The Best Rugged Tablets (2024) for working and playing

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The best rugged tablets can not only take a beating without breaking, but they can also keep working and playing well while doing so. If you’re looking for one, it’s likely because you need to use a tablet in a place where a regular one would break too quickly.

During our research, we ranked each option based on how long it would last, whether it was professionally certified, and how well it worked overall. We also found advanced features, and we suggest that you buy a tablet with features that are unique to your industry, such as barcode scanners or thermal imaging.

With the best rugged tablets, you can stay connected to the internet and apps even in the worst conditions. So, if you work in the military, public utilities, industry, or the emergency services, your tablet will be able to handle drops, shocks, dust, dirt, rain, vibrations, and temperatures that are too high or too low.

Best Rugged Tablets

Acer Enduro T1

Specifications

Screen size	8 inches
Storage	64GB eMMC
RAM	4GB
Battery life	9 hours
Resolution	1280 x 800

If you want best rugged tablets, the Acer Enduro T1 is almost the best choice. Its 8-inch screen makes it small enough to fit in a backpack or work bag, and a fully charged battery lets you use it for up to 9 hours.

The screen has an anti-reflective coating that cuts down on glare and makes it easier to see from different angles. It is also made of Corning Gorilla Glass, which makes it resistant to cracking, warping, and chipping.

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Lenovo 10e Chromebook Tablet

Specifications

Weight	1.1lb / 500g
Dimensions	9.82 x 6.48 x 0.37
Screen size	10.1in
Resolution	1920 x 2000 pixels
Battery	31.5whr

Some best rugged tablets are made to protect against the most destructive force of all: kids. The Lenovo 10e Chromebook is made so that kids can use it to learn well. The tablet is pretty big and well-protected.

Its processor, memory, and storage are all made for the kinds of tools a child will use, so there isn’t a lot of storage space or processing power, but it’s enough for schoolwork and learning. You can also buy a keyboard for the device to make it look like a laptop.

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Samsung Galaxy Tab Active 2

Specifications

Dimensions	‎9.56 x 6.7 x 0.4 inches
Weight	‎1.5 pounds
Color	Black
Flash Memory Size	‎4 GB

The Samsung Galaxy Tab Active 2 best rugged tablets is smaller and lighter than its big brother, the Galaxy Tab Active Pro. However, it can keep up on its own, so we’re showing it here.

This rugged Android tablet has an 8-inch screen and is smaller and lighter, making it easier to carry around on job sites or camping trips. The display only has a resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels, but it is bright and colorful, which makes the viewing experience better as a whole.

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MobileDemand Flex 10B

Specifications

Dimensions	‎10.5 x 0.7 x 7.2 inches
Weight	‎2.07 pounds
Color	Black
Flash Memory Size	‎128 GB

This 10.5 x 0.7 x 7.2-inch, 2-pound tablet has dual-band W-Fi, an Intel Celeron quad-core processor, and Windows 10 Professional as its operating system. It’s best rugged tablets because it has both a handle and a strap for your back hand.

It is very tough because it has a strong, protective case with corner bumpers and a scratch-resistant screen protector that doesn’t stick to oil. It has been dropped to make sure it works in harsh conditions as required by MIL-STD-810G.

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Panasonic Toughbook CF 33

Specifications

Dimensions	‎18.3 x 14.3 x 11 inches
Processor Brand	Intel
Weight	‎11.13 pounds
RAM	‎8 GB DDR4
Hard Drive	‎256 GB SSD

The TOUGHBOOK 33 is best rugged tablets. It is strong enough to handle anything you throw at it, but it is also flexible and easy to work with. The Panasonic Toughbook CF 33 is just what your business needs.

With MIL-STD 810G and MIL-STD 461F standards, this laptop is ready for anything.
It has a keyboard that can be taken off and high IP ratings of IP65 ingress protection, which means it can’t be damaged by dust, dirt, sandstorms, rain, splashes, or jets of water.

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Samsung Galaxy Tab Active 4 Pro

Specifications

Dimensions	‎6.69 x 0.39 x 9.58 inches
Color	Black
Flash Memory Size	‎4 GB
Power Source	‎Battery Powered

Samsung announced the Galaxy Tab Active 4 Pro this summer. The best rugged tablets to release it in Europe in September and everywhere. We haven’t tested the device yet, so we don’t know how it will compare to the older Active devices for sure.

The Galaxy Tab Active 4 Pro will have a 6nm 8-core CPU with 4-6GB RAM, a 10.1-inch 1920 x 1200 display, a 13MP camera with an 8MP selfie cam, a replaceable 7,600mAh battery, and a heavy 674g weight.

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FAQs

Is a rugged tablet better than a tablet for everyday use?

Most rugged tablets have an IP rating that says they are water-resistant or waterproof. The MR-100 has a waterproof rating of IP65, which means it has been tested to work even after being sprayed repeatedly with a pressurized stream. Most consumer-grade tablets are designed for use in common consumer environments.

What do “rugged devices” mean?

Rugged devices are pieces of hardware that are made to work in the roughest conditions. For example, devices in business no longer break when they are exposed to extreme temperatures, shocks, drops, water, or dust.

Are rugged tablets made in a certain way?

Rugged tablets are computers that are made to work well in harsh environments and can be used easily in conditions like high temperatures, strong vibrations, and dry or wet weather.