All you could hear was a voice at the back of your head saying:
“Don’t do it.”
But you really want to know if you can wear your Beats headphones in the shower.
Well, you don’t need to experiment anymore…
Because all you’ll need is this article.
Keep reading to discover:
- 5 fantastic Beats headphones that you can use while in the shower.
- The 3 risks you’re taking when showering with your Beats headphones.
- IP Ratings: How they measure water resistance and where they rank Beats devices.
- And so much more…
The Beats Headphones you can wear in the shower
To understand which Beats Headphones can withstand your shower…
We must first discuss the water resistance of devices. In particular, the IP Rating Guide.
You see, manufacturers test most of their products’ solid and liquid protection. And the measurement that they use is called Ingress Protection (IP).
2 numbers follow IP Ratings. The first refers to a device’s protection against solid objects. And the second refers to their water resistance.
Here’s how a device’s water resistance is rated:
| Rating | Meaning |
| IPX-0 | No resistance. |
| IPX-1 | Protected against water droplets. |
| IPX-2 | Protected against water falling at 15°. |
| IPX-3 | Protected against water falling at 60°. |
| IPX-4 | Protected against water from all angles. |
| IPX-5 | Protected against water pressure from all angles. |
| IPX-6 | Protected against strong water pressure. |
| IPX-7 | Protected against complete submersion for a short time. (30 minutes at 1 meter) |
| IPX-8 | Permanent protection against submersion in water. (Up to 13 feet) |
Fortunately, all Beats headphones have IPX-4 protection. That’s why Apple refers to Beats devices as “water resistant” and not “waterproof.”
This is also why Apple recommends the following safety precautions:
- Don’t swim with your Beats.
- Don’t submerge your device in water.
- Don’t use your headphones in a highly humid environment.
Oh, and Apple also doesn’t recommend wearing them in the shower.
That said, with IPX-4 protection, your Beats should be fine to use during a 10-minute shower. However, long showers may degrade your headphones’ water resistance.
I hope that cleared things up.
Now, for the fun part:
Let’s say you’re in the market for Beats headphones that can withstand showers. And you don’t know which one you should get.
That said, these are the Beats headphones I recommend and their notable features:
Warning: Never use your Beats headphones in a hot shower. High temperatures will degrade its Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries.
#1: Beats Powerbeats Pro
Powerbeats is a true wireless headset designed for working out. And with its adjustable ear hooks, these are the perfect headphones for athletes at $179.95.
Furthermore, the Powerbeats also have the following features:
- 9 hours of battery life.
- Voice assistance with Siri.
- Apple H1 chip for Bluetooth.
- Automatic Play and Pause sensors.
#2: Beats Fit Pro
On the other hand, the Beats Fit Pro headphones are primarily for lifestyle.
With secure wingtips and silicone earbuds…
Comfort is no problem for these earphones.
And at $179.99? It’s hard not to be enticed by the Beats Fit Pro.
Other notable features of the Beats Fit Pro include:
- Apple H1 chip for Bluetooth.
- 6 hours of battery life plus an extra 18 hours with a case.
- Spatial Audio with head tracking: For a more immersive sound.
#3: Beats Solo3
Looking for new everyday headphones? Look no further than the Beats Solo3.
Unlike the Powerbeats and the Fit Pro…
The Solo3 isn’t a true wireless headset. Instead, it’s wireless over-ear headphones.
But with a sleek design and lightweight at 215 grams or 0.47 lbs…
It’s an excellent choice for casual listening.
Apart from those, here’s what you can get from a Beats Solo3:
- Adjustable ear cups.
- 40 hours of battery life.
- Voice assistance with Siri.
- Apple W1 chip for Bluetooth.
If you’re interested in learning more about these headphones…
Check out this in-depth review:
#4: Beats Studio Buds
Are you an artist? If so, the Beats Studio Buds might be the perfect earphones for you.
And, if you aren’t, I still highly recommend Studio Buds at $119.99.
After all, it’s a fantastic get for that price with these features:
- Active Noise Cancelling.
- Voice assistance with Siri.
- 8 hours of battery life plus an extra 16 hours with a case.
- Transparency Mode: To hear outside noise while wearing your earphones.
#5: Beats Studio 3 Wireless
Do you want Beats Studio Buds, but you’re not a fan of true wireless? Then, the Beats Studio 3 is a great compromise.
I’ll be honest: At $349.95, the Studio 3 certainly isn’t cheap.
However, what it lacks in affordability, it more than makes up in features. Some of these are:
- 40 hours of battery life.
- Voice assistance with Siri.
- Apple W1 chip for Bluetooth.
- Pure Active Noise Cancelling.
- Audio calibration in real-time: For more genuine sounds.
You may also be interested in: 11 Reasons Why Beats Headphones Are So Expensive
The Beats Headphones you cannot wear in the shower
There are no Beats Headphones that you can’t wear in the shower. But, you must be careful when using Beats while showering and ensure that these won’t enter its hardware:
- Soap.
- Hair dye.
- Perfume.
- Detergent.
- Lotion and sunscreen.
Moreover, some Beats headphones have charging cases. These aren’t water resistant or waterproof.
So, if you own the following devices, don’t bring their case in your shower:
- Beats Fit Pro.
- Powerbeats Pro.
- Beats Studio Buds.
Why it’s not a good idea to shower with headphones
It’s not a good idea to shower with headphones because of the following reasons:
#1: You may lose connection with your paired device
Most wireless headphones use Bluetooth to pair with a device. The problem is that Bluetooth signals are prone to interference.
Usually, other signal-emitting objects are the primary cause of Bluetooth interference. For example:
- Radio.
- Microwaves.
- Wi-Fi routers.
- Walkie-talkies.
- Baby monitors.
However, physical objects may also block Bluetooth signals from reaching your device. Those are:
- Metal.
- Glass.
- Plaster.
- Marbles.
- Concrete.
And, of course, water.
The next question is, how can these interference cause your device to lose connection exactly?
Since Bluetooth signals are waves…
It’s best to demonstrate this by using a different wave as an example:
Sound.
Have you ever noticed that your voice becomes garbled underwater?
And, when you’re underwater…
The people above you can’t hear you clearly, right?
This also applies to Bluetooth waves. And that’s why you may lose connection with Bluetooth interference nearby.
#2: Hot water degrades batteries
To make wireless headphones as rechargeable as possible…
Most manufacturers are now using Lithium-ion (Li-ion) as their product’s batteries. They also are lightweight and don’t need maintenance.
So, what’s the problem with them?
Well, do you ever notice your headphones draining even without using them? This is because Lithium-ion batteries are known to self-discharge.
And the longer Li-ion batteries are at 0%, the more it degrades. According to studies, Li-ion batteries’ capacity decreased by 10% after a full drain.
Now, you might be wondering:
“What does this have to do with bathing?”
You see, I’ve known people who only take hot showers. The trouble is that the rate of self-discharge doubles every 10°C increase in temperature.
That’s why I highly recommend not using headphones during hot showers.
#3: Risk of hardware damage
Speaking of hot showers…
About 30% of the weight of Beats headphones is metal. This is relevant because metals are known to expand with heat.
And when metals expand, other hardware inside your headphones will be squished.
Furthermore, moisture also causes corrosion or the rusting of your hardware. You can get this from water due to:
- Oxygen.
- Humidity.
- Microbial bacteria from your shower.
BONUS: How to expel water from your headphones
Now, what if you already have water inside your headphones?
Chill a bit because I’ve got some good news for you.
You can still remove the stuck water inside. All you need to do is follow these instructions:
- Get a smartphone that’s already connected to your headphones.
- Download the Siri Shortcuts app on your smartphone. (Available on Android and iOS).
- Open the Shortcuts app.
- Plug all openings of your headphones except for one.
- Press Water Eject on your Shortcuts app.
- Wipe the outgoing fluid using a dry microfiber cloth.
- Repeat steps #4 to #7 until no more water comes from your headphones.