Waterproof phone pouches do not just protect your phones from liquids; it lets you bring them to wet places too! A fun family day at the beach, a swim date at the local pool, or even a quick shower – all of these scenarios have the chance of getting your precious smartphones and electronic devices wet. Everyone knows that liquid damage is a death knell to any electric device, no matter how well-protected it could be. Not only that, but most product warranties do not cover water damage at all, especially for Apple products. Lucky for you if have the best waterproof phone. But even the most popular iPhone is not completely waterproof, so you can use waterproof phone pouches to save your smartphones from such a bad fate.
While some people may say, “I’ll just use a Ziploc bag,” there is a big difference between those flimsy things and actual pouches that are created specifically for your phone. Would you really trust your expensive device to a Ziploc bag?
There are a lot of fake and inferior products out there that will only leave your phone waterlogged at the end of the day. Thankfully enough, this guide to the best waterproof phone pouches in 2022 will give you a list of durable and tested pouches to protect your phones!
Related: Waterproof Phone Cases for Travelers and Klutzes
Inside This Article
- What Are Waterproof Phone Pouches For?
- Best Waterproof Phone Pouches
- Premium Pick – CaliCase Waterproof Floating Case
- Best Value – JOTO Universal Waterproof Pouch
- Best Choice – YOSH Waterproof Phone Pouch
- Hiearcool Universal Waterproof Phone Case
- MoKo Floating Waterproof Phone Pouch
- AquaVault Waterproof Floating Phone Case
- Vansky Floatable Waterproof Phone Case
- FRiEQ Waterproof Case
- Polaland Waterproof Phone Pouch
- TeaTronics Floating Waterproof Case
- Stash7 Waterpocket
- What to Consider When Buying Waterproof Phone Pouches?
- Waterproof Phone Pouches FAQs
- Takeaway
What Are Waterproof Phone Pouches For?
Before we start with our list, let us clear up a few things about the need for waterproof phone pouches. Most modern personal electronic devices have a level of solid and liquid resistance or protection built into their design like the Samsung Galaxy Smartwatch (rated at IP68) or the Anker Soundcore Liberty Air 2 (rated at IPX5). These types of resistance or protection may be fine for normal everyday wear and tear but may fail in more demanding situations.
While the best thing to do if you constantly expect water damage to get to your smartphone is to actually get a waterproof phone from the start, the added premiums to its cost and a lack of choices may be discouraging. Aside from that, most people would not usually need that kind of severe liquid protection when using their phones.
When people do end up needing some or additional liquid protection, waterproof phone pouches are there to save the day. There are a few good choices out there, ranging from low IP ratings of IPX6 to fully submersible pouches rated at IPX8.
Best Waterproof Phone Pouches
Now that you know how to discern a good pouch from a bad one, we will present this list of the best waterproof phone pouches in 2022! To help you a bit more, we will already note down the pouches’ brand, its stated IP rating, materials in its construction, and examples of which phones are compatible with it. Without further ado, here’s our list!
Related: Best Waterproof Headphones
IPX Rating: IPX8
Materials: PVC
Compatible Devices: Google Pixel 2 XL; Samsung Galaxy S9 and Note 8; Apple iPhone 8, iPhone X, and iPhone X
An old name in waterproofing and protection, CaliCase has been selling this exact model since at least 2015. CaliCase is well known for quality and has set a good standard with this waterproof phone pouch, even among other IPX8 competitors. They have done this through the use of a double layer of PVC protection which doubly protects whatever device is inside it.
Another good feature of the CaliCase is its “floating” mechanism. Regardless of what happens in that water, you can be sure that your device would not sink to the bottom. Aside from that, the clear PVC plastic also gives you great underwater visuals without the usual plastic warping.
IPX Rating: IPX8
Materials: PVC
Compatible Devices: Apple iPhone 13 series, iPhone 12 series, and iPhone 11 series; Samsung Galaxy S20 series and Galaxy S10 series
Our “Best Value” pick for a waterproof phone pouch is the JOTO Universal Waterproof Pouch. While it is usually sold as a two-piece pack at a reasonable price, it does not mean that it is of bad quality. On the contrary, it is quite solid and holds up to even the worst physical damage. The pouches’ seal is especially strong due to the dual closing latches.
While it may not have the double PVC protection the CaliCase has, it has another good feature to make up for it. The JOTO pouch can store anything up to 7 inches tall and 4 inches wide inside itself. This means that almost any type of smartphone, along with valuables, can be stored without a problem.
Brand: YOSH
IPX Rating: IPX8
Materials: PVC
Compatible Devices: Apple iPhone 12 series and iPhone 11 series; Samsung Galaxy S20 series and Galaxy S10 series; Huawei P30 series
For the “Best Choice” waterproof phone pouch pick, we have the YOSH Waterproof Phone Pouch. This one is a little bigger than the JOTO case and allows space for devices up to 7.5 inches tall instead of JOTO’s 7 inches. The added 0.5 inches can give your devices a better leeway away from the seal to make them even stronger.
Aside from that, the YOSH pouch also has rounded edges and a doubly secured top and bottom in case of physical damage. This rounding is also better for users that would need to use their phone’s side buttons since the edges have been removed. If those features are not enough, the YOSH pouch also comes in two-piece packs, so you can buy one and share it with a friend!
IPX Rating: IPX8
Materials: PVC
Compatible Devices: Apple iPhone 13 series, iPhone 12 series, and iPhone 11 series; Samsung Galaxy S20 series, and Galaxy S10 series
Another wonderful waterproof phone pouch, the Hiearcool Universal Waterproof Phone Case is usually sold either as a two-piece pack or a two-piece pack with a diving snorkel. The Hiearcool case is purposely made to work for people going river rafting, swimming, shallow diving, and general beach activities.
Going even beyond the standard, this case has been made to work at depths of 100 feet or 30 meters underwater. Its maximum depth, meanwhile, is at 49 feet. Aside from that, the Hieracool case also has a better lanyard hinge that ends with a hook and its triple-layered protection should give it some of the stiffest liquid protection out there!
IPX Rating: IPX8
Materials: TPU
Compatible Devices: Apple iPhone 13 series, iPhone 12 series, and iPhone 11 series; Samsung Galaxy S21 series and Galaxy S10 series
This floating waterproof cellphone pouch has a 7-inch design, so it could fit even a phablet. While it has a similar locking system to the previous three pouches, the MoKo pouch is unique due to the use of TPU instead of PVC. This means that this pouch is a lot more elastic and bendable compared to the others on this list.
Aside from that, the MoKo pouch also has a floating feature. This assures that your phone will not sink to the bottom of the beach if the lanyard breaks. The MoKo also has a 37cm velcro armband attachment included for users that want to strap it on their arms or legs instead.
IPX Rating: IPX8
Materials: PVC
Compatible Devices: “All”
The AquaVault Waterproof Floating Phone Case is another good choice for a waterproof phone pouch. A completely different design from the previous ones on this list, it is all-around transparent, bends, and has paired punch holes for two lanyard grips. This makes it harder for the case to slip out or get cut off from the rest of the lanyard.
You may have noticed that we placed quotation marks in the compatible devices notation. This is due to the AquaVault pouch only having around 7 inches of space inside it. Any phone 7-inches or smaller should fit into this pouch like the Apple iPhone 13 or the Samsung Galaxy S21. Other features of the AquaVault pouch include its floating mechanics and its reinforced and rounded corners.
IPX Rating: IPX8
Materials: TPU
Compatible Devices: Apple iPhone X series, iPhone 8 series, and iPhone 7 series; Samsung Galaxy 6 series, and Galaxy 5 series; Sony Xperia Z3; HTC One M9 series and M8 series
With a different design, the Vansky Floatable Waterproof Phone Case is one of the more advanced offerings on this list. First off, it has a built-in fully waterproofed 3.5mm phone jack with an adapter outside the case. This allows users to listen to music using a wired headset while swimming in the water.
Aside from that, its TPU construction also allows the use of fingerprint Touch ID that usually does not work with waterproof pouches. The Vansky pouch also has similar features to others on this list, like its soft rounded edges, its floating mechanics, and an adjustable velcro strap. Do note that this pouch is only compatible with smartphones or devices 6.5 inches tall or lower.
IPX Rating: IPX8
Materials: PVC
Compatible Devices: Apple iPhone 13 series, iPhone 12 series, and iPhone 11 series; Samsung Galaxy S21 series, and Galaxy S10 series
A simple waterproof phone pouch, the FRiEQ Waterproof Case does not have a lot of the special features of the other pouches on this list. However, even without that, it does have a fully transparent pouch and soft rounded edges for smartphone button use. Both features were made to help users take better and more comfortable underwater shots. Overall the FriEQ pouch is a pretty good offer for those that want good liquid protection for their smartphones.
IPX Rating: IPX8
Materials: PVC
Compatible Devices: Apple iPhone 13 series, iPhone 12 series, and iPhone 11 series; Samsung Galaxy S21 series, and Galaxy S10 series
The Polaland Waterproof Phone Pouch is another pretty plain waterproof phone pouch offering. From offering the same standard IPX8 protection and a fully transparent pouch, the Polaland is not that unique. What Polaland does offer is its price, which comes in at a cheap $9 for a two-piece pack. If you ever need an IPX8 liquid proofing pouch, the Polaland is definitely a good choice.
IPX Rating: IPX8
Materials: TPU
Compatible Devices: Apple iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone 7 Plus, and iPhone X
A more niche choice for a waterproof phone pouch, the TeaTronics Floating Waterproof Case has an odd design. Rather than the fully transparent or “open” design of previous entries, TeaTronics instead chose to have a “window” design. As you can see, the phone is snugly within the viewing “window” of the pouch and can only be seen that way. This means that the pouch is specifically designed to work for select Apple iPhone models.
While it does say it is compatible with other 6.5 inch phones, it might not properly show the entire screen when placed into the pouch. Aside from that limitation, the design is pretty good, almost as though your phone has its own floatie. Sadly, the case does not actually float so users should be careful when using it.
IPX Rating: IPX8
Materials: Nylon
Compatible Devices: Apple iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone 7 Plus, and iPhone X; Samsung Galaxy 10 and 9 series.
The last on our list, but certainly not the least, is the Stash7 Waterpocket. A pretty unique design for a pouch, it reminds us of military MRE packaging somewhat. It looks like a pocket with a flared upper edge and a vacuum-sealed bottom. Regardless of appearance, this is one of the better-protected pouches out there. It has a triple layer of plastic, two separate lanyard connection points, a 40-inch marine grade “shock cord,” metal carabiners, and a rear camera viewing hole.
Overall, the Stash7 Waterpocket might have been higher on this list and may even be the top if not for its one fatal flaw — its cost. Just one of these liquid protection marvels can cost $37 per piece, something justified for many customers.
What to Consider When Buying Waterproof Phone Pouches?
There are only at least four things you have to keep in mind when scoring a waterproof phone pouch. These four things are its price, its stated Ingress Protection Code rating, whether your smartphone or device fits and is compatible with the pouch, and if it is reliable with the good build quality.
Price and Value
First off, the price. Well, this is pretty much straightforward as a category. The market for waterproof phone pouches is surprisingly robust, and buyers have a lot of options. These range from cheap and flimsy ones to solid IPX8 rated pouches that can survive being more than 10 feet deep.
The key to getting a good pouch for your smart device is to find the sweet spot between the features you want and their price. When reading through our list, those that want a balanced pouch should look at our “Best Choice” pick. If you do not mind spending a little bit more on a better product, though, our “Premium Pick” should interest you.
Ingress Protection Code (IP or IPX) Rating
Another category to look into when buying a waterproof phone pouch is its Ingress Protection Code rating (IP or IPX). This IP rating is an International Electrotechnical Commission standard (IEC 60529) that gives guidelines on how protective electrical and mechanical cases are against dirt, physical damage, and liquids.
The IP rating has two numbers. The first indicates its resistance or protection against solids, while the second number indicates the same for liquids. For this guide, we will focus on the second number of the IP rating. Below is a short chart of the numbers for liquid protection and what they mean.
Given the chart, the best waterproof phone pouches are those rated IPX8 as they can solidly protect any device inside them for a long duration underwater. This protection, of course, is dependent on users properly sealing the pouch when closing them.
Compatibility
For the obvious reason, those that want to get a waterproof phone pouch should look at its size and available “inside” space. The available space should at least be the length, width, and thickness of the smartphone or other electronic device that you want to store. For a better seal, though, it is better to have some leeway between the edge of the pouches’ seal and the tip of your device.
Reliability/Build Quality
The last category to look into when getting a waterproof phone pouch is its reliability and build quality. Aside from cool or “rugged” looking designs, the biggest factor in a good pouch is its build quality. A badly made product will not just deteriorate faster as it will also endanger your smartphone when you use it. If you can, try to only buy from reputable sellers and trusted retailers if they are available.
Aside from that, you should also look into what material the pouch is made out of. The two most popular materials are polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). While TPU products are generally known to be more elastic and flexible, PVC ones do come in two types. PVC, while not as flexible as TPU, is either the “flexible” type or the more rigid type. When buying a PVC pouch, it is better to check which of the types it is.
There are also a lot of shoddily-made and sealed pouches out on the market right now. If you can physically feel and examine the product, it is always better to do so. For those who buy online, you should instead rely on user-generated reviews and the online store’s reputation if the platform has it.
Waterproof Phone Pouches FAQs
Before we end, here are a few common frequently asked questions about waterproof phone pouches.
Takeaway
There you go, 11 different waterproof phone pouches to choose from. Hopefully, you found one that is just right for you. These products are usually only meant for your phone, though. So, what about your other gadgets? Well, there are also a good set of helpful doodads that are fully waterproofed, including waterproof fitness trackers for the health-minded and waterproof Bluetooth speakers for those that want to party on the beach or the pool.
