Are Powerbeats Pro Waterproof? [Answered!]

You’ve probably heard about Apple’s Powerbeats Pro, which debuted in 2019 and are also known as Beats By Dre (Dr. Dre the rapper, that is). 

Dre actually established Beats way back in 2006 with record company executive Jimmy Iovine. 

Iovine and Dre recognized that the quality of Apple’s plastic earbuds was subpar and sought to reinvent and redesign. 

Apple eventually acquired Beats in 2014, and since then, they have worked to enhance these wireless headphones.

If you are out shopping for these headphones, you might notice on the box that there is an IPX4 rating. 

An IP rating means a product has “Ingress Protection”, giving it protection from solid and liquid objects. But does that make it waterproof?

Are Powerbeats Pro Waterproof?

With the IPX4 rating, Powerbeats pro can resist sweat and a few little drip-drops of water, you’re not going to want to get them too wet. They are water resistant, so while you may be OK in the occasional rain shower, you won’t be listening to them while you swim laps in the pool.

Can you splash them with water for ten minutes straight? Sure. 

But do you want to submerge them in snow or water? Not even remotely. 

As someone who has lost earbuds to the perils of water damage, I’m here to tell you about why Powerbeats Pro are not waterproof and just how much liquid exposure they can actually withstand.

What is an IPX4 rating?

An IPX4 rating essentially means that your Powerbeats Pro earbuds are able to withstand splashes from water, sweat, and basically any other type of liquid. They are also rated against solids. 

These splashes can come from any direction.

How much splashing can Powerbeats Pro withstand?

Powerbeats Pro earbuds can withstand a good amount of splashing. 

As it turns out, you can splash them with water for a solid 10 minutes without them incurring any real damage. 

And this is, of course, a lot more splashing than what you get from sweat or falling rain. 

You can drop them in a kitchen sink with splashes of water, briefly drop them in the toilet, or even leave them in a bowl of water for 20 minutes without them getting much water damage. 

You just don’t want to push your luck.

Can you use Powerbeats Pro in the shower?

While you probably can take Powerbeats Pro in the shower, it is not recommended. 

This is not so much due to the water but to the toiletries you use during your shower. 

Soap, body wash, shaving cream or gel, shampoo, conditioner, and body lotions can all cause damage to earbuds because of their chemical compounds. 

It is better to leave them in their case than to risk damage by shampoo exposure.

Will the sound get muffled if I drop my Powerbeats Pro in the sink?

If your Powerbeats Pro get dropped into the water, they might come out with muffled sound. This is actually pretty normal. 

You will need to get the water out – and quickly – if you want to fully restore the sound quality on your earbuds. 

Let’s talk about how you can do that.

How do I get water out of my Powerbeats Pro?

It is possible to get water out of your Powerbeats Pro, and you should do so quickly after exposure.

If they get wet, immediately remove them from the water. 

If moisture is able to get into the buds’ circuitry, the buds can get damaged if you turn the earbuds on or send audio signals when they are still wet.

Whatever you do, do not use the earbuds. 

And please, please, please don’t use the hair dryer on them. 

This kind of intensely high heat will damage the electrical components inside of your earbuds. 

And, seriously, don’t nuke them in the microwave.

Here’s what you can do instead:

1. Remove the attachable tip sleeves and set them aside on a soft towel to dry off.
2. Carefully open up the earbuds using a knife or a small screwdriver.
3. Gently shake the earbuds several times each to remove the water droplets inside of them.
4. Blow air from your mouth into the opened earbuds, giving a few puffs of air to each one. This will help eliminate more water.
5. Use a soft, lint-free cloth to dab at the excess water inside of the earbuds.
6. Put your earbuds in a medium-sized bowl of rice for about 48 hours. (Be sure to dispose of the rice afterward!) Rice will draw out any remaining moisture.

These steps might not work if you have let too much time elapse or if too much water has gotten into the earbuds.

Does AppleCare cover water damage to my Powerbeats Pro?

If you have AppleCare+, you get two years of coverage for your Powerbeats Pro earbuds. 

However, there are some limitations.

You will only get two incidents of accidental damage covered within each of the two 12-month periods, and each incident is subject to a service fee of $29 (plus any applicable tax).

Here are the benefits you do have with AppleCare+:

1. 24/7 priority access to Apple experts via phone calls or online chats.
2. Mail-in repair for your headphones utilizing a prepaid shipping box given to you by Apple.
3. arry-in repair at an Apple Store or other Apple Authorized Service Provider near you.
4. Express Replacement Service – which is when Apple ships a replacement device to you so that you don’t have a lengthy wait for repairs.

Closing Thoughts

Powerbeats Pro earbuds are not waterproof, just splash-resistant. 

You will need to be mindful of where you take them. 

If water should get in them, you will need to act fast to save them.

That being said, from all the tests I’ve seen done on them, Powerbeats Pro are pretty darn durable. 

And, if they do get damaged beyond your ability to repair, AppleCare+ will have you covered if you’ve opted for that warranty.