If you are asking this question, you might have just bought a new pair, and wondering how far the new Airpods Pro 2 can go. The company has time and again warned its customers not to use the Airpods in wet environments including saunas, swimming pools, or even showers.
The reason behind this warning was simple, the early generation of Airpods (Gen 1, Gen 2) had no protection against water ingress, meaning that even a few drops of water could damage the internal components and ruin your expensive earbuds.
However, the later generations such as Airpods Pro 2 and the original Airpods Pro feature significant improvements in terms of water resistance. These earbuds are designed to hold up against sweat and rain. So, can we take a step further and take a shower with them?
No, you cannot wear Airpods Pro 2 in the shower. Gen 2 of Airpods Pro is rated as IPX4 just like the original Airpods Pro, which essentially provides protection against splashes from any angle. But to shower, swim or take part in any other water-based activity, you need a rating of IPX8 at least. Airpods Gen 2 is short of that rating by a considerable margin.
In short, AirPods Pro 2 are not waterproof, as widely misunderstood. Rather they are water resistant to some degree.
Don’t know what IPX4 stands for? worry not, we are here to help your out.
What does the IPX4 rating mean?
To understand this rating, it helps to know that the IP stands for Ingress Protection and the numbers after it (in this case X4) denotes the relative level of protection. The first digit (X in this case) indicates the level of protection against small particles, and the second digit (4 in this case)–against liquids.
If there is an “X” instead of the first digit, the device has not been tested against particle ingress. The ‘4’ digit that follows it, in this case, indicates protection from splashes of water from any direction. That means brief contact and no immersion whatsoever. If you have accidentally or intentionally submerged your Airpods Pro 2 in the water, good luck buying a new pair. They cannot last even a few seconds of submergence.
The International Electrotechnical Commission has standardized these ratings, and it maintains that for any electronic product to be considered “water-resistant” to a degree that it can withstand a brief immersion, it needs an IPX7 rating or higher.
Here is a chart to help you further understand the IP Ratings.
Despite the official advice and the inherent limitations of Airpods Pro Gen 2, people have reportedly tried using it in the shower without any problems.
But if you are looking for a guaranteed and foolproof solution to this dilemma, there is none. If the company is not confident enough to recommend it for shower use, it’s best to keep it outside of the bathroom.
Can You Wear AirPods Pro 2 in the Shower with a Shower Cap?
Ideally, you should avoid using your AirPods Pro 2 in the shower, or bring it into contact with running water. Nevertheless, people have tried using them with a shower cap. Theoretically, this should reduce the amount of water that enters into contact with your AirPods Pro 2.
In case, you can’t resist the temptation, there is a way to minimize the risk. Make sure that the Airpods don’t come in direct contact with any running water or soap. Even if you are using a shower cap, it can still get wet, and that could still damage the Airpods.
Remember that the risk is minimized but not eliminated. Let’s say you are extremely careful to not point the shower head toward your AirPods Pro 2, but you accidentally knock it out of the shower cap into a puddle of water. What then?
Or, let’s assume that the first few attempts are successful, but with time and use the water-protection hydrophobic seal has worn out, and it will for sure. Even the accidental splashes that were previously harmless can now do damage.
My AirPods Pro 2 Get Wet: What to do?
If your AirPods Pro 2 get wet, let’s say while running in the rain, or from the sweat during the workout at the gym, try to pat them off with a dry, lint-free cloth if possible. And in any case, don’t put the wet AirPods in the charging case. This would just trap the moisture inside, which could damage the battery, and other internals and render your AirPods useless.
What if you don’t pay heed to the advice and took the AirPods Pro 2 in the shower? Perhaps, they have been damaged beyond repair. Even so, you don’t want to test this without drying them off.
How to dry wet Airpods Pro?
- The best thing you can do is to put them in a container with uncooked rice, which should help draw most of the moisture out.
- Use a lint-free cloth to wipe out all the moisture on the surface.
- Or you can use silica gel in a sealed plastic bag or a dehumidifier.
You would have to wait for at least 12 hours before you can test them. Whatever you do, don’t try to use a hair dryer or any other heat source to speed up the process.
The worst-case scenario is that you have accidentally put them in the washing machine. There is very little chance that your AirPods Pro 2 would survive this ordeal, still, you can try to dry them off as described above. You will have to dry the charging case too.
Remember, Airpods Pro doesn’t come with a liquid damage indicator, so there would be no way to tell the extent of the damage. You will have to manually test them by trying to connect to your iPhone/mac. If the AirPods aren’t able to turn on and connect, or there is a distortion in sound, it’s likely that they have suffered permanent damage.
If the worse has happened and we have to say goodbye to our beloved AirPods Pro 2, its time to invest in a new pair. Some of you might be wondering if Apple’s warranty covers water damage.
Does Apple Warranty for AirPods Cover Water Damage?
The standard Apple warranty doesn’t cover water damage. But Apple Care+ does provide coverage for damages caused due to accidental spills, drops, and other mishaps. As there is no way to tell if the AirPods have been water-damaged, most users dry them off completely before making a claim.
It’s wrong on ethical grounds to try and fool Apple into replacing your water-damaged AirPods Pro 2 with a new pair, but it is technically possible. Many users have successfully claimed a warranty for this.
However, it is not completely free. There is still a service charge of $29 for each claim or service event. Yet it is better than paying the full price ($200) for a new pair of AirPods. Remember, you have limited service events, so use them wisely.
Alternative to Airpods Pro 2 for showering:
Water-resistant Bluetooth speakers are a good alternative to Airpods Pro 2 for showering. Most of them claim water resistance up to 1 meter for 30 minutes and offer better sound quality and good battery life. Even direct water contact from the shower won’t damage them.
Some of the good options in this regard are
- Ultimate Ears Boom 3
- JBL Flip Series
- Bose SoundLink Micro
Alternatively, you can also invest in an IPX7 or above water-resistant earbuds. Here are some options for you to consider:
- Tribit FlyBuds 3
- Anker Soundcore sport x10
- JBL Reflect Aero
Wrapping Up:
We hope that this post has been able to convince you that you should never try taking a bath or shower with your AirPods Pro 2. Moisture/Humidity doesn’t get along with most electronic devices, especially when there is no hydrophobic seal to protect the ingression.
Though AirPods Pro 2 offers some level of resistance against water, it is not enough for activities like showering, swimming, or sauna. In the unfortunate event of Airpods 2 getting wet, we have shared many tips to save them when it is possible. Remember, water damage is not covered by the standard Apple warranty, you cannot resort to this backup.
In case you can’t resist the urge, we will highly recommend you invest in a water-resistant portable speakers or affordable earbuds with at least IPX7 certification.