Waterproof Phone Cases & Dry Bags
A phone pouch protects the device you use; a dry bag protects everything else. Learn what IP ratings mean and which closure suits spray, rain or a swim.
What to Look For
Waterproof gear is rated for very different conditions. Read the rating, not the marketing word.
IP rating
IPX7 covers temporary immersion; IPX8 means beyond 1 m under conditions the maker specifies. Read the exact depth and time.
Closure type
Roll-top bags need at least three tight folds. Phone pouches use snap or slide locks that should be checked every trip.
Flotation
A pouch that floats, or a lanyard with a float, is what saves a phone that goes over the side.
Our Picks
A floating phone pouch, a low-cost backup pouch, and a heavy-duty dry bag for the rest of your gear.
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Picks are based on manufacturer-published specifications and the buying criteria on this page, not on paid placement or hands-on lab testing. Check the listing for the current model, size and fit before you buy.
How to Choose a Waterproof Phone Case or Dry Bag
On a boat, water arrives in three ways: spray and rain, a soaked deck or bilge, and the occasional full dunk when something goes over the side. Waterproof phone pouches and dry bags handle those threats differently, so it helps to choose each for the job it's best at.
Understand the IP rating
Many products quote an Ingress Protection (IP) rating from the IEC 60529 standard. The second digit covers water. IPX4 is splash resistance. IPX7 means the item survived temporary immersion, typically up to 1 meter for 30 minutes. IPX8 means immersion beyond IPX7, under conditions the manufacturer specifies, so always read the stated depth and time. A first digit (as in IP68) also rates dust protection. Many roll-top dry bags carry no IP rating at all and are designed for spray and brief submersion rather than being held underwater.
Phone pouches
A pouch lets you keep using the phone: most have clear windows for the screen and camera, and touchscreens usually work through the film, though wet fingers and face recognition can be unreliable. Look for a closure you can verify at a glance, a lanyard you'll wear, and either built-in flotation or a float you add yourself. A pouch that sinks protects the phone all the way to the bottom.
Dry bags
Dry bags keep spare clothes, a first-aid kit, wallets, key fobs and electronics dry in a locker or on deck. Roll-top closures need at least three tight folds before you buckle them. Thicker fabrics such as TPU-laminated nylon or heavy PVC resist abrasion on non-skid decks better than lightweight sacks. Lash points let you secure the bag so it doesn't slide or blow overboard. Choose the size for what you'll actually carry; an overstuffed bag won't roll down enough times to seal.
Floating matters
A sealed dry bag with air inside will usually float, but a phone pouch may not unless it's designed to. If the phone is the thing most likely to go over the side, choose a pouch that floats or add a float, and keep it on a lanyard.
Care and testing
Test any pouch or bag before trusting it: seal a dry paper towel inside, submerge it in a sink or bucket, and check for damp spots. Rinse salt and sand off seals and zippers, let gear dry fully before storage, and keep pouches out of hot sun when not in use, since UV and heat age the plastic. Replace any pouch with a cracked window or a closure that no longer snaps firmly.
For a side-by-side look at when to use which, read waterproof phone cases vs dry bags.