Looking for the best rugged phones on the market today? Our power list of drop-, shock- and water-proof phones should help you make the buying decision a tad bit easier.
If you work in a profession that demands reliability and durability (e.g., construction, public service, outdoor adventure), then you may want to consider a rugged phone. Rugged mobile phones are built to withstand the roughest of conditions for an extended period — but which one should you get?
The Best Rugged Smartphone 2021
Check out this page for our list of the best rugged phones on the market today. We’ll take a close look at what they’re all about and who they’re perfect for. Get your new phone now!
Image: Ulefone Armor 9 FLIR Rugged Phone
1) Ulefone Armor 9 FLIR Rugged Phone
This is arguably the most durable smartphone on this list. The name “Armor 9” may seem a bit deceptive —it makes you think of a phone that can withstand 9 drops from the Empire State Building. But the Armor 9 FLIR rugged smartphone can handle much more than that! Not only is it pretty much waterproof and dustproof, but it also comes with thermal imaging (for when you need to find something in the dark).
Major Features:
6,600mAh battery capacity
Built on the Helio P90 CPU
128GB of internal storage for taking pictures and storing music and video files
Inbuilt thermal imaging camera for seeing in the dark without any additional equipment (with infrared night vision)
Screen size: 6.3-inch
Image: Nokia XR20 Rugged Phone
2) Nokia XR20 Rugged Phone
If you want a phone that comes with an extra set of wheels, then the Nokia XR20 is your best chance at getting your hands on one. This rugged mobile phone comes with a two-axis tilt mount, which allows you to attach it to your car’s roof rack or tailgate. It also includes integrated GPS and GLONASS for even better accuracy.
Major Features:
64GB/128GB of internal storage coupled with 6GB of RAM
Comes with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 4800 / Adreno 619 CPU
While battery life could have been a lot better, this rugged mobile phone comes with 4,630mAh
Screen size: 6.67-inch
Image: Kyocera Durasport 5G UW Rugged Phone
3) Kyocera Durasport 5G UW Rugged Phone
If you’re looking to buy a very tough phone, look no further than the Kyocera DuraSport 5G UW-5 rugged smartphone. This phone can easily survive any harsh conditions, whether it’s a white-water rafting trip or working in an active construction site.
Major Features:
32GB of internal storage coupled with 1GB of RAM
Advanced navigation features like GPS, WiFi, and digital compass for better accuracy and speed
Screen size: 6.1-inch IPS LCD Gorilla Glass 6 display
Powered by a 4,500 mAh battery
This rugged smartphone boasts MIL-STD 810H shock test certification
Image: Samsung Galaxy Xcover Pro Rugged Phone
4) Samsung Galaxy Xcover Pro Rugged Phone
This is one of the best rugged phones from a major smartphone maker. Suppose your daily routine includes lots of outdoor activities like hiking, skiing, or walking around town. In that case, the Samsung Galaxy Xcover pro will ensure you have all your contacts and files easily accessible anytime, anywhere. A unique design makes your device more comfortable and easy to carry with one hand. You can take it just about anyplace with its durable 3G/4G LTE connectivity. It has excellent battery life for a full day of work and play and is waterproof up to 2 meters.
Major Features:
- The Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro is waterproof to a depth of 1.5 meters for as long as 30 minutes (IP68 rugged smartphone)
- 64GB of internal storage coupled with 4GB of RAM
- 4050mAh battery capacity
Image: Cat S62 Pro Rugged Phone
5) Cat S62 Pro Rugged Phone
Those who are a little rough around the edges will find the Cat S62 Pro rugged smartphone to meet your needs. It’s built to withstand drops from a height of 2 meters (think a house in your backyard or parking garage) as well as dust, sand, and low temperatures (-5 degrees C). It comes with an IP68 rating, meaning it can be submerged into water up to 1.5 meters deep for 30 minutes without affecting performance (IP68 certification).
It also includes a 3D camera for delivering exceptional depth of field effects.
Major Features:
- 5.6-inch Full HD display
- 128GB of internal storage coupled with 6GB of RAM
- Inbuilt 3D camera for creating an image map of your surroundings and navigational maps in real-time (3D mapping)
- Battery capacity: 4000mAh (up to 360 hours standby time)
Image: Doogee S90 Rugged Phone
6) Doogee S90 Rugged Phone
This is another most durable smartphone to count on when it matters the most. If you’re looking for a phone that falls into the premium range, then the Doogee S90 rugged smartphone is your best bet. It comes with a 6.18-inch HD display and dual SIM card slots, so you can easily switch between your two numbers. It also delivers excellent sound quality. It has been tested to resist shocks, drops, dust, sand, rain, snow, and other environmental factors.
Major Features
- IP68 rating, which means it can survive water submersion of up to a depth of 1.5 meters for about 30 minutes
- 6GB RAM coupled with 128GB of internal storage
- 16+8MPMP rear camera coupled with an 8MP front camera (both can record videos in HD)
- 5050mAh battery capacity
Key Takeaways
There you have it —best rugged smartphone 2021. Keep your work tools at hand and stay connected to your friends and family on the go with one of these rugged smartphones. They’re built to withstand a lot of wear and tear, whether it is rain, snow, or sand.