10 or 15 years ago, we didn’t pay much attention to IP ratings and waterproof or dustproof characteristics of our devices. IP ratings were reserved for industrial equipment, car parts, and tools.
Today, we are all looking for the highest possible level of protection against the ingress of water and dust for our phones, portable speakers, and headphones. And it’s not just a whim, it’s a necessity. We depend so much on these devices, especially phones, so it’s only natural to look for the one with the highest possible IP or IPX rating.
If you are wondering if IP67 is a good enough IP rating for your future phone or audio gear, you’ve come to the right place. In this post, I will explore the level of ingress protection offered by the IP67 rating. I will explain what to expect from your IP67-rated device and what you can and cannot do with it. Finally, I will discuss the differences between IP67 and higher IP ratings, primarily IP68 and IP69.
Key Takeaways
- IP stands for Ingress Protection.
- IPXX is the basic form of an IP rating. The first X describes the level of protection against the ingress of solids. The second X defines the level of protection against water ingress.
- There are two international Ingress Protection standards – the IEC standard and the ISO standard. Both have similar categorizations of ingress protection ratings, but there are some subtle differences.
- ISO standard recognizes ratings IPX6K and IPX9K that don’t exist in the IEC standard. However, the testing conditions for the IEC’s IPX9 rating are the same as the conditions for ISO’s IPX9K. So, the only difference between the IEC and ISO IP standards is the IPX6K rating (recognized by the ISO, not recognized by the IEC).
- According to the IEC IP standard, there are 7 levels of protection against the ingress of solids and dust and 10 levels of protection against the ingress of water.
- Devices with an IP67 rating are considered fully dustproof (or dust-tight) and waterproof. The term waterproof, in this case, means the device is capable of surviving submersion in water of up to 1m (3ft) depth for 30 minutes.
- Phones, speakers, and headphones with an IP67 rating offer an impressive level of protection. However, they are not indestructible.
- An IP68 rating offers a significantly higher protection against the ingress of water than an IP67. Devices with an IP68 rating can survive submersion in water deeper than 1m (usually up to 3 or 5m) for more than 30 minutes.
- When it comes to outdoor audio equipment, primarily Bluetooth speakers, IP67 is pretty much the highest protection you can get. There are some speakers with IP68 ratings, but most of them are made by unknown brands.
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The Purpose of IP Ratings?
It’s quite obvious, isn’t it? If you need a device that can survive rough conditions and outdoor use, you have to look for something with an IP rating.
Devices with IP ratings offer some level of protection against the ingress of solids (or dust) and water. The exact level of protection depends on the digits found next to the abbreviation IP.
If you need a device that is even more rugged, maybe something resistant to mechanical impacts, look for a device that also has a high IK rating. Unfortunately, phones and audio equipment are rarely (or never) rated for impact resistance.
The Form of an IP Rating?
Every IP rating consists of three, rarely four elements.
The first element is the IP, which stands for Ingress Protection.
The second element is a digit (or letter X) that describes the level of protection against the ingress of solid particles or dust. That’s the first digit behind the IP. If a device doesn’t offer any protection against the ingress of solid particles, it will get 0. If it’s dust-tight, its rating will be 6. If a device was not tested for the ingress of solid particles, you will see a symbol X instead of a digit.
The third element is a digit (or letter X) that describes the level of protection against the ingress of water. If a device wasn’t tested for water ingress, there’ll be a symbol X instead of a digit.
The fourth element is optional. You will rarely see it in consumer electronics. It’s a letter that describes additional resistance to various materials/substances and conditions. For example, the letter F means the equipment is oil-resistant.
The basic form of an IP rating
Ingress Protection Ratings Explained
Ingress Protection Standards
There are two fairly similar international ingress protection standards. One was defined by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC 60529). The other was defined by the International Standardization Organization (ISO 20653).
The differences between the two standards are very subtle.
Both standards recognize seven levels of protection against the ingress of solid particles, or 6 if you don’t count the level 0. Zero means no protection at all.
When it comes to water ingress protection, the IEC standard defines 10 levels of protection (from 0 to 9), while the ISO standard defines 11 levels (from 0 to 9K). For most ingress protection ratings, testing conditions are exactly the same for both standards.
The ISO standard recognizes levels 6 and 6K, while the IEC recognizes only level 6. The level 6K doesn’t exist in the IEC standard. This level is similar to level 6, but the water pressure is increased. That’s the meaning of the letter K in this IP rating.
The ISO standard also recognizes the level 9K, which doesn’t exist in the IEC standard. However, the testing conditions for the IEC’s level 9 are the same as the testing conditions for the ISO’s level 9K.
So, to conclude, the only difference between the ISO and IEC ingress protection standards is in the IPX6K rating. The 6K level is recognized by the ISO standard, but it’s not recognized by the IEC standard.
International Ingress Protection Standards
Levels of Dust and Water Ingress Protection
There are 7 levels of protection against the ingress of solid particles – from 0 to 6. Zero is given to devices that don’t offer any protection against the ingress of solid particles. X is given to devices that were not tested for ingress of solids.
According to the IEC standard, there are 10 levels of protection against water ingress – from 0 to 9. The ISO standard defines an additional 6K level of protection. Zero is given to devices that don’t offer any protection against the ingress of water. X is given to devices that were not tested for water ingress.
The table below explains the meaning of each IP rating.
The Meaning of IP Ratings (IEC Nomenclature)
Testing conditions for each IP rating are precisely defined by the IEC and ISO. These institutions define the type of water (always fresh water), water temperature, water pressure, and test duration. They also determine the characteristics of the instruments that can be used for these tests.
IP Tests Explained
The Meaning of IP67 Rating
A device with an IP67 rating features the highest level of protection against the ingress of solid particles, and 7th level of water ingress protection. A device with this rating is dust-tight and waterproof (submersible in water up to 1m depth for 30 mins).
IP67 Rating – Testing Conditions
The tests for dust and water ingress are done separately.
To test the level of protection against the ingress of dust, the device is put inside a chamber and sprayed with fine powder dust for a specified period. The dust mustn’t penetrate the enclosure. If the device remains dust-tight and fully functional, it will get an IP6X rating.
IP6X Test (Dustproof Devices)
To test the level of protection against water ingress, the device is submerged in a water tank. The depth is up to 1m, and the test duration is 30 minutes. If the water doesn’t penetrate the enclosure in amounts that would prevent the device from remaining fully functional, the device will get an IPX7 rating.
IPX7 Test (Waterproof Devices)
A device that passes both tests described above will get an IP67 rating.
Devices with IP67 Rating
IP67 rating is not uncommon in consumer electronics, but it’s mostly reserved for the latest higher-end devices. Budget-friendly devices and older devices usually have lower IP ratings or don’t have IP ratings at all.
Below you have a list of some popular smartphones featuring an IP67 rating.
| Apple | Samsung | Google Pixel | CAT |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 7 | Galaxy A52 5G | Pixel 2 | B30 |
| iPhone 8 Plus | Galaxy S5 Active | Pixel 6a | B15 |
| iPhone 7 Plus | Galaxy A53 5G | Pixel 2 XL | B25 |
| iPhone 8 | Galaxy A54 5G | Pixel 5a | S50 |
| iPhone X | Pixel 7a | B15Q | |
| iPhone XR | |||
| iPhone SE (2nd gen) |
An IP67 rating is given to other consumer electronics like smartwatches, adapters, cables, laptops, tablets, etc.
Samsung A54 IP67-rated Phone – Water Test
Are There Speakers and Headphones with an IP67 Rating?
Yes, there are. At the moment, IP67 is the highest rating given to Bluetooth speakers.
If you search for speakers with higher ratings on Amazon, you will find some with IP68 ratings, but none of those speakers are made by reputable brands, and most of them are quite cheap. That makes it very hard to believe in their ratings. If you ask me, I would rather buy an IP67 speaker made by JBL than a cheap IP68 speaker made by some manufacturer I have never heard of.
The most popular speakers with an IP67 speaker are JBL Charge 5, JBL Xtreme 3, JBL Clip 4, JBL Go 3, JBL Flip 6, SONY SRS XE300, Altec Lansing Mini H2O, Soundcore Glow, Sony SRS-XB23, Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM 3, Ultimate Ears EPICBOOM, Anker soundcore Boost, Anker Soundcore Icon Mini, etc.
IP67-rated Bluetooth Speakers
When it comes to Bluetooth earbuds and headphones (mostly bone-conduction headphones), the situation is a little bit different. There are numerous IP67-rated Bluetooth earbuds and headphones, but there are also earbuds and headphones made by reputable brands with a higher IP68 rating.
The most popular earbuds and headphones with an IP67 rating are JBL Endurance Race, LG Tone Free TF8, Shokz OpenRun Mini, Raycon Impact, etc.
IP67-rated Bluetooth Earbuds and Headphones
What Can I Do with IP67 Bluetooth Speakers and Earbuds?
You can do all kinds of outdoor activities. They are perfectly suitable for almost any scenario.
You can use IP67 speakers and earbuds in the shower. They can withstand heavy rain. Splashes of water will not be a problem. If you accidentally spill some drink over them, they probably won’t get damaged. Even if you accidentally drop them in the pool or ocean, they will survive.
However, speakers and earbuds with an IP67 rating are not indestructible. First of all, you must know that IP tests are done with fresh water, not seawater. Saline water (like the one in oceans and seas) contains salt, and salt causes corrosion. So metal parts on your speaker will eventually get damaged by the salt, and that might reduce the speaker’s resistance to water ingress.
The speaker won’t get damaged if you accidentally drop it into the ocean, but don’t think it will last forever if you don’t take proper care of it.
If your earbuds have an IP67 rating, they can be considered waterproof, but that doesn’t make them good for swimming. The problem is not in their IP rating or build quality. The problem is in Bluetooth technology. Bluetooth signals don’t travel well through water, and if you try to use your IP67 Bluetooth earbuds for swimming, you will experience lots of signal loss.
So, if you are looking for earbuds for swimming, IP67 is good enough (IP68 is even better), but you also need earbuds with built-in storage, not Bluetooth earbuds. Luckily, there are several waterproof earbuds with built-in storage that can be used for swimming. Some of them even feature Bluetooth connectivity, but that’s just a bonus. The most popular models are the Sony NW-WS413LM and Shokz OpenSwim.
Is There Something Better than IP67?
Yes, there is. IP68 offers even better protection than IP67. The difference is in the depth and duration of the test.
Like IP67 devices, IP68 devices are also waterproof but can withstand greater depths for more than 30 minutes. The depth and duration of the test are not strictly specified by the IEC or ISO standards. That’s why the manufacturer has to specify the depth and duration of the test in the product’s specifications.
Numerous phones, tablets, smartwatches, and earbuds are IP68-certified. However, IP68 Bluetooth speakers are much harder to find. When it comes to reputable brands, I have never heard of any speaker with such a high rating. There are some speakers made by no-name brands that are allegedly IP68-certified, but I simply can’t trust them.
You would assume that IP69 or IP69K offers even greater protection than IP67 or IP68, but that’s not necessarily true. You see, only IP67 and IP68 tests entail submersion in water. IP69 and IP69K describe resistance to powerful high-temperature water jets, which is not the same thing as submersion. An IP69-certified device might be submersible in water, but there’s no guarantee.
So, if the manufacturer wants to prove that its device is both submersible in water and resistant to powerful high-temperature water jets, it has to test its device for both ratings. That’s why you have CAT phones with two ratings. CAT S75, for example, features IP68 and IP69K ratings.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Question: Are IP67 Bluetooth earbuds OK for swimming?
- Answer: Technically, IP67 is ok for swimming. However, Bluetooth is not ok for swimming. If you’re looking for earbuds for swimming, get earbuds with built-in storage. Also, if you’re choosing between IP67 and IP68 earbuds, go for the IP68.
- Question: Is IP68 better than IP67?
- Answer: Yes, IP68 is better than IP67. The difference is in the depth and duration. An IP67 device can be submerged in water of up to 1m depth, while an IP68 device can withstand greater depths. Also, an IP67 device can be submerged for up to 30 minutes, while an IP68 can be submerged for more than 30 minutes.
- Question: Is IP67 good for outdoor use?
- Answer: Yes, IP67 is perfect for outdoor use.
- Question: Is IP67 good for saltwater?
- Answer: All IP tests are done with fresh water. Saline water is much harsher and causes corrosion of the metal parts. If you drop your IP67 device in the ocean, the device probably won’t get damaged, but it’s advisable to rinse it with fresh water and wipe it off.
- Question: Can IP67 withstand heavy rain?
- Answer: Yes, an IP67 device can even withstand submersion in water for 30 minutes. Heavy rain should not cause any damage.
- Question: Can you swim with IP67 earbuds?
- Answer: Yes, you can if they have built-in storage. If they are Bluetooth earbuds, you probably can’t swim with them. Not because of their IP rating, but because of the Bluetooth technology.
- Question: Is IP67 oil-proof?
- Answer: No, IP67 devices are not oil-proof. If a device is oil-proof, there should be a letter F next to 7 (IP67F).
Conclusion
IP67 dustproof and waterproof rating is one of the highest you can find in consumer electronics. Devices with this rating offer a high level of protection against dust and water ingress.
I hope this short guide helped you understand the true meaning of an IP67 rating. Now you know exactly what you can and cannot do with an IP67-certified device.
