The short version
- An IP code has two digits: the first is dust protection (0–6), the second is water protection (0–9). An "X" means that part wasn't rated.
- IPX7 means tested for immersion to 1 m for 30 minutes. IPX8 means continuous immersion beyond that, under conditions the manufacturer sets. IP68 is IPX8 plus dust-tight.
- Always read the fine print for IPX8 and IP68: the depth and time can vary a lot. Current iPhones are rated 6 m for 30 minutes, while some phones are rated 1.5 m.
- IP tests use still, fresh water in a lab. Saltwater, chlorine, waves, jumps, jets and hot water are different, and liquid damage often isn't covered by warranty.
- For real time in the water, use gear built for it (a dive-rated camera or housing) or put your phone in an IPX8 pouch.
"Waterproof" is one of the most stretched words in gear marketing. A speaker that survives a splash, a phone that survives a toilet drop and a camera that goes snorkeling every weekend can all be sold as waterproof. The IP code is how you tell them apart, if you know how to read it. This guide decodes the ratings, explains what the lab tests do and don't cover, and helps you match your tech to your watersport.
What an IP rating is
IP stands for Ingress Protection. The codes come from the international standard IEC 60529, which defines how well an enclosure keeps out solids and water. The format is always IP followed by two characters:
- First digit: solids and dust, from 0 to 6. For outdoor tech, you'll mainly see 5 (dust-protected) and 6 (dust-tight).
- Second digit: water, from 0 to 9. This is the number watersports people care about.
- "X" means that category wasn't tested or rated. It doesn't mean zero protection. An IPX7 speaker simply hasn't been given a dust rating.
The water ratings, decoded
| Second digit | Protects against | Lab test (summary) | Watersports reality |
|---|---|---|---|
| IPX4 | Splashing water | Splashed from all directions for 5–10 minutes, depending on the test method | Rain and spray. Keep it in a dry bag on the water. |
| IPX5 | Water jets | 6.3 mm nozzle, 12.5 L/min, for at least 3 minutes | Heavy spray, rinsing under a hose. Not for dunking. |
| IPX6 | Powerful water jets | 12.5 mm nozzle, 100 L/min, for at least 3 minutes | Boat spray and waves washing over. Still not for submersion. |
| IPX7 | Temporary immersion | Immersed to 1 m (measured at the bottom of the device) for 30 minutes | Survives a drop overboard if you get it back quickly. Fine for floating speakers. |
| IPX8 | Continuous immersion | Beyond 1 m, with depth and duration set by the manufacturer and expected to be more demanding than IPX7 | Depends entirely on the stated depth and time. Read the spec. |
| IPX9 / 9K | High-pressure, high-temperature spray | 80°C water at 80–100 bar from close range | Industrial washdown. Says nothing about submersion. |
The ratings aren't a ladder
Here's the part most people miss: above IPX6, the ratings aren't cumulative. A device rated IPX7 hasn't necessarily passed the IPX5 or IPX6 jet tests. Immersion tests still water. Jet tests blast water at the seals. When a product passes both, the maker lists both, for example "IPX6/IPX7" or "IP66/IP68." If you'll get hit by spray, waves or a hose, a dual rating is worth looking for.
IPX7 vs IPX8 vs IP68
| Rating | Dust | Water | What to check |
|---|---|---|---|
| IPX7 | Not rated | 1 m for 30 minutes | Nothing more to check. The test is fixed. |
| IP67 | Dust-tight | 1 m for 30 minutes | Same water test as IPX7, plus sand and dust protection |
| IPX8 | Not rated | More than IPX7, as specified | The stated depth and time |
| IP68 | Dust-tight | More than IPX7, as specified | The stated depth and time. Ranges vary widely between products. |
Two real examples show why the fine print matters. Apple rates iPhone 12 and later models IP68 to a maximum depth of 6 meters for up to 30 minutes. Samsung's support pages describe many Galaxy phones as IP68 in fresh water to 1.5 meters for up to 30 minutes. Both are "IP68," and one is tested four times deeper than the other.
When you shop, ignore the word "waterproof" and look for three things on the spec sheet: the IP code, the depth, and the time. If a product says IPX8 or IP68 without a depth and time, assume the conservative end and treat it like IPX7.
What IP tests don't cover
IP tests are done in controlled lab conditions with fresh water. The rating doesn't promise protection against other liquids such as saltwater, oils or chemicals. Out on the water, these are what get gear killed:
- Saltwater and chlorine. Samsung advises against immersing devices in salt water, and against using them in very humid places such as swimming pools. Salt crystals and chlorine attack seals and ports over time.
- Moving water and impact. Apple specifically lists water skiing, surfing and other high-velocity water as things to avoid, along with intentional submersion and swimming. A wave or a fall hits much harder than still water at 1 m.
- Jumping in. Hitting the water at speed creates pressure spikes well beyond a gentle immersion.
- Heat, steam and soap. Hot tubs, saunas, soap and sunscreen can degrade seals. Apple advises minimizing contact with sunscreen and lotions.
- Age and damage. Apple notes that water resistance isn't permanent and can decrease with normal wear. A cracked back glass or a drop can quietly break a seal.
- Warranty. Apple states that liquid damage isn't covered under warranty, even on an IP68 phone. Many other manufacturers have similar terms.
If your phone is your emergency link on the water, don't rely on its IP rating alone. Keep it in a sealed IPX8-rated pouch or case, attached to you or your life jacket. On bigger water, carry a waterproof VHF radio or a personal locator beacon too.
Matching tech to your watersport
| Activity | Minimum we'd trust | Our recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Beach and lake days | IP67 or IPX7 | Phone in a pouch or a dry bag. Rinse sand off. Keep it out of hot sun. |
| SUP and kayak | IPX7 that floats, or a leashed device | Phone in an IPX8 pouch clipped to your life jacket. Floating speaker rated IPX7. |
| Boating and fishing | IP67/IPX7 with a jet rating (IPX6) for spray | Waterproof VHF, phone in a case, electronics in a dry box |
| Snorkeling photos | A camera or housing rated well beyond your depth | An action camera or a dedicated underwater phone housing. Don't use a bare phone. |
| Surfing and tow sports | Purpose-built action camera with a secure mount | Action camera with a leash or tether. Expect impacts. |
| Scuba | A depth-rated dive housing | Only use housings rated for your maximum depth. IP codes aren't dive ratings. |
Action cameras are built for this. GoPro rates its recent HERO Black cameras as waterproof to 33 ft (10 m) without a housing, and its Protective Housing extends that to 196 ft (60 m). For tips on getting great shots, see Underwater Photos with an Action Camera or Phone.
Shop the gear: Waterproof tech, pouches & cases · Dry bags & dry boxes
Waterproof pouches and dry bags
A phone pouch rated IPX8 gives you a second seal and lets you leave the phone's own seals out of it. Look for:
- A stated IPX8 depth and time, not just "waterproof"
- A double or triple seal: slide-lock plus roll-down, or two press-seals with a locking lever
- A neck lanyard or clip, and enough buoyancy to float with your phone inside, or a leash
- A clear window on both sides for photos, and a touch-friendly film
Test any new pouch with a folded paper towel inside before you trust it with a phone. Dry bags are a different tool. Most are rated "waterproof," meaning they survive a capsize, rather than "submersible." Read our dry bag guide for how they compare.
If your device gets wet anyway
Apple's guidance for iPhones is a good general model:
- If it was exposed to anything other than plain water, such as saltwater, rinse it gently with tap water.
- Wipe it dry with a soft, lint-free cloth.
- Let it dry in a place with good airflow. A fan blowing cool air into the port helps. Don't use heat, and don't push cotton swabs into the ports.
- Don't charge it until it's completely dry. Apple says to wait at least 5 hours before connecting a cable.
- If the speaker sounds muffled, set it speaker-down on a cloth to let water drain.
Skip the bag of rice. Apple has publicly advised against it, because small particles of rice can get into the phone and damage it. Airflow and patience work better.
FAQ
Is IP68 better than IPX7?
On paper, yes: IP68 adds dust-tight protection and a water rating beyond 1 m for 30 minutes. But IPX8/IP68 depth and time are set by the manufacturer, so always compare the stated numbers. A 6 m IP68 rating and a 1.5 m IP68 rating are very different.
Can I take my IP68 phone snorkeling?
We don't recommend it bare. IP tests use still fresh water in a lab. Saltwater, movement and wear all reduce real-world protection, and manufacturers such as Apple advise against swimming with the phone and don't cover liquid damage under warranty. Use an IPX8 pouch or an underwater housing.
Does IPX7 mean it floats?
No. IP ratings say nothing about buoyancy. Some IPX7 speakers and radios are designed to float, and the maker will say so separately. Otherwise, use a leash or a floating case.
What does the X in IPX7 mean?
It means that category, solids and dust, wasn't rated. It doesn't mean the device has no dust protection, just that it wasn't tested for it.
Is an IPX6 speaker OK for a boat?
IPX6 handles strong spray and waves washing over, but not submersion. If it might go overboard, look for a speaker rated both IPX6 and IPX7 that's designed to float.
Sources
- Wikipedia — IP code (IEC 60529 ingress protection ratings)
- Apple Support — About splash, water, and dust resistance of iPhone
- Samsung Support — Water and dust resistance IP ratings on Galaxy devices
- Cascade Designs — SealLine FAQ (waterproof vs submersible, IPX7 cases)
- GoPro — Protective Housing + Waterproof Case