The best rugged cases for the Apple Watch Series 6

Word on the street Apple is going to launch a rugged version of the next Apple Watch. If you fear you might miss out, we’ve got you covered.

We’ve put together a list of the best options out there when it comes to rugged cases for the Apple Watch Series 6 (and Apple Watch SE, Series 5, and Series 4). With the rumor mill pointing towards Apple launching a rugged variant of its popular smartwatch in the near future, some folks who might not be ready to upgrade might want the same experience.

Which is where a rugged case can come in. So, without further delay, here’s a few options to choose from.

The best Apple Watch Series 6 rugged cases in 2021

Spigen Rugged Armor

The Rugged Armor case for the Apple Watch Series 6 offers more than just a simple snap-on case. It also comes with a whole new band, which is rubber and will hold up well with day-to-day use. The Rugged Armor case and band features raised bezels to help protect the screen.

The material for the case is designed to be shock absorbent, so it will help protect the watch from a drop. It also offers up general scratch protection from the Apple Watch’s stock case. Cutouts in the Rugged Armor case offer up access to the Digital Crown, and a large button on the side makes pressing the Apple Watch’s side button quick and easy.

The case also offers up access for wireless charging as well.

The Rugged Armor case from Spigen is available in Military Green, Charcoal Gray, and Black. It’s available for both 40mm and 44mm watch sizes.

Buy Spigen Rugged Armor for Apple Watch (40mm) for $19.99

Buy Spigen Rugged Armor for Apple Watch (44mm) for $19.99

Catalyst

The Catalyst rugged case for the Apple Watch is designed to offer up full body protection, with a silicone band included in the package. The case and band come with a unique hinge design, too, so it will be more comfortable to wear over extended periods of time. The case does add some bulk to your Apple Watch, though.

The main draw for this case is its water protection. Catalyst says this is the only case that can offer up full protection for the Apple Watch even when its submerged in up to 330 feet of water. The case is IP68-rated. With that design in mind, both the side button and the Digital Crown are both completely covered by the case, but still usable.

The case can also withstand drops up to 6.2 feet, it’s scratch-proof, shock resistant, and made from a light silicone to make sure it’s not too heavy on the wrist. Something to be aware of, though: ECG and EKG features won’t work with this case on, but heart rate monitoring still does.

The Catalyst case for the Apple Watch is available now from Amazon, for the 44mm watch size.

Buy Catalyst case for Apple Watch (44mm) for $69.99

Spigen Tough Armor

Unlike the other rugged option from Spigen, the Tough Armor case for the Apple Watch just offers up a protective case. No band included with this one. This option does offer up what you’d expect from a rugged case, though, with a dual-layer design with a shock absorbent interior and rigid exterior.

The raised bezels on the front will help protect the display. The case covers the side button, but it’s still usable with a button on the outside. There is a cutout in the rugged case for access to the Digital Crown. It supports all of the Apple Watch’s built-in features, including wireless charging, and all of the sensors are accessible.

The case is form-fitting, so it won’t add any extra bulk while still offering up plenty of protection.

The Tough Armor case from Spigen is available in black, rose gold, and silver. It’s available for the 44mm Apple Watch.

Buy Spigen Tough Armor case for Apple Watch (44mm) for $15.99

SUPCASE

The SUPCASE rugged case for the Apple Watch is another case and band option. It’s a full case, offering up protection for the Apple Watch’s body. There’s no built-in screen protector, but the raised bezels should help to protect the screen. The case’s cutout offers access to the Digital Crown, but protects the side button with full coverage.

The case supports wireless charging and all of the Apple Watch’s sensors while the watch is on the wrist. The rugged case is made for shock absorption, scratch-resistant, and the band is also scratch-resistant and durable.

The SUPCASE rugged case for Apple Watch is available now in a range of color ways: dark green, BBPink, black, blue, Melba, gold, mint green, purple, red, rose gold, and white, depending on the size of the accessory. It’s available now from Amazon.

Buy SUPCASE case for Apple Watch (40mm) for $19.99

Buy SUPCASE case for Apple Watch (44mm) for $19.99

So there’s a quick list of some of the best options when it comes to rugged cases for the Apple Watch Series 6 (and other models). If you have any other suggestions, let us know in the comments! And keep an eye out, we’ll be updating this roundup in the future as well.