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If you're looking for the best rugged iPhone SE case, you've come to the right place!
The iPhone SE 2020, coming with the same exterior design as the iPhone 8, is compatible with all of the rugged and armor cases designed for Apple's 2017 flagship phone. However, many case manufacturers have updated their rugged and armor cases to new designs and others have significantly lowered their prices. This is why a collection of the best heavy duty iPhone SE cases goes beyond three-year-old products.
As always, feel free to add your own suggestions to our list by heading over to the comment section below. Furthermore, if you've owned any of the rugged iPhone SE cases that we're going to recommend, share your individual experience with the community
OtterBox Defender iPhone SE rugged case
OtterBox - Defender Series Pro
Modular Case for Apple iPhone 7, 8 and SE (2nd generation) - Purple
The OtterBox Defender Series is, in many ways, a standard for rugged cases.
Protecting your phone are three layers: a hard polycarbonate shell, a shock-absorbing rubbery outer slipcover, as well as a built-in screen projector. The port covers are designed to keep dust and debris from getting inside the handset. Another nice touch is that the case also comes with an optional belt-clip holster that doubles as a kickstand. A variety of color options are available.
According to multiple user reports, one notable problem with this case is that dust is likely to make its way between the Touch ID-enabled home button and the screen protector. If you're okay with the bulky design, this rugged iPhone SE case will serve you well for the years to come.
Spigen's iPhone SE rugged cases have stood the test of time and the Tough Armor model occupies the top of the food chain. It offers the classic combination of TPU and Polycarbonate for dual protection from drops and scratches, and also improves the drop resistance by adding an additional foam layer in the design.
This heavy duty iPhone SE case also comes equipped with Spigen's Air Cushion tech - air pockets around the corners of the case take care of accidental drops and impacts. The Tough Armor iPhone SE rugged case is pretty affordable and comes in various colors. You can't go wrong with Spigen when talking about protection.
Griffin Technology Survivor iPhone SE strong case
Griffin Technology Survivor Strong Case
Compatible with iPhone SE(2020), iPhone 8, iPhone 7
Those looking to combine some modern designs with extreme heavy duty protection for the iPhone SE should check out the Griffin Survivor series.
In the protection department, this rugged iPhone SE case offers military-grade 810F-rated drop protection as well as dust and splash resistance. This is made possible thanks to a combination of three factors: a shatter-resistant hard polycarbonate frame, an outer layer of shock-absorbing and grip-friendly silicone, as well as an integrated screen protector.
It will take some effort to break an iPhone SE protected by one of these cases, and this model is also pretty slim, considering it's a rugged case.
Supacase Unicorn Beetle heavy duty case
SUPCASE Unicorn Beetle Pro Series Case
Designed for iPhone SE 2nd Generation 2020 / iPhone 7 / iPhone 8
The Supacase Unicorn Beetle Pro is another top quality heavy duty iPhone SE case. This one is a two-piece combination: a front casing with a built-in screen protector is paired with a dual-layer (hard PC outer layer / shock absorbing TPU inner layer) back cover. The latter also features a TPU bumper on the outside.
Although the Supacase Unicorn Beetle Pro offers durable protection, it should be noted that the case is also slimmer than most of the rugged iPhone SE cases that we've listed here. Flaps protect the ports against dust and debris and the case also comes with a built-in screen protector. The package also includes a belt hoster/kickstand.
Next up on our list is the Speck CandyShell rugged iPhone SE case, a heavy duty case that combines vivid looks with adequate protection - it is certified to meet or exceed MIL-STD-810G drop test standards.
This iPhone SE case features a dual-protection design - an exterior polycarbonate layer disperses impact while a custom engineered soft acrylic inner layer absorbs potential shocks. The price is good and there are color options such as Dark Poppy Red and Jewel Teal - what's not to like?
Moshi Vesta rugged iPhone SE case
Moshi Vesta for iPhone SE 2020/8/ 7,
Protective Fabric Case, Military-Grade Drop Tested
While we find that the heavy duty iPhone SE cases that we've recommended so far all have a certain degree of appeal, there's no denying that they kind of hinder the sleek design design of the iPhone SE itself. As such, we're now going to talk about a case that has a metal frame.
The Moshi Vesta comes with a unique metallic frame that both protects the handset and complements its design. This one doesn't come with a built-in screen protector, offering a protective raised lip instead. The back is made of Vesta's tri clear texture finish, offering not only a stylish look but also grip comfort. Unfortunately, users report that the build quality suffers on some units, so proceed with caution.
Mariyan, a tech enthusiast with a background in Nuclear Physics and Journalism, brings a unique perspective to PhoneArena. His childhood curiosity for gadgets evolved into a professional passion for technology, leading him to the role of Editor-in-Chief at PCWorld Bulgaria before joining PhoneArena. Mariyan's interests range from mainstream Android and iPhone debates to fringe technologies like graphene batteries and nanotechnology. Off-duty, he enjoys playing his electric guitar, practicing Japanese, and revisiting his love for video games and Haruki Murakami's works.
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