When picking up trendy wireless headphones, Bluetooth speakers, or other electronics, you may have considered their resistance to water, sweat, and dust. Whether you're worried about sweat damaging your headphones while exercising, or you're looking to make sure your portable speaker can handle sand particles or even a brief immersion in water at a beach party, it's important to know how well your product is protected against water and dust.
You may have come across mysteries like "IPXY", where X and Y are sometimes replaced by numbers, such as IPX5. This is often referred to as an IP rating, and manufacturers often refer to this mark in their descriptions to measure their product's protection against water and dust. But what exactly do these numbers mean? And how can it be applied to daily use? If you're looking for a headset for swimming or water sports, then this article is definitely worth a look. We'll break down this commonly used but rarely explained technical rating step by step to help you understand the water and dust resistance of electronic products.
IP, IPX, or IPXY all refer to a standardized rating that measures a product's ability to prevent the ingress of solids and liquids and potentially damage electronic devices. Officially, IP stands for "International Protection" mark, as this standard is developed and maintained by the International Electrotechnical Commission. But in everyday life it is more commonly referred to as ingress protection. The two numbers followed by the IP indicate what level of protection you can expect.
X stands for Solid Dust Resistance, ranging from 0 to 6, with 0 indicating no protection and 6 being completely dustproof, not allowing any dust to enter even after 8 hours of exposure. Since very few consumer electronics are designed to be dustproof (probably because consumers don't want it much), this part of the IP rating is often omitted, so we often see markings such as IPX5, which means that there is no solid-state ingress protection rating.
y stands for the level of protection against liquids, from 0 to 8, with 0 also indicating no protection, and 8 means that the product can withstand immersion at a depth of 3 meters for at least 30 minutes. Theoretically, there is a level 9 of liquid protection, but it is not suitable for consumer electronics. There is no "X" rating for waterproof protection, so you'll never see an expression like IP2X – if no waterproof protection is provided, it's labeled IP20.
Don't worry, we'll show all the information in a chart below so you can easily find a specific level of protection.
If you've already guessed that the IP68 rating is the best combination of dust and water resistance, congratulations, you've just passed the first round of quizzes! But between IP00 and IP68, there are actually many different grades, so let's look at some specific examples.
Products with an IPX2 rating can resist small drips without damage, which means that in practice, they are moderately sweat resistant. For example, the Samsung Galaxy Buds FE earbuds have an IPX2 rating, which is enough to cope with sweat during sports or running, and even light rain, but never rinse with water, it is best to wipe them with a damp cloth.
The IPX6 rating focuses on protection against powerful jets of water, which means that carrying them in the shower may not be a big problem, but don't make it a habit. Never leave them underwater – don't swim with them in them or expect them to survive accidentally falling into the toilet.
If you're a full-fledged Madahar and often drop your phone, camera, or watch into various waters, both indoors and outdoors, then at least opt for an IPX7 rated product. This rating can withstand up to 30 minutes of immersion in water up to 1 meter deep, while the IPX8 rating allows for the same amount of protection time in deeper water (the exact depth is specified by the manufacturer).
Bluetooth speakers designed for aquatic environments will have at least an IPX7 rating, such as the SoundCore Motion 300, so you can safely take it to the pool. Many of the top ebook readers we recommend also have x7 or x8 ratings. Both the iPhone 15 series and the Samsung Galaxy S24 have an IP68 rating, which means they effectively keep out dust and are also highly resistant to water, making it safe to rinse under mild running water, but always follow the manufacturer's instructions.
Want to dive into the technical details? The following are the specific meanings of IP waterproof ratings 1 to 9. You'll find these descriptions ideal for a lab setting for lab testing. While the actual effect is not necessarily so certain, these are still very useful guidelines.
For real underwater use, such as snorkeling or scuba diving, you should look for a diver's watch rating based on the ISO 6425 standard (not the IP standard). These products have been individually tested and must work at a depth of 25% more than the depth indicated on the dial. Watches with these ratings are usually guaranteed by the manufacturer to be able to be used repeatedly at these depths for longer periods of time, as well as to cope with pressure changes as they descend and ascent.
As for dust protection, we haven't discussed it in depth: it's a relatively simple and easy-to-understand standard, especially useful for those who need to use equipment outdoors in their natural environments or in workplaces where there is a high potential for dust contamination. If the device has a number in the third IP position, then it stands for the following meaning.
The distinction between dust protection and complete dust protection may seem blurred, but in reality, complete dust protection is a much more stringent criterion that involves factors such as dust, airflow, long-term exposure, and vacuum sealing.
Not necessarily. Each level of IPX protection can be used as a stand-alone standard, which is important to distinguish between protection against jet water from different angles and protection against moisture intrusion and immersion. Sometimes you'll see headphones or earbuds labeled "IPX5 7", which means they have both the water jet resistance of x5 and the immersive protection of x7. However, to avoid confusion, the device may only provide the highest IP number.
Manufacturers may add their own specific descriptions or limitations to provide more details, including potential considerations. For example, Apple makes it clear that liquid damage is not covered by the warranty and reminds users that wear and tear can lead to a decrease in water resistance over time, while advising users to avoid using their iPhone in surfing, skiing, saunas, and more.
Not exactly. The term "waterproof" is more of an ideal state than an actual rating. A true waterproofing product should be able to prevent moisture from entering under any circumstances. But since this is a rare occurrence, we're talking more about water resistance. IPX7 8 is designed to assess the survivability of a device after a specific short-term or accidental flooding situation – they are not indicative of your product designed for continuous underwater use.
post by tom