The 9 Best Rugged Smartphones of 2021

Best Overall: LG V60 ThinQ 5G

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Arguably, the best looking phone of the bunch is the LG V60 ThinQ 5G. This is the only true flagship-level phone in the list and it boasts the specifications to prove it. You've got a Snapdragon 865 processor, 5G capability, a great triple camera system including a 64 megapixel main sensor, 8K video recording, and a 5,000 mAh battery. Maybe a 6.8-inch OLED display isn't big enough for you? Then you can pick up the optional dual-screen case which gives your phone a second screen for amazing productivity. 

The LG V60 isn't just a pretty face though. Underneath that pretty exterior is a phone that's built tough, including MIL-STD 810G specification and IP68 water and dust resistance. Keep in mind that toughness does not extend to the dual-screen case, so if you're heading outdoors, leave the second screen at home. This phone is a glass sandwich with Gorilla Glass 5 on the front and Gorilla Glass 6 on the back, so it might not look as tough as it is, but LG builds phones to last, and this is a true flagship level phone capable of doing any heavy lifting you throw at it. Gaming, video production, and more are at your fingertips with this powerhouse.

Best Compact: Unihertz Atom XL

4.2

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This smartphone is packed full of surprises. In addition to being built tough, which we'll get to, this phone has accessories that make it that much more exciting, especially if you're an outdoors type of person. For starters, the 48-megapixel camera, 6GB of RAM and 128GB of on board storage are all fairly respectable. The Helio P60 processor and four-inch screen are not the greatest by today's standards, but still enough to get everyday tasks done. Plus, the XL version of this phone comes with a removable antenna which allows you to turn your smartphone into a walkie-talkie.

You can tell this phone is durable just by looking at it. You'll first notice the rubberized grip around the top, bottom, and back. Add to that the grippy backplate and aluminum side rails, and this is definitely a phone you can carry in your nail apron. The exposed screw heads just add to the air of toughness that surrounds this bad boy.

Most Durable: Sonim XP8

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Of course, when you're a first responder you need a phone that is tough because you never know what situation you'll find yourself in. Sonim made the XP8 with those people in mind. It's one of the only phones that can connect to the United States's dedicated public safety network. It also includes programmable buttons for times when you're using your phone with a gloved or wet hand. Front-firing speakers make this phone very loud so it can be used under almost any conditions.

The phone has both IP68 and IP69 dust and water resistance. The entire phone is covered in a shell of rubber and plastic which keeps it safe from drops and scrapes. The 5-inch screen is only covered in Gorilla Glass 3, but the whole phone is just a beast. Outside buttons are tough, including physical navigation multitasking and home buttons across the bottom in between the speaker grills. 

Best Budget: LG X Venture

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The LG V60 isn't the only LG phone on this list. LG has a history of making durable phones and one of the least expensive is the LG X venture. This phone has been around since 2017 which means it's old, but there's a reason why it's still around. It's built like a tank. Most LG phones are built with MIL-STD 810G and IP68 ratings, but the LG X Venture does so with a grippy rubberized back that makes the phone comfortable to hold and use. The Snapdragon 435 sips from the 4,100 mAh battery which means this phone will also last a long time between charges.

Add to that some nice amenities including a headphone jack, fingerprint sensor, front and rear-facing cameras and physical navigation buttons, and you have a phone that is built to last. It's not perfect though, only carrying 2GB of RAM and 32 GB on on-board storage. That's a little hard to swallow in a modern smartphone, but at least you can expand phone storage with a memory card up to 2TB.

Best Value: Xiaomi Pocophone F1

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When it comes to sheer bang for the buck, it's hard to go wrong with Xiaomi and the Pocophone F1. This phone gives you a blazing fast Snapdragon 845 processor along with 6GB of RAM and 64GB of storage on the base model. You have a 12 megapixel main camera that is capable of up to 4K video capture along with a 20 megapixel front facing selfie camera. Plus, it comes with a 3.5mm headphone jack.

The Pocophone's secret weapon though is in its durability. The 6.18-inch display is covered by Gorilla Glass on the front and the phone has a plastic back which will make it much more resistant to drops and falls. The best part is Xioami's mission is to cap its profit on any phone, so this phone is very budget friendly as well. It's hard to find a phone that packs more value into its frame.Unfortunately, the Pocophone F1 is very hard to find outside of Eastern markets like China and India.  Outside those markets you generally need to import it from a third party, and keep in mind Google Play services may not necessarily be installed.

Best Features: Kyocera DuraForce PRO 2

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Kyocera is a name that goes back a long way in cell phones, especially when it comes to durability. The DuraForce Pro 2 is no exception, falling into "ultra-rugged" territory. It's also waterproof. It has a Snapdragon 630 processor, a 13-megapixel camera, and a 5-inch display under sapphire glass. The thick rubberized body is easy to hold and makes the phone quite chunky, but it carries with MIL-STD 810G standard rating which makes it a force to be reckoned with. 

What's more, the phone comes with a delightful bevy of extras including Qi wireless charging which is almost unheard of at this price point. Add to that premium noise cancellation, and dual front facing speakers, and this is a durable phone with some nice surprises. Make no mistake that this phone stands up to the durability and force implied by its name.

Best Updated Phone: CAT S42

3

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The CAT S42 is an impressively rugged phone, packing a bulky, hearty plastic exterior with covered ports as well as enhanced water, drop, and thermal shock resistance. It’s so well-protected, in fact, that CAT advertises it as a phone that you can simply wash with soap and water, which could prove appealing for anyone working in places where exposure to COVID-19 is possible.

On the other hand, the CAT S42 features entry-level components akin to those of a much cheaper budget phone, which means it delivers sluggish performance, has a low-quality screen, and only takes decent photos in strong lighting conditions. It’s usable, however, and the battery can provide two days of solid usage. Still, given the $300 price, the CAT S42 is only really ideal for those who require such extreme protection. Otherwise, you’re better off buying a more powerful phone for around the same price and snagging a durable case for it.

Best for Construction: CAT S61

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CAT is not done in this category though because the S61 has a boatload of surprises packed in as well. We call this the best phone for construction because it is built tough. In addition to IP68 water resistance and Mil-SPEC 810G standards, this phone sports metal rails on each side and a grippy rubberized back as well. But the CAT S61 is not done! Because a construction phone needs to be handy around a construction site, this phone comes equipped with laser distance measurement, a FLIR thermal camera, and an air quality sensor and monitor. Not only will this phone keep you safe, it will help with your work as well.

Under the hood, you have a Snapdragon 630 processor, 64 GB of on board storage, 4 GB of RAM and a 4,500 mAh battery with Quick Charge 4. That's a lot of power in this 5.2-inch little package. Unfortunately, unlike its counterpart on the list, this phone ships with Android Oreo, which is older, but still a good operating system. The extra sensors and tools are nice, but if you're worried about security, an older operating system is no good.