The 7 Best Waterproof Phone Cases of 2023

Protect your phone from splashes and dunks with these protective cases

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You don't have to leave your smartphone behind when heading out for an adventure, and if you’re planning on being anywhere near the water, you’ll want the protection offered by the best waterproof phone cases to ensure it remains safe and dry.

The best waterproof phone cases also keep out sand, dust, and dirt and often provide some drop protection too. Many will also float to ensure you can easily retrieve your phone if it falls into a lake or river.

Amazon

Great 12-foot drop protection

Grippy sides

Fingerprint unlock compatible

Limited color options

Active and adventurous Samsung Galaxy S21 owners will appreciate what Ghostek's Nautical waterproof case offers, with underwater and military-grade drop protection that doesn't get in the way of using all the great features that Samsung's flagship smartphones provide. Precise, detailed cutouts, water-tight port covers, and tactile and responsive buttons let you operate your phone while keeping it safe from the elements.

Certified to depths of up to 20 feet for one hour with high-quality lens covers, the Nautical waterproof case lets you take great underwater photos and videos without worrying about water damage. Meanwhile, the 12-foot drop protection and anti-slip hand grip mean you won't have to worry about dropping it during your above-water adventures. A raised bezel protects the extra camera lens, flash, and LiDAR sensor. A built-in screen protector covers the super-AMOLED display without interfering with the visual quality or the fingerprint sensor. You can also charge wirelessly through the case, in both directions, with full support for Samsung's wireless PowerShare feature.

Compatibility: Galaxy S21 Series | Drop Protection: 12 feet | Water Resistant: 20 feet | Screen Protector: Yes

Amazon

Water and drop protection

Touch ID compatible

Slim and light design

Can be a bit tricky to get properly sealed

Apple's iPhone SE, iPhone 7, and iPhone 8 are technically water resistant, but it's not something we’d recommend counting on if you plan to take it with you on outdoor adventures like boating and rafting. For this, you need a truly waterproof case like Lifeproof's FRĒ, which offers protection in up to 2 meters of water for up to an hour—double the water resistance of the iPhone SE by itself.

The complete 360-degree protection that FRĒ offers will also keep your iPhone safe from drops of up to 6.6 feet, plus keep out dirt, snow, and other debris. Despite all this, the case is remarkably slim, so you don't have to worry about adding needless bulk to get solid protection. The front screen protector is also so thin and responsive that you’ll forget it's even there, and FRĒ doesn't block any of your buttons or even get in the way of using the Touch ID sensor or cameras.

Compatibility: iPhone SE (2020) | Drop Protection: 6.6 feet | Water Resistant: 6.6 feet | Screen Protector: Yes

Amazon

Slim design

Adds drop protection

Full fingerprint sensor compatibility

Narrow opening blocks some third-party wired chargers

Lanheim's IP68-certified waterproof case is one of the few options you’ll find that's designed specifically for Google's Pixel 5. It features a lightweight design with water protection and drop resistance, so you can rely on it to keep your Pixel covered everywhere, from a day at the beach to a weekend wilderness adventure. It's also easy to take off and put on, so you don't need to keep it on when hanging around at home or working at the office.

The TPU material and hard plastic frame offer full-body protection without bulking up your phone. Protection includes drops of up to 6 feet and submersion in 2 meters of water for up to an hour—although you can go down to as deep as 20 feet for shorter periods. The front screen protector offers responsive touch sensitivity and even supports fingerprint authentication. An included strap and textured sides let you keep a good grip on your phone, and the transparent back cover lets you show off your Pixel.

Compatibility: Google Pixel 5 | Drop Protection: 6.6 feet | Water Resistant: 6.6 feet | Screen Protector: Yes

Amazon

Universal compatibility

Heavy duty construction

Enough room for other slim objects

Not compatible with fingerprint sensors

Since it can handle any smartphone up to 6.3 inches in length, regardless of the model, Kona's Submariner makes a great pick if you want a case that you can use for years—and even share with family and friends. Plus, with room inside for other small objects like hotel keys, credit cards, and a bit of cash, you can leave your wallet behind in your hotel room during your outdoor adventure tours.

Like most universal cases, Submariner offers expanded depth protection by keeping your smartphone sealed inside. It's suitable for depths of up to 100 feet, and the strong welded seam means you won't need to worry about it popping open if it bounces off the side of your boat before hitting the water. The crystal-clear case won't get in the way of the touchscreen or cameras, so you can even use it for underwater photography.

Compatibility: Universal | Drop Protection: N/A | Water Resistant: 100 feet | Screen Protector: Yes

Amazon

Universal compatibility

Enough extra room for a slim wallet

Included neck strap

Included lanyard isn't ideal for rigorous activities

Adventures who prefer to travel light will like what Joto's Universal Waterproof Case offers since it protects your smartphone and has enough room inside for a few credit cards, cash, or even a slim wallet. This means you’ll be able to head out for a day's worth of adventures with everything you need in one place.

Large enough screen sizes of up to 6.9 inches, there's virtually no smartphone the Joto case can't handle, and it's clear on both sides, so you’ll be able to see what's on your screen—and even access touchscreen controls—as well as taking photos and videos without any distortion. A simple snap-and-lock design makes it easy to get your smartphone out when you need to access it directly while remaining water- and dust-proof when closed. The included neck strap also means you won't ever need to worry about how to carry it, even when you’re wearing nothing more than a set of swim trunks.

Compatibility: Universal | Drop Protection: N/A | Water Resistant: 100 feet | Screen Protector: Yes

Amazon

Universal compatibility

Designed to float

Available in lots of fun colors

Doesn't fit "Max" or "Ultra" sized phones

As the name implies, CaliCase's Universal Waterproof Floating case is an excellent choice for outdoor adventurers who spend time boating, rafting, or kayaking. After all, even a waterproof case with hundreds of feet of protection won't do you much good if you can't retrieve your valuable smartphone from the bottom of the lake it fell into.

CaliCase still offers up to 100 feet of water protection for up to 30 minutes, but thanks to built-in foam padding that will keep it bobbing to the surface, it's unlikely your smartphone will ever reach that depth. Dual-layer PVC plastic makes the case sturdy enough to handle everyday bumps and drops, and transparent windows on both sides let you use your phone and take pictures with it still in the case. It's available in a range of fun colors and fits all standard sizes of smartphones.

Compatibility: Universal | Drop Protection: N/A | Water Resistant: 100 feet | Screen Protector: Yes

Amazon

Camera grip and shutter button for easy photo capture

Standard threaded tripod mount

Rugged and durable build

Not designed for everyday use

Premium smartphones like the iPhone 12 Pro Max or Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra take great photos on land and above water. Still, if you’re looking to explore the final frontier of underwater photography, you’ll need a case like the Willbox Professional Diving Case. The sturdy case protects your smartphone for extended periods at depths of up to 50 feet, so it's great for everything from skiing and surfing to snorkeling and diving.

While most waterproof cases can record underwater, the Willbox turns your smartphone into an underwater camera. For example, you get an external shutter release button and camera grip to snap photos quickly and easily. A standard threaded tripod mount lets you attach your smartphone to professional underwater photo equipment. However, this isn't for everyday use, as the hard screen protector blocks many touchscreen capabilities. This is a highly protective case for underwater use, but it's the sort that you put on before going for a dive and take off when you’re done.

Compatibility: Universal | Drop Protection: 10 feet| Water Resistant: 50 feet | Screen Protector: Yes

Waterproof cases come in two general styles—those designed for specific smartphone models and universal cases that can fit several models. When buying a universal case, you’ll want to make sure that it fits your phone in size and passes through all the necessary buttons, ports, and other functions you may want to use while it's in the case.

If you plan to use a waterproof case while on vacation or a day at the beach, it's handy to get one that also can replace your wallet by allowing you to store a few other essential items, such as the card key for your hotel room or a little emergency cash.

Protecting your phone against deep water doesn't help if you can't get it back after it goes into the lake, so if you’re into activities like boating, kayaking, or rafting, you’ll want to look for a floatable case. These generally offer good depth protection, but you may never need that because your phone will float back to the surface.

Most smartphones are water-resistant, not necessarily waterproof. This means that they’ll generally handle being temporarily dunked in the water, but all bets are off if they go over the side of your boat. Further, even though their phones promise to be water-resistant, companies like Apple and Samsung won't cover them under warranty if any water damage is detected. A waterproof case will offer much better water protection—often to 10 times more depth—and also guard against drops, scuffs, and scratches.

The short answer is yes, provided you have a waterproof case that's certified to the depth that you plan to dive—and how long you plan to be under. Many of the best waterproof cases are good for submersion in up to 100 meters of water, but you’ll want to read the fine print to see how long they’re designed to withstand that. Some cases only protect your smartphone from being dropped in the water accidentally—they’re not designed for long-term underwater use—so if you plan to take your phone down with you, make sure you get a waterproof case that's built for it.

IP, or "Ingress Protection" codes, refer to how well an enclosure is sealed against foreign particles and moisture. They’re expressed by the letters "IP" followed by two numbers, such as "IP68." The first number represents how well a case is protected against solid particles like dust and dirt, while the second is used for protection against water and other liquids. The higher each number, the better the protection, but it's important to note that the scale typically maxes out at IP68, which means a case is totally dust-tight, and offers a minimum of protection against immersion in 1 meter of water for up to 30 minutes. This means that the level of protection offered by IP68 cases and enclosures can vary greatly, so always make sure to check the specific protection levels offered by each case.

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