When buying speakers or other devices you see written Waterproof, water-resistant, dustproof, weatherproof, snowproof, shockproof, and many other variations like this but you may not know what does it actually means. Understand completely about IPX waterproof rating before you buy any waterproof product.
Here we have described in detail all IPX waterproof ratings including IPX0 IPX1, IPX2, IPX3, IPX4, IPX5, IPX6, IPX7, IPX8, etc.
What is the IPX WaterProof Rating?
In IPX, IP stands for “Ingress Protection” which measures the protection of a device from solid and liquid objects.
IP ratings are mostly measured from IPX0-IPX8. Here “IP” represents that it is an international protection code, third digit “X” represents protection from solid objects and 4th digit represents protection from liquids like water.
For example, if we see written IPX8, it means that this device is completely waterproof and can be submerged in water fully but it is not tested for solid objects. X means not tested.
IP Rating of a product is not assigned by its own manufacturing company but an independent certified company after testing a product gives it an IP Rating.
Why it is important to know IPX Rating?
IPX rating decides where you can use your device. For example if you buy a speaker for indoor use, you may not need to know IPX rating because it may not expose to water or dust at home.
But if you are buying a speaker for outdoor activities, you may sometimes be caught in the rain, go on beaches, go to pools, or somewhere else where exposure to water and dust is possible.
Before you go for any product like portable Bluetooth speaker, know where you are going to use it? Which IPX rating speaker you really need? Do you need IPX8 waterproof speaker or just IPX5? When you have knowledge of which IPX rating is how much protected, you will be able to choose the speaker which you really need. That is why IPX rating is important to understand before buying any waterproof product.
You can also read our review of cheap Bluetooth speakers with good bass and IPX ratings.
IPX Waterproof Ratings From IPX0-IPX8
Devices that are tested for liquids (waterproof) are assigned ratings from 0-8 depending upon their resistance. But if they are not tested for solids (dustproof), they are represented by “X” at the place of solid rating. Here “X” never means “Zero” protection from dust but actually means still not tested.
IPX Waterproof Rating Chart
IPXX Rating
If you find something like this “IPXX”, it means that this device is neither tested for liquid protection nor for solid protection.
IPX0 Rating
IPX0 rating on a device means that this device is not tested for solid objects and has no protection at all from liquids mostly water. This rating is not commonly written on any device with no protection. If not written or written IPX0, you must have to keep your device away from water because a little water can damage such devices. These devices are mostly built for indoor use.
IPX1 Rating
An IPX1 rating means that this device is not tested for solid objects and can resist vertically falling water only. If such devices are exposed to water from sides, there is a risk of damage.
IPX2 Rating
Not tested for solid objects but can resist water falling at an angle of maximum 15°. Such a device can resist water from sides but angle of falling water should not be greater than 15° otherwise it can be damaged.
IPX3 Rating
Not tested for solids but resists water at maximum of 60°. It is in fact safer than IPX2 but still, it cannot bear splashes of water if they hit from sides.
IPX4 Rating
Devices with this rating are able to resist water splashes from all directions. No limitation of angle but not tested for solids.
IPX5 Rating
Devices with IPX5 rating can resist jets of water at low pressure. However, not tested for solids. Whenever such devices are exposed to low-pressure conditions such as rain, these will not get any damage. If exposed to high-pressure water, such devices get damaged because of not waterproof.
IPX6 Rating
All devices with IPX6 rating can resist high pressures of water but can’t be submerged in the water. You can use these devices at any place where water exposure is possible but with no chance of submerging totally in water. These are not tested for solids.
IPX7 Rating
Devices with an IPX7 rating are waterproof instead of water-resistant. These devices can be submerged in water of 1-meter depth for 30 minutes. These are totally safe to use in any place. When these devices get dirty, you can easily wash them in water without any worry. However, these are not tested for solid objects. Read full IPX7 Waterproof Rating Guide.
IPX8 Rating
This is the highest rating assigned to full waterproof devices. Devices with IPX8 rating can be submerged in the water deeper than 1-meter and for longer time. The exact depth and time are decided by the manufacturer. These are not tested for solids.
These are 10 ratings assigned to devices tested for protection from liquids (water) only but not from solid particles like dust.
IPX Dustproof Ratings From IP0X-IP6X
Devices tested only for solids but not for liquids are rated as IP0X, IP1X, IP2X, IP3X, IP4X, IP5X, IP6X, where “X” for liquids is not tested. Here “X” never means “Zero” protection but actually, the manufacturer has not yet undergone testing for it.
Dustproof IP Rating Chart
IP0X Rating
No protection from any solid object. Even bigger objects can go inside and damage it. High care is needed for the safety of such products. These are not tested for liquids or water.
IP1X Rating
Devices with IP1X rating provide protection against objects larger than 50mm or 5cm. It is such a device where your hand may or may not go inside but your fingers can go. Not tested for liquids.
IP2X Rating
Devices with IP2X rating can give protection against solid objects larger than 12.5mm or 1.25cm. Your finger has same size and can go inside. These are not tested for liquid resistance.
IP3X Rating
These devices provide protection against solid objects larger than 2.5mm or 0.25cm. This size includes many small tools and wires. Not tested for water-resistance.
IP4X Rating
Protection from solid objects larger than 1mm or 0.1cm. It is though very small size, device can be damaged if used in areas with a lot of dirt. Not tested against water-resistance.
IP5X Rating
Devices with IP5X rating are known as dust resistant and certainly can resist the dust a lot. However, these are not fully dustproof and some dust still can go inside to damage your product. These are not tested for liquid-resistance.
IP6X Rating
This is the highest rating assigned to products that are completely dustproof. No dust can enter them from any side to damage the device. You can freely use these products at any place even if there is a lot of dust. Not tested for water-resistance.
These were almost 7 ratings assigned to products that have undergone solid resistance testing but not liquid resistance testing.
IP Waterproof & Dustproof Rating
Devices which are tested for both solid and liquid resistance can be given IP Rating as IP00, IP01, IP02, IP03, IP04, IP05, IP06, IP07, IP08 IP10, IP11, IP12, IP13, IP14, IP15, IP16, IP17, IP18, IP20, IP21, IP22, IP23, IP24, IP25, IP26, IP27, IP28, IP30, IP31, IP32, IP33, IP34, IP35, IP36, IP37, IP38, IP40, IP41, IP42, IP43, IP44, IP45, IP46, IP47, IP48, IP50, IP51, IP52, IP53, IP54, IP55, IP56, IP57, IP58, IP60, IP61, IP62, IP63, IP64, IP65, IP66, IP67, IP68.
These are all the possible ratings that can be assigned to a product tested for both solid and liquid resistance. But all of these are not found in the product’s description and you will find a few of these.
It is because some of these are not even possible. For example, if we say a device is IP08 rated, it is not possible. IP08 means that this device is fully waterproof but solid resistance is zero, and it’s not possible.
That is why we don’t need to explain all of these IP ratings. Only a few of these are mostly used that we are going to discuss below.
IP01 Rating
No protection against solids but protection against water falling vertically on the device.
IP03 Rating
Devices with IP03 Rating mean that no protection from solids but resistance to water falling at an angle of maximum 60°.
IP10 Rating
Protection from solid objects bigger than 50mm but no protection from water.
IP12 Rating
Protection from objects larger than 50mm and water falling at an angle of 15° maximum.
IP20 Rating
Protection from solids bigger than 12.5 mm but no resistance to water at all.
IP21 Rating
Protection from solids bigger than 12.5 mm and water falling vertically on the device.
IP22 Rating
Protection from solids bigger than 12.5 mm and water at 15° maximum angle.
IP23 Rating
Protection from solids bigger than 12.5 mm and water at an angle of maximum 60°.
IP24 Rating
Protection from solids bigger than 12.5 mm and splashes of water.
IP30 Rating
Protection against solids larger than 2.5mm and no protection from water.
IP31 Rating
Protection against solids larger than 2.5mm and from water falling vertically at the product.
IP32 Rating
Protection against solids larger than 2.5mm and water falling at 15° angle or less.
IP33 Rating
Protection against solids larger than 2.5mm and water falling at maximum 60° angle.
IP34 Rating
Protection against solids larger than 2.5mm and water splashes.
IP40 Rating
Provides complete protection against solid objects bigger than 1mm and no protection from water at all.
IP41 Rating
Provides complete protection against solid objects bigger than 1mm and protection from water falling vertically on the device.
IP42 Rating
Provides complete protection against solid objects bigger than 1mm and water falling at an angle of 15° or less.
IP43 Rating
Provides complete protection against solid objects bigger than 1mm and water at an angle of 60° or less.
IP44 Rating
Provides complete protection against solid objects bigger than 1mm and water splashes.
IP45 Rating
Provides complete protection against solid objects bigger than 1mm and low-pressure water jets.
IP46 Rating
Provides complete protection against solid objects bigger than 1mm and high-pressure water jets.
IP50 Rating
A good dust-resistant but not dustproof. Still, dust can go inside and damage the product. No resistance to water.
IP51 Rating
A good dust-resistant but not dustproof. Still, dust can go inside and damage the product. Resistance against vertically falling water on the device.
IP52 Rating
A good dust-resistant but not dustproof. Still, dust can go inside and damage the product. Resistance to water falling at 15° angle.
IP53 Rating
A good dust-resistant but not dustproof. Still, dust can go inside and damage the product. Protection from water falling at an angle of maximum 60°.
IP54 Rating
A good dust-resistant but not dustproof. Still, dust can go inside and damage the product. Protects against splashes of water.
IP55 Rating
A good dust-resistant but not dustproof. Still, dust can go inside and damage the product. Protects against low pressure of water.
IP56 Rating
A good dust-resistant but not dustproof. Still, dust can go inside and damage the product. Protection against high-pressure water.
IP57 Rating
A good dust-resistant but not dustproof. Still, dust can go inside and damage the product. Can be submerged into water up to 1-meter for 30-minutes.
IP63 Rating
Fully dustproof. Feel free to use it anywhere without any fear of dust getting inside and damaging the product. Resistance to water falling at an angle of 60°.
IP64 Rating
Fully dustproof. Feel free to use it anywhere without any fear of dust getting inside and damaging the product. Can resist splashes of water.
IP65 Rating
Fully dustproof. Feel free to use it anywhere without any fear of dust getting inside and damaging the product. Protection against low-pressure of water. Read more about IP65 Waterproof Rating.
IP66 Rating
Fully dustproof. Feel free to use it anywhere without any fear of dust getting inside and damaging the product. Withstands high pressure of water.
IP67 Rating
Fully dustproof. Feel free to use it anywhere without any fear of dust getting inside and damaging the product. Waterproof Can be submerged in the water fully at 1-meter depth for 30 minutes.
Related: IPX7 vs IP67, Which is Better?
IP68 Rating
Fully dustproof. Feel free to use it anywhere without any fear of dust getting inside and damaging the product. Fully waterproof, can be submerged in water even more than 30 minutes and greater depth. Actual time and depth are specified by the manufacturer.
Related: IPX8 vs IP68, Which is better?
What if a product has no IP Rating?
Not all products have an IP rating. It is because not all products need to be water-resistant or dust-resistant. Only on those products, where these features are required or added as an addition, IP rating is given. For example in many lamps, torches, and portable speakers for outdoor, there is mostly IP rating for these products.
The manufacturer of a product must undergo product testing before IP rating is assigned to that product. The manufacturer can either go waterproof testing or dustproof testing as per need or both.
If the manufacturer goes for another testing or certification, IP rating will not be available in that case.
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