IP Ratings Explained: What You Actually Need for Swimming

If you've ever gone shopping for swim gear — headphones, fitness trackers, waterproof speakers — you've probably run into a string of letters and numbers that looks like a password: IPX4, IPX7, IP68. Most of us nod along, assume "waterproof" means "waterproof," and move on. Then the gadget dies after one pool session, and you're left wondering what went wrong.

Here's the thing: not all waterproof claims are equal, and the IP rating on the box is the one number that tells you the truth. Whether you're kitting yourself out for lap swimming, open water sessions, or just want headphones that survive a sweaty gym workout, understanding this rating system will save you money and a fair bit of frustration. Let's break it down.

1. What Is an IP Rating?

IP stands for Ingress Protection, and it's an internationally recognised standard (IEC 60529)used to measure how well a device resists solid objects and liquids getting inside its casing. Think of it as a report card for how sealed a product really is.

An IP rating is always written as "IP" followed by two digits, for example IP68. Each digit tells a different story:

• The first digit (0–6) rates protection against solid particles, like dust, sand, or dirt. A 6 means the device is completely dust-tight.
• The second digit (0–9) rates protection against liquids, ranging from light moisture to full submersion.

So when you see IP68, you're looking at a device that's rated 6 for dust protection and 8 for water protection — the top tier for both categories. It's a globally standardised test, which means an IP68 rating from one reputable brand should mean the same thing as an IP68 rating from another, at least in principle. The catch, as we'll get to, is that the second digit doesn't tell you everything on its own.

2. Decoding IP Levels: From Splash-Proof to Submersible

This is where a lot of shoppers get caught out. The jump between ratings isn't gradual — it's the difference between "fine in light rain" and "fine at the bottom of the pool." Here are the ratings you'll actually come across when browsing swim and fitness gear:

IPX4 – Splash Resistant

Protects against water splashes from any direction. This is the rating you'll see on a lot of everyday earbuds and gym headphones. It'll survive sweat and a light rain shower, but don't even think about dunking it.

IPX5 – Water Jet Resistant

Can handle low-pressure water jets from any angle, similar to a hose or a strong shower. Better than IPX4, but still not designed for submersion.

IPX7 – Immersion Resistant

Can be submerged in up to 1 metre of water for around 30 minutes. This is a genuine "it can get properly wet" rating, though it's typically tested for a single, brief dunk rather than sustained use.

IP68 – Dust-Tight and Fully Submersible

The gold standard. The "6" means total dust protection, and the "8" means the device can be submerged beyond 1 metre — with the exact depth and duration set by the manufacturer's own testing, since IEC 60529 doesn't cap it at a fixed limit for this tier. This is the rating you want if water exposure is going to be sustained and repeated, not occasional.

The key takeaway: a higher second digit doesn't just mean "a bit more waterproof." It reflects a genuinely different testing standard, built for a different level of exposure. Splash-proof gear and swim-proof gear are simply not playing in the same league.

3. Selecting the Right Rating for Swimming

So, what do you actually need if you're planning to wear something in the pool, ocean, or lake?
Short answer: at least IPX7, and ideally IP68.
Here's why the distinction matters so much for swimming specifically:

• Duration matters. A single lap session can easily run 45 minutes to an hour. IPX7's standard 30-minute test window is a minimum benchmark, not necessarily a real-world guarantee for a full training block.
• Repetition matters. You're not dunking your gear once — you're doing it several times a week, for months or years. Devices rated for occasional immersion can degrade faster under that kind of repeated exposure.
• Movement and pressure matter. Swimming isn't a still soak. Strokes, flip turns, and changes in depth all put additional stress on seals and gaskets that a static submersion test doesn't fully replicate.
• Salt and chlorine matter. Pool chemicals and seawater are more corrosive over time than plain fresh water, which is part of why manufacturers often recommend a fresh water rinse after ocean swims, regardless of rating.

For genuinely swim-specific products — headphones, watches, waterproof MP3 players — look for gear that's explicitly tested and marketed for swimming, not just "water resistant" in the generic sense. A device rated IP68 and designed with swimmers in mind will typically specify an exact depth and duration (for example, "submersible to 2 metres for 2 hours"), which gives you a much clearer picture of real-world performance than a vague "waterproof" label ever could.

4. Integrating Audio into Your Swim Routine: Shokz OpenSwim Pro

With the ratings above in mind, here's how they apply to one of our own products: the OpenSwim Pro, a pair of bone conduction headphones designed for use in the water.

$379 OpenSwim Procarries an IP68 rating, tested under IEC 60529, and is rated for submersion in fresh water up to 2 metres deep for up to 2 hours. As outlined in Section 3, this places it in the submersion-rated category suited to sustained water exposure, rather than splash resistance alone.

A few design details relate directly to the swimming context:

• Playback underwater. Bluetooth signals don't transmit reliably underwater, so OpenSwim Pro includes a built-in MP3 mode with 32GB of onboard storage for offline playback while swimming. On land, it operates in Bluetooth mode for calls and streaming, and switches between the two via the multi-function button or the Shokz App.
• Fit with swim gear. The open-ear bone conduction design sits outside the ear canal, which allows it to be worn alongside swim caps and goggles.
• Care and limitations. As with any submersion-rated product, waterproof performance is not necessarily permanent and can decrease with normal wear and tear over time. OpenSwim Pro is not recommended for diving. After use in seawater, Shokz recommends soaking the headphones in fresh water for around 30 minutes to help remove salt residue.

In short, the IP68 rating indicates the level of water resistance OpenSwim Pro is tested to, and the surrounding design (dual playback modes, open-ear fit, and stated care instructions) reflects how that rating is applied to a swimming use case specifically.

5. Common Questions About IP Ratings and Swimming Headphones

Is IP68 the same as "waterproof"?

Not exactly. IP68 means a device is dust-tight and can be submerged beyond 1 metre, but the specific depth and duration are set by each manufacturer's own testing. Always check the brand's stated depth and time limit rather than assuming all IP68 products perform identically.

Can I use regular Bluetooth headphones for swimming?

Even if a pair of Bluetooth headphones has a high IP rating, Bluetooth signals don't transmit reliably through water. This is why swim-specific headphones typically include an alternative playback mode, such as onboard MP3 storage, for use once you're submerged.

Does chlorine or salt water affect the waterproof rating over time?

It can. Waterproof seals are generally rated for fresh water performance, and repeated exposure to chlorine or salt can accelerate wear on gaskets and seals. Rinsing gear in fresh water after pool or ocean sessions is a commonly recommended way to help protect the rating over the long run.

What's the difference between "sweatproof" and "swim-proof" ratings?

Sweatproof gear (often around IPX4–IPX5) is built to handle light moisture and splashes during a workout, but it isn't designed for submersion. Swim-proof gear needs a submersion-rated standard like IPX7 or IP68 to handle being fully underwater.

Can IP68 headphones be used for diving?

Generally, no. Most consumer IP68 audio devices, including swim headphones, are rated for surface swimming and shallow submersion, not the pressure and depth involved in diving. Always check the manufacturer's specific depth and duration limits before assuming a device suits deeper water activities.

6. Conclusion

The next time you see "waterproof" slapped on a product, take a second look at the actual IP rating behind it. That two-digit code is the difference between gear that survives a splash and gear that survives your entire swim season. For anything going into the pool or open water with you, IPX7 is the practical minimum, and IP68 — paired with a clearly stated depth and duration — is what genuinely serious swimmers should be looking for.

If you're after audio that's built around those realities rather than just ticking a spec sheet, the Shokz OpenSwim Pro is worth a look: an IP68 rating tested to 2 metres for 2 hours, a dedicated underwater MP3 mode, and a design shaped around the way swimmers actually train. 

Understanding IP ratings isn't just technical trivia — it's how you make sure the gear you choose keeps up with you, lap after lap.