If you ’re patronize for a newset of primo earbuds , aBluetooth speaker system , or a range of other devices , it ’s likely that resistance to water , sweat , and junk is a factor you ’re considering . Maybe you need to work out with your earbuds and are apprehensive about sweat ruining them , or perhaps you ’re having a beach day and need to make certain your portable speaker can handle some sand and maybe even a short immersion .
During your search , you ’ve probably chance a cryptical code that looks like this : IPXY , where the X and/or Y are sometimes replaced by numbers , for instance IPX5 . This is unremarkably bear on to as an IP rating . Manufacturers will usually convulse that cipher into their descriptions at some point as a measurement of how water- and dust - resistant their products are .
But what on the nose do these numbers mean , and how do they practice to daily use ? If you ’re on the lookout for a new distich ofheadphones for swimming or watersports , then this absolutely apply to you . Luckily , we ’re here to help you crack the computer code with a step - by - step account of this ofttimes - used , but seldom explained technical paygrade for water supply and dust electrical resistance .
What are IP and IPX?
IP , IPX , or IPXY are all references to a interchangeable military rating for how well a product can prevent solid and liquids from entering , and thus possibly make terms to , your electronics . Officially , IP stand for “ International Protection ” marking because the measure was developed and is maintained by theInternational Electrotechnical Commission . But it ’s more commonly referred to as Ingress Protection . The two numbers that follow the letters IP indicate what kind of protective cover you’re able to require .
The X is the solids / dust trade protection level , from zero to six , where zero means no protection whatsoever and six means it ’s junk - tight : no dust can enter at all , even after picture for up to eight hours . Because very few consumer gadget are designed to keep out debris ( presumably , it ’s just not something multitude commonly need ) , this part of the IP rating is often leave out . That ’s why we most often see an disco biscuit after IP , for instance IPX5 — it intend there ’s no rating for the solids immersion portion .
The Y is the liquids tribute level from zero to eight , where zero means no protection whatsoever and eight means it can withstand being immersed in pee , usually up to a depth of 3 m , for up to at least 30 minutes . Technically , there is a 9th story of liquid protection , but it is n’t used for consumer electronics Cartesian product . There is no “ X ” point for water protection , so you ’ll never see an IP codification expressed as IP2X , for example — it would be IP20 if no urine protection is offer .
Do n’t worry , we have some chart further down that put out all this information intelligibly if you want to look up specific protection .
Which resistance is right for me?
If you ’ve already guessed that an IP68 rating is the good you’re able to get for auspices from both dust and liquids , congrats , you just ace the first quiz ! But in between IP00 and IP68 , there ’s a mickle of mixed bag , so let ’s take a look at some specific examples .
IPX2
With IPX2 , your equipment can stand firm a little amount of dripping water without being damaged . Since most of us do n’t come out our gizmo under blabbermouthed faucets very often , in practice , this translates into “ moderately sweatproof . ” TheSamsung Galaxy Buds FE earbuds , for example , are rated for IPX2 , meaning that they ’re good enough to handle the sweat of your workout or track down , and maybe some light rain . But do not attempt to lap these earbuds under running water — it ’s better to pass over them with a damp fabric .
IPX4
IPX4 offer adequate aegis against splashing water . Keep in intellect , this is n’t waterproof — you should n’t dunk IPX4 Cartesian product in water — but it is an excellent degree of protective covering for ultra - active workouts or even long marathons in inclement weather . Most earbuds , whether wireless or wired , aimed at earbuds are IPX4 denounce and should have no job coping with regular function during these activities . Anker ’s excellentSoundcore Liberty 4 NCearbuds are IPX4 value . Again , do n’t inundate these products .
IPX6
IPX6 concerns itself with auspices from powerful squirt of water , which mean you’re able to belike take them in the exhibitioner with no serious side effect , but do n’t make a habit of it . Do not really put them under the water — do n’t go swimming or expect them to of necessity survive an inadvertent encounter with a pot bowl .
IPX7/8
If you ’re a utter klutz and have been known to drop your phone , television camera , or watch into bodies of water both indoors and out , do n’t take root for anything less than IPX7 . This will protect your widget from inadvertent kerplunks in one meter of water for up to 30 minutes , while IPX8 allows for the same clip period of protection in even deeper pee ( with the exact depth to be peg down by the manufacturer ) .
Bluetooth speakers design for the pee will be rated at least IPX7 , such as theSoundcore Motion 300 , which you could safely take out into the puddle without worrying . Many of ourtop picks for e - Holy Scripture readersalso have X7 or X8 rating . TheiPhone 15 seriesand theSamsung Galaxy S24are both IP68 grade , which means no dust will get in , and weewee will have a hard sentence , too . These products can be safely rinse off under easy operate water , but always follow the manufacturer ’s instructions .
Water resistance by the numbers
desire to get expert ? Here ’s what the IP water system resistance numbers mean , 1 through 9 . You ’ll take note that the description are very lab - friendly in that they make it easygoing to essay these resistances in the lab . Real - humans outcome are n’t quite as certain , but these are still useful guidelines .
Water submersion by the numbers
For true underwater usage , where you would take a ware snorkeling or scuba dive , you should be appear for a plunger ’s military rank based on the ISO 6425 standard ( not the IP standard ) for divers ’ watches . These products are individually tested and must perform at depths that are 25 % deeper than the number claimed on the dial . ticker with these paygrade are typically guaranteed by the producer to survive repeated purpose at these depths for prolonged period , as well as being able-bodied to handle the changes in press that companion the act of descending to and ascending from those depth .
Dust resistance by the numbers
We have n’t discussed dust resistance much yet : It ’s a simple standard that ’s easy to understand and most useful for those submit their devices out into nature or on active job sites where dust contamination is a possibility . If your gimmick has a numeral in the third IP place , here ’s what it means .
The difference between dust - protect and debris - tight may seem dim , but more often than not , junk - tight is a much more rigorous rating involving dust , airflow , prolonged pic , and vacuum seals .
FAQ on waterproofing
If a product is IPX8, does that mean it’s also good for IPX1-7 too?
Not necessarily . Each story of IPX protection can act as its own standard , which is important when separating the differences between protection against jets of body of water from unlike angles versus ingression and immersion of water . Sometimes you will lam across headphones or earbuds that say something like “ IPX5/7 , ” which means they offer both the squirt - proof quality of X5 and the engrossment security of X7 . However , devices may just provide the highest IP issue to avoid make confusion .
Does water or dust damage void my warranty for IP-rated products?
Manufacturers may lend their own specific descriptions or limitation that you may look at for more information . That includes potential caveat as well . For example , Apple specifically statesthat liquid equipment casualty is not track under warranty and that resistance can decrease over time through wear and rip — as well as recommend users avoid taking an iPhone surfing , skiing , in the sauna , etc .
Does IPX8 or X9 mean it’s fully waterproof?
No . The term “ rainproof ” is more of an nonpareil than an actual rating . A genuinely waterproof product would be one that never lets water in under any circumstances . Because that ’s rarely the case , we tend to spill the beans more about water system resistance . IPX7/8 are mean as rating for the selection of a gadget after a sealed kind of brusk - full term or accidental immersion in weewee — they are not an indicator that your product is meant to be used unendingly under urine .
In fact , even when you see products ( usually watches ) that have awater resistance mark(WR ) , for example 30 M , that ’s still no guarantee that it will survive in the weewee . Unless otherwise specialise , these Cartesian product are n’t one by one tested , and only one stain - newfangled lesson mathematical product is needed to pass a very canonic water dousing mental testing in order for every picket of that design to behave the WR brand .
That being said , some merchandise are clearly designed for frequent submersion in water , like diving watches , outside Bluetooth speakers , andheadphones for swimmer . piss may still damage these devices as they bear from wearable and tear , but they are made with serious water use in mind .
What if my product doesn’t have an IP rating?
You ’ve belike already noticed that plenty of devices can survive an encounter with water or dust , even if they do n’t fall with an IP military rank from the manufacturer . There ’s a serious chance you ’ve been for a few sweaty run with your non - rated Apple AirPods , wiped them off , and experienced no problems at all . Sometimes that ’s due to good design , and other times , it ’s luck . An IP military rank is your only dependable reading that a maker has designed the intersection to perform under those consideration . But keep in mind — it ’s not a guarantee . Always check your product warranty for what is and is not covered .
What if there’s an additional letter on the IP rating?
In some cases , an extra letter of the alphabet is used to indicate something else crucial about the twist . This is not common on audio devices , which generally keep things unproblematic . But if you see , for example , a “ W ” on the IP rating , that means it ’s rated for weather conditions . An “ F ” means the product has vegetable oil resistance , an “ M ” means the machine was test moving in water instead of stationary , and so on . These special ratings are often found on commercial and factory - orient power train .
What if there’s an additional number on the IP rating?
This does n’t encounter much anymore , although you may encounter it on older twist . An extra issue mean mechanical shock resistance , such as from cast the twist on the priming coat . It may go from 1 to 10 , with 10 being the highest resistance and the highest driblet point . This was moved onto its own IK rating some time ago , and many steel use military drop cloth tryout rating instead .
