Let's answer this question quickly by saying that Apple AirPods are not full waterproof, but the best AirPods do offer varying levels of water resistance, including from sweat, which means you can take them with you on a workout or outside while it's lightly raining and they’ll be fine.
If you’re looking for a pair of earbuds to take with you on your next pool session then check out our guide of the best waterproof headphones. Otherwise, if you’re an AirPods owner and want to find out which models are water-resistant and what to do if you accidentally get them wet, then read on to find out all the details below.
Which AirPods are water-resistant?
- AirPods 3rd Gen
- AirPods Pro
- AirPods Pro 2
Out of the five AirPod models currently available to buy, there are only three that are water-resistant (which means they're also lightly sweat-resistant, like many of the best wireless earbuds). These are the AirPods 3rd Gen, AirPods Pro and AirPods Pro 2 but even so, the cases don’t all share the same protective rating. Below we’ll explain the varying specs of each.
We understand that accidents happen and we're not immune to them at TechRadar. On one occasion, one of our own members of the team washed their AirPods and while they still worked after putting them in a box of rice overnight, they never sounded the same again. Crucially, Apple clarifies that its water and sweat-resistant ratings don’t mean that any of its compatible AirPods can withstand being in these states for long periods, which means it’s important to make sure to wipe off any excess water or sweat before storing them. In the instance that they have become submerged, allow them to first dry for a full 24 hours before attempting to see if they work. Make sure to also use a microfibre cloth to thoroughly dry them before placing the AirPods back in their case as with the varying levels of resistance, it’s important to keep the case itself safe from contact with water – especially sweat as that will damage the Pods permanently if it gets inside. For a more detailed run-through, read our article on how to clean your AirPods safely.
What to do if your AirPods get wet
You might also like
