Best Rugged Phones.

The best rugged phones that can handle anything

Our tested picks for the best rugged phones can withstand shocks, drops, and rough weather, but still include newer processors, big batteries, and other features you want most.

The best rugged phones of 2023

1. Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro

 

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Samsung ecosystem
• Affordable
• Samsung DeX support
• Customizable hardware buttons
• Capable dual rear cameras
• Removable battery and microSD card slot

Cons

• Single physical SIM card slot

More Details

Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro specs: Display: 6.6 inches (2,408 x 1,080-pixel resolution) | CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G | RAM: 6GB  | Internal Storage: 128GB with microSD | Rear cameras: 50MP f/1.8 wide angle and 8MP ultra-wide cameras | Front camera: 13MP f/2.2 | Battery: 4050 mAh | Weight: 240g

The Samsung Galaxy XCover6 Pro has a similar sleek form factor as the previous generation XCover Pro, but improves on it with a new processor, more RAM, and better cameras. For businesses, it's great to see the addition of Samsung DeX support, so you can capture information in the field and use the same phone to power your desktop experience.

Rugged features include MIL-STD 810G 1.5m drop test certification, IP68 dust- and water-resistant rating, a large capacity 4,050mAh removable battery, and Pogo Pin support for accessories.

2. Kyocera DuraForce Pro 3

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Sleek
• Reliable fingerprint sensor
• Solid camera performance
• microSD card and removable battery
• Two-year warranty

Cons

• Expensive

More Details

Kyocera DuraForce Pro 3 specs: Display: 5.38 inches (2,160 x 1,080-pixel resolution), OLED | CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 | RAM: 6GB  | Internal Storage: 128GB with microSD slot | Rear cameras: 64MP wide angle, 16MP ultra-wide camera and 2MP macro | Front camera: 8MP | Battery: 4270 mAh | Weight: 237g

Rugged phones are built to withstand the elements of field work, and with the new Kyocera DuraForce Pro 3, you get the additional support of Verizon's 5G network. At first glance, its sleek design might have you wondering if it's even a rugged phone, since it's less bulky and awkward to handle than many others on the market.

I spent a couple of weeks using the DuraForce Pro 3 while hiking, running, and exploring the outdoors. It withstood submersion in streams, drops on trails, and rough treatment as I tested its durability.

The Kyocera DuraForce Pro 3 is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 processor with 6GB of RAM, 128GB of internal storage, three rear cameras, and a large capacity 4,500 mAh battery. If you plan to spend an extended amount of time in the field taking photos and video, you can swap out a microSD card with support up to 1TB. The battery is also removable so you can carry spares and not have to worry about finding a place to charge the phone. The DuraForce Pro 3 also supports wireless charging, so you don't need to remove the bottom USB-C port plug to top it off.

3. Unihertz Tank

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Affordable
• Ample RAM and storage
• Multi-day battery life
• Stock Android software
• Headphone jack

Cons

• No 5G support
• Limited software updates
• Big and heavy

More Details

Unihertz Tank specs: Display: 6.81 inches (2400 x 1080-pixel resolution) | CPU: MediaTek MT6789 | RAM: 12GB  | Internal Storage: 256GB with microSD | Rear camera: 108MP main, 20MP night vision, and 2MP macro camera | Front camera: 32MP | Battery: 22,000 mAh | Weight: 560g

The Unihertz Tank is a beast of a phone with an enormous 22,000 mAh battery that can be used to charge up your other devices. The back is dominated by a 1200-lumen flashlight with five operating modes.

A 108MP AI camera, 20MP night vision camera, and 2MP macro camera fill out the back camera array with a 32MP front facing camera for outdoor selfies. A MediaTek MT6789 processor powers the phone with ample 12GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage. The 6.81-inch display also provides you with a large screen for viewing maps and data on the go.

The Unihertz Tank clearly lives up to its name, and is available for a reasonable price. 

4. Cat S62 Pro

 

Pros & Cons

Pros

• FLIR Lepton 3.5 thermal camera
• Fully rugged (IP68/69 and MIL-810H)
• Manageable size
• Solid battery life
• Enterprise-ready features

Cons

• No air quality sensor or distance tool from S61
• Mid-range performance

More Details

Cat S62 Pro specs: Display: 5.7 inches (2,160 x 1,080-pixel resolution) | CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 | RAM: 6GB  | Internal Storage: 128GB with microSD | Rear cameras: 12MP f/1.8 with Lepton 3.5 FLIR camera | Front camera: 8MP | Battery: 4000 mAh | Weight: 248g

Support for thermal cameras is a great function we have seen in some Cat phones. A thermal camera is a perfect tool for fieldwork, whether you're scanning for hot spots in a switchboard, or seeking them out in an emergency. I packed along the Cat S62 Pro during some sea trials on a new ferry and used it to measure heat levels on various pieces of machinery throughout the engineering spaces.

The Cat S62 Pro has a 5.7-inch display with glove mode, IP68 dust/water resistance, MIL-STD 810H drop test up to 1.8 meters, and more. Plus, this model features a Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 processor and Android 10. 

5. AGM H6

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Low price
• Rugged build and certifications
• Large capacity battery
• Slim form factor

Cons

• No 5G support
• Single rear camera

More Details

AGM H6 specs: Display: 6.56 inches (1612 x 720-pixel resolution) | CPU: Unisoc T606 | RAM: 16GB  | Internal Storage: 256GB with microSD | Rear cameras: 50MP main and 2MP macro | Front camera: 8MP | Battery: 4,900 mAh | Weight: 240g

At a weight of just 240 grams and thickness of just 10.75mm, you may not think this is a rugged phone designed to withstand fieldwork. However, I've dropped it, submerged it, and went running in the rain with it and the device looks just about the same as when it came out of the box.

Survival is the name of the game with the AGM H6, thanks to its IP68 waterproof rating, IP69K dustproof rating, and 1.8m shock-resistant test certification. The frame around the display is raised 0.4mm above the screen to help protect it while extra corner protection (with a lanyard opening in the top left) is provided for drops. The USB-C port and headset jack are sealed with covers, which is a thoughtful touch.