Hard plastic: polycarbonate and acrylic
Hard plastics turn up all over the shop. Polycarbonate, often written PC, is a rigid, tough plastic that is light, strong for its weight and hard to crack, used for slim cases and the shells of tough ones. Acrylic is a hard, clear plastic that takes colour, mirror finishes and printing well, and it is what many charms and beads are made of. ABS is another rigid plastic, used for the bodies of many gadgets. This page gathers everything whose own name or description says plastic, PC, polycarbonate, acrylic or ABS.
What is here today
- Cases: ultra-thin hard PC cases in clear or matte frosted, mirror-backed acrylic cases with shockproof bumpers, clear acrylic cases with a card slot or a lanyard, an armour case with a PC shell, a leather-effect case on a hard PC shell, and a Galaxy Watch bumper of glass and PC. See hard and slim cases and mirror cases.
- Charms and beads: acrylic character charms and butterflies, beaded phone chains, a tassel lanyard, letter beads and a big bead-making kit. See acrylic phone charms and DIY charm kits.
- Gadgets: wireless game controllers, including telescopic ones the phone sits in, and wireless clip-on microphones. See phone game controllers.
What hard plastic is good and less good at
A hard shell spreads the force of a knock across the whole case rather than letting it land in one spot. It can be made very thin, it holds its shape for years, and it is smooth, so it slides in and out of a pocket. Being rigid, it absorbs less shock on its own than a soft case, which is why the best protective cases pair it with a soft TPU layer or soft corners. Hard cases can be slippery, glossy finishes can show scratches, and a tight hard case can be difficult to take off.
Clear polycarbonate is less prone to yellowing than clear TPU, so cases with a stiff clear back tend to stay clearer for longer. The guide to phone case materials compares the plastics.
Questions people ask about plastic accessories
Are acrylic charms and beads safe for small children?
Beads and small charms are small parts. The NHS warns that young children put small objects in their mouths and can choke on them, so keep charms and bead kits out of reach of babies and toddlers.
Does a hard case stop wireless charging?
Plastic lets wireless charging through, though Apple notes that a thick case can slow or stop it.
How long does delivery take?
Delivery is included in every price and tracked to your door. Each product page says when it usually arrives.
More to look at