You know that the iPhone is waterproof, but what about AirPods, specifically AirPods Gen 1? Unfortunately, they are not waterproof. However, the good news is that AirPods Pro 1 are somewhat water-resistant.
Apple does not claim any of its AirPods to be waterproof. Specifically, AirPods from the 1st and 2nd generations. They are neither water-resistant nor waterproof.
However, I have heard there are cases where people spill water on their AirPods by mistake, and it still works. Well, lucky for them.
I think it is very important to understand that waterproof and water-resistant are two different terms, although there are Apple watches and iPhones that do offer decent water-resistant capabilities, yet AirPods are far from falling in that category.
Rating AirPods Water Resistance Ability
| Model | Earbuds IP Rating | Charging Case IP Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| AirPods (1st gen) | ❌ None | ❌ None | No resistance |
| AirPods (2nd gen) | ❌ None | ❌ None | No resistance |
| AirPods (3rd gen) | ✅ IPX4 | ✅ IPX4 (MagSafe case only) | Resistant to sweat and light splashes |
| AirPods Pro (1st gen) | ✅ IPX4 | ❌ None | Earbuds only — not the case |
| AirPods Pro (2nd gen, Lightning) | ✅ IPX4 | ✅ IPX4 | Improved case resistance |
| AirPods Pro (2nd gen, USB-C) | ✅ IP54 | ✅ IP54 | Better dust protection than Lightning model |
| AirPods Max | ❌ None | ❌ None | Not water or sweat-resistant |
How To Dry Off Your AirPods Gen 1
By now, you have already learnt your lesson that you need to keep your AirPods Gen 1 away from water. However, if some unfortunate event occurs and they get splashed with water, then there are some things that you can do on your own.
When my AirPods got wet, I let them air dry naturally. Even Apple itself asks people to let it dry naturally and not blow-dry or use any kind of radiation to dry it off. Applying heat to it can damage the hardware and internal components of the AirPods. However, I did not want to sit idle, so I dabbed it with a microfiber cloth.
That’s it, overdoing anything at such a sensitive stage can lead to more blunders. Eventually, when the dry AirPods are out, they should function normally. However, if they don’t, then you need to contact AppleCare to get it fixed.
Final Thoughts
By now, you should know that if you are using AirPods Gen 1, then you should take extra care not to bring them close to sweat or water. Newer AirPods do have some abilities to protect themselves ,while the older generations do not.
This applies not only to the AirPods but also to the charging case. If your charging case is wet, then you need to replace it or buy a new one. I had to do it because putting AirPods in a wet charging case means they will be completely ruined.
Even if they are AirPods Gen 1, if you need them daily, you should be careful with them. If you have any questions, then drop them in the comments below, and I will be happy to help you.
