The tablet industry is currently crowded with thousands of competitive offerings. But if there’s one segment that the companies haven’t tapped into enough, it’s rugged waterproof tablets. We have come across a few offerings that have a rugged exterior but lack water resistance and vice versa. So you can understand that the hunt for the best rugged waterproof tablets is not particularly easy.
At A Glance: Rugged Waterproof Tablets
| Product | Brand | Name | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 | SAMSUNG | SAMSUNG Galaxy Tab Active3 Enterprise Edition | Check Price on Amazon |
 | SAMSUNG | SAMSUNG Galaxy TabActive4 Pro 10.1” | Check Price on Amazon |
 | Dell | Dell Latitude 7220 Rugged Tablet | Check Price on Amazon |
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Keeping this in mind, we decided to compile a list of rugged waterproof tablets available today. We’re also going to talk about rugged waterproof tablets cases that can transform your standard tablet into a waterproof offering. So let’s have a look at the best rugged waterproof tablets.
Best Rugged Waterproof Tablets
SAMSUNG Galaxy Tab Active3
This rugged waterproof tablet is perfect for tackling tough environments while maintaining a reliable digital workflow.
Pros
- MIL-STD-810G and IP68 certified for durability and water resistance
- Long-lasting, fast-charging, and replaceable battery with no battery mode
- Enhanced touch capability for use with gloves
Cons
- No voice over LTE support
- May be bulkier compared to non-rugged tablets
- Limited to three specific network carriers
The SAMSUNG Galaxy Tab Active3 is an excellent rugged tablet that can withstand harsh conditions and provide unmatched durability. Its military-grade design ensures it’s tough enough to handle any environment, making it ideal for those working in industries like transportation, manufacturing, and public safety.
One of the most significant advantages of this tablet is its battery life. The long-lasting and fast-charging battery ensures you can power through your projects without any interruptions. Plus, the replaceable battery feature means you won’t have to worry about running out of juice in the middle of a crucial task. The no battery mode also allows the tablet to function as an in-vehicle or fixed kiosk solution when connected to a dedicated power source.
The enhanced touch capability of the Galaxy Tab Active3 is another impressive feature. With settings tailored for glove usage, workers can maintain safety while still being able to use the tablet efficiently. Additionally, the tablet is compatible with Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile networks, making it a versatile choice for connectivity on the go.
However, the tablet does not offer voice over LTE support, which may be a drawback for some users. While the rugged design of the Active3 is perfect for those who need a durable tablet, it may feel bulkier compared to other non-rugged options. Finally, the compatibility with only three specific network carriers might limit some users’ choices.
If you’re looking for a rugged waterproof tablet that can handle challenging environments while still providing reliable digital workflow tools, the SAMSUNG Galaxy Tab Active3 is a fantastic choice. With features like a durable design, long-lasting battery, and enhanced touch capability, this tablet is a great investment for those in need of an all-purpose rugged device.
Samsung Galaxy Tab Active4 Pro
The Samsung Galaxy Tab Active PRO is a reliable and rugged tablet perfect for industrial use or adventurous users in need of a durable device with excellent performance.
Pros
- Military-grade durability
- Long-lasting battery life
- Water-resistant touchscreen
Cons
- Function button placement
- Price may feel high for some
- Potential difficulty highlighting top menu with the rubber case
The Samsung Galaxy Tab Active PRO is a 10.1″ rugged waterproof tablet designed for both industrial performance and outdoor adventures. With a 4.5 out of 5-star rating, it is well-received by users for its military-grade durability and water-resistant touchscreen, allowing for optimal use in harsh weather conditions. The long-lasting battery ensures up to 15 hours of use on a single charge, making it a reliable companion for your long workdays or trips.
Additionally, the adaptable S Pen offers precision in writing or tapping, working perfectly in wet or muddy environments without compromising your device’s functionality. The tablet also features UHD cameras and AR capabilities, allowing you to capture your surroundings with high-quality images and videos, even in challenging conditions.
However, some users report concerns regarding the function button placement on the tablet and having difficulty accessing the top menu with the rubber case on. Despite these minor setbacks, the Samsung Galaxy Tab Active PRO delivers power-packed performance and rugged durability, fulfilling the needs of outdoor enthusiasts and business professionals alike.
All in all, if you’re looking for a rugged and waterproof tablet with impressive functionality and endurance, the Samsung Galaxy Tab Active PRO is an excellent choice to meet your demands.
The Dell Latitude 7220 Rugged Tablet is a solid choice for people seeking a durable and high-performance device for demanding environments.
Pros
- Powerful 8th Gen Intel Core i5 processor
- Glove-capable touchscreen with 1000 nit brightness
- 16 GB RAM and 256 GB SSD for swift performance
Cons
- Expensive compared to other rugged tablets
- Might be overkill for casual users
- Lacks NFC capabilities
The Dell Latitude 7220 Rugged Tablet is designed for those who need a reliable device that can withstand harsh conditions. Its 8th Gen Intel Core i5 processor, coupled with 16 GB RAM and a 256 GB SSD, ensures that you get a fast and smooth computing experience. The 11.6-inch Full HD touchscreen is not only easy to use with gloves but also offers excellent visibility outdoors with its 1000 nit brightness capacity.
A potential drawback for some users might be the higher price point of the Dell Latitude 7220; however, its excellent build quality and performance justify the investment. This tablet is perfect for professionals working in challenging environments, such as construction sites or military operations. Yet, it might be an unnecessary expense for those who use tablets casually or in less demanding situations.
Though it covers most essential features you would expect in a rugged tablet, the Dell Latitude 7220 does not come with NFC capabilities. This exclusion might not be a deal-breaker but is worth considering if NFC is a crucial requirement for your workflow.
The Dell Latitude 7220 Rugged Tablet offers outstanding performance and durability for challenging work environments. Its high-quality components and features make it a sound investment for professionals facing demanding situations. However, casual users may find it excessive and should consider other options tailored to their specific needs.
Acer Enduro T1 ET108-11A-80PZ Rugged Tablet
The Acer Enduro T1 is a reliable choice for those seeking a rugged, waterproof tablet with impressive performance.
Pros
- Powerful MediaTek Octa-Core processor
- Durable with Corning Gorilla Glass display
- IP54 compliance and MIL-STD 810G certification
Cons
- Limited to Android 9 Pie
- No optical drive
- Only one USB 3.0 port
Acer Enduro T1 boasts a powerful MediaTek MT8385 Octa-Core processor that ensures smooth performance while using various applications simultaneously. The tablet’s 8-inch WXGA LED-backlit touch IPS display with Corning Gorilla Glass keeps it durable, making it ideal for rough use or outdoor environments.
Being IP54 compliant and MIL-STD 810G certified guarantees that the tablet can withstand challenging conditions such as water, dust, and minor impacts. This is perfect for those who need a device that can take on daily wear and tear without any glitches.
On the downside, the Acer Enduro T1 comes with Android 9 Pie, which is slightly outdated compared to newer versions available on other devices. Additionally, the lack of an optical drive might be a deal-breaker for some users. Lastly, the tablet features only one USB 3.0 port, which may limit connectivity options.
In conclusion, the Acer Enduro T1 ET108-11A-80PZ Rugged Tablet is an excellent choice for users who require a durable, waterproof, and powerful device for various tasks. However, if an updated operating system and more connectivity options are essential for you, it might be worth exploring other alternatives.
Samsung Galaxy Tab Active3
We’re not surprised if many of you missed this offering completely, but Samsung also has its very own water resistant rugged tablet. The Galaxy Tab Active 2 is an excellent mid-ranged tablet that also comes with protection against the elements. It makes for a pretty good combination, although disappointingly, the tablet is quite lacking in the hardware department.
The Galaxy Tab Active 2 comes with an 8-inch 1280 x 800 display, 16GB of expandable storage, 2GB of RAM, an 8MP rear camera, a 5MP front camera, the octa-core Exynos 7870 chipset, Android 7.1 Nougat, and a 4,450 mAh battery pack. The listing mentions that this is the international model of the tablet, and comes with the S Pen stylus included.
The tablet is IP68 certified for water and dust resistance. More importantly, this model also comes with cellular connectivity, allowing you to use data on the device even while outdoors. It supports most global 4G LTE data networks, so you’re free to pair this tablet with the carrier of your choice.
This is a slightly advanced version of the aforementioned Vanquisher tablet, although it’s packing a smaller 8-inch 1920 x 720 display. It comes equipped with rubberized sides that add to the durability aspect of the phone. It’s also IP67 certified water/dust resistant, so you’re getting the best in terms of protection here.
The tablet is equipped with an octa-core processor, 4GB of RAM, 64GB of expandable storage, Android 7.1 Nougat, and a 10,000 mAh battery with low-power design that keeps the tablet running for longer.
This unique tablet also comes with an integrated Zebra EM1350 1D laser bar code engine, making this an excellent product for warehouses and industries. This tablet doesn’t feature cellular connectivity, so users have to make do with Wi-Fi.
However, you get features like Bluetooth 4.0 as well as GPS and NFC with a 13.56MHz RFID reader, so there’s no dearth of wireless communication options on this tablet. To make the deal even sweeter, the company is also offering 18-months warranty with this product.
Kindle Paperwhite
This isn’t particularly a tablet, but an e-book reader, but it still comes under the same segment considering the form factor. While the Kindle lineup has been widely popular since its conception several years ago, Amazon upped the ante by offering a water resistant version of the e-book reader. The all-new Paperwhite can be bought in either 8GB or 32GB storage variants, while you don’t get to choose from the display size, sticking to the 6-inch panel.
It is also important to note that the new Paperwhite is also thinner and lighter compared to the older Paperwhite model. This makes it a legitimate upgrade for avid e-book readers, especially if you’re looking to upgrade your Kindle.
Customers will get to choose between Special Offers and No Special Offers, which is Amazon’s way of displaying ads on customers who pay lesser for a particular product. The retailer is also offering a bundle with 3 months of Kindle Unlimited, which is worth checking out if you’re an existing Kindle user.
ASUS Chromebook Flip
ASUS has never been too far behind with regards to innovation and technology. The Chromebook Flip is a fine example of that. While this isn’t particularly a waterproof tablet, ASUS categorizes it as spill proof, which is sufficient for most devices really. What makes this offering stand out, though, is the fact that it can be used as a standard Chromebook computer and also as a standalone tablet, thanks largely to the flexible hinge design and the touchscreen display.
While it’s not running Android by default, the Chrome OS on board allows users to run and use Android applications natively, so you’re not too far away from the real Android experience. This tablet features a gorgeous 11.6-inch display and the Intel dual-core Apollo Lake N3350 processor. ASUS claims that the battery of the Chromebook Flip can last all day on a single charge.
Waterproof Cases for Tablets
These are excellent options if you already own a tablet and want to protect them from any kind of inadvertent water damage. While these cases may not make them completely immune to the nature, it will certainly add an extra layer of protection against liquids.
Finding cases for lesser known rugged waterproof tablets are near to impossible, although you can find plenty for Samsung’s offerings. So let’s have a look at some of these attractive cases.
It is recommended to carefully read the user manual before you put it on your tablet.
This offering by Supcase for the Galaxy Tab E 8.0 is more versatile as there are more color options to choose from. It also comes with its own screen protector, which is an important aspect in waterproof cases. This helps keep the device safe from scratches while not sacrificing on sensitivity of the touchscreen.
The case also comes with its own kickstand, making this an excellent option for movie nights with the family. The firmly sealed ports and enclosures ensure that no dust seeps through the case. Even in that case, it is always recommended to clean up your case every week or so.
The case is available in Black, Blue, Green, White/Gray, and Pink colors, something that not a lot of cases out there can offer. Furthermore, the ruggedized design of the case allows for 360 degree protection for your tablet. This case is compatible with model numbers SM-T378/ SM-T375 / SM-T377, so be sure to check before you order.