If you’ve been shopping around for the likes of earbuds, smartphones and even outdoor security cameras, then you’ll likely have come across an IP rating of some sorts.
Essentially, an IP rating is designed to indicate just how protected your electronics are from dust and water ingress. So how does an IPX4 rating come into play here?
To help you understand, we explain more about what IPX4 really means and how an IP rating is determined in the first place.
What is IPX?
We’ll begin by explaining what an IP rating actually is. IP stands for Ingress Protection and was developed by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) to indicate how well an electronic device can withstand harmful foreign bodies like dust and water.
| First Numeral: Protection from solid foreign objects | Meaning | Second Numeral: Protection from water | Meaning |
| 0 | No protection | 0 | No protection |
| 1 | Protected against solid foreign objects of 50mm and greater | 1 | Vertically falling drops shall have no harmful effects |
| 2 | Protected against solid foreign objects of 12.55mm and greater | 2 | Vertically falling drops shall have no harmful effects when the enclosure is tilted at any angle up to 15° on either side of the vertical |
| 3 | Protected against solid foreign objects of 2.5mm and greater | 3 | Water sprayed at up to a 60° angle on either side of the vertical shall have no harmful effects |
| 4 | Protected against solid foreign objects of 1mm and greater | 4 | Water splashed against the enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effects |
| 5 | Dust-protected | 5 | Water projected in jets against the enclosure from any directions shall have no harmful effects |
| 6 | Dust-tight | 6 | Water projected in powerful jets against the enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effects |
| 7 | Ingress of water in quantities causing harmful effects shall not be possible when the enclosure is temporarily immersed in water under standardised conditions of pressure and time | ||
| 8 | Ingress of water in quantities causing harmful effects shall not be possible when the enclosure is continuously immersed in water under conditions which shall be egress between manufacturer and user | ||
| 9 | Water projects at high pressure and high temperature against the enclosure from any direction shall not have harmful effects |
IP ratings are usually marked with two numbers: the first to show well the device is protected from dust and larger solids while the second reflects how resistant it is to water.
In some instances, instead of a numerical value an IP rating will have an X instead. This essentially means there isn’t enough data available to provide an accurate dust and/or water rating.
What is an IPX4 rating?
As mentioned above, when an IP rating has an ‘X’ in lieu of a numerical value, then this means there isn’t enough data to definitively rate the device. With regards to an IPX4 rating, it’s unclear just how well the device in question can withstand dust, so it’s best to simply avoid exposing it as such.
According to the IEC, a water resistance rating of ‘4’ means that the device is “protected against splashing water”. The IEC elaborates that “water splashed against the enclosure from any direction shall have no harmful effects”.
Essentially, if your item has an IPX4 rating then it’s best to keep it away from sandy or dust-prone areas, although it can withstand water splashes.
IPX4 vs IP54, which is better?
IP54 shares the same water resistance level as IPX4, but differs with its dust-resistance rating. While an IPX4 doesn’t have a definitive dust protection level, IP54 means the device is “dust-protected”.
In fact, a ‘5’ is the second-highest rating a device can achieve, with ‘6’ meaning a device is confidently dust-tight. With this in mind, an IP54 is theoretically “better” as it means a device is protected from dust. However, it’s worth remembering that whether or not this really makes a device “better” will depend entirely on what and how it’s used.
How good is IPX4 waterproof?
Firstly, it’s worth noting that although an IPX4-rated device is protected against splashing water, it is certainly not classified as “waterproof”. In fact, in the grand scheme of the IP water resistance scale, 4 is on the lower end. With this in mind, while an IPX4 device can survive a rain shower and sweat during an intense workout, it should not be used freely in water.
Can you shower with IPX4 earbuds?
While IPX4 rated earbuds can withstand splashes of water, making them suitable for the occasional light rain shower, we would advise against anything heavier like an actual shower as this is likely to damage your device.
What products have an IPX4 rating?
You can typically find an IPX4 rating in cheaper to mid-range products, such as running headphones and entry-level fitness trackers due to its protection against rain and sweat drops.
More advanced fitness trackers will typically sport a higher IP rating and an ATM rating, declaring them more water-resistant.
The post What is IPX4? The water resistance rating explained appeared first on Trusted Reviews.