Are AirPods Waterproof? Water Resistance Explained by Model

Apple AirPods are truly wireless, easy to use, and stylish. They fit well with any ear size and you won’t feel a thing even when you wear them throughout the day. But a common question shoppers and owners ask is: are AirPods waterproof?

If you’re asking the same question, read on for an in-depth look at the water safety of Apple AirPods.

No AirPods model is waterproof. Regardless of which generation you own, AirPods are not designed for swimming, showering, or water sports of any kind.

That said, water resistance does vary significantly by model and generation — and that includes the charging case. Some charging cases carry a water-resistance rating; others have none at all. The level of protection you actually have depends on the specific AirPods model you own, so it is important not to assume every pair or every case offers the same degree of coverage.

Even on models with a higher rating, water and sweat resistance is not permanent. Normal wear and tear, as well as exposure to substances beyond plain water, can degrade the seals over time.

AirPods Water-Resistance by Model and Case

Here is how Apple’s current lineup breaks down by earbud and charging case rating. Use this to find the exact protection level for your model before deciding what activities they can handle.

• AirPods Pro (1st generation): IPX4 earbuds. The charging case has no water or sweat resistance rating.
• AirPods Pro (2nd generation) with MagSafe Charging Case (Lightning): IPX4 earbuds and IPX4 charging case.
• AirPods Pro (2nd generation) with MagSafe Charging Case (USB-C): IP54 earbuds and IP54 charging case.
• AirPods (3rd generation) with Lightning or MagSafe Charging Case: IPX4 earbuds and IPX4 charging case.
• AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 (ANC): IP54 earbuds and IP54 charging case.
• AirPods Pro (3rd generation) with MagSafe Charging Case (USB-C): IP57 earbuds and IP57 charging case.

Regardless of model, Apple is clear that none of these ratings make AirPods waterproof or suitable for swimming, showering, or any water-based activity. Even the highest-rated model on this list — the AirPods Pro 3 at IP57 — is not waterproof in any practical sense for recreational water use.

Are AirPods Waterproof or Just Water-Resistant?

Water resistance is the device’s capability to resist water and other liquids. Manufacturers like Apple use advanced technologies to make the device surface resistant to liquids. If water or liquid gets inside the device and comes in contact with the circuitry, there will be water or liquid damage.

Furthermore, the water resistance feature highly depends on the cosmetic condition of the device. Normal wear and tear reduce water resistance capacity.

Waterproof, on the other hand, is a feature that enables specialized electronic devices to work at a certain depth of water. You can submerge the device into water, take it out, and it will still function.

There are advanced sealing materials around the device circuitry that work as a barrier between water and the internal hardware. Apple AirPods don’t come with such a design to protect them from water submersion or dunks. So when people ask are AirPods waterproof, the honest answer is no — they are water-resistant to varying degrees, but that is not the same thing.

To better understand these limits, it helps to know the IP rating system (Ingress Protection), which is an international standard used to define how resistant a device is against solids (like dust) and liquids (like water). Apple publishes the official IP ratings for each AirPods model on its AirPods comparison page, which is a useful reference when evaluating your specific model.

• IP stands for Ingress Protection.
• The first digit refers to protection against solids (dust, dirt, small particles). Ratings go from 0 to 6, with 6 being the highest protection.
• The second digit refers to protection against liquids (water). Ratings go from 0 to 9, with 9 meaning the device can withstand powerful jets or immersion.
• If a digit is replaced with an X, it means the device hasn’t been tested for that type of protection.

For example:

• IP67 means dust-tight (6) and can survive immersion in up to 1 meter of water for 30 minutes (7).
• IPX4 (like on AirPods 3rd Gen and Pro) means no dust rating (X) and water-resistant to splashes from any direction (4).

Understanding this system helps explain why AirPods can handle light exposure but shouldn’t be treated as waterproof gadgets.

Here is what each rating found across current AirPods models actually means in everyday use:

• IPX4: Resistant to sweat and water splashes from any direction. No dust-resistance rating has been tested. Fine for workouts and light rain; not suitable for submersion or running water.
• IP54: Some protection against dust ingress (not fully dust-tight) plus resistance to water splashes from any direction. A meaningful step up for dusty environments, but still not rated for submersion.
• IP57: Some protection against dust ingress plus resistance to temporary immersion in up to 1 meter of water for up to 30 minutes under IEC 60529 laboratory conditions. This is the highest rating currently found in any AirPods model (AirPods Pro 3), but Apple still does not classify these as waterproof for swimming or showering.

One important caveat applies to every model: sweat and water resistance is not a permanent condition. The protective seals can degrade with normal use, exposure to certain substances, or physical wear — meaning a pair that was IPX4 on day one may offer less protection a year later. This is another key reason why the answer to “are AirPods waterproof” remains firmly no, even for newer models.

Keeping Your AirPods Safe From Water

Since AirPods are not waterproof, taking the right precautions will help them last longer. If you take the following steps, your AirPods will be better protected from accidental water damage:

• Use a lint-free cloth to wipe clean and dry the AirPods after water splashes, rain exposure, or heavy sweating.
• Don’t put wet AirPods inside the charging case.
• The MagSafe Charging Case for AirPods (3rd generation) provides water resistance when the lid is closed, so keep it out of water splashes when the lid is open.
• Don’t wear AirPods when showering or swimming.
• AirPods aren’t suitable for saunas or steam baths.
• Never place the earphones under the shower or running water.
• AirPods are not suitable for high-speed water sports such as waterskiing or rafting.
• Take every precaution to keep AirPods out of the washing machine.

If your AirPods have already gotten wet, follow these steps immediately:

• Wipe the earbuds and case gently with a soft, dry, lint-free cloth.
• Leave them to air dry completely for at least two hours before using them or placing them back in the charging case.
• Do not use external heat sources such as a hair dryer, oven, or radiator to speed up drying — heat can damage internal components and degrade the seals.
• Do not use compressed air to blow out moisture, as this can force water deeper into internal components and cause further damage.

Following these steps promptly after any water exposure gives your AirPods the best chance of recovering without lasting damage.