AirPods live in pockets, gym bags, and ears — places where sweat, rain, and the occasional spilled coffee are facts of life. So it’s a fair question: are AirPods waterproof? The honest answer is no. No AirPods model is waterproof. But most of them are water resistant to a degree, and knowing exactly what that means can save you from an expensive mistake.

Waterproof vs. water resistant: not the same thing

“Waterproof” means you can submerge it without damage. “Water resistant” means it can handle some exposure — splashes, sweat, light rain — under specific conditions. This distinction matters because Apple has never claimed any AirPods are waterproof, and treating them as such (swimming, showering) is the fastest way to kill them.

Water resistance is measured against the IP rating system. For AirPods, you’ll see IPX4: the “X” means no official dust rating was claimed, and the “4” means protection against water splashes from any direction. That’s it — splashes. Not submersion, not jets of water, not a swim.

AirPods water resistance by model

Here’s how the lineup breaks down:

• AirPods Pro (1st and 2nd generation): IPX4 rated — sweat and water resistant. The AirPods Pro 2 charging case is also IPX4 rated, which is a nice bonus.
• AirPods (3rd generation): IPX4 rated — sweat and water resistant, same as the Pro models.
• AirPods 4: rated IP54, which adds dust protection on top of the same splash-level water resistance.
• AirPods (1st and 2nd generation): no water resistance rating at all. Keep these away from any moisture.
• AirPods Max: no water resistance rating. The over-ear design and fabric ear cushions make them especially vulnerable to sweat and rain.

A critical note Apple makes explicit: water resistance is not permanent. It degrades with normal wear, drops, and time. An IPX4-rated pair that’s two years old and has been dropped a few times is not the same as a fresh pair.

What IPX4 actually protects against

In practical terms, IPX4 covers:

• Sweat during workouts — this is the main scenario Apple designed for
• Light rain — getting caught in a drizzle walking to the car
• Splashes — the odd spilled drink nearby

It does not cover:

• Swimming, pools, or the sea (chlorine and salt water are especially corrosive)
• Showering — hot water and steam are worse than cold splashes
• Submersion of any kind, even brief
• High-pressure water, like a strong tap or showerhead

And the charging case matters too: only the AirPods Pro 2 case carries an IPX4 rating. Other cases have no rating, so a wet case is a dead case waiting to happen.

What to do if your AirPods get wet

Act fast — the longer moisture sits inside, the more damage it does:

1. Remove them from the wet environment immediately and take them out of the charging case. Never charge wet AirPods — electricity plus moisture is what causes corrosion.
2. Shake off excess water gently, then pat them dry with a soft, lint-free cloth. Pay attention to the speaker meshes and the charging contacts at the bottom of each stem.
3. Let them air-dry in a well-ventilated spot for at least a few hours — ideally overnight — before putting them back in the case or charging them.
4. Don’t use heat. No hair dryers, no radiators, no sunny dashboards. Heat warps the tiny components and battery.
5. Don’t put them in rice. Rice dust gets into the speaker meshes and charging contacts, and rice is far less effective at drying than plain air circulation anyway.

If water got into the speaker and sound is now muffled or distorted, a water-eject tone can help vibrate moisture out of the tiny speaker chamber — it works on earbuds as well as phones. Our free speaker cleaner plays these tones right in your browser.

Sweat: the slow killer

Sweat deserves special attention because it’s the most common way AirPods die. Sweat is salty, and salt water is corrosive — it eats at charging contacts and speaker meshes over time. If you work out with AirPods regularly, wipe them down with a slightly damp cloth after each session and let them dry before casing them. This one habit extends their life dramatically.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are AirPods waterproof? Can I swim with them?
No — no AirPods model is waterproof, and you should never swim with them. Most recent models are IPX4 water resistant, which covers sweat and light splashes only. Swimming, showering, and submersion will damage them.

Are AirPods Pro waterproof?
AirPods Pro (1st and 2nd gen) are IPX4 sweat and water resistant, not waterproof. They’ll survive a sweaty workout or light rain, but not a swim, a shower, or being dropped in water. The AirPods Pro 2 charging case is also IPX4 rated.

What happens if AirPods get wet?
Remove them from the case immediately, pat dry with a lint-free cloth, and air-dry for several hours before charging. Never charge wet AirPods. If the speaker sounds muffled afterwards, moisture may be trapped in the speaker mesh — a water-eject tone can help push it out.

Does AppleCare cover water-damaged AirPods?
Apple’s standard warranty doesn’t cover water damage. AppleCare+ does cover accidental damage (including water damage) for a service fee, but it’s far cheaper to keep them dry in the first place.

Can I wear AirPods in the rain?
Light rain is fine for IPX4-rated models (AirPods 3, AirPods 4, AirPods Pro). Heavy rain is riskier — and if you have the original AirPods 1/2 or AirPods Max, which have no water rating, take them out at the first drop.

The bottom line

Think of your AirPods as sweat-proof, not waterproof. They’ll handle workouts and weather surprises, but water is still their enemy — and the charging case is the weakest link. If your AirPods have survived a soaking and now sound muffled, try running a water-eject tone before assuming they’re dead. You might be surprised.