Are AirPods Waterproof? What to Know Before Getting Them Wet
Apple AirPods are truly wireless, easy to use, and stylish. They fit well with any ear size and you won’t feel a thing even when you wear them throughout the day. But a common question shoppers and owners ask is: are AirPods waterproof?
However, one question remains unanswered. Are AirPods waterproof and suitable for a walk on a rainy day or swimming?
If you’re also asking the same question, you’ve discovered the appropriate article. Read on to get an in-depth understanding of the water safety of Apple AirPods.
Are AirPods Waterproof?
No AirPods model is waterproof. Regardless of which generation you own, AirPods are not designed for swimming, showering, or water sports of any kind.
That said, water resistance does vary significantly by model and generation — and that includes the charging case. Some charging cases carry a water-resistance rating; others have none at all. The level of protection you actually have depends on the specific AirPods model you own, so it is important not to assume every pair or every case offers the same degree of coverage.
Even on models with a higher rating, water and sweat resistance is not permanent. Normal wear and tear, as well as exposure to substances beyond plain water, can degrade the seals over time.
AirPods Water-Resistance by Model and Case
Here is how Apple’s current lineup breaks down by earbud and charging case rating. Use this to find the exact protection level for your model before deciding what activities they can handle.
- AirPods Pro (1st generation): IPX4 earbuds. The charging case has no water or sweat resistance rating.
- AirPods Pro (2nd generation) with MagSafe Charging Case (Lightning): IPX4 earbuds and IPX4 charging case.
- AirPods Pro (2nd generation) with MagSafe Charging Case (USB-C): IP54 earbuds and IP54 charging case.
- AirPods (3rd generation) with Lightning or MagSafe Charging Case: IPX4 earbuds and IPX4 charging case.
- AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 (ANC): IP54 earbuds and IP54 charging case.
- AirPods Pro (3rd generation) with MagSafe Charging Case (USB-C): IP57 earbuds and IP57 charging case.
Regardless of model, Apple is clear that none of these ratings make AirPods waterproof or suitable for swimming, showering, or any water-based activity. Even the highest-rated model on this list — the AirPods Pro 3 at IP57 — is not waterproof in any practical sense for recreational water use.
Are AirPods Waterproof or Just Water-Resistant?
Water resistance is the device’s capability to resist water and other liquids. Manufacturers like Apple use advanced technologies to make the device surface resistant to liquids. If water or liquid gets inside the device and comes in contact with the circuitry, there’ll be water/liquid damage.
Furthermore, the water resistance feature highly depends on the cosmetic condition of the device. Normal wear and tear reduce water resistance capacity.
Waterproof, on the other hand, is a feature that enables specialized electronic devices to work at a certain depth of water. You can submerge the device into water, take it out, and it will still function.
There are advanced sealing materials around the device circuitry that work as a barrier between water and the internal hardware. Apple AirPods don’t come with such a design to protect them from water submersion or dunks. So when people ask are AirPods waterproof, the honest answer is no — they are water-resistant to varying degrees, but that is not the same thing.
To better understand these limits, let’s break down the IP rating system (Ingress Protection), which is an international standard used to define how resistant a device is against solids (like dust) and liquids (like water). Apple publishes the official IP ratings for each AirPods model on its AirPods comparison page, which is a useful reference when evaluating your specific model.
- IP stands for Ingress Protection.
- The first digit refers to protection against solids (dust, dirt, small particles). Ratings go from 0 to 6, with 6 being the highest protection.
- The second digit refers to protection against liquids (water). Ratings go from 0 to 9, with 9 meaning the device can withstand powerful jets or immersion.
- If a digit is replaced with an X, it means the device hasn’t been tested for that type of protection.
For example:
- IP67 means dust-tight (6) and can survive immersion in up to 1 meter of water for 30 minutes (7).
- IPX4 (like on AirPods 3rd Gen and Pro) means no dust rating (X) and water-resistant to splashes from any direction (4).
Understanding this system helps explain why AirPods can handle light exposure but shouldn’t be treated as waterproof gadgets.
Here is what each rating found across current AirPods models actually means in everyday use:
- IPX4: Resistant to sweat and water splashes from any direction. No dust-resistance rating has been tested. Fine for workouts and light rain; not suitable for submersion or running water.
- IP54: Some protection against dust ingress (not fully dust-tight) plus resistance to water splashes from any direction. A meaningful step up for dusty environments, but still not rated for submersion.
- IP57: Some protection against dust ingress plus resistance to temporary immersion in up to 1 meter of water for up to 30 minutes under IEC 60529 laboratory conditions. This is the highest rating currently found in any AirPods model (AirPods Pro 3), but Apple still does not classify these as waterproof for swimming or showering.
One important caveat applies to every model: sweat and water resistance is not a permanent condition. The protective seals can degrade with normal use, exposure to certain substances, or physical wear — meaning a pair that was IPX4 on day one may offer less protection a year later. This is another key reason why the answer to “are AirPods waterproof” remains firmly no, even for newer models.
Keeping Your AirPods Safe From Water
Since AirPods are not waterproof, taking the right precautions will help them last longer. If you take the following steps, your AirPods will be better protected from accidental water damage:
- Use a lint-free cloth to wipe clean and dry the AirPods after water splashes, rain exposure, or heavy sweating.
- Don’t put the wet AirPods inside the charging case.
- The MagSafe Charging Case for AirPods (3rd generation) will provide water resistance when the lid is closed. If you want to learn more about how this technology works, check out our MagSafe case explained guide. So, keep out of water splashes when the lid is open.
- Don’t wear AirPods when showering or swimming.
- AirPods aren’t suitable for sauna or steam baths.
- Never place the earphones under the shower or running water.
- AirPods are also not suitable for high-speed water sports or adventures like waterskiing or rafting.
- Take maximum precaution not to put the AirPods into the washing machine.
If your AirPods have already gotten wet, follow these steps immediately:
- Wipe the earbuds and case gently with a soft, dry, lint-free cloth.
- Leave them to air dry completely for at least two hours before using them or placing them back in the charging case.
- Do not use external heat sources such as a hair dryer, oven, or radiator to speed up drying — heat can damage internal components and degrade the seals.
- Do not use compressed air to blow out moisture — this can force water further inside.
- Do not attempt to charge the AirPods or case while they are still wet.
- If dust has gotten on the earbuds, wipe with a dry lint-free cloth only — do not use liquid cleaners or compressed air.
Plain water is not the only threat. Several common substances can damage the acoustic membranes and water-resistant seals even more aggressively than water alone. Avoid exposing your AirPods to any of the following:
- Soap or hand wash
- Shampoo or conditioner
- Body lotion or moisturizer
- Perfume or cologne
- Laundry detergent
- Sunscreen
- Cooking or skin oils
- Acidic liquids or foods
- Insect repellent
- Hair dye or hair treatments
If your AirPods do get wet, you may experience charging issues or AirPods audio interruptions, and you may notice an AirPods orange light on the charging case, which typically indicates a problem that needs attention.
Final Words
Apple AirPods (3rd generation), and AirPods Pro are some of the most expensive earphones on the market. Hence, you may want to take extra precautions to keep them safe for long-term use.
Knowing whether or not AirPods are waterproof will help you increase the longevity of your precious earbuds. To summarize: are AirPods waterproof? No — these wireless earbuds are somewhat water resistant but not waterproof. Understanding that distinction is essential for protecting your investment. And if you ever run into pairing problems after keeping them dry, you can follow our troubleshooting guide on why won’t my AirPods connect to get them working again.
You may also be interested in how to connect AirPods Pro and how to use ANC on AirPods Pro to enjoy music more smartly.
