5 Best Rugged Apple Watch Cases to Protect Your Smartwatch

The Apple Watch is one of the best smartwatches out there. Be it the accurate sleep tracking after the watchOS 7 update or the seamless app integrations; there’s a lot to like about it. However, these watches are delicate and tend to collect scratches and scuff marks if you are not too careful. Thankfully, a rugged Apple Watch cases from the list below can help protect your investment.

best rugged Apple Watch cases

With hard TPU edges and reinforced corners, these rugged cases aim to keep your watch in a pristine condition. Besides daily usage, they’re helpful when you’re in the field or engage in adventurous activities. The only issue is they add a bit of bulk to the watch. So, if you are in the market for a rugged case for your Apple Watch, here are some durable, heavy-duty, and shock. But before that –

1. Spigen Rugged Armor Pro

Compatible with: Apple Watch Series 4 and above

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If you aren’t too careful with your smartwatch, you should certainly get the Spigen Rugged Armor Pro. It packs a thick layer of shock-absorbing material that wraps around the watch (except for the crown) and safeguards it from impact, scratches, and bumps. Spigen chooses to do away with the strap of the Apple Watch and replaces it with a rugged band that gives a rugged look.

Like most phone cases, this one also has raised edges along the sides that protect the screen from scratches, should the watch fall face down.

My husband has been using this strap for quite some time, and can safely say that it does its job as advertised. The good thing is that the material is breathable and doesn’t collect sweat easily.

It adds considerable bulk to the watch and you’ll have to sacrifice its slim profile. Well, that’s the price you have to pay for safety.

2. Spigen Rugged Armor

Compatible with: Apple Watch Series 4 and above

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If you are searching for a strong and sturdy case minus the band, the Spigen Rugged Armor makes for a good buy. It’s a shock-resistant case that keeps the edges shielded. Naturally, it adds a bit of bulk, but luckily you can choose a band that fully complements the case.

Installation is pretty easy. Unlike the one above, you do not have to remove the watch body. All you need to do is attach the case from the above.

The crown remains exposed, while the side button is enveloped with a textured cover.

The Spigen Rugged Armor is available in four colors – Olive Green, Black, Rose Gold, and White, to coordinate with the watch strap’s original color.

3. YOGRE Apple Watch Waterproof Case

Compatible with: Apple Watch Series 3 and below

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The YOGRE case for the Apple Watch seals the watch from all sides and provides 360-degree protection. This TPU case also bundles a screen protector, and you can bid farewell to screen damage. Like the first item on this list, it bundles a band with the case with a traditional watch-like lock. And the IP68 waterproof protection sweetens the deal.

The case lets you wirelessly charge your watch, which is a big plus. After all, you wouldn’t want to take off the case each time your watch needs a charge.

Unlike the watch cases above, the YOGRE covers both the crown and the side button. If you have an older Apple Watch, it’s an absolute must-have.

4. Supcase Unicorn Beetle Pro

Compatible with: Apple Watch Series 4 and above

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The Supcase Unicorn Beetle Pro case for the Apple Watch brings both style and ruggedness to the table. The dual combination of TPU and polycarbonate does it best to shield your watch from damage and to bear the brunt of impacts and falls. This makes it one of the best cases to have work in a construction site or if you handle heavy machinery. The crown is uncovered, while the side button has a textured cover.

The band is integrated with the case and has a series of double perforations. This design ensures no sweat trapped between the band and the strap.

The Supcase Unicorn Beetle Pro case is available in many attractive colors and hues. If you want your watch to stand out starkly, the Memba is the best option.

5. ADDSMILE 360-degree Protective Case

Compatible with: Series 4 and above

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The Addsmile case brings the best of both worlds. While the primary case is built strong, like a rugged case, the straps have a sporty look. The latter has enough perforations like sports cases and ensures that water and sweat evaporate easily. It’s built like a tank and the odds are that your smartwatch will remain in pristine conditions.

The only issue I found was that it has a thick raised platform on the right edge, which tends to steal the look of the watch.

If you are fine with that, this one is a good case to consider. Since it’s waterproof, you can easily wear your Apple Watch with this case if you plan to swim wearing it.

As Strong as a Tank

With these rugged Apple Watch cases, you can rest assured that your smartwatch will remain in good condition. But well, bulk and armored cases go hand in hand, so be ready for extra grams on your wrist. Also, if you pick up a case with an attached band, store the original bands of the Apple Watch carefully as they do not come cheap.

Last updated on 31 August, 2023

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