What IPX4, IPX5, IP55 and IP67 mean on earbuds and speakers
How to read the code
An IP code has two digits. The first is dust protection, from 0 to 6. The second is water protection, from 0 to 8. An X in place of the first digit means the device was not tested for dust, not that it has none.
IPX4 and IPX5
IPX4 means the device resists splashes from any direction: sweat and light rain. IPX5 goes further and resists water jets, so heavier rain. Many sport buds are IPX4 or IPX5, for example the TESNA GOJ05 (IPX4) and the TESNA GOG100 (IPX5).
IP55 and IP56
A 5 in first place means dust protection. IP55 adds resistance to water jets, and IP56 to powerful water jets. They suit dusty trails and bad weather: the TESNA S7 are IP55 and the TESNA Open2 IP56.
IP67
IP67 means dust-tight and able to survive being under water up to 1 m for 30 minutes. An IP67 speaker can go to the beach, the pool or the campsite, be rinsed under a tap and be fished out of the water. The TESNA Pod Pro and Pod mini are IP67.
What each digit means
The IP code comes from the international standard IEC 60529. The first digit shows protection against solids, from 0 (none) to 6 (dust-tight); the second shows protection against water, from 0 to 9.
For water, the steps that matter for earbuds and speakers are these: 4 means splashes from any direction, 5 means water jets, 6 powerful jets, and 7 means temporary immersion, up to 1 m, for 30 minutes. For dust, 5 means dust-protected (a little dust may get in, but not enough to stop it working) and 6 means dust-tight.
An X in place of a digit does not mean zero: it only means the product was not tested for that part.
Which code you need, by what you do
For running, the gym and rain, IPX4 is enough: it handles sweat and splashes. If you sweat a lot or run in heavy rain, IPX5 or IP55 gives you extra margin. For mountain hikes, where there is both dust and rain, choose a 5 or 6 in front as well, as the S7 (IP55) and the Open2 (IP56) have.
For speakers, IP67 is the choice for the beach, the pool and the boat: the speaker is dust- and sand-tight and survives a fall into the water. The Pod Pro and Pod mini are both IP67.
Examples from the TESNA range: the GOJ05 is IPX4, the GOG100 and Ola 1 are IPX5, the S7 is IP55 and the Open2 IP56.
Looking after a water-resistant device
Water resistance does not last for ever: the seals age, and soap, salt and chlorine wear them faster than plain water. After the sea or the pool, rinse the speaker in fresh water and let it dry completely before charging.
Never charge a wet device: the charging port has to be dry. Do not dry it with a hair dryer or on a radiator, the heat can warp the seals; leave it in the air, port down, so the water drains out.
What the IP code does not cover
The tests use fresh water. Salt water, chlorine and soap can be harsher, so after the sea or the pool, rinse the device in fresh water and let it dry before charging. None of the codes above means you can swim with your earbuds.
Every model is in the shop, under open-ear sport earbuds and Bluetooth speakers.