Sauna and steamrooms may seem like the same thing, but they are actually quite different. A sauna provides dry heat with no moisture, while a steamroom provides wet heat.
And while you may be tempted to use your AirPods or AirPods Pro in both places, it’s not a good idea as it can severely damage your device and void its warranty.
Keep reading to learn more about saunas and steamrooms, and why you should keep your AirPods out of these places.
| Key Takeaways |
|---|
| AirPods and AirPods Pro are not waterproof or heatproof. |
| They should not be used in saunas or steam rooms. |
| Prolonged exposure to temperatures above 95°F can permanently shorten their battery life. |
Table of Contents
Can you use AirPods in the sauna?
Bringing your AirPods and AirPods Pro into the sauna may seem like a great idea. After all, what better way to relax than by listening to your favorite podcast or album while decompressing in a warm sauna?
While AirPods and AirPods Pro are water-resistant, they are not waterproof, nor are they heatproof.
Apple has the AirPods recommended usage temperatures listed at 32 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit (0 to 35 degrees Celsius). And saunas typically reach temperatures much higher than that.
Saunas are a combination of water vapors and high temperatures to get people sweating, which cleanses the body and skin of toxins.
And since water vapors are microscopic particles, they can make their way into the tiniest of crevices, including your headphones.
Furthermore, high temperature levels that you find in saunas can take their toll on electronic devices, such as your AirPods, causing the device to overheat and malfunction.
Read more: Can AirPods work with Alexa?
Can you use AirPods in a dry sauna?
Dry saunas pose a whole new question, since they do not use moisture and instead utilize dry heat to get a similar effect as a traditional sauna.
However, that doesn’t mean your AirPods are safe to use in a dry sauna. With dry saunas, the heat inside the room can reach upward of 150 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, which is over 50 degrees more than the device’s recommended operating temperature.
Furthermore, when exposed to high temperatures, such as those found in dry saunas, the AirPods’ lithium ion battery may react poorly to those conditions.
In fact, Apple states that prolonged use of AirPods and AirPods Pro at temperatures above 95 degrees Fahrenheit (35 degrees Celsius) can permanently shorten their battery life.
Read more: Can I track my stolen AirPods?
Can you use AirPods in an infrared sauna?
Infrared saunas provide many of the same benefits of a traditional sauna but without heating the entire room. Instead, they use infrared lights to directly heat your body, which raises the body temperature before raising the air temperature.
Since these types of saunas operate at lower temperatures than their traditional counterparts, you may be wondering if you can take your AirPods into an infrared sauna instead.
Unfortunately, infrared saunas can still reach temperatures of up to 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
While this temperature is lower than traditional saunas, it is still much higher than the recommended usage temperature for AirPods and AirPods Pro.
Because of these high temperatures, you should avoid using your headphones when in an infrared sauna.
Is it bad to use AirPods in the sauna?
The high heat and humidity found in saunas will spell trouble for your AirPods, as well as most other electronic devices that are not waterproof and heatproof.
AirPods are one of the best headphones to wear while working out, and Apple even made them water-resistant to help withstand sweat.
They were not, however, meant to be used in a room designed to make you sweat enough to get rid of the toxins in your body and skin.
The amount of moisture and heat that are found in saunas will spell disaster for your AirPods and AirPods Pro, and you should avoid using them when using any type of sauna.
Remember that a sauna is a place to relax, and even if you have taken your AirPods into the sauna before without issues, that doesn’t mean you’ll continue to be as lucky.
Every time you subject the device to excessive moisture and high heat, you are increasing the chances of the AirPods malfunctioning. And do you really want to shell out the cost to purchase a new pair of AirPods?
Can you use AirPods in a steamroom?
Since AirPods are water-resistant, you may assume that they can withstand the moisture level found in steamrooms.
And while AirPods can typically handle your sweaty workout or getting caught in the rain while going for a jog, they cannot survive an abundance of moisture.
AirPods and AirPods Pro are not waterproof and should never be worn in steamrooms.
Apple has even specifically stated not to use AirPods and AirPods Pro in saunas and steamrooms, and going against this advice may permanently damage your headphones as well as void their warranty.
Before taking your AirPods and AirPods Pro into a sauna and steamroom, ask yourself if it is worth the risk of potentially destroying your expensive device?
Instead, use that time to meditate and relax your mind as well as your body. You will come out of the sauna or steamroom with a clear head and your AirPods safe and sound.
Pros
- Relaxing and cleansing experience
- Helps to detoxify the body
- Good for muscle relaxation
Cons
- High temperatures can damage AirPods
- High humidity can damage AirPods
- Voiding AirPods warranty
