IPX4 vs IP55, IPX5, IPX7, IP67, IP44, IP24, IP78 | Ratings Comparison
By Robert Jones · 2021-09-14
IP rating stands for Ingress Protection-the protection against water and solid. In
## IP Ratings Explained: What Do They Actually Mean for Your Gear? Right, so you've seen these "IP" numbers plastered all over speakers and headphones, haven't you? IPX4, IP55, IP67… takes a bit of head-scratching to figure out what they all mean. For years, I just glossed over it, assuming higher numbers were always better. But after a few soggy testing sessions and one particularly unfortunate incident involving a garden hose and a "splash-proof" speaker, I decided to properly dig into it. It's not just about surviving a bit of rain. These ratings actually tell you exactly what kind of abuse your gear can take from dust and water. Good to know when you're dropping a few hundred quid on a portable speaker you plan to take to the beach, eh? ### Breaking Down the IP Code Every IP rating follows a simple format: `IP` followed by two digits, or sometimes an `X` if a rating isn't given for one of the criteria. * **IP**: Stands for Ingress Protection. Fancy way of saying how well it keeps stuff out. * **First Digit (0-6)**: This is for solids – dust, dirt, sand, that sort of thing. * **Second Digit (0-9)**: This is for liquids – usually water. See? Not so mysterious when you break it down. ### The First Digit: Solids Protection (0-6) This first number tells you how good your bits of kit are at resisting solid objects, from big fingers to tiny dust particles. * **0**: No protection. Don't even look at it funny. * **1**: Protected against solid objects over 50mm. Think accidental pokes from a hand. * **2**: Protected against solid objects over 12.5mm. Finger-sized prods, basically. * **3**: Protected against solid objects over 2.5mm. Tools, thick wires. * **4**: Protected against solid objects over 1mm. Most wires, small screws. * **5**: Dust protected. Limited ingress of dust allowed, but it won't mess with the operation. This is good for most outdoor use. * **6**: Dust tight. Absolutely no dust can get in. If you're working in really dusty environments, like a building site or the Sahara, this is what you want. An "X" here just means it hasn't been tested for solid particle protection, or the manufacturer hasn't bothered to declare it. For a lot of speakers, especially outdoor ones, you'll see IPX4 or IPX7. That "X" means they've only really thought about the water side of things. ### The Second Digit: Water Protection (0-9) Now, this is where things get interesting, especially for those portable speakers you want by the pool. * **0**: No protection. Keep it miles away from water. * **1**: Protected against vertically falling water drops. A bit of light condensation, maybe. * **2**: Protected against vertically falling water drops when tilted up to 15°. A slight drizzle. * **3**: Protected against spraying water. Bit more than a drizzle, like a sprinkler. * **4**: Protected against splashing water. This is where most "splashproof" things land. Fine for rain, spilled drinks. I've found IPX4 is generally adequate for a speaker in the kitchen or out on a patio if the weather isn't too wild. My workshop speakers are IPX4, and they've survived countless tea spills and the odd rogue spray from the pressure washer (accidentally, mind). * **5**: Protected against water jets. Think a stronger hose pipe, but not full-on pressure washing. Good for gear that might get properly wet – say, if it falls in a shallow puddle and you grab it quickly, or a good downpour. * **6**: Protected against powerful water jets. Even more powerful hose or a good blast from a tap. * **7**: Protected against immersion in water up to 1 meter for 30 minutes. This is your "can drop it in the bath" rating. Very handy for things like Bluetooth speakers by the pool, or even some waterproof phones. I took an IPX7 speaker kayaking once; it fell in, spent a good five minutes underwater, and still worked a treat. Pretty impressive. * **8**: Protected against continuous immersion in water beyond 1 meter. The manufacturer specifies the exact depth and time. This is proper underwater kit, often rated for much deeper dives. * **9K**: Protected against high-pressure, high-temperature jet sprays. Specialised stuff, you won't often see this on consumer audio gear. Think industrial cleaning. ### Common IP Ratings Compared Let's break down some of the ones you'll actually see when you're looking for a new gadget. #### IPX4 * **Solids**: Not specified (just an