Got a new phone for Christmas? Here's how to find the most protective phone case

If you got a new phone for Christmas, it's not a bad idea to protect it.

With new, top-of-the-line phones often costing more than a thousand dollars—a phone case should be a no brainer, and they are not created equal.

“A phone case is the cheapest form of insurance you can buy," says Melanie Pinola with Consumer Reports.

Consumer Reports says you can get a good case for under $30. Just make sure it has the following features:

You want that tight fit to keep the case in place, should you drop your phone. Because phone-makers often change their phone designs ever so slightly, you’ll likely need a new case every time you get a new phone. Even better, choose a phone that scores a 4 or 5 in CR’s intense durability tests, which include the drop test–performed on phones without cases.

“We drop the phone 50 times. We check the phone for any scratches or damage. And then we drop it another 50 times," says Pinola.

The best phones make it out of the tumble with just a few scuffs or scratches.

Finally, look for a warranty. For instance, OtterBox and Speck both offer good options.

If you’re someone who is really tough on your phone, you may want to consider investing in phone insurance. You can get it through Apple, Samsung or most phone carriers.