Waterproof Phone Pouches: A Must-Have for Water-Loving Adventurers
As a self-proclaimed water baby, I’ve always been on the lookout for the best waterproof phone pouches to protect my device from the elements. With years of testing and reviewing various options, I’ve narrowed down the best ones for you to consider. In this article, I’ll share my top picks for waterproof phone pouches, highlighting their features, pros, and cons.
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Testing Process
To find the best waterproof phone pouches, I’ve conducted extensive testing over the years. I started by testing a few rounds of waterproof phone bags and pouches to see which ones would keep my phone dry. I used a tissue inside each pouch to ensure there was no immediate water damage, followed by an old iPhone to test the durability, and finally, my iPhone 13 Pro Max to see how it fit inside each pouch. With each round, all of the pouches were tossed into a pool or ocean to simulate real-world conditions.
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After the initial rounds of testing, I continued to put these pouches and more options to the test while traveling, with the aim of finding the best options for different types of trips and activities. I’ve been happy to report that all the cell phones (and tissues) came out unscathed, but still, some pouches proved better than others.
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Top Picks
1. Pelican Marine Series Floating Waterproof Phone Pouch
This Pelican pouch is still the clear standout for me, largely for its ability to float, and it’s the one I’ve packed most frequently in the years since I started testing waterproof pouches. While the point of the lanyard is to keep your phone from dunking into the water without you, accidents happen, and knowing this bag will stay afloat offers peace of mind. It’s also cushioned, protecting your phone from drops on a hard surface too.
Other pros include the detachable lanyard and the ease of use, even with my large iPhone 13 Pro Max inside. The Pelican pouch is proven to stay dry in one meter of water (3.3 feet) for 60 minutes, making it a reliable choice for water-loving adventurers.
However, I do want to note that the size of the pouch is a bit tight for my phone, and the cushion (which is what allows it to float) meant typing was just a bit more annoying than with the thinner ones.
2. Torras Waterproof Phone Pouch
This Torras pouch is giving the Pelican a run for its money. Like the Pelican, it floats, which definitely gives it a leg up compared to other options. It’s a little bit longer and wider, though, making it easier to get my phone in and out. It also has a secondary pouch on the back that can hold IDs, key cards, or credit cards, which is handy if you’re at a hotel, resort, beach, or anywhere else where you might need something on hand.
I’ve only had this one for a month or so, testing it out while paddleboarding on a lake in Austin, Texas, and swimming in Barton Springs, so time will tell if I end up reaching for it more often than the Pelican.
Other Good Options
Nite Ize Waterproof Phone Pouch
This Nite Ize pouch has been tested to stay dry in one meter of water for 30 minutes. It comes with an adjustable lanyard that can be taken on and off, and a touchscreen that works seamlessly when you need to send a text or otherwise use your phone. There’s also a loop to clip it onto a belt or backpack instead of wearing it around your neck.
The biggest pro of this pouch is the zipper, which makes it much more simple to open and close than the teeth apparatus most other cases have. However, it does feel a bit counterintuitive to put your phone in upside down if you plan to take photos while it’s still in the case.
Worth noting: It feels a bit snug on my phone, though for anyone with an Android or iPhone that is smaller than the Pro Max, you should be good to go.
Two-Pack Waterproof Phone Pouch
This two-pack is one of the most budget-friendly options on the list—under $10 for the set, which comes with two cases and two lanyards—and is a great everyday option for the pool or beach. It has a slim profile that makes it easy to text and otherwise use your phone while it’s in the bag, and the little tabs on the edge of the locks make it easier to open than the otherwise similarly option from Hiearcool.
As with most of the pouches I’ve tested, FaceID can be a bit finicky, so be prepared to enter your lock code in manually.
