Best Waterproof Electronics on Amazon
"IP68" is a range being read as a value. Under IEC 60529, the second digit's 8 only requires protection against continuous immersion deeper than 1 metre — the standard fixes no depth and no duration, so each manufacturer declares its own. Apple states the iPhone 15 is tested to 6 m; Samsung states the Galaxy S24 is tested to 1.5 m. Both are legitimately IP68. Two more things the badge does not tell you: the test uses still fresh water, so salt and chlorinated pool water are usually excluded, and liquid damage is generally not covered by warranty because resistance degrades with use. Best speaker: JBL Charge 5. Best floating: UE BOOM 3. Best earbuds: Jabra Elite 8 Active.
The rating never changes. Your device's resistance does. An IP figure is measured once, on a new factory-sealed unit, in a lab. Drops, charging-port wear, temperature cycling and ageing gaskets all reduce it — which is exactly why Apple and Samsung exclude liquid damage from warranty on devices they market as water-resistant. See does an IP68 rating degrade? and is water damage covered by warranty?
Same badge, four times the depth
| Device | Badge | What the manufacturer actually declares |
|---|---|---|
| Apple iPhone 15 | IP68 | Tested to 6 m for 30 minutes |
| Samsung Galaxy S24 | IP68 | Tested to 1.5 m for 30 minutes |
Both figures are the manufacturers' own published statements. Full per-product comparison in the IP Rating Reality Index; digit-by-digit definitions in the IP Code Decoder. See also does IP68 mean the same depth on every device?
What each code claims
| Code | Claims | The catch |
|---|---|---|
| IPX4 | Splashing from any direction | The X is a digit not tested or claimed — no dust claim, and no depth or duration because it never tests immersion |
| IP54 | Dust protected plus splash resistant | Explicitly excludes swimming, showering and any submersion |
| IP67 | Dust-tight, immersion to 1 m for 30 min | A fixed, standardised figure — unlike IP68 |
| IP68 | Dust-tight, continuous immersion deeper than 1 m | No fixed depth or duration in the standard — the manufacturer declares its own |
See what IPX4 means, is IP67 different from IP68?, and is IP68 actually waterproof?
Speakers
JBL Charge 5 — The category default for a reason: genuine IP67 dust-and-water protection plus a real USB powerbank to charge your phone. Watch out: IP67 means 1 meter for 30 minutes in FRESH water only — a splash at the beach is fine, but a real ocean dunk exposes it to salt water the rating was never tested against, and JBL doesn't publish a salt-water-damage warranty exception.
Ultimate Ears BOOM 3 — One of the few speakers in this class that actually floats if it goes in the pool, on top of a genuine IP67 rating. Watch out: Floating is a bonus, not a substitute for the rating limit — it's still only tested to 1 meter for 30 minutes in fresh water, and prolonged full submersion beyond that isn't covered.
JBL Xtreme 4 — Steps up from IP67 to IP68 — check JBL's current spec sheet for the exact declared depth and duration before assuming it matches a phone's rating. Watch out: IP68 is not one fixed number — always confirm the specific meters/minutes JBL declares for this model, since 'IP68' alone tells you less than the number after it.
Sony SRS-XB100 — A genuinely IP67-rated compact speaker at a low price point for casual outdoor use. Watch out: Smaller drivers mean less bass and lower max volume than the bigger Charge/Xtreme models — you're trading sound output for size and price.
More: best waterproof Bluetooth speakers.
The beach and pool problem
The standard immersion test uses still fresh water. Salt water and chlorinated pool water are both more corrosive to seals and internal components, and most manufacturers explicitly exclude them from the rated conditions — while marketing the same devices for beach and pool use. That is not a small print technicality; it is the single most common gap between how these products are sold and what was tested. See does IP68 cover salt water?, can I swim with IP68?, and can I use my IP68 phone in the shower?
Action cameras: a different kind of claim entirely
GoPro's own marketing states waterproof to 10 meters without any additional case, removing the separate dive-housing purchase most competitors require.
Watch out: GoPro's waterproof claim is a manufacturer performance statement, not an IEC 60529 IP-code test result the way a phone's IP68 is — there's no published depth/duration test protocol behind the '10 m' figure the way there is for IP68 phones, so treat it as a use-case claim rather than a lab-verified spec.
The correct accessory once you go beyond casual snorkeling depth — a dedicated housing rated well past the bare camera's stated limit. Watch out: A dive housing is a separate purchase most buyers skip, then are surprised the bare camera isn't rated for real diving depths.
See is a GoPro waterproof without a case? and best waterproof action cameras.
Earbuds: most are IPX4, and that is not swim-proof
Jabra Elite 8 Active — One of the few true sport earbuds carrying a full IP68 designation rather than the more common IPX4. Watch out: IP68 on earbuds doesn't mean the same depth/duration as an IP68 phone — always check Jabra's specific declared figures rather than assuming 'IP68' is one universal number.
Sony WF-1000XM5 — Class-leading noise cancellation with genuine IPX4 splash resistance for sweat and light rain. Watch out: IPX4 has NO depth or duration figure because it only tests splashing, not immersion — these are not swim-proof, and the charging case has no water resistance rating at all.
Apple AirPods Pro 2 — A real IP54 rating (dust protection plus splash resistance) covering both the earbuds and the charging case. Watch out: IP54 explicitly excludes swimming, showering, and any submersion per Apple's own guidance — and like all IP ratings, it degrades with wear so don't push it once the buds are older.
See are AirPods waterproof? and best waterproof earbuds.
Watches often do not use IP codes at all
Many smartwatches and fitness trackers use ISO 22810's ATM or metre-depth rating instead of an IEC 60529 IP code. Garmin's "10 ATM" and Fitbit's "50 m" are not IP-coded, and the two systems are not directly interchangeable with IP68's immersion test. Some devices, like the Apple Watch, combine an IP6X dust rating with a separate ISO 22810 water rating rather than one unified figure.
The picks
Research-based picks (how we evaluate), from manufacturer-declared ratings and public summaries of IEC 60529 and ISO 22810 — we do not test devices ourselves, and we report only what is verified or explicitly declared. Live Amazon search links, no prices or ratings, an honest drawback on each.
JBL Charge 5
IP67 (1 m / 30 min, fresh water), 20 hr playtime, built-in powerbank
The category default for a reason: genuine IP67 dust-and-water protection plus a real USB powerbank to charge your phone.
Best for: Poolside and beach use where occasional dunking is a real risk
Watch out: IP67 means 1 meter for 30 minutes in FRESH water only — a splash at the beach is fine, but a real ocean dunk exposes it to salt water the rating was never tested against, and JBL doesn't publish a salt-water-damage warranty exception.
Check price on AmazonUltimate Ears BOOM 3
IP67 (1 m / 30 min, fresh water), floats on water, 15 hr playtime
One of the few speakers in this class that actually floats if it goes in the pool, on top of a genuine IP67 rating.
Best for: Pool days where you want a speaker that survives falling in, not just splashing
Watch out: Floating is a bonus, not a substitute for the rating limit — it's still only tested to 1 meter for 30 minutes in fresh water, and prolonged full submersion beyond that isn't covered.
Check price on AmazonJBL Xtreme 4
IP68 (dust-tight + submersible, exact depth/duration per JBL spec sheet), 24 hr playtime
Steps up from IP67 to IP68 — check JBL's current spec sheet for the exact declared depth and duration before assuming it matches a phone's rating.
Best for: Loud outdoor group listening where occasional full submersion is possible
Watch out: IP68 is not one fixed number — always confirm the specific meters/minutes JBL declares for this model, since 'IP68' alone tells you less than the number after it.
Check price on AmazonSony SRS-XB100
IP67 rated, compact size, ~16 hr playtime
A genuinely IP67-rated compact speaker at a low price point for casual outdoor use.
Best for: Budget buyers who want basic splash/dunk protection without paying for a flagship
Watch out: Smaller drivers mean less bass and lower max volume than the bigger Charge/Xtreme models — you're trading sound output for size and price.
Check price on AmazonSony WF-1000XM5
IPX4 (splash resistant from any direction, no depth/duration rating — not submersible)
Class-leading noise cancellation with genuine IPX4 splash resistance for sweat and light rain.
Best for: Gym and commute use where sweat and light rain are the real risks, not swimming
Watch out: IPX4 has NO depth or duration figure because it only tests splashing, not immersion — these are not swim-proof, and the charging case has no water resistance rating at all.
Check price on AmazonApple AirPods Pro 2
IP54 (dust protected + splash resistant from any direction), not designed for swimming or showering
A real IP54 rating (dust protection plus splash resistance) covering both the earbuds and the charging case.
Best for: Workouts and unpredictable weather where sweat and rain are the concern
Watch out: IP54 explicitly excludes swimming, showering, and any submersion per Apple's own guidance — and like all IP ratings, it degrades with wear so don't push it once the buds are older.
Check price on AmazonJabra Elite 8 Active
IP68 rated for both dust and water (manufacturer-declared depth/duration per spec sheet)
One of the few true sport earbuds carrying a full IP68 designation rather than the more common IPX4.
Best for: Serious runners and gym-goers wanting the highest published ingress protection tier for earbuds
Watch out: IP68 on earbuds doesn't mean the same depth/duration as an IP68 phone — always check Jabra's specific declared figures rather than assuming 'IP68' is one universal number.
Check price on AmazonGoPro HERO13 Black
Manufacturer-stated waterproof to 10 m without a housing (not an IEC 60529 IP-tested figure)
GoPro's own marketing states waterproof to 10 meters without any additional case, removing the separate dive-housing purchase most competitors require.
Best for: Snorkeling and swimming footage without buying an add-on housing
Watch out: GoPro's waterproof claim is a manufacturer performance statement, not an IEC 60529 IP-code test result the way a phone's IP68 is — there's no published depth/duration test protocol behind the '10 m' figure the way there is for IP68 phones, so treat it as a use-case claim rather than a lab-verified spec.
Check price on AmazonInsta360 Hero 12
Manufacturer-stated waterproof to 10 m without housing
A direct GoPro alternative with the same no-housing-needed waterproof claim and a flip-up screen.
Best for: Buyers wanting a GoPro alternative with similar water claims and a front screen
Watch out: Same caveat as GoPro: the waterproof figure is a manufacturer claim, not a published IEC 60529 depth/duration test — verify current specs before assuming parity with phone-style IP68 testing.
Check price on AmazonGoPro Dive Housing
Adds rated protection to 60 m depth for scuba/freediving beyond the camera's own 10 m claim
The correct accessory once you go beyond casual snorkeling depth — a dedicated housing rated well past the bare camera's stated limit.
Best for: Scuba or freediving use beyond the camera's own waterproof claim
Watch out: A dive housing is a separate purchase most buyers skip, then are surprised the bare camera isn't rated for real diving depths.
Check price on AmazonBrowse waterproof speakers on Amazon
Which should you buy?
Poolside speaker: JBL Charge 5, or UE BOOM 3 if you want it to float.
Loudest, most protected: JBL Xtreme 4 — check its declared depth.
Snorkelling video: GoPro HERO13 Black; a dive housing beyond that.
Gym and rain: IPX4 earbuds are fine. Swimming, they are not.
Highest earbud protection: Jabra Elite 8 Active.
Ocean or pool: assume the rating does not cover it, because usually it does
not.
Never buy on: the badge — read the declared metres and minutes.
This page reports manufacturer-declared specifications and standards definitions only. It is not a safety assessment, and nothing here is a claim about what any device will survive in use.
Frequently Asked Questions
For a speaker, the JBL Charge 5 is the category default at IP67, or the Ultimate Ears BOOM 3 if you want one that floats. For an action camera, the GoPro HERO13 Black states waterproofing to 10 metres without a housing. For earbuds, the Jabra Elite 8 Active is one of the few carrying a full IP68 designation rather than the more common IPX4. In every case, check the manufacturer's declared depth and duration rather than the badge, because IP68 is not a single number.
No, and the gap is large. Under IEC 60529, the second digit's 8 only requires protection against continuous immersion deeper than 1 metre — the standard sets no fixed depth or duration, so the manufacturer declares and tests its own figure by agreement with the testing body. Apple states the iPhone 15 is tested to 6 metres for 30 minutes; Samsung states the Galaxy S24 is tested to 1.5 metres for 30 minutes. Both are legitimately IP68, a fourfold difference behind an identical badge.
It describes what a new device withstood in a specific lab test, which is a narrower claim than "waterproof" implies. The rating is measured on a factory-sealed unit under controlled conditions using still fresh water, for a depth and duration the manufacturer declares. It does not cover salt water or chlorinated pool water on most devices, it is not a permanent property, and liquid damage is usually excluded from warranty. Treat it as a description of a test result rather than a promise about your device.
Usually not. The standard IP68 immersion test uses still fresh water, while salt water and chlorinated pool water are both more corrosive to seals and internal components — and most manufacturers explicitly exclude them from the rated conditions. The awkward part is that the same devices are routinely marketed for beach and pool use. A splash at the beach is a different proposition from a genuine ocean dunk, and only the first is anywhere near what the rating tested.
The X marks a digit that was not tested or claimed, so IPX4 claims only the liquids digit at level 4 — splashing from any direction — and makes no claim about dust or solids protection at all. It carries no depth or duration figure because it only tests splashing, never immersion. Devices rated IPX4 are not swim-proof. It is a genuine and useful rating for sweat and light rain, and nothing beyond that.
Generally no, even on genuinely IP68-rated devices. Apple and Samsung both explicitly exclude liquid damage from their standard limited warranties, on the basis that water and dust resistance is a non-permanent condition that degrades with use. That is the key asymmetry in this category: the rating on the spec sheet never changes, while the actual resistance of your particular device declines from the day you buy it.
Yes. An IP rating is measured on a new, factory-sealed device under controlled lab conditions. Age, drops, repeated charging-port use, temperature cycling and worn gaskets all reduce real-world water resistance, even though the original lab figure remains printed on the spec sheet forever. This is precisely why manufacturers exclude liquid damage from warranty — they are describing an initial test result, not an ongoing guarantee.
Often not. Many smartwatches and fitness trackers use ISO 22810's ATM or metre-depth rating instead of an IEC 60529 IP code — Garmin's "10 ATM" and Fitbit's "50 m" claims are not IP-coded at all, and the two rating systems are not directly interchangeable with IP68's immersion test. Some devices, such as the Apple Watch, combine an IP6X dust rating with a separate ISO 22810 water rating rather than publishing one unified IP figure.