Is your device waterproof? Here’s what IP ratings really mean
IP ratings can let you know just how water-resistant your devices are
One of our favorite Bluetooth speakers, the JBL Charge 5 has up to 20 hours of battery life, according to the brand. It comes with a built-in power bank to help charge your devices and delivers clear, bass-heavy audio, in my experience. It also weighs just 2.1 pounds, making it easy to take with you on the go.
If you’re an Android user, you’ll like the Pixel 7 Pro which has some of the best camera features compared to any other phone on the market. You can use Magic Eraser to remove objects and people, making you the sole focus. Or, you can use Photo Unblur to add clarity to older images that you took in a hurry. Both are my favorites, making the Pixel 7 Pro a constant companion on my family trips.
Similar to the iPhone 14 Pro, accidental spills or the occasions rain splatter won’t damage your phone. I once had it blasting music next to me while I showered and my phone worked perfectly fine right after, even though a few water sprinkles got on the screen.
Marshall speakers have some of the best sound on the market, in my experience. The Emberton in particular has a classic retro design and over 30 hours of battery life, according to the brand. It connects quickly to my smartphone (Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity) and the sound is even, clear and not distorted, even at high volumes. There are quick charging features too and the product weighs just 1.5 pounds, making this one of the lightest speakers I’ve ever owned.
Don’t go swimming with your device: Just because a device has an IP67 or IP68 rating and can be temporarily submerged in water, it’s best to avoid dunking them in liquid for extended periods of time. IP68 usually grants you a 30-minute leeway for submerging your device in water, but it may be possible for your device to still suffer some damage, or at the very less be nonchargeable for a while as water can get into the charging port. “It is still possible for water to damage the device if it is submerged for too long or exposed to high-pressure water,” says Kelso. To be safe, store your gadget away while you take a dip in the pool.
At Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
Nishka Dhawan is an associate commerce editor at Select who’s written about smartphones, tablets and earbuds for over three years. For this article, she conducted extensive research into IP ratings and spoke to electronic experts on what IP ratings mean and how they work. She only relied on experts for shopping guidance, every product chosen is either top-rated or a Select staff favorite.
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