The best rugged smartphones out there combine extreme durability, immense battery life and a rich feature set.
The best rugged smartphones on the market offer extreme durability, massive batteries and a wealth of features specific to outdoor use cases. We’ve tested all the top handsets designed for intensive use and picked out the absolute best options. The following rugged smartphones are dust and water-resistant, and sometimes are totally waterproof, with cases or shells that are tough enough so you can drop them on hard surfaces without them breaking. Some of these devices will survive any impact, bump or drop without bearing a scratch, making them ideal for use while outdoors or in dangerous environments. Some of the phones on this list have even undergone stringent tests to ensure they meet military standards and can thus withstand extreme temperatures, shocks and more. Software on the best rugged smartphone is no slouch either, as most offer extra features that are vital in certain lines of work: some might have infrared cameras, sound level meters, and sometimes even VOC (volatile organic compound) detectors. So whether it’s your hobby or your profession that is leading you to wild or dangerous places, and has you needing a device that’ll last a long time with plenty of features, or simply makes you prefer hardy phones over fashionable yet fragile standard smartphones, the best rugged smartphone is what you need. Finally, just bear in mind that while all ruggedized smartphones will be waterproof and dustproof (and therefore meet the IP68 specification), not all waterproof phones will be ruggedized. So think carefully while shopping for the best rugged smartphone for your needs, and make sure you look into all the features that these handsets boast. So, read on to find out our top picks for the best rugged phones on the market right now. We’ve also featured: The Nokia XR20 is the first rugged smartphone to launch under the Nokia banner with the help of HMD Global which now owns the brand. Unlike other rugged smartphones that stand out due to their designs, the Nokia XR20 is meant to blend in with its slim profile and sleek look. In terms of durability, the XR20 is IP68 certified, MIL-STD-810 rated and is the first rugged smartphone to feature Corning Gorilla Glass Victus. The device also features a red emergency button along with a dedicated, non-customizable Google Assistant button. However, what really sets the XR20 apart from the pack is the fact that HMD Global has guaranteed that the device will receive four years of security updates with three years of OS updates. The company is also including free one-year screen replacement. Read the full review: Nokia XR20 5G rugged smartphone The Ulefone Armor 9 FLIR is the best ruggedized smartphone you can find right now, boasting a few top tools you’ll struggle finding on its rivals. The phone comes with both an endoscope and FLIR camera, giving you a versatility for a range of tasks, as well as a big battery to ensure the handset lasts longer and has enough processing power for most tasks. Best of all, the Ulefone Armor 9 FLIR doesn’t cost too much, so its tricks aren’t exclusive to those who can afford it. If you need something hardy and long-lasting, this is our pick for the best rugged phone right now. Read our full review: Ulefone Armor 9 FLIR rugged smartphone The Blackview BV9900 Pro used to have the title of our favorite rugged smartphone, and while it’s been beaten to the post, it’s still a worthy buy. The Blackview BV9900 Pro has a FLIR thermal imaging camera, a rarity on rugged smartphones despite how useful it can be. This joins an array of ’standard‘ cameras lead by a 48MP one which is useful for a range of photography needs. The phone performs well with its MediaTek Helio G90 chipset, which is paired with 8GB RAM, and takes on many tasks with ease. It’s also pretty well protected for a rugged phone. Sure, the phone is a bit behind in a few ways – its battery could be better and we would have liked to see 5G connectivity, it’s still the best rugged smartphone you can get right now. Read our full review: Blackview BV9900 Pro rugged smartphone The Doogee S97 Pro may have a lower screen resolution than last year’s Doogee S95 Pro but the company had made up for this by including both a laser rangefinder for calculating volumes, surface areas and angles as well as a huge 8,500 mAh battery.
