In some situations, an ordinary tablet may not be enough to meet your needs. For example, if you work in extreme weather conditions, it might be too cold to use your device’s touchscreen or you may need to protect your tablet from falling out of your hands while in transit. In these cases, the best rugged tablets can help you get the job done without worrying about the potential damage that could come from dropping your device or exposing it to extreme temperatures. To help you find the perfect rugged tablet for your needs, we’ve rounded up our top picks based on waterproof design, military grade protection and more.

Rugged Tablets

The tablet market has exploded since it was pioneered by Apple in 2010. The idea that you could have a computer in your pocket – one that could run Windows or Mac software as well as games, movies and apps – has been a big hit with users. But there’s one caveat to using a tablet all day every day – many models are so thin they can be easily damaged by knocks or drops. If you’re looking for something more durable, consider getting a rugged tablet instead.

Customize Your Tablet

There are a lot of ways you can customize your tablet. The most obvious way is to change out its case. If you have a fancy phone with a big screen then consider buying it for your tablet too. While it’s true that many tablet manufacturers do sell cases for their specific devices, but you may find that there aren’t enough choices for customization. Other ways to customize include changing out your tablet battery, memory storage or screen size among other customize tablet offered by a manufacturer.

Filtration Options

Rugged devices have an increased emphasis on safety. Rather than hoping that every mishap will land them in a repair shop, users rely on internal battery safety protections, material reinforcement and external casing to keep them out of harm’s way. This gives users more flexibility when they are outside or traveling; they can customize their tablet with a variety of rugged cases in order to suit any situation.

Water Resistance

One key element of a rugged tablet is water resistance. If you’re carrying it outdoors to keep up with fieldwork or mapping areas after natural disasters, you can’t afford for your device to be destroyed by rain or hard work. So look for IPX7 ratings (international standard) to ensure that it can stand up to being dunked under one meter of water for 30 minutes. For example, an IPX7 rating will allow it withstand a splash from a cup of coffee or getting doused in an accidental shower; however, devices should not be fully submerged underwater—and make sure any ports are firmly closed before letting your tablet experience moisture—as extended exposure could still damage components on board.

Drop Protection

If you’re buying a tablet for your child or yourself, durability is a very important consideration. You’ll want to look for models that offer some kind of protection against falls. These will vary from device to device—many are designed to survive six-foot drops onto concrete—but at minimum you should expect something that can handle a tumble off a table or desk.

Shock Absorption

With these features you can customize your tablet to resist harsh conditions such as a fall onto a hard surface or being in contact with water. This lets you take your tablet on outdoor adventures without having to worry about damage.