How to Choose the Best Rugged Phone Cases for Your Needs

Most modern smartphones are today built with high-quality materials designed to reinforce the strength of the device, including aerospace-grade aluminium, Corning Gorilla Glass, Ceramic Shield, and splash resistance.

However, while these features may help to prevent scratches and cracks, they don't always provide the complete shockproof protection needed to shield the delicate screens and multiple high-resolution cameras of our devices – and that's where rugged phone cases come in.

In our handy guide, find out how a rugged case can help your phone withstand extreme conditions. Learn exactly what to look for when choosing Samsung or Apple iPhone cases that offer military-grade protection, whether through mountain hikes or your daily work commutes.

What Are Rugged Phone Cases?

Rugged phone cases are built to survive extreme or rough handling, while protecting your phone from potential damages caused by water, dust, accidental drops, or overheating, for example.

To lower the risk of encountering any of these hazards, most rugged phone cases offer military-grade protection. This means they meet military personnel durability standards for impact absorption in challenging environments, particularly when dropped from heights of at least 4 feet.

A shockproof case is therefore often the preferred choice to suit a range of occupations and lifestyles, including:

• Parents with young children
• Travellers and commuters
• Fitness enthusiasts
• Industrial or construction workers
• Those who are prone to dropping their phone regularly.

What to Consider When Choosing Rugged Phone Cases

Not only can investing in a rugged phone case extend the lifespan of your Apple iPhone or Samsung Galaxy device, but it will also reduce those often expensive repair costs that come from cracked screens or broken internal components. But with such a huge variety of options on the market, how do you know which case to invest in for full protection?

Consider the following factors when selecting heavy-duty cases for your outdoor runs, beach trips, manufacturing jobs, or simply the rough and tumble of everyday life:

Materials

To protect your new phone through extreme conditions, the rugged phone case you choose should be crafted from at least one of the three following materials:

• Polycarbonate: As a lightweight, high-strength thermoplastic, polycarbonate absorbs and redistributes the energy from any sudden impact, therefore safeguarding against drops. This transparent plastic is also hard, yet incredibly mouldable, making it ideal for creating shockproof phone cases with a variety of protective features.
• Thermoplastic Polyurethane: Although slightly softer and more flexible than polycarbonate, TPU offers the same level of durability when included in a shockproof case.
• Silicone: Choose phone cases made from silicone if you find your phone often falling from your hands. The soft texture of this material delivers superior anti-slip grip, plus it's also inexpensive and great for the environment.

While hard plastic cases have a slick exterior that lacks grip, and pure silicone cases often stretch out over time, these three materials create an incredibly rugged phone case when combined. A great example is the Ghostek Covert case, which blends the benefits of shockproof silicone corners and anti-slip grip with a precisely formed TPU design.

Impact Protection

Whether you're running to catch the train or are pretty accident-prone, drops are one of the leading causes of damage to smartphone screens and their internal components. High-quality rugged phone cases should therefore offer premium drop protection to limit any impact, keeping your device looking pristine and operating optimally.

Here are some of the main features that drop protection adds to a rugged phone case:

• Military-Grade Protection: As we've mentioned, rugged phone cases undergo rigorous testing to meet the standard designed by military personnel (MIL-STD). This typically involves a total of 26 drops to establish the product's limits.
• Shock-absorbing Technology: Drops can't always be avoided, which is why good cases have shock-absorbing capabilities such as R7X technology. Other features may include air cushions or gel layers that disperse the energy generated during a fall.
• Raised Bumpers: Despite the durable Gorilla Glass or Ceramic Shield materials that Apple iPhone and Samsung Galaxy models are made from, their screens remain vulnerable to shattering if dropped on any of the corners. Raised bezels and bumper edges therefore provide an extra layer of protection for screens and camera lenses, acting as a buffer to prevent direct contact with surfaces.

One of the best rugged phone cases for drop protection is the Ghostek Atomic Slim, which features multiple layers of military-grade, shock-absorbing technology. The sleek design will keep your phone safe from drops as high as 12 feet and also features anti-slip grip sides to prevent those accidental falls in the first place!

Waterproofing

Although they are the most common cause, accidental drops aren't the only thing that leads to smartphone damage. Whether taking your phone to the beach or walking through the rain, a rugged phone case provides protection from moisture infiltration, especially if it has a water-resistant IP (Ingress Protection) rating.

With an IP68 rating, the Ghostek Nautical is both water and dust-resistant in pools as deep as 20 feet for up to an hour. Flexible watertight seals protect your phone's charging ports and buttons, while the touch-compatible screen protector and lifted bezel edges keep your screen extra secure.

Plus, enjoy a non-slip grip that makes it easy to use your Apple iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, or Google Pixel phone with wet hands or when snapping photos underwater.

Functionality

Along with drop protection and water resistance, many rugged phone cases also offer a variety of features that make it easy to use your device safely when on the go.

For instance, look out for MagSafe compatibility if you're choosing a rugged case for an Apple iPhone. MagSafe cases support wireless charging, while also allowing you to attach vehicle mounts, power banks, and other accessories designed to enhance the functionality of your phone.

Cases with built-in wallets also add an additional layer of durability with a 3-card magnetic compartment that attaches using secure magnets. Keep your ID, credit, and transportation cards safe with the Exec case, which also offers 12-foot resistance against drops and falls.

Find the Right Rugged Phone Case For You

For the ultimate defence against our unpredictable weather patterns, enhanced grip, screen protection, and drop-tested durability, investing in a rugged case ensures that your phone is strong enough to withstand both those every day and once-in-a-lifetime adventures.

Get maximum protection for your Apple iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel, or Motorola G with Ghostek's comprehensive collection of shockproof phone cases today.