You just spent a good chunk of change on a pair of AirPods Pro, and naturally, you want to protect them. But life happens. You get caught in the rain mid-jog, sweat buckets during a spin class, or maybe you’ve just wondered if you can keep them in while you rinse off after the gym.
The big question hovering over all of this: are these things waterproof, or are you one clumsy moment away from a costly paperweight?
The answer isn’t just a simple yes or no. Let’s break it down in plain English so you know exactly what your earbuds can—and absolutely cannot—handle.
The Blunt Truth: Waterproof vs. Water-Resistant
Let’s get this out of the way immediately. No AirPods model, not even the high-end Pro versions, is fully waterproof. If “waterproof” means you can go swimming with them, forget it. Drop them in a pool, the tub, or the washing machine, and there’s a very good chance they’ll never make another sound.
But here’s the good news: they are highly splash-resistant. There is a world of difference between those two terms. Your AirPods Pro were built to survive your sweatiest workout, not a swim meet.
Decoding the Mystery of the IPX4 Rating
The key to this whole conversation is the “IPX4” rating. It sounds like tech jargon, but it’s actually a straightforward promise from Apple about what your earbuds can take.
Think of it like this:
- IP just stands for “Ingress Protection,” which is a fancy way of saying how well the device keeps stuff out.
- The X means there’s no certified protection against dust. Sand at the beach is still a big enemy.
- The magic 4 means the device can handle splashes of water from any direction for at least 10 minutes.
In real life, IPX4 is the engineering equivalent of saying, “Relax, a little rain and sweat won’t hurt.” It’s a safety net, not a life jacket. It covers you if you’re running through a light drizzle or if your water bottle leaks in the same bag pocket, but it’s not designed for pressurized jets, full submersion, or a trip through the washing machine.
The Generation Gap: AirPods Pro 1 vs. AirPods Pro 2
This is a detail that often gets overlooked, but it’s critical for keeping your gear safe. There’s a significant difference between the two Pro generations when it comes to moisture.
With the first-generation AirPods Pro, only the earbuds themselves have the IPX4 rating. The original charging case was not water-resistant at all. This created a risky situation where people would put damp, sweaty earbuds back into a completely vulnerable case, slowly frying the charging contacts.
Apple fixed this with the second-generation AirPods Pro. Now, both the earbuds and the charging case carry the IPX4 rating. This is a huge practical upgrade. It means that after a sweaty run, popping the buds back into their case is a much safer bet than it used to be. The case can handle the residual moisture from the earbuds without shorting out.
A Crucial Warning That Will Save You Money
Here’s the part most people learn the hard way: water resistance isn’t a permanent feature. It’s a temporary coating and a set of seals that degrade over time with everyday use. A drop on the pavement, constant rubbing against your pocket, and just the passage of time all wear down the invisible barriers keeping moisture out. The two-year-old pair you’ve been tossing around is nowhere near as splash-proof as it was on day one.
There are also two environments that are instant killers, and they’re places people often mistakenly think are safe:
- Steam Rooms and Saunas: The steam molecule is smaller than liquid water and can sneak past seals with ease. The heat also damages battery chemistry. Just don’t do it.
- The Beach: Salt water is corrosive, and even if it dries, it leaves behind conductive salt crystals that will destroy the charging contacts and grills. A splash of ocean water warrants an immediate fresh-water rinse (just a light dab of a damp cloth, not a dunk) and a thorough dry.
What to Do When Disaster Strikes
So, you’ve splashed them, dropped them in a puddle, or worse. The first 60 seconds matter. Ignore the old internet myths and follow this instead:
- Immediately wipe them down with a soft, dry, lint-free cloth—a microfiber cloth for glasses is perfect.
- Don’t, under any circumstances, put them in a bag of rice. Rice dust gets into the speaker mesh and does nothing to pull moisture from deep inside. It’s more likely to cause harm than good.
- Don’t use a hairdryer or compressed air. Heat warps the plastic, and air pressure can force water deeper inside.
- Let gravity be your friend. Gently tap the earbud with the speaker grill facing downward to encourage any water droplets to fall out.
- Wait it out. Let them sit in a well-ventilated, open space for at least two to four hours before you even think about putting them back in the case or charging them. Charging a damp device is what truly causes a short circuit.
A Simple, Worthwhile Safety Net
Knowing that accidents happen no matter how careful we are, this is one area where a small investment can save a lot of heartache. AppleCare+ for Headphones is honestly a no-brainer for something you use daily and take everywhere. It covers accidental liquid damage with just a small service fee, and the replacement cost is far less than buying a brand-new set. If you’re someone who runs outdoors or is just a little clumsy, it pays for itself with one saved accident.
If you want extra physical protection beyond just water, consider a rugged case with a carabiner clip, like those from Catalyst or Spigen. While they won’t make the earbuds more waterproof, they protect the charging case from drops that can weaken the water-resistant seals over time. For cleaning and maintaining the speaker grills, a simple kit with a soft brush and microfiber cloth, like the ones from Whoosh, can help keep the mesh free of sweat and debris, preserving sound quality for the long haul.
Final Verdict: Can You Run in the Rain?
Absolutely, go for it. A light, misty morning run, a sweaty HIIT class, or an accidental splash from a faucet is exactly the life the IPX4 rating was designed for. This is the use case where your AirPods Pro truly shine without worry.
Absolutely not. They cannot go swimming, survive a spin in the laundry machine, be worn under a high-pressure shower (soap also ruins seals), or join you in a steam room. If you need true waterproof earbuds for lap swimming, look for something with an IPX8 rating built specifically for that purpose.
Use them, enjoy them, and don’t stress over a little rain. Just keep them away from the deep end.