Your AirPods Pro (1st and 2nd generation), AirPods (3rd generation), MagSafe Charging Case for AirPods (3rd generation), Lightning Charging Case for AirPods (3rd generation) and MagSafe Charging Case for AirPods Pro (2nd generation) are water and sweat resistant, but they are not waterproof or sweatproof.
AirPods Pro and AirPods (3rd generation) aren't designed for use in water sports like swimming, or for showering.
Sometimes, water affects your AirPods instantly; other times, it slowly rusts the circuits over weeks or months. Whatever happens, you'll need to pay out-of-pocket to replace your AirPods if they stop working. Apple doesn't cover water damage under the warranty, not even for water-resistant AirPods or AirPods Pro.
AirPods Pro 2: IPX4 water resistance
The second-gen AirPods Pro come with an IPX4 rating, which means they can withstand splashes of water from any direction. While you wouldn't want to take them swimming — as some headphones are designed for — you don't have to worry about rain.
This means your Apple AirPods (3rd generation) and Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) have no dust protection rating, but are considered protected from splashes, drips, and sprays of water. Basically, if you get caught out in the rain, or you sweat a lot at the gym, these will perform without issue.
“Can I wear Airpods in the shower?” For early-generation Airpods, absolutely not – those have no protection against water whatsoever! Airpods Pro or 3rd generation Airpods are water-resistant, but can't be subjected to anything more than light drizzles – and even then, the danger remains.
The rest of the AirPods models, namely AirPods (1st & 2nd Gen) and AirPods Max, are not water-resistant at all. The IPX4 rating means that they can survive splashing water like rain or sweat, but are incompatible to use in the swimming pool or while showering.
Unlike iPhones, AirPods don't have a Liquid Damage Indicator. The best way to tell if your AirPods are damaged is to try connecting them to your iPhone after drying them out for a day or two.
The AirPods Pro 2 come with an IPX4 rating that denotes resistance to water. More specifically, that means the device is resistant to splashes of water from any direction.
My go-to pair of earbuds for sleeping is Apple's AirPods Pro (2nd Gen), which are my favorite pair of totally wireless earbuds overall. The earbuds have a curved shape that creates a tight seal around my eardrum, so they don't fall out.
In fact, Airpods can survive up to 60 minutes in the washing machine, according to Tech Geek Base. But they recommend you dry them out for at least 12 hours afterward. Our very own Matthew Roy tweeted out on Monday saying "If anyone was wondering... Airpods can withstand give washes in the washer, but not six."
No version of AirPods — standard AirPods, AirPods Pro, AirPods Max — are waterproof. Charging cases and Smart Cases are not waterproof, either.
Rather than only enduring the soft drips of light rain, these devices have the capacity to actually force the liquid away from its surface. Sadly, AirPods fall into the second category. While they might not malfunction from the occasional water splashes, there is no way they'll survive being submerged in water.
If your AirPods come in contact with liquid, including sweat from a workout, wipe them down with a dry microfiber cloth. To dry the case, place it upside down with the lid open. If your AirPods become damaged after they get wet, you can order a replacement.
The AirPods Pro can't quite match the best-in-class true wireless noise-cancelling earbuds for sound quality, but the user experience (especially if you're an iOS user) and unprecedented levels of comfort still make them a very strong option in the category.
AirPods are not designed to be used in saunas or steam rooms. This is because the high temperatures and humidity can damage the electronics in the AirPods and cause them to stop working.
Should AirPods really be your running partner? One word: sweat. After all, AirPods are neither sweat nor water-resistant. "Simply put, sweat—and any kind of water—will damage headphones permanently if it gets inside," our executive editor, TJ Donegan, explains.
The buildup of earwax, sweat, dirt, and other grimy substances can not only harm the performance and life span of your AirPods, she says, but it can also cause irritation or an infection in your ear canal. The problem: AirPods have a lot of tough-to-reach spots, and cleaning them the wrong way could damage them.
You should still avoid getting water-resistant AirPods or AirPods Pro wet on purpose, but they should survive the odd splash. The original AirPods or AirPods (2nd generation) aren't waterproof or water-resistant at all, so don't ever let them get wet.
Yes, you can shower with your AirPods. They're practically waterproof, Apple just doesn't want you to sue them if you break them with a pressure washer.
Fixing water-damaged AirPods cost $89 per AirPod in case you do not have an AppleCare+ subscription. With AppleCare+, the replacement fee jumps down to $29 every time you bring your device for service.