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The Spigen Slim Armor iPhone case Credit: Reviewed.com / Michael Desjardin

The Best Rugged iPhone Cases of 2024

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The Spigen Slim Armor iPhone case Credit: Reviewed.com / Michael Desjardin

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Editor's Choice Product image of Spigen Slim Armor for iPhone 15 Pro

Spigen Slim Armor for iPhone 15 Pro

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The Spigen Slim Armor's comfortable shape and outstanding drop protection make this an easy choice for active iPhone users. Read More

Pros

  • Military-grade drop protection
  • Neither bulky nor too thin
  • Built-in kickstand

Cons

  • Makes it hard to silence when ringing
  • Can be hard to slip your phone into
Product image of OtterBox Defender Series for iPhone 15

OtterBox Defender Series for iPhone 15

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The OtterBox can be a pain when it comes to more complex tasks, or when trying to remove it, but it's perfect for somebody with a construction job. Read More

Pros

  • Built-in screen protector
  • High durability

Cons

  • Difficult to open
  • Buttons are hard to press
Product image of Supcase Unicorn Beetle Pro Series Case for iPhone 15

Supcase Unicorn Beetle Pro Series Case for iPhone 15

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Reviewers rave about this rock-solid iPhone case from Supcase, which has been rated for drops from up to 50 feet in the air. Read More

Pros

  • Drop tested for up to 50 ft
  • Available in 6 colors
  • Extra affordable

Cons

  • So-so screen protector
Product image of OtterBox Commuter Series Case for iPhone 15 Plus

OtterBox Commuter Series Case for iPhone 15 Plus

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This heavy-duty, two-piece iPhone 15 Plus case is perfect for someone looking for a boat-load of protection. Read More

Pros

  • Heavy-duty protection
  • Fairly affordable
  • Not super bulky

Cons

  • Can't sustain a wireless charge
Product image of OtterBox Defender (iPhone 15 Pro Max)

OtterBox Defender (iPhone 15 Pro Max)

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The OtterBox Defender Series isn't our favorite case, but it offers plenty of heavy-duty protection for iPhone 15 Pro Max users. Read More

Pros

  • Heavy-duty protection
  • Comes in a variety of colors

Cons

  • Frustrating to use
  • Awkward screen protector
  • Spigen Slim Armor for iPhone 15 Pro
  • OtterBox Defender Series
  • Supcase Unicorn Beetle Pro Series Case for iPhone 15
  • OtterBox Commuter Series Case for iPhone 15 Plus
  • OtterBox Defender for iPhone 15 Pro Max
  • More Articles You Might Enjoy

We’ve tested dozens and dozens of iPhone cases over the years. Absent from most of our other roundups, however, were the sort of phone cases you’d expect to find on folks taking a camping trip, or attached to the belts of blue-collar professionals out on construction sites. So we opted to put together this guide with all the best heavy-duty iPhone cases. These are for iPhone users who want just a little extra peace of mind when it comes to protecting their device.

After narrowing it down to some of the most popular and promising cases, we took careful note of each one’s durability and overall design quality. Our pick for the overall best rugged iPhone case is the Spigen Slim Armor (available at Amazon) , thanks to its military-grade drop protection and super-thin profile.

Editor's Note:

The recommendations in this guide are based on thorough product and market research by our team of expert product reviewers. The picks are based on examining user reviews, product specifications, and, in some limited cases, our experience with the specific products named.

Product image of Spigen Slim Armor for iPhone 15 Pro
Spigen Slim Armor for iPhone 15 Pro

Coming in first place is the Spigen Slim Armor, a dual-layer case that sits comfortably between “too thin” and “too bulky.” It’s not the most heavy-duty case on the market, but we found the combination of its slim design and its robust drop protection to be a great fit for most users. (Note that we tested an older version of the case, so expect some incremental changes from one year’s model to the next.)

Getting your iPhone situated inside the case is a bit of an exercise, however, due to Spigen’s inclusion of a plastic kickstand attachment. The process goes like this: First, slip your iPhone into the case’s silicone inner-sleeve. Next, line the kickstand attachment up with its indentation on the back of the phone. Lastly, install the case’s outer layer around the kickstand—the kickstand is held in place via the marriage of the case’s two layers. Is it the most elegant system? Not really, but having a kickstand to lean on is a nice bonus.

Once the case was in place, I found the buttons to be springy and the edges to be grippy—the latter of which goes a long way in keeping your phone from tumbling out of your hand when you pull it out of your pocket awkwardly. My one beef with the Spigen Slim Armor’s design is its cutout for the iPhone’s silencer switch—there’s just not an ample amount of space for your finger to flip the phone’s ringer on or off.

As mentioned, the Spigen Slim Armor case isn’t the heaviest, thickest option around, but its drop protection meets military certification (MIL-STD 810G-516.6) and our test case survived the series of drops I put it through in our lab. If you’re hoping for a case with a bit more heft, you might be better off looking into something else, but for most people, the Spigen Slim Armor case is the sweet spot between simplicity and ruggedness.

Pros

  • Military-grade drop protection

  • Neither bulky nor too thin

  • Built-in kickstand

Cons

  • Makes it hard to silence when ringing

  • Can be hard to slip your phone into

Buy now at Amazon
Product image of OtterBox Defender Series for iPhone 15
OtterBox Defender Series

The OtterBox Defender Series is one of the more heavy-duty cases in our round-up. Unfortunately, despite the Defender Series’s three layers of protection, the case is fairly frustrating to use.

Right off the bat, I found the case’s relatively chintzy pieces to be difficult to open and then snap back into place—I almost ripped the skin off my fingertips trying to pry the thing open. To be fair, if you don’t foresee yourself removing your iPhone from its case very often, this shouldn't be an issue you encounter very often.

Once settled, the case’s built-in plastic screen protector put a distracting layer between my thumbs and the iPhone’s screen. On Amazon, users are split between those who don’t mind the plastic screen protector and those, like me, who can’t stand it. I understand the screen protector’s existence in theory, but I don’t think the minimal protection it offers is worth altering the look and feel of the iPhone’s display.

The OtterBox Defender’s overall design is tough to interact with, too. The buttons are far too firm, especially when the time comes to long-press the power button. The iPhone’s ringer switch is placed behind a plastic plug, and once you wrestle it open, the hole underneath is too small for your finger to easily switch the ringer on or off.

One thing the Defender Series has going for it, however, is its durability—I’m having a hard time imagining any casual drop or tumble that this case would fail to protect against. It’s a big, bulky, monster of a case that might not even fit in your pocket. If you’re so inclined, OtterBox includes a belt harness so you can clip it to your hip.

I’d recommend this case for folks who spend a good deal of time doing the type of activity that ordinarily requires some sort of hard hat or helmet. If you just want a moderate amount of protection, the OtterBox Defender Series is probably too much bulk. If you hike, work in construction, or just generally spend your days being outdoorsy, it’ll suit you well (provided you can get over the case’s design flaws).

Pros

  • Built-in screen protector

  • High durability

Cons

  • Difficult to open

  • Buttons are hard to press

$52.46 from Amazon
Product image of Supcase Unicorn Beetle Pro Series Case for iPhone 15
Supcase Unicorn Beetle Pro Series Case for iPhone 15

Reviewers rave about this rock-solid iPhone 15 case from Supcase. The Unicorn Beetle Pro Series has been rated for drops from up to 50 feet in the air, and at least one verified buyer claims to have run it over with his truck and found the phone completely unscathed.

It’s nice and affordable, and you can get it in a number of different colors. It has a built-in kickstand for convenient video viewing, Zoom calls, and so on. Some shoppers aren’t big fans of the screen protector, however, saying it may have an iridescent smear in the plastic—or that it might not fit as snugly as the rest of the case.

Pros

  • Drop tested for up to 50 ft

  • Available in 6 colors

  • Extra affordable

Cons

  • So-so screen protector

Buy now at Amazon

$24.99 from Walmart
Product image of OtterBox Commuter Series Case for iPhone 15 Plus
OtterBox Commuter Series Case for iPhone 15 Plus

This heavy-duty, two-piece iPhone 15 Plus case is perfect for someone looking for a rugged case with a boatload of protection.

Available in several fun colors (including blue, pink, and dark green), this sturdy case offers all of the heavy-duty protection one would expect from OtterBox. It’s not the most affordable case out there, but we recommend it for active, on-the-go people who routinely put their phone in dangerous situations.

Pros

  • Heavy-duty protection

  • Fairly affordable

  • Not super bulky

Cons

  • Can't sustain a wireless charge

$39.99 from Amazon
Product image of OtterBox Defender (iPhone 15 Pro Max)
OtterBox Defender for iPhone 15 Pro Max

Historically, we’re not the biggest fans of the OtterBox Defender Series when it comes to fit, installation, and casual use, but if you’re looking for heavy-duty protection, it’ll keep your iPhone 15 Pro Max safe anywhere on the job site. It’s rated for five times the drops of the current military standard, and it looks quite nice. You can get it in half a dozen different colors and styles.

Pros

  • Heavy-duty protection

  • Comes in a variety of colors

Cons

  • Frustrating to use

  • Awkward screen protector

$55.62 from Amazon
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Meet the testers

Michael Desjardin

Michael Desjardin

Senior Staff Writer

@Reviewed

Michael Desjardin graduated from Emerson College after having studied media production and screenwriting. He specializes in tech for Reviewed, but also loves film criticism, weird ambient music, cooking, and food in general.

See all of Michael Desjardin's reviews
Alex Kane

Alex Kane

Sr. Editor, Search & Updates

@alexjkane

Alex Kane is a senior editor at USA Today’s Reviewed and the author of the Boss Fight Books volume on Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. He has written for Fangoria, PC Gamer, Polygon, Rolling Stone, StarWars.com, and Variety. He lives in west-central Illinois.

See all of Alex Kane's reviews

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