ATEX & IECEx certified
tablets for Zone 1 & Zone 2
hazardous areas.
Compare every ATEX/IECEx Zone 1 and Zone 2 tablet and iPad Ex solution, side by side, for HSE and procurement teams.
Eleven solutions from eight makers: dedicated Android and Windows Ex tablets, and certified cases and conversions for Apple iPads. Seven are Zone 1 (one of them announced), four are Zone 2. Specifications are taken from manufacturer certificates and datasheets; prices are on request.
Every solution, one comparable layout.
Certified tablets for explosive atmospheres — from 8″ field units to 11.6″ workstations, including certified iPad solutions.
Xshielder iPad Pro 11
Xshielder (Norway)
Ex db flameproof case for the Apple iPad Pro 11″ (M4/M5). ATEX Zone 1/21 certified.
ecom Tab-Ex 03 DZ1
ecom (Pepperl+Fuchs)
Samsung Galaxy Tab-based, familiar UX
ecom Tab-Ex Pro DZ1
ecom (Pepperl+Fuchs)
Premium display, S-Pen support
i.safe MOBILE IS930.1
i.safe MOBILE
Compact 8″ form factor
Aegex 10 IS
Aegex Technologies
Windows OS — SAP, SCADA compatible
Getac F110-Ex
Getac
Large screen, full Windows power
Zebra XPAD L10 IS
Zebra (Xplore)
Enterprise MDM ecosystem
Xciel XCZ1 iPad mini 7
Xciel (USA)
Zone 1 enclosure for the iPad mini 7 (also mini 4/5/6)
Atexxo iPad (A16) Ex
Atexxo Manufacturing (NL)
Factory-converted Apple iPad — Touch ID disabled, 5G/eSIM available
Atexxo iPad 11″ Zone 1
Atexxo Manufacturing (NL)
Full-size Zone 1 iPad — Ex db IIC T4, fingerprint scanner disabled
Xciel XCRiPad Pro 11
Xciel (USA)
US NEC C1D2 focus — broadest iPad model coverage for Zone 2
Three decisions that fail procurement review.
Most tablet procurement fails on zone, standard, or gas-group mismatch.
Zone 1 vs Zone 2.
Zone 1 = explosive atmosphere likely during normal ops. Zone 2 = only under abnormal conditions. A Zone 1 tablet covers both zones. A Zone 2 tablet cannot enter Zone 1 areas. Most process-area deployments require Zone 1 certification.
ATEX vs IECEx.
ATEX is mandatory in the EU/EEA. IECEx is the international scheme accepted in 50+ countries. For global deployments across multiple regions, choose dual-certified tablets. Many vendors certify under both frameworks.
IIA, IIB, IIC.
Gas groups classify ignition risk. IIC (hydrogen) is the hardest to certify for and covers IIA + IIB. If your site handles hydrogen or acetylene, the tablet must be IIC rated. Most modern Ex tablets target IIC for maximum site flexibility.
iPad-class hardware vs dedicated Ex tablets.
Dedicated Android and Windows Ex tablets have the longer certification track record. iPad-based solutions differ from them on three measurable points.
Processing power.
The Apple M4/M5 in the iPad Pro is desktop-class silicon. Dedicated Android Ex tablets use mid-range chipsets, which handle forms and checklists but are slower for 3D models, digital twins, LiDAR capture and on-device AI workloads.
Software lifetime.
Apple supports iPads with roughly 6–7 years of iPadOS upgrades and security updates beyond that. Android Ex tablets commonly ship with an already-older Android version and shorter update windows tied to chipset end-of-life — in 2026, current models still run Android 12/13. A longer secure lifetime spreads the certification premium over more years.
Display quality.
The iPad Pro's tandem OLED reaches 1,600 nits peak at 120 Hz, which helps in direct sunlight; most dedicated Ex tablets use TFT or IPS panels. The Getac F110-Ex has the largest panel in this comparison (11.6″).
Certification status: the Xshielder iPad Pro 11 holds an ATEX Zone 1/21 certificate. Atexxo's converted iPad 11″ for Zone 1 is announced. Match the certificate marking to your site's zone classification before deployment.
Field tablet use cases, honestly.
Tablets in hazardous areas serve different roles than phones. Larger screens enable workflows that phones can't.
Inspection & reporting.
Primary use case
- Form-based inspection checklists on 8–10″ screens
- Photo documentation with annotation
- PDF/drawing review in the field
- Barcode/QR scanning for asset tracking
Process & operations.
Growing use case
- SCADA/HMI dashboards at the process unit
- Digital work orders and permit-to-work
- Video calls for remote expert support
- ERP/SAP access in hazardous zones
Where the specs come from.
Specifications are taken from manufacturer ATEX/IECEx certificates and official datasheets: zone, gas group, temperature class and IP rating. Certificates differ between variants of the same model, so check the certificate of conformity for your exact variant before purchase.
Apple ecosystem in hazardous areas
Need the Apple ecosystem
in Zone 1?
For full-size Zone 1, the Xshielder iPad Pro 11 (Ex db flameproof case) is ATEX Zone 1/21 certified. Xciel's XCZ1 enclosures cover the iPad mini in Zone 1. Atexxo (converted iPads) and Xciel (C1D2/Zone 2 cases) cover Zone 2/22, and Atexxo's Zone 1 iPad 11″ is announced. On the phone side, Xshielder makes ATEX Zone 1 certified Ex cases for the iPhone 17 Pro Max, with iOS, the App Store, Face ID and Jamf/Intune MDM.
For inspection, remote support, and field service workflows, the 6.9-inch iPhone Pro Max screen covers many tasks that used to need a tablet.
Questions, answered.
What is an intrinsically safe tablet?
An intrinsically safe tablet is a mobile device certified under ATEX or IECEx for use in explosive atmospheres. It limits electrical energy so it cannot produce sparks or heat that could ignite flammable gas or dust. Certification covers Zone 1 (explosive atmosphere likely during normal operation) or Zone 2 (only under abnormal conditions).
What is the difference between Zone 1 and Zone 2 tablets?
Zone 1 tablets are certified for areas where an explosive gas atmosphere is likely during normal operation. Zone 2 tablets are certified only for areas where it is unlikely and short-lived. A Zone 1 tablet can be used in Zone 1 and Zone 2; a Zone 2 tablet cannot be used in Zone 1.
Can I use a regular tablet in a hazardous area?
No. Uncertified electronic equipment in a classified hazardous area breaches ATEX Directive 1999/92/EC (worker protection) and national rules such as DSEAR in the UK. A standard tablet can produce sparks or surface temperatures that ignite an explosive atmosphere. Only ATEX or IECEx certified equipment may be used.
How much does an ATEX certified tablet cost?
Prices are on request. They depend on the zone and certification scope, the operating system, display size, certified accessories and order volume. The cost guide explains what drives the price.
Is there an ATEX-certified iPad for Zone 1?
Yes. For the full-size iPad Pro 11″, the Xshielder Ex db case (II 2G Ex db IIC T6 Gb) is ATEX Zone 1/21 certified. For the iPad mini 4 to 7, Xciel ships ATEX/IECEx Zone 1 flameproof enclosures (XCZ1, factory-fitted). Atexxo's converted iPad 11″ for Zone 1 is announced. For Zone 2/22, Atexxo sells converted iPads and Xciel sells C1D2/Zone 2 cases.
What does Gas Group IIC mean for tablets?
Gas Group IIC is the most demanding gas group under IEC 60079 and covers hydrogen and acetylene. A tablet certified for IIC also covers IIA (e.g. propane) and IIB (e.g. ethylene).
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