Best rugged phone of 2025: We tested for shock, drop, and all-round durability

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Oukitel WP100 Titan review
(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

Looking for the best rugged phone? My team and I put the top models through a series of shock, drop, and general usage tests while reviewing each durable smartphone and these are the models I recommend.

For a well-rounded option, I like the Oukitel WP30 Pro, a rugged Android phone with a IP68/IP69K rating and MIL-STD-810G certification. After extensively reviewing this robust device, we found it delivered the right balance of design, performance, and features without breaking the bank.

Alternatives here include the budget Fossibot F102 and the svelte but ruggedized Ulefone Armor Mini 20 Pro, while the Samsung XCover 7 Pro is my top choice for those who need a durable phone with a removable battery. You can check out our full thoughts below, with a range of rugged smartphones designed for job-sites and the front line.

The team applies the same stringent testing to phones as we do with the best rugged laptops and best rugged tablets, including shock and drop tests, checking dust and water resistance, overall performance, as well as assessing features like connectivity options and camera, and the rugged design.

Quick list

Best rugged phone overall

The legendary phone-maker's first true rugged phone

Specifications

OS: Android 13
Screen: 6.78-inch IPS 120Hz, 1.8-inch (390 x 450)
Weight: 413.8g
CPU: MediaTek Dimensity 1200/ Octa Core / 3GHz / 6nm / 5G
RAM: 12GB LPDDR4X
Storage: 512GB UFS 3.1
SIM: Dual Nano SIM (no MicroSD)
Battery: 11000mAh (Max charge 120W - 20V 6A)
Durability rating: IP68/IP69K, MIL-STD-810G

Reasons to buy

+
Lighter than most rugged phones
+
Dual display
+
Dimensity 1200
+
5G
+
512GB of storage

Reasons to avoid

-
No MicroSD card option
-
Can get warm in use
-
Only Widevine L3
Buy it if...

You need a rugged phone with a secondary display: We really liked the rear display on this rugged phone, serving up quick notifications and controls.

Fast charging is a priority: Ideal for those constantly using their phone in the field, this supports 120W, one of the fastest on the market.

Don't buy it if...

❌ You prefer a slimmer, more compact phone: Due to the battery, we found this device to be relatively bulky.

❌ Wireless charging is essential for your workflow: Unfortunately, you won't find wireless charging on this device.

The Oukitel WP30 Pro Rugged Smartphone is a rugged powerhouse of a phone with a second screen, fast charging, a long-lasting battery, great cameras and durability, and some extra features that help me this our number one pick for most people. We know that many phones are getting stronger glass screens or more durable frames, but there is a big difference between having a phone that is a little more durable and a phone that is built for durability. The Oukitel WP30 Pro is built to last, even through extreme terrain or experiences.

The WP30 Pro model houses a sizeable 11,000mAh battery for heavy all-day use. For reference, the popular iPhone 16 Pro Max has a battery life of 4685mAh. This rugged smartphone is also one of the fastest-charging rugged phones we have seen, with up to 120W fast charging, meaning that when you finally need to charge, you won't need to charge for long, even with that massive battery.

Some other impressive features of the WP30 are the 120Hz FHD+ display, strong performance, night vision camera, IP68, IP69K, and MIL-STD-810H certified toughness, Dual SIM, 5G, integrated thermal imaging, fingerprint scanner, and facial recognition.

While this won't be the fastest smartphone you could pick up, nor is it the fanciest, it does have a lot of features that even the flagship smartphones don't have, all while being built for the field.

Read our full Oukitel WP30 Pro review.

Best rugged phone on a budget

Big on durability, light on price

Specifications

OS: Android 13
Screen: 6.58-inch FHD+ 120Hz
Weight: 495g
CPU: MediaTek Helio G99 / Octa Core / 2.0-2.2 GHz / 6nm / 4G
RAM: 12GB LPDDR4X
Storage: 256GB UFS 2.2
SIM: Dual Nano SIM + MicroSD option
Battery: 16500mAh (Max charge 33W - 11V 3A)
Durability rating: IP68/IP69K, MIL-STD-810G

Reasons to buy

+
Cheap
+
Effective CPU and memory combo
+
104MP main camera sensor
+
Powerful camping light

Reasons to avoid

-
Heavy
-
Tuned for battery life
-
Only Widevine L3 encryption
Buy it if...

You’re on a budget: For what you get, this is reasonably priced for a tough, durable rugged phone.

Battery life is a top priority: During our tests, we found this 16,500mAh battery lasts for days.

Don't buy it if...

❌ You want a lightweight phone: There's no getting around this - at nearly 500g, it’s heavy.

❌ You need 5G connectivity: Sadly, this phone is limited to 4G LTE.

The Fossibot F102 is our choice for the best cheap rugged phone. Sometimes, these durable smartphones can also be pretty expensive, which is where this Fossibot F102 rugged smartphone comes in. Its affordable price point compared to most rugged phones makes it more accessible to the public, especially those branching into the rugged smartphone realm for the first time.

But this is no slouch of a smartphone. It has a 6.58-inch FHD+ display with 120Hz refresh rate, a MediaTek Helio G99 chipset, giving it a solid performance overall, and it's paired with 12GB RAM, 256GB SSD that can be expanded with the microSD slot, and a sizeable 16,500mAh battery for extended use.

In addition to those great features, the Fossibot F102 also has an impressive 108MP Samsung primary camera, a 20MP night vision camera, all of the IP68, IP69K, MIL-STD-810G ratings, USB-C and a built-in camping light. Sadly, it lacks 5G, a hefty 500g, wireless charging, and a headphone jack, but that's no longer the end of the world.

For a budget or entry-level rugged smartphone, this thing is pretty impressive, and it runs Android 13, so you'll be up to date with all of your applications.

Read our full Fossibot F102 review.

Best rugged phone for cameras

Ideal for those that need impressive cameras

Specifications

OS: Android 13
Screen: 6.58-inch FHD+ 120Hz
Weight: 324g
CPU: MediaTek Helio G96/ Octa Core / 2.05 GHz / 6nm / 4G
RAM: 8GB LPDDR4X
Storage: 256GB UFS 2.2
SIM: Dual Nano SIM + MicroSD
Battery: 6600mAh (Max charge 33W - 11V 3A)
Durability rating: IP68/IP69K, MIL-STD-810G, standard 60529

Reasons to buy

+
Cheap
+
Good specification
+
Great camera sensors
+
33W fast charge

Reasons to avoid

-
Only 4G
-
Only 2K video capture
Buy it if...

✅ You need good cameras: We found this rugged phone possessed an exceptional camera setup, including night vision.

✅ You want a 120Hz screen: In use, the screen refresh rate offered smoother scrolling and gaming.

Don't buy it if...

❌ You need 5G: There's no 5G support here, this phone only supports 4G LTE.

❌ You prefer a thinner, lighter device: In our experience, this phone is quite chunky.

The Ulefone Armor 22 is our choice for those that need a reliable camera setup. This rugged Android comes equipped with three to the rear - the 64MP Sony primary camera helps with pro-level shots anywhere you may be. There's also a 64MP Omnivision OV64B Night vision camera for low-light conditions, while the front-facing camera is an 8MP Omnivision OV8856.

The Armor 22 has a 6.58-inch FHD+ LCD screen with a crisp 120Hz refresh rate to view your shots on the go and a dedicated camera button for taking quick snapshots.

While the cameras are solid on this phone, it sadly only has a MediaTek Helio G86 processor, 8GB RAM, and 256GB storage. However, to store all the photos you may take with it, you can expand your storage with a microSD Card.

Some other things worth mentioning are that this phone does not have wireless charging or 5G, but it does have a 3.5mm headphone jack, which is becoming a rarity on modern smartphones.

Read our full Ulefone Armor 22 review.

Best rugged phone for everyday carry

Ultra-compact, ultra-tough – the go-anywhere, do-anything rugged phone

Specifications

OS: Android 14
Screen: 4.70-inch IPS LCD
Weight: 301 grams
CPU: MediaTek Dimensity 6300
RAM: 8GB
Storage: 256GB
SIM: Dual Nano SIM + MicroSD option
Battery: 6200mAh battery (Max 33W charge)

Reasons to buy

+
Robust
+
Decent battery life
+
Camping light
+
Nightvision
+
Pocketable

Reasons to avoid

-
Odd Case Kit
-
Cameras use older sensors
-
Screen is small for big fingers
Buy it if...

✅ You want an ultra-compact rugged phone that’s easy to carry with MIL-STD-810H durability and IP69K water resistance

✅ Battery life is a priority—this has a 6,200mAh battery for extended use.

Don't buy it if...

❌ You want 5G connectivity—this phone is limited to 4G LTE.

❌ A slim and modern design is important—this has a chunky, old-school look.

The Ulefone Armor Mini 20 Pro is our pick for an everyday carry (EDC) rugged phone.

It features the smallest screen in our guide, measuring just 4.6 inches. Despite its compact size, this phone is lightweight yet highly durable, boasting IP68, IP69K, and MIL-STD-810H certifications. Additionally, it includes rugged side grips for better handling and enhanced durability in the event of a drop. It also houses a 50MP rear camera and a 3.5mm headphone jack- something we rarely see these days.

Regarding performance, the Ulefone Armor Mini 20 Pro is no slouch either. This little phone has 8GB RAM, 256GB storage, a MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chipset, Runs Android 14, and has a 6,200mAh battery for all-day use. However, it lacks 5G and doesn't fast charge or wireless charge, but if that's not a deal breaker, this is a great option.

In short, it's an ultra-compact, ultra-tough, go-anywhere, do-anything rugged smartphone ideal for business professionals.

Read our full Ulefone Armor Mini 20 Pro review.

Best rugged phone for everyday carry alternative

A business-centric rugged smartphone - shame it's not available in North America

Specifications

OS: Android 14
Screen: 6.36-inch p-OLED 3000 nits
Weight: 171g
CPU: Mediatek Dimensity 7300-Ultra
RAM: 8GB
Storage: 256GB
SIM: Nano SIM + eSIM
Battery: 4310 mAh
Durability rating: IP68, MIL-STD-810H

Reasons to buy

+
IP68 without rubber plugs
+
Great cameras
+
Powerful enough
+
Stunning p-OLED display

Reasons to avoid

-
Not cheap
-
Less powerful than its predecessor
-
Not sold in the USA
Buy it if...

✅ You need a rugged phone that looks professional: Looking like a traditional smartphone, this durable device is well-suited to business use.

✅ You want a bright display: The p-OLED screen here is great, and we especially like the brightness here, which is ideal for use in direct sunlight.

Don't buy it if...

❌ You need a cheap rugged phone: Budget-wise, this retails for around the price of a mid-range phone, so it's not the cheapest we've tested.

❌ You're in the US: At present, the ThinkPhone 25 is unavailable in the US, and we recommend checking out our Ulefone Armor Mini 20 Pro review for an EDC rugged phone that's more widely available.

If you want a rugged phone that looks and feels more like a traditional smartphone, then the ThinkPhone 25 by Motorola should be on your list. Our only caveat here is that it's not widely available in the US, so for an alternative, check out the similarly styled Ulefone Armor Mini 20 Pro review, which is also very suitable for everyday carry.

The ThinkPhone 25 is one of the most practical rugged smartphones we've ever had the pleasure of reviewing. It has MIL-STD-810H and IP68 ratings, yet only 8.1mm at its thickest point, making it a very elegant and professional pick for everyday carry (EDC). You'll find four cameras in total - to the rear, there's a 50MP Sony LYTIA 700C, 13MP Ultrawide angle, and 10MP Telephoto, while the front sports a 32MP camera. The display is excellent, and it even supports wireless charging.

Price-wise, it's not the cheapest rugged phone around. But then, Motorola hasn't skimped on features here - although we would've liked to see a MicroSD card port. Compared to the previous model, it's admittedly a step back in terms of power, but then, we felt the original SoC was somewhat overpowered for an everyday rugged phone, and overall, the trade-off feels fair. In almost every other way, the ThinkPhone 25 is the better phone.

Read our full ThinkPhone 25 by Motorola review.

Best rugged phone for battery life

The Swiss Army knife of rugged phones, with a massive battery and built-in projector

Specifications

OS: Android 14
Screen: 6.8-inch FHD+, 120Hz refresh rate
Weight: 867 g
CPU: MediaTek Dimensity 7300
RAM: 16GB
Storage: 512GB
Battery: 33000mAh capacity
Durability rating: IP68/IP69K, MIL-STD-810H

Reasons to buy

+
33,000mAh battery
+
100-lumen projector
+
1200-lumen camping light

Reasons to avoid

-
Bulky dimensions
-
Heavyweight
-
High price point
Buy it if...

✅ You need the longest battery life: We were seriously impressed with the battery here, 33,000mAh lasts for weeks.

✅ You require a rugged phone with high-end cameras: There's a good selection on this device, including night vision.

Don't buy it if...

❌ You want a compact phone: This is one of the bulkiest rugged phones available.

❌ Wireless charging is a must: This model doesn’t support it, which is a shame.

The Oukitel WP100 Titan is quite simply the Swiss army knife of rugged smartphones. It has an enormous battery, coming in at 33,000mAh battery, making it the longest-lasting phone battery in its class. But the impressive specs of this phone don't stop at the battery.

The WP100 Titan also has a built-in projector (yes, you read that right), a 6.8-inch FHD+ LCD with 12-Hz refresh rate, a MediaTek Dimensity 7300 chipset for smooth performance, 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, a 200MP primary camera, a 32MP front camera, a 2MP macro camera, a 20MP night vision sensor, IP68, IP69K, and MIL-STD-810H certifications, Dual SIM support with 5G, fingerprint and facial recognition, built-in thermal imaging, USB-C, 120W fast charging, a built-in FM Radio, a camping light, and it runs the newest AndroidOS.

On paper, this phone is absurd. It's the James Bond of smartphones. Granted, due to all of these features, it's pretty bulky. However, what you are getting in this package makes the hefty size feel reasonable.

Read our full Oukitel WP100 Titan review.

Best rugged phone with removable battery

Classic rugged design with a removable battery for all-day reliability

Specifications

OS: Android 15
Screen: 6.6-inch PLS LCD 120Hz
Weight: 240g
CPU: Snapdragon 7s Gen 3
RAM: 6GB
Storage: 128GB
SIM: 1x Nano SIM, Embedded SIM, MicroSD card
Battery: 4350mAh
Durability rating: IP68, MIL-STD-810H

Reasons to buy

+
MIL-STD-810H/IP68 Build
+
Glove-usable screen
+
Wet-screen usable
+
120Hz
+
Removable battery
+
Snapdragon 7s Gen 3
+
Knox Valut

Reasons to avoid

-
The battery is a bit smaller than I'd hope for
-
Storage is capped at 128 GB + microSD
Buy it if...

✅ You need a rugged phone with a removable battery: There aren't many phones, let alone smartphones, with the option to switch out the battery, but this is one of them.

✅ A lightweight rugged phone is important: Impressively, this robust phone weighs just 240g.

Don't buy it if...

❌ You want wireless charging: Even though you can change batteries, there's no wireless charging on this phone.

❌ You need top-tier cameras: Cameras here are fine, but basic, with a 50MP rear and 13MP front camera.

The Samsung Galaxy XCover7 Pro is an update on the XCover7, switching in a Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chip, a 120Hz refresh rate, a 13MP front camera, and a slightly larger battery, which, happily, is still removable.

On the rugged side, it's IP68-rated, making it water resistant, and the chassis is MIL-STD 810H for extra durability. What I especially like, however, is how light it is compared to many rugged smartphones you'll find today - it weighs in at around 0.5lb / 240g. That gives it plenty of use for those looking for a more traditional phone that's also well-protected.

My colleague Collin reviewed this model for over two months and found it to be an impressive and powerful performer across the board. Alright, it can't match flagship performance, and the 6.6in screen lacks the brightness of an OLED panel, but he had no issues using this as part of his workflow. It capably handled Samsung DeX, Slack, and general browsing with ease. It also features Knox security implementation for businesses who want digital as well as physical protection.

But, of course, the real stand-out feature here is the removable battery. To my mind, that makes it a top choice for anyone working on the front line, a first responder, or in construction, where you can't sit around waiting for the phone to charge but want to swap in fresh batteries at will.

With the release of the XCover7 Pro, the price of the similarly specced but slightly less powerful non-Pro version. Check out our Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 review for more.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy XCover 7 Pro review.

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Best rugged phones: Frequently asked questions

What is a rugged smartphone?

A rugged smartphone is a device that is specifically designed to withstand harsh conditions and rough use. These types of smartphones typically have reinforced casings, water and dust resistance, and are built to military standards.

What's the difference between rugged phones and other smartphones?

First off, rugged phones and standard phones are really similar in a lot of ways. Internally, they're functionally identical to regular smartphones. Most typically run the Android operating system (at least until Apple releases its own line of iOS rugged smartphone), they have good front and rear cameras. They run on classic mobile CPUs, too, from the likes of MediaTek and Qualcomm. You'll also often see both rugged and regular phones protect screens with Gorilla Glass or similar.

The difference between a rugged phone and a regular phone is the outer-build. The very best rugged smartphones have reinforced casings and strength and IP ratings, which can ensure a device is protected from shocks, drops, falls, water, and dust. You may also see a phone labelled as being tested against MIL-STD 810 standards, which is a set of tests under extreme conditions, as used by the US military. It definitely doesn't mean the tablet is fit for combat, though - just everyday rugged smartphone use.

These devices are specifically built to withstand harsh conditions, hostile environments, and rough use when out in the field. For this reasons, they also tend to have a longer battery life and are more durable than regular phones - even one with a strong protective case.

Are rugged smartphones expensive?

The price of rugged smartphones can vary, with some models being more expensive than others. Generally, they tend to be more expensive than regular smartphones due to their enhanced durability and resistance to harsh conditions.

Steve Clark
B2B Editor - Creative & Hardware

Steve is B2B Editor for Creative & Hardware at TechRadar Pro. He began in tech journalism reviewing photo editors and video editing software at Web User magazine, and covered technology news, features, and how-to guides. Today, he and his team of expert reviewers test out a range of creative software, hardware, and office furniture. Once upon a time, he wrote TV commercials and movie trailers. Relentless champion of the Oxford comma.

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