Tempered Glass vs Plastic Screen Protector: Which Should You Choose?
The short answer: choose tempered glass for real protection; choose plastic only if you’re on a tight budget. Here’s the full breakdown so you can decide with confidence.
Tempered Glass: The Premium Choice
Pros
- 9H hardness — resists scratches from keys and coins
- Better impact absorption — protects your screen from drops
- Feels like real glass — smooth touch, no plastic feel
- Clearer display — especially with an AR anti-reflective coating
Cons
- Slightly higher price
- Can shatter on extreme impact (but that’s it doing its job)
Plastic Protectors: The Budget Option
Pros
- Cheap and widely available
- Thin and flexible
Cons
- Scratches easily
- Shows fingerprints and smudges
- Doesn’t absorb impact well
Our Recommendation
For a screen you look at hundreds of times a day, the upgrade to tempered glass is worth it. For the best experience, choose an AR-coated option like our AR Anti-Reflective Tempered Glass — it reduces glare and keeps your display looking brighter and clearer.
Does Tempered Glass Affect Touch?
No. High-quality tempered glass preserves full touch sensitivity and works flawlessly with fingerprint sensors and face unlock.
Protect your screen the right way. Shop the AR tempered glass screen protector.
