Eric Zeman / Android Authority
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The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is a big and heavy phone with a glass body. If you’re worried about the phone slipping out of your hand, a heavy-duty case is your best bet for complete protection. There are plenty of options to choose from with a variety of features, but all the cases on this list will keep your phone completely safe. Here are some of the best Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra rugged cases you can currently buy.
See also: Phone case buyer’s guide | Mobile accessories
Otterbox Defender
- Complete all-around protection
- Thick and bulky
- Comes with a belt clip holster
- Port covers keep out dust and debris
Otterbox is the trusted brand for rugged cases and the Defender is one of its more popular options. I don’t like how big and bulky this case makes the phone, but it can definitely survive a fall. The case comes with a belt clip holster that can also work as a kickstand. It is function over form here, and these aren’t the most attractive cases around. But there are a few color options to choose from, like purple, black, and blue.
UAG Monarch
- Very protective but feather-light
- Stylish design
- Expensive
- Difficult to remove
The Monarch is an excellent protective case from UAG. It looks the part of an ultra-rugged case, and offers the protection of one, with five layers, enhanced corners, and extra grip along the sides. UAG’s claim of “feather-light” still holds true, though. I was really impressed by how light the case was, despite it being one of the best Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra rugged cases you can get. It’s relatively thick, but you can still use NFC payments or wireless charging. Design is subjective, but I really like the look of the Monarch, compared to a lot of other rugged cases. There are a few color options to choose from, and you can also switch up the back cover material. For extra protection, I’d recommend the Monarch Kevlar.
Spigen Tough Armor
- Tough, but not too thick
- Military-grade protection
- Compatible with wireless chargers
- Weak kickstand
The Tough Armor, as the name suggests, is the most rugged case in Spigen’s portfolio. A layer of soft TPU adds drop protection, while the tough PC shell keeps scratches away. You’ll also get covered buttons, that are easy to press, and enhanced corners for complete all-round safety. It also has a built-in kickstand. But that’s, unfortunately, the only thing I don’t like about this case. The kickstand is thin and plastic and feels quite flimsy, which could be a problem with a big and heavy phone like the Galaxy S22 Ultra.
Supcase Unicorn Beetle Pro
- Very protective
- Stylish color options
- Comes with a belt clip holster
- No built-in screen protector
- Difficult to remove
- Has a kickstand
Supcase doesn’t make a lot of case types, but the ones it does make deserve to be included on best-of lists for their respective categories. In a rugged case list, that’s the Supcase Unicorn Beetle Pro. The UB Pro is a multi-layered TPU and PC case with up to 20 feet of drop protection and all the bells and whistles you’d expect from a heavy-duty case, like a belt clip holster and a built-in kickstand. It’s a good-looking case too, with plenty of color options that make it stand out from the crowd.
Poetic Spartan
- Solid protection
- Variety of colors
- Built-in screen protectors
- Sturdy kickstand
If you liked the look of the Supcase Unicorn Beetle Pro but wanted a built-in screen protector, the Spartan case by Poetic is the one to get. The screen protector panel has a fingerprint stamp to use with the under-display scanner. You’ll have to ensure a perfect installation, it definitely takes a few tries, and it’s best to re-train the scanner after you install the case, but it works. Other than that, the case offers excellent protection with reinforced corners and multiple layers with metal and leather elements. The color options look great and help the case stand out. If you want to go a little more heavy-duty, the Poetic Revolution is worth considering as well.