Waterproof Bluetooth speakers - is there such a thing?

How well your Bluetooth speakers or electrical devices are protected against the ingress of water or foreign bodies depends on the IP protection class with which the device is provided. Get an overview of the different protection classes and what they mean.

The IP protection classes for water at a glance

The abbreviation IP stands for "International Protection". The first number (here marked with "X") that follows the abbreviation indicates how resistant the electrical device is to the ingress of foreign bodies such as dust. The maximum protection class here is the number 6 and means that a device is completely dustproof.The second number describes whether and to what extent your device is waterproof:

• IPX0 does not provide protection against water of any kind.
• Devices with IPX1 rating are protected from falling dripping water.
• If a device has IPX2 rating, it is protected from falling dripping water during case cleaning.
• IPX3 protects against water spray hitting the device at an angle of up to 60 degrees.
• IPX4 provides protection against splashing water.
• IPX5 class provides protection against jets of water.
• Gears that have IPX6 protection class are protected against strong jets of water.
• IPX7 provides protection against short-term submersion at a maximum water depth of one meter and a duration of up to 30 minutes.
• IPX8 class provides protection against damage caused by submersion for an indefinite period of time, the maximum depth may vary.
• IPX9 is the highest protection class. Devices that have this protection class can withstand water from a high-pressure or steam cleaner.

So, for example, if your Bluetooth speaker has the IP code IP67, it is both dustproof and protected against short-term immersion.