Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Tech21 case roundup: Drop and screen protection for the best smartphone

The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 is the best smartphone currently available and I've been using one for a few weeks. Three cases and a screen protector from Tech21 spent a week rotating on my Note 8.

I haven't use screen protectors on my phones for a couple of years and for the most part they have been nearly scratch free. I bought the Note 8 using T-Mobile's latest Jump on Demand program so it is important to keep the phone in excellent condition. Thus, using a screen protector makes sense to protect my investment and allow me to switch to another phone in the future. Tech21 sent along its Impact Shield screen protector for testing.

I was also sent the Evo Tactical, Evo Check, and Pure Clear cases for testing. These three cases are priced at $44.95 each.

The Impact Shield screen protector is priced at $39.95. It is designed for edge-to-edge protection and covers nearly 100 percent of the front and down both side edges. There is a detailed 13-step process for installation with a suggestion to watch the installation video first before attemptint installation. It is a different approach to installation, with an applicator and four tabs on the protector.

I followed the process and installed the screen protector within a few minutes. The included squeegee has a soft microfiber cloth edge that does an amazing job of getting everything off of the display before you position the protector. At first I had several small bubbles in the top third of the screen protector, but within about four to five hours they all disappeared and the protector now looks perfect.

I highly recommend you follow the specific instructions and pay attention when it calls out some of the steps. Installation is fairly easy, but there are certain steps that are very important.

The Impact Shield is a plastic screen protector, not a glass one. It contains BulletShield material, which is used in bulletproof glass. The only part of the glass front not covered is the headset speaker, front-facing camera, and front sensor area. It is also important that the Tech21 cases all still work with the Impact Shield in place.

Of the three Tech21 cases sent to me, my favorite is the Evo Tactical case. It comes in black and has almost a camo looking textured back design that looks slick. It is designed to survive a three meter (10 feet) drop thanks to the FlexShock edge design. It is the heaviest of the three cases at 41 grams.

All ports, mics, and the S Pen silo are easily accessible. The sides are cut to fit the edges of the Note 8 perfectly. Tactile buttons are in place for the power, Bixby, and volume buttons. The rear opening is one large opening that facilitates placement of your finger on the fingerprint scanner.

The edges are well designed for better drop protection.

The Pure Clear case is my second favorite, primarily because it lets me experience the color of the Note 8 in all aspects. It is a clear case that has BulletShield material incorporated to help provide two meter (6.6 feet) drop protection.

It is light at 24.3 grams and has the same openings and buttons as the other Tech21 cases. The entire back is clear with no texture or designs so you can see your Note 8 as designed by Samsung.

There are raised buttons on the sides to activate Bixby, power, and volume.

The Evo Check case is also mostly clear with white or black color highlights around the four sides of the case. It also has a check pattern inside the back that shows through the back of the case.

The Samsung logo and pattern design shows through.

The Evo Check has a higher drop protection rating than the Pure Clear with testing to three meters (10 feet) thanks to its FlexShock design. It is a bit heavier than the Pure Clear at 33.6 grams.