What’s the Difference Between Waterproof and Water-Resistant?

Although they sound similar, there’s a big difference between waterproof and water-resistant. Waterproof means that something is completely impermeable to water. Something like a pair of rubber boots or a Gore-Tex jacket would fall under the category of waterproof.

Most electronics, like the iPhone and AirPods, are water-resistant, not waterproof. That means they can stand up to water sometimes, but it depends on how long, and in what ways they’re exposed to water.

AirPods 1 and AirPods 2: Not Officially Water-Resistant

The original AirPods changed the game when it came to wireless earbuds. Apple’s first pair of truly wireless earbuds were so successful that the AirPods 2 kept much of the same design from the originals.

While they have some great features, one thing the original AirPods or the AirPods 2 didn’t bring to the table was water resistance. Well, not officially. Apple didn’t make any claims about water-resistance on the AirPods 1 or AirPods 2. That being said, lots of people took their AirPods to the gym or through the rain anyway. There are even stories on Reddit about AirPods surviving trips through the washing machine.

Although the AirPods 1 and AirPods 2 might survive some liquid exposure, since they’re not officially water-resistant, if you expose them to water you’ll be taking a gamble.

AirPods Pro: IPX4 Water-Resistant

Unlike previous AirPods models, the AirPods Pro are IPX4 water and sweat-resistant. That means the AirPods Pro can resist splashes of water from any direction. That’s great news for people who want to use their AirPods in the rain or through a sweaty workout without having to worry about them.

Having IPX4 water resistance is great, but the AirPods Pro aren’t invincible. The AirPods Pro are rated against splashes of water, not being submerged, so you’ll still want to keep them out of the pool.

AirPods 3: IPX4 Water-Resistant

The latest version of AirPods, the AirPods 3, carried over a ton of features from the AirPods Pro, including IPX4 water resistance. That means the AirPods 3 can stand up to splashes and sweat just like the Pros.

Unlike the AirPods Pro, the AirPods 3 charging case is also water-resistant. That means you don’t have to worry about your case getting exposed to water either, giving you even more peace of mind. Again, just make sure you don’t submerge them.

AirPods Max: You Really Shouldn’t Get Them Wet

Although the AirPods Max are positioned as Apple’s most high-end version of AirPods, they’re not water-resistant at all.

While the AirPods Pro and AirPods 3 have IPX4 water resistance built in, Apple recommends you avoid exposing your AirPods Max to any moisture whatsoever. That means even taking them to the gym isn’t a great idea. In fact, because of the tight seal on the AirPods Max’s ear cups, some users have even reported that sweat can condense inside them, leading to not only damp padding but potential damage to the $549 headphones.

So, What Can Your AirPods Stand Up To?

If you want to keep your AirPods working as long as possible, it’s important to know what they can and can’t stand up to.

If you’ve got a pair of the original AirPods, AirPods 2, or AirPods Max, they’re not officially water-resistant, so you’ll probably want to think twice about taking them on your next jog in the rain. But if you’ve got the AirPods or AirPods 3, they’ll be great company for your next workout, no matter how sweaty.

Just make sure you don’t drop any AirPods in the pool.