AI Wearables Water Resistance Guide: IP Ratings Explained
Can you shower with a smart ring? Swim with smart glasses? Wash hearing aids? This guide explains IP ratings and water resistance for AI wearables.
Understanding IP Ratings
IP (Ingress Protection) ratings tell you how well a device is protected against dust and water. The format is IPXX, where the first X is dust protection (0–6) and the second X is water protection (0–9).
| Rating | Meaning |
|---|---|
| IPX4 | Splash-resistant (sweat, light rain) — not for submersion |
| IPX5 | Water jets (rain, shower) — not for submersion |
| IPX6 | Powerful water jets — not for submersion |
| IPX7 | Submersion up to 1 meter for 30 minutes |
| IPX8 | Submersion beyond 1 meter (manufacturer-specified depth) |
| IP68 | Dust-tight + submersion (typical for smart rings) |
Smart Rings
All major smart rings are rated to 100m water resistance (IP68 equivalent), which covers:
- ✅ Showering
- ✅ Swimming (pool and ocean)
- ✅ Hot tubs (under 100°F)
- ✅ Sweating during exercise
- ✅ Hand washing
- ❌ Saunas above 100°F (heat can damage the battery)
- ❌ Hot springs (heat + chemicals)
Smart Glasses
| Smart Glasses | IP Rating | Can You Shower? | Can You Swim? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meta Ray-Ban Gen 2 | IPX4 | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Razer Anzu | IPX4 | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Viture Luma Pro | Not rated | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Xreal Air 2 Pro | Not rated | ❌ No | ❌ No |
Smart glasses are NOT designed for water exposure. IPX4 means they handle sweat and light rain, but not showering or swimming.
Hearing Aids
OTC hearing aids vary in water resistance:
- Lexie B2 Plus: IP68 — can shower but not recommended; remove for swimming
- Jabra Enhance Plus: IP68 — same as Lexie
- Sony CRE-E10: Not water-resistant — remove for showering
- Lexie B1: IP68 — can shower but not recommended
Best Practices
- Remove smart glasses before showering or swimming
- Smart rings can stay on for almost all water activities (avoid saunas above 100°F)
- Remove hearing aids before showering (moisture can damage speakers)
- Dry your devices thoroughly after water exposure
- Don't charge wet devices — dry them first
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes — all major smart rings (Oura, Samsung, RingConn, Ultrahuman, Amazfit) are rated to 100m water resistance, which covers showering, swimming, and hot tubs under 100°F. Avoid saunas and hot springs above 100°F, as the heat can damage the battery.
No — smart glasses like the Meta Ray-Ban are rated IPX4 (splash-resistant only), not for submersion. Remove smart glasses before showering or swimming. IPX4 handles sweat and light rain, but not water submersion.