My friend Cody attended a funeral just the other day…
For his AirPods.
Because he used them in the shower.
But then…
My cousin, Lorraine, accidentally used her AirPods in the shower too.
And they still worked.
So what’s the real answer to the question:
“Can you shower with AirPods?”
Keep reading to discover:
- How to save your AirPods in case they get wet from your shower.
- If you can shower with your AirPods (and whether it’s a myth not to).
- Whether AirPods are waterproof or water-resistant (and which is better).
- Potential risks you should be aware of if you wear AirPods in the shower.
- And so much more…
Can you shower with AirPods?
You can shower with your AirPods, but it doesn’t mean you should. Standard AirPods are neither waterproof nor water-resistant. AirPods Pro has an IPX4 water resistance rating. That means they can only withstand water splashes. Running water from a showerhead will most likely damage your AirPods.
How waterproof are AirPods?
AirPods aren’t waterproof, but newer models like the AirPods Pro are water-resistant.
Waterproof vs. water-resistant: “Are they the same?”
Far from it.
Here’s what both terms mean:
- Waterproof: water cannot seep through at all.
- Water-resistant: it can repel some water but to a certain extent.
The best way to measure water resistance is through its IP rating.
IP rating also stands for Ingress Protection standard.
This standard is set by IEC or International Electrotechnical Commission.
“So what does IP rating have to do with water resistance?”
Put simply, if a device has an IP rating, you’ll see it in the label with the format “IPXXX.”
Each “X” has a meaning.
For AirPods Pro, you’ll see the label “IPX4.”
“But what does this mean?”
You already know what IP stands for.
For the remaining symbols, here’s a table to help you:
| IPXXX meaning | Explanation |
| First “X” symbol | Refers to a device’s dust resistance. It’s measured in levels between 0 to 6. |
| Second “X” symbol | Refers to a device’s water resistance. Its value is measured between 0 to 9. |
| Third “X” symbol | Refers to additional protection for the device. |
For the third “X” symbol, additional protection could mean the following:
- D: Wire.
- F: Oil resistant.
- M: Device is in motion.
- H: High voltage device.
- W: Weather conditions.
- S: Device is standing still.
For the second “X” symbol, if a device has the label IPX0, it means it has no water resistance.
In the AirPods Pro case, it has a rating of IPX4.
That means it has water protection from splashes of water at any direction or angle.
IPX4 ratings are common for sweat-resistant devices.
Technically speaking, an IPX4 rating means you can’t shower or swim with the device.
“Where does waterproof come in?“
It’s better to use an IP rating chart to see how water-resistant a device is.
However, waterproof devices are a different story.
Although they’re better at preventing water from seeping in…
No device is truly waterproof.
That means water can seep into a device depending on the depth or pressure of the water.
For example, you’ll find water depth and pressure ratings more commonly in watches.
These might say something like “200 meters of water resistance.”
What this means is your watch will survive in water levels above 200 meters.
As soon as it hits 201 meters, your watch is vulnerable to water damage.
“Waterproof speakers” work the same way.
You can bring a waterproof speaker with you in the shower and it’ll still work after.
That includes submerging it underwater and playing music at the same time.
A good example of this are the JBL speakers.
However, these speakers are waterproof to a certain depth level: 1 meter.
And for 30 minutes only.
In other words, JBL waterproof speakers will be fine underwater as long as…
- It’s submerged within 1 meter underwater.
- Stays underwater for 30 minutes and not longer.
If any of these conditions aren’t met, your JBL speaker won’t exactly break.
But it’ll damage your speakers over time.
Now, your AirPods aren’t waterproof.
That means submerging it underwater or exposing it to running water isn’t an option.
Yes – some might say your AirPods will survive.
But survival also means one thing.
And it’s that your AirPods somehow managed to make it through.
You could also say your AirPods were lucky.
In other words, if your AirPods say they aren’t waterproof, trust the label.
What to do if your AirPods get wet? Can you save them?
It’s possible to save your AirPods if they get wet. You only need two things:
- A microfiber cloth.
- Cotton swab or Q-tip.
Why a microfiber cloth?
Mainly because we don’t want to damage your AirPods further and create scratches.
Here’s how to save your AirPods:
Step 1: Wipe your AirPods with a microfiber cloth.
This should remove any water on the surface of your AirPods.
Step 2: Use a cotton swab to clean the speaker and wire mesh of your AirPods.
If water seeps through any of the small holes, it’s game over.
Fortunately, a cotton swab should be able to absorb the water.
Step 3: Leave your AirPods to dry overnight.
After cleaning your AirPods, don’t put them back into your charging case.
If you put wet AirPods in your case, this will damage your case’s charging port.
The end result? Your AirPods won’t charge.
It could be that your left or right AirPod stops charging.
Read also: (5 Fixes) Left AirPod Not Charging
Warning: Don’t speed up the process of drying your AirPods with a hairdryer. Using a hairdryer or other heat source damages your AirPods due to the heat.
Want a bonus tip? Search for “Sound To Remove Water From AirPods” on YouTube.
Think of this as an extra step after drying your AirPods.
People also ask:
Is it safe to wear AirPods in the shower?
Wearing AirPods in the shower isn’t safe, and it’s not only because of water damage.
Other elements that are considered unsafe with wearing AirPods in the shower include:
- Heat or steam.
- Soap and shampoo.
Water that seeps into the wiring of your AirPods leads to a short circuit.
And what does a short circuit do? It permanently destroys your AirPods.
What’s more, heat or steam are temperatures that are dangerous to your AirPods.
It won’t break your AirPods on the spot, but it’ll damage them over time.
Heat can also lead to battery issues.
That means your AirPods’ battery may drain even when not in use.
Soap and shampoo have a similar effect on your device.
These cleaning agents damage your AirPods’ audio quality.
If, for some reason, you start to wonder why your AirPods are dying so fast, well…
One reason is water damage.
Other reasons could be how you’re maintaining your AirPods.
Can you get electrocuted in the shower with AirPods?
It’s not likely to get electrocuted in the shower while wearing your AirPods.
Why?
Because earphones, in general, have very low currents and voltages, specifically at 5V.
In other words, these currents aren’t enough to cause electrocution.
And that includes cases where your AirPods are wet.
However, it’s possible to experience static electricity from earphones, according to Apple.
When the air’s too dry, this builds up static electricity.
Because of that, you might experience a static shock.
But this shock isn’t going to kill you. Instead, it’s a light buzzing feeling.
Think of it the same way as rubbing your feet against a carpet and then touching a doorknob.