Best heavy-duty Samsung Galaxy S22 plus cases in 2022

In addition to its memorable name, the Supcase Unicorn Beetle Pro will keep your phone in one piece and prevent scratches and dust ingress. It sports a dependable belt clip that's both rotatable and detachable. There's a kickstand on the back for watching videos and streaming shows, and the stand also doubles as a ring holder, so you can use the phone with one hand without dropping it. It's made to MIL-STD-810G specifications, and the most notable feature is that it's engineered to keep your device safe if it falls from as high as 20 feet. The front frame affixes securely to the body of the case and does a fantastic job at preventing damage to the edges of the screen. Out of everything on the market, this one has just about the best features for the price.

If you're looking for a durable case that looks great but is not overly busy or gaudy, the Ghostek Atomic Slim is an excellent choice. Its raised bumper is a rigid aluminum that protects the screen and camera and has a non-slip grip. There are seven colors to choose from, and the clear back lets you show off both sides of your device. It's manufacturer-tested to withstand drops as high as 10 feet, and it doesn't interfere with wireless charging. It's highly resistant to scratches, and the rear bezel extends over the edge of the camera glass to further protect it. The minor drawback is that it isn't a full-body case, but you can easily add a tempered glass screen protector.

As you can probably guess from the company name, Urban Armor Gear specializes in resilient and reliable phone cases. The S22+ version of the Pathfinder lineup is remarkable because it delivers the same premium protection we've come to expect from UAG. Surprisingly though, it weighs next to nothing and is remarkably slim. It won't get in the way of wireless charging (including reverse wireless charging), and the raised bezel does an excellent job of keeping the screen safe.

There are other nice touches to this case, too, such as well-designed buttons that produce a satisfying tactile click instead of the mushy buttons found on some cases. It's one of the rare cases specifically engineered to withstand 16-foot drops or farther, which is one of the reasons it earned our editor's pick.

Poetic makes a lot of great cases, and the Spartan model for the Galaxy S22+ is no exception. It's one of the safest cases on the market due to its all-around protection courtesy of the integrated screen protector, which doesn't mess up the fingerprint reader, according to owners. If you're not a fan of the plastic material that makes up the screen cover, there's also an open frame included to use your own screen protector. On the back, there's a kickstand that makes it particularly easy to view media in either portrait or landscape orientation. If you had to pick out a con to the Poetic Spartan, you could argue that it's a little bulkier than some of the competition. Overall, though, its feature set and impressive durability mean it delivers plenty of bang for your buck.

You don't have to get something bulky, heavy, or equipped with unnecessary features just to keep your phone from breaking. The Tough Armor series is one of Spigen's most popular because it performs nearly as well as some of the biggest ruggedized cases, but is as small and light as a minimalist model. Inside the hard polycarbonate shell is both TPU and advanced foam material that provide some of the best shock protection out there.

It's compatible with wireless charging, and there's a kickstand that's small enough to stay out of the way but dependable enough to hold your phone up securely. It's a simple case that works well and isn't too flashy. In fact, one of the few things going against it is that it's only available in three colors, and they're all relatively bland.

If you're as interested in style as much as functionality, you should consider the i-Blason Cosmo. Its three colorways each feature a similar design on the back that's interesting and good-looking without being tacky or ridiculous. There's a built-in screen protector in addition to slightly raised bezels around the screen and camera, although those bezels aren't as tall as other cases and don't quite provide the same level of protection.

One other issue is that you'll have to be particularly careful when installing the screen protector. If you don't do it just right, you might have trouble with the fingerprint reader. Nonetheless, if you want a stylish case that offers better peace of mind than most, it's a worthwhile choice.

Thanks to its built-in wallet compartment, the VRS Design Damda Glide Hybrid is perfect for keeping your important personal effects at hand when you're out and about. Its door uses a semi-automatic system that slides open and shut smoothly and has enough room for a few payment cards and a few bills. The design is futuristic and stylish, although it frustratingly comes in only two shades of black.

You can set the kickstand to either 40 or 58 degrees for a comfortable viewing angle, and the screen and camera are surrounded by ridges of 2.3 and 1.5mm, respectively, to avoid cracks and chips. However, keep in mind that if you frequently use wireless charging or a car mount, you should probably avoid this one.

There aren't many fully waterproof cases these days, but the Ghostek Nautical Slim is explicitly intended for underwater use. Of course, that means it also excels at keeping even the finest dust particles from getting anywhere near your expensive electronics. It sports an IP68 rating, which means it can handle being up to 6 feet underwater for as long as 90 minutes without leaking.

Part of the reason it's so effective is the high-precision seal that covers the USB port. Plus, while you might not think much of them at first, the small, round, metal buttons on the side are easier to find and use quickly than the buttons on the phone itself. If you don't need complete waterproofing, though, this one might not be the best idea. Its ergonomics aren't ideal, and it doesn't feel great in the hand. It just doesn't have a high-traction grip for everyday use.

For taking pictures and videos at the beach or on the lake, though, it can't be beat. Just remember to attach a lanyard (and possibly a floatation device) if you use it on the water.

The S22 Plus is outfitted with an advanced camera array, and the Doxlion Defender is designed to keep the camera glass safe no matter what. To that end, its physical shutter all but guarantees that nothing will break in the event of a drop. With that said, the manufacturer doesn't advertise a tested drop height. The case itself isn't quite as thick or rugged as some others. In other words, the Doxlion isn't quite as resilient as the rest, but it's focus-built to ensure you can take pristine pictures for years to come.

Another thing it does well is provide plenty of grip, so it doesn't slide out of your hand in the first place. All in all, this is an excellent case that's reasonably protective and not terribly expensive. Unfortunately, it's only offered in three colors, none of which are very bright.