The best heavy-duty Samsung Galaxy S22 cases in 2022

If you need a case that can survive the apocalypse, Supcase crafted the Unicorn Beetle Pro just for you. Tested against 20-foot drops and complete with a dust flap to keep sawdust or zombie guts out of your all-important USB-C port, the UB Pro series of cases have survived run-ins with bikes, cars, and even lawnmowers. It might be slightly too thick to work with most wireless chargers, but Supcase makes great use of that space with a wide, sturdy pop-out kickstand that you can also use as a phone grip in a pinch.

While this two-piece case has a durable front frame, it doesn't have a screen protector built-in, meaning you can go with tempered glass rather than flimsy plastic. And if the five solid color options aren't to your liking, Supcase also offers a clear version (Yes, really!) of the UB Pro exclusively on its website.

As Poetic's newest case series, the Neon balances heavy-duty protection and a more lithe profile. It uses the same tried-and-true dual-layer design as the Spigen Tough Armor and OtterBox Commuter Series, but Poetic has refined the design to achieve greater functionality and an iconic look. Cutouts on the back and sides of the hard plastic shell allow the grippier, impact-absorbent TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) to keep your phone from sliding around a table or falling out of your hand.

Eight colorways ensure you can find one that matches your phone or your favored palette; there's even a lovely Sky Blue to match the S22's custom color.

This case may seem a bit extravagant between the 5-layer design and the $60 starting price, but the UAG Monarch is truly fit for a king, or at least for an adventure-seeking prince looking to slay dragons for glory. Like the Supcase UB Pro, the Monarch is rated for 20-foot drops, but even with the 5-layer construction, the Monarch is still thin enough to allow for wireless charging on most wireless chargers. While the leather models feel best to my hands, there are also carbon fiber and genuine Kevlar versions if you're feeling especially extra. The grip from the sides of this case is nothing short of sublime, and it will keep your Galaxy safe for years to come.

The Ghostek Exec is a well-designed case with some helpful bonus features you won't find with other cases. The textured back makes it comfortable to hold, and while it's bulky enough to keep your S22 safe, it isn't so large as to be unwieldy. There's a removable credit card holder, so this case has you covered if you don't want to take your wallet with you on a night out. The Exec is available in Black, Gray, and Pink.

The CaseBorne V is a tank. An internal foam layer protects the S22s Gorilla Glass Victus back panel from scratches, while the outer shell ensures that drops and impacts won't harm your phone. We find particularly impressive the inclusion of a front layer that adds lip to prevent screen damage but doesn't include a screen protector. Some prefer to use a tempered glass screen protector rather than a plastic one built into a case, and the CaseBorne V gives you that option.

A dust cover for the USB-C port and a sturdy kickstand complete the package, making this one of the most well-rounded cases for the S22, provided you can handle its size and weight. You can buy the CaseBorne V in Black, Orange, or Purple.

If you want to keep your S22 safe without adding too much bulk and look good doing it, the i-Blason Cosmo can do just that. The flexible TPU construction will protect against bumps and minor drops, and the included screen protector will keep the display scratch-free. The selling point for this case is how it looks. It won't be to everyone's taste, but this stands out nicely in a sea of desaturated rectangles. It's available in six finishes: Clear, Marble Pink, Marble Purple, Ocean Blue, Black, and Red.

OtterBox turned itself into the Kleenex of the heavy-duty case world, and after over a decade of amazingly rugged entries, it has its Galaxy S22 cases down to a science. Sleeker than the Defender Series and way better colored than the Commuter Series, the Symmetry is the Goldilocks of the OtterBox line: durable and dependable without turning into an unwieldy tank. Available in a Rest Purple that matches the 2022 Pantone Color of the Year "Very Peri" and a Renaissance Pink that looks like you could almost see in the dark (or black, if you're boring), the Symmetry Series is the best OtterBox for the Galaxy S22.

Usually, if you want a case that adds a decent lip around the display, you have to buy a thick tank of a case. The Incipio Grip bucks that trend by offering good screen protection without becoming unwieldy. The case sides feature rubberized grips arranged in a geometric pattern, allowing the case to live up to its name. There's no way this will slip from your hand, and if it does, the case should keep your Galaxy S22 safe from harm. The Grip is available in Black, Midnight Navy, and Red.

You don't see many waterproof cases these days, primarily due to smartphones becoming more resistant to liquid ingress. But if you want to use your phone in the bath or submerge it in the sea to take photos and videos, you shouldn't rely on the phone's protection. Smartphones have water-sensitive stickers that change color permanently once wet and void your warranty. The IP rating on your device is meant to protect against accidents, nothing more.

The NAUTICAL features an IP68 rating thanks to its tight charging port cover that can handle submersion up to 20 feet for an hour. If you want to take your S22 to the beach and ensure it's protected against the elements, or even take it underwater for some fish photography, this case will get the job done. But if you just want something to keep your S22 safe under normal circumstances, you'll be better off with one of the other cases on this list. The NAUTICAL doesn't do much to add any extra grip to the phone, and it's nowhere near as comfortable to hold as the others. The case is available in Black and Clear finishes.

Zachary Kew-Denniss (271 Articles Published)

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