5 Best Waterproof Phone Pouches (2022) to Keep Your Device Dry

By Madison Flager

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When summer finally rolls around, vacation plans tend to involve the water. Maybe you're headed to a Caribbean beach, or to chase waterfalls in a state park. Perhaps you are dusting off your water sports skills for afternoons on the boat, in a kayak, or balancing atop a paddleboard. Or maybe you're just taking photos close to the shore and don't want to worry about your phone falling in or getting splashed. Wherever you go, if you're bringing your cell along, you'd be wise to invest in a waterproof phone bag.

Unlike a waterproof phone case, these pouches protect your device and give you a way to stay hands-free more often, usually in the form of a lanyard. The best waterproof phone pouches even float, so if it gets knocked into a deep body of water (or even the deep end of a pool), you won't be scrambling to find it.

Ahead of the summer season, I tested out a whole slew of waterproof phone bags and pouches to find out which will really keep your phone dry. I went through a few rounds of testing for each bags: first, with a tissue inside, to ensure there was no immediate water damage. Then, with an old (and small) Apple phone. Lastly, I put my iPhone 13 Max Pro inside of each one to see how it fit. With each round, all of the pouches were tossed into a pool. I'm happy to report the cell phones (and tissues) all came out of the pool unscathed, but still, some pouches proved better than others. Below, the best waterproof phone pouches to bring on your next beach trip, cruise, or rainy day hike.

This Pelican pouch was the clear favorite, largely for its ability to float. While the point of the lanyard is to keep your phone from dunking into the water without you, accidents happen, and knowing this bag will stay afloat offers peace of mind. It's also cushioned, protecting your phone from drops on a hard surface, too. Other pros: The lanyard is detachable in case you want to swap out the lime green one it comes with, and it was easy enough to still use my phone while inside the case to take photos. Per Pelican, which puts its pouches through even more rigorous testing, the case is proven to stay dry in one meter of water (3.3 feet) for 60 minutes.

This size was a little tight for my phone, and the cushion (which is what allows it to float) meant typing was just a bit more annoying—I had to press down harder than normal—than with the thinner ones. Also worth noting: With all of these pouches, FaceID can be a bit finicky, so be prepared to enter your lock code in manually.

These waterproof fanny packs were a surprise favorite. An order comes with two bags, each with an adjustable strap to wear around your waist or across your chest. They have both a Velcro closure and a triple lock seal, which means it's not a quick in-and-out to grab your stuff, but also that everything inside is safe and secure.

It'd be great to have these bags on solo beach outings—they’re fully submersible—and while on cruise ship excursions where you're carrying more than just a phone (while not as big as a dry bag, a credit card, sunscreen, and other valuables could easily fit in here). To note, this one is not meant for touchscreen use, so you will need to take your phone out if you want to take a photo or otherwise use it.

Another solid pick: This Joto phone pouch; the touchscreen worked easily and the camera was especially clear. That said, this one isn't floatable, and the open/close mechanism was confusing at first (you have to loop the prongs through the top of the case once your phone is inside). An order comes with two cases and two lanyards, and you can choose between a few colors (black, clear, aqua blue, pink). I'd take this one snorkeling or to a water park.

When I first opened this phone pouch, I thought it looked flimsy, but it was watertight, with solid touchscreen capability, too. It's super lightweight, so if you're camping or hiking and concerned about weight, it's a good pick. An order comes with two cases and in a variety of colors, and the cases themselves are both waterproof and snow-proof. This one was the easiest to fit my phone in, so if you're at all concerned about dexterity, or have a larger phone, it may be the best one for you. However, it does open and close in a similar fashion to the Joto—a little confusing at first, but easy once you get the hang of it. After testing, I happened to see this one in action on a group tour in Puerto Rico.

Made by Nite Ize, the same brand behind another editor-favorite outdoor item (travel bookings editor Meredith Carey's go-to bicycle phone mount), this pouch has been tested to stay dry in one meter of water for 30 minutes. It comes with an adjustable lanyard, has a super easy-to-open zipper, and a touchscreen that works seamlessly. There's also a loop to clip it onto a belt or backpack.

Worth noting: It feels counterintuitive, but you'll want to put your phone in upside down if you plan to take photos while it's still in the case (otherwise, the camera will be obscured by the black portion up top). This one was also a bit snug on my phone, though for anyone with an Android or iPhone that is smaller than the Pro Max, you should be good to go.