry standard and it is supposed to describe the glass strength and the level of protection. The only problem is they use the pencil hardness scale. If the glass screen protector features 9H hardness rating it means that it is harder than the hardest pencil on this scale, which doesn’t really tell you anything about the level of protection. Mohs scale is a completely different hardness scale that actually offers some real info on the level of protection you get but, for some reason, you won’t find this hardness rating on any box. Maybe because they would have to put a smaller number or because ‘’6 or 7 hardness rating according to Mohs scale’’ doesn’t sound as cool as ‘’9H Surface Hardness’’. Whatever the reason is, we can’t say this is a false advertisement since they (the manufacturers) never say that 9H is hardness rating according to Mohs scale. It’s just a simple gimmick they use to sell their product.

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