Purchasing a brand new smartphone is always a lot of fun, but it’s also important to keep your device safe, and nothing is more essential than a screen protector. To this end, manufacturers have come up with several different options for consumers, chief among them being tempered glass protectors and hydrogel screen protectors. The question is then, which of these is the better choice for you?
That’s the question we’re looking to answer today, so join us as we break down both types of screen protectors, their pros and cons, and which one will fit you best.
What Are Hydrogel Screen Protectors?
Hydrogel screen protectors are the latest innovation in screen protector technology, and have been becoming more popular as of late as an alternative to tempered glass screen protectors. Instead of being hard, hydrogel screen protectors are made of soft TPU, resulting in a gentle and malleable feel. It gives them a unique set of benefits and flaws that you can’t really find on any other type of screen protector, which we’ve detailed below.
Pros Of Hydrogel Screen Protectors:
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Capable of healing small scratches and indents, allowing for longer lifespan.
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Easier to clean than the average screen protector with just a microfiber cloth.
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Stays bubble free at all times compared to standard plastic screenprotectors.
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Provides edge-to-edge protection on your display, even with curved screens.
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Can absorb shocks and impacts without shattering.
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Relatively simple to install with minimal fuss.
- Completely transparent and doesn’t interrupt the user experience.
Cons Of Hydrogel Screen Protectors:
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More expensive than the average tempered glass screen protector.
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Not as impact resistant as a tempered glass screen protector.
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Soft material can sometimes leave the display feeling rubbery.
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Deeper scratches do not heal fully and leave marks.
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Does not resist oil and grime, needing frequent cleaning.
What Are Tempered Glass Screen Protectors?
Tempered glass screen protectors are the reigning kings of the smartphone screen protector world, and for good reason. Blow for blow, they’re by far the most sturdy choices, being able to resist the most damage while keeping your screen safe. Despite this, they aren’t exactly perfect, though the flaws can often be overlooked due to just how effective they are. Once more, we’ve done a breakdown of the pros and cons of tempered glass screen protectors below.
Pros Of Tempered Glass Screen Protectors:
- More resistant to falls and blunt impact than any other type of screen protector.
- Resist scratches very well with a hardness rating of 8 on the Mohs scale.
- More affordable than hydrogel screen protectors.
- Extremely popular and therefore easy to come by.
- Usually has an oleophobic coating that keeps grime and oil away.
- Many options available in different marketplaces.
Cons Of Tempered Glass Screen Protectors:
- Needs to be replaced when damaged.
- A bad shatter can still harm your smartphone display.
- Cannot self heal like hydrogel screen protectors.
- Does not always cover edge-to-edge, especially in the case of curved smartphones.
- Removing the tempered glass screen protector can break it completely.
- Bubbles underneath the protector need to be removed manually, which can be risky.
Is Hydrogel Stronger Than Tempered Glass?
This is a question that comes up quite often, especially now that hydrogel screen protectors are getting more attention. To put it simply, hydrogel is not stronger than tempered glass, but it is a lot more durable. When it comes to absorbing impacts, the tempered glass can take bigger blows, but where hydrogel does excel however is in long term durability, consistency and overall protection.
While a hydrogel screen protector will not take big impacts as well as a tempered glass protector, it can absorb more of the shock without any damage to itself. This means in circumstances where a tempered glass protector could get irreparably scratched or even cracked, the hydrogel would take the impact and come out relatively unscathed. Any damages would also heal over time, as opposed to the one-time-use nature of tempered glass protectors.
Hydrogel also has the advantage of being able to cover every inch of the screen. Tempered glass screen protectors often leave some bald spots. In worst case scenarios, these bald patches can cause your smartphone display to be damaged regardless of the installed screen protector. More often than not, any damage that’s too much for hydrogel would also shatter the tempered glass and mildly damage the smartphone display.
That said, tempered glass protectors are still the strongest option available, being able to take hits that would otherwise destroy your smartphone, though at the cost of the protector itself. Due to how ey are, it can even be economic to keep a surplus of tempered glass screen protectors. Outside of that however, hydrogel is more flexible and lasts longer.
Are Hydrogel Screen Protectors Easy To Install?
This is another question that comes up often, and the answer is quite simple. Hydrogel screen protectors, despite the interesting name and unique look, are just as easy to install as any other plastic
screen protector on the market. If you’ve ever installed any type of screen protector on your phone, then you’re good to go with installing a hydrogel screen protector.
Which Is The Best Brand Of Hydrogel Screen Protector?
For our money, we recommend Fixo Hydrogel Film on all your smartphones. They’re easy to install with all the necessary tools in the packaging, and on top of that they’re relatively affordable. The screen protectors are of high quality, with no concessions taken to hit lower price tags, and we’re happy with the quality of them. Easy to recommend to any smartphone user!
Which Is The Best Brand Of Tempered Glass Screen Protector?
When it comes to tempered glass screen protectors, there are a few more options to choose from. One of the more popular choices is Panzer Glass, who have been around for a long while now. They’re a trusted option with an excellent track record of good quality screen protectors.
On the more affordable end of the market, we have Nuglas, who have also been making tempered glass screen protectors for a long time. Despite their lower prices, they manage to keep up their quality, and as a result they have a loyal customer base. Any of these would be a good choice for any user, so look up the details and make sure you make a well informed choice!