As farming embraces digitalization and crop management becomes a more connected environment, we recognize that the smartphone has taken on an additional, if not critical, role in your operation.
As a result, phone security is something we are thinking about a lot more these days. Our working environment, unlike many others, presents us with a variety of challenges. At the same time, traditional work environments may present isolated challenges – for example, hard surfaces in an office or water for aquatic ecosystems.
Recognizing how hectic this time of year can be in farming, we combed through dozens of review sites and compiled a list of the ten most durable, dependable, and well-known cell phone and tablet cases that are ideal for farm use.
These case companies and their cases, ranked in reverse order of popularity on review sites, meet the highest standards for device protection and safety features.
10. Otterbox Armor
The Otterbox Armor series, known as one of the toughest phone cases on the market, is no longer supported by its manufacturer, but consumers continue to use it to protect their phones.
With hundreds (thousands in some cases) of positive consumer reviews, we’re not surprised that this model made our list; with a heavy-duty exterior compartment reinforced by a silicone interior, this case can withstand drops of up to 30 feet.
In addition, the Otterbox Armor has sealed sockets and holes. The company claims it can withstand being submerged in up to 6 feet of water for up to thirty minutes. Outside of its discontinuity, the most common complaint is that its heavy-duty casing muffles sounds and vibrations.
Pros: A fantastic case from a well-known brand.
Cons: No longer available; there is a secondary market, but only for specific device models.
9. Urban Armor
Urban Armor Gear’s protective phone cases include the Monarch model, which has 5 layers of protection and 2x military drop-test standards; the Outback, which the company touts as its military-grade protective model; and the Pathfinder, which shares the Outback’s appearances but lacks the Outback’s everyday versatility.
Unfortunately, the Outback is the only model available for tablet use, but with its handgrip feature, it makes a functional case that works comfortably while sacrificing some of the protective properties of other models.
The Monarch model, for the ultimate in protection, can withstand four-foot drops up to twenty-six times without damage. This model also has rubber edges, which help it cling to slippery surfaces better than some of the other models.
Pros: Outback provides a functional handgrip; Monarch provides unprecedented protection.
Cons: Unfortunately, no model provides all three benefits in a single case.
8. Griffin is a survivor.
We recommend the Griffin Survivor Extreme case for cell phones. The Griffin Survivor Extreme case, unlike the Otterbox, is built with a shock-absorbing exterior shell that sits over a heavy-duty plastic interior, allowing for military-grade drop tests as high as 10 feet onto concrete.
The Griffin Survivor Extreme case has an advantage over many competitors in that its oversized rubber edges sit tightly against the device screen, preventing water, dirt, and other debris from entering. Despite this increased level of protection, the Griffin Survivor Extreme is 15% slimmer than other cases of this size.
This level of protection renders the case splashproof, which is ideal when working in wet fields at high altitudes where a drop is possible.
Pros: For the price, this product provides excellent protection against drops, water, dirt, and debris.
Cons: Limited colour options
7. Casemate
Tough Grip, Tank, and Protection Series models are available. Depending on the cell phone model, these tough cases made of advanced materials not only absorb the shock of damage when dropped from heights of 10 to 12 feet, but they also aim to prevent drops from happening in the first place.
Case-Mate understands the importance of functionality, allowing for wireless charging in some of the most attractively priced protective cases. These cases in the Protection series have five layers of protection.
Unfortunately, the cases are not designed to be used with tablets.
Pros include customizable options and a reasonable price-to-protection ratio.
Cons: The tank case is no longer available on the company’s website.
6. Waterproof Catalyst Cases
Catalyst Waterproof cases, though not cheap, will protect both cell phones and tablets, and the company claims to have the highest waterproof specifications on the market. That translates to 33-foot waterproof protection for you.
The protective cases also include a rotating mute button that prevents dirt, debris, and water from entering the device through the case. With security at its core, there are small details that make the Catalyst extremely livable and functional, such as superior sound engineering where other, bulkier cases frequently suppress sound.
In terms of durability, the Catalyst will protect your device if dropped from a height of up to 6.6 feet.
Pros: Waterproof, durable, and high-quality, this is the “ultimate” case.
Cons: Price, currently unavailable for the iPhone XR
5. G-Form
The G-Form case, which is difficult to find, set records for its rugged durability when it was dropped from 100,000 feet with no damage to the enclosed device. Take a look at this video of the event.
The G-Form product is unique in terms of engineering and technology, with a patented process that allows the material to stiffen on impact. This is referred to as Reactive Protection Technology by the company, and it is used in sports applications as well.
The G-Form case has a rigid polycarbonate outer shell and an inner TPE insert for added protection. If you need the most protection from high drops, the G-Form is the best option.
Advantages: Superior drop protection, patented technology
Cons: High prices and limited availability for some models.
4. Pelican Shield
The Pelican Shield Case, a popular choice on many popular review sites, takes protection as seriously as modern technology allows. This case offers five layers of protection, promises that your phone will be safe no matter what life throws at it, and comes with a lifetime warranty.
It is made of bulletproof material, such as Kevlar-brand fibres and thermoplastic elastomers. The Pelican Shield case is the ultimate in case construction, providing 3x military-grade drop protection.
From a practical standpoint, the Pelican Shield Case is ideal for people who are prone to dropping their devices onto hard surfaces.
Pros: Excellent build quality, lifetime warranty
Cons: Expensive, and not splashproof
3. Lifeproof Fre
The Lifeproof Fre is another popular case that has made multiple top appearances when reviewed. It provides all-around protection against all potential dangers. This case can withstand drops from up to 2 meters and comes with a built-in screen protector.
It is also waterproof for up to 1 hour and can be submerged to depths of up to 2 meters. With this level of protection, the case protects against dirt and debris, and the ports, microphone, and speakers are also sealed.
This makes the Lifeproof Fre a popular choice among farmers in areas where moisture and water exposure pose significant risks to their device, as well as the potential threats posed by the types of drops we’ve come to expect in a farming environment.
Pros: All-weather protection, attractive colour palette
Cons: Speaker performance has been reduced.
2. Tough Jacket Maxx and Ballistic Tough Jacket
These Ballistic protective cases do more than just look the part of a heavy-duty, rugged, and durable protective case. The Tough Jacket and Tough Jacket Maxx cases have a three-layer design and are built to withstand drops from eight feet.
This means that the tempered glass inserts in these protective cases are replaceable. The case’s corners are also designed to be removable if they are damaged in a fall and need to be replaced.
Pros: Under $50, six-sided drop protection
Cons: Model availability is limited.
1. Otterbox Defender
The Otterbox Defender, the industry’s gold standard in protective case manufacturing, offers four layers of protection. The case is made of silicone on the outside and plastic on the inside for shock absorption against drops.
The “holster” layer adds another layer of defence. The Otterbox Defender is distinguished from other cases by its “screenless” protection, which eliminates the need for users to fiddle with an extra layer that “numbs” the natural screen’s touch features.
The level of testing completed by Otterbox – 238 hours and 24 different tests – is one of the reasons why the Otterbox Defender appears on all review sites. Furthermore, the Otterbox Defender has been shown to withstand drops of up to 23 stories.
Pros: Made by a company known for producing protective, long-lasting, and rugged cases.
Cons: There is little water protection.
