Decoding IP ratings

Whether you’re exercising or get caught in a surprise rainstorm, broken earbuds are a big inconvenience. Ideally, your earbuds won’t weather the elements. However, you can’t always control these things. In that case, it’s best to invest in earbuds, headphones, or speakers that can endure a light splash or fumble into the dirt. IP ratings are an easy way to identify the durability of your next device. These simple numbers will give you some peace of mind when using your devices in extreme conditions.

Editor’s note: this article was updated on May 12, 2023, to include another case study and answer reader FAQs.

What is an IP rating?

An Ingress Protection (IP) rating denotes a device’s resistance to dust and water, and “ingress” is just the act of going in or entering. The “X” is a placeholder for the degree of dust or water resistance in a given IP rating. Not all devices receive a rating that covers both variables, hence why many headphones and earbuds receive an IPX4 rating. In this case, the X means that the headset didn’t receive a dust-resistant rating, so don’t use it at the beach or when rock climbing. The “4” following the “X” is the liquid ingress protection rating.

As we said, IP ratings break down into two categories: dust and water resistance. The former ranges from zero to six, while the latter goes up to 8. As you might expect, the lower the number, the less it can combat the respective hazards.

Case Study 2: The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro

Starting with one of the more extreme examples, let’s look at the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro. These buds have an IPX7 rating, meaning they can endure up to 30 minutes in the water. Well, as long as they don’t sink farther than one meter deep. If the buds were to sink beyond one meter, the water pressure might exceed what the internal gaskets can resist. If this were to happen, the water could seep into the electronics, damaging them.

Of course, with an IPX7 rating, you can exercise with these buds to your heart’s content. No amount of sweat will damage the earbuds’ innards. Just let the earbuds dry off before placing them back in their case.

Case Study 2: The Bose Sport Earbuds

The Bose Sport Earbuds merit an IPX4 certification. Bose designed the earphones to resist splashes from any direction. The Bose Sport Earbuds, and any water-resistant headset with an IPX4 rating or higher, can handle even the sweatiest of us and be no worse for the wear. As a matter of fact, these buds will likely survive a clumsy spill from a water bottle too. That said, don’t go around thinking these are invincible. Full immersion will render them useless.

Case Study 3: The Jabra Elite Active 75t

Jabra engineered the Jabra Elite Active 75t and prioritized durability. These earphones received one of the highest IP ratings at IP57, making them dust and water-resistant. If you’re a gymnast in training, beach runner, or rock climber, we recommend the Elite Active 75t. A dust-resistance rating of IP5X indicates traces of dust won’t affect performance. Regarding waterproofing, an IPX7 rating allows for complete immersion at one meter for up to 30 minutes. Combining these into one pair of buds makes for a very durable product.

Why you should care about IP ratings

You may not think your lifestyle warrants any kind of device-proofing, but accidents happen. Even the hydrophobic need to drink, leaving potential spills to chance. Nowadays, extra protection doesn’t necessitate extra cost. While the examples above are of top-tier earbuds, plenty of more affordable earbuds are water-resistant.

Poor spending habits aside, headphones with IP ratings will last longer than those without an IP certification. With this rating, you can rest easy knowing that a drop of water, spring deluge, or an unexpected poolside shove won’t short-circuit the internals. And as a backup, many warranties cover water-resistance failures. Worst-case scenario, you jump through some bureaucratic hoops to justify a repair. Still, not too bad.

Frequently asked questions about the durability of earbuds and headphones