BEST Waterproof Case? Catalyst Waterproof vs. LifeProof Fre vs. Ghostek Nautical – iPhone XS



The BEST waterproof case for the iPhone XS? I’d go with the Catalyst waterproof over the LIfeProof Fre and Ghostek Nautical. Why? Because at the end of the day, I can stomach using it on a day-to-day basis. I can’t say the same for the other two products.

The standout features of the Catalyst is the handling and overall design.

The Nautical is going to be the toughest, best looking case after a couple of drops.

The Fre is just bleh. The screen protector still makes your screen look…

50 thoughts on “BEST Waterproof Case? Catalyst Waterproof vs. LifeProof Fre vs. Ghostek Nautical – iPhone XS

  1. Just got the SE in December 2020, and require a waterproof case. This review is ok for the city dweller but not for the outdoorsman. I’m a kayaker that lives on a saltwater beach, protection is primary! So while these three cases, mostly the catalyst, is on my list I do want to look into those other adventure cases you mentioned. I was out with the dolphins in my sea kayak, my most epic encounter of all time and of course had to video it. Yes, it’s on my channel. My greatest concern was dropping my phone in deep water, so a wrist strap is important plus having a float on it would be important too. Still I keep my phone in a waterproof hard case as added protection. So the search continues! Presently my new SE resides in my modified lifeproof case from my iPhone 7 as impact protection only. My goal for the new case is not to use the ports, wireless charging, wireless earbuds, so I can keep the lightening jack clean and trouble free. I mentioned I live in salt and sand right?!

  2. I didn’t think I needed waterproof case either but I use my iPhone XS Max as my GPS on my motocycles and on one wet, rainy 6 hour ride, my phone ended up with water damage (first time I use my applecare since for ever). So, I will be getting one for when I ride. Otherwise, I agree, no need for waterproof.

  3. One thing that I would love to see included in your reviews is comparing the quality of photos(stills and video) in the case. I have a life proof and my pictures ( on an 11 pro) have a white glow that I noticed on your video as well. Second- the vulnerability to rubber breakdown with sweat, bug spray, and sun block. I get it you are in Canada but nevertheless…life proof really stank at bring up the camera fast too. IMHO.

  4. my dumbass has all 3 of these cases.

    catalyst is the best but im still having call quality issues. especially during facetime calls.

    dont buy the ghostek if you need good calls. you wont hear anything in or out. if you're on a budget, get it.

    the fre i had for years but it falls apart too easily and the touchscreen plastic is TERRIBLE and gets scratched really easily. bad glare too. protection is solid tho.

    i dont take my phones in water but i feel like any of them would protect your phone from water.

    but for someone like me that is just a clumsy mf in all aspects, you need something as idiot-proof as this.

  5. I’m looking for the best case for underwater shooting with an iPhone 11 ProMax. I’m going to Xcaret in Cancun and I have a 9 year old boy I want to capture in and under the water. Any suggestions?

  6. Thank you. For sharing the only reason I’m looking to get another waterproof case is because they’re the only ones that have a phone screen protection for the iPhone X you go to OtterBox you go to any other iPhone protector please and they don’t have a front screen for Tection on it but thank you for what you showed looking forward to seeing more videos.🤙🏻

  7. Great video! I live in the U.S. Virgin Islands and as a coral biologist, I'm on boats everyday surrounded by saltwater. I think it's important to include that just because phones are water resistant, doesn't mean they're protected from saltwater. That's a whole different ball game.

  8. Outdoors fishing, swimming and hiking YES we DO need a waterproof case! My son lost his iPhone 11 in a lake today and was not able to recover it so we will be investing in a phone pouch that floats! I’d like to see a review on two different waterproof cases sold frequently on Amazon one called Cozy Case and Sportlink. You definitely have some followers that want and need waterproof so please keep reviewing them. Thanks

  9. So for paddle boarding, taking some pictures while out and maybe doing some snorkeling while on vacation for a few weeks I picked the catalyst…had the GoPro but then had to get all these accessories and you end up being so busy with all this stuff just to get some great video or pictures…just wanna have some decent protection and take some great pictures while out with friends on the water…but was still wondering between catalyst or proshot for when I will be doing some snorkeling in the Caribbean…Will catalyst be just fine??

  10. You’re right about not needing a waterproof case… last summer my son jumped in the deep end of the pool🤦‍♀️ I dove in fully clothed to get him out. Once we were out of the pool and calm, my uncle pointed out that I had my iPhone in my back pocket. No damage!

  11. I honestly don’t trust the water resistance on my phone. I’ve seen people bring their phone into the shower and their phones gets messed up or in the rain and sorry but I’m not paying another grand for a new dam phone.

  12. Hey there I work in a metal shop and i'm constantly covered in metal filings i feel like the only option i have is waterproof cases i need my phone totally sealed speakers, camera, charging port . is my only option waterproof cases for something like this? Any ideas?

  13. i feel like a good use for these are people like lifeguards who work in/around salt water. Things like salt water will quickly destroy even water "proof" phones due to corrosion and higher conductivity in salt water.

  14. So, Otterbox stopped making the built in screen protector when the curved edge iphones came out. What do you recommend that has a built-in screen protector? I don't like the limited protection of the aftermarket screen protectors. Thanks!

  15. Can you do an updated review on waterproof cases for the iPhone 11 models? (Pro?) Please! I had to replace my old SE because it went swimming at a water park, even though it was in a waterproof bag. I don't need it for daily use, but after dropping this much cash on a phone, I need to make sure it doesn't get wet on a trip, and can last me a few years! Thanks!

  16. I had a lifeproof case and the silence mode switch broke. I used it for a while until I got a new one. It was so annoying having to open the case to flip the switch. However, for the time I used, it it protected my iPhone 7 to keep it still looking great, to the point I was able to trade it in for my new phone.

  17. Hey, great video 🙂 You gave the me a lot of very pertinent information and it helped me a lot with my decision making about waterproof phone cases. However you didn’t touch on the one thing I was very concerned about and that’s how well the person I’m talking too can hear me ! All of these waterproof phone cases make you sound like your underwater from the listeners perspective. The main thing I wanted to know was which one of these cases was the least obnoxious to the person I was speaking too. Also, my main attraction to a waterproof phone is the ability to use it in the shower. It sounds weird but it’s awesome to check your stocks or watch a video in shower so submersion isn’t the only application of a waterproof case. You make great product review videos , thank you for taking the time to make them and I hope my comment helps you a little bit.

  18. Thanks for this video. It's one of the best ones I've come across comparing recent model waterproof iphone cases, and I have a friend who works a job where a phone can fall into puddles of stuff you never want to have to think about being directly on your phone.

  19. Well I use them because of the dusty proof the water tight seal keeps dust from getting in my speakers in my line of work after a few months I can’t hear out of my ear peace or my speakers

  20. I have had Lifeproof Fre for several years and am still a big fan of the protection they offer. But they do have issues. Firstly, I got frequent complaints from my listeners that they could not hear me well. Secondly, the back and even the front scratched a ton and looked awful after a while. The front screen always seemed to get air into it, causing bubbles. And finally, and most important for me( since I take a lot of photos), the protector on the camera lens would get dirty and the picture quality would be bad. So this time I am trying out the Catalyst – non waterproof – with a screen protector. Let's see how this works out. PS. I plan on taking my phone outdoors a lot. Things I am going to watch is the drop protection, Camera protection and Sound clarity

  21. Ok check this out: here’s your proof for a waterproof case. I use my iPhone in the jacuzzi bath. It’s a distresser , quiet time for me away from an insanely hectic life. I often spend 1 to 2 hours jn the bath and I like to audio journal using notes app on my iPhone.
    Not to mention the perusing of Amazon which requires a lot of clicking on screens so I need both great audio and touch. I don’t think I can accomplish those without them is my intent is to do this in the bath can I?

  22. Maybe one of these companies should sell a bundle package with one modification: 1). Sleek iPhone case that’s durable but not waterproof and 2) Waterproof case – the modification would be in the ease of removal. If we can remove the case fast and easy, we pop the iPhone out and pop the other one on as needed

  23. What was the red case? It looked the best and had a flat smooth stretched front case on the curb next to the black and white one?

    You didn't say anything about what phone gets the hottest in what case, with it being well over 100 degrees in the summer time especially for people that ride motorcycles, that is a very important factor! Could you say if any have overheated and closed the apps?

    Fre, Spartan/Stud are all 3 great and waterproof cases are amazing because they, well are water proof lol but seriously though, I love that they have the screen protector built in!

    Unfortunately I have not gotten to use the ghost techor the catalyst and I'm currently looking between all of these to order another one right now because all they had when I bought mine was the Defender and I absolutely hate it!

    I do have to say though, you are absolutely wrong about waterproof cases not being slim, there are several out there that are just as thin as a standard case, even the steampunk cases are "slim, ultra slim and razor thin"!

    The amount of glare that you gets all depends on how type the screen is, a lot of these are kind of just common sense things and all depend on how it fits the phone.

    STOP RUBBING THE MIC HOLE! It is good enough after 5 seconds lol

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