Are Your AirPods or AirPods Pro Waterproof?

If you’re going for a run in the rain, or if you accidentally left your AirPods or AirPods Pro in the laundry (which happens to the best of us), you might be wondering whether your AirPods are actually waterproof. Here’s what you need to know.

There Are No Waterproof AirPods

Even if Apple advertised someone swimming underwater wearing AirPods Pro, that wouldn’t mean they’re waterproof. “Waterproof” implies water can never damage a gadget, and we’ve explained before that there are probably no truly waterproof gadgets. Instead, modern devices, like AirPods, get “water-resistance” ratings.

This is an important distinction. Water-resistance means a gadget should be safe from water damage under certain conditions, for example at a certain depth for a certain amount of time. The exact water-resistant rating, given as an IP rating, will explain what those conditions are.

The highest IP rating any AirPods have is IP54. This means they’re fully protected against dust, but they’re only protected against splashes of water. They should be okay if you sweat on them or get caught in the rain, but they’re definitely not suitable for wearing in the shower or taking for a swim.

However, water-resistance can fade over time, making gadgets mode susceptible to damage. So, even if you have water-resistant AirPods—and we’ll show you that next—you should be cautious about letting them get wet at all, especially if you’ve had them a while.

Which AirPods Are Water-Resistant?

Image	Name	IP Rating	Description
	AirPods (1st generation)	None	Not water-resistant
	AirPods (2nd generation)	None	Not water-resistant
	AirPods (3rd generation)	IPX4	Protected against water splashes
	AirPods (4th generation)	IP54	Protected against dust and water splashes
	AirPods Pro (1st generation)	IPX4	Protected against water splashes
	AirPods Pro (2nd generation)	IP54	Protected against dust and water splashes
	AirPods Max	None	Not water-resistant

The first- and second-generation AirPods don’t have any IP rating at all, meaning they aren’t water-resistant. There are numerous anecdotal stories about original AirPods surviving a trip through the wash or a drop in the toilet, so it may not be the end of the world if they get wet, but it’s best avoided.

The third- and fourth-generation AirPods are protected against splashes of water. Apple describes this as “sweat and water resistant,” so they should be fine in the gym or if you get caught in the rain, but we wouldn’t intentionally let them get any wetter than that. If you’re not sure which AirPods model you have, the third-generation came out in October 2021, so you can base it on your purchase date or check the device settings.

Moving onto the AirPods Pro, easy to spot from their silicone ear tips, all models are protected against water splashes. Again, Apple describes this as “sweat and water resistant,” so you won’t want to submerge them completely but they should be fine if they get a little bit of water on them.

Finally, looking at the top-of-the-line AirPods Max: all that money doesn’t get you any water-resistance as these aren’t IP rated at all. Definitely don’t wear them in the rain and it’s probably wise to avoid wearing them during a workout.

Are AirPods Charging Cases Water-Resistant?

Of course, the story doesn’t end with the AirPods themselves—what if the charging case gets wet as well? This can be a little bit more complicated.

If your AirPods aren’t water-resistant, then the charging case definitely isn’t either. That means the charging cases for the first- and second-generation AirPods, along with the AirPods Max, are all not water-resistant.

The third- and fourth-generation AirPods came with water-resistant charging cases, with the latter also getting dust protection. Again, these are only rated against splashes of water, so don’t go dunking them in the pool.

The AirPods Pro originally released with a Wireless Charging Case, which is not water-resistant. This was later upgraded to a MagSafe Charging Case, though, which has a rating of IPX4, making it splash resistant. You can tell you have the water-resistant case if the serial number inside the lid ends with 1059 or 1NRC.

The second-generation AirPods Pro come with a water-resistant charging case, which is protected against splashes of water like the AirPods Pro themselves.

What to Do if Your AirPods Get Wet

Regardless of their water-resistant rating, you should always dry your AirPods thoroughly before returning them to the charging case. Even if they’re water-resistant, they can get damaged by charging while wet.

First, wipe them off using a dry lint-free cloth, preferably a microfiber cloth. Then, leave them out in the open and let them air dry for at least two hours. Make sure you don’t use them during this time. If you can, leave them out like this overnight.

If you accidentally got your AirPods wetter than they’re supposed to get, this is the best way to save them as well. Wipe away any excess water and let them air dry for as long as possible without using them. If your AirPods case is wet, leave it out in the open position, upside down.

Whatever you do, don’t put them into a bowl of rice, place them on a radiator, or follow any other suggestions like that. Following those home remedies can cause more damage—just let them air dry instead. If any other liquid has seeped into your AirPods, like saltwater or soda, you might need to take extra steps like rinsing them in clean water first, but don’t do anything other than that.

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