Can I Wear Bluetooth Headphones In the Rain?

You are out on a jog and – oh no – the weather suddenly turns sour. 

A light drizzle quickly turns into a full-on downpour. You pull your hood up over your head, but your Bluetooth headphones are already wet. 

Is this going to pose a problem for those headphones? 

Will they be able to withstand splashes of rainwater?

Can I Wear Bluetooth Headphones In the Rain?

Whether or not you can wear your Bluetooth headphones in the rain depends on the headphones’ IPX rating. Those with IPX1-3 ratings should probably not be used in the rain. The higher the IPX rating, the better the headphones can stand up against splashes of water and resist damage.

It really depends on which Bluetooth headphones you own. 

They are essentially safe to wear in the rain.

While Bluetooth headphones do have a tiny magnet contained inside of them, it will not be enough to attract a strike of lightning. 

Electrocution is not a concern, but what about the damage that can be caused to the headphones themselves?

Wearing your headphones in a downpour or two probably won’t damage them, but do not make a habit of this.

Jogging in the rain with your Bluetooth headphones on, on a consistent basis, could potentially lead to water damage. 

But, again, that will depend on which headphones you own.

See, each set will have an IPX rating.

Ranging from IPX1 (being able to sustain a few drops of water falling on it for about 10 minutes) to IPX9K (being able to survive high heat and strong jets of water), your Bluetooth headphones will be rated for some sort of water resistance. 

If your Bluetooth headphones have a lower IPX rating, you definitely should not be wearing them in the rain. 

However, the higher IPX-rated sets can be worn without any real cause for concern.

So, which Bluetooth headphones hold up the best in the rain? 

Let’s talk about whether you should wear your particular set in the rain and which set to buy for consistent use out in thunderstorms.

IPX Ratings Explained

Okay, here is the deal with IPX ratings.

IPX stands for international protection or ingress protection – it can be used either way. 

This is essentially a way for describing the various levels of protection a device has against water, dust, fluids, and more. 

There are nine levels of IPX, which are as follows:

1. IPX1: This rating means that a device can survive drops of water that fall vertically onto it for no more than 10 minutes. It can survive 1mm per minute of rainfall.
2. IPX2: An IPX2 ratings means that the device has a tendency to surviving drops of water that fall on the device if it is tilted upward at a 15-degree angle. It can survive 3mm per minute of rainfall.
3. IPX3: This means that the device can survive sprays of water.
4. IPX4: At the IPX4 level, a device can survive splashes of water that come from any direction. Also, this device can survive water exposure more adeptly than the previous three levels.
5. IPX5: A device at this level of water resistance is able to survive a small water jet coming from any angle by a 6.3mm nozzle. Also, it should ideally be able to survive 12.5l of water per minute.
6. IPX6: A device that is rated at the IPX6 level of water resistance is able to endure a stronger water jet coming at it from any angle by a 12.5mm nozzle and can also survive a 100l volume of water per minute.
7. IPX7: A device rated at the IPX7 level of water resistance is able to be submerged in water for up to 30 minutes without any damage. At this level, the device is considered to be water-resistant.
8. IPX8: An IPX8-rated device can survive when immersed in even deeper water. It should be able to endure more than 30 minutes while fully submerged in water. This would be considered a water-resistant device.
9. IPX9K: A device slotted in the IPX9K level of water resistance has no problem surviving more powerful jets of water. It can also take on high-temperature water and increased water pressure. This is the highest level of water resistance available on any device.

Is it dangerous to wear Bluetooth headphones in the rain?

Most Bluetooth headphones are safe enough to wear in the rain. 

However, rain is acidic in nature, so if it seeps into your headphones, it can wreak havoc on their internal components. 

While you can get water-resistant headphones, none of them are actually waterproof. 

Still, the only way your headphones might catch fire in a storm is if you’re wearing a bunch of electrostatics on your body.

Should I avoid wearing Bluetooth headphones in a thunderstorm?

There are reports of people getting struck by lightning while wearing their Bluetooth headphones in thunderstorms. 

While a lightning bolt might not directly strike the headphones, an indirect strike is possible. 

These situations are incredibly rare though, so you are probably safe from harm. 

Your headphones, however, might still be subjected to internal damage if they aren’t able to resist splashes of water coming from any direction. 

Bluetooth Headphones With High IPX Ratings

There are a few Bluetooth headphone sets out there with high IPX ratings. 

The Plantronics BackBeat FIT 500 are on-the-ear headphones that provide up to 18 hours of battery life.

They have SBC Bluetooth codecs and are wired.

Lightweight and sturdy, these headphones are likely to survive a romp in the rain.

Another option would be the IPX7-rated Mpow Flame Waterproof Headphones. 

These Bluetooth version 4.1 headphones are coated with nanotech materials that protect against water immersion. 

Heavy on the mids and bass, these headphones fit comfortably around the ears and have a 9-hour battery life.

What To Do If Your Bluetooth Headphones Get Wet

There are a few things you can do if your Bluetooth headphones get wet, but you need to quickly take action. 

I recommend taking the following steps to ensure that your headphones don’t sustain any water damage:

1. Thoroughly dry the headphones with a clean, soft towel.
2. Remove all of the removable parts so that the headphones can air-dry.
3. Gently shake the headphone in order to get the water droplets out.
4. Air-dry your headphones for 48 hours; do not try to piece them back together before that.

Closing Thoughts

Wearing your Bluetooth headphones in a gentle downpour is probably okay if they have an IPX rating of 4 or higher. The higher the IPX rating, the better they can resist water. If your headphones do get wet, be sure to promptly air-dry them as soon as you get inside. This can save them from permanent damage.