No, you should not wear AirPods in the shower because they are only sweat and water-resistant (IPX4 for some models), not waterproof, and running water, soap, or steam can damage them, reducing their water resistance over time and potentially causing them to break, even if they seem to work initially. While some users report success, it's at their own risk as water ingress can affect audio quality and internal components, and Apple advises against using them in showers or for swimming.
This is dangerous, if you let your airpods plug your ears while wet, you could develop a fungal infection in your ear canal. Dry it first before using airpods.
But there's a bit of good news for AirPods Pro owners: They are sweat and water resistant, boasting an IPX4 water-resistant rating. That means that AirPods Pro hold up if they get splashed with water from any direction or wet from sweat.
AirPods Pro 3 and the MagSafe Charging Case (USB-C) for AirPods Pro 3 are dust, sweat, and water resistant for non-water sports and exercise, and have a rating of IP57 under IEC standard 60529 (maximum depth of 1 meter up to 30 minutes).
No, you should not wear AirPods in the shower. They are not waterproof and could be damaged by the water.
AirPods Pro, AirPods 3, and AirPods 4 (both models) are sweat and water resistant, but they are not waterproof or sweatproof. They aren't designed for use in water sports like swimming, or for showering.
Can I shower with waterproof earbuds? Yes, as long as the earbuds have a suitable waterproof rating (typically IPX5 and above).
Allow your AirPods to dry completely — for at least two hours — before you place them in the charging case or use them.
AirPods are not safe to use during sauna sessions. The high temperatures and humidity can lead to overheating and damage the devices, compromising their performance and longevity. Consider using waterproof headphones or sauna-safe speakers instead.
AirPods 4 and the charging case are rated IP54 dust, sweat, and water resistant, so they'll withstand anything from rain to heavy workouts.
Even the newer generations of AirPods are only water- and sweat-resistant, which means they can handle a little bit of water damage, but they aren't completely protected.
Launch the iOS/iPadOS Shortcuts app, tap Water Eject > Start, and choose the intensity. Water will likely start coming out of the AirPods. Repeat the process until the water stops. Then, disconnect the AirPods to turn them off.
Apple uses a white field to indicate that a device has had no liquid contact. When the indicator comes in contact with liquid, the white field turns red. In addition to the SIM tray, indicators may be located in the headphone jack and charging ports, depending on the model.
The "60/60 rule" for headphones is a hearing safety guideline: listen at no more than 60% of the maximum volume for no longer than 60 minutes at a time, then take a break to let your ears rest and recover, helping prevent noise-induced hearing loss. This simple habit protects hearing by managing sound intensity and duration, with noise-cancelling headphones helping by reducing the need to turn up the volume in noisy environments.
Dry earwax is not as effective as wet earwax in trapping foreign particles and is more likely to cause blockages in the ear canal.
While putting your AirPods in rice is a well-known way to draw out moisture, it might also further damage your electronics. Rice does draw out moisture, but it also releases lots of small particles like dust and debris which can wreak havoc on an already vulnerable device.
A1: No. Even water-resistant AirPods are only rated for splashes, not pressurized water, soap/shampoo, or steam. Showers can force moisture into the speaker mesh and mics, degrade seals, and cause corrosion.
Using AirPods in very hot conditions can permanently shorten battery life. Store your AirPods where the temperature is between -10º and 45º C (14º to 113º F).
AirPods Pro and charging case are sweat and water resistant for non-water sports and exercise. AirPods Pro and charging case were tested under controlled laboratory conditions, and have a rating of IPX4 under IEC standard 60529.
AirPods Pro have an IPX4 rating, meaning they're resistant to water splashes from any direction. However, this is far from waterproof. They can handle sweat and light rain but not submersion or heavy water exposure.
Clean your AirPods using tools you have at home
Toothpick: Use toothpicks to ease gunk out of tight spaces. Just be sure to clean gently, as the mesh panels in your earbuds can pop out or dislodge. Q-Tip: Use a Q-Tip to pick up particles along the curves of your AirPods and inside your charging case.
Don't swim with your AirPods. Don't put AirPods in the washing machine or dryer. Don't wear AirPods in a sauna or steam room. Don't expose AirPods to high-velocity water, such as while water skiing.
Gen Z likes wired headphones for a mix of nostalgia, anti-corporate fashion statements (rejecting the "tech bro" vibe of AirPods), superior audio quality (no Bluetooth compression), affordability, reliability (no charging, fewer dropouts), and sustainability (longer lifespan, less e-waste). It's a deliberate choice that blends retro style with practical and ethical benefits, making them a "low-key flex" on platforms like TikTok.
22 Ways to Listen to Music in the Shower
With soundcore IPX7 waterproof earbuds, you are able to use them in the shower without issue.