Samsung Galaxy Xcover 4

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The Samsung Galaxy Xcover 4 is one of the more inexpensive brand-name rugged phones out there. It is IP68 water-resistant, the rugged plastic body can take a beating, and the construction allows it to be used in harsh conditions. The programmable physical key is a nice convenience allowing you to launch apps quickly. Just don't expect flawless performance out of the weak processor packed inside this phone.

Kyocera DuraForce Pro 2

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Kyocera's DuraForce Pro 2 is a great combination of ruggedness, specs and price. Costing around $450, the phone is not only IP68 certified but complies with the military standard 810G for drops, shocks, humidity and all sorts of other nasty conditions. Best of all, it manages to do that without adding too much bulk to its body. It uses Qualcomm's mid-range Snapdragon 630 mobile platform and comes with Android 8, so performance shouldn't be an issue either. The plastic "bumpers" aren't exactly the height of aesthetics, but looks aren't a priority in the rugged segment anyway.