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AI Summary
TL;DR
- Ingress Protection basics: two-digit code; first digit (0-6) rates dust resistance, second (0-9) rates water resistance – higher is tougher.
- What IP54 means: limited dust ingress permitted (not dust-tight) and safe from water splashes in any direction; no protection against jets or immersion.
- Versus IP65: IP65 is completely dust-sealed and shrugs off low-pressure water jets, but still not suited to submersion.
- Practical use: fine for outdoor rain, workouts and sweaty sessions; avoid prolonged exposure, heavy downpours, pools or the sea.
- Typical products: common on earbuds and portable speakers (e.g. Momentum True Wireless 4, Nothing Ear (Open)); smartphones usually target higher specs such as IP68, while full IP69 offers the strongest all-round sealing.
This story summary was generated using AI technology
If you’ve been looking for a new pair of earbuds, speaker or even smartphone, then you’ll likely have come across the term “IP54 rating”.
But what does IP54 actually mean, and why is it important to understand the rating system when buying tech? We answer those questions and more to provide a better understanding of IP54-rated devices and what you can do with them without incurring damage.
What is an IP rating?
Before we dive into the specifics of IP54, we’ll begin by explaining what an IP rating actually is.
Short for Ingress Protection, the IP rating system was developed by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and explains how well a device can withstand potentially harmful foreign bodies like dust and water.
Devices with an IP rating are marked with two numbers: the first representing how well the product is protected from solid intrusions, such as dust, while the second tells us how well the gadget can withstand liquids like water.
The first number will range from zero to six, while the second ranges from zero to nine. With both, the higher the number means the better protected the electronic is.
What is IP54?
We’ll break down the specifics of an IP54 rating below but to summarise: IP54 reflects that a device is protected from limited amounts of dust and water splashes.
As mentioned earlier, the first digit of an IP rating reflects its dust resistance, with six being the highest level of protection. According to the IEC, a five rating means it’s “dust protected” which means that although dust can still enter, it shouldn’t be in quantities large enough to cause damage.
The second digit of an IP rating shows its resistance to liquids, with nine being the highest possible number. However, there is some debate as to whether eight or nine is a “better rating”, which we explain in IP68 vs IP69.
Otherwise, a four rating means the device is “protected against splashing water” with the IEC elaborating that “water splashed against the enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effects”.
Is IP54 fully waterproof?
No, an IP54 rated device is not classified as fully waterproof and should not be readily used around water. While occasional splashes of water and sweat won’t affect the device, which is why many of the best running headphones sport an IP54 rating, anything stronger could cause damage.
Even with this in mind, it’s worth noting that IEC doesn’t explicitly state that any of its IP ratings are classed as “waterproof”. So even if your device is sporting an IP68, IP69 or even IP69K rating, it’s still recommended that you avoid constantly exposing your device to water.
What is the difference between IP65 and 54?
An IP65 rating is higher and therefore more resistant to ingress than an IP54 rating – it essentially means the device is better protected from both dust and water.
To break this down, while IP54 is protected from limited amounts of dust, IP65 is completely dust-tight. Plus, an IP65-rated device is projected against water jets, with the IEC explaining that “water projected in jets against the enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effects.”
Although an IP65 rating is higher than IP54, keep in mind that it still isn’t waterproof and shouldn’t be temporarily or continuously immersed in water.
Is IP54 suitable for outdoor use?
As the IEC explains, “water splashed against the enclosure from any direction will have no harmful effects” with IP54. That means a device sporting the rating should be suitable for outdoor use, even in the rain.
Having said that, any heavier water exposure may lead to damage, so you should avoid leaving it outside for prolonged periods or in unpredictable weather conditions.
Can you swim with IP54?
It is not recommended to swim with an IP54-rated device as, although it will survive the odd splash, anything more can cause significant damage to your electronics.
You can, however, use an IP54-rated device while exercising as it will be able to withstand sweat and drops of water.
Is IP54 okay in the rain?
As an IP54 rated device can withstand splashes of water in any direction, it can be used during rain showers. However, if rain is particularly heavy then we’d advise exercising caution when using your gadget in the rain, as if too much water gets into the device then it could cause damage.
Can IP54 be submerged?
You should avoid submerging an IP54 device in water, even just for a second, as this can cause significant damage. If you want something that can cope with a dunk in water then you should look for at least an IPX7 or IPX8 rating.
What devices have an IP54 rating?
Although it’s rare, some smartphones such as the CMF Phone 2 Pro carry an IP54 rating. However, many flagship handsets from companies like Apple, Samsung and Google carry higher water resistance ratings of IP68 and IP69.
You’re more likely to see earbuds and speakers sporting an IP54 rating, such as the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4, Nothing Ear (Open) and Bowers and Wilkins Pi8.
What IP rating is fully waterproof?
The best IP rating a device can sport is IP69 which means the device is not only dust-tight but, according to the IEC, is protected against high pressure and hot water jets.
Having said that, it’s worth noting that the IEC doesn’t explicitly state this as “waterproof” or “water-tight” so you should still exercise caution when using your device in water.
