At MIIEGO, we develop headphones for an active lifestyle, where the music can keep up with you—whether you're working out, running, or going about your everyday life. That's why we focus on creating products designed to be used, even when you break a sweat or get caught in a bit of rain along the way.
When choosing headphones for exercise, running, or an active lifestyle, it's useful to know how well they are protected against sweat and water. You can use the headphones' IPX rating as a guide.
The IPX rating indicates how well the headphones are protected against water and can help you find the model that suits your needs. Depending on the rating, the headphones can withstand everything from sweat and light rain to more extensive exposure to water.
What does IPX mean?
IPX is part of an international classification system that indicates how well a product is protected against water. The number after the X tells you what type of water exposure the product has been tested to withstand.
The higher the number, the more comprehensive the protection against the type of water exposure covered by the rating. However, this does not necessarily mean that a higher rating provides better protection against all forms of water.
The difference between IPX4, IPX5, IPX6 and IPX7
IPX4 - withstands sweat and light rain
Headphones with an IPX4 rating are protected against water splashes from all directions. This makes them suitable for regular exercise, where they may be exposed to sweat and light rain.
IPX5 - protected against sweat and water splashes
IPX5-rated headphones have been tested to withstand water jets from various directions. This provides extra protection when you exercise and sweat or get caught in the rain.
IPX6 - resistant to sweat and rain
IPX6 protects against stronger water jets than IPX5. This can be an advantage if you often exercise outdoors or expose your headphones to more demanding conditions.
IPX7 - protection against temporary immersion in water
IPX7 has been tested to withstand temporary immersion in water under specific test conditions. At MIIEGO, we describe our IPX7 models as 100% sweat- and water-resistant.
Which IPX rating should you choose?
The right rating depends primarily on how you use your headphones.
- Do you exercise regularly or go for walks as part of your daily routine? Then IPX4 may be a good choice. The headphones withstand both sweat and light rain, so you can use them for everyday activities and exercise.
- Do you run often or exercise outdoors in changing weather? Then IPX5 or IPX6 may be worth considering if you need extra protection against sweat, rain, and water splashes.
- Do you exercise a lot and want high protection against sweat and water? Then IPX7 may be a good choice if you want extra peace of mind when using the headphones for an active lifestyle.
Always remember to follow the product's instructions for use and maintenance. An IPX rating is not a guarantee that the headphones can withstand all forms of water exposure, nor does it say anything about protection against dust.
When choosing headphones for running or exercise, you should therefore combine the IPX rating with other factors such as fit, comfort, and battery life. This way, you can find a model that suits both your exercise routine and your everyday life.