Samsung launched the Galaxy S21 Ultra earlier this year, and if you've already got one or you're planning on getting one soon, you definitely don't want to drop it and end up spending a bomb on repairs -- especially when you've already spent a substantial amount of money on the phone itself. At a starting price of $1,200, the Galaxy S21 Ultra is one of the most expensive phones from Samsung so far. While its glass-sandwich design may look pretty, it's definitely not durable enough to survive a drop. You may get lucky at times, but as they say, better be safe than sorry.
So, in order to protect your investment, we'd recommend slapping on one of the following Galaxy S21 Ultra rugged cases. If you're someone who prefers minimal protection without adding too much bulk, we've got a list of the best thin cases for the Galaxy S21 Ultra too. But if you drop your phone often and want the best protection, a rugged case is the way to go.
Samsung Clear Rugged xCover Galaxy S21 Ultra Case
If you're looking for a rugged case that provided excellent protection while also having a clear back that shows off the actual color and look of your phone, look no further than this official case from Samsung. The edges and corners have thick bumpers that protect the phone even from harsh drops so you don't have to worry about scratching or denting the metallic sides. There's a raised lip on the front as well to protect the screen when placed face-down on a surface.
SUPCASE UB Pro Galaxy S21 Ultra Case
The SUPCASE Unicorn Beetle Pro is an affordable rugged case for the Galaxy S21 Ultra that offers complete protection. It has a multi-layered TPU and polycarbonate construction to protect your phone from drops, a kickstand to help you prop it up in both landscape and portrait orientations, precise cutouts for easy access to ports, and a rotatable holster to secure your phone on your belt.
Ringke Onyx Galaxy S21 case
If you don't want to spend an additional $40 on a protective case for your $1,200 phone, then the Ringke Onyx TPU case is the best option for you. While the soft shell case doesn't provide the same level of protection as some of the alternatives mentioned here, it's enough to protect your phone from the occasional drop. The case features grippy sides, a raised lip around all edges and around the camera module, and even tiny feet on the back panel to prevent the camera module from touching any surface and picking up scratches.
Spigen Rugged Armor Galaxy S21 Ultra case
The Spigen Rugged Armor case is a great pick for those of you who don't want to add too much bulk to your phone with a case. The soft TPU case has reinforced sides and a raised lip around the screen and the camera module to protect them while the phone is kept on a surface. The slim form factor and the affordable price tag make the Spigen Rugged Armor case my top pick. Spigen also has a good reputation in the market.
i-Blason Ares Galaxy S21 Ultra case
This case from i-Blason provides rugged protection with reinforced corners so you're protected against drops. It also has a clear back to show off the actual look of your phone.
UAG Pathfinder Galaxy S21 Ultra Case
The Urban Armor Gear Pathfinder is a slim, lightweight case for the Galaxy S21 Ultra that offers ample protection despite its slim design. It exceeds the MIL-STD 810G rating for impact protection, thanks to a unique honeycomb design. The case is also wireless compatible, so you won't face any issues charging your phone wirelessly or making payments using NFC with the case on.
OtterBox Defender Galaxy S21 Ultra case
The Defender Series is the toughest case from Otterbox. It has an outer polycarbonate shell to protect your phone from impacts, a synthetic rubber slipcover to cushion your device, and it comes with a polycarbonate holster to help you easily clip it to your belt. It also has a port cover to prevent dust and lint from getting into your device's USB Type-C port, an antimicrobial coating, and a MIL-STD 810G X4 rating.
Nillkin CamShield Galaxy S21 Ultra case
If you're looking for a rugged case that completely covers the camera module when not in use, the Nillkin CamShield Armor is the one for you. The case offers a TPU construction with a 0.2mm raised lip for impact and scratch protection. It features a unique camera shield that you can slide over the camera module to protect it from scratches. Additionally, the case features an anti-slip kickstand that doubles up as a phone grip.
Nillkin CamShield Galaxy S21 Ultra case
Nillkin also offers the CamShield Pro, which is a significantly slimmer alternative of the Armor series. It features the same camera shield, a hard polycarbonate back, and a soft silicone bumper around the edges. Sadly, it doesn't feature a kickstand like the other variant.
SPIDERCASE Waterproof Galaxy S21 Ultra Case
Want a rugged case for your Galaxy S21 Ultra that also offers an additional layer of water resistance? Get the Waterproof case from SPIDERCASE. This case offers IP68 certification, a built-in screen protector for scratch resistance, a rubberized bumper around the edges for impact protection, and a clear back panel that doesn't hide your phone's premium look.
AICase Tough+ Galaxy S21 case
Most of the cases on this list not only are rugged but they also look rugged. If you're looking for something more minimal, you should go with the AICase Tough+ case. It offers the same level of impact and scratch protection for your Galaxy S21 Ultra, but without that obnoxious rugged look. The case comes with two screen protectors, so that's another added bonus.
Poetic Spartan Galaxy S22 Plus Case
The Poetic Spartan case offers military-grade protection for your Galaxy S21 Ultra. It features a dual-layer design with a rugged back panel that has a premium leather texture and a built-in screen protector that's compatible with the in-display fingerprint scanner. On top of that, it features a kickstand that works in both portrait and horizontal orientations, a precision cutout for the USB Type-C port, and tactile buttons.
That rounds up our list of the best Galaxy S21 Ultra rugged cases. These cases will not only protect your device from drops, allowing you to use it without any worries, but they'll also ensure that it doesn't pick up any micro-scratches on the glass back. As you can see, we've made a point to include cases in all price points so you can choose one that fits your budget. We have also considered different design choices, so you can find at least one case that suits your liking. The last thing you want to do is buy a beautiful phone and slap an ugly case on it.
If you're still confused about which case to pick, we would recommend going with the Spigen Rugged Armor case because it offers a perfect blend of ample protection and minimal design. It's also comparatively slimmer than the other rugged cases on this list. That's kind of crucial for people with small hands, as the Galaxy S21 Ultra is already a big phone and a bulky case will end up making it unmanageable. If you want the best protection, you should go with the Supcase Unicorn Beetle Pro, as it offers solid protection and it can handle the occasional drop with relative ease.
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is the ultimate overkill in the new 2021 flagship series, packing in a flagship SoC, a premium build, a great display, and an amazing camera setup, as well as all the extras expected on a premium flagship.
So which of the aforementioned cases do you prefer? Let us know in the comments section below. If you're not specifically looking for a certain category of cases, you can also have a look at some of the best Galaxy S21 Ultra cases overall. Also, if there's a good case we missed out on, drop a link in the comment so that we can add it to our list and help other Galaxy S21 Ultra users out.