You just spent a couple hundred bucks on the latest white stems from Apple. Then it happens. A sudden downpour while you're jogging, or maybe you accidentally drop one into a half-full sink while brushing your teeth. Your heart stops. You’re frantically wondering: are AirPod Pro 2 waterproof?
Let’s be real. No. They aren't.
Despite what some sketchy TikTok ads might suggest, there is no such thing as a truly waterproof pair of AirPods. Apple doesn’t even claim they are. Instead, the company uses a very specific term: "water-resistant." It sounds like a minor semantic difference, but in the world of electronics, it’s the difference between a minor scare and a dead battery.
The IP54 Truth and What It Actually Means
When you look at the technical specs for the AirPod Pro 2, Apple lists them as having an IP54 rating. This rating applies to both the earbuds and the MagSafe Charging Case. Honestly, this was a decent upgrade because, for a while, the cases weren't rated for much of anything.
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So, what is IP54? The "5" refers to dust resistance, meaning the internals are mostly protected from grit and sand. The "4" is the part you care about: water resistance.
A level 4 rating means the device can handle splashes of water from any direction. Think sweat. Think a light drizzle. Think a few drops from a damp hand. It does not mean submersion. If you take these for a swim or toss them in the washing machine, the seals aren't designed to withstand that kind of pressure. Water will get in. Once it’s inside, the salt or minerals in the water start corroding the delicate circuitry almost immediately.
Real-World Scenarios: Will They Survive?
Most people don't care about laboratory ratings; they care about their daily commute. If you're running and you start sweating like crazy, you're fine. Apple literally designed them for this. The mesh vents are treated to repel moisture, and the internal seals are tight enough to keep high-intensity workouts from ruining your gear.
But let's talk about the shower. People ask this all the time. "Can I wear my AirPods in the shower?"
Please don't.
It’s not just the water. It’s the steam and the chemicals in your shampoo. Steam is gaseous; it can penetrate seals much more easily than liquid water can. Plus, surfactants in soaps and shampoos lower the surface tension of water, making it way easier for the liquid to bypass the protective barriers. You might do it once and be fine, but you're essentially playing Russian Roulette with a $250 piece of tech.
What about a heavy rainstorm? A light mist is one thing, but if you’re caught in a tropical downpour where you’re getting soaked to the bone, take them out. Put them in a pocket. Even though the AirPod Pro 2 are tougher than the originals, they have limits.
The Case is Now Protected (Mostly)
One of the biggest wins with the second-generation Pro model (especially the USB-C version released later) is that the case finally matches the buds. On the original Pro model, the earbuds had an IPX4 rating, but the case had zero official protection. If your case got wet, it was game over.
With the AirPod Pro 2, the MagSafe case is also IP54 rated. This is huge for hikers or anyone who keeps their case in a sweaty gym bag. However, "water-resistant" doesn't mean "waterproof case." If you drop the case into a puddle, the charging port is a giant gaping hole where water can enter. Unlike an iPhone, which can often eject water from its speakers, the AirPod case is much more vulnerable once liquid gets inside the shell.
What to Do When They Actually Get Wet
First off, don't panic. If you've just splashed them, dry them off with a soft, lint-free cloth—a microfiber one is best.
If they actually went for a swim, here is the expert-approved protocol:
- Do not put them back in the case. This is the number one mistake. If the buds are wet and you put them in the case, you’re just introducing moisture to the charging pins and potentially shorting out the whole system.
- Wipe them down. Get all the surface moisture off.
- Tap them out. Hold the earbud with the silicone tip facing down and gently tap it against your palm to encourage water to exit the speaker mesh.
- Air dry. Leave them out on a flat surface for at least 24 hours. Do not use a hairdryer. Heat can melt the adhesive that keeps the AirPods together.
- Skip the rice. This is a tech myth that won't die. Rice doesn't actually "pull" moisture out of sealed electronics effectively, and it often introduces dust and starch into the ports. Just use air.
The Wear and Tear Factor
Something most tech reviewers won't tell you is that water resistance isn't permanent. It's a physical property of the gaskets and acoustic membranes inside the device. Over time, these materials degrade.
If you've dropped your AirPods a few times, the impact can create tiny misalignments in the casing. If you use alcohol wipes to clean them constantly, the chemicals can eventually wear down the water-repellent coatings. After a year or two of heavy use, your AirPod Pro 2 likely aren't as water-resistant as they were the day you unboxed them. Treat them with more caution as they age.
Understanding the Warranty Gap
Here is the cold, hard truth: Apple’s standard one-year warranty does not cover liquid damage.
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If you take your dead AirPods to the Genius Bar and they see the internal liquid contact indicators have tripped, they will tell you it’s an out-of-warranty replacement. It doesn't matter if you were just "walking in the rain." This is why AppleCare+ is actually worth it for AirPods. AppleCare+ covers accidental damage, including liquid ingress, for a small deductible. Without it, you're looking at nearly the full cost of a new pair.
Actionable Steps for AirPod Owners
To keep your investment safe, you should change how you handle them based on the environment.
- For Gym Rats: After every workout, wipe the earbuds down. Dried salt from sweat can build up on the charging contacts and prevent them from seating correctly in the case.
- For Travelers: Keep the case in a small internal pocket of your bag rather than clipped to the outside where it’s exposed to the elements.
- For Deep Cleaning: Use a slightly dampened (not dripping) cloth for the exterior and a dry cotton swab for the mesh. Never submerge them in cleaning solutions.
- The "Sneeze" Test: If the audio starts sounding muffled or "crunchy" after getting wet, it means there is still water in the acoustic vent. Set them aside and wait. Don't try to "blast" the water out by turning the volume to max; you could damage the driver while it's under hydraulic pressure.
Basically, treat the AirPod Pro 2 like a high-end watch that says it's "30m Water Resistant." It’s fine for washing your hands, but keep it away from the deep end of the pool. Use common sense, keep them dry when possible, and if you're a heavy outdoor athlete, definitely spring for the extra insurance.