AirPods are undoubtedly one of the best wireless and value-for-money earbuds you can own. What makes them stand out from the competition is the convenience, fine sound quality, support for spatial audio (only AirPods Pro & Pro 2), and much more. That’s why Apple has sold 150 million units of them so far. However, there’s one question that every AirPods 2, 3, and Pro user has in mind. Are AirPods waterproof?
AirPods aren’t waterproof. Avoid wearing them in showers, rain, or in the swimming pool. But some models like AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 3 are water-resistant with an IPX4 rating, they can withstand water to some degree, such as sweat.
In addition, there are some simple workarounds, in case your favorite AirPods get wet or submerged in water.
Continue reading, as I explore this topic in more detail and answer all questions you might have in mind.
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What AirPods Аre Most Waterproof?
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No AirPods are waterproof. But AirPods Pro (1st and 2nd Generation) and AirPods (3rd Generation) are water-resistant and protected with the IPX4 rating, making them withstand water splashes from any direction.
But here again, no water must enter them from the mesh. Otherwise, read on to know what can happen to these AirPods.
Related: AirPods Connected but No Sound: 12 Simple Fixes
What Happens if Your AirPod Gets Wet?
Since they are small peripherals with delicate internal components, getting your AirPods wet can lead to the following situations.
They May Stop Working
Your AirPods may stop working if too much water has entered them through the tiny holes in the body. Even if they work, you may face issues with the sound output or its quality.
They May Start to Rust
If you keep the wet AirPods unattended for an extended period, their metal components, for example, the stainless steel acoustic mesh, may start to rust. You definitely don’t want that to happen!
They May Develop a Water Stain
If nothing worse, your AirPods may develop an ugly water stain on their bright white body.
How to Do Water Eject on AirPods?
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To do a Water Eject on AirPods, follow these steps.
- Connect the AirPods to your iPhone or iPad. This is to install the shortcut.
- Open any web browser and search for the Water Eject shortcut.
- Tap Get Shortcut.
- Select Add Shortcut.
- On your iPhone or iPad, open the Shortcuts app.
- Select Water Eject.
- Hit Start and choose a suitable frequency. It should have a low bass, though.
Repeat the above steps a few times to completely eject the water.
Related: Wireless vs Non wireless AirPods
Will Apple Replace AirPods With Water Damage?
Apple won’t replace AirPods with water damage. This is because their standard warranty doesn’t cover damages due to water.
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But if you’ve got AppleCare+ for Headphones, Apple will replace one AirPod for $29 or both AirPods + the charging case for $89. The choice is yours!
I’ve purchased AppleCare+ for my wireless earbuds and am pretty happy.
Can AirPods Be Repaired From Water Damage?
AirPods can be repaired from water damage, but only if you act quickly.
Below are the simple steps to get your wet earbuds back to normal after an accidental water splash.
- Immediately remove the AirPods from the water or wet charging case.
- Pat them with a dry lint-free cloth. The cloth that comes with your specs is exactly that!
- Run the Water Eject shortcut to force excess water from the speakers using a low-frequency bass tone. The exact steps are discussed above.
- Let the charging case + earbuds dry out completely.
- To remove any remaining water droplets from your AirPods, it’s good to keep them in a container with silica gel packets.
The above steps should get your water-damaged AirPods back in working condition. If not, replace them!
How Long Are AirPods Under Warranty?
All Generations of AirPods come with a limited 1-year manufacturer’s warranty.
However, there’s a catch.
This warranty only covers these expensive peripherals’ defective batteries (the defect must also fall under the terms of the warranty) and nothing else.
For example, you’ll have to bear the full repair/service cost!
How to Check if AirPods Are Still Under Warranty?
If you’re unsure whether your AirPods are still under warranty, below is how to check it.
1. Visit Apple’s official Check Coverage page.
2. Enter your AirPods serial number and the unique Captcha code.
3. Hit Submit.
Next, you’ll land on the screen with four product warranty sections – AppleCare Eligibility, Purchase Date, Tech Support Eligibility, and Repairs and Service Coverage.
The Purchase Date section will help you check if your AirPods are still under 1 year old. Also, I highly suggest buying AppleCare+ (if eligible), which increases the warranty to 2 years.
Related: One AirPod Not Working? A Step-by-Step Guide on How to Fix It
Waterproof AirPods Alternatives
Although Apple has been constantly working on making its top-selling AirPods waterproof, there’s no clarity on when they will hit the market.
Thus, check out the following waterproof AirPods alternatives in the meantime.
- Jabra Elite 75t – IP55
Price: $199
Reasons to Buy: Well-balanced sound profile, up to 7.5 hours of battery life, comfortable & secure fit, and active noise cancellation (ANC).
- Sony WF-1000XM4 – IPX4
Price: $278
Reasons to Buy: Integrated Processor V1 for noise cancellation, clear sound output, multipoint connection, quick charge, up to 8 hours of battery life, 4-month access to Amazon Music.
- Bose QuietComfort Earbuds – IPX7
Price: $170
Reasons to Buy: Sleek design, high-fidelity audio, up to 6 hours of battery life, latest Bluetooth 5.1 connectivity, and easy setup with the official Bose Connect app.
Price: $114.99
Reasons to Buy: Customizable touch control, stereo sound, 7 hours of battery life on a single charge, Smart Pause, and AAC and AptX support.
All these earbuds are compatible with both iOS & Android devices.
Tip: Want to know what each of the above water-resistance ratings means? Check out this article.
Related: How Long Do AirPods Last? Battery & Life Expectancy
Are AirPods Waterproof? FAQs
Q: Can You Wear AirPods to the Gym?
A: If you’ve got AirPods Pro, you can wear them to the gym. They are IPX4 rated and, thus, can withstand your sweat. But make sure to wipe them off with a tissue after every use.
Q: Can You Wear AirPods in the Shower?
A: You should avoid wearing your AirPods in the shower since they aren’t waterproof. Even if you own water-resistant earbuds, they can’t resist that much amount of water.
Q: Is It OK to Use AirPods With Wet Hair?
A: It’s not OK to use AirPods with wet hair. They might malfunction if water from your hair gets inside them.
Q: Will AirPods Survive the Washing Machine?
A: AirPods can’t survive the washing machine. It’s a strict “no” to drop them into it.
Q: Are AirPods Waterproof for Swimming?
A: AirPods aren’t waterproof for swimming. Instead, invest in its waterproof alternatives from the above list.
Related: How to Connect AirPods to MacBook
Wrapping Up…
Here you go.
It’s always great to protect your AirPods from water, irrespective of the model, especially if you haven’t opted for Apple Care+. Rest, don’t fret; these classy earbuds can easily withstand minor exposure to sweat when you clean them regularly.
If you work in damp environments, investing in a water-resistant AirPods case will be a wise choice.
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