Everyone looks for the best specs in phones and earphones. The next most important thing that grabs our attention nowadays is the IP rating.
IP ratings can be a complex matter because of their wide range.
Which one to choose between IPX4 vs IP55 IPX5 IPX7 IP67 IP44 IP24 IP78?
All the IP ratings provide different levels of safety to the device. IP ratings are given after testing the device against dust and water. A higher IP rating ensures more safety for phones and earphones. For example, taking an IP78 device underwater is safe, but an IP24 is not safe underwater.
For comparing the IP ratings you must dive into the topic. I’ve discussed everything in depth. Get focused and start our journey!
Quick Comparison
IP ratings can get pretty confusing because of the variation of ratings. All these ratings have different significance. You must understand the IP ratings before choosing any enclosed electronic product.
Accurate ratings will save you from hassles like Fortnite mic problems. To make your work easy I have prepared a comparison table. You will get a quick outline of the matter from the table. Have a look at it!
| Factors | IPX4 | IP55 | IPX5 | IPX7 | IP67 | IP44 | IP24 | IP78 |
| Protection from Solid (Dust) | NO | YES | NO | NO | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| Protection from Water | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| Degree of Protection from Dust | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 7 |
| Degree of Protection from Water | 4 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 8 |
Now you can quickly decide between IPX4 and other IP ratings. But still, the ratings have broader meanings. Below I will discuss the IP ratings in particular.
Extended Comparison
The word IP is the abbreviation for Ingress Protection. Ingress means anything entering or going inside. IP ratings indicate the protection power of devices against things that can enter them. These things are usually dust (solid) and water (liquid).
The standard form of IP ratings is IPXY. X and Y show the degree of protection against dust and water. These are expressed in numbers. The protection degrees range from 0 to 8. With higher degrees, more safety is ensured.
Devices having X instead of a number in the rating, don’t provide dust protection. That means their dust shield degree is 0. Let’s see how IPX4 stands against other different IP ratings.
IPX4 vs IP55
A device with an IPX4 rating is protected against liquid. But it doesn’t offer protection against dust. Because X in IPX4 means it has dust protection of zero degrees. But that does not imply that it is prone to dust problems.
Like any other device, it has some level of protection against debris and sand. But this shield is not tested and is unrated. Whereas IP55 rating means the device is protected against both dust and water.
The level of safety from moistures is not very different in IPX4 and IP55. But IP55 has a strong defense against dust. Anyway, this is not the highest degree. So IP55 will not ensure that your device, for example, earphones, is completely dust-protected.
IPX4 vs IPX5
Both IPX4 and IPX5 do not offer dust and debris protection. Both have decent moisture and liquid defense systems. But IPX5 is a step ahead in this case. IPX4 devices are protected from water splash and rays from all directions.
It can still allow some penetrations. IPX5 on the other hand has a defense against low-pressure jets of water. This type of protection is unavailable in the IPX4 rated devices. So you might have to fix phones damaged by water due to having IPX4.
IPX4 vs IPX7
The IPX7 rating means a very strong cover against water and liquids. It is almost an ideal rating for waterproofing. IPX7 rated earphones can be drowned in a meter of water. They can survive in this water for about 30 minutes.
But IPX4 is only water splashproof. You can’t jump into the water with an IPX4 rated device. Despite the differences in moisture protection, these ratings perform the same in the case of dust.
Both IPX4 and IPX7 have X in their names. So both are untested against solids like dust. Earphones with these ratings can stop working due to dust just like Hyperx-Cloud Mic 2 dysfunctioning.
I have some suggestions for waterproof bags. These bags can be used with low IP devices:
| Product-1 | |
| Product-2 |
Use these products to ensure the safety of your electronic devices. You will surely love these bags after using them.
IPX4 vs IP67
IP67 is a very high level of IP rating for both moisture and dust protection. On the contrary, IPX4 has zero dust protection and mid-level moisture protection. IP67 is mostly available in flagship devices.
The ratings 6 and 7 of IP67 imply that it is completely water and dust-proof. You can use devices with IP67 ratings in deserts and oceans without any problem. Just kidding! Keep your device safe despite its high IP rating.
IPX4 is only splash-proof with no solid and dust protection. The IPX4 rated devices are miles behind the IP67 rated devices in protection.
IPX4 vs IP44
IPX4 is moisture-proof from all directions but not tested against dust. The same moisture protection is available in IP44. Both have an equal degree of protection against liquid and moisture.
But IP44 is very ahead in the case of dust protection. It offers a midrange solid and dust shield compared to zero protection of IPX4. IP44 devices are protected against solids particles bigger than 1 mm.
IPX4 vs IP24
The IP24 rating is not a strong defense against dust. It is an entry-level protection system. It offers only second-degree solid particles protection. But the moisture protection is mid-level. IP24 devices are protected from liquid splashes.
But still, after the low-level and mid-level protection measures, IP24 is better than the IPX4. The IPX4 has similar protection for water and other liquids. But it does not offer any tested defense system for dust particles.
IPX4 vs IP78
I have previously said that higher IP ratings are better for device security. It means high levels of protection against dust and liquid. IP78 rating tops in this section. It has almost the highest ever IP rating.
Ratings from 6 are strong enough to handle the toughest dust and moisture situations. IP78 has the protection power of the 7th and 8th levels. Any device with an IP78 rating is completely dust and water protected.
It can survive under 1.5m of water for 30 minutes. IP78 rating is the optimum defense system that you can get for your device.
On the other hand, the IPX4 does not shine brightly against IP78. This rating is insufficient against debris and other solid particles. It also has medium protection against water and moisture. Earphones and mics with this rating can fail like Arctis 7 mic failures.
This was a detailed comparison between IPX4 and other IP ratings. You can see that IPX4 is not the best IP rating for an enclosed electronic device. It can be regarded as an entry-level IP rating.
IPX4 rating is only better than the IP24 rating. All other IP ratings are stronger and provide more protection. Among them, the IPX5 is closest to the IPX4. Also, IP44 is very similar to IPX4, except for the fact that it has a tested dust protection system.
The best IP rating position is secured by the IP78 rating. And the rank is then followed by IP67, IP55, and IPX7. Below the IPX7, all the IP ratings have quite similar specifications.
If the user is an adventurous person, an IPX4 rating will not be sufficient for him/her. But this rating will be adequate for day-to-day usage. Now you have to choose the best IP rating for your devices.
FAQs
Question: Which is better: IPX4 or IPX5?
Answer: IPX5 is better than IPX4. IP means Ingress Protection. Higher IP means more safety for the device. IPX4 and IPX5 have zero protection against dust. But for moisture, IPX5 is a step ahead of IPX4.
Question: Can I shower with IP55?
Answer: Yes, you can shower with IP55. IP55 is very resistant to dust and water. It can defend against water splash. Showering falls in this category. But prevent direct spray of water from the shower jet.
Question: Is IPX4 good for showers?
Answer: IPX4 is good for showers. But it is not suggested to do so. Earphones or buds with IPX1 to X4 ratings have weak water defense technology. So they can get damaged by water penetrations.
Conclusion
I hope that you are clear about IPX4 vs IP55 IPX5 IPX7 IP67 IP44 IP24 IP78. I tried my best to compare them and provide the details.
While choosing an IP rating go with your necessities. Higher IP rating will cost more, but provide more safety.
Best of luck!
