Music is a great workout companion, but you don’t want to wear an old pair of headphones before you go to the gym. If you are planning to sweat, you want to make sure that you are using a pair that can handle the sweat. This is where we come from. We check the scores of headphones every year, from noise-canceling models designed to block the world around you to exercise-friendly pairs that absorb sweat and other types of liquids. Can handle exposure and keep pumping. The melodies that motivate you through your exercise. We have tips on what to look for when purchasing waterproof headphones, as well as the best pairings we’ve tried.
Pay Attention to IP Ratings
Let’s start here: Waterproof is a flexible term, and water resistance is even more so. To put it bluntly, a product is apparently determined by standardized testing to determine its level of protection against liquids, and the resulting score is subject to English protection (or IP). ) Is called classification. We have a whole article dedicated to the IP rating system, and it’s a good read if you want a detailed version.
The short version is as follows: Manufacturers (we hope) test their products under a strict system of guidelines, and the water-resistance gives the surface a number rating. The IP system also includes dust protection, which can confuse things a bit.
For example, let’s say one pair of headphones has an IP57 rating and the other has an IPX7 rating: which pair is more waterproof, and what about the X? First, they are actually waterproof at the same level – only the second digit in the IP rating corresponds to the water resistance, so in this case, they both get 7 ratings. The first digit corresponds to dust resistance, so the IP57 model has level 5 dust resistance. The IPX7 model has not been adequately tested for dust protection and thus has been given an X. X is used as a placeholder instead of 0, as it is unlikely that the product has any dust protection at all. More often than not, the IP ratings we see for headphones have an X – manufacturers do more testing for liquid protection than dust.
The Best Headphone Deals This Week*
- Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones — $348.00
- New Apple AirPods Max Wireless Headphones — $478.00 (List Price $549)
- Beats Studio3 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones — $199.99 (List Price $349.95)
- Sony WH-CH710N Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones — $178.00
In fact, most people probably don’t need the highest level of water resistance from their headphones, and maybe a pair with a modest IP rating. But full of other useful features like active noise cancellation or adjusted EQ. Overall better for your needs.
Water-Resistant vs. Waterproof Headphones
So now that you understand what numbers represent, what kind of IP ratings should you look for? To keep things simple, we’re only going to refer to everything as an IPX rating. It is also rare for a manufacturer to advertise a rating lower than IPX3, which is weak for water resistance. Once you have achieved IPX4 status, this means that the product can withstand water splashing from any direction, and this is the minimum rating that you can get for the headphones you select here. Will be found on
The IPX5 means a product can withstand water jetting from a 6.3mm nozzle, and the IPX6 means it can handle water jets from a 12.5mm nozzle. Both of these levels should be good enough for exercise / walking in a sweaty exercise or light rain. However, these headphones probably shouldn’t withstand the heavy pressure of the faucet, and they certainly shouldn’t sink.
IPX7 gear can be dipped up to one meter, up to 30 minutes. An IPX7 rating is where the product jumps from water-resistant to waterproof and is the level we find when selecting cut products in this list. IPX8 devices exist, but they are more for pro-level gear and less for everyday users.
Waterproof Headphones for Swimming
In general, a Bluetooth signal does not work well underwater. So while the wireless pair of IPX7 can make these ears attractive, if you are planning to swim in the lap, it is possible that the Bluetooth signal may not be stable or may not work at all.
Because of this, there are companies that specialize in Bluetooth products for swimming, such as H2O audio. These products are subject to the same limits as the Bluetooth signal underwater, but they are designed to keep the streaming element of the headphones above the water, whereas traditional headphones whenever you turn your head to breathe. They will drown in the water.
Another potential problem with using headphones for swimming is range. You need to keep your Bluetooth audio source close by to maintain a strong streaming signal. So while it is entirely possible to listen to streaming audio while swimming, most of the products we mention in this story are not designed for that.
Charging Waterproof Headphones
For a variety of reasons, earphones are more focused on exercise than the options of over-the-air or on-ear headphones. Inside the world, you have real wireless earphones, as well as more traditional wireless models, which have cables connecting the AirPace, but still stream wireless audio.
As real wireless earphones become the norm, it’s worth noting that they all come with charging cases and that most manufacturers are reluctant to say what the IP rating you see on the box means. There are only earphones themselves – usually, the charging cases are not waterproof. In some cases, there are waterproof exteriors, but we have yet to test the model with a waterproof interior. So if you put airpieces in the charging case while it is wet, you run the risk of damaging the product.
This is a problem that does not occur in wireless models with cable, but often covers the charging ports in these pairs and the fine print will explain that when the cover of this port is open their waterproof rating. Disappears
In other words, water-resistant and waterproof headphones are plentiful, but some ingenuity is still needed while charging. Here’s an easy way to think about it: When charging, your headphones aren’t primarily water-resistant, so make sure everything is in place before installing cables or air-packing in any case.
How Much Should You Spend on Waterproof Headphones?
A solid IP rating doesn’t have much of an impact on price these days. That said, if water resistance is important to you, the best pairs we’ve tested usually start at $ 100. Often the most expensive pairs are priced not because of their water rating but because they offer noise cancellation or some other expensive feature.
If you’re looking for something more affordable, you might want to look at the best headphones we’ve tested for less than $ 50, but keep in mind that they can’t be waterproof. And when you find the right pair, here are our five simple tips and eight ways to extend the life of your headphones that you are misusing your headphones.
