Best heavy-duty Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra cases in 2023

Since 2020, Samsung’s Ultra phones have been big, bright, and beautiful powerhouses with the best specs possible. The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is no different, with a 6.8-inch, 120Hz 1440p display that can reach cornea-searing levels of brightness.

In 2022, the S Pen was included with an S model for the first time, turning the S22 Ultra into a productivity machine. The premium metal and glass design with a curved display might look and feel good, but it’s also fragile, so you’ll want to ensure your $1,000 investment is kept safe.

The S22 Ultra is already a behemoth, so adding a bulky case is usually something you might want to avoid. But if you’re clumsy or work in an environment that’s hostile to smartphones, it’s a sacrifice you’ll need to make. While the best Galaxy S22 Ultra cases include several heavy-duty models, you deserve a more comprehensive selection to meet your needs. So we’ve rounded up some of the most rugged and heavy-duty cases to keep your device safe from hard impacts, scratches, and anything else life throws at it.

Samsung’s Ultra phones have been big, bright, and beautiful powerhouses with the best specs possible. The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is no different, with a 6.8-inch, 120Hz 1440p display that can reach cornea-searing levels of brightness. In 2022, the S Pen was included with an S model for the first time, turning the S22 Ultra into a productivity machine. The premium metal and glass design with a curved display might look and feel good, but it’s also fragile, so you’ll want to ensure your $1,000 investment is kept safe.

Spigen Tough Armor Galaxy S22 Ultra case

Editor’s Choice

There’s a lot to like about Spigen’s Tough Armor. It feels solid in your hand, has a sleek design with an integrated kickstand, and it’s reasonably priced. The typical polycarbonate and TPU materials are joined by an extra layer of foam for added shock absorption, and the button covers retain their sensitivity. However, the biggest complaint for most will likely be the slippery feel of the hard plastic outer shell and the less pronounced buttons that can be hard to feel.

Poetic Neon for Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra

Best Value

The Poetic Neon takes a multipronged approach to safeguard your S22 Ultra, with shock-absorbing material, reinforced corners, and grippy sides and back, so you’re less likely to drop it. Despite this, it doesn’t add a lot of bulk or weight to your device, making it a good choice for those who need reliable protection with a slim feel. The case is also quite stylish, with several solid and two-tone colorways to choose from.

Urban Armor Gear Monarch for Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra

Premium Pick

The UAG Monarch may not be the most wallet-friendly case on our list, but it will keep your phone safe in most situations — and look great while doing it. This case surprisingly adds only 1.5 ounces of weight to your device, and it won’t get in the way of wireless charging or NFC. The slick backplate doesn’t provide the best grip, but the sides are extra-grippy, and that’s where you’ll be holding onto it anyway.

Supcase Unicorn Beetle Pro For Galaxy S22 Ultra

Promoted Pick

In partnership with Supcase

Supcase prides itself on making some of the toughest phone cases out there, and the Unicorn Beetle Pro Series lives up to that claim. It’s even won a CNET Award for surviving the most total feet dropped, thanks to its dual-material, multi-layered construction. The kickstand built into the back also works great in both landscape and portrait mode, remaining stable and sturdy no matter which way you prop it up.

Incipio Grip for Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra

Best Grip

The Incipio Grip is the most robust of the company’s offerings for the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra, offering 14-foot drop protection. However, it’s unlikely you’ll ever need to test that, thanks to Grip’s side bumpers, which are covered in raised, rubbery ridges that resemble caltrops but feel quite pleasant in the hand. Available in three colors, the bold cherry red is one of our faves as it catches the eye without screaming midlife crisis like the Ferrari red heavy-duty cases on the market today.

i-Blason Ares for Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra

Promoted Pick

In partnership with i-Blason

Unlike most phone cases that detract from the look of your device, i-Blason’s Ares features a clear backplate to show off the aesthetic of your S22 Ultra while still safeguarding it against scratches. It is also fingerprint-resistant, so it won’t wind up with a bunch of dirty-looking smudges on the back. There’s also a pronounced bezel around the camera lenses and a thick raised border around the display for extra protection.

Ghostek Exec for Galaxy S22 Ultra

Rugged Wallet

Ghostek’s Exec is a rugged case that offers stylish protection for your S22 Ultra while letting you leave your wallet at home, thanks to a detachable cardholder that provides room for up to three credit or ID cards. In addition, you can easily detach the wallet clip for wireless charging, attach it to a magnetic car mount, or just travel lightly. With raised screen edges, camera lens bumpers, and shock-absorbent corners, this case will protect your phone from drops of up to 12 feet.

Poetic Spartan for Galaxy S22 Ultra

Rugged Yet Refined

Poetic’s Spartan is a heavy-duty case that looks the part with a design that blends ruggedness with refinement. Pleather accent panels are joined by an assortment of mostly subdued color options that hide a versatile kickstand that lets you prop your S22 Ultra up in landscape or portrait orientation. Spartan also provides two front frames in the package, allowing you to choose whether to use the included screen protector or just protect your screen with a raised edge.

CaseBorne V for Galaxy S22 Ultra

A Colorful Pick

The CaseBorne V’s claim to fame is its selection of unusual colors like construction-grade neon orange and soft purple. Otherwise, the design is similar to most rugged cases, with the usual assortment of important features like an integrated kickstand, precision cutouts that don’t interfere with button functionality, proper dust flaps for the USB-C port, and grip-enhancing texture on the sides. It’s also been tested to survive drops up to 21 feet without its precious cargo getting damaged, yet it’s surprisingly affordable.

Nillkin CamShield Armor for Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra

Protect Your Camera

Don’t be fooled by the low price tag of the Nillkin CamShield Armor. Despite boasting lots of features, this is a quality case that stands up well to wear, tear, and drops thanks to the multi-layer construction and air cushioning. Its standout feature is a sliding camera cover that keeps the lenses safe from scratches that can interfere with picture quality over time. The case also has a swiveling ring holder that doubles as a kickstand.

OtterBox Defender Pro for Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra

Keep Germs Away

The Defender Pro offers the same heavy-duty construction as Otterbox’s popular Defender series while adding a silver-based antimicrobial additive to the material that helps guard against bacteria. That’s a great idea when you consider how dirty phones can actually get, but keep in mind that it’s not guaranteed to kill everything, so it won’t protect you against viruses and illness-inducing bacteria. It’s also on the expensive side, but it’s equipped with an integrated stand, a belt clip, and a lifetime warranty.

Ghostek Nautical for Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra

Ready to Sail

The Ghostek Nautical is tailor-made for those who are constantly near the water. It’s waterproof and swim-proof up to 20 feet for an hour, with a watertight cover for the USB-C port and support for wireless charging. It’s great on land, too, with a non-slip grip and 12-foot drop protection. Just be aware that while it will protect your phone from a dunk, it’s not buoyant, so you may want to invest in a floating strap before you take it out to sea.

How much protection is enough?

While these cases are heavy-duty compared to your average phone cover, some are more rugged than others. Rugged cases tend to be more expensive than most, so you’ll want to ensure you get one that suits your needs.

Spigen’s Tough Armor provides great all-around protection at an affordable price, making it the best pick for most folks who don’t have more specific needs. The sleek design looks great, the kickstand is handy, and an extra layer of foam offers added shock protection without bulking things up too much. The Poetic Neon is a more affordable option that delivers even better value without some of the bells and whistles, and an even slimmer profile, while the UAG Monarch is a premium, rugged, and tough case that looks the part and feels especially solid in the hand.

Screen protectors are a sore spot for the S22 Ultra thanks to its fingerprint scanner and curved display. Many people use two cases with their phone — a rugged one during work hours and something slimmer at other times. If you switch up cases and want one of the best S22 Ultra screen protectors, you’ll want to skip the cases with built-in screen protectors. On the other hand, if you only need a screen protector when using a case, getting a case with a built-in screen protector is a good move.

You’ll also need to decide how thick the case should be and the features you’ll need. If you’re more butterfingered than most, then Incipio’s Grip lets you keep a good and solid hold on your S22 while providing plenty of impact protection if it does slip out of your hands. In more extreme situations, the other cases shine. The aforementioned Supcase UB Pro and Caseborne V combine their ruggedness with screen protectors and kickstands that can double as handles to hold the phone. If you’re worried about your cameras, the Nillkin CamShield Armor is your next choice, as it features a sliding camera cover.

These aren’t the cutest or sleekest cases in the world, but there’s nothing cute or sleek about a smashed phone either. The cases on this list will give your Galaxy S22 Ultra its best chance of surviving whatever life throws its way.