After years of polish and iteration, Google has finally mastered the art of smartphone design. The Pixel 7 is one of their best efforts yet, cleverly building on the best features of previous models while trimming some of what wasn't working with the Pixel 6 - which is why the Pixel 8 didn't change all that much.

Of course, beauty comes at a cost, and this particular cost can be measured in an alarming number of US dollars. Make sure your investment is protected with a rugged protective case and one of the best screen protectors on this list.

  • amFilm Screen Protector For Pixel 7
    amFilm Screen Protector For Pixel 7
    Best overall

    As expected from a highly reputable manufacturer, amFilm has produced one of the most remarkable screen guards for the Pixel 7. Featuring a hardness rating of 9H, the tempered glass shield offers exceptional protection against scratches and cracks. At the same time, it preserves your display’s original feel and viewing experience, thanks to its 0.26mm-thickness and 99.9% transparency. Additionally, the package includes a resourceful installation frame alongside other necessary tools for an easy application.

  • Whitestone Dome Glass Screen Protector For Pixel 7
    Whitestone Dome Glass Screen Protector For Pixel 7
    Premium pick

    Most protectors from Whitestone are not cheap, and the brand’s offerings remain a top choice among smartphone users, including Pixel 7 owners. It’s no surprise, though, considering the UV-cured tempered glass guards offer unbeatable protection and adhere to smartphone displays much better than traditional glass protectors do. This means that it’s less likely to lift around the curved edges of your display, and it’s more likely to work seamlessly with your in-display fingerprint sensor.

  • Supershieldz Tempered Glass screen protectors for Pixel 7 beside packaging
    Supershieldz Tempered Glass For Pixel 7
    Best value

    Getting an ordinary, affordable screen guard is cool, but getting a top-quality protector for cheap is astonishing. Supershieldz’s tempered glass for the Pixel 7 is the embodiment of “astonishing.” Despite offering top-level scratch and crack resistance without messing with display clarity and sensitivity, the protector is still sold for under $10. What makes it even better is that, at this price, you don’t get only one or two protectors — you get a solid three-piece pack of fingerprint and smudge-repellent screen shields.

  • ArmorSuit MilitaryShield For Pixel 7
    ArmorSuit MilitaryShield For Pixel 7
    Durable film

    The main reason for choosing a flexible film over a glass protector is the certainty that it won’t hinder your display’s touch responsiveness. And when it comes to selecting the best of the category, other factors like transparency, scratch resistance, and ease of application come into consideration. Being one of the most outstanding protective films for the Pixel 7, ArmorSuit’s MilitaryShield checks all these boxes. In addition, it comes with extra perks like stain repellence and self-healing capabilities.

  • ZAGG InvisibleShield Glass Elite For Pixel 7
    ZAGG InvisibleShield Glass Elite For Pixel 7

    The Glass Elite for the Pixel 7 promises better shatter protection than other tempered glass options and features reinforced edges to stop chipping or cracks. In other features, ZAGG has treated the Glass Elite with its ClearPrint technology, which ensures it doesn't attract fingerprint smudges. Lastly, thanks to the bundled EZ Apply Tray and install tabs, you won't have any issues installing the Glass Elite on your phone.

  • AACL Pixel 7 tempered glass protector
    AACL Tempered Glass Protector for Pixel 7

    AACL’s screen protector is one of the best tempered glass shields for the Pixel 7. It has a hardness rating of 9H, which makes it highly resistant to scratches and cracks. Its surface is coated hydro-phobically and oleo-phobically to keep smudges and fingerprint marks away. Furthermore, the protector comes with the necessary tools, including a resourceful alignment frame, for a stress-free and bubble-free application.

  • JETech Screen Protector For Pixel 7
    JETech Screen Protector For Pixel 7

    This tempered glass film from JETech is an excellent choice for under $10. And like our other tempered glass recommendations, the JETech protector is 9H rated for hardness, so you won’t have to worry about scratches and other bruises on your display. The company also claims it’ll work with the in-display fingerprint sensor as long as you enable the Increase touch sensitivity option in the display settings.

  • IQ Shield Screen Protector For Pixel 7
    IQ Shield Screen Protector For Pixel 7

    This IQ Shield screen protector is a clear film protector made of TPU material, which typically doesn’t impact the fingerprint sensor performance. However, you may find it tricky if this is your first time trying the wet install. Moreover, you don’t get an alignment tray. Fortunately, you can reposition the IQ Shield screen protector for several minutes after you put it on the screen, giving you sufficient time to get it right.

  • Skinomi Matte Screen Protector For Pixel 7
    Skinomi Matte Screen Protector for Pixel 7

    The Pixel 7 screen is gorgeous, but its glossy display can often get a bit too glary. If that irks you, look no further than this matte screen protector by Skinomi. Its matte finish helps in reducing glare and reflection, making it easier to use the smartphone in bright or outdoor settings. In addition, the matte film does a great job keeping away smudges and fingerprints. It's also made from a military-grade elastic polymer material and is backed by a lifetime warranty.

  • Power Theory Pixel 7 screen protector
    Power Theory Screen Protector for Pixel 7

    On the lookout for a well-made tempered glass protector for your Google Pixel 7? Look no further than the Power Theory screen protector. Crafted with protection and durability in mind, the damage-resistant 9H-hard screen guard covers only the flat part of your display, leaving out the curved edges for a case to fit snugly on. This lets you protect your phone’s screen while still being able to reinforce its sides and back with a highly shock-absorbent protective cover.

  • Caseology Snap Fit For Pixel 7
    Caseology Snap Fit For Pixel 7

    Although primarily known for its smartphone cases, Caseology also produces solid screen protectors, like this Snap Fit tempered glass protector for the Pixel 7. It's designed to offer a perfect fit and protect your display from scars. In other features, the screen protector maintains the display's touch sensitivity, plus the Caseology Snap Fit is easy to install thanks to the included alignment tray. You also get two glass protectors in each pack.

  • Spigen Pixel 7 screen protector beside packaging on a white background
    Spigen GlasTR AlignMaster For Pixel 7

    Spigen GlasTR AlignMaster is one of the few Made for Google Pixel certified screen protectors, making it a solid choice to keep your Pixel 7 secure. This tempered glass protector is durable and rated for 9H hardness, meaning it provides top-notch protection from scratches, scrapes, bumps, and drops. Moreover, it covers the entire screen, including the front lens. So you also don’t have to worry about the selfie camera being scratched.

About Pixel 7's in-display fingerprint sensor and tempered glass screen protectors

The in-display fingerprint sensors in Google's smartphones haven't had the best track record of playing nice with tempered glass screen protectors, and unfortunately, things are no different when it comes to the Pixel 7. While it's a bit better compared to previous-generation models, you're bound to run into fingerprint-scanning problems if you choose a tempered glass screen protector.

Google acknowledges the issue and suggests a screen protector from a Made for Google-certified brand like ZAGG. While you might have better luck with options from these brands, there's no guarantee as Google doesn't test these products for compatibility, but the accessory manufacturers do.

As an alternative, you can go for TPU or PET screen protectors. They don't offer as much in terms of overall scratch resistance but work better with in-display fingerprint sensors. If you must have a screen protector, you can just ditch the fingerprint sensor and use face unlock instead, even though its functionality is quite limited.

Giving your Pixel 7's display the protection it needs

As one of the best camera phones, the Pixel 7 is blessed with a bustling accessory aftermarket. Screen protectors are no exception, and there is a wealth of options, whether you're looking for glass, PET, TPU, or some other novel material. There's also now an influx of protectors from trusted brands, always an important inflection point in any young smartphone's life.

Our top choice, the protector from amFilm, is one of the best tempered glass options currently available at a relatively low price point. You get a three-pack of 9H hardness protectors that, at 0.26mm thickness shouldn't interfere with the touchscreen or fingerprint sensor.

For a bit more, you can grab Whitestone's excellent dome glass screen protector, which is specially UV-cured to fit the screen perfectly and even further mitigate any threat of interference. If you don't mind the spend, the Dome Glass is the best tempered glass option. On the other hand, if you're looking to save, Supershieldz offers a completely competent, very durable glass protector for a reasonable cost and, remarkably, you get three protectors.