When you look at bone conduction headphones you want to know how they will hold up to use, as well as if they will fail due to dirt and grime or to sweat or water.
Luckily there is a standardized way to know whether what you are buying is going to hold up to use so, what is the IPx Rating System?
It is used to evaluate how resistant products are to environmental conditions. The IPxx rating system is a protection-based number system showing the overall protection versus dirt and water ingress into the hardware. Where a 0 indicates no defense and an 8 would be fully protected versus the element.
When you purchase a device that will be constantly around water and dirt like a pair of bone conduction headphones you want them to stay safe from internal damage.
These ratings help to tell you what can happen should you encounter poor environmental effects like rain or even fog like mists. This is why we list it as a valuable point of data on our best bone conduction headphones buyers guide.
IP Rating Table
| IP Rating Number | Solid Object Protection | Fluid Protection |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | No Protection | No Protection |
| 1 | Protection against solid objects over 50mm | Protection against vertically falling water droplets |
| 2 | Protection against solid objects over 12mm | Protection against direct water spray up to 15 degrees |
| 3 | Protection against solid objects over 2.5mm | Protection against direct water spray up to 60 degrees |
| 4 | Protection against solid objects over 1mm | Protection against water spray from all directions |
| 5 | Protection against dust | Protection against low water pressure in all directions |
| 6 | Total protection against dust | Total protection against strong water jets |
| 7 | Protection against immersion up to 3 feet for 30 minutes | |
| 8 | Protection to long term immersion for up to 13 feet depth |
What Does IPx Rating Mean To Bone Conduction Headphones?
It is a measure to allow you to understand the relative risk from your environment along with what your headphones have been certified, that pushing past this can lead to issues like breaking.
When it comes to weather or high dust and dirt areas making sure your device is rated to ensure it doesn’t get gunked up and damaged from either liquid or dirt inside the enclosure.
Bone Conduction Headphones IPx Ratings Understood
Each of the types of ratings will matter specifically to perform the exercise listed while maintaining the quality of your bone conduction headphones.
If you exceed the ratings for your specific headphones there is a chance that they will break down and shorten their lifespans.
IPx Rating for Swimming
When you are looking for a pair of bone conduction headphones for swimming you have special needs. We recommend you to look for headphones with at least an IP67, or more preferred, IP68 rating.
The best option available is the AfterShokz XTrainerz is IP68 rated and a perfect match for swimming.
Note that water-based bone conduction headphones have no Bluetooth built-in, the reason is Bluetooth doesn’t work through water.
IPx Rating for Sweat
This is a little looser in ratings and should be at least IPx4 rated which proves that they offer protection against water spray from all directions.
The entire range of bone conduction headphones from AfterShokz is over this range which allows them to be safely used for running.
IPx Rating for Rain
Technically an IPx1 rating is more than sufficient for rainfall as that rating is able to protect against vertically falling water droplets, that is rain, my friends.
This will be almost every single bone conduction headphone out there, even the knock-offs.
IPx Rating for Running
This is very similar to sweat ratings above as it is going to need to be at least IPx4 rated which proves that they offer protection against water spray from all directions.
The entire range of bone conduction headphones from AfterShokz is over this range which allows them to be safely used for running.
Final Thoughts on What is the IPx Rating System
When you are making a decision to purchase a device for around $100 you really want to ensure that your choice will hold up to your intended exercising routine.
Whether you are a swimmer, runner, walker, hiker, biker, or rock climber choosing the right rating can help ensure you get the lifespan out of your bone conduction headphones.
Everyone wants the gear they purchase to last years and understanding the IPx rating scheme can help you in making decisions even beyond headphones and into other electronics you could wear in inclement weather or environments.