My curiosity has often taken charge, and lately, I have been wondering if I can shower with my JLab earbuds on. Nothing beats a warm shower while listening to your favorite tunes.
This curiosity led me to do a deep dive to understand how the buds would behave if I exposed them to water. Along the way, I came across terms like IP ratings, water resistant, and waterproof, and finally, I got my answer.
Read on to find out what these terms have to do with the JLab Go Air earbuds and whether it is possible to shower with them.
Key Takeaways
- We must first know their IP rating to determine whether the JLab Go Air buds are waterproof.
- Ingress Protection (IP) rating is a standardized scale that measures electronic devices’ resistance against solids (dust) and water.
- For instance, JLab Go air earbuds have an IP rating of IP44, meaning they are water resistant but not waterproof.
- The buds can sustain water droplets and splashes from various angles but cannot be dipped in water.
- If the buds are submerged in water, they will get damaged, but they can be used for working out.
- You can also wear them outside for a short period when it’s drizzling without the fear they might get damaged.
- If the buds touch any water, dry them before putting them in the case.
Introducing JLab Go Air Earbuds
About IP Ratings
You have to know a gadget’s IP rating to understand the level of water and dust resistance it can sustain.
Therefore, you must know IP ratings and how to read them. Then you can answer the question Are JLab Go earbuds waterproof?
An IP rating means an Ingress Protection rating or code, which is a standard developed by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). Ingress is the ability to enter or penetrate a particular object.
The rating lets users of electronic devices understand the level of resistance these devices have against various solids and water in different circumstances.
How to Read IP Ratings?
The rating is written in an IPXX format where the XX represents numbers on a predetermined scale making the rating universal, i.e., easy to read and interpret.
The IP in this IPXX format is Ingress Protection, while the XX represents numbers.
The first X represents a scale of 0 to 6 that defines a gadget’s ability to prevent solid particles and the user’s body parts from entering it. 0 depicts a device that cannot prevent solids from going in at all, while 6 represents the ability of the gadget to completely stop solids from going in; hence it is considered waterproof.
The second X represents a scale of 0 to 9 that defines the ability of an electronic device to prevent water from entering the device. This scale entails the water being in contact with the gadgets at different angles, intensities, and even temperatures.
IP Rating – Basic Form
A zero rating in this circumstance means the device cannot prevent water from seeping in. In contrast, a nine rating means the device is completely waterproof and, even better, can stand high-pressure water that is extremely hot.
The IEC tests electronic devices before giving an IP code, and the manufacturers have to pay to receive this rating.
Therefore, some manufacturers cut costs by not having their devices IP rated or they have them partially rated.
For instance, if a device has not been rated completely, its IP rating would read as IPXX, or it would not have an IP rating at all, but if it only received a water resistance rating and not a dust resistance rating, the IP code would be IPX3.
On the other hand, if a gadget receives a dust rating but not a water resistance rating, the code would look like IP4X.
X in an IP rating implies the device was not tested for dust or water ingress
IP Ratings Explained
A Breakdown of the IP Codes
Below is a list of what the numbers mean for the dust and water ingress protection ratings.
IP Codes for Dust Resistance
- IP0X – this value means the device does not have any protection against the ingress of solid particles.
- IP1X – gadgets with this rating are not protected against solid particles that have a diameter below 50 millimeters (or two inches). That means dust can get in, but one cannot insert their hands and get the internal components.
- IP2X – only solids with a diameter of 12.5 millimeters (or roughly half an inch) or greater are prevented from entering the device’s enclosure. Anything smaller than that can still get into gadgets with this rating. So, you cannot insert your fingers, but smaller particles can still get in.
- IP3X – solids with a diameter of 2.5mm (0.1 inches) or less can get into these gadgets, but anything with a greater diameter than that cannot.
- IP4X – gadgets with this rating can resist solids with a one-millimeter diameter or bigger. E.g., a wire.
- IP5X – electronics with this rating are not fully dustproof, but they can withstand dusty environments for two to eight hours.
- IP6X – this rating is given to entirely dustproof electronics. No dust can get into the internal components.
IP6X Dust Resistance Test
IP Ratings for Water Resistance
This scale does not use diameters but uses the intensity, pressure, and angle at which the water hits the electronic gadget. It also measures how these products behave if dipped in water for specific durations.
IPX0 – a device with this rating has no protection against water. It should, therefore, always be in dry environments since even dampness can damage it.
IPX1 – this rating is given to gadgets that can withstand condensation and light rain if placed upright. Most devices naturally achieve this rating.
IPX2 can withstand vertically falling light rain when placed at a fifteen-degree angle. Assuming the rainfall amounts to 3 millimeters per minute. Gadgets with this rating can withstand a little sweat or dampness but will be damaged if they fall into a pool of water.
IPX3 – they can withstand water directly sprayed at them when the device is tilted at a maximum of 60 degrees.
IPX4 – electronics with this rating can take water splashes from any direction. The key word here is splashes.
IPX5 – the rating is given to gadgets that can withstand low-pressure water jets. For instance, they can sustain water from nozzles or squirt guns with a 0.25-inch diameter. Such electronics are suitable for outdoor use.
IPX6 – this rating is given to electronics that can sustain stronger water jets from whatever angle, i.e., nozzles measuring 0.5 inches or 12.5mm
IPX7 – electronics with this rating can be submerged up to one meter (3ft) in water for a maximum of thirty minutes.
IPX8 – products with this rating can be submerged in water for up to three meters (9ft), but the manufacturer determines the distance and time they can stay in the water. Therefore, check the manufacturer’s specifications if you have a product with this rating.
IPX9 – this rating is never used on earbuds and is used on gadgets that must withstand steam washes. It is for devices that can sustain high-pressure/temperature water jets.
Some electronics can have more than one water resistance IP rating, indicating it as IPX6/IPX7.
That means the device has been tested with water jets and submerged. This is because a device can sustain being submerged in water but get damaged when sprayed with high-pressure water jets.
IP Ratings (IEC Nomenclature)
Now that you can differentiate between different IP rates, it is easier to know the exact quality of the JLab Go earbuds. You can also compare them to other models and brands and decide whether to purchase a pair of earbuds.
What Is the IP Rating of JLab Go Air Earbuds?
According to the JLab website regarding the technical specifications of the JLab Go Air earbuds, they have an IP rating of IP44.
JLab Go Air earbuds are IP44-certified
That means the JLab Go Air earbuds are protected against solid particles with a one-millimeter diameter (approximately 0.4 inches).
That means thin objects like a wire cannot get into the internal components of the buds, but anything smaller than that can still gain access.
The water resistance rating of 4 means that the earbuds can sustain being splashed or sprayed with water from any angle. However, the buds cannot sustain being hit with water jets even at a low intensity.
Are JLab Go Air Earbuds Waterproof?
Unfortunately, the IP44 rating means the earbuds are not waterproof or dustproof.
On the other hand, they can be classified as water resistant, meaning they can sustain minor water droplets or a drizzle if it rains.
That also means you can use the earbuds when working out, and you do not have to worry about your sweat damaging them.
However, ensure you dry them with a microfiber cloth whenever you expose them to any liquid, even if it is within the IP rate.
Also, the water resistance properties will fade over time since the buds are still prone to wearing and tearing.
This IP rating makes the earbuds suitable for indoor and outdoor use, provided it is not raining.
Note that you should not expose them to water even though the rating states they can withstand mild splashes. This will ensure they last longer and stay in mint condition.
What is the Difference Between Waterproof and Water-Resistant Earbuds?
Water-resistant earbuds can sustain contact with water but only up to a certain extent. For instance, they can sustain splashes or jets of water for short periods without damage.
Water-resistant earbuds usually have a coating that helps them sustain the said amounts of water.
Waterproof earbuds, unlike water-resistant ones, can be completely submerged in water without getting damaged. That means you can do activities like swimming and showering with waterproof earbuds, but you cannot do them with water-resistant earbuds.
Therefore, if you want durable earbuds, get waterproof ones instead of water-resistant ones.
Even though waterproof earbuds can be submerged in water, they also have limits. If you put them in water for too long or too deep, the mechanisms to make them waterproof might fail.
Therefore, always read the manufacturer’s recommendations and note the earbud’s IP ratings before exposing them to water.
Can I Wear JLab Go Air Earbuds in the Shower?
You cannot wear the JLab Go earbuds in the shower as they will get soaked, and the water might damage them. Technically, they should survive a shower, but I wouldn’t risk them.
Remember, these buds are only water resistant but not waterproof. Take the consolation of knowing that you use them when working out.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Question: Can I wear JLab Go Air earbuds in the shower?
- Answer: I wouldn’t wear the JLab Go Air earbuds when showering as they are not fully waterproof. You can wear them when working out or when it’s drizzling as they can sustain splashes, but they cannot withstand getting soaked.
- Question: Can you swim with JLab earbuds?
- Answer: Swimming requires the buds to be submerged in water, and JLab earbuds do not qualify for this. Always check the IP rating of the earbuds before exposing them to any water to avoid damaging the buds unnecessarily.
Conclusion
We have established that the JLab Go Air earbuds are not waterproof, but they are water resistant. You cannot shower or swim with them, but you can wear them to the gym or outside when it’s lightly drizzling. However, dry them off before storing them in their charging case.
If you would like to know more properties of the JLab Go Air buds, visit the support website, and here you can even find the user manual.
