As someone who loves to take their AirPods on runs, hikes, and other outdoor activities, I found myself wondering if I could use them in the rain. After doing some research, I’m here to share what I found out about using AirPods in the rain and other solutions I discovered.
At the time of publication, Apple offered five AirPod models: 2nd Generation AirPods, 3rd Generation AirPods, AirPods Pro 1 and 2, and AirPods Max.
The 3rd Generation AirPods and all AirPods Pro generations are the only models that are currently water-resistant.
However, Even though the 3rd Gen AirPods and AirPods Pro offer some protection against water, does that mean you can use them in the rain?
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Table of Contents
Can AirPods be used in the rain?
The short answer is “No,” AirPods should not be used in the rain. The longer answer, however, is that if you get caught in a light drizzle while wearing your 3rd generation AirPods or AirPods Pro it probably won’t harm the headphones.
AirPods 3rd Gen and AirPods Pro are water-resistant but not completely water-proof. So sweat and light rain typically won’t cause issues with these earbuds, but too much water will severely damage them and even ruin the AirPods.
Furthermore, Apple doesn’t cover water damage for AirPods, not even for the water-resistant models. This means if you get the AirPods wet and they stop working properly, you are on the hook for the replacement costs.
Can AirPods Pro be used in the rain?
AirPods Pros are water resistance, but not water-proof. This means you can technically wear them in light rain, but should never use them when rainfall is moderate to heavy.
The best option is to err on the side of caution and avoid using AirPods in any level of rainfall. Another thing to consider is that even water-resistant devices lose their ability to resist water overtime.
This is because the water-resistant seal will actually degrade as the years pass. So, as the AirPods age and their seal degrades, they won’t have the same level of resistance they once did.
If your AirPods Pro do get wet from sweat or light rain, make sure to thoroughly dry them off with a soft cloth before placing them back in their charging case. Avoid placing wet AirPods in their changing case as the water or sweat on the earbuds can damage the case.
Read more: Can you use an iPhone charger to charge AirPods?
Are AirPods rain resistant?
The original AirPods, as well as the 2nd gen models, are not water-resistant and should never be taken out in the rain, not even a light drizzle. In fact, you should never do the following with any model of AirPods:
- Never swim with AirPods
- Never wear AirPods in the shower.
- Never wear AirPods in the rain.
- Never wear AirPods while doing any type of water sport.
- Never wear AirPods in a steam room or sauna.
- Never let AirPods go through the washing machine.
Read more: Do AirPods fit in small ears?
Can AirPods get wet in rain?
No matter what model of AirPods you have, you should never get them wet in the rain. Rain can and will ruin your AirPods causing irreversible damage. When it’s raining outside, it’s best to play it safe and keep your AirPods out of the rain.
After all, do you really want to risk ruining the wireless headphones and having to fork over hundreds of dollars to replace them?
Can AirPods be used in light rain?
Whether or not you can use AirPods in light rain will depend on the type of AirPods you have. AirPods Pro have an IPX4 rating for water-resistant, as well as sweat-resistant. But that doesn’t mean they are water or sweat-proof.
And while you should never purposely wear AirPods, even the water-resistant models, in light rain, it is possible that if you’re caught in light rain while wearing them it won’t ruin your earbuds. If your AirPods do get wet, remember to always dry off the earbuds before placing them back in their charging case.
What to do if my AirPods get wet?
If your AirPods get wet, act fast to remove the water from the earbuds. Using a lint-free cloth, wipe off the earbuds to remove all water or sweat.
A mircofiber cloth works best for this job since it is free of lint and won’t scratch the AirPods. You will also need to use cotton swabs to get the water or sweat out of small ports found on the side of the earbuds.
Once you have removed the water or sweat, lay the AirPods in a safe location, such as on your table, and let them airdry for at least two hours before placing them back in their charging case.
Listening to music everywhere you go can make life that much more interesting, especially when it’s raining and you feel like you stepped in a music video! If this rings a bell and you’re a fan of Apple’s wireless earbuds, chances are you’re wondering: can AirPods be used in the rain?
No, you shouldn’t use any generation of AirPods in the rain if you’re not wearing anything to protect them like a hoodie or if it’s raining heavily. AirPods may be water-resistant but not waterproof; they can’t withstand heavy water contact that comes with activities like swimming, showering, or being in a downpour.
AirPods can survive a light sprinkle for a short time, but never wear them outdoors in heavy rain, place them under running water, or submerge them unless you’re fine with them getting significantly damaged.
- Place the AirPods and the charging case upside down on a microfiber cloth and let them air dry for at least 5 hours.
- Place the AirPods in a bowl of uncooked rice for a few days.
- Place the AirPods next to activated charcoal packets for at least 8 hours.
- Place the AirPods in a bowl with silica gel packets for a few days.
- Use the Water Eject shortcut from your iPhone to push out water from the earbuds.
How Waterproof Are AirPods?
Well, that’s just it — none of the Apple Airpods or AirPods Pro generations are waterproof!
The 1st and 2nd generations of AirPods aren’t even water-resistant. Only AirPods Pro and 3rd-generation AirPods are built to resist water and sweat, rated at IPX4.
So, what does this mean exactly?
IPX (short for Ingress Protection Marking) is a scale used to determine how well an electronic device can resist exposure to liquids. More specifically, the number following the X ranges from 0 to 8 and refers to the level of water protection you should expect.
IPX4 is the most common water protection rating among electronic devices that are sweat-resistant. It means that the device can endure water splashes from any angle or direction.
As such, AirPods can handle exposure to light water contact from the elements in the environment and during exercise. So if you find yourself walking in a drizzle or sweating from a run while wearing your AirPods, don’t worry too much — they can take it.
However, AirPods can sustain serious damage if you expose them to heavy water contact from activities such as swimming, showering, taking a long walk in a downpour, or going in a steam room.
Similarly, you shouldn’t put your AirPods under running water, submerge them, expose them to high-velocity water (for example, while water skiing), or place them in the washing machine or dryer.
AirPods are only meant to get very lightly or accidentally wet. They can withstand a little bit of moisture without getting damaged.
That said, it’s best to avoid any wetness affecting your AirPods because their resistance against sweat and water isn’t a permanent quality. In fact, this resistance may very well decrease over time with normal wear according to Apple’s support page.
Is Water Damage Covered by Apple Warranty?
The standard Apple warranty you get with AirPods doesn’t cover water damage.
If your earbuds are damaged from being in the rain and you try to bring them to the store to claim a warranty, the support team will tell you they aren’t covered. But they may be able to fix them for an extra fee.
How to Minimize Water Damage to AirPods
Here are some tips to protect your AirPods from water damage:
- Don’t leave the AirPods out of their case when not in use.
- Use a water-resistant AirPods case.
- After exercise, always clean your AirPods.
- Don’t use your AirPods in the shower or outdoors when it’s raining.
- Before doing laundry, always check your pockets.
Wrap Up
AirPods can be water-resistant, but they aren’t waterproof. They can’t handle heavy water contact such as being under a downpour, so it’s best not to use them in the rain.
