“Water resistant” on a product listing doesn’t tell you much on its own. The IPX rating next to it does — if you know how to read it. Here’s a plain-language breakdown.

What the number actually means

IP ratings have two digits: the first covers dust/solid particle protection, the second covers water. For audio and wearables, you’ll mostly see the water digit alone, written as IPX followed by a number (the X means dust resistance wasn’t tested or isn’t claimed).

• IPX4 — Splash resistant from any direction. Fine for rain, sweat, and light workouts. Not designed for submersion.
• IPX5 — Resistant to low-pressure water jets. Handles a sweaty run or a light rinse under a tap.
• IPX7 — Can survive full submersion up to 1 meter for about 30 minutes. Safe for an accidental drop in a sink or getting caught in heavy rain.
• IPX8 — Rated for continuous submersion beyond 1 meter (manufacturers specify the exact depth and duration). This is the rating to look for if you specifically want to swim with a device.

The rating is about water, not sweat chemistry

IPX testing uses fresh water under controlled lab conditions. Sweat contains salts and oils that can degrade seals and speaker membranes over time in ways a one-time lab test doesn’t capture. A device rated IPX5 will generally hold up fine to regular workout use, but rinsing earphones with fresh water after a sweaty session and drying them fully is still good practice for long-term reliability — the rating tells you it will survive exposure, not that exposure has zero cumulative effect.

Ratings can degrade over time

Rubber seals and gaskets wear down with repeated use, charging cycles, and exposure to heat. A product that was IPX7-rated out of the box may not perform to that same standard after a year of daily use. If water resistance is critical to your use case, treat the rating as a starting point, not a permanent guarantee.

Quick buying rule of thumb

• Everyday use, occasional rain: IPX4 is enough
• Running, gym, general sweat exposure: look for IPX5 or higher
• Swimming or water sports: only IPX8 is designed for it — check the manufacturer’s specific depth/duration rating
• Most true wireless earbuds cluster around IPX4-IPX5; if you need more, check the spec sheet explicitly rather than assuming

Browse our audio and wearables lineup — IPX ratings are listed on each relevant product page.