| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Great protection | Weak MagSafe strength |
| Multiple premium build options | Heavy |
| Great handling |
Mous Limitless is one of those cases that keeps us updating our testing methods because it’s built like a tank but doesn’t always act like one. We’ve put it through thirty controlled drops, corner hits, and camera-lump impacts to see how it really performs. Here’s how the data stacks up.
How We Test
30+ drops per case | 6+ metrics recorded per impact | 100% independently tested
Our goal is to find out what cases are actually best for your iPhone. We don’t base our reviews on any of the marketing a company wants you to believe. We’re reviewers, not influencers.
Our case testing procedure for the iPhone 17’s:
- Buy the case ourselves
- Measure all the physical dimensions of the case:
- Weight
- Size
- Back rigidity
- Corner/Back Thickness
- Corner compression
- Rank the handling and access of the iPhone in the case
- Perform magnetic strength tests using a force meter
- Perform audio tests (if needed using a DB meter)
- Perform 30 corner, face and camera lump drop tests. This data is collected from the iPhone’s accelerometer and gyroscope. We’ve built custom drop rigs to ensure every drop almost identical. To gauge the iPhone’s protective abilities, we measure:
- Average peak deceleration
- Average decay rate
- Average impulse
- Average max rotation
- Average angular displacement
- Average settling time
- After we collect all the data, we then run it through or scoring formula to figure out how well the case ranks.
We’ve got a few more ideas to implement for the next round of iPhone’s including more data collection during drops as well as high speed camera photos of the initial impacts.
Design
| Metric | Value | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 47 g | 45 g |
| Added Case Thickness | 54% | 51% |
| Added Overlook Bulk | 69% | 66% |
The Mous Limitless 5.0 keeps the brand’s signature look with multiple finishes (carbon fiber, leather, and fabric) but comes in heavy at 47 grams, roughly ten grams more than the Apple Clear Case. In hand, it makes your iPhone feel about 69 percent bigger, though the tapered sides do a good job of disguising the bulk.
The case construction mixes TPE, TPU, and PC for a triple-layer defense. The microfiber lining cushions the back of your phone, though with Apple’s ceramic shield glass, scratches are less of a concern these days. The new reinforced top edge adds major rigidity, a key update from earlier models.
Thickness comes in at 2.9 mm on the corners and 2.7 to 2.8 mm on the back. Flex tests showed 33 N to reach 8 mm of bend which is about 11 percent stiffer than the average case, though it’s still the bendiest we’ve tested so far (we’ve only tested 4 cases so far).
Accessibility & Handling
| Metric | Value | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Grip | Textured grip strips, excellent side traction | – |
| Buttons | Plastic flow-through; smaller, precise feel | – |
| MagSafe Strength | Pull 5.3 N / Push 6.6 N | 10.1 N |
Grip quality remains a highlight. The textured sides add just enough roughness without forcing a death-grip on the phone, and the added side grip strips help if your hands get slick. Mous also refined the button design this year. They are smaller, tighter, and more integrated into the case compared to the floating style from last year’s model.
Unfortunately, MagSafe is where the design stumbles. On both Pro Max versions, magnetic pull measured 5.3 N and push 6.6 N which is about 41 percent weaker than average. The Air version performs slightly better at 7.7 N / 8 N but still below par. Accessories stay attached, but barely.
Protection
| Metric | Value | Average |
|---|---|---|
| Back Thickness | 2.7 mm | 2.4 mm |
| Corner Thickness | 2.9 mm | 2.9 mm |
| Air Pockets | Present (Depth 2.9 mm) | 10.1 N |
| Rigidity | 33 N (11% stiffer than avg) | 29 N |
| Initial Impact | 9.304 G (Avg Peak Decel — Corner) | 10.3 G |
| Rotation Rate | 283.56°/s | 300°/s |
| Time to Settle | 0.730 s | 0.53 s |
| Settling Rate | 0.282 s⁻¹ | 0.24 s⁻¹ |
| Total Force | 1.593 Ns | 1.5 Ns |
On paper, this thing looks indestructible and mostly lives up to that reputation. In our corner-drop tests, initial impact peaked at 9.3 g, 10 percent better than average, with faster stabilization (17 percent better). Spin rate was also 5 percent lower. However, total impact force came in 9 percent higher than average due to longer settling times. That’s typical for multi-layer builds: they spread out the hit, reducing sharp shocks but extending total force.
For face-first drops, the new rigid top prevented failure completely. While the first contact registered slightly higher impact, recovery was 50 percent smoother than average which is a sign that the energy dissipates over time. Camera-lump drops were uneventful, with average results across all metrics.
In short, it’s the difference between falling off a 10-foot cliff or rolling down a 10-foot hill, the Limitless chooses the roll, and your iPhone survives the ride.
Value
At the price point of $80, the Mous Limitless offers strong material quality, distinctive design, and measurable protection benefits. The only major trade-off is weight and MagSafe strength. For users who rely heavily on magnetic accessories, those weak magnets can be frustrating. For everyone else, especially those prioritizing corner and face-drop protection, this case earns its premium tag.
Verdict
If we weren’t reviewers, we’d still consider the Mous Limitless for daily use, especially on lighter phones like the iPhone Air. The build quality, grip comfort, and real-world protection make it one of the toughest options out there. Still, the weak MagSafe performance holds it back from perfection. Know what you’re getting: a tank of a case that sometimes forgets its magnets.