A sudden thunderstorm, tornado or hurricane can catch you off guard, leaving you scrambling to contact loved ones and look for official weather reports. In these moments, you need a phone with solid battery life and a rugged design that will withstand even the worst bouts of bad weather. But which phones are the best for the elements? Let’s take a closer look.

Blackview BV9800 Pro

One of the best-rugged smartphones that money can buy is the Blackview BV9800 Pro. It sports a handy 3.5mm headphone jack, a rarity in 2020, as well as a shockproof and waterproof construction that make it ideal for taking lots of punishment. It also has an interesting feature: a FLIR thermal imaging camera that doubles as a great night-vision camera for photographing in the dark.

You can imagine how useful such a device could be during a weather emergency. If you’re stuck in an area or looking for others, you can use the thermal camera to look for heat signatures. It might sound like something out of a James Bond film, but it could actually help save lives!

The phone also sports a huge battery life, a translation app and even an IR blaster for controlling nearby TV sets remotely. All said, this is a great rugged option.

iPhone 11

When you hear the name “iPhone” your first thought likely isn’t “rugged.” However, iPhones have the right combination of features to make them ideal for rough weather. Their long battery life, reliable operating system, and waterproof design makes them excellent companions in the case of a torrential downpour.

In fact, an iPhone X or later can be dropped in water and become completely submerged without much adverse effect on its functionality. If that isn’t rugged, we don’t know what is! You can shore up its shock resistance and further waterproofing by equipping it with a case, like a LifeProof or Otterbox case.

Doogee S95 Pro

This rugged and waterproof phone has all you could ask for in a weather-resistant cell phone. Replete with a metal and rubber frame that helps it absorb shock and withstand the elements, the Doogee S95 Pro is a must-have for adventurous outdoorsy people or those looking to weather serious storms.

The inclusion of two SIM trays allows you to multipurpose the phone, and an SOS button lets you quickly alert emergency services to your location. It also sports fun stuff like three rear cameras, lots of great performance and a big, vibrant display!